From Stephen Clifford, Registered Investment Advisor Representative

While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law in 2010, several of the more substantive provisions of the law don't take effect until 2014. Here's a review of some of the key parts of the ACA that are scheduled to begin in 2014.

Athletic and loaded with energy, Artax is always ready for fetching, running about a spacious yard or going for long walks and hikes. 

Food. Fashion. Fitness. Meet this year’s annual Women Who Move the Valley honorees—10 leading local ladies who are making these and many other aspects of the Valley the absolute best they can be. Learn about these incredible movers and shakers—all who have a passion for philanthropy and giving back to the community—from the people who know them best, from their moms to their mentors. 

Ann Siner

Founder and CEO of My Sister's Closet, Well Suited and My Sister's Attic

“It is an amazing accomplishment to create a successful and eco-chic business in the city you love and call home. It is quite another thing to operate that business for 22 years, with your family, over 200 employees, to have a driven desire to be the best in your industry, possess a Zen-like ability to deal with the daily ups and downs and still have time to give back to your community. My sister, Ann Siner, does all of that with the determination of 300 gladiators. She is founder and CEO of her brand, My Sister's Closet, Well Suited and My Sister's Attic. She is a brilliant business woman with a heart full of compassion for those in the Valley of the Sun that do not always have a voice of their own. Of course, I am speaking of all the animals she helps to rescue and save through her love and constant giving back to the Arizona Humane Society, FACES and Halo. Another passion of Ann's is Defenders of Wildlife, where she hopes to help as many wolves as humanly possible. She also assists thousands of women each year with her work with Fresh Start, where Fresh Start women learn to stand again in their power and reclaim their voices. She believes in the Phoenix Art Museum and helps create culture for those of us living and thriving in Phoenix. Then there are the other of innumerable projects, events and charities she supports by attending, promoting and believing in. Ann is a woman of action.” —Tess Loo, Siner’s sister and head stylist for Eco-Chic Consignments, My Sister’s Closet, Well Suited and My Sister’s Attic

Renee Parsons

Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

“Renee is a woman on the move, moving everyone she meets along the way with her infectious, positive energy. Game for almost anything worthwhile or fun, she takes on every day as an opportunity. She lives with a fitness and health focus that empowers her to give her all to the precious people, dogs and causes in her life. Her benevolent spirit and inner beauty radiate through her smile while her effortlessly elegant style turns heads everywhere she goes. There's a special magic in all of her moves that comes from her light, fun and grateful heart. She creates a spark that inspires those around her to be and do their very best. This magic enables her to move others to take positive action with her. Whether it be in a conversation with a friend, spinning away in the gym, getting down on the dance floor or fighting for one of the many charitable causes that she and her husband, Bob, focus on in their full-time efforts at the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, Renee is fully present and passionate with every move she makes.” —Kristin Newman, Parsons’ friend and owner of Kristin Newman Designs

Michelle De Blasi

Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig

“Mother, wife, attorney and passionate community thought leader, Michelle De Blasi inspires the Valley’s business community to strive for a better future for Arizona. After starting her legal career in Seattle, Michelle returned to Arizona in 2002: Arizona’s energy and environmental sectors offer many opportunities and I’m proud to be a part of shaping our future, she says. Michelle is a shareholder at the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig and focuses her practice on environmental and energy law. She is co-chair of the Arizona Energy Consortium, a committee of the Arizona Technology Council, and has worked on numerous community programs and initiatives. During the last year, the Arizona Energy Consortium released the Arizona Energy Roadmap, a dynamic plan developed to help direct Arizona’s energy future. Her involvement with the Consortium, the Green Chamber, Gov. Brewer's Master Energy Plan and Arizona Forward demonstrate the value effective leaders can bring to the community.” —Jolene Eder, law student who interned for De Blasi

Heidi Powell

Trainer and Transformation Specialist on “Extreme Weight Loss”

“In the last year, you may have seen Heidi Powell on the television show “Extreme Weight Loss” with her husband and host, Chris Powell. What many people don’t know is that Heidi has been helping people improve their lives long before she was ever featured on the show. At first glance, you may think Heidi’s passion is health and fitness, which is a big part of her life, but her true passion is people. On a daily basis, Heidi goes above and beyond for each person she helps transform. Many times Heidi is introduced to people at a dark time in their lives when they are trying to fight for their health. She not only helps them fight to get their life and bodies back, but she also rolls up her sleeves and fights in the trenches with them. Each person is met with such compassion and positivity; you can’t help but believe anything is possible. It is impossible to walk away from working with Heidi unchanged for the better. The incredible part is that this dedicated wife and mother leaves behind her a trail of inspiration that has created a ripple effect across the globe. So many of the people she has helped are helping others, teaching them what they have learned from her. Heidi is one of those rare, amazing women who leaves each person and place better than when she found it.” —Jacqui McCoy, former “Extreme Weight Loss” participant

Katherine Cecala

COO of Valley of the Sun United Way

“Katherine Cecala’s energy, passion for volunteerism and commitment to improving lives in our community is admirable. She is a brilliant and dynamic professional, one who many rely on to move complex projects forward. When Katherine’s on your team, great things happen. Recently, I described Katherine as ‘my friend, my mentor and an inspiration to many, and the woman I am lucky enough to call boss before a crowd of 500 business executives. These words represent the voice of many of my colleagues at Valley of the Sun United Way and many individuals she has mentored around the Valley. She is an advocate for professional development and encourages women to discover their potential and realize their dreams. Her enthusiasm and business know-how continue to inspire me to excel.” —Tanya Muñiz, Valley of the Sun United Way CFO

Amy Binkley

Co-Owner of Binkley’s Restaurant, Bink’s Midtown, Bink’s Scottsdale and Café Bink

“When you’re the wife and business partner of Kevin Binkley, one of the Valley’s most celebrated chefs, you learn early on that the spotlight won’t be focused on you, a situation that suits modest miracle-worker Amy Binkley just fine. As the glue that holds the couple’s burgeoning empire together, she’s the efficiency expert who handles staff training, payroll and many other day-to-day activities, including creating stellar wine lists that reflect the tenor of each location — whether it’s elegant Binkley’s, casual Café Bink or veggie-driven Bink’s Midtown. Nowadays, she’s also dashing off to a fourth location in Scottsdale, slated to open in December. But don’t expect to see this former chef, whose resume includes stints at the prestigious Inn at Little Washington (where she outranked Kevin) and Taylor’s Refresher ever break a sweat. She may be quiet, but she’s as tough as her famous husband, which is why he calls her ‘bad ass.’”

—Nikki Buchanan, Binkley’s friend, writer and co-member of Les Dames d'Escoffier

Carrie Severson

President and CEO of Severson Sisters

“Carrie Severson’s passionate commitment to empower young girls inspires us to step up, cape up and fly higher. As the CEO of Severson Sisters, Carrie is an extraordinary visionary with a powerful sense of clarity to see the big picture. She understands hurt people and teaches girls to be strong, yet hold a space of compassion in their hearts. Carrie has a tenacious spirit. She walks her talk and refuses to be bullied professionally or personally. Try to knock her down once and she will stand up three times, each time more powerful than the next. She is the perfect mix of graceful, soulful and scrappy. She holds her boundaries yet sends kindness, positive energy and love to all. Carrie is a guardian of goodness.  With her invisible cape and super-powered up heart, she is a hero for kindness and born to lead Super Girls of today to become Wonder Women of tomorrow.” — Angie Krause, Severson’s friend, coach and owner of Moments that Matter

Shayna H. Balch

Senior Associate at Fisher & Phillips LLP

“Ever since she was a child, Shayna was always a go-getter. From helping me set up a mobile library for incarcerated youth to being a standout in her high school debate class, our family knew that she was going to be successful, no matter what career path.  Now, as an accomplished attorney and highly involved member of her community, Shayna takes great pride in working hard while supporting those in need. She volunteers for community groups, committees, high-risk kids and serves on the boards of two professional organizations. If that isn’t enough, Shayna still makes time for her family by hosting several gatherings each year and cooking dinner for more than 20 of us at one time. Even though she is very busy career woman, no task is too big for her. She’s a consummate professional, community leader and definitely someone who continues to move the Valley in a positive direction.” —Rochelle Balch, CEO and owner of RB Balch & Associates, Inc. and Shayna’s mom

Kerri O'Brien

COO of the Valley of the Sun YMCA

“Looking for Kerri O'Brien, COO of the Valley of the Sun YMCA? Well you won't find her sitting behind a desk pushing paper. Her approach to her job and her life is one of zest and abounding energy.  If you need Kerri, chances are you’ll find her working at one of the Y branches. She’s a hands-on leader that believes in empowering those around her and leading by example. With the YMCA since 2011, Kerri has played a key role in efforts to build healthier communities throughout the Valley, Flagstaff and Yuma. Kerri is a Sun Devil alum, having earned a B.S. in Exercise Science and a B.S. in nutrition. She also holds an MBA and a Doctorate of Education. Kerri isn't all about work. An avid sports fan, she also holds world records in power lifting—yes power lifting—proving both personally and professionally there’s no obstacle too heavy.” —Jim Diaz, vice president of marketing for Valley of the Sun YMCA

Lovey Borenstein

Founder and Owner of Chompie’s, Arizona’s N.Y. Deli

“If there’s one thing that my mother, Lovey Borenstein, is passionate about, it’s family. Lovey grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she met my father Lou. They moved with our whole family to Phoenix in 1978. At the time, Phoenix didn’t have a ‘good New York bagel.’ So on Feb. 14, 1979, having never owned a business before, Lovey and her family started baking bagels and Chompie’s was born. The people who came into the restaurant and bakery quickly became her second family. She got to know them and she was with them to celebrate good times and mourn bad times.  Through Chompie’s, she’s been able to help countless families. My mom has watched her customers’ families grow up and gets much joy seeing her customers come back to Chompie’s with their families. She didn’t know she’d be running Chompie’s for 35 years, but as she says, ‘It’s all because of family.’”  —Wendy Borenstein-Tucker, Lovey’s daughter

Story compiled by Melissa Larsen

It’s a wrap on yet another incredible Face of Foothills competition! Get to know the three beautiful winners who came out on top and will proudly represent Arizona Foothills Magazine and AZFoothills.com through the year.

In 2010, AZFoothills.com and Arizona Foothills Magazine named it first-ever Face of Foothills (FOF) winner, Stephanie Mannon. Since then, four more lovely ladies have been crowned FOF, including this year’s winner, Laura Willert. (In 2011, the Future Face of Foothills [FFOF] contest was introduced, giving young aspiring models a chance to shine as well.) In the summer of 2013, casting calls were held and applications were received, with the contestants’ information and pictures made viewable on AZFoothills.com. After rounds of Web voting, the top 10 vote-getters met with AFM’s panel of judges, with the winning faces unveiled during a finale party at W Scottsdale on Nov. 21. As the FOF, Willert not only graces the cover of AFM and the AZFoothills.com’s header and stars in a fashion shoot, but she also received $500 in jewelry from Kendra Scott, a luxury stay at Sanctuary on Camelback and $1,500. Past FOF winners have gone on to walk in runways shows, have parts in movies, star in ad campaigns and more. Could you be next? For details on the 2014 FOF contest, visit AZFoothills.com.

Face of Foothills: Laura Willert, 19

Just last year, Scottsdale’s Laura Willert was named Future Face of Foothills at age 18, giving her a little sneak peek into life as the Face of Foothills. “When I saw Emily [Glynn, 2013 FOF] at the photo shoots absolutely stunning with beautiful clothes, I remember just being in awe. Right from that point, I knew I had to give it a shot.”

"It is such an honor to be chosen to represent the magazine and uphold my position and title. Being the Future Face of Foothills was such a privilege, but being the Face this year, I feel extremely fortunate! I am so incredibly blessed and excited for the year to come."

Being a model has been a life-long dream for this Arizona State University student, who is currently signed with Ford/Robert Black Agency. She even graduated high school early to get a jump start on her career. “When I was a kid I had always wanted to [be a model] but knew it wasn't an option since my mom made it a point to keep us super grounded. She always had a rule that we could never get into the modeling/acting industry until we were 18. However, when I was 16, I was approached by Ford to model. She decided to let me as long as I was smart about it. It was probably the best decision I have ever made. I've loved every second of it.” Regardless of whether she stays in Arizona or travels the world, Willert looks forward to pursuing her passion for modeling as a career.

Future Face of Foothills Teen: Samantha Lewter, 16

Though she might consider herself a typical teenager, Samantha Lewter has a not-so-typical title to uphold as the Future Face of Foothills Teen. (This is the first year the FFOF competition was divided into two categories: Teen and Junior.) With a mind of her own, Lewter shares her thoughts on school, being a teenager and hopes for her future. Upon graduating Desert Vista High School, Lewter plans on moving to Los Angeles in order to pursue her passions for modeling (she is currently with FORD/Robert Black Agency) and acting. She hopes to attend college in L.A. as well. Lewter is a lover of the arts, and most of her time is spent modeling, acting, singing, performing in musical theater—and “eating Taco Bell.” She values creativity and self-expression, making Language Arts her favorite subject in school. This spunky teen is looking to take on the world and divulge herself into charity work which she has grown to enjoy.

"Being the Future Face of Foothills means so much to me. I'm so lucky to have gotten this opportunity, and I'm so looking forward to a fun year!"

In addition to her obvious beauty, Lewter also has incredible insight for her age and her motivation will carry her throughout her young adulthood. Plus, her humbleness makes her win even more apparent. Upon entering the FFOF contest, Lewter says, “I never thought I would win! I had so many people going on the Web site as much as possible and voting their hearts out.”

Future Face of Foothills Junior: Elliana York, 11

Meet Elliana York, or Ellie for short, an aspiring model and actress, dreams which are continually supported by her parents. "My dad was a young model," York says. "He got to work for Calvin Klein and has had some really fun experiences." York decided to take a shot at modeling herself when she heard about AFM's Future Face of Foothills contest and knew she wanted to give modeling a try. "I went to the finale at Scottsdale Fashion Square one year, and I remember seeing the winner and how excited she was. I thought about how I wanted that to be me someday, up there fulfilling my dreams."

"Someday I'd like to be an actress but, right now, my biggest dream is hopefully getting signed with an agency. I love meeting new people, and after winning the Future Face of Foothills contest, I look forward to going to more fun events!"

York is currently studying at Tesseract School in Scottsdale and wants to continue her education after high school. "My favorite subjects right now are English and art because I absolutely love writing and drawing in my spare time." Multi-talented York also plans to toughen up with lessons in Krav Maga ("I like knowing that I can defend myself if I need to," she says with a laugh) and has a soft spot for animals. "Both my mom and I are vegetarians. I really care about animals, and it also helps me to stay healthy. It's how I get more fruits and vegetables in my diet, which make me feel better."

Story by Melissa Larsen, Lindsay Clinkingbeard, and Alexis Mouer

Celebrate the first weekend of the New Year with adventurous hot air balloon rides, a fun Italian circus event, or a feasting in the desert with hot dogs, fireworks, and southwestern music. Here are 10 things for families to do this weekend in Phoenix.

Here are our picks for the top things to do the weekend of Jan. 3-Jan. 5 in the Phoenix area. Start  the New Year off by attending one of the many events taking place right here in the Valley. Whether you make one last visit to the winter ice skating rinks or kick that new year's resolution into full gear, you're sure to start 2014 off right. 

Athena is an eight-year-old Flat Coated Retriever and Cadie is a five-year-old long-haired Chihuahua mix.

When Rusty isn't poking his little nose out of your fashionable handbag, the tiny Chihuahua prefers to be toted around underneath your arm. Not only does his unique brown brindle coat match nicely with any scarf but this little lap dog will keep you even warm and cozy on a chilly winter evening as he perches in your lap. 

Kathy Shayna Shocket has the inside scoop on the stories that make headlines.

Kathy's EXCLUSIVE behind the scenes photos of casting "The Bachelor"

From Stephen Clifford, Registered Investment Advisor Representative
The Winfield Group - Scottsdale, Arizona

In today's digital age, many individuals live at least a part of their life online. Whether you share your life with others through e-mail, Facebook posts, and tweets, or simply have a number of online, password protected accounts, you'll want to make plans for the disposition of all of your digital assets in the event of your death or incapacity.

2014 is filled with unique events all around Phoenix, from a Renaissance-themed Block Party, to a dazzling light show that ends with spectacular glowing hot air balloons. Here are 10 things for families to do this weekend in Phoenix.

Get into the groove of 2014 by being a part of one of these exciting Valley events. Ditch the old no-white-after-labor-day rule and attend a lavish White Party or take part in an inspring charity gathering. Here are our picks for the top things to do this weekend, Jan. 9-Jan. 12. 

Q&A with Kaine Fisher, Chairman of Rose Law Group Family Law Department

“My son’s father is being accused of molesting a young neighbor girl. I’m terrified to think the court may still allow him to have legal decision-making rights or have parenting time with our son should I decide to divorce him. Should I be concerned?”

Teddee is a five-month-old Dachshund mix and Sora is a seven-month-old Dachshund/Pug mix.

Daisy, a 1-year-old German/Anatolian shepherd, is about the closes thing you’ll find to a perpetual motion machine. The lively pooch could tackle a marathon in the morning and finish up the day with a hike up a mountain.  

From Stephen Clifford, Registered Investment Advisor Representative
The Winfield Group - Scottsdale, Arizona

For many retirees and their families, Social Security provides a dependable source of income. In fact, for the majority of retirees, Social Security accounts for at least half of their income (Source: Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2013). However, more of that income is being spent on health-related costs each year, leaving less available for other retirement expenses.

Enjoy Arizona’s beautiful landscape this weekend with hot air balloons, a toddler hike, a farmer’s market and more. Here are the top 10 things for families to do the weekend of Jan. 17-19 in Phoenix.

It may still only be January but the Valley is heating up and so are these top events to attend! Didn't catch Barrett-Jackson last weekend? You still have time to scope out the hottest hot-rods at one of the many automobile auctions, or if car shows don't keep you up to speed, particiapte in a charming Valley charity event. Here are our picks for the top things to do this weekend, Jan. 16-Jan. 19.

Bly is a one-year-old Labrador mix and Lira is a one-year-old Italian Greyhound mix.

Kathy Shayna Shocket has the inside scoop on the stories that make headlines.

Kathy's scoop on Kat from Scottsdale getting a rose on the next episode.