“I love opening the door to people who have never been here. They’ve walked by the house a million times, but don’t know what it is,” said Christie Swedbergh, associate director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. “It has a soul of its own.” Built in 1907, the two-story brick cottage is […]

This is the story of a farm girl from Indiana who met a Brooklyn boy who traveled the road from cab driver to CEO. Rebecca Ailes-Fine and Peter Fine met during their senior year at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. “It was pretty instant for me, but it took him longer,” Rebecca said of their […]

Director of social responsibility. Community relationship manager. Director of community affairs. They go by many titles. But these pros don’t just impact their own businesses — they use their positions to make a positive impact on all of Arizona. Keep reading to learn what drives five of our community’s most innovative and socially responsible leaders. […]

You might know Geoffrey Beene’s name from his men’s shirts or Grey Flannel cologne. What you may not know is that Mr. Beene — as he was known in his lifetime — was also an exquisite craftsman, the maker of visionary haute couture for women, who combined luxury with superb design and comfort. “That is […]

“I should have gotten you a St. Vincent de Paul ball cap,” said Shannon Clancy, handing me a hairnet before we begin meal service in the Family Dining Room. She is serving chicken marsala and mashed potatoes while I am spooning out squash. Clancy doesn’t typically serve meals —a blessing she likes to save for […]

Act One: What’s Past is Prologue Southwest Shakespeare Company has always emphasized education and making Shakespeare understandable to the masses. But since its founding in 1994, the company has transformed from a small company of local artists to one of the Southwest’s theatrical powerhouses. It also moved beyond its home in Mesa to venues in […]

Amanda Garmany talks family, heart health and the power of puzzles A puzzle sits on the dining room table in Amanda Garmany’s Paradise Valley home. One thousand pieces are waiting to transform into a New England village scene from the 1700s. “I love puzzles,” Garmany said. “My mother has done them my entire life. I […]

Why Devin Booker is one of the NBA’s most philanthropic players Devin Booker gets it. He understands the suburbs and the city. He is of-the-minute cool but reveres the old school. He lives the high life but understands what matters. He was born to do this. Booker was raised in Grandville, Michigan, where he lived […]

Stories from Sandra Day O’Connor’s remarkable life Sandra Day O’Connor’s life has been filled with unforgettable moments. In honor of the recent 40th anniversary of her becoming the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, we offer glimpses of this Arizona icon’s life by way of historical facts and personal recollections from colleagues […]

Rosie’s House hasn’t had its own permanent home since 2000. But that hasn’t stopped its incredible growth. Rosie Schurz believes in magic, at least when it comes to creating it. “The initial goal for Rosie’s House was to give a child who could not afford it a chance to take music lessons, something the war […]