5th & Wine – Restaurant Review by Smartfem Resident Foodie

Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, 5th & Wine serves a wide array of simple, flavorful, food at moderate prices.

A comfortable and warm atmosphere, 5th & Wine has a lovely wine bar, complete kitchen and overall fabulous dining space. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw elk and bison burgers on the menu! Super low in fat and super high in protein, these alternative burgers complement the truly tasty 5th Avenue Burger, for those less adventurous. Daily dinner specials which include Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon, bow tie pasta and chicken in a light pesto cream sauce which melts in your mouth, and tasty grilled cheese paninis with melted cambozolo, provolone, and white cheddar cheese. These are just a few items off this well planned menu which is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

See 5th and Wine’s menu here.

October – November 2012 SmartFem Woman of the Month

Congratulations!

Smartfem is proud to present the October through November recipient of our Woman of the Month Award:

Sheryl Cooper of the Solid Rock Foundation

For more than the past ten years Sheryl Cooper has been working diligently with her long time husband, legendary Rock Star Alice Cooper to make the Solid Rock Foundation’s Community Center for Teens a reality.  SmartFem is now a proud contributor to this project and was excited to attend the Grand Opening event earlier this month here in Phoenix.

I personally sat down with Sheryl for a lengthy personal interview.  Stay tuned to SmartFem online for the upcoming details and why we are so happy to name Sheryl Cooper of the Solid Rock Foundation as SmartFem’s Woman of the Month for October through November this year. Read the full interview here.

More exclusive photos of Cheryl and Alice Cooper at the Grand Opening event for the Solid Rock Community Center for Teens can be seen on SmartFem’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SmartFem.AZ

Most People CAN Afford a Pre-Owned Luxury Automobile

Previously enjoyed luxury vehicles.

 

Consider the Advantages of Pre-Owned Vehicles

Today late-model pre-owned vehicles are not only a safe buy but they make good financial sense.  Buying a pre-owned car or truck can save you money because a new car experiences its greatest loss in value within the first 12 to 18 months.  Rather than watching value decrease significantly in just the first year consider buying a pre-owned car or truck.  A pre-owned vehicle can have a lower purchase price with lower monthly payments and an extended warranty is usually still available.  Buying a pre-owned vehicle allows you to upgrade to the newer make and model you want and add more optional features.

The same car for less money

When you buy pre-owned you avoid the greatest amount of depreciation.  A new BMW 335 Convertible will cost you around $60,000.  Buy the same three year old BMW 335 with 36,000 miles and you’ll pay about $25,000 less.

More car for the same money

A nicely equipped new Mercedes-Benz E350 will cost you around $55,000.  But what if you want something bigger?  For the same amount of money you could buy a three-year-old 36,000 mile Mercedes-Benz S550 or a three-year-old 36,000 mile BMW 750, their flagship sedans.  Planning on growing your family?  You’ll find plenty of three-year-old Sport Utility Vehicles in the new C class price range.

You can also move up in prestige.  A new Toyota Camry XLE V6 with all the bells and whistles is a nice ride at $30,000 – it had better be.  But for the same price (or even a couple grand less) you could be driving a two-year-old Lexus ES350, Audi A6 or BMW 325i.

Certified Pre-Owned

Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap between new and used.  They are subject to a rigorous inspection and repair process.  CPO cars will usually cost a bit more than a privately sold used vehicle but the added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.

For more information contact one of SmartFem’s Experts at Certified Benz and Beemer.

 

 

RUBY SPARKS Directors Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris talk with SmartFem

Lea Haben of SmartFem is granted an exclusive interview with the directors of the upcoming movie Ruby Sparks.

In 2006, Little Miss Sunshine became a runaway hit bringing critical and commercial success to small independent film making. The dynamic duo directing team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris led the project which earned four Academy Award nominations and two wins. Now the directors return to direct their follow up movie, Ruby Sparks. The film stars Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine) as Calvin Weir-Fields, a once successful writer struggling with writer’s block. Calvin overcomes his block with the help of his muse Ruby Sparks (played by the film’s writer Zoe Kazan) who visits his dreams. His writing flourishes up until the point when his muse comes to life.

At the film’s Scottsdale press day (and in an exclusive interview with Smartfem), I sat down with the incredible duo to discuss this romantic comedy and to see what they have been up to for the last few years.

All photography is courtesy of the very talented Rachelle Apostol of Apostol Photography LLC.  For full sized and more exclusive pictures of Ruby Sparks directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris visit SmartFem.AZ on Facebook.

 

SmartFem:  What was it about the script that made you decide to do this film?

Dayton: “It had substance, it was real and it was entertaining… It was entertaining…”

Faris: “It dealt with the real dynamics between men and women and their relationships.”

Dayton: “Movie projects are a commitment and they take about two years off our lives, so we need something that we can work on repeatedly but still find something new and fresh.”

Faris: “If a story is well constructed there is so much you can do with it.  You work hard on something and it’s fun to see the way it comes together especially when you cast the right people for the characters, that’s when the story is really fun and takes on a life of its own.”

 

SmartFem:  Your leading characters don’t embody the usual Ken and Barbie Hollywood leads.

Dayton:  “We like our characters to be real people and sometimes eccentric. They feel more real.”

Faris: “I really like that our characters are flawed and imperfect… as I feel people can relate to them and I find it endearing.  Some of our favorite friends are eccentric and not your cookie cutter type and really off the grid.”

 

SmartFem: Any new projects coming up?

Dayton: “We’re [going to] do a pilot for HBO. We’re hoping to do… it’s still in the works. It’s called THE LANDLORD and it’s written by comic book artist Dan Klaus from Oakland. He’s written a lot of movies.”

Faris: “He wrote GHOST WORLD… and he had a comic book series called 8 Ball. He’s an incredible comic book writer.”

Dayton: “The Oakland museum has a retrospective of his work. He’s very talented and has written a really funny plot.”

Faris:  “We enjoy movie projects but HBO is a good place for us right now.  We will always entertain doing a movie at the same time.  We aren’t in talks about any at the moment.”

 

SmartFem: What’s it like working with HBO?

Faris: “Incredible as they are very supportive. They make their choices based on whether they      think a show is good or not and not so much about ratings.”

 

I would like to thank Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for taking the time to speak with SmartFem on Wednesday. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to view a special screening of Ruby Sparks in Scottsdale and meet some of the cast. Look for SmartFem’s exclusive movie review and photos.

SmartFem reviews Linda Evans New Book “Recipes for Life”

An absolute joy to read is the first thing that comes to mind when I was asked about the new book by Linda Evans, “Recipes for Life, My Memories.”

Linda Evans has mesmerized her television fans for years as Audra Barkley on the Big Valley and as the unforgettable Krystal Carrington on Aaron Spelling’s hit series “Dynasty.”  I love that this book has a little something for everyone.  Ms. Evans is very kind when it comes to the people she talks about in her book.  People such as John Derek, the man who left her for the 15 year old Bo Derek.  I don’t know many women who would take the high road in these types of circumstances.  This is not a tabloid or kiss and tell book.  It is, however, an interesting read with lots of of pictures and fun stories about Linda’s famous hollywood friends and co-stars.  She became great friends with the two women who always threatened her relationship with John Derek, both John’s former wife Ursula Andress, and Bo Derek, the girl he ultimately left Linda for.  She has been able to create friendships with both of these women despite the nature the circumstances.  Linda forges lifelong friendships and it’s fun to see them chronicled in the book.  This book is dedicated to her step-daughter Sean Derek whom she is extremely close with.  I was touched by her spirituality and by her ability to see the good in others as it is such a contrast to the typical Hollywood.

Linda Evans was gracious enough to grant me a live interview on Breakthrough Radio with my co-host, Dave Isaac.  During the interview Linda talks in detail about some of the many interesting stories and experiences featured in the book.  We have included the full interview here on SmartFem.

Click to listen to the Linda Evens Interview with Lea Haben on SmartFem.

The book also iincludes some great recipes from some other famous celebrities including John Wayne.   I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a Linda Evans fan.  It’s a fun and very positive read and the pictures and history of her amazing life are all chronicled here.  For more information and even more exlusive unpublished photos be sure to take a look at her website.

http://www.lindaevansofficial.com

 

Lions and Tigers and – No Just Monsters… Oh My!

Surreal Sister Photography illustrate their experience at Mesa’s Monsterland Restaurant / Bar / Haunted House

If you are a Halloween lover like us, you will understand how amazing it is that Monsterland, the once premiere seasonal haunted house/museum in Mesa, AZ is now open for business as a bar  and grill year round!  Having just had their grand opening in April, on Friday the 13^th, they are already flourishing with an online presence.

We were lucky enough to get a private tour of not only the restaurant and bar area but also the basement, where they have their seasonal Halloween haunted houses in October.

 

 

 

 

From replicas of werewolves featured in the movie American Werewolf in Paris, to actual props from the movie 300, this place goes above and beyond to give you an authentic experience. It is so much more than just going out to get a meal or a drink.  It is truly an exceptional adventure.  Even people not so into horror movies will be impressed by this venue.  And the restaurant area isn’t too scary for kids either!

Locally owned and family run, the restaurant is family friendly until 9pm, when it then becomes a 21 and over bar.  The maze, props, and staging set such an incredible atmosphere you can’t help but look around and constantly find something new popping out at you!

 

 

The staff was incredibly kind, helpful, and enthusiastic about their place.  They made us feel right at home (a very scary home), and they are doing such an incredible job with weekly scheduling of all sorts of creative and fun events to please everyone.  An element of culture this city is really starving for.  To me one of the most impressive things in the restaurant area was the band stage elevated on a balcony of castle walls far above the crowd.  The bands apparently always dress to impress according to whatever themed event is going on and guests wearing costumes are always welcome and applauded.

 

 

 

 

 

The art and culture they are bringing to Arizona, and mostly the valley, is beyond words, and I am so thrilled to see such a great idea come to pass. We did not want to leave.

They even offer bottle service in their impressive VIP room complete with a life size alien from Alien vs Predator.

This is one of the most unique places we have found in the valley, east or west, and I think anyone and everyone needs to check it out.  For a scary good time…. come to Monsterland!!

 

Article and Photos by Surreal Sister
Hair and makeup by Abraham Herrera

 

 

Model: Renee Turtoro

Styling : Cyndie Turtoro

Fresh events Design and Decor
Monsterland.com

 

 

 

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May 2012 SmartFem Woman of the Month

Congratulations!

Smartfem.com is proud to present the very first recipient of our Woman of the Month Award:

Pam Gaber, CEO of Gabriel’s Angels

We all have a mission in life.  Some find it by self discovery; others find it when they least expect it.  Pam Gaber found her mission when she was 42 years old.  In 2000, Pam decided to leave behind  her high paced corporate lifestyle.  Six months later she adopted “the cutest Weimaraner in Arizona” named Gabriel.  Pam was a volunteer at the Crisis Nursery of Phoenix when she decided to dress up Gabriel as a reindeer and bring him to the Nursery’s Christmas party.  Her mission that day was just to make the children smile.

What she saw changed her life.  Children, who displayed aggressive behavior, became gentle.  Children who were too frightened to interact, opened up.  Watching the children learn about compassion from an animal, while receiving unconditional love, inspired Pam to create the nonprofit Gabriel’s Angels.  She had found her life’s mission.

Through Gabriel’s Angels, Pam has been able to introduce therapy animals into the lives of abused, neglected, and at-risk children by visiting crisis nurseries, domestic abuse shelters, homeless shelters and group therapy homes.  The children not only learn to interact and care for an animal, they learn to trust and to develop a relationship.  These memories and lessons will stay with them the rest of their lives.  The goal of the organization is to “increase the overall sense of well-being and happiness for children in a safe environment, and to build critical behaviors, such as trust, empathy, respect, tolerance and self-esteem.”  This outreach is a way for children to heal, with the hope of ending the cycle of violence.

In its first year, Gabriel’s Angels reached out to 1500 children.  Today, they work with 13,000 children and have expanded to Southern Arizona and Prescott.  There are 150 Volunteer Therapy Teams, 40 Helping Hands working with over 100 agencies.

Pam once said, “It’s better to be kind than great.”  She has proven to be both.  For this reason, she is May’s SmartFem Woman of the Month.

 

Confessions of a Girl that Never Sleeps: Chivalry is not dead.

Dear SmartFem readers: Chivalry is not dead.  The above is just one example of the sweet things I’ve seen men [and women!] do for people who need their help. Whether it’s giving money to the performers and homeless who make their way from subway car to subway car or giving up a seat, kindness is still recognized and chivalry has not died.

It’s subway rush hour and one woman has her shopping bags on the last seat instead of setting them between her legs or in her lap, like a normal New Yorker. There’s an older man that seems to have a hard time standing, let alone hanging on to the pole as the subway flies through the tunnels. After enough glares and a few verbal suggestions, the woman finally moves her bags and – like is was HER idea – tells the older man that she moved her bags so he could sit. This older man, bless is chivalrous soul, looks surprised and then tells a young woman standing next to him that she can have the seat. I almost started crying right there on the spot on how genuine and humble his gesture was.

Chivalry is very much alive.