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T. Cook’s Burger | Photo courtesy J Lauren PR   Fall is finally here and with it comes seasonal dishes! Here are five brand-new menu items from local restaurants that we can’t wait to try in the next few months. Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast from North Italia This healthy brunch dish won’t be available until October, but that won’t stop us from drooling over its decadence. It features avocado, smoked salmon, arugula, basil, watermelon radish...

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“Self-portrait: Distanced” by Roddy MacInnes is among the artworks included in the new “Socially Distanced” exhibition at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.   Arts events are back! If you’re curious about what’s going on in the local arts community, we’ve curated a list of what’s new and noteworthy this month, from season openings to new exhibits and upcoming shows. Madison Center for the Arts Offers Free Tickets to First Responders for First Broadway Show According to its mission statement, the Madison Center aims to...

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Dario Dizdar The Phoenix police officer made headlines in August after the body of hiking partner Angela Tramonte was found near Camelback Mountain. Dizdar claims Tramonte, who was visiting from Boston, became fatigued in the 105-degree heat and the pair separated. Investigators initially found no signs of foul play, but the autopsy is pending. Tony Navarrete  Facing felony child molestation charges, the Democratic state senator resigned on August 11 in the midst of mounting pressure...

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  Smoke Show | Photo courtesy Belle’s Nashville Kitchen   It’s National Mezcal Week and to celebrate, we curated a list of local cocktails that contain the famously smoky agave spirit. Whether you prefer fruity, floral, spicy or sour flavor profiles, each of these tasty tipples beautifully showcases mezcal’s signature char. Smoke Show from Belle’s Nashville Kitchen Thanks to passion fruit puree, hibiscus-infused simple syrup and orgeat, this tangerine-hued drink features a fruity flavor profile...

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When UnderTow, Phoenix’s premier underground cocktail lounge, moved from below Sip Coffee & Beer in Arcadia Lite to Century Grand next door, we’ve all been curious about what would occupy the intimate, 600-square-foot subterranean space. Would it be something equally as immersive? Would it offer similarly unique cocktails? Our questions were answered in early July when 36 Below, a Walipini greenhouse-inspired speakeasy officially opened. The new bar is the brainchild of Sip owners Josh Katz...

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SanTan Spirits is making a splash in Arizona and beyond with a tasty trio of canned cocktails perfect for sipping in the sunshine. Aptly named SunSplash, these ready-to-drink vodka sodas came out in July and combine SanTan’s award-winning vodka with fun flavors – cherry lime, watermelon and white peach. SanTan’s sales manager, Alejandro Fontes, says the SunSplash concept has been years in the making. Fontes, who has been with the brewery and distillery for nearly...

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Jeffrey Smallwood wears a lot of hats. The Tempe-based entrepreneur, tennis coach, wedding photographer, avid traveler and father is constantly coming up with his next project. One might say he’s restless. So, it makes sense that his latest endeavor, a clothing company, is called Restless Brand. His 3-year-old daughter was the one that initially inspired the name, however. “She has energy for days,” he says. “You think you would run her into the ground with...

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Grassrootz Bookstore in Downtown Phoenix is more than a place to find rare reads. “Everything we do is rooted in community,” says co-founder Ali Nervis of the shop, which opened in 2019 and operates as a bookstore, co-working space, event center, community library and art gallery. It is also the only black-owned bookstore in Arizona. Right now, store manager Kylie Chamblee infuses tea with berries and citrus and sells it at the shop, but later...

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Locals in the national news cycle. Jordin Sparks The American Idol winner and Phoenix native recently participated in a virtual panel about social media and emotional well-being. The series is produced by People magazine and Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit destigmatizing dialogue about mental health. Dr. Michael T. Lawton Credited by actress Sharon Stone for saving her life after a major stroke in 2001, the Barrow Neurological Foundation president and CEO got another publicity...

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In this episode of Deep Cuts, PHOENIX magazine’s music podcast, we chat with Valley musician Veronica Everheart about her “sarcastic, soulful, genuine” brand of rock, why The Strokes’ Is This It is an elite album, our first concert experiences and Everheart’s new single, “Sour.” Follow Veronica Everheart on Spotify, Facebook and Instagram.

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Grilled Maine Lobster | Photo by Madison Rutherford   A serpentine stroll through We-Ko-Pa will take you to a calm corner of the casino that doesn’t feel like you’re in a casino at all. Such is the charm of Ember, the casino and resort’s new fine dining destination – a culinary oasis that is well worth the trek to far-flung Fort McDowell. The kitchen is helmed by critically acclaimed chef Richard E. Pelz, who places...

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Enjoy a cocktail, craft beer or chef-curated snack above it all at these sky-high bars and restaurants. Lustre Rooftop Bar Hotel Palomar’s chic poolside bar serves up local beers, craft cocktails and light bites with a side of sweeping city views. Hang out for happy hour on weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. or stop by on Saturdays from 8 p.m. to midnight for music from local DJs. 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-258-0231, lustrerooftopbar.com Floor...

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  Rachel Eskandari at work | Photo by Lauren Peachie   Rachel Eskandari is a Phoenix-based artist, teacher and entrepreneur. This summer, she’s adding another title to her robust resume: author. In 2019, she was selling painting kits on Etsy, hosting watercolor workshops and producing work for local boutiques and several stores at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport under her Pink Puddle Studio brand. When the pandemic hit, these projects and partnerships slowed as the...