Author: Joan Gibson

By Kathryn M. Miller Phoenix is an expansive, dynamic, rapidly growing city. In fact, Phoenix is not only the fifth largest city, it is the fastest growing major city in the U.S. And in recent years, it has been feeling some major growing pains — from a shortage of affordable housing and increase in residents experiencing homelessness to an increase in narcotic offenses — which have many North Central residents looking for solutions to these and myriad other issues that come along with “big city” status. Downtown Phoenix from 32nd and Lincoln. Courtesy VisitPhoenix. “I think that what people are…

By Kathryn M. Miller In a city like Phoenix, where you blink and a new building has gone up, it’s comforting to know that some things remain the same. Barney Mullen, who has worked at the Denny’s at 7th Street and Camelback for 44 years, and his coworkers have become like family over the years. Pictured clockwise from back left, are Joe, Barney, Candias, Noemy, Coretta, Connie and Amanda (photo by Kathryn M. Miller). Barney Mullen, who lives at Lura Turner for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, has worked at the Denny’s at 7th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix since…

The Royale is an adaptive reuse urban development coming to the Melrose District in winter 2022/23 (rendering courtesy of The Royale). By Kathryn M. Miller The team of Mark Howard and Rocco Menaguale are bringing a new, dynamic collective of businesses to the heart of the Melrose Mile. Partners in life and collaborators in business for many years, the duo aims to open their latest collaboration — an adaptive reuse urban development called The Royale — late this year. Entrepreneurship is nothing new to either. Howard, a native of Arizona, has been a small-business owner for almost three decades, and…

The father/son duo of Jim and Joe LaBrie operate five Bug & Weed Mart locations across the Valley (submitted photo). By Kathryn M. Miller What began more than 40 years ago with an interest in do-it-yourself pest control has grown from one store in Mesa to five stores Valley-wide, including one in North Central Phoenix. Joe LaBrie, director of operations at the family-owned Bug & Weed Mart, shared that his father, Jim LaBrie, purchased a little store called Do it Yourself Pest Control in 1979. Over the years, the company become a true family-owned business. Joe joined the company in…

Hospice of the Valley’s (HOV) new Dementia Care and Education Campus held a grand opening celebration April 19. HOV leadership was joined by Governor Doug Ducey and City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego as they officially welcomed residents to the campus at 3811 N. 44th St. A gathering space at the newly opened Hospice of the Valley Dementia Care and Education Campus (photo courtesy of HOV). The decision to bring the facility to fruition was based on two major factors. First, Arizona has the highest growth rate of people living with dementia in the U.S. By 2025, an estimated 200,000…

Dr. Kimberly Britt The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and Phoenix College (PC) announced that Dr. Kimberly Britt will serve as the next president of PC. Britt will replace interim president Dr. Clyne Namuo, who served in the role since March 2021. Britt assumed her new role June 1. Britt has 25 years of experience in higher education, and when selected as president, was serving as the vice president of Academic Affairs and the accreditation liaison officer at PC, overseeing 17 academic departments as well as the academic support services. She holds a doctorate in higher education from the…

The dog days of summer may be upon us, but Valley residents can sip into something cool at North Central favorites Joyride Taco House and Windsor. Summer sipping at Joyride includes — clockwise from top left — Blueberry-Basil Ranch Water, Mezcal Mermaid, Peach-Lavender Ranch Water, and Mango-Chmoy (photo courtesy of Upward Projects). A summer cocktail menu at Windsor tempts with 11 refreshing drinks with a tiki-twist on its classic lineup of prohibition era drinks, all named after numbers. Each cocktail has carried a unique number since 2011, chosen by the team member most connected to the concept, it’s a momentous…

Undertow presents Flor de Caña 25 during this month’s “Captain’s Keep” luxury sipping program. Established in 2019, the Century Grand houses three turn-of-the-century-inspired cocktail bars, each serving specialty craft cocktails within an immersive environment and filled with the sights and sounds from a bygone era. Created by the team at Barter & Shake, two of the bars within Century Grand, UnderTow and Grey Hen Rx, launched a new monthly program in July that highlights the group’s access to rare, luxury sprits. Titled the “Captain’s Keep” at UnderTow and “Communion” at Grey Hen Rx’s, each concept will now offer a limited…

Rob and Candy Berkner and chef Jackie Abril-Carlile of North Mountain Brewery serve up a selection of small-batch craft beers along with a variety of customer favorites, including fish and chips, pizza and Asian-influenced fried rice and lumpia (photo by Marjorie Rice). By Marjorie Rice When Rob and Candy Berkner opened North Mountain Brewing Co. nine years ago, their vision was simple — a microbrewery/brewpub with a restaurant serving beer-friendly foods backed by a craft brewery specializing in small-batch Belgian-style beers. Today, the concept has grown with updates including additional room for making beer, and revamped dining areas including patios…

North Central residents will be able to get the Big Buford at a new Rally’s location near 19th Avenue and Northern. Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurant chain is set to open its fifth Phoenix-area restaurant location Aug. 9. Located at 1935 W. Northern Ave., residents can check out Rally’s menu of hand-seasoned, 100 percent beef hamburgers, like the Big Buford (two large hand-seasoned hamburger patties, topped with two slices of melted American cheese, iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise, all on a toasted bakery-style bun) plus fresh-made hot dogs, sandwiches and milkshakes — alongside Rally’s…