M AY/J U N E 2022

Vol. 57 No.3

EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Heat.
CRAIG OUTHIER

At long last, MANAGING EDITOR

know s how LEAH LEMOINE
lowr iders work .
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
(p. 182)
MADISON RUTHERFORD
Lear ned how to
make pasta!

Drought.
(p. 162)
EDITORIAL INTERNS
SHRADHA KRISHNAMURTHY,
HALEY SMILOW,
BROOKE TYBURSKI

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KENECHI ANIGBOGU, NIKKI BUCHANAN,

Housing.
MARE CZINAR, JESSICA DUNHAM,
MARILYN HAWKES,
JASON KEIL, STEPHEN LEMONS,
JIMMY MAGAHERN, CHRIS MALLOY,
PAVLE MILIC, ROBRT L. PELA,
JIM SHARPE, AMY SILVERMAN,
DOUGLAS C. TOWNE, LISA VAN LOO

Arizona families are facing CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JASON KEIL

these issues. Hear Arizona ART

podcasts offer solutions: New restauran

crush: Espir itu
(p. 210)
t
.
ART DIRECTOR
MIRELLE INGLEFIELD

MANAGING ART DIRECTOR

ANGELINA ARAGON

PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNS
RYLEEANN BUSS & ANDREW LWOWSKI

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
& PHOTOGRAPHERS
ROB BALLARD, LAURA SPALDING BEST,
BLAKE BONILLAS, CAMERAWERKS,
DAVID CLIFFORD, ERIC COX,
FORD ROBERT BLACK AGENCY,
THOMAS INGERSOLL, KEVIN KAMINSKI,
KYLE LEDEBOER, PATRIK MATHESON,
MICHELLE PHILLIPS, MICHAEL WOODALL

CONSULTING COLOR TECHNICIAN

FRANK FERNANDEZ

Listen now at HearArizona.org

or on Apple Podcasts,
Spotify, or wherever you
get your podcasts
TO SUBSCR IB E V I S IT
PHOE NIXMAG.C OM/SUB S C RIB E

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 CONTRIBUTORS
Kenechi
Anigbogu
WRITER
Kenechi Anigbogu
makes his PHOENIX
magazine debut in
this issue’s Life in the
Low Lane (pg. 180).
Anigbogu grew up in the
Bay Area and graduated
from the University of
Portland before serving
in the Peace Corps.
While working on his
graduate degree at
Arizona State Univer-
sity’s Walter Cronkite
School of Journalism
and Mass Communica-
tion, he was researching
topics to cover in his
narrative writing and
reporting course when
he struck upon the Val-
ley’s lowrider culture.
Jason Grubb
“The original idea for
this came about when
I first came to Phoenix
PHOTOGRAPHER
and noticed the lowrider
Commercial photographer Jason Grubb is one-half of the photogra-
cruises that took place
phy duo Camerawerks, based out of Phoenix. Grubb graduated from Kent
Downtown,” Anigbogu
State University in 1992 before moving to Arizona. He and Jon Balinkie
says. “When they sud-
denly stopped happen-
founded Camerawerks in 2000 and have worked with PHOENIX for more
ing, I did some digging
than 10 years, shooting a variety of editorial work. Grubb’s personal proj- and was exposed to
ect of photographing people experiencing homelessness made him a natu- so much more, which
ral choice to shoot this issue’s feature on homelessness in the Valley (pg.
eventually became the
188). “I go out and meet someone on the street and photograph [them],” he
piece I wrote.” In his time
says. “I pay them $10 and hopefully get a portrait, maybe a story or learn off, “I just like to spend
something about them. [It’s an] ongoing project which may never have an
time with my friends and
ending.” Grubb lives in Phoenix with his wife, daughter and husky, and
family in different areas
mentors at-risk children via Kids in Focus.
of the Bay.”
26 PHOENIX A M AY/J U N E 2022
PHM0622_026.pgs
Kevin
Kaminski
PHOTOGRAPHER
Photojournalist
Kevin Kaminski isn’t
used to hunger pangs
disrupting his work as
an adventure, commer-
cial and architectural
photographer. But when
he was shooting at
TERRA farm + manor for
this issue’s cover story
(pg. 144), it was part of
the job. “I don’t think
I’ve ever been so hungry
while photographing,” he
says. “The cooking class
portion of the photo
shoot had me almost
drooling on my camera
while I was shooting.”
Kaminski has been
contributing to PHOENIX
for six years and has shot
an impressive number
of covers – nine in all.
The Lake Zurich, Illinois,
native and North Illinois
University alumnus now
lives in Phoenix with his
wife and son. When he’s
not working, he enjoys
biking and hiking.
PHOTOS COURTESY JASON GRUBB; KENECHI ANIGBOGU; KEVIN KAMINSKI
THE BEST REAL ESTATE PHOENIX HOMELESSNESS STAYCATION
A G E N T S I N T H E V A L L E Y S P I R A L S O U T O F C O N T R O L G U I D E 2 0 2 2
S U M M E R
FOOD & WINE
G E T A W A Y S
11
LOVELY
ADVENTURES
THROUGHOUT THE
SOUTHWEST!
SECRET WINE
REGIONS
BUCKET-LIST
EATERIES
FARM
TOURISM
ON THE COVER
Vineyard view from
pool at Bruma Valle de
Guadalupe. Photo by
Eric Cox. Wardrobe by
Michelle Phillips/Rare
Scarf Glam Vintage.
04.19.2022 14:50
 EXPLORE
TRAVEL BAG
NEWS, TIPS AND TIDBITS FROM THE WORLD OF ARIZONA TRAVEL — AND BEYOND.
J U S T B A C K F R O M ... ITALY & GREECE
TO CHEF/RESTAURATEUR Marcelli-
no Verzino and his wife and business partner,
Sima Verzino, Italy is more than a vacation
destination – it’s their home away from home.
The owners of Marcellino Ristorante in Old
Town Scottsdale take a yearly trip to Rome,
where they lived for many years and have
property and a second home. For 25 years,
they’ve been following their Roman sojourn
with a jaunt to the Greek island of Poros. The
couple takes us through their favorite local
sights and tastes in both locales.
TEATRO MARCELLO
This Roman open-air theater plays host
to many concerts of all genres, holding firm
to its ancient origins. “You’re sitting in the
middle of this 2,000-year-old antique area,
with the beautiful columns and just every-
thing,” Sima says. The Verzinos hosted a
concert at the theater in 2019, and advise
visitors to come during July and August to
enjoy its summer series of performances.
bit.ly/3JHrHbz
IARI
The Verzinos emphasize the importance
of traditional Roman food and recommend
Iari, their friends’ unassuming eatery. The
restaurant is a walkable distance from the
52 PHOENIX A M AY/J U N E 2022
WITH THE VERZINOS
View of Amalfi from the
Verzinos’ boat; Marcellino
Verzino enjoying his favorite
coastal lunch, mussels in
white wine (inset)
Colosseum. “It’s set in a little teeny-tiny
piazza [plaza], and it’s very cozy. You can
dine outside or inside,” Sima says. You’ll
find fresh pasta, pizza and meat dishes like
pistachio-crusted lamb ribs.
facebook.com/iarithevino
PALAZZO COLONNA
“One of the most important things other
than eating in Rome would be to visit some
of the beautiful museums,” Marcellino says.
In addition to the well-known Vatican Muse-
ums, he suggests the Palazzo Colonna, a
historic palace that houses an expansive art
gallery. Visitors can view pieces dating back
hundreds of years, take in the elaborate fres-
coes, and absorb the historic surroundings.
galleriacolonna.it
TAVERNA APAGIO
The small Greek island of Poros is a
favorite of the Verzinos, who hope to retire
there. It is home to a few restaurants, and
Taverna Apagio is the “hottest,” Sima says.
The seafood-focused menu includes fresh
local catches, from sea bream and samphire
(sea beans) to anchovies and tuna.
facebook.com/apagiotavernaporos
– Shradha Krishnamurthy
PHM0622_052.pgs
OU ND
NEW AR TOWN
VENTURA,
CALIFORNIA
Head to Ventura for a beach-
lover’s paradise full of sun,
sand and surf. Even if you’re
not frolicking in the waves,
this ocean community north
of Los Angeles offers the
perfect getaway full of unique
dining and entertainment
experiences.
Ventura Music Hall
This new music venue aims
to bring major musical acts to an
intimate space. Enjoy live music of
all genres while chowing down on
local craft food and drinks for an
authentic taste of Ventura.
venturamusichall.com
The Yard
The Yard is a Pemberton PHX-
esque outdoor shopping and dining
hot spot in downtown Ventura. Head
to Stout Burgers & Beers for a cold
one or a patty fresh off the grill,
Humblemaker Coffee Co. for a cup
of “crafted wellness,” or Iron & Resin
for a uniquely Ventura outdoor ap-
parel shopping experience.
Instagram: @theyardventura
Conway Family Wines
This new winery in Ventura Har-
bor Village features a tasting room
where you can enjoy handcrafted
wines while taking in the beautiful
scenery. Conway uses the cool-
weather “ocean effect” to slowly
ripen its grapes, leading to the per-
fect balance of acidity and sugar.
conwayfamilywines.com
– Brooke Tyburski
PHOTOS COURTESY MARCELLINO & SIMA VERZINO; VISIT VENTURA
04.19.2022 14:52
 CURATOR

$145 FOR THIS

CUSTOM BOX.
SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
START AT $69.99 EACH.

lovedogrepublic.com

Love Dog Republic

SHOPPING

Dog lover Laurie Stephens always wanted to find a way to help the animal rescue community. Rather than start a nonprofit, she wanted to
sell goods that would attract and benefit consumers while supporting the community. In 2020, she launched Love Dog Republic and its flag-
ship subscription box. Whereas most canine subscription boxes focus on toys and treats for dogs, Stephens wanted to show “dog moms” a
little love, too.
“I thought, ‘Somebody needs to bring kind of a fresh eye to this whole dog-mom box thing,’” she says. “Because there are dog moms that…
would like to be a little bit more surprised every three months when they get their boxes.”
Love Dog Republic takes a more luxe approach, and Stephens touts inclusions such as a water bottle that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker
PHOTOS BY ANGELINA ARAGON

(with dog walking in mind), spa products, candles, coffee mugs, tumblers, totes and beach towels. There are also items for dogs, from collars
and leashes to bowties and bandanas. Each box brings its own variety of goodies. “It’s a labor of love, actually, and it’s important to me that
aesthetically they’re really pleasing when you open them, and that all of the products go well together,” Stephens says.
In addition to its standard four subscription boxes a year ($69.99 each), Love Dog Republic offers themed boxes (seasonal and holiday),
retails its accessories online and at Little O’s, and participates in pop-ups at O.H.S.O. brewery.
– Shradha Krishnamurthy

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 HOW WE PICKED THE WINNER
From more than 100 submissions, our editors picked the 12 entries
that best evinced the “Artful Contrast” theme. Those dozen photos
were then posted on Facebook for a two-week public vote.

THOM BARBOUR

“Eight Minutes Before 7:50 a.m.”

Thom Barbour resides in Scottsdale and makes his living
as a graphic designer. His entry is interesting in that it is not
one image, but rather a composite of several. “I noticed the blue
heron watching walkers [on the Indian Wash Greenbelt in Scott-
sdale] and decided to shoot multiple images over an eight-minute
period,” Barbour says, choosing his Sony AR7 III camera. He
shot the images at a low angle, placing the focus on the heron.
“The contrast of temporary and permanent dwellers of the lake
resonated for me, walkers passing through and the wildlife habi-
tat,” Barbour says. Find his work on Instagram @thombarbour.
—Shradha Krishnamurthy

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J O H N WA G N E R

“Punch Card and Palm”

Phoenix-based photographer and woodworker John Wagner works out of Downtown Phoenix, where he engages with his sur-
roundings to produce unique street photography. In “Punch Card and Palm,” taken this past Superbowl Sunday, Wagner used a Rol-
leiflex SL66 camera with Kodak T-Max 100 film to capture a unique shot, juxtaposing nature and sharp architecture. “The Phoenix
Financial Building [Center] is such an iconic bit of architecture along Central Avenue in Phoenix,” Wagner says. “I saw the shot
while sitting in traffic on Osborn at sunset. I really loved the way the narrow palm tree plays against the long vertical ‘punch card’
windows.” Find his work at wagnerphotographs.com.
—SK

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 1 st

VA N E S S A W E AV E R
PLACE
WINNER

“Opposites”
Gilbert school administrative assistant Vanessa Weaver moonlights as a photographer, finding inspiration in the things dear to
her. “Opposites” (alternatively titled “Perfectly Made Freckles”) splices together photographs of both of her children, highlighting
their shared characteristics and diverging ones. “Even though they have a couple of years in age difference and are male and female
– they have so many similarities as siblings, but are different at the same time,” Weaver says. “As their mother, I will cherish this
photograph forever.” Weaver captured the images with her Nikon D750 with a 50mm lens. Find her work at weaverpinephotography.
mypixieset.com.
—SK

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SAMANTHA CHOW

“In the Mist”

Arizona State University journalism student Samantha Chow ventured out of her comfort zone with “In the Mist,” trying her
hand at nature photography. “I took this photo in December 2020, during peak COVID times,” says Chow, who attends ASU’s Down-
town Phoenix campus. “Because of the circumstances, I didn’t have many opportunities to take photos. That’s when a guest speaker
in my photojournalism class suggested nature photography.” Chow took the opportunity to photograph black-necked stilts at the
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert with her Sony A7 III camera, reveling in the “clean, airy white background that allowed
the black color of the birds to pop in contrast.” Find her work at slchow.myportfolio.com.
—SK

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