Doing it Right  Local father finds passion in taking time to help children. By Alison Bailin Batz As kids, we don’t get to pick our parents. “But wow, was I lucky,” says North Valley resident W. Scott Jenkins, Jr. who grew up under the watchful eye of his father and uncle––both local attorneys. “I remember sitting at my dad’s office when I would work for his firm in the summer as a file clerk––learning a ne ...

The Inside Advantage Realtor Cathy Hotchkiss has the inside scoop on local real estate. By Michelle Talsma Everson Purchasing or selling a home can be a daunting but exciting life-changing decision. For those interested in buying or selling properties in North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley golf and resort communities, Cathy Hotchkiss is the go-to real estate agent. This is not only because of her vast real ...

Advocate for the Underdog  Defense attorney Richard Gaxiola gets results and makes headlines in the pursuit of justice. By Becky Antioco Richard Gaxiola is one of the Valley’s most prominent criminal defense attorneys. He’s nothing if not tenacious, looking a client’s case from every angle to find the best defense, the strongest evidence, and the best strategy to bring to court. While he’s been at the cente ...

Barrio Queen  Local Mexican concept lands at Desert Ridge Marketplace with tasty food and festive ambiance. North Valley residents can finally get their Barrio Queen fix without having to drive to Old Town Scottsdale or Gilbert. Barrio Queen’s third Valley restaurant recently opened at Desert Ridge Marketplace at Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard, much to the delight of the restaurant’s devout fans. The festive ...

Modern Luxury  Inspired by history, steeped in luxury, what’s old is new again at two reimagined resorts. By Becky Antioco With approximately 450 hotels and resorts in the greater Phoenix area, totaling more than 62,000 available rooms, there’s no shortage of places to stay for visitors and stay-cationers alike, no matter your style or budget. Many have storied histories, playing host to presidents and cele ...

Are Your Wedges Costing You Strokes?  By Scott Sackett As many of you may know, I spend the summers as director of instruction at Park Meadows Country Club in Park City, Utah. Each summer, I do on average four golf schools. The schools are three days, with 18 holes of golf each day and a maximum three-to-one student teacher ratio. This past summer, I partnered with short game legend Stan Utley and put on tw ...

A Grape Winter Escape  Taste around Temecula in style. By Alison Bailin Batz Though technically winter, Temecula Valley Wine Country, which is less than an hour from San Diego Airport or a quick five-hour drive from the Valley, will spring to life in January. “Every year, we put our growth––not to mention our grapes––on display during grand Temecula Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend,” says Cori DeHore of the Te ...

Subaru Outback  A practical daily driver for the road ahead. By Greg Rubenstein For some, the car is an extension of personality—a tangible expression of aspiration. That high-end capabilities—like a 150-plus mph top speed or 30-degree approach angle—might rarely be pursued is irrelevant. If what you drive reflects your passion, it offers a glimpse into what you might do, be it a blast down the Autobahn or ...

Frontier Dentistry  The dental profession was a back-street horror show for hundreds of years, details state historian Marshall Trimble.   I’ve often said, “The good old days really weren’t all that good.” Recently, Professor Joanna Bourke wrote, “Agonizing toothache, horrifying extractions and barbaric tools have cast a large shadow over our dental past.” No truer words were ever spoken. Trained denti ...

Desert Life  The Cave Creek Museum preserves the North Valley’s history. By Julie Carlson The Cave Creek Museum's mission is to collect, interpret, and preserve Cave Creek and Carefree's history. Open to visitors from October through May, the museum began as an historical society in 1968. Located at the base of Black Mountain, it boasts 80 active volunteers dedicated to preserving the history of life in the ...

Sky Observations  The months ahead promise some astounding sights. By Steve Kates The Earth has completed another orbit around our amazing star, the sun. The month of December is full of amazing sights to see, along with some great events taking place in 2018. December skies begin with a discussion of the most amazing moon of all of 2017. The super moon will occur on the night of Dec. 3. The super moon is t ...

Far From Home Scottsdale pharmaceutical company raises funds to help hurricane victims. By Julia De Simone Photos by Steven Fellheimer The devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico is personal for Sean Lonergan of Scottsdale. The PruGen Pharmaceuticals’ (prugen.com) founder of the Scottsdale-based company not only has a home on the island, but so do several of his employees. “We’re trying to help ...

Nursery Finds  Nice custom favorites for baby’s room. By Nadine Bubeck Photos by Melissa Mulera, Studio No 5, studionumber5.com Trending in the wonderful world of nurseries––custom and contemporary. For my baby boy number three, I wanted to create a simple and uncluttered living space equipped with unique finds, personalized décor, and quality furniture. Here’s a look inside my son’s new room, and nine of m ...

Winter Winederland  Sips to celebrate the season. By Alison Bailin Batz Seeking something special to help celebrate the holidays or ring in the New Year? We’ve got you covered with some of the latest, greatest in wine and champagne, all available now at Total Wine and fine liquor and grocery stores across the North Valley. Chandon Winter Limited Edition by Rebecca Minkoff In recent months, the award-winning ...

Symphony of Light   A new drive-thru holiday attraction lights up the North Valley. By Michelle Talsma Everson Photos by Shannon Fisher Photography While we may not live in a winter wonderland, imaginative locals still find ways to make the holidays memorable. One new North Valley attraction that is poised to become an instant holiday mainstay is Illumination: Symphony of Light, the state’s newest and large ...