By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski The Tikka Shack’s website flashes “seriously good Indian food.” Owner Parish Patel wholeheartedly backs that, and he says guests at his Desert Ridge restaurant agree. “We opened on April 14 and it’s been great so far,” Patel says. “I always wanted to have an Indian food restaurant that was modern in its approach. Anybody who walks through the door can understand the menu and be ...

With jan D’Atri It’s a special occasion dinner, a fabulous Sunday supper, a Father’s Day feast or just a delicious weeknight meal. Beef tenderloin is always a favorite, and I often get requests for different ways to prepare it. Cooked correctly, this cut of beef can be so tender it will melt in your mouth. In fact, beef tenderloin is widely regarded as the tenderest of all cuts. (After all, you’re getting a ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Founded in 2005, the law offices of Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys consist of 180-plus compassionate attorneys and staff with over 240 years of combined litigation experience. This noteworthy amount of time equates to the firm’s legal team achieving impressive results for clients. In fact, the law firm takes great pride in providing compassionate and aggressive care and servi ...

By Sherry Jackson From notorious motorcycle club members to adult filmmakers to defendants facing life in prison for murder charges, attorney Richard Gaxiola has the skillset, reputation and experience to achieve tremendous results and he works tirelessly for his clients. Gaxiola focuses his practice on major felony defense and believes everyone charged with a crime deserves to have aggressive representatio ...

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 ...