PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 9, 2011) – Banner Health Foundation, a philanthropic resource for the nonprofit Banner Health, will host the 2^nd annual Stars of the Season soirée benefiting Cardon Children’s Medical Center on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. The signature fundraising event for Banner Health’s only pediatric medical facility, the 2011 Stars of the Season has a goal of raising $250,000 in support of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Center at Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

The Advisory Council of Cardon Children’s Medical Center, a dedicated group of community volunteers, is the driving force behind Stars of the Season. Tina Curran and Monica Monson are co-chairing this year’s event. Both women worked tirelessly to make the inaugural Stars of the Season a successful event that raised $170,000 for the medical center’s Integrative Pediatric Pain Management Program.

Much like the pain management program, rehabilitation is an integral part of the healing process. The Pediatric Rehabilitation Center is a comprehensive hospital-based program providing an array of critically important rehabilitation services for children from newborn to 18 years.

Physical, occupational and speech therapy and specialized programs including hand, voice, and feeding and swallowing therapy enable Cardon Children’s to manage the symptoms that affect a child’s ability to eat, breathe or speak and restore the functional activities associated with daily living. By forging unique partnerships between parents, caregivers and patients, Cardon Children’s is helping kids find their inner strength, reach goals and gain independence.

To purchase tickets or to inquire about Stars of the Season sponsorship opportunities, please contact Natalie Hood, director of Special Events at Banner Health Foundation, at (602) 747-GIVE (4483) or via email at Natlie.Hood@BannerHealth.com.

About Cardon Children’s Medical Center

Cardon Children’s Medical Center provides comprehensive pediatric care for children from newborn to 18 years. Our 248-inpatient bed medical center offers such services as emergency care, intensive care, neonatal care, general pediatrics, surgical and rehabilitation services, oncology, outpatient services and community education on topics related to prevention and children’s wellness. Cardon Children’s Medical Center is owned and operated by Phoenix-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country with 23 hospitals in seven states. In 2010, Thomson Reuters named Banner Health one of the Top Ten Hospital Systems in the U.S. To learn more about Banner Health go to www.BannerHealth.com

About Banner Health Foundation

Banner Health Foundation, a philanthropic resource for Banner Health, secures and stewards charitable contributions to advance Banner Health’s mission of making a difference in people’s lives through excellent patient care. Charitable contributions are invested locally to support programs and services in Banner’s nonprofit hospitals and health care facilities throughout Arizona. Established in 1978, Banner Health Foundation is supported by the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations and thousands of active volunteers. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.org/BannerFoundation

*Editors: Please contact Banner Health Foundation for photos of the 2010 Stars of the Season event.

For more information about Cardon Children’s Medical Center, http://www.bannerhealth.com/cardonchildrens

What’s a better inspiration for making homemade soup than cold, rainy weather. We don’t get that often in Scottsdale, so today I thought I would toss some fresh ingredients together to create one of my favorites – Split Pea Soup.

Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone

1 lb green split peas
Ham bone with meat
3 QTS cold water
1 onion, quartered
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
3 sprigs of parsley
1/4 tsp marjoram
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper
dash of cayenne pepper

Place split peas and ham bone in a large kettle. Cover with cold water. Add onions, celery, carrots, parsley, marjoram and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours or until peas are tender. Cool soup. Skim fat and remove the ham bone. Pour the soup into a blender (or use blender stick in pot) and puree until smooth. (Option 2: lightly blend so vegetables are still present) Add salt, pepper, cayenne and meat. If thicker soup is desired, mix 3 TBS butter with 3 TBS flour to make a rue and then slowly add to the soup until it thickens. Service with croutons or french bread. Serves 8. Freezes well.

(courtesy of Ham It Up, Santa Rosa, CA)

Contributed by: Intern Allison Lunsford, ScottsdaleLuxuryHome.com
Photos courtesy of: Arabian Horse Show & Shopping Expo

The 56th annual Arabian Horse Show and Shopping Expo returns to Scottsdale this year from February 17th – 27th. Spectators come from all over to marvel at these beautiful creatures and enjoy competitions while taking in the Arizona weather this time of year.

The Arabian Horse Show is one of the largest of it’s kind in the world so it attracts top talent in multiple competitions and categories.

Children 12 and under are admitted free and general admission ranges from $7-$10/day. February 18th is Family Night Friday where families will be able to shop, have dinner, and enjoy the show for free after 3pm. For more information visit the official Arabian Horse Show and Shopping Expo web site at www.scottsdaleshow.com.

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I felt compelled to write this post about the cold and flu season this year because my family has been hit with the worst seasonal sickness I’ve ever encountered. So, I did a little research about ways for you and your family to stay healthy and wanted to share it with you.

Our friends at Mayo Clinic, WebMD, FamilyDoctor.org and Dr.Weil.com have some great information on their web sites that may come in handy. Of course, if your not feeling well it is always best to call your Doctor:

Colds
What hurts, what doesn’t and what can’t hurt ( read more )
Cold Guide ( read more )

Influenza
The definition plus other information about different types of flu viruses ( read more )
Flu Guide ( read more )

Just for Kids
Home Remedies for Kids Winter Ills ( read more )
Colds and Flu in Children ( read more )
Alternatives to Kids’ Cold Medicines (read more )

Interestingly, my assistant Alisha sent over an article today that had been forwarded to her regarding onions attracting cold and flu germs.  The tale says that if you put onions in each room of your home, it will attract and capture germs that float around the air. After further investigation ( and Snopes.com ) it was apparent that it is a folk tale. But, they have excerpts dating back to the 1900′s that show various ways it was used. Could it be true?

At this point, I’m willing to try anything.

Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is holding its 2011 live auction at Westworld in Scottdale on January 17 – 23rd. Throughout the weeklong auction, auto enthusiasts can preview all types of cars, from old classics to concept cars, enjoy food, entertainment and plenty of shopping.

Check out more at http://www.barrett-jackson.com.

The 40th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is being held on Saturday, January 1, 2011 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Connecticut will face Oklahoma starting at 6 p.m. The game will be nationally broadcast on ESPN.

CLICK HERE to download the 2011 Game Day Guide. For more information, visit http://www.fiestabowl.org/

Courtesy of: Robert Pagliarini, The Huffington Post

Want to learn how to save money on gifts this Christmas and not feel like a Scrooge? According to this year’s National Retail Federation holiday survey, the average American will spend close to $700 this season on gifts, cards, decorations, and the like. This is one time when you want to be below average — way below. In fact, if you are in debt, just say no to gift buying this holiday. There is absolutely NO reason for you to go further into debt buying gifts for others. There are 13.6 million Americans who are still trying to pay off holiday debt from last year. Don’t join them by digging yourself into a deeper hole.

( full story )