Many Valley residents miss feeding the giraffes, getting up close and personal with the goats and other exciting animal encounters at the Phoenix Zoo. Guests aren’t the only ones that miss that connection. The animals noticed the absence of people in the park, so the zoo’s staff stepped in to give the animals extra attention. The zoo temporarily shut its doors to the public in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. “That is our busiest...
On a typical day, OdySea Aquarium visitors could find Jessica Peranteau feeding sea lions and penguins or chatting up guests with an exotic bird or reptile perched on her arm. But these days, it seems, a typical day doesn’t exist. Peranteau is OdySea’s director of animal care and education, which means she’s in charge of “basically any animal that isn’t a fish” as well as the education team and volunteer program. It also means she...
Call me extra, but I believe that dining out should be an experience. Sure, the food could be fantastic, but if it’s not paired with a personable server, a fun atmosphere, eclectic environs or other fanciful flourishes, I personally feel that it’s not worth it. That’s why I’m so intrigued with the concept of “dinnertainment” a la Medieval Times. It’s also why I was over the moon when I got an invite for a hosted...
With five Valley locations, Upward Projects’ Postino WineCafe is a staple in the Phoenix dining scene. Its sixth location will open in the burgeoning neighborhood of South Tempe on September 16. It will feature the same delicious menu for dine-in, pickup or delivery and a unique display of local art and décor. Here are four things to look out for when the restaurant opens to the public. Ample space for socially distanced dining Located in...
James Garcia The Maryvale man was experiencing homelessness and sleeping in a parked car, allegedly armed with a gun, when police officers fatally shot him in July. The incident made national news headlines and sparked police brutality protests in Phoenix and beyond. Jill Marie Jones The Chandler resident was apprehended during an FBI sting operation after clearing a security checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in July. According to reports, she was en route...
A flight abroad may be out of the question due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, but epicurean escapism in the form of fanciful food and drink flights is alive and well in the Valley. From a boozy cereal sampler to a smorgasbord of bloody marys, here are 12 local spots to try a twist on the traditional flight. U.S. Egg This locally owned and operated breakfast and lunch joint recently ramped up its cocktail menu...
According to NPR, 90 percent of independent music venues will close permanently by the end of 2020. It’s a somber statistic for people like Steve Chilton, who owns The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix. “We closed on March 15 and haven’t really made a dollar in revenue since then,” he says. “It’s going to be months and months before we reopen. It might be until next summer.” The building that houses The Rebel Lounge has a...
Hot sauce specialists Jacob and Natalie Cutino have a new palate-pleasing condiment in their arsenal – and it goes great with smoked pork belly.
From established roasteries to promising newcomers, these coffee peddlers know their way around a cup of Joe.
Studies have shown that the jazz scene is dominated by men, but saxophonist Mary Petrich isn’t too hung up on that. “I just want to keep my head down, work hard, become a better player and encourage others to do the same,” she says. She and pianist Claudia Bloom are implementing this ethos and empowering young musicians through Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising, an all-female musical mentorship program presented by The Nash. The Phoenix jazz club...
When Tempe muralist Such Styles was growing up, street art was virtually nonexistent. It wasn’t until he read Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York by Craig Castleman, a book chronicling the artwork of pioneering graffiti writers in NYC, that he was inspired to start a graffiti art scene in Arizona. “They were taking the basic alphabet and they were manipulating it and changing it around, embellishing it, kind of making their own new alphabet...
With the suspension of large events and our favorite Valley venues shut down until further notice, it’s time to get creative when it comes to things to do. Here are five online events and socially distant activities to enjoy this weekend. 1. Enjoy (and support) the Grand Canyon from home. Be a trailblazer! Walk, jog, hike or bike anywhere to raise funds to preserve and protect Grand Canyon National Park and celebrate the National Park...
Dr. Kristen Ray knows that a person’s physical health is an important component of their mental wellbeing. “People experience and manifest stress and illness in a lot of different ways and a lot of those ways overlap,” she says. As Bayless Integrated Healthcare’s Vice President of Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine, it’s her job to promote this correlation to patients. Bayless is an integrated health care agency, which means its services focus on whole-person care. It...
“A good piece of art tells you that you are not alone.” This comforting sentiment has stuck with multimedia artist Kristin Bauer since one of her professor’s said it several years ago while she was studying painting at Arizona State University. She went on to study art therapy in grad school. Though she is not currently practicing art therapy, she does acknowledge the therapeutic aspects of art in her work. “My interest in studying art...
Local nonprofit Unlimited Potential focuses on empowering low-income families in South Phoenix through education initiatives. The pandemic put its in-person programming on hold, but it pivoted by continuing classes online and providing food from community gardens and local farms to families in need. “Unlimited Potential ignites unity, pride and dignity through education and advocacy,” board treasurer Joan Brunner explains. Since 1985, Unlimited Potential has addressed the needs of underserved populations. It focuses on the whole...
