< Previous90BEST CUSTOM HOMEBUILDERSalcito Custom HomesSince 1978, Salcito has been delivering distinct, quality projects that check all the boxes. Specializing in luxury custom homes, they are a full-service design-build fi rm that s nown for their consistent results and attention to detail. rom sprawling desert abodes to lavish estates, their proects can be found in some of the alley s most elite communities lie ilverleaf, anch, Paradise alley and esert ountain. alcito o ers a variety of services including construction management, interior design, in-house framing and trim carpentry, and home concierge services to clients in cottsdale and Paradise alley. salcito.com.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 204/10/19 1:15 PM9891BEST LUXURY MANAGEMENT COMPANYMark-Taylor CompaniesMark-Taylor Companies is the leading developer, owner and investment manager of Arizona's premier rental communities. The company boasts more than $2.5 billion in investment real estate, 50-plus communities and 500 valued team members. Its priority is to create exceptional communities that invite, inspire and feel like home while also investing thousands of volunteer hours and dollars to improve the communities and neighborhoods in which its team members live and work. mark-taylor.com/azhills.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 214/10/19 2:38 PM9992BEST ARIZONA-BASED HOMEBUILDING COMPANYForté HomesFort omes has been providing luury custom homes since 1993. Along with its beautiful abodes, Fort prides itself on its four strengths: teamwork, predictability, value and convenience. Each customer is supported by a four-person team and baced by a ed price contract to provide peace of mind. Collaborating with some of the top architects and interior designers, Fort has e perience building all architectural home styles, including Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Santa Barbara, Transitional, Modern, Prairie and Contemporary. fortehomes.com.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 224/9/19 4:20 PM10093BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER/FIRMSUZANNE BIERS HARRINGTONomes should showcase personal style while staying comfy and rela ed, something Susie iers has down to an art form. Specializing in highend residential proects, many homeowners in the alley s most e clusive communities have called on iers to mae over their interiors. er toptobottom attention to detail, high level of organization and premier designs have earned her a strong following. sbiers.com.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 234/9/19 4:20 PM101KIDSBY MELISSA LARSEN2BEST OF OUR VALLEY 2019April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 424/18/19 9:58 PM102KIDS BEST KID-FRIENDLY HOTELThe WigwamThe Wigwam prides itself in delivering experiences that guests of all ages can enjoy. The Tower Pool is a lovely spot where kids and their families can soak up the sun and enjoy the 25-ft. tower with two twisting water slides or the splash pad. During the summer, guests can join the resort team every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Camp Wigwam activities, like water relay races, duck races down the water slide, poolside obstacle courses, movies at the pool and more. wigwamari zona.com.BEST BIRTHDAYPARTY SPOTRACHEL’S YOUNG AT ART STUDIOSince 2016, Rachel’s Young at Art Studio has been a Scottsdale favorite for art classes, day camps and birthday parties for early childhood. The popular birthday parties can be tailored to any theme, with face painting and cupcake decorating being off ered as addons, says owner Rachel Ober. In addition to parties, the art studio off ers Mommy and Me classes, after school art classes for elementary-aged children and a variety of sensory classes, among other options for budding artists. rachelsyoungatart.com.BEST HOLIDAY EXPERIENCEFOR CHILDRENNORTH POLE EXPERIENCEThis beloved holiday experience just celebrated 10 years locally. Throughout the winter season, kiddos and their families hop aboard Santa s Magic Trolley at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff and get transported through the Magic ortal to Santa s rand or shop in the North Pole. There, visitors spend time in the famous Toy Hall of Fame to help the elves build toys and visit Mrs. Claus’ Bakery for her signature hot cocoa and tasty treats, all before paying a special visit to Santa himself. northpoleexperi ence.com.3BEST KID'S CLOTHING STORECHEEKY CHIC BABY & KIDS BOUTIQUEScottsdale Quarter’s Cheeky Chic Baby & Kids Boutique is a Valley favorite for on-trend fashions for babies and kids up to size 14. Owner eri amone says she is wor ing to expand the boutique’s tween collection and is adding a teen section to the store later this year. cheekychicbb.com.BEST KID'S ENTERTAINMENT: INDOORSKAJUKENBO ARIZONAilbert s auenbo Arizona off ers traditional martial arts training for the entire family, with classes starting at age 5. In addition to age-appropriate self-defense and increased awareness, the classes also help children gain a greater attention span and improve listening and basic motor skills—all while the participants have fun. Want to get in on the action? On June 1, Sept. 7 and Dec. 7, Kajukenbo Arizona off ers Self efense Saturday classes, which are free to the public with RSVP by phone or e-mail. kajuaz.com.BEST KID'S RESTAURANT AND MOST ENTERTAINING DINNER SPOT FOR KIDSPITA JUNGLEThere’s nothing better to parents than when their kids eat a healthy meal—without complaining. That is always the case at Pita Jungle, where the littlest diners, ages 12 and under, can feast on a design-your-own plate of yumminess, with the likes of hummus with pita, chicken, steamed veggies, seasonal fruit and much more.pitajungle.com.BEST MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN IN THE VALLEYDC RANCHThanks to its variety of holiday events, lie ggstravaganza, Cooies with Mrs. Claus and Spooy Carnival, fun lled tween nights and kid-friendly theater productions, DC Ranch in Scottsdale is an adored community for Valley families. To the delight of community kiddos, the newly reconstructed playground at Desert Camp Community Center was recently opened. There are also swimming pools, a splash pad, numerous parks and basketball courts for children to enjoy. dcranch.com.BEST NANNY AGENCYTHE NANNY JOYNTThe Nanny Joynt was founded by momoftwo Trisha feiff er in 2011 and has since helped thousands of families and nannies nd their perfect matches. The hoenibased service off ers full and part-time nanny placements as well as household managers, newborn care specialists, temporary/date-night nannies and much more. nannyjoynt.com.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 434/18/19 9:58 PM1032BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST OFFICEDESERT RIDGE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRYDr. Lidieth Libby heads up the talented team at Desert Ridge Pediatric Dentistry. Their goal is to provide the highest quality pediatric dental care—plus, a dose a fun via the outer space-themed o cewhile treating patients with respect. Desert Ridge Pediatric Dentistry is located on Phoenix’s High Street. azkidsdds.com.BEST SPLASH PADSANTAN VILLAGEToddlers to grade schoolers are welcome to join in the sun-soaked fun on the SanTan illage splash pad from May to early October. Located between Dillard’s and the Disney Store, the splash pad is covered with UV-protective sails, is cleaned several times a day and utilizes a sanitized recirculated water system. The mall splash pad even hosts a free monthly kid’s club to more than 200 little ones on the second Friday of every month from 10 to 11 a.m. with music, dancing, food samples, giveaways and more. shopsantanvillage.com.BEST SUMMER DAY CAMPCACTUS DAY CAMPCactus Day Camp: where traditional day camping comes to the desert. The aradise alleybased camp off ers fullday programs ve days a wee for two, four, six or eight weeks for kids ages 3 to 13. Safety is Cactus Day Camp’s No. 1 priority, while it also aims to foster friendships, fun and a healthy lifestyle. Boredom isn’t an option as each day is lled with more than 20 activities, lie swimming, archery and climbing. cactusdaycamp.com.Fast Faves2018 WinnerBest Academic Tutoring Service PIMENTEL ACADEMIC SERVICES, pimentelacademicservices.com.2018 WinnerBest Children's Hospital PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, phoenixchildrens.org.Best Kid's Entertainment: Outdoors MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK, therailroadpark.com.2018 WinnerBest Overnight Summer Camp CAMP MARIPAI, girlscoutsaz.org.2018 WinnerBest Pediatrician DR. KATHERINE LICHTSINN, scottsdalechildrensgroup.com.Best Place for Kid's Haircuts (tie) COOL CUTS 4 KIDS, coolcuts4kids.com; SNIP-ITS, snipits.com.Best Private High School BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY, brophyprep.org.Best Toy Store BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, buildabear.com.Best Water Park SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR PHOENIX (FORMERLY WET 'N' WILD), wetnwildphoenix.com.BEST PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLChandler Preparatory AcademyChandler Preparatory Academy is committed to cultivating the hearts and minds of students in grades 6 to 12 through the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. The academy off ers a wellrounded liberal arts curriculum in a vibrant culture, prepping students for success in college, leadership in their chosen career and a life lled with purpose. chandlerprep.greatheartsacademies.org.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 444/18/19 9:58 PM104FoothillsFace ofModel Search 2019ENTER NOW ON AZFOOTHILLS.COM††Filler Ads.indd 24/18/19 9:07 PMMEDIA106BY MELISSA LARSENBEST OF OUR VALLEY 2019MEDIA107BEST ANCHOR: WEEKENDS DANIELLE LERNER, ABC15Arizona’s own Danielle Lerner (she is a grad of Chaparral High School) joined the ABC15 team in 2014 as a weekend anchor and multimedia journalist. Lerner has received several broadcast journalism awards and nominations throughout her career. When not at the anchor desk, this doting wife and mom loves spending time with family, watching and playing sports, cheering for her Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and giving back to the community. abc15.com.BEST LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW OR DJ: AFTERNOON DRIVE JAMES RIVAS JR., 101.1 THE BEATThough James Rivas Jr. has only been on the airwaves for two years, he certainly isn’t new to the Valley, as he was born and raised in Phoenix. DJing is in his blood; his father is the famed Manic Hispanic, who Rivas grew up watching in the studio. Music fans can catch Rivas from 3 to 7 p.m. on 101.1 The Beat. azthebeat.com.BEST LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW OR DJ: EVENING NATASHA CASTLES, LIVE 101.5Natasha Castles (a k a the Executive Unicorn) can be heard hosting "The Castles Show" weekdays from 2 to 7 p.m. on Live 101.5. Plus, she shares her passion for music and new artists every Sunday with shows like "The Roosevelt Tape" from 9 to 11 p.m., also on Live 101.5. During her time away from the airwaves, she loves traveling and getting creative; during the holiday season, you can catch her making candles in order to raise awareness for her annual charity gala, From Castles, With Love. live1015phoenix.radio.com.BEST LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW OR DJ: MIDDAY LADY STEPHANIE, 101.1 THE BEATLady Stephanie got her start in radio 20 years ago in San Francisco and started working with 101.1 The Beat in 2011. Listeners tune in for Lady Stephanie’s dose of sarcastic wit and banter weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. When not at work, you can usually find her at home binge-watching shows with her cats and hedgehog or out with friends trying new places to eat, hitting the bar scene or catching a movie. azthebeat.com.BEST LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW OR DJ: MORNING DRIVE JOHNJAY & RICH, 104.7 KISSJohnjay and Rich have been longtime fixtures on the Phoenix airwaves. Every weekday morning, the duo, alongside Kyle and Suzette, entertain listeners with celebrity news, Second Date Update, simply hilarious recaps of the day before and more. Johnjay and Rich are also the founders of the #LoveUp Foundation, which aims to spread love and kindness throughout the community to support children living within the foster care system. johnjayandrich.iheart.com; loveupfoundation.org.BEST TRAFFIC PERSONALITY HEIDI GOITIA, CBS 5You can thank Heidi Goitia for getting you to work on time each day FAVORITE TV PERSONALITY, MORNING OR DAYTIME: MALE Javier Soto, 3TV Good Morning Arizona anchor and reporter Javier Soto recalls covering the National Memorial Service of Senator John McCain in Washington DC as a distinct career honor of the past year. Soto recently began anchoring the early edition of Good Morning Arizona so viewers can catch him every weekday morning bright and early from 4:30 to 6 a.m. azfamily.com.Next >