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Lerner and Rowe emphasize philanthropy Gallery Bar

SERVING THESE COMMUNITIES AND MORE: GRAYHAWK • DESERT HIGHLANDS • DC RANCH • SILVERLEAF • ESTANCIA • TROON NORTH DESERT MOUNTAIN • LEGEND TRAIL • THE BOULDERS • WHISPER ROCK

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CONTENTS FRESH 5 Escape the Desert Chicago is the perfect setting for romance

8 All-Encompassing Experience Art meets music at High Street's Gallery Bar

10 Shopping Check out these cool products

BUSINESS 25 The Rocking Realtor Luke Van Wyhe trades steering wheel for homes

HOME 27 Trimble's Tales Josephine Williams and Sen. Barry Goldwater

28 Extraordinary Rides Audi Q5 45 Sportback SUV is fun on and off the road

29 Problem Solved

FEATURES 12 Lerner and Rowe

More than a catchy jingle

Woman seeks refund after returning Gucci bag

TASTE 30 A Love Letter Celebrated chef debuts Phoenix restaurant honoring aunt

HEALTH 32 Promoting Health Sundial Pilates helps clients ‘return to life’

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Preserving Legacies West Hunsaker helps clients protect themselves and their loved ones

Choose Wisely Don’t Settle: Call Mark and Alexis Breyer 2

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ON THE COVER: Kevin Rowe and Glen Lerner photographed by Dennis Murphy

More Than a

TOP VALLEY LAWYERS

2022

JINGLE

Lerner and Rowe emphasize philanthropy Gallery Bar

SERVING THESE COMMUNITIES AND MORE: GRAYHAWK • DESERT HIGHLANDS • DC RANCH • SILVERLEAF • ESTANCIA • TROON NORTH DESERT MOUNTAIN • LEGEND TRAIL • THE BOULDERS • WHISPER ROCK

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FRESH • TRAVEL

Escape the Desert

Chicago is the perfect setting for romance By Bridgette M. Redman

pecial anniversaries or the need to escape Arizona’s intense heat with a loved one. To celebrate or cool down, the Windy City beckons with its luxurious hotels, indulgent spas, hideaway candlit restaurants and activities that are memorable and romantic. Chicago has 77 neighborhoods that boast a variety of cuisines, shopping and entertainment. Known as a live theater city — it has 250 theaters, 225 live music venues and 200 dance companies — the venues are welcoming guests. Chicago is roughly three and a half hours by plane and is in the Central time zone. The third-largest U.S. city, it is home to more than 7,300 restaurants and 167 breweries — the most of any metro area in the country.

Stay: The Four Seasons Chicago While Chicago has no shortage of boutique and luxury hotels, the newly renovated Four Seasons Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago, makes its name by offering personalized services. Recognizing that no two guests long for the same things, it is ready to customize a stay and provide the services that each of its guests wants. If you’re looking for a romantic stay, put the Four Seasons on your list. It has rotating package getaways and is willing to custom-design a couples experience. The

The rooms at The Four Seasons stress comfort while providing a stunning view of the city.

The locker room in the Chuan spa features herbal saunas, steam room and heated loungers where guests can relax with water before or after their treatments.

concierge will help set up reservations and ticket purchases for any of the many attractions surrounding the property, and if they are within two miles of the hotel, guests can take the complimentary house car to them. Visitors can spend time with a curator, who will provide a guided art tour

followed by a custom tasting menu with chef Jonathon Sawyer. The guest rooms are spacious and comfortable, all with amazing city views. Consider one of the lakeview king suites, all more than 30 floors up. Once guests are comfortably ensconced in their room, they can order goodies such as ice cream confections or custom crafted cocktails, in addition to a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Room service is available 24 hours. And for the ultimate romantic indulgent experience? Reserve a skylight swim with the hotel’s 50-foot Roman indoor pool and hot NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

FRESH • TRAVEL The Van Gogh immersive experience presents a new way to take in the art of the artist who didn’t experience success until after his death.

The Four Seasons Chicago

WHERE: 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago COST: Prices change with season and date, but generally range from $500 to $5,000 a night INFO: 312.280.8800, fourseasons.com/chicago

Geja’s Café

tub. The domed ceiling reveals the Chicago stars, and enjoy the champagne and canapes.

Eat: Geja’s Café

Everyone who visits Chicago has a favorite restaurant, but for a couples getaway, choose the eatery that has been voted the city’s most romantic. Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago, is a fondue restaurant where live flamenco and classic guitar music serenades guests. It originally opened in Old Town as a wine and cheese bar in 1965 and then moved to its current location in 1971. The current owner — who is only the second one since it opened — has helped to plan more than 600 marriage proposals, including his own. “We’ve developed into this romantic restaurant where people are having first dates, getting engaged, and celebrating anniversaries,” owner Jeff Lawler says. “We’re quite honored. Back in the day in 2019 when dining was normal, we’d see two to three couples a week get engaged. I’ve seen up to seven in one week.” Climbing down the stairs off the street, guests are greeted by dim, red lighting with walls of wine bottles separating booths. Tables feel intimate. There is a large wine list and a three-course fondue meal starting with cheeses, moving on to the main entrees and then ending with a flaming chocolate fondue. Want an extra special touch? The restaurant 6

JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

has partnered with Dilly Lilly for personalized flower arrangements. They include “Budding Love,”“Warm Embrace” and “Love You ‘This Much’ Bouquet.” Lawler’s insider tip? Don’t eat off the hot fondue forks. “People are unsuspecting, and they burn their lip,” Lawler says. “If you’re on a date, there’s no kissy kissy afterward, because you have a burnt lip.”

Indulge: Chuan Spa

WHERE: 340 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago COST: Dinners range from $45 to $70 per person plus beverages INFO: 773.281.9101, gejascafe.com

Chuan Spa

WHERE: 330 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago COST: Services range from $180 for hand and foot treatments to $625 for a three-hour signature escape INFO: 312.923.7650, langhamhotels.com

Chicago Premiere Dinner Cruise

WHERE: 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago COST: Starting at $159 per person INFO: viator.com

Immersive Van Gogh

WHERE: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Club,

Romance gets turned on high heat 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago when each member of the couple COST: Regular tickets range from $40 to $50 plus transports their mind, body and spirit to a fees; the couples experience ranges from $200 to $550 place of wellness and peace. INFO: 1.844.307.4644, vangoghchicago.com One great place to achieve that sort of serenity in Chicago is at the Chuan Spa, located in the Langham Hotel Chicago. 330 guests into deep relaxation and well-being. N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago. There are two dry saunas — herbal and salt Upon arrival, guests pass through a rounded stone. There is an Oriental steam room infused Moon Gate, introducing a transformative with chamomile. Across from it are rainforest experience. cold showers to step into between the heated Chuan, which means “running water” in rooms. Chuan also features an aromatherapy Chinese, is a place where East meets West and shower. the concept of Zen is incorporated into all of Just beyond the sauna and steam rooms is a the design. It balances yin and yang with the relaxation area with heated stone recliners. men’s locker room decorated in dark colors and Chuan also offers a variety of services the women’s in light colors. ranging from a Tibetan sound ritual to a Couples part ways for their respective locker ginger refresher body scrub and a two-hour rooms to undergo a natural water journey, the Chuan Chicago signature escape: five Wu Chuan bath ritual. The hot and cold rooms lull

FRESH • TRAVEL Xing elements in one. The latter incorporates bells, fiery oils, mud bath, heated bamboo and wet towels, and hydrating oils to touch upon all of the five traditional elements of Wu Xing. It also offers several services specifically for men. The Chuan executive indulgence focuses on hard-working hands and feet with a scalp massage. Other treatments include Chuan man maintenance facial and Chuan man’s world (this features a back exfoliation and a facial with men’s complexion needs in mind). After the services, couples meet in the relaxation room with its peaceful waterfalls to enjoy sparkling wine, infused water and light snacks.

Tour: Chicago Premiere Dinner Cruise

After the pampering, it’s time to take on the city. Chicago is a city of water — bounded by Lake Michigan and infiltrated with the Chicago River — so take romance to a city cruise. There are several to choose from in a range of prices. Most focus on architecture tours wherein guests cruise the Chicago River and take in the history of the city’s skyscrapers. Others offer such themes as Chicago’s crime and mob scene or even a “Gangsters and

Ghost” tour with a historian. If floating upon Lake Michigan is a preference, make a reservation with the Chicago Premiere Dinner Cruise and set sail on a highend luxury yacht with a three-course gourmet meal informed by celebrity chefs. An onboard DJ plays music during the sunset cruise. The three-hour jaunt encourages passengers to dress to impress for the festive evening. They’ll take photos and escort guests to a private table. Servers help determine how quickly food should arrive, and the types of delicacies. Alcohol is available, but it is not included in the price. During the summer, guests can upgrade their cruise to include a fireworks display over the waters on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and some Thursdays and Fridays.

Immerse: Van Gogh Immersive Experience

Chicago is a city of art, from the sculptures on the streets to the many art galleries and art museums. One of the hottest new exhibits — one that visited the Valley — is the Immersive Van Gogh experience. Viewers step into a large room with high ceilings and are surrounded by the immersive

projections of Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork presented in an all-new format. The projections are cast upon the floors, ceilings and walls, and with the newly composed music, they morph in and out in a stunning video portrayal. Want to take the experience up a notch? Chicago’s exhibition offers packages for couples, claiming, “We’ve made it simple to transform your date night into one for the ages.” How do they do that? Upon arrival, skip the line and head to a private Juliet balcony for a bird’s-eye view of the exhibition. The floor is covered in rose petals, which, along with the delicate mirrors, reflect the projections and create a romantic photo opportunity. Chocolate truffles and champagne are served, and they’re given a handcrafted floral arrangement as a memory of the date. Also among the gifts are a Van Gogh cushion, a limited-edition poster and a VIP souvenir laminate badge.

Love in the big city

No matter what options you choose, Chicago beckons desert dwellers to spend a romantic weekend of water, skyscrapers, great food and memorable moments to inscribe in the storybook of a relationship.

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FRESH • COCKTAILS Genna Preston, manager of Gallery Bar, a new upscale bar in the High Street development, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photos by David Minton/Staff Photographer)

All-Encompassing EXPERIENCE Art meets lounge at High Street’s Gallery Bar By Connor Dziawura

pon stepping foot into North Phoenix’s Gallery Bar, the newest addition to the growing High Street district, a laid-back, upscale vibe is immediately apparent. Situated at the northeast corner of High and 54th streets, the combination art space and bar is a low-lit, classy lounge. Local art lines the walls, while the gallery floor is filled with couches of varying shades and styles, adorned with pillows featuring the likes of Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, Bill Murray, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. A piano sits in the corner. Then there’s the bar, front and center and accented with blue lighting, behind which are shelves stocked with a variety of wines and spirits. The new nightlife spot puts a twist on a 8

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passion of local artist and business owner Jamie Almaraz, who has long held ties to High Street. Also the owner of Cast Salon & Spa just a few businesses down, Almaraz calls art her first love. She was involved in founding the area’s Everything Beautiful Art Walk in recent years, but then the pandemic happened and it “fizzled.” When things began to turn around and she had an idea to reopen the shuttered gallery that previously occupied Gallery Bar’s space, she was told it was no longer viable with the area’s growth. So, she came up with a solution. “I just thought, well, what if I made a lounge?” she says. “High Street doesn’t have a lounge. We can also double it as an art gallery, because a lot of people did miss that post the COVID stuff.” After months of preparation, Gallery Bar finally opened in May. The space features a full bar but no tap.This includes a selection of beers by bottle and can, as well as spirits and wines. Almaraz says it took manager Genna Preston a year to work out the wine selections, many of which she adds can’t

be found elsewhere. “The wine list is ever-changing as well, so we’ll have our staples, but we’re always trying to bring in new stuff,” Preston notes. Wine is sold by the glass or bottle, which is also notable as Gallery Bar doubles as a market, according to Almaraz. “The wonderful bottles of wine that we actually have on our menu are available to go, so we actually carry a to-go license,” she says. “So the residents can come down or if you’re here out at night and you want to grab a bottle to go, you have, what, Circle K as your option? We have a market. So we sell all of the bottles that we carry here at our market, and you can take them.” As for food, Gallery Bar’s menu is minimal, focused on snackable items. Central to its selections are the charcuterie boards, of which there are several sizes of varying prices. Other additions, priced at $15, include zucchini bites, fried pickles, fancy truffle fries and white Wisconsin cheese curds. The Trio, also $15, is a pairing of olives, chips and almonds. “I grew up in Europe, and if you’d ever go to

FRESH • COCKTAILS Gallery Bar, a new upscale bar in the High Street development, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Charcuterie boards made from wine and whiskey barrel heads, available for sale, hang in a hall at Gallery Bar, a new upscale bar in the High Street development, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona.

a lounge or have a pre-dinner drink, they would always bring the nuts, the olives and the chips,” Preston recalls. Almaraz says there’s no specific flow to the food menu; rather, she just wants to feature an interesting variety of choices. Fried pickles, for example, are a favorite of hers. “I just want to bring like the greatest bitey food from all aspects, from all different cultures, and stuff most people love to snack on,” she explains. The charcuterie boards are served on Provence Platters, which Gallery Bar has also partnered with for retail. Patrons will notice a selection of platters, which Almaraz says are recycled and restored from bourbon and wine barrels in France and California, hanging on the walls. Pieces on display at Gallery Bar are also for sale. Preston curates with resident artist Joe Holdren, who also worked with her at the previous gallery that occupied the space. A new artist will be featured every 30 days, though Holdren will continue to display some of his work.

“During the time of the art walk, we did get into that culture a little bit, so we did find some really awesome artists,” Almaraz says. “We’d like to do a lot of local stuff. We’re very much about supporting local art.” Gallery Bar’s ambiance is aided by live music several nights a week -- a pianist performs Wednesdays through Saturdays. When the pianist isn’t onsite, music plays through the speakers. “We wanted to encompass everything that has to do with art, from our food all the way up to music,” Almaraz says. Events are also a possibility for the future. “Eventually we’ll grow into opening nights for artists, so when we do bring them in, we’ll have an opening night kind of a celebration that our galleries typically do. … We’re open to hosting events for private parties and big groups,” Almaraz says. From its bar and bites to the art on the walls and the music setting the tone of the evening, Gallery Bar aims for an all-encompassing experience. “For me, I just want people to come in here and feel almost like they’re in their living room. I just want them to be relaxed, enjoy a great glass of wine, conversation, great art,” Preston says. With the addition of Gallery Bar to the mixed-use district, Almaraz views High Street as being an up-and-coming area. “High Street having had such a hard go at it, I think everybody — everybody, I would say — is rooting for it,” she says, describing it as “a really, really cool concept” and “a very swanky, cool street.” “I think that everybody’s wishes for High Street are going to really come true, because it’s just been a struggle,” she continues. “So, I think Gallery Bar brings something to High Street that is a very different concept. It allows you to go and have dinner and then come and have some cocktails before or after dinner and just kind of hang out in a nice, soothing atmosphere.”

Gallery Bar 5355 E. High Street, Suite 121, Phoenix 602-320-9982 gallerybarphoenix.com NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

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Kevin Rowe, left, and Glen Lerner ham it up on their commercials.

and the overall success of a firm’s yearly marketing efforts — named Lerner and Rowe the No. 2 law firm in the nation on its 100 Most Influential Advertising Law Firms in America list. Lerner and Rowe kicked it up a notch in 2021 by recruiting musician and television personality Flavor Flav as the ultimate “hype man” for its Super Bowl LV commercial.

(Dennis Murphy/Contributor)

Humble beginnings

Lerner prides himself in fighting for “the little guy,” against big insurance companies and large corporations. “I grew up on welfare with a father in jail for double murder. I know what it’s like to have to fight and have the odds stacked against you. I am a fighter and never quit and I never want to quit for our clients and I think at my core I exude that to our people and clients.” He has worked “odd jobs” throughout his life, including stints as a teamster and a garbage man, “to better understand many of the people he would someday represent.” “Ultimately, at the end of the day, we want someone to be better off from the relationship (with the firm) than they would’ve been without it,” Lerner says, noting there isn’t anything else he would rather do. “In all humility, I’m really good at this. I’ve been doing it for 31 years and have represented more people than probably anyone else in the United States over that time period. I’ve seen everything. I’ve tried lots of cases. Who would you rather have as your attorney, our firm with our experience and resources or some new guy you just saw on TV or a billboard with no experience? It’s a no brainer.” Lerner graduated in 1987 from Duke University where he was a member of its 1986 NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship soccer team — with a major in religious studies. He is a 1990 graduate of Tulane Law School in New Orleans. By 1992, Lerner had started a solo practice in Las Vegas typing his own pleadings. He began running TV commercials in 1998, spending $10,000 per month, and the firm grew rapidly. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and a Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law, Rowe joined forces with Lerner in 1998.They became Lerner and Rowe in 2005. Rowe is licensed to practice law in 14

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the states of Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Illinois and New Mexico and is a member of each state’s bar association. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Top 10 Insurance Bad Faith Trial Lawyers Association,Top 100 Trial Lawyers Association and the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. Rowe has repeatedly been recognized as a Top Valley Lawyer by the North Valley Magazine since 2016. “Arizona has really embraced us and allowed us to do things we’ve wanted to. It’s a blessing they’ve taken us in and allowed us to help them,” Rowe continues. “We know we are truly blessed, and we want to continue to do the best job we can to help those individuals in their time of need. Our Facebook giveaways for the 25 days of Christmas or Christmas in July where we give away tens of thousands of dollars in gifts to those in need are some of the most rewarding things we do.” “For me, to grow up the way I did and to be able to feed 10,000 families at Thanksgiving the way we do, or give away a box truck of Christmas presents, or any of our constant giveaways is like being Robin Hood. We fight these insurance companies — who constantly take premiums from people and then don’t want to pay claims fairly — and then we give money back into our communities to touch lives,” says an almost defiant Lerner.

As part of its overarching mission to give back, the firm has “gone green” to reduce its ecological footprint. Interoffice changes have included recycling toner cartridges, purchasing recycled content office paper and adopting a shredding system — which saved over 52 trees in the past year. Each ton of shredded recycled paper will save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 400 kilowatts of energy, 90 cubic feet of landfill space and 100 gallons of gasoline, the site continues. Lerner and Rowe Gives Back is also exploring its role in helping Arizona combat human trafficking, which has some of the highest numbers of reported cases.The nonprofit was the 2021 title sponsor of the Phoenix Dream Center’s fifth-annual Charity Golf Tournament, which supports efforts to end human trafficking. All funds raised were allocated toward the center’s human trafficking survivor program, which is one of the largest in the nation. Lerner and Rowe truly is more than a law firm.They are the firm for you whether you are in an accident or just in need of a helping hand.They are, in the words of Lerner, “Just two guys who never forgot where they came from and love people.” Lerner and Rowe Gives Back lernerandrowegivesback.com Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys lernerandrowe.com

Preserving Legacies West Hunsaker is a longtime attorney with Morris Hall PLLC.

Attorney West Hunsaker helps clients protect themselves and loved ones

(Morris Hall PLLC/ Submitted)

By Kamala Kirk

state planning is important because it helps people — no matter their age or wealth — protect their legacy and their family’s future by deciding how their assets and end-of-life wishes should be carried out. West Hunsaker is a longtime attorney at Morris Hall PLLC who specializes in estate planning and trust administration. Throughout his career, he has helped countless families and individuals protect themselves and their loved ones. “I work with clients on anything that has to do with their assets,” Hunsaker says. “We focus on protecting and preserving a person’s legacy so that things go to who they want, when they want, and how they want. Aside from helping others, I enjoy solving problems, taking complicated matters and simplifying them for clients.They’re trusting our firm and me to carry out the plans they’ve made for their children when they’re not here. I get to make a difference in their lives, especially when they go through challenging things like suddenly losing their spouse of 50 years.” Prior to becoming an attorney, Hunsaker had a successful career in the banking industry. He worked for over 12 years as a vice president for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York, where he managed an $8 billion portfolio and was part of an industrywide team focused on legislative issues that affected banking customers. “While it was a great career, it wasn’t very fulfilling,” Hunsaker says. “I really wanted to do something where I felt that at the end of the day, I was able to make a difference in the

lives of others. Being an attorney has definitely afforded me that.” After leaving finance, Hunsaker earned his JD from the Phoenix School of Law and was admitted to the Arizona Bar Association. In 2005, he joined Morris Hall and has become a key member of the team.

“West is a remarkable partner,” says Tim Hall, senior partner at Morris Hall. “He possesses a unique combination of legal skills, compassion and a desire to improve his ability to help make a real difference in clients’ lives. He gives selflessly as a prominent community and church leader, and he makes NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

time to be a mentor and advocate for every team member at Morris Hall. I am grateful for and indebted to him and honored to be his law partner and friend.” Hunsaker has helped Morris Hall grow to 13 offices throughout Arizona and New Mexico, solidifying its position as a premier estate planning law firm in the Southwest. Recently, the firm celebrated its 51st anniversary, a major industry milestone. “Not many firms, especially in estate planning, have been around for that long,” Hunsaker says. “We’ve helped tens of thousands of clients and their families. Not only do we create plans, but we help administer them. When we do that we’ll see problems that occur and we help make sure that those issues don’t occur in the future for our clients. We’re also one of only three members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys in Arizona and one of two members in New Mexico.” Hunsaker says clients also enjoy Morris Hall’s policy of charging a flat fee, which makes them regularly accessible. “Our clients don’t have to worry about all of these extra charges,” he says. “We have a membership program and they can call in with

questions whenever they want. When I talk to clients, it’s more so because I want to know how their family is doing.” Also passionate about giving back, Hunsaker is an active community member who’s involved in various nonprofits. He was previously president-elect of Carefree Kiwanis Club and is on the advisory board for the Phoenix Art Museum, and is a board member for Black Canyon Community Health Center. He has also been on the National Advisory Board for Make-A-Wish in addition to being co-chairman of MakeA-Wish Arizona Planned Giving Advisory Committees and Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “I’ve worked extensively with MakeA-Wish for a long time, volunteering and helping to grant wishes,” Hunsaker says. “It’s one of the most incredible organizations I could ever be a part of.” For those debating whether they need to start planning for their family’s future, Hunsaker says that it’s never too early to do so. “I hear people say all the time that they don’t think they need a trust if they have less than $5 million, which is wrong,” he says. “At the bare minimum, young people should

have a will, power of attorney and health care documents. When someone has young children, they should at least consider having a will, because that’s where they can identify who the guardians of their children will be if something happens to them. As people get older and their assets grow, that’s when they need to look into other types of estate plans. It’s also important to keep your estate plan current, as laws and situations constantly change.” Hunsaker says that aside from helping people, learning each person’s unique story is another favorite aspect to his job. “Everyone has a different story; no two people are identical,” he shares. “Every day people trust me with the most sacred things in their lives and that’s their family. As I meet with clients and get to know them, it’s fascinating for me to learn every person’s background and unique journey. Not very many people get to have the opportunity to learn from so many different people and I think that’s pretty amazing.” Morris Hall morristrust.com

ACT YOUR AGE however you want

We know residents living in our Memory Care neighborhood can still engage in and enjoy life to its fullest, we see it happen every day.

Age fearlessly. Live colorfully.®

LMTN North Valley Magazine May-July 2022

JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

CHOOSE WISELY Don’t settle: Call Mark and Alexis Breyer By Christopher McDonald

Mark and Alexis Breyer founded the HEART Campaign to help ailing restaurants. (File photos)

iring the right injury lawyer after a serious collision can be one of the most important decisions somebody will have to make. And to make it even more challenging, people are faced with this decision at the worst times in their lives. So how should somebody search for an injury lawyer at a critical moment? What questions should even be asked? And what can go wrong if highlevel specialists are not involved? It probably helps to first understand the importance of having the right attorney. Although many people consider themselves injury lawyers, a much smaller percentage are actually trial lawyers. Meaning, the vast majority of lawyers in the state of Arizona, and throughout the country, never go to trial. Why does that matter? Because if a lawyer is hired by someone who has been hurt — and that lawyer is one of the

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many that never go to trial — the insurance company is going to pay less to the exact same person for the same injury. How is that possible? Because there is no set value on the injury case. The insurance company has no incentive to pay the full value of what a jury would give if they knew that someone has hired one of the many lawyers that is going to settle the case no matter. So, insurance companies will literally pay a fraction of the actual amount that would have been owed if the wrong lawyer is retained. But that is not all. Many injury firms are built on a model to move cases as quickly as possible without retaining the right experts, gathering the right information and preparing the case for the best result. In doing that, they give inexperienced staff members far too many cases to handle. This leads to huge staff turnover, and cases that are never properly presented to the insurance company. So, what happens? Clients call law firms, and they meet with salespeople instead of attorneys. If they meet with an attorney, it is often a new lawyer, who has never been to trial, and it is the only time they ever get to talk to that lawyer before the case settles. Their phone calls are not returned, and the insurance company offers them a fraction of what they should otherwise receive. Against this backdrop, Mark and Alexis Breyer — The Husband & Wife Law Team — set out over 25 years ago to do things a very specific way: To provide a level of customer service that would be unmatched. To go to trial frequently and spend the time, money and effort to become the best lawyers they could be. And — most importantly — to provide an incredible work environment that would attract the very best lawyers, paralegals and support staff so that the turnover would be low, the culture would be fantastic, and everyone was pushing in the same direction on behalf of the clients that they serve. We have gone to trial against the biggest lawyers, biggest insurance companies, and many of the biggest corporations in the country. Mark has been named among the 1% of lawyers in Arizona as a certified specialist in injury and wrongful death litigation. If that isn’t enough, Alexis is recognized as one of Arizona’s Top 25 Lawyers by The National Women’s Trial Lawyers Association. The Husband & Wife Law Team has been extremely involved in this amazing 18

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Alexis Breyer hails from Boston, where she attended Boston University. A suburban Detroit native, Mark Breyer is a “certified specialist” in injury and wrongful death law.

community that we are lucky to be a part of. The firm has surprised teachers for about a dozen years with a “Teacher of the Month” award. It has teamed up with Dignity Health, to surprise amazing nurses and other health care professionals, to thank them for all they do with a big surprise and gift each month. In addition, the firm has continued to support local businesses with the HEART campaign. It highlights local restaurants and retailers by inviting the community to sample their goods for free. The Husband & Wife Law Team is much more than Mark and Alexis Breyer. Their eight children, all of whom were born in Phoenix, have literally been raised in the office from the time they were infants. Whether it’s crawling around as toddlers, or coming to the office to do elementary and high school homework, many of the team

members have known some of the youngest kids since they were born. And the Breyers continue to fight together for the people who trust them most. To speak with a very experienced trial lawyer, to have questions answered, clients do not need to worry about a sales pitch. They can call the firm and speak directly with a lawyer, who will listen and answer questions. They try to do things differently, to make sure they provide the unmatched combination of customer service and legal results for which they always strive. The Husband & Wife Law Team Mark and Alexis Breyer 480-568-5434 breyerlaw.com

NO R

TOP VALLEY

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2022

Y MAG E L L VA AZ H I T

LAWYERS When you ﬁnd yourself in need of a lawyer, knowing where to turn when times get tough is challenging. You want to make sure your money is spent wisely and that you get the legal outcome you deserve. With that in mind, here are some of the top local attorneys for your consideration. Compiled with the help of third-party attorney rating systems, these lawyers specialize in categories such as criminal defense, personal injury, estate planning, family law and more.

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

2022 NORTH VALLEY TOP LAWYERS

MICHAEL KING

CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Gammage & Burnham 40 N. Central Avenue, 20th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004

602-256-4405 mking@gblaw.com/gblaw.com

Understanding that good people sometimes ﬁnd themselves in bad situations, Aaron defends individuals charged with all criminal offenses, vehicular crimes, and DUI cases across Arizona. Unlike many large ﬁrms that want as many cases as possible, he represents a limited number of clients at any given time. This allows him to provide the personalized service that you expected from a Criminal & DUI Attorney.

AARON BLACK

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

World-class counsel. Arizona roots.

Law Office of Aaron Black PLLC 4702 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018

480-729-1683 AaronBlackLaw.com

ALEXANDER BENIKOV

CRIMINAL & DUI DEFENSE

Benikov Law Firm 3317 E. Bell Road, Suite 101-271, Phoenix, AZ 85032

602-428-7537 benikovlaw.com

SUZUKI LAW OFFICES

CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI & CAR ACCIDENT

602-682-5270 SuzukiLawOfﬁces.com

AARON BLACK

DUI

480-729-1683 AaronBlackLaw.com 20

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Benikov Law Practice focuses solely on criminal and DUI defense. Large focus on defending domestic violence and DUI cases. With 12 years of experience as a special prosecutor under his belt, Benikov personally handles all cases.

At Suzuki Law Offices, they are passionate about delivering bold and compassionate legal assistance to clients during the entirety of their case. With decades of combined experience helping residents throughout Arizona from their offices in Phoenix and Tempe, attorneys understand that each case is different. Suzuki Law takes an individualized approach to creating strategic solutions that solve their unique problems. Whether you or someone you love has been injured, in a serious car accident, or are facing criminal allegations, they are ready to fight for you. Contact our firm 24/7 to get started on your case.

Suzuki Law Offices 2929 E. Camelback Road, Suite 224, Phoenix, AZ 85016 Understanding that good people sometimes ﬁnd themselves in bad situations, Aaron defends individuals charged with all criminal offenses, vehicular crimes, and DUI cases across Arizona. Unlike many large ﬁrms that want as many cases as possible, he represents a limited number of clients at any given time. This allows him to provide the personalized service that you expected from a Criminal & DUI Attorney.

Law Office of Aaron Black PLLC 4702 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018

2022 NORTH VALLEY TOP LAWYERS

BRIAN D. SLOAN

DUI 480-720-7839 ArizDui.com

Attorney Brian Sloan is solely focused on, and specializes in, DUI defense representation. He is a multiaward-winning lawyer, who has been defending driving under the inﬂuence cases for more than 17 years. He has defended more than 3,200 people charged with a DUI offense, and argued at more than 100 trials, with numerous successful results. Sloan created an innovative system called bifurcated representation, which ensures clients pay a reasonable ﬂat fee for only the services they need, and not for the services they don’t. Sloan is also a founding member of The Arizona DUI Team.

Law Offices of Brian D. Sloan 2 N. Central Avenue, Floor 18, Suite 1929, Phoenix, AZ 85004

ILENE L. MCCAULEY

ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE 480-296-2036 ILMLaw.net

Technical expertise with a human touch. Providing services in estate planning, business planning, tax planning, and probate.

Law Offices of Ilene L. McCauley, LTD. 9777 N. 91st Street, Suite C-103, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Focusing in Divorce, Child Support, Legal Decision Making Authority (custody) & paternity issues since 1997. Dealing with divorce and the associated complications can be an overwhelming time in anyone’s life, but we pride ourselves in getting our clients through these difficult times.

Rebecca L. Owen PLLC 602.264.3309 arizona-divorcelawyer.com 301 E. Bethany Home Rd., Suite A-200, Phoenix, AZ 85012 becky@rlowenlaw.com

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DON’T GET CUT OUT OF YOUR INHERITANCE.

Take control today. You need someone who has done hundreds of probates and trust administrations.

AVOID THE FINANCIAL BLEED OF PROBATE. Loss of your money is loss of control. Let me guide you through this maze of technicalities.

You need the right counsel. ilene@ilmlaw.net

Visit Our Website www.ilmlaw.net

9777 9777 N. N. 91st 91st St. St. Suite Suite C-103 C-103 Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ AZ 85258 85258

480-296-2036

2022 NORTH VALLEY TOP LAWYERS

FAMILY

REBECCA L. OWEN 602-264-3309 Arizona-DivorceLawyer.com

FAMILY

PERSONAL INJURY

Rebecca L. Owen PLLC 301 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite A-200, Phoenix, AZ 85012

MARLENE PONTRELLI 602-285-5081 DickinsonWright.com

ALEXIS SAPHIRE BREYER

MARK P. BREYER 602-566-7800 HusbandAndWifeLawTeam.com

Marlene Pontrelli is a certiﬁed specialist in family law, and partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC. She practices in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody, support, and premarital agreements. While the goal is to try and settle cases out of court, when settlement is not possible, clients beneﬁt from Pontrelli’s 30 years of trial experience. Pontrelli teaches the family law class at Arizona State University and is the co-author of “Divorce in Arizona.” She has written several other books including “Focus on Family Law” and “Healing Meditations in Divorce.”

Dickinson Wright PLLC 1850 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1400, Phoenix, AZ 85004

602-566-7800 HusbandAndWifeLawTeam.com

PERSONAL INJURY

Rebecca L. Owen has focused only on family law since 1997, and her clients’ satisfaction is always her top priority.

Serving Arizona since 1996, Breyer is a serious injury and wrongful death trial lawyer, and is half of The Husband & Wife Law Team with her husband, Mark. She is recognized as one of Arizona’s Top 25 Lawyers by The National Women’s Trial Lawyers Association. The Husband & Wife Law Team is committed to obtaining the very best results for their clients, while delivering a world-class experience.

The Husband & Wife Law Team 3840 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Serving Arizona since 1996, Breyer is a serious injury and wrongful death trial lawyer, and is half of The Husband & Wife Law Team with his wife, Alexis. He has attained an injury “Certiﬁed Specialist” distinction — earned by less than 1% of Arizona lawyers. The Husband & Wife Law Team is committed to obtaining the very best results for their clients while, delivering a world-class experience.

The Husband & Wife Law Team 3840 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, AZ 85044

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

2022 NORTH VALLEY TOP LAWYERS

KEVIN ROWE

PERSONAL INJURY

602-977-1900 LernerandRowe.com

Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys 2701 E. Camelback Road, Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85016

CLARK H. FIELDING

PLAINTIFF PERSONAL INJURY (Accident • Injury Cases)

fieldinglawfirm.com hello@fieldinglawfirm.com

Hurt in a wreck? Need a check?® Lerner and Rowe’s award-winning legal team recovered over $200 million last year alone and has represented over 100,000 clients. The Phoenix-based law firm has received thousands of five-star reviews and offers the highest level of client services, including valuable non-legal supportive care. Injured people looking for a trustworthy law firm with proven results can make One Call, That’s All® to Lerner and Rowe, 24/7, for a free consultation.

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Tenacious, caring, and award-winning. The Team at Fielding Law, APC are problem solvers and ﬁghters. They have successfully represented thousands of wronged and injured clients throughout multiple states, primarily in Arizona and California. Contact them 24/7 for a free consultation. Raised in Mesa, Founding Principal Clark H. Fielding is a proud graduate of Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

The Watermark 410 N. Scottsdale Road, Floor 10, Tempe, AZ 85281 480-542-5454, 1-833-88-SHARK, 1-833-887-4275

The Boardwalk 18575 Jamboree Road, Suite 600, Irvine, CA 92612 949-288-5484

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Luke Van Wyhe works hard, whether it’s music or real estate. (Dennis Murphy/Contributor)

The Rocking Realtor Luke Van Wyhe trades the steering wheel for homes By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

uke Van Wyhe spent 15 years shuttling the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg and Britney Spears from show to show. He calls his life “something out of a dream.” “It’s a shock when (country singer) Miranda Lambert wants you to escort her out of a soldout show so that she can wave to all the fans that make her career possible,”Van Wyhe says. But the late-night drives and the stress wore on Van Wyhe. “It lost its romance,” he says. “It’s still fun and the opportunities are still out there, but I’m ready to stay home and have a life.

“I’m finding out I don’t have a whole lot of clothes. I’ve been living out of a suitcase. I wear a lot of black. I have no social life. I don’t date.” Some would say the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic was perfect. It forced the former U.S. Marine to look elsewhere for Luke Van Wyhe rolls his humor into his line of work. employment. (Dennis Murphy/Contributor) “It was an interesting journey to discover what I wanted to do with my life,” prepared me perfectly for this new adventure.” Van Wyhe said. “I had to look internally and Always the people person, Van Wyhe dive deep to consider my skills, how they transitioned from touring with musicians to translated to this new role, and how my past touring homes with prospective home buyers. NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT As a Realtor for RE/MAX Fine Properties, North Phoenix’s Van Wyhe works with clients in Scottsdale, Peoria, Phoenix, Cave Creek, Surprise, Fountain Hills, New River, Desert Hills, Glendale and Paradise Valley. “What was happening in the world felt unbelievable,” Van Wyhe said. “Nothing looked like it did just a few short weeks or months before. Many people lost their jobs because of the pandemic and had to start new. I, along with many others, needed to pivot careers.” After one month, he sold his first home for $50,000 over the listing price, with 15 offers on the table. As a celebrated addition to the prominent real estate team, Van Wyhe started to build a substantial clientele, and a reputation for connecting with people and understanding their needs. Looking back after two years since his pivot, Van Wyhe really understands the saying, “it’s never too late.” “Pandemic or not, if you feel like you need a change in your life, the time is now,” he said. “If the last two years have taught me anything, it is that the time for brave action is always now.” Luke Van Wyhe has plenty of memorabilia. (Dennis Murphy/ Contributor)

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As a Realtor, Luke Van Wyhe works around the Valley. (Dennis Murphy/ Contributor)

Van Wyhe enjoys his new chapter with RE/MAX Fine Properties. He’s happy to talk about his previous career. As a matter of fact, it energizes him. “It is all part of the story that led me here,” he said.

‘Hopes and dreams’

Born in Iowa, Van Wyhe grew up in Colorado but now calls Phoenix home, after settling here 16 years ago. Van Wyhe was relatively happy with his career, working with Foreigner, Gretchen Wilson, Styx, Shinedown, Crystal Bowersox, Authority Zero, Dead and Company, Jackie Evancho, Linkin Park, Pat Benatar, Tower of Power, Chicago and Aaron Watson. The pandemic, however, revealed the music industry’s true colors. “I made a good living at it,” he says. “It was the best job I’ve ever had. I didn’t know anything else. I didn’t have a desire

to leave until recent years. “Nobody cares about you. The rug got pulled from underneath me. I used up all my savings and nobody offered COVID money.” The plan always called for Van Wyhe to attend real estate school. The pandemic accelerated that goal. “I did the two-week crash course,” he says. “It’s 80 hours. I passed the test the second time around. It’s very intense.” Van Wyhe tells it like it is, while getting the best deal possible. He presents it well, writes a great story and sells it for the most money possible. “When I was tour bus driving, it was lonely,” he says. “I missed talking with people and working with people. I was a cog in the wheel that you never see. They don’t even know what you’ve done. I’ve been awake for 36 hours, but I have to show up, smile and get you to your next gig.” He’s smiling now, too. He calls himself “the geek who loves his job,” spending “every waking moment” in front of his computer, trying to get clients. “I never do anything halfway,” he says. “I get the job done.” Luke Van Wyhe RE/MAX Fine Properties 9044 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 108, Peoria 602-980-8910 weloveazrealestate.com

HOME • TRIMBLE’S TALES

Josephine Williams and Sen. Barry Goldwater By Marshall Trimble

osephine Williams was born in the Sand Hills of Nebraska and went to nursing school in Chicago. After graduating in 1903, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a probable death sentence in those days. Her doctor asked if she’d ever heard of Phoenix and she replied, “No, but why?” He told her that Arizona might be a place where she might survive the dreaded disease. This strong-willed young lady made up her mind to get to Phoenix come hell or high water. She stopped off in Nebraska to tell her family she was “escorting” a TB patient to Arizona and off she went. She had just enough money to buy a ticket on the Santa Fe Railroad to Ash Fork, 196 miles north of Phoenix. Upon arriving in the small railroad town, she asked the station agent how to get to Phoenix and he pointed to the tracks heading south so she started hiking down the Santa Fe Prescott & Phoenix Railroad line. She’d walked a couple of miles when a freight train hauling a load of fragrantsmelling cattle stopped and a brakeman offered her a ride in the caboose to Phoenix. So, Phoenix’s first “trained nurse” rode into Phoenix in style in the caboose of a cattle train. Williams’ health improved immediately and one day she walked into a local department store and caught the eye of the owner. He was a most eligible bachelor, and she was the only trained nurse in Phoenix. It was love at first sight. Baron Goldwater and Josephine Williams were married on New Year’s Day in 1907. Exactly two years later, a son was born and they named him Barry. Two more would soon follow. Over the years she took her three children, Barry, Bob and Carolyn on

Josephine Williams was stricken with tuberculosis and was given a slim chance of surviving.

camping trips around Arizona in their big Chambers Touring Car. She was driver, mechanic, cook and trail boss taking them to every remote corner of the new state; from Hopi and Navajo country to Springerville and the White Mountains; to the Mexican border. She packed a rifle in case a rattlesnake crawled into the camp and around the campfire at night she read books to them on flora and fauna,

geology, Southwest culture and history. Josephine Williams, stricken with tuberculosis and given a slim chance of living in 1903, thrived in the Arizona sunshine for 63 more years. Her oldest son, Sen. Barry Goldwater, always credited this amazing woman the family called “Mim” with giving and nurturing his love and passion for his native state. NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

HOME • AUTO TRENDS

The Audi Q5 is a premium model with a price range of $46,000 to $67,000. (C.A. Haire/Contributor)

Extraordinary Rides Audi Q5 45 Sportback SUV is fun on and off the road By C.A. Haire

onsumers seeking a multipurpose SUV with German engineering and sleek design should give the Audi Q5 a look. The base model 40 version begins at $46,000, and issues a 201-horsepower engine. This was an upgraded 45 model, starting at $48,000. This includes a more potent 2.0-liter turbo motor cranking 261 horsepower, hooked to a seven-speed gearbox, and all-wheel drive. As always, there are options to raise the price, starting at $595 for this metallic grey paint (called Daytona Gray Pearl). The $1,400 sport package includes a stiffer suspension with larger 21-inch wheels and performance tires. How about $995 for that great Bang & Olufsen sound system? With more goodies too long to list here, the total fee came to $56,540. The result is an excellent vehicle that’s pleasurable to drive in a variety of duties. For daily commuting, the cabin has plenty 28

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of room for people or gear. The ride is very smooth, and fuel economy on highway trips was 28/30 mpg. With raised ground clearance and four-wheel traction, the Q5 can be taken on desert trails, as long as the terrain isn’t too rough. We also drove this The Audi Q5’s cargo area is generous and holds lots of gear. rig on mountain roads, where it took tight corners serious, but just annoying. Also, there is a spare tire, but a compact about as brisk as a sport sedan. The factory inflatable that should only be used on street did a great job on the suspension design, pavement. It won’t last long on dirt trails. which is one of the better ones. But then again, who is going to take this In a week of driving, we have only two fancy SUV in the dirt anyway? complaints. First, there is a lot of shiny For those who want more, there is the chrome trim in the cabin. It might look upgraded Q5 65 model. It has a powerful nice, but on a sunny day, certain parts can 362-horsepower plug-in hybrid motor, and reflect the sun’s rays like a mirror, blasting other engineering features to impress. This passengers’ eyes in the process. This is not good if you happen to be the driver. This isn’t will also cost more at about $67,000.

HOME • OPINION

Problem Solved Woman seeks refund after returning Gucci bag By Christopher Elliott

When Olga Levy returns a Gucci bag to TJ Maxx, she expects a prompt refund. Instead, the company stalls. What’s going on? Question: I placed my order from TJ Maxx last year, and I paid via PayPal credit. I returned a few purchases, including two clothing items and a Gucci bag.They refunded me for the clothing items, but not the bag. After numerous attempts to get a refund for the bag, and several emails with the TJ Maxx customer service department, I turned to PayPal. But PayPal declined my case because the item was “as described.” I never said the item wasn’t as described, I simply asked for their help to retrieve a refund for an item I returned. Can you help? –Olga Levy Answer: TJ Maxx should have refunded you for the purchase immediately. So why didn’t it?

A review of the correspondence between you and TJ Maxx shows one of the problems. “We apologize for the delay in processing your return,” it said. “When items such as this are returned, we have to authenticate them.This does cause a delay in processing the refund.” TJ Maxx is suggesting that you might have sent a different Gucci bag back. But you assured me that you did, indeed, send the same Gucci bag back to TJ Maxx as you received. So what went wrong? It looks as if when TJ Maxx didn’t refund the order, you filed a dispute with PayPal.That dispute was ongoing when you contacted me. So when I reached out to TJ Maxx, it said it couldn’t refund you until you dropped your dispute.

Contesting your PayPal dispute is a lot like filing a credit card chargeback (though not exactly the same thing). If you had won, and TJ Maxx had also returned your money, then you would have gotten two refunds. You could have reached out to one of the customer service executives at TJ Maxx. On my nonprofit consumer advocacy site, elliott.org, I list their names, numbers and email addresses. They might have helped you sort this out quickly. I contacted TJ Maxx on your behalf. It checked your return and verified that it was the correct Gucci bag. It also agreed to refund your purchase but said you had to drop your PayPal dispute first. Once you did, you received a refund of $1,162.

Ken Engelman buys a camcorder online but receives a cloth purse instead. Can PayPal help him get his money back? Question: I recently bought a professional camcorder online. I received a small cloth purse instead. I disputed the purchase through PayPal and sent a photo of the purse. PayPal claims that it spoke to the merchant, who provided proof of delivery of the item. But their “proof ” doesn’t prove I received a camcorder. Can you help me get a refund? –Ken Engelman Answer: You should have received the camcorder you ordered, of course. But before I get to that part, a disclosure. You publish a newspaper that runs my Problem Solved column, and decided to avail yourself of my nonprofit organization’s advocacy services. We try to help everyone, so my advocacy team and I are happy to assist you. I’m also

very grateful that you’ve decided to run this column, which allows us to help your readers. PayPal offers limited protections against fraud. It states that if an eligible item that you’ve bought online doesn’t arrive, or doesn’t match the seller’s description, PayPal’s Buyer Protection “may” reimburse you for the full amount of the item plus postage. A careful review of PayPal’s Buyer Protection suggests that your camcorder is covered. But I’m worried about the “may” in PayPal’s agreement — it sounds kind of noncommittal. Your records suggest PayPal reached out to the merchant, which assured the company that it had sent you the camcorder. But then PayPal simply closed the case without really getting your side of the story. That’s not

what I would call due diligence. We list the executive contacts for PayPal on my consumer advocacy site, elliott.org. You might have reached out to one of them for help, although lately, even emails to PayPal executives meet with form email and bot replies. The key to solving your case was in the “proof ” the merchant sent. The camcorder weighs 3 pounds, but the package you received was lighter. Therefore, they couldn’t have sent you a camcorder. I reached out to the merchant, but the listing site was permanently closed. That made me wonder if PayPal had indeed contacted the merchant, or if it just said it did. I contacted PayPal. It reviewed your case and refunded your purchase.

Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at elliott.org/help NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

TASTE • DINE

The wagyu tomahawk ribeye is seasoned with a southwestern spice blend. (Tía

The 130-seat Tia Carmen was designed in collaboration with the Thomas Schoos.

Carmen/Submitted)

‘A Love Letter’ Celebrity chef debuts Phoenix restaurant honoring aunt By Jordan Houston

idely known for his appearances on TV shows like Bravo’s “Top Chef ” and HBO Max’s “Selena + Chef,” Angelo Sosa recalls two contrasting childhood experiences that shaped his culinary career. The renowned chef, born in Connecticut to a Dominican father and Italian mother, grew up in a “strict” and “militant” household. He spent most weekends laboring in the garden and preparing ingredients for the family’s weekly Sunday “feast,” he says. “Chores were taken very seriously, and part of my chores was to be my father’s sous chef,” Sosa says. “On the weekends, there were no flying kites or playing kickball. It was 5 a.m. garden weeding, tilling and harvesting the vegetables or feeding the compost.” Then, on the flip side of the coin, there was his Tía Carmen’s house in Queens, New York – where he recounts a starkly different family dinner scene. Sosa says his siblings during their visits “would slam the front door open and run past

JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

the kitchen to go play outside.” Meanwhile, Sosa was lured into his aunt’s kitchen. “I was a 9-year-old boy and I was tugged into the kitchen. It was like losing a battle of tug of war. I was tugged into the beautiful aromas of tarragon,” he says. “I would prop myself up on the kitchen and I would watch my tía. Many times, I only saw her from the back – I just saw her motions, movements and the heart and passion.” “When it was time to eat, it was really beautiful. She wouldn’t even eat until she heard laughter, joy or just love radiating in the room,” he continues. “In that moment, the contrast – I remember that strict, militant home and I’m staring at this woman in total awestruck. I knew I wanted to become a chef and this was love. I knew my love language was cooking.” Now, Sosa is honoring his late aunt’s legacy of love and influence with his new Phoenix contemporary Southwestern concept,Tía Carmen. Located at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Sosa debuted the restaurant in April alongside seasoned restaurant operator Mark Stone. “It’s very important to me that we’re not

Chef Angelo Sosa, known for his work alongside restaurateurs like Alain Ducasse, Stephen Starr and Masaharu Morimoto, is widely recognized for appearing on several television shows such as Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ and HBO Max’s ‘Selena + Chef.’ (Tía Carmen/Submitted

just serving food or just serving drinks,” Sosa says. “When you come in, you’re greeted with a gesture with a hand to the heart, acknowledging the people and acknowledging the guest. I want people to feel transformed and feel my Tía Carmen’s spirit in this space.” Tía Carmen, Sosa’s first Arizona restaurant, features flavors imbued from a wood-fired grill and aims to emphasize “the beauty and ingredients of the region.” The chef spent the past year and a half studying Arizona’s food scene while traveling back and forth between Phoenix and his California home. He also collaborated with a variety of statebased purveyors, including Hypha Foods, the lead producer of foraged mushrooms, and Arizona grass-raised beef and Top Knot Farms to incorporate responsibly raised meats. “I want to pay homage.This is really a love story to the region from me,” Sosa says.

TASTE • DINE A storytelling menu Open for breakfast and dinner,Tía Carmen’s menu celebrates the local landscape, famers and community of the Southwest. Signature dinner dishes include tuna crudo with chilled corn coconut broth, smoked chile oil and a dill garnish; southwestern style Wagyu tri-tip kebabs; lamb ragu with mesquite noodles, pork and Sichuan peppercorn and a chicken guisado featuring olives, chimayo chile, garlic and turmeric rice. The tepary bean mole negro, however, is one of Tía Carmen’s major focal points, according to the chef. The mole, aged for 22 weeks prior to being served, is made with Chimayó chile, canela, bay leaf and pecans.The crowd-pleasing side was inspired by local farmers like Ramona Button of Ramona Farms, who Sosa says introduced him to the indigenous tepary beans. He also credits the recipe to renowned chef Celia Florian of Las Quince Letras. Sosa says the Oaxacan chef shard a mole recipe with him while he was visiting Oaxaca. “I’m just a storyteller of the region, of the community, of the rancher or the farmer that is waking up at 3 a.m. and working until 8 at night,” Sosa says. “I really want this restaurant to transform people and to make an impact financially to enrich the community and make it more abundant.” A majority of Tía Carmen’s ingredients stem from the restaurants own Chef Garden, spearheaded by Farmer Nate’s Produce. It supplies organic vegetable, fruits and herbs as needed, according to a press release. “It’s so beautiful. It’s so much more than just the cuisine in itself. It is my discovery through the Southwest,” Sosa says. “As we change menus, it’s as I change as I learn.” During breakfast, the Tía Carmen Mercado, inspired by a combination of a Mexican marketplace and Southwestern farmers market, features not only traditional breakfast offerings but specialty dishes such as green chile pork, breakfast birria, native grain fried rice and an ornate variety of aguas frescas as well. Tía Carmen’s cocktail program centers around local herbs and spices, as well as Arizona’s own spirits Whiskey Del Bac and a broad program of artisanal agave spirits. Cocktail highlights include the Prickly Pear Adonis with noble wines, house made prickly pear shrub, and bitters; aguachile margarita with blanco tequila, St. Germain, cucumber juice, lime juice and aguachile simple syrup and the Hibiscus Desert Balloon with gin, hibiscus cordial, aloe, citrus, and dry sherry topped with a

Hibiscus Desert Balloon channels Arizona’s heritage.

berry vapor bubble, among others. The restaurant’s wine program pulls heavily from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, according to Sosa. It also features wines from the West Coast and “emerging European producers.” “We’re not aiming to be trendy. I just want it to be authentic – people telling real stories and having an impact in the community,” Sosa says. “I want to do something that is provocative, innovative, empowering, thoughtful and genuine. I want to really be that conduit and that story teller.” Where ‘earth meets art’ The 130-seat restaurant, designed in collaboration with the Thomas Schoos of Los Angeles-based hospitality design firm Schoos Design, exudes an “earth meets art” theme, Sosa says. The organic modern aesthetic represents a “clean, warm palette of sophisticated natural simplicity that was developed to harmonize” with Sosa’s description of his tía as a woman of “passion, love and humility.” Soft curves and arches permeate throughout the space, complimented by “calming hues.” Handmade plaster light fixture clusters featuring organic spherical shapes radiate light throughout the concept, while natural woven dome fixtures draw attention to the bar area’s plush lounge seating. “The ceilings are extremely high but each room feels very intimate,” Sosa says. “We have all of these chandeliers that come down and you feel enrobed by the space, even though it’s so decadent. I think there is a lot of light coming into the space, so it’s very light, fresh and airy.”

The exterior boasts a natural desert landscape, open adobe-style fireplace and native Southwestern Pueblo-style architectural Latilla structures. Honoring humility A protégé of Jean-George Vongerichten, Sosa is known for his work alongside pedigreed restaurateurs to the likes of Alain Ducasse, Stephen Starr and Masaharu Morimoto. Sosa has opened multiple restaurants, including the Michelin Recommended Añejo in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, Anejo Tribeca, Mexican cantina Abajo and Death by Tequila named “Best New Restaurant” by San Diego Magazine. Accolades aside, Sosa says his Tía’s influence has helped to keep him grounded – making his Phoenix concept the ultimate tribute and testament. “When I was younger, it was always about the result, result and result. I think the journey, the people, the stories and the relationships and connections have been really powerful for me – and that has enriched the canvas of Tía Carmen,” he says. “She (Tía Carmen) was humble, beyond kind, generous and very giving. She was very fiery and spicy and I guess that’s how you could describe my food to a degree too,”Sosa continues.“She taught me the essence of humility.The peak and pinnacle for me is reaching success and being humble with that success.” Sosa has authored two cookbooks, “Flavor Exposed: 100 Global Recipes from Sweet to Salty, Earth to Spicy” and “Healthy Latin Eating: Our Favorite Family Recipes Remixed.” The latter, a collaboration with TV and radio personality Angie Martinez, stems from Sosa’s Dominican heritage, according to his biography. Eager to continue his evolution as not only a chef, but also as a vessel to radiate love, humility and homage back into Arizona’s local culinary scene, Sosa says he is ecstatic to add Tía Carmen into the mix of Phoenix’s already burgeoning market. “Everything in life is about time and place,” Sosa says. “Arizona is getting a lot of attention right now – there are a lot of amazing restaurants. I feel more honored to be at this time in this place.” Tía Carmen is open for breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. daily. Dinner is served from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and closed on Monday. For more information about Tía Carmen and Sosa’s background, visit @TiaCarmen.PHX on Instagram or tiacarmendesertridge.com. NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022

BETTER • HEALTH

Promoting

Health Sundial Pilates in Carefree helps clients ‘return to life’ By Allison Brown

rainers at Sundial Pilates in Carefree use decade-old methods to help clients strengthen their core, increase flexibility, tone muscles and even reduce pain. The studio doesn’t just call its workout Pilates, it strictly adheres to the methods developed by physical therapy pioneer, Joseph Pilates, who developed the movements and exercises over a span of 60 years. “Utilizing the specialized equipment he designed, the method works by toning muscles as well as balancing muscular force at the joint level. It stimulates circulation through facilitating muscular flexibility, joint range of motion and proper musculoskeletal alignment,” co-owner Jill Eisma says. “In addition, it promotes new neuromuscular patterns, heightened body awareness and more precise coordination. All these things combine to help prevent future re-injury and reduce — even in some cases alleviate — chronic pain altogether.” Sundial Pilates is run by Eisma, Pamela Zeff and Denise Gurnee, all of whom have extensive training. The instructors have between 600 to 1,500 hours of formal training and undergo an additional 16 hours of education annually to maintain the national certified standard of Pilates instructors. Eisma says their understanding of the exercises helps them to “better teach the cultivation of a healthy body, mind and spirit.” Zeff says because of their advanced training, they can accommodate just about anyone. “We have had people as young as in their 20s. But I’ll be honest with you, most of our clients are in their 40s and we have some that are in their upper 70s and early 80s,” Zeff says. 32

JUNE 2022 | JULY 2022 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Sundial Pilates is run by, from left, Jill Eisma, Pamela Zeff and Denise Gurnee, all of whom have extensive training to be able to work with any skill level or condition. (Sundial Pilates/Submitted)

“We have people that come in that have had absolutely no experience at all and we have some that have come in and done a couple years of Pilates. We really have every level of individuals, and the cool part is we can accompany every level.” The goal of Pilates is simply to strengthen the core, but Zeff says that it can have a profound effect on the rest of the body. She recalls working with a man who could barely walk when he came in. After a combination of Pilates and physical therapy, Zeff says he walks on his own and his pain is reduced. The studio opened in November 2021 after Eisma noticed the lack of Pilates in the area. “When I moved to Scottsdale I was shocked at how little classical Pilates was here,” she says. “I could not find a studio to practice or work out in anywhere within 30 minutes of my home. Pamela and I wanted to bring classical Pilates to Carefree/Cave Creek to share our knowledge and help residents with rehabilitation from injury, better alignment, better concentration and most importantly to help the people in our community to ‘return to life,’ as written by Joseph Pilates.” Unlike other Pilates studios, Sundial Pilates offers one-on-one instruction or up to

three people to make sure clients are getting personalized attention and doing each exercise properly. Zeff says it’s impossible to really watch everyone in a 30-person class, and she feels clients get cheated from that. She says if someone isn’t quite doing the exercise right, they are not getting the full potential of that exercise and putting themselves at risk for getting hurt as well. The first lesson at Sundial Pilates is complimentary, so prospective clients can see if they like it. And people must like it, because she added that since they opened, to the best of her knowledge, every person who has tried Pilates here has stuck with it. Private Pilates lessons start at $60, duos at $40 and trios at $35. Appointments are available seven days a week and can be made online or by phone. Memberships and packages are also available. Sundial Pilates 36800 N. Sidewinder Road, Suite B12, Carefree 360-473-6943 sundialpilates.com

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B I LT M O R E L O A N . C O M

North Valley Magazine 06-22

Articles inside

Problem Solved

Promoting Health

A Love Letter

Extraordinary Rides

All-Encompassing Experience

The Rocking Realtor

Escape the Desert

Trimble's Tales