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On the short list of unambiguously beloved sports heroes here in the Valley, along with Larry Fitzgerald, Shane Doan, Luis Gonzalez and a few others, there’s only one – so far – that has had a big-time Hollywood biopic made about him. Quarterback Kurt Warner, who in 2009 led the Arizona Cardinals to their only Super Bowl to date, is the title character of American Underdog, last year’s saga of the struggles and triumphs of Warner...

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March is National Frozen Food Month! Keep a chill supply of local essentials from these Valley brands. Pierogi Channel an Eastern European grandma and fry up some frozen pierogi ($9.99-plus/dozen) from Mesa dumpling emporium All Pierogi. allpierogi.com Pizza Order take-and-bake (or take-and-freeze) personal pizzas ($5.50-$7) at Saffron JAK’s North Phoenix bakery and café or its Downtown Phoenix outpost at Walter Station Brewery. saffronjak.com Ice Cream Stock up on pints ($10) of your favorite flavors (vanilla,...

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Some of Mesa artist Nicole Manchester’s most treasured moments have revolved around handwritten words. From saving old high school notes about crushes to re-reading cards from her grandmother, “keeping in touch through writing has always been important to me,” she says. “Writing really is an artform, and it’s an easy way to make loved ones feel special.” After nannying for many years, Manchester started her own stationery line, The Polka Dot Pug Collection, in 2015....

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Cool new lodgings are popping up around Arizona. Senna House Old Town Scottsdale’s buzziest new hotel opened in December 2021. Marvel at the succulent-draped “living walls” and dine at coastal Mediterranean eatery Cala, helmed by chef Beau MacMillan. thesennahouse.com The Citizen Hotel This Tucson hotel opened in fall 2021 in the building that once housed the city’s oldest newspaper, the Tucson Citizen. Now its tasting room is a hot spot for winos. thecitizenhoteltucson.com The Jenesis...

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The artist known as The Lady Egg recently left a smattering of paintings on Roosevelt Row in Downtown Phoenix. This pop of yellow adorns the 10-O-One Building, just down from Bunky Boutique. Another Lady Egg creation stands guard at the exit to the parking garage around the corner. This 3-D bespectacled fellow is captured in free fall, about to tumble into the dumpsters behind Pedal Haus. A distinguished egghead reads the paper behind the bike racks...

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Photo courtesy Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort All the news that’s fit to nosh.   Architecture of a Great Meal: After shuttering dining institution Frank & Albert’s, the legendary Arizona Biltmore reconceived its space and recently debuted McArthur’s. The new restaurant is named after the resort’s lead architect, Albert Chase McArthur, a disciple of consulting architect Frank Lloyd Wright. “McArthur’s is a direct tribute to the heart of Arizona Biltmore, which is Albert Chase McArthur,” general...

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Milling about Metrocenter Mall is a core memory of many Valley residents’ childhoods. The previously bustling shopping complex succumbed to declining appeal in the aughts and ultimately shuttered in 2020. Most of the now-deserted mall will soon be demolished and reincarnated as a 70-acre walkable district with an amphitheater, courtyards and water features that city councilmembers and developers hope will revive the area near the I-17 and Dunlap Avenue. Construction on the project is set...

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How Arizona stacks up against the rest of the U.S. in a variety of public health metrics: COVID-19 … was the third-leading cause of death in Arizona in 2020: 8,430 deaths, behind heart disease and cancer   … and is expected to be the leading cause of death in Arizona in 2021: ~15,800 deaths Leading causes of death in Arizona in 2019: Heart disease Cancer Accidents Chronic lower respiratory diseases Alzheimer’s disease Stroke Diabetes Suicide Chronic...

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Studies have shown holistic health practices like yoga, mindfulness and meditation benefit children and teens as much as they do adults. Yet all too often, opportunities to learn these tools seem out of reach for kids from disadvantaged homes. Monica Samuels wants to change that. The founder of whole-body wellness facility Quasar Quantum Healing in Scottsdale has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona to help at-risk kids experiencing anxiety, depression, substance-abuse issues,...

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Anaik Sachdev  After his grandmother’s COVID-19 hospitalization, 9-year-old Phoenix resident Sachdev launched The Loving Library to provide COVID patients with the company of a good book. His efforts caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who brought him onto her talk show to rhapsodize about the joy of reading. Stephen Jones  The chef-owner of the larder + the delta in Downtown Phoenix has long been lauded for his Southern cooking. In February, he was spotlighted in...

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Local restaurants are getting in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit with special drinking and dining deals. Whether you want a Kelly-green brew or some classic corned beef and hash, here’s where to get your fix this Thursday, March 17. Chompie’s We love Chompie’s for its world-famous bagels and giant black and white cookies, but this St. Patrick’s Day, we’re looking forward to its traditional all-you-can-eat Irish feast. Here’s the deal: Corned beef, broiled red potatoes,...

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THE SCENE When one of your work perks is trying new restaurants and menus, you quickly become the go-to gal for friends’ dining inquiries. Not a week passes that I don’t get a few imploring Facebook messages or frantic texts asking for food recommendations. “I’m in Tempe for an appointment. What’s the best place for a quick lunch?” “In-laws visiting this weekend and they hate fish and spicy food. Any recs in the North Scottsdale...

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On February 24, prominent Phoenix muralist Pablo Luna was hospitalized due to undiagnosed diabetes. The local community quickly rallied behind him to raise funds and awareness. Silvana Salcido Esparza, who owns the vaunted Barrio Café in Phoenix, will be hosting a fundraiser for Luna’s medical expenses on March 19 from 4 to 11 p.m. The event will include an art show, food, live painting, music and a raffle. Luna’s work graces buildings in Downtown and...

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Dua Lipa | Photo by Hugo Comte  Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley. This week we focus on arena bands past and present. March 14 Imagine Dragons Music fans hate to love the Las Vegas-based Imagine Dragons. But since superstar producer Rick Rubin stepped behind the boards of their latest record, is it only a matter of time until we all...