November 2006

Bank Note$ - News You Can Bank On

Norma Ayala Cunningham: Is ACB Volunteer of the Month

"I want the world to know that art that stirs the soul, need not match the sofa." (Norma Ayala Cunningham)

Norma Ayala Cunningham was born in Tampa, Florida and lived most of her life in New York. As a lifelong volunteer and fine arts advocate, Norma has been involved with an array of community organizations. In April 2003, Norma visited Arizona and fell in love with Estrella Mountain Ranch in Goodyear. During her visit, she also discovered that the arts were alive and well in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the West Valley. In July 2003, Norma and her husband, Michael, moved to Arizona to spur on the growth of their art business. Currently, Norma serves as the Marketing and Public Relations Director for Cunningham Enterprises.

In 2004, Norma joined the auction committee of the West Valley Arts Council's signature black tie gala, the Diamond Ball. In 2005, she co-chaired the auction committee, and in 2006 she joined the Council's Board of Directors. In 2007, she will once again co-chair the Diamond Ball's auction committee. Norma has also agreed to serve as the vice chair of the Council's Board of Directors.

Her involvement with the community is not limited to the West Valley Arts Council. Norma is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the West Valley Art Museum Gala Committee, and The Sisters of the Valley Organization. She also finds time to travel to California, Mexico and New York.

Framin' Works Means Lasting Memories

Robert and Christine Maxwell are the kind of artisans that exist only rarely in today's culture of mass production. Their custom picture framing studio, Framin' Works, is the caliber of business that virtually does not exist at all. Founded in 1980, it continues to be owned and operated by the original founders who are sought out as experts in the refurbishing of framed artwork. Together, they have given life back to countless old pieces. As conservation framing specialists, Bob and Chris are up to the minute with the newest archival materials -- acid-free materials, mats, and UV protection glazing.

Bob draws on a quarter century of refined skills to create framed artwork of superior visual impact and quality. Chris' natural abilities as an interior designer have been finely honed, and guarantee the success of the artistic expression created.

Both Bob and Chris update their techniques and product knowledge by attending ongoing educational and design classes, and a professional framing academy. As the distinction between in-home and workplace dï¿½cor is becoming less defined, their combined talents have been invaluable to customers demanding peak performance from both form and function.

Refurbishing of framed artwork gives new life to old pieces. Dated mats may be replaced with acid-free materials and UV protective glass to add many more years of beauty and enjoyment to a piece as its value is also guarded from being compromised by ultraviolet light. As conservation framing specialists, Bob and Chris are up to the minute with the newest archival materials - acid-free materials, mats, and UV protection glazing.

Professional framers can create custom frames to hold a virtually limitless array of art and memorabilia: prints, paintings, documents, vintage coins, antique weapons, sports equipment, apparel, photographs, posters, labels, and even some three-dimensional art pieces, to name just a few examples.

Today, a business is just as likely a venue for a fine art piece as a private home, and quality framing makes a statement regardless of where it is placed. Residential and business clients have genuine treasures they want to preserve and conserve. Framin' Works ensures that artwork for either public or private viewing provides optimum visual impact.

Framin' Works is located at 4961 West Bell Road, Suite B-10. For more information, call 602-547-9494.

Incredible Image Takes on the Holidays

Incredible Image ABC client Lee Stewart says, "The holidays are nothing to fear if you stay fit and keep your energy level up. I am here to help. I'd love to be one of your New Year's resolutions."

Lee, a fitness veteran and owner of Incredible Image, has worked throughout the community specializing in one-on-one training, nutrition, and life health and exercise coaching. She says it is her goal to help women understand their psychological connection as to how they use food in their lives. Lee states, "With this knowledge, each of my clients is better equipped to handle setbacks and be more determined in getting incredible results quickly. I am committed to getting each client fit, and feeling the best she ever has, and ever will."

Lee was born in Vietnam, and came to the United States and Arizona at the age of five. She says, "I know firsthand the personal, professional, and family struggles women face in today's fast-paced world. Women are constantly challenged to take on more and more at work, at home, and in the community, and are left with very little personal time. Making an effort to stay physically fit should be a priority, no matter what.

"Exercise brings about mental clarity, prolonged and sustained energy, and an optimistic attitude. I am specially trained in human biology, kinesiology, and body stabilization. This training has proven to be very valuable in helping women reach their optimum fitness. I have completed a certification in personal training, and am a group fitness instructor with Glendale Community College. I am CPR-certified with the American Heart Association, have completed training courses in water exercise for seniors, and am involved with the Silver Sneakers program."

Lee's personal training programs are designed around individualized strength training, and physical and emotional goals. Emphasis is placed on empowering women to use the tools they acquire during training, and applying them to their lives long after training is complete. Lee says, "I want to be more than a trainer. I want to be a woman's motivational life coach, specializing in health and exercising."

For more information call 623-362-8623, or visit incredibleimageaz.com.

Regala Fashions With a Flair
Declares it is 'Dressing Arizona, One Body at a Time'

Fashion guru Ingrid Chouinard, who opened the first location in 1998, now presides over the store's current busy location at 75th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

At the relentless approach of the holidays and the array of occasions calling for more than the usual "cowboy casual" of Arizona, many women despair over finding fashionable clothing that won't cost them both the partridge and the pear tree. Because Regala carries virtually every size, Ingrid can almost guarantee a solution to any woman's dress-up dilemma. Designer labels abound at Regala, and some of the shop's best clients are owners of boutiques in the Scottsdale area who do not have and cannot get the same contacts for distribution that Ingrid has established.

Regala is located at 7615 West Thunderbird Road, #105. For additional information, call Ingrid at 623-875-0688.

Identity Theft - It's Never Been Easier

ACB client and business owner Samir Rafeedie (Realty Ambassadors, Ambassador Financial Group, and Ambassador Legal Services) warns, "If you want to become a victim of identity theft, it has never been easier, especially in Arizona. Did you know that Arizona leads the nation in identity theft?"

He offers the following advice: "I would sign up for one of the free credit history monitoring programs offered by many of the credit card companies. I also recommend contacting the Social Security administration for a report. If someone has used your identity to secure employment (in Arizona, this is a big problem), the taxes he or she paid will show up here. You can learn more by visiting our website at www.Ambassador-legal.com, or you can give me a call at 623-889-0900.

"We work with one of the largest identity theft protection services in the world, and can provide you and your spouse identity theft protection for just a few dollars a month. Compared to the inconvenience and potential loss involved when identity theft occurs, it offers an affordable, easy way to provide peace of mind and security."

Helping 'Strike' Down Breast Cancer

Peggy Bowers, founder of Bowling 4 the Cure, reports that the organization's bowlathon on October 1 was an unqualified success. Held at Lakeview Lanes in Sun City, the event generated $5,210. Total revenues raised by Bowling 4 the Cure during 2006 have reached $7,137 and are still climbing. Peggy remarks, "The effort this year was amazing, and I was literally speechless at the result. However, I was not surprised to learn that a number of our major supporters and sponsors are also Arrowhead Community Bank clients and employees. We thank the Bank for sending such an enthusiastic team!" For more information, visit www.bowling4thecure.com.

Premier Jewelry Sparkles for Fall

Premier Jewelry will hold a Fall Fashion Show at the Rock Bottom, 7640 West Bell Road on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. ACB client Dr. Kaydie DeChambord says, "Have fun and relax with us as you get your Christmas shopping off to a dazzling start."

Thirty percent of the profits from the show will go toward the Brighter Days Foundation, which is being formed to assist newly divorced women cope with the aspects of being suddenly single. For more information, call Dr. DeChambord at 623-975-2435.

West Valley Art Museum to Feature Dagne: A Retrospective

A Retrospective is an exhibition of the artist Dagne's work that amounts to a summary of the artist's career. Now 75 years old, Dagne continues to work at her 39th Street studio in Phoenix.

A resident of Arizona since early infancy, Dagne's art career spans a half century from 1953 to the present. She graduated from the Kachina School of Art in Phoenix and began exhibiting soon after. The artist continues to create vibrant canvases and exhibits at a variety of venues and prestigious shows.

Dagne has said that the major influences on her art were the encouragement from her parents, her lifelong fascination with an infinite variety of people, and fifty years of being the mother of six children. The exhibition at the West Valley Art Museum will contain a number of her paintings, drawings, and small bronze sculptures, and runs December 1 through February 11. For more information, call 623-972-0635 or visit www.wvam.org.

On Halloween...

ACB clients were greeted by a variety of costumed characters and ghastly ghoulies. Visitors to the lobby were treated to candy, and discovered that it was sometimes tricky to guess who was behind a disguise.

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