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PARADISE
VALLEY
LIVING

JANUARY 2016

THE ROBINSONS
Mary Ellen Knopp / Randall Photography

Why They Call Paradise Valley Home

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magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

PUBLICATION TEAM
Publisher | Chris Buskirk
Content Coordinator | Gina Buskirk
Designer | Camille Strawn
Contributing Photographer | Mary Ellen Knopp / Randall Photography
ADVERTISING
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Phone | 602-770-0780
Email | cbuskirk@bestversionmedia.com
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Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to
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Content. You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos
to: gbuskirk@bestversionmedia.com.

Publisher Chris Buskirk with Digital Underground

and the Rose Law Groups Christmas party on 12/5 at
the Coach House in Old Town Scottsdale.

ITS ALL ABOUT ME! SUBMISSIONS NEEDED

Please submit pictures of you and your friends for our new
magazine section, Its All About Meeee, at local events, parties
and get togethers. With your picture please include names (in
order) and the place/event it was taken.
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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
Brian Robinson, Principal, SharpePoint
Jon Allen, President, Genesis Luxury Group

SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Content Due:
Edition Month:
December 5 ...............................................................................January
January 5 ..................................................................................February
February 5......................................................................................March
March 5...............................................................................................April
April 5...................................................................................................May
May 5..................................................................................................June
June 5...................................................................................................July
July 5 .............................................................................................August
August 5 ...............................................................................September
September 5..............................................................................October
October 5 ..............................................................................November
November 5..........................................................................December

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Emergency...............................................................................911
Police Department.............................................480-948-7410
Fire Department (Stations 1 & 2).............602-262-6297
Town Hall.................................................................480-348-3534
Scottsdale Unified School District.................480-484-6100

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2016 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

PARADISE VALLEY

Paradise Valley | January 2016

LIVING

PARADISE VALLEY

JANUARY 2016 ISSUE

LIVING

Dear Readers,
Paradise Valley is a unique community. Ive lived here for many
years, my kids go to school here, and I know many of you as friends.
Still, its been a pleasure to get to know some new folks while
putting this issue together and to profile some old friends so that
you can get to know them too - and why they contribute to making
Paradise Valley a place we are all happy to call home. Our feature
this month profile Brian and Clarissa Robinsonlongtime friends
who many of you will know and all of you will get to know better.
We also wanted to share some of our favorite things. Pizza.
There, I said it. We love itespecially in a real Neapolitan style
wood-fired pizza oven. We have a great photo spread showing
how a wood pizza oven can turn your patio into a great entertaining
space. And my wife, Gina, who some of you will know as an
accomplished Italian cheesemaker and chef, has included her own
recipe for traditional Neapolitan pizza dough. And trust me when I
say, wood-fired pizza is all about the crust. A wood fired pizza oven
is a game changer when it comes to outdoor living and weve got
some great examples.
As we gear up for the NFL playoffs and then the Super Bowl
we got some great game day food and beer ideas from local craft
brewers O.H.S.O. and Fate. Pair these great recipes from their
menus with some craft brew. We tried them. All. More than once.
Youll love them.
And were happy to have some good insights from local realtor
Chris Karas to make sense of the real estate scene here in PV.
Chris says, With the renewed emphasis on the citys core, Paradise
Valley is becoming even more desirable as its unique location and
character make it increasingly sought after.
If you have an event, a business or a story that we should know
about, reach out to me directly.
All the best,

Chris Buskirk
Publisher

Gina Buskirk
Content Coordinator

CONTENTS
Publication Information...................................................................3
Resident Feature...................................................................5-7
South Beach in Style..................................................................8
Oh Napoli : Wood Fired Pizza Ovens.............................9-10
Super Bowl : Super Beer.........................................................11-13
Cholla Trail.....................................................................................14
Calendar of Events.....................................................................15

Chris Buskirk

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Resident Feature

But this is typical for the

Robinsonswhen theyre
in, theyre all in.

Photos by Mary Ellen Knopp / Randall Photography

Its Good To Be

THE ROBINSONS
By Chris Buskirk

ith roots in Dallas and New

York City, Brian and Clarissa
Robinson could have lived
anywhere, but they chose
Paradise Valley. Since marrying, Clarissa
has completed a PhD in English Literature
yes, she loves Jane Austen and Brian
founded one of the leading private wealth
management firms in Arizona. They have
a great story one worthy of an Austen
novel and one that has made them an
integral part of our community.
Brian met Clarissa while he was a
student-athlete at ASU on their gymnastics
team and working as a manager for
Harkins Theaters. A few years and a few
undergraduate degrees later, they were
married on Mackinac Island in Michigan
where Clarissas family has spent summers
for a few generations.

With three girls, a growing business

and a big commitment to the Phoenix
Childrens Hospital Leadership Circle the
Robinsons dont have a lot of downtime.
But when they do, they make the most of
it. Sunday afternoons are family time and
until the Super Bowl that means football.
Brian and Clarissa team up to make an
ordinary Sunday afternoon more fun than
most Super Bowl partiesjerseys, wings,
Clarissas homemade clam dip, and Brians
home-brewed beer.
Clarissa is a diehard Giants fan
who never needs a reason to don her
Eli Manning jersey while Brians Texas
roots show through in his devotion to the
Cowboys. And as any football fan will know,
that means that once a year when the
Cowboys and Giants meet there is a rumble
in the Robinson house. But in true Robinson
fashion that just means a Sunday afternoon

Paradise Valley | January 2016

full of more friends and more foodand

maybe a few more good-natured taunts.
But this is typical for the
Robinsonswhen theyre in, theyre
all in. When Brian started his wealth
management firm three years ago, he
had been in the business for 15 years.
He had a vision for what he wanted
his firm to becustomer-centered,
transparent, trustworthy, providing not
just investment advisory but concierge
services previously available only
through family offices. But he had
no idea just how strongly this would
resonate with his clients, who helped
propel his firms rapid growth.
And while Brians firm, SharpePoint,
is known for its annual speakers series
on investing and the economy and the
nationally known speakers he brings
in, Brian has become an accomplished
speaker and teacher in the industry in
his own right.
At the same time, Clarissa keeps
her schedule full with her special
commitment to the Phoenix Childrens
Hospital Leadership Circle. Since joining
the Leadership Circle a few years ago,
Clarissa has devoted an increasing
amount of her energy to growing the
organization that supports special
projects at the hospital.
She became a director this year and
is spearheading some new efforts at the
hospital to research Type 1 Diabetes.
After 10 years of misdiagnoses, Clarissa
was found to have Type 1 Diabetes
in December 2014 and has become
passionate about finding a cure and
helping kids adapt to life with the
currently incurable disease.

Resident Feature

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

Where Did You Grow Up?

Brian grew up in Texas, Colorado
and Tucson before settling in Arizona
and graduating from ASU.
Clarissa moved to Arizona at 14,
after spending her early years in New
Yorks Greenwich Village. She lived in
Carefree and made the hour-long drive
to Phoenix Country Day School from
which she graduated in 1988only
to have her mother move to Paradise
Valley, a few blocks from the school
while Clarissa was a freshman at Loyola
Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Whats your favorite Getaway?

For Clarissa, its definitely Forest
Highlands, Weve had a house there for
years and get there as often as we can
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course
the whole summer. Great group of
friends, quiet and relaxing. Its definitely
my happy place.

Why PCH?
I have three girls, none of which,
thank God, have needed the critical
care that Phoenix Childrens Hospital
provides, answered Clarissa. But as I
got to know the hospital through some

And the more that I got involved, the more I wanted to do

friends and got to know the truly excellent

work they do I knew I had to get involved.
And the more that I got involved, the more
I wanted to doits a truly world-class
hospital devoted to helping the most
vulnerable among us. And then when
PCH decided to launch the T1 Fighters,
an initiative to fight T1 Diabetes in kids,
I jumped in. I was diagnosed with T1
Diabetes a little over a year ago so this
really resonated with me.

In town hang-out?
Brian: The Hermosa Inn. Clarissa
and I can walk there for a drink on date
night or sometimes well ride there with
the girls for an easy dinner or for brunch.
Great patio, live music - definitely our
neighborhood spot.

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The Robinson Family

Brian, youre a home brewer, whats your beer of choice?

I brew all kinds of beer: lagers, IPA, porters, anything
that interests. But I love the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
when I can get it. Its very limited production but worth the
effort to find it.

Why do you live in Paradise Valley?

Both Brian and Clarissa agree that there is nowhere
they would rather live. For them, Paradise Valley has it all.
It has the charm and close-knit community of a small town,
a place where they know their neighbors, see the same
people at school and the grocery store. Its a place where
they give their girls some freedom in their neighborhood.
And there is a sense of space in town with the large lots
and quiet streets. But at the same time, PV is situated right
in the heart of things, close to everything that Phoenix and
Scottsdale have to offer. But more than anything else it is
the people, friendships that they have made and shared
memories that make Paradise Valley home.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share?

Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our
upcoming issues! Contact us at:
gbuskirk@bestversionmedia.com.
Paradise Valley | January 2016

SOUTHBeach
in STYLE

By Nora Lindquist

enjoying a fancy drink. I indulged in a bit

of both.

It was amazing to be up there while

the sun set on the horizon.

take the first sip from my

champagne glass and smile.
I always say that life is a
celebration and what is a
celebration without champagne? Its
just after 8am as I lean back and smile. I
have a lot to be happy about right now:
Im on my way to the beaches of Miami. I
cant wait to feel the sun on my face and
the sand between my toes. And I love
the energy of South Beach where Ill be
staying at the W.
This is a business trip but that
doesnt mean I will enjoy it any less. I
work for Jet Linx, a private jet company,
so I definitely get some perks. The one
perk that I am enjoying right now is flying
on our Citation XLS, which is one of my
favorite mid-sized private jets.
It was such a relief to be able to get
up in the morning and not worry about

To say the least, my four-day

business trip was a success and I was
able to relax on the beach and take in
the sights and sounds of South Beach.
Flying back to Minneapolis, I was able to
snuggle into the warm, leather seats on
the private jet with my feet up. Since I did
not have any urgent business to attend
to, I tried every seat on the plane and
decided to go with the captains chair.
That is where all the controls are, such
as the temperature, music and anything
else you may want. I was allowed to
jump into the co-pilots seat and learn
about all of the buttons and avionics. It
was amazing to be up there while the
sun set on the horizon. I took a nap,
drank my champagne and when I landed
was fully rejuvenated. I felt like the most
important person in the world and all the
while I thought to myself, this is exactly
how travel should feel no matter where
youre headed.
catching a commercial flight. I drove my
car right up to the plane a few minutes
before 8 and we were airborne 20
minutes later. We climbed quickly to
40,000 feet above the commercial
traffic and as I sink back in my seat
and think of the next few days in Miami
I realize that I have the whole plane to
myself. Im using the Wi-Fi to get some
work done before we land in Miami.
Just three hours later, I am landing
in Miami from Minneapolis. My rental car
is waiting next to the plane as soon as
we park and my bags are placed in the
trunk. I love having someone else to do
the heavy lifting. They have me staying
at the W Hotel right on South Beach
facing the ocean. If youve seen Jon
Favreaus movie Chef you know why I
love Miami. The restaurants on the strip
are great for people watching and

Nora is Director of Jetcard sales at

Jet Linx in Scottsdale.

BestVersionMedia.com

OH NAPOLI
How to Bring a Taste of Italy to your Home

A traditional Neapolitan pizza oven is the ultimate in outdoor living.

It transforms any space into a vibrant center for entertaining with friends and family. Realtor Chris Karas agrees, Everyone
entertains outside and a real, wood-fired pizza oven is something that can really set the tone for a home.
There are only a few companies in the world that make the classic wood-fired ovens that made Neapolitan pizza the international
gold standard. Mugnaini and Forno Bravo are 2 of the best.

Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

AUTHENTIC NEAPOLITAN
PIZZA DOUGH
By Gina Buskirk

Ingredients:

2.8 pounds flour

4 cups water
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon active dry yeast

Instructions:
Place all ingredients in the bowl
of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle
attachment. Mix on slow for 2 minutes.
Let rest for 10 minutes. Switch to the hook
attachment and mix on medium for 5
minutes. Then switch to low for another
2 minutes.
Line a baking sheet with parchment
paper, brush with olive oil. Divide pizza
dough into sections. Form dough balls
4 wide and place on baking sheet 1-2
apart. Continue until all dough has been
formed into balls. Cover with plastic wrap
and refrigerate for 2 days.
Remove pizza dough from refrigerator
and let sit 5 minutes. Using 1 dough ball
at a time, roll out on a floured surface or
toss into circle. Place on well floured pizza
peel, olive oil the border of dough, layer
sauce and toppings and slide into pizza
oven. Cook per instructions.
10

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SUPER

Fate Brewing Co.

Bowl
Beer

2 Local Craft Brewers

Go Deep
By Gina Buskirk

The Super Bowl is right around the corner and we asked two local craft brewers what they have on their menus for you to
take out or to order in while watching the big game.

Fate Brewing Co. on Shea Blvd

Manager Travis Pack of local Fate Brewery told me
that their best selling craft beer is their American Pale Ale.
I wasnt going to let him off that easily so I picked 3 items
from his menu (that would be great on game day) and had
him tell me which of their beers paired the best (I also got
a recipe for you to make at home). Here are the results:

PAIRINGS
Poutine (french fries topped with brown gravy, crispy
bacon and cheese curds)Buffet Brown Ale
Fon-Dont (herbed ricotta cheese dip, arugula salad,
olives and wood fired toasted bread)New Standard IPA
Irish Nachos (potato slices topped with bacon, onion,
mozz, parm, chives and sour cream)Oh My Gatos Golden Ale
Cant choose which beer to pair up with your favorite
pizza? Travis assures me you cant go wrong with the
Double Oatmeal IPA
Not watching the game with them? No worries! You can
still fill up a growler (or 2) with your favorite Fate beer and
take it home with you.

Paradise Valley | January 2016

11

O.H.S.O Brewery

O.H.S.O. Brewery on Tatum Blvd

Owner Jon Lane isnt messing around when it comes
to craft beer. His head brewers Scott Brady and Josh
Goldstein are currently making up to eight craft beers
available on tap at their Paradise Valley location (along
with craft beers from across the nation) and are expected
to reach as many as 12, including a seasonal, in the
upcoming months. Presently, their most popular beer is
an American IPA called the O.H.S.O. Hoppy IPA. As for the
beer/food pairings...Here are the results:

PAIRINGS
AZ Burger ( jalapeno cream cheese, lettuce, tomato,
poblano aioli and crispy onion strings)O.H.S.O. Hoppy- less malt/more hop, citrus/grapefruit
balances the bitterness

Blue Crab Dip (pico de gallo, parmesan. onions, cream

cheese, tortilla chips)O.H.S.O. Brite- classic, clean light beer
Ensalada Del Sol (chile rubbed chicken, tortilla strips,
cotija,cucumber, corn salsa, avocado, cilantro dressing)
O.H.S.O. Grovey- blonde ale with orange and
mango accents

Wanna watch the game there? They have their signature

patio that can accommodate large parties (including your
dog) or you can bring your favorite craft beer home in
your own growler.
Fill up will cost you $6/32 oz and $12/64 oz.
Need a growler? Buy one from them
($4/32 oz-$5/64 oz).

12

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HAVING A SUPER BOWL PARTY?

Make these favorites at home courtesy of your local brewers

Fate Brewing Co.

Fon-Dont

15 oz cream cheese
3 tbsp water
6 oz mascarpone
3 # ricotta
2 tbsp rosemary, chopped very fine
1 tsp red pepper flakes
tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
cup grated parmesan

Using mixer, beat cream cheese with water

until soft. Add mascarpone and ricotta, beat
until smooth and even. Mix in spices and
parmesan. Place in oven safe dish and heat
on 400 degrees until golden brown and
bubbly, 8-10 minutes.

O.H.S.O. Brewery
Blue Crab Dip

8 oz crab claw meat

cup diced roma tomatoes
cup diced white onions
cup finely chopped scallions
cup heavy cream
white wine
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp shrimp base
2 tbsp olive oil

Heat up a sauce pan on medium heat with

olive oil and saute onions until translucent. Add
tomatoes and scallions, cook for 3 minutes.
Deglaze pan with white wine, add heavy cream,
mustard powder, shrimp base, let simmer 2
minutes. Break apart cream cheese into mixture
and allow to soften. Whisk until smooth, fold in
crab claw, cook for 3 minutes. Serve.

Paradise Valley | January 2016

O.H.S.O. Brewery

13

Cholla Trail

Whats So Great About Paradise Valley?

CHOLLA TRAIL: Its right out your back door

By Gina Buskirk

ou live in a place called Paradise Valley,

emphasis on the Paradise, so get
outside! Cholla Trail is minutes away from
you (we both know it is) and is a great
workout for all fitness levels. Tucked nicely into
the east side of Camelback Mountain, the trail is
accessible from Invergordon Dr.

Its beauty and accessibility are one

of the many reasons why you love to
live here.

Its about a 3 mile hike (out and back) sporting some

of the most incredible views of the Valley and really as
far as the eye can see. You can run it or leisurely walk
it, it just doesnt matter. Its beauty and accessibility are
one of the many reason why you love to live here.

The trail has been well maintained and makes for

a great weekend activity, though there is a dedicted
cadre of hikers who assemble early every morning or
right after work. You know who you are. If you are not
ready to climb to the top, there are two plateaus you
can stop at and take in the sights or tough it out to
the saddleback and sit for awhile. Chances are if you
make it to the saddleback you are going to push on to
the top, its just too close to pass up.

14

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY

2016

Calendar of Events
Sat.-Sun. , Jan 16-17

Mon. , Feb 1-8

Rock n Roll Marathon

Waste Management Phoenix Open

@Tempe on University Drive

This is the most anticipated race of the year! Join thousands
of people as they run the 5K, 10K, 1/2 or full marathon. Theres
also a Kids run. Its not too late to register.
Time: Wave starts
Cost: $30-$130 (late entry fee may apply)
www.runrocknroll.com

@TPC Scottsdale
You can come out for the golf or just for the party. Either
way you are guaranteed a great experience all week at this
anticipated golf event.
Time: 7;30am
Cost: General Admission-Mon & Tues FREE, Wed & Thurs
$30, Fri & Sat $40. VIP available for additional cost.
Birds Nest Tickets:General Admission-$50-$100. VIp available
for an additional cost.
www.wmphoenixopen.com

Sat.-Sat. , Jan 23-30

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction
@Westworld of Scottsdale
Join car collectors and enthusiasts at one of the largest car
events/auctions in the valley. Vintage cars to the latest super
cars will be on display to ogle or auction throughout the week.
Tickets: $10-$175 depending on the day/event.
Child/Senior/Military discounts available: 8am-9pm depending
on the day
www.barrett-jackson.com

Now-June , 2016
Old Town Farmers Market
@Brown St between 1st and 2nd St
Start your Saturday mornings with a stroll through Old Town
sampling the local fare and buying your fresh groceries for
the week. This is one farmers market you dont want to miss.
Time: Saturdays, 8am-1pm
Cost: Free

Paradise Valley | January 2016

15

PARADISE VALLEY
1152

LIVING