By Alison Bailin Batz While often confused as one city or region, Sonoma is actually a large county spanning nearly 1,800 square miles across northern California. Within its borders are valleys, rivers, coastline, and 18 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) with more than 425 wineries and vineyards. Each of these AVAs, and sometimes a group of them together, has its own unique climate, attractions an ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Nestled below the majestic Mogollon Rim and just a short walk from the banks of the spring-fed Christopher Creek, Creekside Cabins, Tavern and Tours offers a rustic coziness set amid the beauty of the Ponderosa pines. “We like to think of ourselves as the best-kept secret in Payson because there’s really nothing like Creekside anywhere else in the area,” Creekside co-owner Jere ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Step into the world of Bodify, where two visionary sisters, Jessica Stellwagen and Melissa Mickelson, have created an extraordinary journey of body transformation by banishing stubborn fat with CoolSculpting. Since their grand entrance in 2015, they have skyrocketed to become Arizona’s No. 1 provider and the fourth in the entire nation. The stars aligned perfectly when Stellwag ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski In Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations’ 15 years, the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival stands out as a highlight among the thousands of events it’s produced, according to Jamie Morris LeVine. It’s important to the nation, too, as the event recently won best multiple-day event program for a corporation or association category at the Informa Connect’s Special Event ...

By James Lotts When Josh Rojas headed to the University of Hawaii to play baseball, he had never been away from his home state of Arizona to play the sport he loved. He admitted he struggled at first, but he eventually settled in and became comfortable with life on the road. However, the business of baseball brought him back home and, with that, the pressure of representing his hometown in front of friends ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Name: Alexa Nadramia, who also performs under the name A’lee Hometown: Staten Island; now living in Scottsdale Release: “Tonight,” available on Spotify, Apple Music and I Heart Radio Music Website/socials: itsmealee.com Instagram: @itsmealee2424 Lowdown: Alexa Nadramia is a singer-songwriter who received extensive formal piano/voice training for more than 10 years. In 2012 — tw ...

By Christopher Elliott Mark Graham is planning a trip to Sicily and France with his wife this summer. He’s still working out some of the details, but one thing he is sure of: getting travel insurance. Graham can’t imagine traveling without it. “We feel better knowing we have the safety of insurance,” says Graham, a retired telecommunications worker. And who can blame him? The pandemic made travel insurance ...

By Sophie Oppfelt Gordon Brown used to be a licensed psychologist and U.S. Navy petty officer 1st class. But a severe blow to the head caused bleeding on the brain and led to surgery in 2002 that left him struggling to read and speak. Brown says he’s now mostly recovered, and he credits hyperbaric oxygen therapy, known as HBOT, which most commonly is used in hospitals to treat burn victims and severe skin a ...

By Summer Aguirre Pet owners in North Phoenix now have a reliable, affordable pet vet in their backyard, thanks to Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit’s new brick-and-mortar clinic. The specialized veterinary practice’s new clinic is located at 4727 E. Bell Road on the southwest corner of Tatum Boulevard. Its expansion is due to demand and its success operating primarily from mobile units, through which it pursues it ...

By Bridgette M. Redman In a city known for its views, few can compete with those from the restaurants and rooms of the Marina del Rey Hotel. It’s one of the grand dames of the coastal town, having been built in 1964 and then being fully renovated in 2014. From the moment one turns down the dock leading to this waterfront hotel, everything is designed to transport guests to a coastal paradise, one where boat ...

By Summer Aguirre Tierra Madre Horse & Human Sanctuary is growing, and its latest expansion will incorporate programming for young people with autism. While the Cave Creek sanctuary’s purpose is to provide a forever home for disadvantaged horses, its team also aims to help humans navigate their personal challenges with the healing powers of its two dozen-plus equines. Tierra Madre’s youth programming, i ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Haley Reinhart looks back on “American Idol” fondly — especially her connection with fellow 10th season contestant Casey Abrams. Twelve years later, she’s still supporting Abrams, who has suffered from ulcerative colitis since he was young. Recently, he was hospitalized and underwent a lifesaving surgery that forced the removal of his entire colon. Abrams will recover, but he n ...

By Sue Kern-Fleischer In the heart of Cave Creek, two large Tamarisk trees provide more than shade. They are a symbol of new beginnings, strength and resilience. So, it was only fitting that a group of eight artists open The Finer Arts Gallery in the historic “Treehouse” building adjacent to the two trees. Pat Isaacson, a glass artist and one of the gallery’s eight co-owners, says The Finer Arts Gallery fir ...

By Josh Ortega After 12 years of preparation, country star Lainey Wilson says she’s finally entered the race, but the process was all a part of paying her dues. “They say Nashville is a 10-year town, and I truly believe it,” Wilson says. The Louisiana native saw the fruits of her labor in 2022, nabbing an armful of accolades including CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA New Artist of the Year, ACM’s New Fe ...

By Joe McHugh  After record-breaking attendance in 2022, bringing in over 719,000 fans, the WM Phoenix Open is firing back up at TPC Scottsdale, in what should be its biggest tournament. With the Super Bowl in town the same weekend, all systems will be a go to bring the tournament to new heights. “We’re going to have probably 90,000 people per day at a minimum,” tournament Chairman Pat Williams says. “Certa ...