Christopher Oshana  Local photographer pulls back the curtain of those suffering from PTSD. By Nicole Royse   Local photographic artist Christopher Oshana’s work is raw, emotional, and moving. His imagery ranges from the majestic Arizona landscape, to rustic still lifes and captivating portraits that offer a glimpse into his subject’s psyche, as well as his own military past. A retired 20-year Navy vet ...

Fall Follies  M.D. Thalmann laments his poor choices at Oktoberfest and football games Small pox isn't the only reason to thank European colonists! That’s right, I said it. Those pasty complected discoverers of already inhabited continents brought us style, culture, celebrations, sports, and libations. They likewise opened the door for all sorts of other interesting people to bring other wonderful bits of e ...

Practicing Medicine State historian Marshall Trimble on the standard practices of frontier doctors. The frontier was a great place for a doctor to start a practice. The word “practicing” when it came to medicine in territorial Arizona could well be interpreted literally. And, a license to practice wasn’t required until 1900, therefore anyone could hang out a shingle and start practicing. Folks were pretty t ...

NOVEMBER    6 Join the Valley’s top culinary stars under a glittery sky at Cooks and Corks, a one-night-only self-guided outdoor culinary tasting event spotlighting Arizona’s top local chefs and a world-class collection of winemakers. $125. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr., Scottsdale. cooksandcorks.org   6–8 Join the Thunderbird Artists f ...

      The following American Institute of Architects Arizona-member architectural firms are among the best in the Valley. As leaders in their field, they create stunning structures that stand out as works of art.   AAK Architecture & Interiors, Inc. 7585 E Redfield Rd., Suite 106 Scottsdale (480) 588-5852 aakaii.com AAKAII’s dedicated team of design professionals delivers a no-nonsen ...

American Muscle If you’re looking for an inspired driving experience with a lot of horsepower, look no further than the Dodge Charger R/T Plus, says auto writer Greg Rubenstein. When Fiat bought Chrysler in 2009, there were lots of questions about what the Italian auto conglomerate might do with what was arguably America’s most troubled car company. After all, Fiat’s own reputation was mediocre at best, esp ...

Sanctuary at Desert Ridge   Taylor Morrison is opening four exciting new communities at Desert Ridge. By Andrew Driggers Looking for impressive home designs in the North Phoenix area? Look no further than Sanctuary at Desert Ridge from Taylor Morrison. The Valley-based homebuilder is excited to announce a sensational lineup of new floor plans that are coming to the popular Desert Ridge area this fall. Locat ...

A Trip to Neverland   Party stylist Jamila Watson creates a Halloween celebration inspired by a classic children’s tale. “Never grow up” has to be one of my favorite lines from Peter Pan. I’ve watched the movie Peter Pan so many times as a child and was so happy to watch it again many times with my own kids. So now that Halloween is upon us and the new Pan movie is coming out this month, I decided to orches ...

Performance Art Celebrate with the stars during the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 40th anniversary. By Julie Carlson Influential Afro-Cuban jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Chucho Valdes will perform a concert at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts as part of its 40th-anniversary celebration. Scottsdale’s arts community has a lot to celebrate this year. Nestled within the vibrant park ...

Drinking It All In  The Fourth Annual Weekend Jetaway Culinary Casino Classic offers high-flying flavors.   By Alison Bailin Batz On Fri., Oct. 23, the Scottsdale Airport will transform from bustling transportation hub to the hottest party the North Valley has ever seen as it hosts the Fourth Annual Weekend Jetaway Culinary Casino Classic, presented by AXA Advisors Southwest. Set within one of the airp ...

Spectacular Sights  Get set for astounding celestial shows in the fall Arizona skies By Steve Kates     With the annual monsoon season behind us, we look forward to a most magical time of the year, when temperatures lower and the skies reveal many fresh and ancient wonders. Get set for these spectacular sights in our October and November skies. First up, on or around Oct. 8, look to the eastern sk ...

Pioneering Women’s Health Care Desert Women’s Care offers a revolutionary minimally invasive hysterectomy with less post-operative pain, minimal scarring, and a quicker return to normal life. By Michelle Talsma Everson A hysterectomy can be recommended to women of all ages for a variety of health reasons. Like any surgery and medical decision, accepting the diagnosis and navigating the process can be an ove ...

POLO PARTY An intriguing mix of old and new draws big crowds to the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses & Horsepower.   By Sondra Barr   What do you get when a posh, upper crust sport like polo is reimagined by a splashy Scottsdale PR firm tasked with bringing renewed attention to a game considered out-of-reach and out-of-touch? Answer: The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Hors ...

A Different Kind of Pour  By Alison Bailin Batz   Not long ago, simply offering a few tasting flights along with some fancy cheeses could satisfy the Valley’s oenophile (aka wine lovers) population. But those days are gone. Today, innovative new bar owners are taking the “wine and dine” concept to another level, especially in the North Valley.   Here's the 411 on three of our favorites.   Sor ...

Increase your balance and reduce anxiety with these simple yoga moves.  By Kim Miller and Shannon Dougherty Photos by Stephanie Heymann Yoga is well known for increasing flexibility, improving posture and building strength, but it’s also practiced by many for the physical and mental wellness attributes it provides. Yoga encourages deep breathing as part of the practice, which aids in reducing stress and ten ...