By Dr. Mark Rosenberg, D.O. When I tell people I’m a dermatologist, they often ask the same question: Are there any simple tricks for improving my skin health? In fact, other than eating a well-rounded diet, getting exercise and sleeping enough every night, the healthiest thing to do is to build anti-skin cancer efforts into your routine. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, a ...

By Bridgette Redman A simple question 19 years ago launched a theater company that has changed lives and opened doors for its participants. The question was, “When is it my turn?” A school for the deaf arts teacher, Sam, who legally just goes by her first name, was leaving building when her son, Chris Forrest, who has developmental disabilities, asked her that question. She looked at him and said, “It’s alw ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Former Civil Wars singer John Paul White has played the Musical Instrument Museum three times. Still, he doesn’t think he’s quite grasped the North Phoenix landmark. “I’m a dork,” White says. “I read all the cards and watch all the videos. But more than that, the staff is the palate cleanser we need. “We’ve been playing rock clubs and dive bars with terrible green rooms. They d ...

By Taylor O’Connor Linda Parker-Smith was going through a dark time in her life. She lost her husband and sister, and then her son took his own life. It was during that time she felt God’s touch and heard his voice. He says, “Now is the time for smiles,” the Cave Creek resident recalls. It was her trust in the Lord that brought her to create Smiles and Beyond, a nonprofit that helps incarcerated men and wom ...

Angie Hallier understands what it is like to go through a divorce. She has been there. The author of “The Wiser Divorce—Positive Strategies for Your Next Best Life,” was a divorced single mother when she went through law school.  Now in her 29th year as a divorce attorney, Hallier’s direct communication style, sense of humor, settlement strategies and litigation skills make her a sought-out ally by tho ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Mark and Alexis Breyer are the definition of “giving back.” They give to their clients, their staff and the community. The “husband and wife law team” recently sponsored Game Changers, a charitable initiative with the D-backs for students. The Valley couple are regularly named “best lawyers.” “Giving back was definitely instilled in Mark,” Alexis says. “He’s a super, super huge ...

By Octavio Serrano Shandee Chernow rolled out of bed to find her lower lip had “blown up.” “I can’t even explain to you how large it was. As though Mike Tyson punched me, and all his force landed in my lower lip,” the North Phoenix resident recalls. Terrified, Chernow quickly picked up her cellphone to send her father, a physician, a photo. He knew right away his 28-year-old daughter developed a food allerg ...

By Taylor O’Connor  Smiles and Beyond founder says God inspired organization Linda Parker-Smith was going through a dark time in her life. She lost her husband and sister, and then her son took his own life. It was during that time she felt God’s touch and heard his voice. He says, “Now is the time for smiles,” the Cave Creek resident recalls. It was her trust in the Lord that brought her to create Smi ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Catholic Community Foundation’s Crozier Gala honors its roots Catholic Community Foundation welcomed or honored guests like Tony LaRussa, Derrick Hall and Erma Bombeck at its annual Crozier Gala in the last 30 years. This year, for the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Phoenix, the Crozier Gala’s theme is “Remembrance.” The gala, set for Saturday, April 27, at The Phoenician R ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Local musicians shred and sing for a good cause Well-known Cave Creek country singer Ryan Sims has spent the last year touring North American radio stations pushing his 2017 EP, “My Side of the Story.” Long gone are the regular gigs at Copper Blues or various restaurants around the Valley. But when the Cactus Shadows High School graduate returns home, he makes sure it’s for a g ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski David Peralta says the D-backs are on track for a championship Standing at his locker in the Salt River Fields clubhouse, Arizona Diamondbacks’ outfielder David Peralta smiles as he prepares for an interview. He’s unaware two players – pitchers Andrew Chafin and Zack Godley – are about to jump in. “Oh boy,” the North Valley resident says as Godley sticks a mic in his face while ...

By Laura Latzko Jeff Harris says goodbye during Sonoran Desert Chorale’s ‘Sing On’ show Jeff Harris has directed the Sonoran Desert Chorale since he founded the group 25 years ago. After the chorale’s “Sing On” concerts, he’s closing that chapter.  Recently, Harris retired from his position as director of choral activities at Westwood High School in Mesa, where he worked for 31 years. He has also stepp ...

By Laura Latzko Don Bluth brings Noel Coward’s spooky work to the stage  Shows exploring the other world and séances are often presented in a spooky way. In Noel Coward’s play “Blithe Spirit,” conjuring up spirits ensues in hilarity.  The Don Bluth Front Row Theatre will present the show through Saturday, May 4.  The company produced the show six years in the living room of Don Bluth, the theater’ ...

By Bridgette Redman  Dawnn Lewis hits the stage for ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ Dawnn Lewis has been defying conventions since she was a teenager and it has resulted in a long-lasting career that includes Broadway, television, composing, voice acting and songwriting. From April 25 to May 5, this former star of “A Different World”—and the composer of its theme song—will star as Muzzy in Scottsdale Theater Com ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ‘Live from Laurel Canyon’ breathes life into folk mainstays Brian Chartrand spent the summer of 2012 working as a cruise ship musician. To prepare for it, he needed to know 300 covers—even before he stepped foot on the boat. It took some preparation, as he chose tunes by artists like James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles. “It was a really good history lesson for me, ...