By Marion Hager

This past June, I took a fabulous cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner. It was my third time in Alaska, and I have to say it was by far the best. I purchased my first two Alaska cruises based on low price. This time, I paid more and went for the value.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises operates deluxe ships that are totally inclusive. Once I paid for the cruise in full, I could have left my wallet at home! My cruise fare included everything: airfare, transfers, and accommodations, including meals and entertainment, taxes, shore excursions, onboard gratuities, and all beverages and spirits aboard the ship. Even the alternative restaurants were complimentary. I booked early and reserved their minimum accommodation—a luxurious suite with a balcony.

The shore excursions Regent included at each port were nothing less than spectacular. A few of the more extensive ones required a small supplement; however, most were included with the booking. We could select from anything and everything from an active day of hiking and zip-lining to a relaxing city tour. My biggest thrill came during a whale watching excursion. We found a mother humpback and her calf and stayed with them for almost fifteen minutes, and I got a photo of the calf waving goodbye to us!

Whether you are sailing to the Alaska Last Frontier or the ancient treasures of the Mediterranean, be sure you know what you are receiving for your money. I’ve returned home from other cruises to some very large credit card bills when I thought I got a real deal on my cruise.

To receive complimentary copies of our travel magazines, Insights and Virtuoso Life, please e-mail me at marion@hagers-journeys.com with North Valley Magazine in the subject line.

By Alana Stroud

Certainly you’ve seen the commercials with the lady jumping from bubble to bubble on her mobile phone, or the guy who ages before your eyes while calling every person who owns a cell phone. What do these two have in common? They both use Sprint’s new Any Mobile, Anytime plan.

So what makes Any Mobile, Anytime different from other plans? Unlimited calling to any mobile on any network—and not just those who share your particular service provider. Lowering your rate plan while increasing your calling circle, since minutes are free, mobile to mobile. And the freedom to switch carriers whenever your heart desires!

One satisfied customer said, “For the same features I had with my old provider, similar PDA devices, and a discount off my bill through my employer, I went from paying over $300 a month after taxes to about $170 per month after taxes.” If you (or your spouse or children, who always run over on minutes, right?) like to talk, it just may be the perfect plan!

For more information, visit eprowireless.com or call (623) 587-9350.

By Cassaundra Brooks

A rose by any other name….Cross of Christ School in Anthem may be undergoing a name change for the 2010–11 school year, but it intends to maintain its spiritual and academic character as North Valley Christian Academy (NVCA). In fact, expect NVCA to raise its maturity in the areas of Christian values and academics as it renews its commitment to the greater Anthem community.

The school, launched by Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in 2005, will expand to serve preschool through eighth grade and is implementing a few positive changes in order to successfully meet the challenge of preparing its students to take on the world now and in the future using the intellectual, spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional skills and values they acquire at NVCA: The academy’s mission is to “build leaders who are thoroughly prepared to thrive in all of life, work, and with a passion to serve others,” according to admissions director and curriculum specialist Shannon Lauletta.

The hiring of the new executive director, Nate Kretzmann, is one of those changes. Kretzmann brings with him over twenty-five years of experience. He has served as school consultant to over one hundred schools in the United States and will now help NVCA grow with the support of what he considers the key principles: leadership, excellence, relationship, service, and integrity.

A nationally recognized curriculum will also present new opportunities for growth. The Core Knowledge curriculum is a grade-by-grade specification in subjects like history, visual arts, science, mathematics, language, music, literature, and geography. This knowledge-based philosophy should boost the school’s current liberal arts curriculum, which will also implement the additional focus on developing a global education program. According to their Web site, the school has a philosophy of helping children to develop mentally and spiritually in preparation for their continued education and life experiences in general, and they “strive to ensure that academically no child is left behind.”

New name. New people. New curriculum….Same mission.

(623) 551-3454 or crossofchristschool.org

The New Year has delivered some newly opened shops and restaurants at the Shops at Norterra. Stop at the new Chase Bank for some spending money, and then hit new boutiques Bella Amie and Runway Royalty and beauty supply store Avon before munching at the Mellow Mushroom.

Bella Amie Boutique offers a fresh stock of fashion and home décor in line with current trends. It features clothing options by True Religion, American Vintage, La Rok, and more. bellaamie.com

Runway Royalty Boutique houses an assortment of high-end clothing and accessories inspired by celebrity looks. The boutique caters to men and women of all ages. (623) 434-0404

For years, Avon operated as a direct marketing company, but this shop is one of the established company’s first storefronts in the Valley. Avon stocks some of the best skin-care and hair-care products on the market, as well as accessories, clothing, and more. youravon.com/dfoster7290

To grab a savory slice and down some ice-cold brew, stop by Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, which features an original menu filled with pizzas and calzones, deli and grilled hoagies, salads, and munchies. Happy hour and reverse happy hour specials are ongoing, and if you live close by, you can take advantage of their delivery service. mellowmushroom.com

Check out norterrashopping.com for information on all the Norterra shops and restaurants. Look for Buffalo Wild Wings to open its doors this spring.

By Alana Stroud

Recently named one of the Top Independent Jewelers in the United States by National Jeweler Magazine, Treasures Custom Jewelers is no stranger to awards. Treasures was handed the America’s Best Jeweler Award this July for “implementing successful winning strategies that were exemplary of best industry performance.” This award is a nice complement to the thirty-one various state, national, and international design awards that they already have. Jessica Kelly, the owners’ daughter, has achieved her own recognition by being the youngest award-winning designer in the state.

Owners Scott and Danielle Bohall just celebrated Treasures’ eighteenth anniversary. Though located in the Arrowhead area of Glendale, the jewelers have had the pleasure of serving customers throughout the fifty states. Treasures is a full-service jeweler and Accredited Gem Laboratory. It features a large showroom displaying the latest in quality gold, diamonds, platinum, and gemstone jewelry. Scott designs most of the jewelry, and employs a number of great designers as well. He prides himself on owning a jewelry store that helps people bring forth their own style—in fact, he’s said it’s a bit more like matchmaking than selling jewelry!

For a look at all the beauty Treasures has to offer, visit them at treasuresforyou.com.

By Alana Stroud

We were on the line—or more accurately, bouncing sound waves off the tower—with eSystems business development director Mike Estabrooks. Estabrooks said that, as Sprint/Nextel’s largest preferred partner in Arizona, eSystems Management can make its clients’ lives much, much easier and, in this tough economy, squeeze every last drop of value from their wireless investment.

Reducing costs is a large priority for most businesses. Estabrooks says that eSystems has the ability to negotiate rates and programs for clients through Sprint/Nextel. This frees them up to generate revenue and focus on their business. The beginning step is a cost analysis performed by eSystems. The company reviews the client’s wireless bill for several months, identifies usage patterns, and uncovers existing available discounts they could be eligible for. From there, eSystems, working directly with Sprint/Nextel, puts together a program complete with recommended minutes, hardware, and service-provider information.

Estabrooks reports more productive (and certainly happier) clients. Cost reductions and savings are immediate, and they don’t have to go through the hassle of a cost analysis themselves. While most wireless providers are more concerned with what’s best for the shareholders, eSystems also considers clients—and community.

For more information, go to eprowireless.com.

By Cassaundra Brooks

As the holidays approach and the colder weather creeps in, the Shops at Norterra transforms into a marketplace wonderland.

The second annual Lunch with Santa series takes place Tuesdays in December from 11 a.m. to noon. Kids get to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they munch on lunch from a Norterra restaurant, collect goodie bags, and jam out. A percentage of the $5-per-child fee goes to Make a Wish Arizona Chapter. Registration is required.

The Cruisin’ with Santa Car Show is part of an ongoing car event that lasts through May of 2010. Participation is free, and no registration is required. On Friday, December 11 from 6–9 p.m., experience live holiday music, giveaways, kids’ activities, and visits from Santa. Decorate your car in the spirit of the holidays for a chance to win a prize. Attendees are encouraged to bring along canned food for donation to the St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Come out Saturday, December 12 from 5–8 p.m. for Sounds of the Holidays with musical performances by students of the Deer Valley Unified School District, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies courtesy yummy Paradise Bakery, visits from Santa, and a few surprises!

Norterra’s Mistletoe Farmers’ Market sets up shop Wednesday, December 16 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. with locally made goodness for cooking and for gift giving, accompanied by live holiday music, more visits from the jolly man in a red suit, and kids’ holiday crafts.

For additional details and updates, visit norterrashopping.com.

By Alana Stroud

If you’re like the majority of today’s society, you’re busy. Fitting in extra activities like scheduling a trip to the groomers for your beloved pet can be a chore—especially when you have to work with the groomer’s schedule and not yours.

But—there is an alternative! Enter Aussie Pet Mobile, where owner/operator Bryan Deboard makes certain your pet is taken care of with personalized service at a time that’s right for your schedule—and they come to you!

Specializing in cats and canine companions as well, APM travels the entire North Valley area offering services like breed clips, shave-downs, puppy cuts, dematting, “deshedding” (FURminator), itch-relief programs, flea and tick treatments, nail clipping and grinding, and teeth cleaning. APM uses products that are ecofriendly, natural, and biodegradable. Their units are self-contained, meaning that they use their own power and resources to get the job done. Best of all? No waiting in line for you and no waiting in cages for your pet. Your dog or cat is tended to immediately and given one-on-one service in a relaxed atmosphere at the hands of trained professionals.

Contact Aussie Pet Mobile at bryandeboard@yahoo.com or call (480) 390-9414.

By Alana Stroud

’Tis the season to be charitable! Team up with 101 Cabinets & Interiors, a local kitchen and bath design center, and participate in their project with Save the Family.

Save the Family was founded in 1988 as a community service dedicated to aiding homeless families with children shift to independence. They provide job training, life skills, and counseling. In 1994, Save the Family introduced Affordable Rental Movement (ARM). ARM has purchased more than seventy-five affordable housing units to be utilized as rentals. Rehabilitation and maintenance of the units is accomplished through grant funding, volunteer groups, and in-kind donations.

101 Cabinets & Interiors got involved as a way to pay it forward; as a result, they are able to do what they love along with providing a much-needed service to those who could truly use it. 101 Cabinets will provide labor, resources, and expertise in updating the homes and units Save the Family provides as needs arise.

The folks at 101 Cabinets strongly believe that environment influences the psyche, and they aim to encourage recovery and progression through their designs.

For more information, visit 101cabinets.com or savethefamily.org, or call (602) 971-1715 and see how you can get involved, too!

By Alana Stroud

Sprint has decided to leave calling circles to the less sophisticated companies by introducing Any Mobile, Anytime. What does this mean for current and future Sprint customers? No more restrictions on whom they call, for starters. Any Mobile, Anytime means just that—unlimited calling, texting, and messaging from any phone to any wireless service at any time. It really is that simple.

With this wireless freedom, Sprint expects to appeal to the audiences that were previously or are currently tied to providers that allow them free minutes only to a “circle of friends.” Middle-market families with multiple lines will especially benefit from this new program. No more worrying about who has what carrier—and that equals roughly 250 million wireless customers you can contact without any penalties!

Any Mobile, Anytime is yet another groundbreaking industry decision by eSystems Management.

(623) 486-2552 or eprowireless.com