I am a Facebook fan there is no denying it. I use it for work and for personal use. I love everything about Facebook including how people I do not even know end up on my Facebook. For the past 5 or 6 months there has been a person on my Facebook that I keep saying, “Do I know this person?” I don’t but the pictures of a pregnant woman and what looks to be a happy group of family and friends keep appearing on my Facebook.  Then her son was born and I actually caught myself doing a meditation and offering them blessings. Good grief I do not know these people, yet through the photography, I feel like I am a part of this experience.

Today Tucson Biz Neat Salutes Movement Shala Photography with photographer Jade Beall. Her pictures are so realistic and profound that it makes you feel that you are part of the people’s lives that she photographs. Maybe that is the way Jade wanted it. She is a Tucson High graduate and thanks to her teacher, Jerry Halfmann, she discovered she has a passion for photography.

Jade is no ordinary photographer. She has a real focus on women, being real! Natural or as she puts it, “the authentic beauty of women.”  Jade stated, “I photograph women just as they are, not airbrushed and not done up. Instead women dancing, yoga-ing, being mothers and sister, just being real juicy women!”

Her pictures show it when you look at them. I always am keeping an ear and eye out for Tucson Biz Beat and how Beall photographed women caught my eye over and over. I am unsure if I have seen a photographer go for such natural stunning pictures of women before. “I love that I can show a woman how beautiful she really is through photography.” Jade says, “Our culture has failed at praising authentic beauty, in my opinion. I love that I can reflect the beauty which I see in all humans and facilitate a healing so that perhaps one can create a new story in believing that she is undeniably beautiful.”

Jade Beall stated that she spent part of her life “feeling unworthy and ugly” and said   “It feels good to feel beautiful.” She uses her natural eye to capture the beauty of everything. Jade says “Today, I am joyful servant in helping other women feel wonderful about themselves because life isn’t short, just a lot of people waste it. When we feel beautiful and worthy, we can stop focusing on a story that does not serve us and really enjoy this life, creating happiness for ourselves and for others!” Her pictures are wonderful and to try to pick one for this story would not do her justice so visit her site and look at the amazing talent Beall Has.

Photography and being a new mom is not her only passion. Beall may have an eye for beauty and can reflect the inner essence of people,  but she also has a passion for beat and movement and she turns her wonderful photography studio into a dance studio where she teaches West African dance. Classes are open to the public and the website offers a variety of good information for this and other skilled instructors.

So Tucson Biz Beat proudly salutes this powerful women, mother, photographer, dancer, instructor and thanks her for bringing her creativity and positive outlook of life to Tucson and joining the ranks of people who do business for themselves. Thank you Jade Beall.

Let’s get one thing straight. I was raised on good old American sandwiches. These tasty meals come in every size, shape and flavor. There is something to be said about a meal within bread. Today I have picked my all time favorite sandwich shop to salute. Sausage Deli at 2334 N First Ave on Grant and First. I have been going to Sausage Deli for over 18 years and eating their wonderful sandwiches and in those 18 years, I have never had a bad sandwich, not even one that was mediocre. They have always been fresh and wonderful.

Now there’s the key. Chris Fanelli, owner of the Sausage Deli for the past 9 years says, “What’s the secret? It’s fresh daily!” He will be very matter of fact about how fresh his deli is. “We cut our vegetables daily.” When he says vegetables, he means the onions, tomatoes, the bell pepper, and tomatoes and when he says cuts, he means slices. The veggies are cut paper-thin and plenty of them on a sandwich. I love the thin slices of veggies because when you take a bite, like any great sandwich, you get a balance of flavor, not just tomato or onion.

His bread is fresh daily as well. You will never get a day old slice of bread or roll. It will be bread that is fresh and soft, the way bread should be. They cook their roast beef right on site as well. It does not get much fresher than that. They also make their salads fresh daily so when you get their potato or cole slaw or macaroni salad you can bet that is fresh daily as well.

What I enjoy about the Deli is the variety. Chris makes sure he adds “charisma to lunch.” I normally like to order the mesquite cooked ham with all the fixings. However, they have a few sandwiches that are big sellers. They include, Italian Grinder, which is Genoa salami, pastrami, smoked provolone lettuce, tomato, green pepper, onions, pepperoncini peppers & Italian dressing. Another favorite is Omar (The Breathtaking) salami,turkey & swiss on an onion roll with bell pepper, onion, chopped pepperoncini peppers, mustard & Italian dressing. Though the name sounds odd, I have had the Susie Sorority which is turkey, havarti, lettuce, tomato & sprouts on whole wheat with mayo and it was quite good.

Of course, one the best things I like about Sausage Deli is it is not a chain. Chris Fanelli runs it. There is only one in town. Tucson Biz Beat celebrates the business owner, not the chain foods. Chris also employs about 8 people. “We’re a team here.” He says, “It’s like family.” I have always had great service with a smile from his workers. Chris makes it a point to emphasize that even though the team is like family, this is a business all the way and business is always first. That is so he can offer Tucson the best of the best.

So next time you have a hankering for something extra good, extra fresh, and at a reasonable price, go see Chris and have his team make you up one of the best sandwiches in town. As Chris would say they are “simple stupid.” I have to say I love that, his food is so simple; and the freshness makes this deli stand so tall. Today Tucson Biz Beat salutes Sausage Deli. So stop by, get a coupon, check out their specials and enjoy the freshness of Tucson, it really is simple stupid and hmmmmm good!

Tucson is enriched with many locally owned businesses. So many in fact it is hard to keep track of. Tucson Biz Beat salutes these locally owned businesses. In the quest to search for locally owned business, I have discovered an arena that has many locally owned businesses under one roof, or shall I say one sky. That is the farmers market.

To me, the farmers market is like a ritual. Going for my Sunday walk with live music, fresh wonderful smells, and bags filled with fresh produce. I love the Sunday Farmers market at St. Philip’s Plaza is located at 4280 N. Campbell Ave. In an hour I can walk this wonderful market with well over 40 little locally owned shops and come home with local treasures.

Where else can I go to get my fresh local produce, soaps, lotions, breads, salsa, pita chips, worms, apple juice all while listening to music, enjoying a cup of tea with a nice gourmet empanada and having my knifes sharpened?  The St. Philip’s Plaza farmers market of course.

Whether you want coffee beans, Mesquite flour tortilla, organic  and gluten free foods, goat cheese spreads, natural beef, seeds, plants, soaps, sprouts, rubs, pastries, fresh eggs, roasted chili, scones, prickly pears popsicles, homemade bread pudding, spices, and produce that is often freshly picked either that night or the morning of.

What I enjoy about farmers markets is I know the food and products are local and I am feeding into my own local economy. There is a wonderful feeling I get when I know I am giving my hard-earned money to local merchants rather than giving to big chains. I also know this is helping my local farmers to continue to grow and sell their products.

The other thing I really enjoy about local farmers markets is the quality of the product I am getting. My favorite place at the market was late the other day. They finally arrived. I caught myself helping them set up the tables so they could get going. “Thank you” the young many said to me, “We were busy picking this morning.” Now that is fresh, When my Kale is only 45 minutes old, I know the quality of my product is going to excellent. The quality of their produce is indeed amazing, however, the quality of the bakes goods is wonderful as well as the little shops that sell homemade soaps and lotions as well as oils and remedies and tinctures.

The other wonderful thing about local farmers markets is it is just a wonderful place to be. Unlike local supermarkets where there are lines, pushing and shoving, people dogging your heals and a rather uncomfortable feeling, the farmers markets are outdoors and very friendly. The merchants go out of their way to get to know you and offer you their latest sample, advice or tip. The air is normally fresh, the music live, and many familiar faces that greet you.

I love going to farmers market and I have to say that the Sunday Farmers market at St. Philip’s Plaza is my favorite, however, know there are several markets in Tucson. Jesse Owens Market on Fridays, the Saturday  Oro Valley Farmers’ Market, Tucson Farmers’ Market at Maynard’s on Saturdays, Rincon Valley farmers market on Saturdays which is a craft show as well, and the River Park farmers market is some of the local markets.

What is important is if you want high quality food at a fair price, and support local farms and business, then Tucson farmers markets is the place to go. So get your cooler and water, pack up the kids and dog and head out and support local business. So today Tucson Biz Beat salutes the local farmers markets and says thank you for keeping it homegrown and good.

Tucson small business owners are everywhere and we often take what they do for granted. So today, Tucson Biz Beat salutes Kyle Meades who is a speech pathologist and owner of  Therapy Group of Tucson. Kyle has been helping children as well as adults with speech since 1993. He goal is to provided speech pathology services to both children and adults with speech, language, swallowing, voice and fluency disorders.

As a speech pathologist Kyle assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, fluency, swallowing and other related disorders. He stated he got involved when his grandfather took him to volunteer at care homes and care centers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when he was just a child. Kyle said, ‘At that time, I realized that people had trouble talking and communicating and I always wanted to know why.  It sparked an interest, so when I attended college at Louisiana State University, I looked into the field of Speech and Hearing and fell in love with it.

Meades believes that communication allows people to connect.  When there is a breakdown in the communication process, it keeps us from each other. He explains that in young children most communication is achieved through play.  If a child has difficulty communicating with other children, that child may not have ample opportunity to interact, play and socialize with other children, and this can have negative consequences on learning and development.  With adults, after a stroke for example, when communication is compromised, the effects can be devastating and extreme frustration can occur.   A speech and language pathologist can help restore and treat these various communication difficulties.

As a speech-language pathologist, Kyle will develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each of his clients needs.  He teaches people how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their oral or written language skills to communicate more effectively. As a speech-language pathologists he knows how to help his clients how to develop, or recover, reliable communication and swallowing skills so they can fulfill their educational, vocational, and social roles.

Kyle believes that he is a compassionate, caring individual who will not stop until the job is complete. I share an office building with Kyle and watch the relationship he has with children and I noticed that he takes pride in his work, and is always eager to assist people with their communication needs.

Tucson is lucky to have this transplant who came here after hurricane Katrina and established his business here. Therefore, Tucson Biz Beat salutes Kyle Meades and Therapy Group of Tucson. He adds to the community of Tucson’s business owners and offers a special service that he loves and is aware how much it helps others.

Sister Rita Cappellazzo (in red) Seena Reid at Italian Club

My mother’s brother married an Italian. I grew up eating wonderful Italian food and learning about Italian culture. I would have to say that of course my favorite thing I learned was the food. I recall helping my aunt’s mother making Italian Struffoli, which are delicious honey balls that make your mouth dance in delight. More important I recall as a young child the pride that my aunt’s parents had in their Italian heritage. So today, Tucson Biz Beat salutes the Italian Club of Tucson.

This wonderful club all started when 81-year-old nun Sister Rina Cappellazzo decided to start a club that she could relate to. The good sister who was new in town decided to start a group where people, much like her, could gather and talk about culture and tradition. Cappellazzo took it one-step further and stated that not only Italians could come, but also people who want to learn about this wonderful culture.

The next stop was trying to find a place where this group could meet. They tried several places to meet but had no luck until Viro’s Italian Bakery and Cafe stepped in and offered them a permanent place to meet. This was perfect for them and the owners even let them put up a map of Italy which they use often to talk about their birthplace, politics and heritage. More than that, they help educate others who want to know more about Italy.

The Italian club meets every third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 6:00pm at 8301 East 22nd Street. “It’s a place where you can talk in your native language,” says secretary Seena Reid. Not that they need a secretary to keep track of dues because the sister made sure the Italian club is free.

So whether you are Italian or want to learn more about the culture, this club can offer a wonderful time. Tucson Biz Beat salutes the Italian club for offer something so wonderful for no fees or dues. Stop in some third Wednesday and see what all the fuss is about, you just might meet a friend, or learn something new.

The Tucson Biz Beat, which focuses on small business, art,
food and entertainment, salutes Adam Technology this week. Tucson has many
computer repair services however; Adam D Technology cares about Tucson and the people and they go beyond simple repair and service.

This small business owned by Adam Dellos opened five years ago
and employees six local Tucsonans. Adam stated that this is probably his
greatest accomplishment, was at his young age, he is able to help employ local Tucsonans and is planning on expanding.

Adam started his business off on a kitchen table, after he got busier; he moved his business into a spare room.  Many told him that the ompetition was too much and he should stick to his day job, but Adam knew he had an idea that he could offer Tucson great services at fair prices.

He took his dream a step further and decided he just did not
want to do computer repair, but he wanted to server repair, configuration, website hosting and design, computer hardware and software sales, SEO and social media services, ISA/IT services, search engine optimization and offer affordable tutoring and classes. His high standards of ethics and professionalism allowed him to have the successful business that he now has today, and he is under 30 years-old.

When I talked to Adam about what makes him better he stated,  “the level, dedication the passion that we have for what we do and the  people that we service is far beyond what any company does.”

For a man so young, he is involved with the Tucson community, gets involved with non-profits and gives back to his community over  and over. Adam, says, “the best way to predict the future is to invent it.”

So here’s to you Tucson Biz Beat salutes you.

Hello and welcome to Tucson Biz Beat. This will focus on the small
businesses, artist and events that make Tucson such a great community to live in. I am a proud native Tucsonan and have lived here all my life, and so this is my way to salute the Old Pueblo.

Today I salute the Old Pueblo by focusing on alternative health
and healing. Tucson has a growing community in natural health and wellness. The use of indigenous plants and multi-layered culture makes Tucson a wonderful community for natural health and healing. 3861 WellnessFirst is one of the newest clinics Tucson has to offer.

This is an integrative wellness center for Tucsonans that are ready to achieve optimal wellness! Let’s face it, anyone can go to their doctor, get a prescription and be sent on their way. At WellnessFirst they offer a variety of alternative services under one roof.

DeeAnn Saber, NMD is a naturopathic doctor that is a primary care physician with a focus on family medicine. Dr. Saber, who is one of the owners, focuses on the whole person so people begin to see an improvement in the way they feel.

Lynda Witt, who is another owner, is an experienced certified clinical thermographer. She is one of the few people who I have had the privilege of meeting who provides such expert Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging as a means to alerting women to vascularization in breast tissue which is a necessary process in tumor formation and growth about 7 years prior to a tumor being formed.

Zach Saber LMT is an owner as well and he specializes in pain. He breaks down adhesions and scar tissue alleviating pain through restructuring myofascial work. Zach says, “My work is designed to
relieve pain, change your structure and assist you in ‘fitting’ into your own
body.” I must say, after a treatment with Zach, the pain is really gone.

Other practitioners that are there to assist Tucson are Vonnie Schultz Albrecht, RN who provides colon hydrotherapy and Ellie Starer is a licensed clinical social worker. Margie Azamar offers energy healing and John Butters, an iridologist examines the eyes to help achieve whole body wellness.

On Saturday October 29 from 10 am – 5 pm WellnessFirst will be celebrating its one year anniversary with an “Interactive Wellness Fair and Celebration!” Experience herbal eye washing, Tai Chi Kung, Trauma Release Exercises, shiatsu chair massage, reflexology, aura photography, and learn of the top 10 healing herbs, teas, and essential oils.

WellnessFirst believes the client comes first and that is a first for Tucson. I have had the honor to talk with most of these practitioners and I am thrilled that Tucson is able to embrace a small business that takes such pride in the health of Tucsonans. I salute WellnessFirst for being a small
business that has Tucsonans best interest in mind.