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You might not think of Cleveland as a summer vacation destination, but Phoenix native Ryan Swanson says the midwestern city is an “underrated gem.” The head chef at Kai at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass – Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant – visits The Forest City twice a year with his girlfriend to see her family. They make an effort to find something new each time, especially museums, parks...

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Eight years ago, Ali Nervis met his business partners, Henry Dickerson and Dominic Clark, when they were selling T-shirts and jewelry at small business events. “We share a lot of the same values in terms of why we’re in business – family, community and self-sustainability,” Nervis says. With their wives, the trio launched Archwood Exchange, a monthly swap-meet affiliated with the Buy Black Marketplace movement, in 2016. Their latest project: Straw & Wool, a hip...

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Symptoms may linger long after official recovery for many COVID patients. Doctors report these are particularly persistent. Loss of Smell/Taste This loss occurs in about one out of 10 patients and can last as long as six months, according to Dr. Joshua LaBaer, director of Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute. He says the primary loss is smell, which can affect how a person perceives taste. There are no proven remedies that can accelerate recovery. Poor...

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Every year, Paradise Valley sculptor William Daggett travels to Northern Arizona or Southern Utah to collect twisted juniper branches that “speak to me,” he says. He has worked with this hard, dense wood for the past decade, finding motion and beauty in the shapes of these 1,000-year-old tree limbs. “I look for a motion – an animal, a bird, a plane – something abstract I can see in it. Usually, [the wood] says what it...

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Nestled in San Luis Obispo County, this quaint coastal community is a must-add to your Central California road trip with its new Insta-worthy experiences. The Bee’s Knees Fruit Farm Book a countryside getaway at this enchanting, upscale farmhouse located on 3 acres of fresh fruit and vegetables ready to pick at your leisure. Explore the nearby areas of Morro Bay and Pismo Beach with hiking, biking and paddling, then return to the farm to enjoy...

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Photo by Gianluca D’Elia   Local artist Lalo Cota has spiced up the traditional 19th-century still life fruit bowl with one of his latest projects. Teaming up with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Cota designed a vibrant, Arizona-inspired mural of fresh food on the western wall of Nourish Phoenix, a Downtown Phoenix food bank that also provides clothing, household items and assistance with Medicaid applications. Previously, Cota has painted murals on the exterior walls of Phoenix schools...

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Photo by Tayden Savage   The Valley is home to many breweries and restaurants with craft alcoholic beverages, but Old Town Scottsdale features the always crowded Blue Clover Distillery (7042 E. Indian School Rd). As the area’s first ever microdistillery, Blue Clover is famous for its small-batch, hand-distilled vodka and gin. With an indoor-outdoor bar and huge dining patio, it’s perfect for laidback dinners and weekend brunches. Because of its growing popularity, Blue Clover has...

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If you didn’t think Pita Jungle could get any better, the Tempe location (4 E. University Drive) now serves healthy and fresh Mexican food through its new ghost kitchen, A Su Salud. Pita Jungle has been a Phoenix area favorite for delicious, guilt-free appetizers, meals and desserts for almost two decades. And now, they’ve created an entirely new takeout menu to try out. A Su Salud, meaning “to your health” in Spanish, is a wood-fired...

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Everyone’s favorite bleach-blonde host of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives has made yet another appearance in the Valley, only this time, it’s more on the down low. Guy Fieri recently added to his collection of successful restaurants with the innovation of Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen, a delivery-only chain that operates out of already established restaurants. Arizona is just one of 26 states to have launched locations in January and February. In the Valley, four Buca di...

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Whether you live downtown or miles outside the city, Phoenix is always moving and grooving. Being in a sprawling metropolis can sometimes feel overwhelming with few places to actually sit and hear your own thoughts. Luckily, you don’t have to have to hike to the top of a mountain to find some quiet. Visit these five places to temporarily forget you live in bustling Phoenix. First Draft Book Bar Nestled in Changing Hands Bookstore, you...

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Finding vegan desserts can be challenging when seemingly everything sweet contains milk, butter or eggs. Luckily, the Valley has a wide range of vegan bakeries and restaurants. Check out these 10 affordable desserts for when you’re craving a sugary, plant-based pick-me-up. Chocolate Hazelnut Pie ($7) At the Giving Tree Cafe, chocolate lovers can indulge their sweet tooth with a rich and creamy pie stuffed with crunchy hazelnuts in every bite. 2024 N. 7th St., Phoenix...

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With the first week of February finished, it’s likely that some people have already given up on their New Year’s resolutions. If you vowed to read more in 2021, don’t give up just yet. As the pandemic continues, local bookstores need support now more than ever. Check out these four Valley bookshops to fulfill all of your literary goals. Central Phoenix Lawn Gnome Publishing 12 N. 5th St., Phoenix Located in the Roosevelt Row arts...

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Many spicy foods aren’t for the faint of heart, but luckily, it doesn’t all taste like biting into a ghost pepper. It ranges from tasting a slight tang to experiencing watery eyes after only a whiff. In Phoenix, there’s no shortage of spice. Here are five dishes for Valley heat freaks, from mellow to merciless. NO SPICE Although Korean food can really pack a punch, the Hawaiian Chicken at Gen Korean BBQ House is nothing...