Locals in the national news cycle. Daniel Ramirez In December, authorities apprehended 30-year-old Ramirez after he jumped out of a taxiing plane at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Authorities reported that he opened a rear galley door and ran from the aircraft. He sought refuge in an airport fire station and was subsequently jailed on suspicion of trespassing. Daniel Robinson In June 2021, 24-year-old Buckeye resident Robinson went missing. His case went viral this winter...
Cultural traditions mesh with modern amenities on the home island of Hawaii.
If you’re curious about what’s going on in the local arts community, we curate a monthly list of what’s new and noteworthy, from new exhibits to upcoming shows. Photography Exhibition Candidly Captures Artists and Their Cats A new photo series will be displayed January 7 through January 14 at Abe Zucca Gallery in Phoenix, featuring photographs of local creatives with their beloved feline companions. Aptly named Artists and Cats, the concept features portraits of more...
When Derek Rogers started Phoenix-based Aqua Therapy Tubs eight years ago, he didn’t know about walk-in bathtubs. When his friend and former business partner told him about how they were helping seniors, it hit home. “I used to help my grandfather bathe when he was alive and it wasn’t by choice, it was by necessity,” he says. “[Walk-in bathtubs] would’ve made all the difference.” Rogers’s grandfather was a disabled World War II veteran, and his...
Ari and Athena Flicek at the Feeding Matters headquarters in Phoenix For many families, the holidays are a time to gather around good food, often celebrating with elaborate feasts or even gifting a loved one their favorite snack. For others, food-centric festivities can be difficult. For children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), the act of eating is an agonizing physical and emotional experience that can lead to refusal to eat and, ultimately, malnutrition and...
Seafood in the desert?! Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, and we recommend giving it a go at Angie’s Lobster, a new drive-through concept from the folks who founded local healthy fast-food chain Salad and Go. Tony and Roushan Christofellis sold the salad biz this summer to focus on their new endeavor, a fast and efficient seafood restaurant boasting lobster meals with fries and a drink for under $10. The first location opened in...
If you’re curious about what’s going on in the local arts community, we curate a monthly list of what’s new and noteworthy, from new exhibits to upcoming shows. Scottsdale Exhibition Highlights History of Spanish Dance in Arizona The art of Spanish dance is a staple of annual programming at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. This year, an exhibition that traces the history of the art form in Arizona will be on display through January...
In 2008, Sadhana Raj founded a small vegan eatery in Chandler with little more than a rice cooker and a $20 plug-in griddle. In 2014, she moved to a larger space on Guadalupe Road in Tempe, substantially scaling her “botanically inspired” fare and fresh-squeezed juice. She quickly garnered a group of devoted fans, who came for her healthy food and stayed for the strong sense of community. Last week, the Valley bid a reluctant farewell...
‘Tis the season for holiday imbibing! Eat, drink and be merry at these four festive pop-up concepts at local bars and restaurants. Feliz Navidad Cantina at Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill This over-the-top pop-up concept was first introduced last year. It’s even bigger and better in 2021, complete with floor-to-ceiling Christmas decorations, festive food and drinks, servers decked out in holiday garb and weekly visits from Santa and the Grinch. The pop-up will run...
Roasted Chilean Seabass | Photo by Madison Rutherford The iconic Arizona Biltmore resort recently reopened, revealing a $70 million renovation that included Renata’s Hearth, an upscale, Latin-influenced eatery that debuted on May 18. Combining Old World mystique with a distinctly modern identity, Renata’s Hearth (née Wright’s) presents a full sensory experience – from enticing aromas and bold flavors to ornate décor and pleasant sounds. During my visit, a live flutist and guitarist serve as...
Throngs of people pass through the Outlets at Anthem during the holiday season, hurrying from store to store and stopping to marvel at the giant Christmas tree in the courtyard. It’s a stunning sight: a towering, 70-foot fresh-cut evergreen adorned with miles of string lights and thousands of ornaments. At 70 feet tall and 20 feet wide, it is the biggest Christmas tree in Arizona – and has held that title for the past two...
Commuter Egg Sandwich and Espresso Tonic | Photo by Madison Rutherford I have never traveled to Tulum or Scandinavia, the two locales that inspired Kähvi Coffee + Café in Downtown Phoenix. I have, however, gleaned some ideas on a recent visit to the new coffee bar. The concept, which opened in July, is the brainchild of prolific restaurateur Julian Wright of Fork & Dagger Hospitality and is spearheaded by operating partner and industry vet Samia...
St. Francis was an Uptown Phoenix institution of sorts, serving as both a community gathering place and a solid place to enjoy gourmet global fare. Nestled in a historical building on Camelback Road just east of Central Avenue, its name was derived from a neighborhood land deed dating back to the mid-1930s and was originally owned by the Brophy family. St. Francis’ former chef, Aaron Chamberlain, made his mark on the area through a menu...
Jade Noble | Photo by Nadya Sanchez In 2006, Georganne Bryant opened a small boutique on the corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue in Phoenix. Its offerings – one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, home décor and locally made gifts – reflected her personality, mirroring her style, flair for careful curation and love for her local community. Even the shop’s name was personal. She affectionately called it Frances after her beloved grandmother. When Bryant decided to...
Sime Kosta as Frank N. Furter | Photo by Reg Madison Photography Sime Kosta is no stranger to the spotlight. The actor and singer participated in national music competitions and put out three albums in his native Croatia before he turned 13. He moved to Arizona when he was 16 and discovered musical theater, going on to study it at Arizona State University. After he graduated, he went to New York and performed in...
