2016 Kia Sedona SXL  This seemingly routine minivan is anything but mundane and offers a whole lot more than meets the eye, says auto writer Greg Rubenstein. If there’s any doubt this year’s vehicles aren’t the hippest, safest, and cushiest ever made, a few minutes looking around and inside Kia’s 2016 Sedona will convince you. This seemingly routine minivan is anything but mundane, chock full of goodies onc ...

[caption id="attachment_1958" align="alignleft" width="198"] OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA[/caption] Cornish Miners and Tommyknockers The perils of gold mining led to the stuff of legends––some real and some imagined. By Marshall Trimble The rocky wilderness of the American West turned out to be the richest treasure trove of natural resources in the history of the civilized world. And the chance to get rich quick ...

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 21st as North Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform their final concert of the season titled “American Freedoms.” The concert is a celebration of the freedoms guaranteed by our country, which will feature composer Robert Russell-Bennett’s The Four Freedoms. This piece was inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous 1941 speech, and the four Norman Rockwell paintings dep ...

Spring Cleaning 101 From an epic house-cleaning playlist to cleaning your home naturally, Kristin Caliendo makes spring-cleaning easy breezy.   You shouldn’t feel defined by whether or not your windows shine, but it’s hard not to judge your own housekeeping skills when trying to stay ahead of the gunk and grime that inevitably comes with having kids. I’ve found that being a step ahead of the mess helps ...

Chilaquiles Mama G. (aka Leann Grunwald) makes yesterday's tortillas today’s breakfast. Yesterday’s tortillas are today’s breakfast with chilaquiles, crispy golden fried tortillas, softened to absorb the spicy liquid of whatever delicious chili sauce they are immersed in. The beauty of chilaquiles lies in the incredible versatility of the dish. Although the basic ingredients consist of tortillas and sauce, ...

The Casitas at Maravilla Scottsdale A new approach to resort retirement living awaits. Elegant, yet functional, warm and inviting, replete with exceptional resort-style amenities and services—a new approach to retirement living has arrived. Welcome to the Casitas at Maravilla Scottsdale. The perfect option for those seeking privacy in a resort retirement setting, the Casitas redefine spacious, single-level ...

The Spirit of Discovery Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa is the ultimate escape for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and rejuvenation. By Sondra Barr Your starting point: Sky Harbor Airport. That’s where intrepid Arizona travelers begin their journey to one of Colorado’s best-kept (but not for long) secrets––Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa. One of the top 100 resorts in the world, according to Cond ...

BE Bullet Points Writer M.D. Thalmann takes a look inward.   Now that everyone's getting settled comfortably into 2016, it's a fair guess to say that people have also crept back into their habits from last year, regardless of any resolutions they might’ve made. I heard a message recently that stuck with me, and I'm going to share it with you: Instead of resolving to do something, it's better to resolve ...

12 Home Essentials Fabulous homey must-haves for families. By Nadine Bubeck Home is where the heart is. It’s also where toys are scattered, laundry’s piled, and dust seems to linger. As a mom of two under 2, I favor pretty, practical, and posh décor items and essentials for my house, so I’ve scoured to find fabulous homey must-haves. Dynamic Frames These frame sets act as cabinets, opening from the front, a ...

By Julie Carlson THE ROYAL WE By Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan make their adult fiction debut with the delightfully charming The Royal We. The two authors are also well known for their super popular fashion blog, Go Fug Yourself. Fans of the British monarchy and British aristocracy will get a kick out the friendship and romance between Rebecca Porter and Prince Nicholas, ...

Aileen Frick  Valley artist dazzles viewers with mixed media collages.   Phoenix-based collage artist Aileen Frick is creating visually dazzling imagery inspired by her life in Arizona. She skillfully handles her mediums with detail, expertly blurring the lines of her mixed media pieces. “I am interested in the way collage can be integrated into paintings so that one is not conscious of the boundary be ...

The Lexus RX 350 F Sport is a luxurious option for Scottsdale soccer moms By Kristin Caliendo As a parent, you know the most important thing about driving kids around town is getting them where they need to be in a safe and reliable car. According to car enthusiasts and even the most discerning car owners, the Lexus brand speaks uncompromised luxury and has made great strides in the high-performance categor ...

Acura RDX Whiz-bang technology aside, the 2016 RDX is a very straight-forward vehicle to pilot, says auto writer Greg Rubenstein. Redesigned for 2016, the third-generation Acura RDX is a five-seat compact luxury SUV with loaded with luxury and high-tech features. Available exclusively with a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 279 horsepower and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the RDX comes in either ...

The Irish in Arizona State historian Marshall Trimble on the indelible mark the Irish made on the history of the West. There’s an old saying, “He had the luck of the Irish,” referring to a person who struck it rich in the mining camps of the West. For a few Irish immigrants that was true. Others made it through pure hard work and honest determination. Take Nellie Cashman for example. She was a real-life dim ...

Every Kid’s Dentist Dr. Lisa Bienstock turns a visit to the dental chair into a positive experience for children. By Kristin Caliendo North Valley pediatric dentist Lisa Bienstock, DMD, is the sort of doctor that most adults wished had been around when they were kids. With a kind, caring, and compassionate manner, Dr. Bienstock instantly puts not only her young patients at ease, but their parents too. An Ar ...