Articles

ANTHEM PETS NEWSLETTER FOR FEBRUARY 2012 DOG OF THE YEAR by request we are extending the contest to March 1st, so get your dog's picture to the park and in a canister so we can all vote.  Winner reigns for a year and will get a photo shoot and a lifetime membership in Anthem Pets/Jackass Acres. To see previous winners, visit www.AnthemPets.com. AGILITY CLASSES BEING OFFERED  We are sending information out by seperate flyer.  Lots of people have asked for a trainer and we found one and bought the professional equipment so sign up as space is limited. www.Naap.org  this is a group of non-profits in Anthem that we have become a part of which offers all types of services available to those in any kind of need and a central clearing area.  We have helped several families with pet food while they get back on their feet..Our rep. to the group is Holly Bolton. PARK PATROL NEEDS YOU  Contact Laura when the calendar goes out. Unlike the rumors you don't pick up dog poop. Valentine at the... More

Canine Agility Course - 4 courses for $50 or $15 each Sundays, February 26, March 4, 18, 25 Two Sessions available 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Course taught by Christine Filler, trainer and owner of Obedient Buddies in Desert Hills Contact Christine at 602-717-7909 or www.ObedientBuddies.com... More

If you haven’t tried the new Orange Shrimp dish at Dara Thai Café, then run, don’t walk to the Safeway Plaza this week, and order this scrumptious dish! Large, fresh shrimp fried in a light batter with a side of their delicious orange sauce, which is light and flavorful and definitely stands out from the crowd. This dish is served on a bed of sweet potato fries. Pair this with a Thai Iced Tea and finish the meal with a serving of their sweet, creamy sticky rice, and you have one memorable meal! Thanks for your quality food and consistency, Dara Thai. We are lucky to have you in the community.  ... More

From A to Z - Abba to Les Miz - Broadway’s Best! March 2 and March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Signature tunes from hit shows “Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago,” “Rent,” ”Jersey Boys,” “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” sung by Broadway’s Nat Chandler and Teri Dale Hansen, backed by a hot piano combo, make this the ultimate Big Apple experience. Chandler’s multi-faceted career on Broadway includes title roles in shows from “Camelot” to “Spamalot.” The recipient of two Barrymore Award nominations for Best Actor, Chandler is also an accomplished vocalist, appearing as a soloist with orchestras around the country. Hansen headlined in Broadway, London’s West End and U.S. National Tour musical theater hits, earning a Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Award nomination and “Variety” accolades for “real vocal chops!” With major credits that range from Hal Prince’s Tony-winning “Showboat” to Gershwin at Lincoln Center,... More

March 17 Painted Ponies American Healing Arts Foundation (AHAF) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity unites with Horses Help, along with Trail of Painted Ponies for the “Painting Live Ponies” event. The gathering is held in the sculpture garden at the Arizona Fine Art EXPO (southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Jomax Road) March 17, from 1 to 5 p.m.   Renowned artists Bob Coonts and Gene Dieckhoner will kick off the biggest live horse painting event of the year in Arizona by painting the first horse with washable watercolor paints that are harmless to the animals. Veterans from AHAF classes, as well as any other veteran attendees, will paint the second horse. Children of Fallen Heroes will paint a miniature pony.   Veterans are invited to sign up for AHAF and Horses Help classes during this event. AHAF offers free art classes for our U.S. veterans by award-winning art instructors for art therapy. For the veteran that would like to take therapy to a deeper level, the foundation also... More

Many years ago, I was a young, single mom struggling to raise a baby on my own. Times were really tough, and by "really," I mean the kind of tough that turns a trip to Wal-Mart into a special holiday and makes adding hamburger to Hamburger Helper a reason to break out the good china, if I'd have owned it.   I lived in a small Iowa town in an 800-square-foot house with a single wall heater stuck in the plaster between the kitchen and the living room, and a single bedroom where my son's crib covered nearly the whole floor. I worked at a veterinary clinic because I liked animals, but it was the people who made the biggest impact on me.   One morning, somewhere in between paychecks, I found myself pouring the last of our milk into my son's bottle. He was less than a year old, and a very, very picky eater, so one of his staples was toddler baby formula in milk. I watered down gallons of whole milk to save money: one gallon of milk became two, but we still went through it quickly because... More

Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) announces its upcoming production of the fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza Seussical, Jr.  Tony award-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo.  The show, completely underscored by music, is performed by highly skilled youth ages 13 – 18 from around the Valley.  “Whether you are 6 or 60, Seussical will make you smile, laugh, and want to sing along as the characters from your childhood come alive on stage,” said director and Zoni-winning choreographer Sherry Henderson.  “Share with your children and grandchildren the stories that you loved so much…Horton the Elephant, the Whos and more!”  MTA’s Producing Artistic Director Jackie Hammond is producing and vocal directing the show.  "Sherry and I very are excited about this... More

Musical Theatre of Anthem’s (MTA) Outreach Touring Group has been selected to sing the National Anthem for the Phoenix Suns.  Twelve members of the group, ages 12 – 16, will perform the Anthem at the February 22 game at US Airways Center in Phoenix. “We are thrilled and honored to have been selected,” said Jackie Hammond, MTA’s Producing Artistic Director. “It’s such a great opportunity for our group, and they are thrilled to have the chance to perform in front of 20,000 people!”    MTA’s Outreach Touring Group, formed in 2009, is a group of elite, award-winning performers (teens and adults) who tour around the Valley to serve their community.  They have performed at countless holiday events, festivals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and the annual Daisy Mountain Veterans' Day Parade.  They recently had the honor of leading the National Anthem at the dedication of the Anthem Veteran’s Memorial.  On Jan. 30, the group is performing a live show at... More

The Verdi Requiem: Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, Soloists and Chorus Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. “The Verdi Requiem” is a mind-altering experience! Long, arching melodic passages of exceptional beauty are punctuated with thunderbolts of the composer’s apocalyptic vision. Soloists Barbara Quintiliani, soprano; Beth Clayton, mezzo-soprano; Gaston Rivero, tenor; Wayne Tigges, bass-baritone; and a magnificent 200-voice chorus (the Arizona Musicfest Chorus plus the UCLA Chorale) join the all-star Festival Orchestra in Verdi’s dramatic masterwork in all its operatic glory. Definitely not an ecclesiastic requiem! This work of epic proportions was created as a heroic monument and continues to be performed as originally intended, in tribute to beloved cultural icons.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale... More

Brubeck Brothers Quartet with the Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The second generation of America’s “first family of music,” the Brubeck Brothers Quartet – Chris Brubeck, bass and trombone; Dan Brubeck, drums; Mike DeMicco, guitar; Chuck Lamb, piano – joins the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. Dave Brubeck’s memorable “In Your Own Sweet Way,” transcribed for orchestra by brother Howard, begins the evening’s synergy between quartet, orchestra and audience. Then the Quartet swings into classic jazz with the sixty orchestra members as sidemen on “Black & Blue,” “Unsquare Dance,” “Take Five,” and “We’re Still in Love After All These Years.” Among the many highlights in this jazz and classical blend is Chris’ “Concerto for Bass Trombone,” with Chris and the Quartet soloing.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale... More

Classical Passion: Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Robert Moody opens Festival Orchestra Week with the magnificent instrumental and emotional resonance of Joseph Jongen, Edward Elgar and Jean Sibelius. Following intermission is a wonderful surprise piece selected by the Maestro and announced from the podium, a true revelation! Noted organ soloist James Jones and the orchestra join forces in Jongen’s triumphant tour de force, the “Toccata.” Elgar’s “Concerto in E Minor for Cello and Orchestra” is a tender and introspective work performed with heightened depth by soloist Brant Taylor, distinguished member of the Chicago Symphony. The Sibelius “Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 43” is a radiant paean to the joy of living, the Finnish composer at his most powerful best. This concert has passion written all over it.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale... More

Maestro’s Mix: Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Maestro Moody mixes it up: superb melodies, instrumental pyrotechnics and romance! The four short movements of Antonin Dvorák’s joyous “Serenade for Winds in D Minor, Opus 44” will charm you just as they did Johannes Brahms. It’s a lyrical delight that transcends generations. Felix Mendelssohn’s “Concerto in E Minor for Violin and Orchestra” featuring promising young soloist Andrea Segar is a “sonic marvel,” an absolute powerhouse. “Romeo and Juliet, Suites No. 1 and 2” by Sergei Prokofiev is sexy, zesty, sparkling and dynamic, conveying all the richness of Shakespeare. The bard’s immortal words are woven into the evening’s enchantment, brought to life by lauded Valley actors.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale  ... More

Bob Moody’s Cabaret with Chris Brubeck Saturday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. And 8 p.m. Multi-talented Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conductor Bob Moody teams up with the irrepressible blues-pop-classical-jazzman Chris Brubeck (son of the legendary Dave Brubeck) and musician friends in an unscripted evening of music, laughter and fun. This is the night when Bob puts down his baton and sings or plays his favorite tunes, interspersed with backstage stories. Said Chris Brubeck, “I’m looking forward to having a blast making music with the amazingly talented Bob Moody!” Expect memorable music and spontaneous insiders’ stories … it’s improv practiced at its multi-genre best!   Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale... More

February 18 MIM Celebrates Arizona’s Centennial with “I Am AZ Music” Exhibition On Feb. 18, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) will add its voice to the statewide centennial celebration by showcasing Arizona’s musical contributions to the world. Through a special exhibition, public programs, teacher curriculum and video stories, MIM will document how music making continues to be an integral part of Arizona’s cultural fabric.   “I Am AZ Music: MIM Celebrates 100 Years of Arizona Music” examines Arizona’s history through a musical lens. Beginning with the original statehood celebration in 1912, MIM’s exhibition tells the story of numerous musicians, musical instrument makers, recording studios, performing arts organizations and musical traditions significant to Arizona’s past, present and future. The exhibition consists of more than 30 exhibits, each one including artifacts, photographs and audiovisual content designed to bring the subjects to life.   “The... More

February 26 Live From el Pedregal Premiere El Pedregal Shops and Dining at The Boulders resort returns with a new spring festival featuring lively music, distinctive shopping and refreshing wines. This year’s spring festival will run every Sunday from Feb. 26 to May 2012, from 1-4 p.m.   To kick off the festival, guests will enjoy a live concert by Silhouette, a band made up of Cornelius Bishop, Anthony Kinchion, Tim Forkes, Chris Strong and Alex Holland, which will be performing vibrant R&B, Soul, and Motown music.   Carefree Sundays: Live from el Pedregal Festival is sponsored by AZ Wines and Clear Channel’s EVA 95.5 Radio. The event is free to attend; food and wine tasting tickets are available for purchase.   El Pedregal, conveniently located on the southeast corner of Carefree Highway and Scottsdale Road, encompasses 80,000 square feet of space filled with fascinating boutiques, intriguing art galleries and fun and casual dining. More than 15 shops surround an enticing... More