Liberty Station  A tantalizing mix of options delight at smokehouse tavern in North Scottsdale. By Andrew Leach Photos by Joanie Simon I often crave dishes from the East Coast, where I grew up––think New England clam chowder, fish and chips made with Atlantic cod, or a lobster roll. Frequently, I also have a hankering for smoked barbecue too. Turns out, I can satisfy both cravings at Liberty Station America ...

Not Your Typical Minivan  Auto writer Greg Rubenstein enjoys the spirited Chrysler Pacifica. By Greg Rubenstein Chrysler invented the minivan more than 30 years ago. Since then, its Caravan, Grand Caravan, and Town and Country people-haulers have continued to define the segment, perpetually leading in sales even as the overall minivan market dropped thanks to buyers’ preferences for SUVs, and especially car ...

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park  With thousands of species on display, there’s always something exciting to see. Learn, explore, and play at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park. For the last three decades, the Litchfield Park attraction has thrilled visitors of all ages with their diversity of exotic and endangered animals. The menagerie has also grown in size and recently added new ...

Setup  Golf pro Scott Sackett talks course management from the lesson tee. I spend a lot of time on the lesson tee teaching fundamentals like grip, posture, alignment, ball position, and spine tilt. It’s my belief the setup influences most of what happens in the golf swing. I’d like to take a recent lesson in which I worked on swing mechanics and weave that into an on-course example as to how that might ben ...

Coconut French Toast Mama G reinvents a breakfast favorite.   This simple and unique French toast recipe lives up to its full potential. Unlike traditional French toast, this delectable breakfast dish utilizes coconut milk for an inventive twist and ground coriander for a beautiful nutty aroma. Coupled with savory cinnamon, the flavors are irresistible. I created this quick and easy recipe by accident ...

Pyrographer Alexandra Bowers redefines wood burning. By Nicole Royse Artist Alexandra (Lexi) Bowers’ work is greatly influenced by her home state of Arizona. Born and raised in Scottsdale, Bowers is a pyrographer (also known as a wood burning artist). As a child, Bowers spent her days outdoors with her family exploring the natural wonders of the desert. This fostered a curiosity for nature, which developed ...

Yoga Time Avoid boredom and brain drain this summer by keeping your kiddos’ minds and bodies active.  By Kristin Caliendo Yoga postures, relaxation breathing, and learning how to be mindful are simple activities kids can do anywhere, anytime––especially on vacation. Starting kids off doing yoga at an early age has so many amazing benefits. “When children learn and practice yoga, they gain powerful tools tha ...

Summer Style & Essentials Practical, fun, and stylish summer finds for the whole family. By Nadine Bubeck   All Around Playtime Patio with Canopy Create a shaded outdoor play-space for your kids with Step2’s open playhouse with canopy. This all-inclusive set features an attractive and realistic stone-stacked design equipped with a pretend grill, cooking utensils, and a sand/water play table. Severa ...

Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North welcomes Chuck Kazmer. By Michelle Talsma Everson Earlier this year, Chef Chuck Kazmer packed his bags and moved from his post as executive chef at Four Seasons Hotel Amman in Jordan to Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. A 25-year veteran of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts brand, Kazmer says that he was interested in relocating to Scottsdale because of ...

Phoenix Independence Day Celebrations––2017   July 1 Businesses in Cave Creek are teaming up for the Fourth on the First, featuring live music from Redneck Revolution and The Saints of Las Vegas, a kids’ splash area, mechanical bull riding, food and beverages, shopping, and fireworks, which begin at 9 p.m. Free. 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Frontier Town, 6245 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek. frontiertownaz.com ...

Lon Megargee  Arizona’s first cowboy artist was a creative character. I first became acquainted with the art of Lon Megargee back around 1950. A beer truck loaded with A-1 Pilsner wrecked just outside my hometown of Ash Fork. Cases of beer were scattered all along Route 66, creating a mass exodus of locals bent on filling their refrigerators with the spoils. The truck was also carrying a load of Lon Megarge ...

How White is White?  By Scott Bohall If you’re ever looked for a paint color, you already know how many shades of white you can have. In metals, white is not really white, it’s a variation of gray or silver. There’s much confusion about the various white metals, primarily because most salespeople who sell jewelry don’t really understand what makes metal the color it is and how to care for it. Platinum Let’s ...

Check out these fresh reads for June By Julie Carlson   Wonder By R.J. Palacio R.J. Palacio’s book Wonder has won awards and captured readers’ hearts around the globe. Told from six viewpoints, the story surrounds the life of August "Auggie" Pullman. He’s never attended school because of a craniofacial malformation known as Treacher Collins syndrome and a cleft palate. For a majority of his life, Auggi ...

Going for Gold  Two local teens awarded Girl Scouts’ highest honor. By Sara Goodwin For two North Valley teens, their futures are looking a little extra sparkly thanks to the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Gold Award, which is comparable to the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle Scout merit, is the most prestigious award in all of Girl Scouting, and it’s no easy feat to get. Girls spend over 80 hours working on a pr ...

A Fresh Look for Pop  Ditch the dress shirts and socks. This year, what dad is really looking forward to is his first consultation. By Dr. Jennifer Geoghegan, Oasis Plastic Surgery Men may not say it as often as women, but everyone wants to look and feel their best. Here are some gift ideas that will have the special man in your life looking great for summer. MiraDry If your special guy is bothered by under ...