< Previous38 AZFOOTHILLS.COM Insider's Guide DESERT DESIGN Just in time for the bustling holiday season, THE WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA has unveiled a transformation of its 732 guestrooms, including 55 suites, and corridors. The enhancement showcases a take on modern eco-luxury, with Southwest- and desert-inspired touches (including nods to the state’s mining history). The color palette and artwork offer a reflection of the surrounding desert landscapes with soft neutral hues, while accent wallcoverings reflect the sun setting on the sand. Of course, no Westin Kierland accommodation is complete without the resort’s signature Heavenly Bed. kierlandresort.com. Sept Issue.indd 388/28/19 11:28 AMSept Issue.indd 398/27/19 2:55 PM40 AZFOOTHILLS.COM BE THE VOICE FOR DISPLACED LABS IN ARIZONA. Volunteer. Foster. Donate. Advocate. DLRRPHOENIX.ORG Insider's Guide FACE IT Available in a whopping 20 shades, the just- launched LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER NATURAL SKIN PERFECTOR BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SUNSCREEN ($47) is the ideal marriage of skin care and makeup. The newest off ering from the iconic brand and pioneer of the “Flawless Face” works to increase skin’s long- term moisture levels—for 24 hours of hydration— thanks to ingredients like macadamia and kukui seed oils. Sephora. JUICY FRUIT Nothing says “hello, fall!” like a silky, seductive bottle of red. Fill that space in your cellar or rack that has been full of rosé for the past four months with a bottle of Masut 2016 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir ($40). The prime pinot boasts intense red and dark fruits with hints of vanilla and anise. masut.com. Sept Issue.indd 408/27/19 2:55 PMSo smooth, we'll make our way right into your coffee cup ;) Now, available at two convenient locations! 504 E Roosevelt St. Phoenix, AZ 85006 STE. 1001 1447 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006 smoothbrewcoffee smoothbrewcoffee Business Hours Monday - Friday: 5:30am - 7:00pm Saturday - Sunday: 6:00am - 6:00pm Sept Issue.indd 418/28/19 11:35 AM42 AZFOOTHILLS.COM ARROWHEAD 7311 W. Bell Rd. (623) 979-4445 LONDONGOLD.COM CHANDLER 3100 W. Chandler Blvd. (480) 705-4191 SCOTTSDALE 10441 N. Scottsdale Rd. (480) 367-1717 LONDONGOLD Insider's Guide THE Mortgage MAN Today’s mortgage loans for self-employed borrowers and the rest of us. With mortgage rates at all-time lows, and the Phoenix Metro housing market buzzing, now might be the time to purchase your dream home or refinance your current one. But what if you have good credit and good assets, but are self-employed or have commission-based income, and do not qualify for a Qualified Mortgage (QM) loan program? A Non-QM Loan may be the answer you're looking for. Since the housing crash, it had become more difficult for self-employed borrowers to qualify for a mortgage with the implementation of the QM rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It is designed to help ensure that the borrower can afford their home loan by determining their ability to repay. It also does not allow for features in the loan like an interest-only period, negative amortization, balloon payments which are larger than usual, and loan terms that are longer than 30 years. It also limits how much of your income can go toward your debt. But what if you are savvy with your finances and want options like an interest- only loan, which would lower your monthly payment, allowing you to do other things with your money? Or what if you’re a thriving business owner and want the option to qualify by using your assets or bank statements? Or maybe you’re only going to be in your home for a short period of time and want the flexibility of an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage) with a lower interest rate? Borrowers who want features like these and others are now able to get what they want through Non-QM loan products. With niche loan options like this available, they are making homeownership more available for the self-employed borrowers and allow financially savvy borrowers to have more control of their loan options and terms. Most professional mortgage brokers have many Non-QM loan products at their disposal, along with lower interest rates and fees, to help you plan the best mortgage option for your needs. Like qualified mortgages, Non-QM products should be well thought out and planned with a mortgage expert. To Learn More Robert W. Schreyer, CRMO, Camelback Mortgage Robert@ArizonaHomeLoan.com 480.695.LOAN (5626) | NMLS No. 502337 Photo credit: Claudia Johnstone, dasfotohaus.com Sept Issue.indd 428/27/19 2:55 PMARROWHEAD (623) 979-4445 CHANDLER (480) 705-4191 SCOTTSDALE (480) 367-1717 LONDONGOLD.COM LONDONGOLD Sept Issue.indd 438/28/19 11:40 AM44 AZFOOTHILLS.COM Insider's Guide: AZ Giving Sept Issue.indd 448/27/19 2:55 PM @azfoothills #azfoothills 45 TO LEARN MORE: Arizona DECA azdeca.org. NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR: Preparing the Next Generation AZFoothills.com is proud to announce Arizona DECA as the winner of the third-annual NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR competition. Approximately 320 Valley organizations vied for the winning title and a sponsorship package from Arizona Foothills Magazine. Here, get to know the nonprofit that aims to prepare students for a life of leadership and possibilities. BY CHLOE MCALLASTER Insider's Guide: AZ Giving NOT EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT can say they’ve networked with leading titans of industry or traveled the country to compete in business competitions, but Arizona DECA makes all of this possible and more. Watch out because these high achievers may become your boss one day—if they aren’t already. In the fast-paced environment of the 21st century, now more than ever employers are seeking candidates who can think on their feet and take initiative. Since 1961, Arizona DECA—a nonprofit held by the Arizona Department of Education—has prepared tens of thousands of ambitious students to become leaders in finance, marketing, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship. With 105 active chapters and 6,251 active members at high schools and colleges across the state, Arizona DECA provides emerging leaders and entrepreneurs opportunities for leadership experience, networking, professional development and travel. DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program supports Career Clusters, Common Core and National Curriculum Standards, meaning it seamlessly integrates classroom learning with the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. The result is students who are not only ready to make the transition to college, but are also equipped to tackle challenges that may arise in careers in business and beyond. Kathy Frommer, former executive director and an alum of the program herself, speaks to the enduring impact of DECA on the students who participate. “Kids that early on have to make presentations, they’re meeting strangers, they’re having to think on their feet—those skills last a lifetime.” Even students who do not end up going into business and marketing find that DECA has provided them the confidence necessary to be successful in careers like law and medicine, among others. (This past July, Francisco Ortiz y Davis took over the helm of Arizona DECA as executive director.) Arizona DECA provides unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning in competitive settings. In this way, DECA offers a niche for students who may have struggled to find a passion in high school to truly excel. “It’s a thing of beauty when you see a student come through and they’re not the athlete, they’re not the musician, they’re not the artist–and they get in there and they realize that this is their thing and it really clicks with them,” Frommer says. Upon completion of the program, students have mastered the four Cs: critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation. Arizona DECA firmly believes these higher-order skills are paramount to achieving success in the modern workplace. Students who participate in DECA are more likely to seek out challenging courses, with 34 percent enrolling in Advanced Placement courses compared to the national average of 22 percent. They are also more likely to pursue specialized degrees, particularly in the fields of business, communications and economics. Moreover, 88 percent reported that DECA empowered them to become effective leaders and that the program connected school to the real world. These numbers speak for themselves; DECA participants are prepared to pave successful futures. In the coming years, Frommer hopes to make DECA available to students at the few remaining high schools without programs, as well to expand the concept to junior high schools. “It’s really a big push in the nation to start to offer career and technical education at an earlier age—even elementary—so the language and the conversation starts a lot younger,” she says. Sept Issue.indd 458/27/19 2:56 PM46 AZFOOTHILLS.COM Insider's Guide: AZ Giving Third-Place: Camp Patrick Although Camp Patrick has only been in operation for two summers, the organization has already made a tremendous impact on the lives of those living with Spina Bifida and their families. At the free sleepaway camp held at Whispering Hope Ranch in Payson, children with Spina Bifida build confidence, try new things, increase their independence and forge friendships with other children. All campers can bring along one sibling to make the time away from home a little less intimidating. Camp Patrick is operated by volunteers and funded entirely through donations, so its three fundraising events—a September golf tournament, the Touch-a-Truck Family event in January and the annual gala in March—are critical to making the experience possible for all 75 campers and counting. CAMPPATRICK.COM. SECOND-PLACE: HARVEST COMPASSION CENTER Harvest Compassion Center (HCC) was born eight years ago, when the country was still feeling the effects of the recession and thousands of Phoenix residents were in need of basic necessities. HCC’s mission is simple: to provide food, clothing and hope to the underserved in the greater Phoenix area. The centers—located in North Phoenix, Maryvale and Chandler— are a one-stop shop for those in need to access free food, hygiene, baby and clothing items once every 30 days. Since its opening, HCC has served more than 100,000 individuals with the help of the 1,300-plus volunteers who run each location annually. The public can get involved by volunteering, hosting a food drive, joining the kid’s program or donating. HARVESTCOMPASSIONCENTER.ORG. Sept Issue.indd 468/28/19 11:40 AMSept Issue.indd 478/27/19 2:56 PMNext >