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Agency, Community, Entertainment, In The News, Inspiration, Real Estate, Russ Lyon

Sotheby’s International Realty Top 100

In celebration of Sotheby’s International Realty®’s record-breaking accomplishment in 2021, the President and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty®, Philip White, has personally invited the Top 100 Sotheby’s International Realty® agents and teams worldwide to celebrate an evening in New York City. This evening will take place on Thursday, November 3, to congratulate and recognize these global real estate advisors’ success and contributions.

Sotheby’s Top 100:

Aazami, Frank – Russ Lyon SIR

Adlam, Chris – Vista SIR

Adlam, Valerie  – Vista SIR

Arias, Ralph – One SIR

Aurich, Scott – Pacific SIR

Baldwin, Karen – Russ Lyon SIR

Behr, Josh – LIV SIR

Benoit, Debi – Gibson SIR

Benoit, Kathleen – Russ Lyon SIR

Boardman, Serena – East Side Manhattan SIR

Bodenchak, Frank  – Bridgehampton SIR 

Bodenchak, Dawn – Bridgehampton SIR 

Boyd, Cam – Steamboat SIR 

Brizolis, K. Ann – Pacific SIR 

Brown, Kevin – East Side Manhattan SIR 

Bullock, Bill – Golden Gate SIR 

Burns, Jeff – Pacific SIR

Burns, Tiffany – Pacific SIR

Cain, John – Pacific SIR

Canning, Jessica – Carmel SIR 

Canning, Nancy – Carmel SIR

Canning, Nie – Carmel SIR

Caras, Jennifer – Vista SIR 

Casabonne, Daniel – Wine Country SonomaSIR 

Corey, Heather – TTR SIR 

Cregan, Lisa  – Palm Beach SIR 

Cregan, John – Palm Beach SIR 

Curkoski, Mirce – One SIR 

Damianos, George – Damianos SIR 

Dickerson, Beth – Gibson 

Dockray, Dan – LIV SIR 

Dreyfus, Michael –  Golden Gate SIR 

Ememann, Andrew – Aspen Snowmass SIR 

Field, Nikki – East Side Manhattan SIR 

Flash Blum, Mara – Downtown Manhattan SIR 

Francis, Bee – Russ Lyon SIR 

Friedman, Jason – Daniel Gale SIR

Friedman, Rudi – Daniel Gale SIR

Goodman, Carrie – San Francisco SIR 

Grant, Harald – Southampton SIR 

Halum, Faisal – Briggs Freeman SIR 

Heider, Daniel – TTR SIR 

Hem, Michael – Prominent Properties SIR 

Hewitt, Susan – Golden Gate SIR 

Iantomo, Eric – Pacific SIR 

Jacka, Rylan – East Hampton SIR 

Janzen-Botts, Jennifer – Pacific SIR  

Justo, Albert – One SIR 

Juvelier, Oriana – Puerto Rico SIR 

Kappel, Brad – TTR SIR 

Klug, Chris – Aspen Snowmass SIR 

Ladd, Brian – Cascade SIR  

Lavey, Eric – Beverly Hills SIR 

Lusk, Anne – Lusk & Associates SIR 

Lynn, Gregg – San Francisco SIR 

Martin, Ginger – St. Helena SIR 

Martinez, Michael – One SIR 

McCafferty, Amy – Golden Gate SIR 

McElwreath, Leslie  – Greenwich SIR 

Miller, Chandra – Maury People SIR 

Miller, Jeff – One SIR 

Mizell, Chase – Atlanta Fine Homes SIR 

Morton, Helena – Ocean Reef Club SIR 

Nakagawa, C.J. – Golden Gate SIR 

Nestler, Mark – One SIR 

Noah, Marc – Beverly Hills SIR

Nobrega, Malia – LIV SIR 

O’Rourke, Lara – Gibson SIR 

Overall, Breck – Sierra SIR 

Peter, Frances – Palm Beach SIR 

Peter, Todd – Palm Beach SIR 

Poletto, John – One SIR 

Post, Russell – Ocean Reef Club SIR 

Queen, Noelle – Golden Gate SIR 

Ramey, Bridget – Kuper SIR 

Rankin, Michael – TTR SIR 

Risko, Victoria – Bewerly Hills SIR 

Robinson, Chelsea – Gibson SIR 

Ryan, Hillary – St. Helea  SIR 

Sabeh, Joseph – Venture SIR 

Sansone, Linda – Pacific SIR 

Sarkissian, Lydia – Golden Gate SIR 

Sarkissian, Magda – Golden Gate SIR 

Schemmel, Joel – Premier SIR  

Schemmel, Toni  – Premier SIR  

Shone, Tina – Wine Country Sonoma SIR 

Siegenthaler, Nina – Turks & Caicos SIR  

Stein, Jeremy – Downtown Manhattan SIR 

Stein, Robin – Downtown Manhattan SIR 

Stern, Ellen – Julia B. Fee SIR

Storch, Wendy – San Francisco SIR

Tarumianz, Lex Aspen Snowmass SIR

Taylor, Molly – Ocean Reef Club SIR

Thomas, Michelle – Premier
SIR

Trotter, Dana – Bridgehampton SIR

Uribe, Jorge – One SIR

VanArsdale, Karen – Premier SIR

VanArsdale, Nina – Premier SIR

Wilcoxon, Kumara – Kuper SIR

Williams, Lea – Tomlinson  SIR

Wolski, Daniel – Russ Lyon SIR

Business, Entertainment, History, Inspiration, Real Estate, Russ Lyon

75 Years Serving Arizona

The Lyon family was at the forefront of transforming the Valley into what it is today through development and real estate, dating back to World War II when Russ Lyon moved here, got his real estate license, and started Russ Lyon Realty in 1947.

Russ’ son Dennis took over the real estate practice in 1968 as the company’s president, continuing to dominate the luxury market, primarily in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, and growing the company to about 350 agents. 

Dennis’ son Jim bought the company from his father in 2008 and merged it with Sotheby’s International Realty in 2014. 

As of 2022, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty now has 13 offices, 900+ agents, and services locations like Tubac, Flagstaff & everywhere in between. 

Read more about how Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has been serving Arizona since 1947 below. 


2022 is a banner year for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. 75 years ago, in 1947, Russ Lyon founded the Russ Lyon Realty Company. 

During these 75 years, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has grown into a 7 billion dollar, full-service luxury real estate brokerage with more than 900 full-time real estate advisors and 13 offices across Arizona from Tubac and Tucson to Scottsdale, Carefree, Gilbert, Peoria, and Fountain Hills to Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff. 

If you’ve been around Phoenix long enough, you remember when a huge, well-landscaped billboard at 24th and Camelback had a lion on it advertising Russ Lyon Realty, which was the premier home sales agency in the Valley. The Lyon family is really royalty in the Arizona real estate world.

Grady Gammage Jr., a long-time Valley land-use attorney and partner at Gammage & Burnham in Phoenix.

The brokerage continues strategic growth by investing in its people through innovation, exceptional service, and leadership, providing maximum returns to all its agents and clients. 

I am very proud of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty for reaching our diamond milestone, as we continue to represent buyers and sellers locally and internationally always giving our clients the white-glove services they deserve and have come to expect. Our real estate advisors across Arizona are our core business, they work tirelessly to provide the best service possible while upholding the standards and ethics that make Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Arizona’s real estate leader.

Jim Lyon, chairman

The story of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty began in 1947 when Russ Lyon Sr. founded Russ Lyon Realty with just three employees. 

Lyon had been an accomplished saxophone player in New York City and, in the 1930s, formed Russ Lyon and his orchestra during the significant band era. He decided to relocate his family, wife Janis, and sons Rusty and Dennis to Hollywood, CA, to further his music career in the mid-1940s. While crossing Arizona, Rusty came down with Valley Fever. So, they wintered in the small farm town of Mesa so Rusty could recover.

One winter was enough to convince Russ that he’d found Heaven in The Valley of the Sun, Arizona. He changed the family’s plans, deciding to remain in Arizona permanently. 

There being no music industry to speak of in The Valley, Russ decided in 1947 to start a real estate company and named it Russ Lyon Realty.

The family moved to an adobe home on Cattletrack Drive in Scottsdale, where actual cattle drives were a common occurrence. This home still stands and is known as the Stable Galleria. 

Russ built the company into a luxury powerhouse in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and Phoenix by always treating clients fairly, with dignity, respect, and professionalism. To this day, a business ethic is a cornerstone of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Russ’s son, Dennis, entered the family real estate business as a young man and eventually took the reins in the 1970s. Dennis built upon the solid foundation his father had created, and Russ Lyon Realty Company grew and prospered for several decades. Russ’s other son, Rusty, went into commercial real estate and founded Westcor, a company that revolutionized the American shopping mall concept and built some of the most successful malls in the United States, including Scottsdale Fashion Square.

In the 1990s, Dennis’ son, Jim Lyon, joined the company and quickly climbed the ranks from agent to management. In 2004, Jim partnered with long-time friend and successful Russ Lyon Realty agent Todd Gillenwater and opened franchise offices in Sedona, Prescott, and Flagstaff. In 2008, Jim and Todd purchased Russ Lyon Realty from Dennis, which they merged with another local brokerage to create Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, Arizona’s dominant luxury real estate firm. 

In 2012, Jim and Todd invited top-producing agent and friend Tom Locati to join the company as partners. 

In 2014, the Russ Lyon Foundation was formed and was recently recognized in the Top 3 mid-sized companies for corporate philanthropy and volunteerism. Together, Jim Lyon, Todd Gillenwater, and Tom Locati have continued the traditions and ethics that Russ Lyon Sr. started 75 years ago, and Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty continues to lead the industry by example. 

In 2021, the company closed over 7,000 successful transactions, totaling more than 7 billion dollars in Arizona real estate. 

Serving Arizona Since 1947

In The News, Inspiration, Multi Purpose, Real Estate, Russ Lyon

Sotheby’s International Realty’s Weekly Win – September 26th 2022

Weekly Win:  Sotheby’s International Realty Brokerages Awarded for Service Excellence

Seven Sotheby’s International Realty brokerages were awarded for their service excellence based on customer satisfaction at the ninth annual Aires Broker Network Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The annual summit recognizes real estate brokerages throughout the United States who provide the highest level of relocation customer service.

Entertainment, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Sports

Carving the Future

 We have a thriving Arizona youth sport during this Winter Olympic year that might be a surprise – Alpine Ski and Snowboard racing. 

Alpine skiing has been one of the Winter Olympics’ signature competitions since 1936. This timeless sport consists of five events – downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, and combined events. 

The Flagstaff Alpine Ski & Snowboard Team was founded in 1967 and trains over 180 athletes from ages eight to eighteen at the Arizona Snowbowl. The team competes in the Rocky Mountain Division of US Ski and Snowboard. The Rocky Mountain Division consists of the following states: Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. 

Families commute from all over the state and from cities as far as Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson to have their juniors on this team. Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty’s CEO and co-owner, Todd Gillenwater and, his wife, Nancy Gillenwater, have twin 17-year-old daughters that have been on the team since the age of eight and are finishing their high school racing careers this winter. 

This season they’ve raced downhill, super g, giant slalom, and slalom – all Olympic events. The races have been held in Loveland, Aspen, Purgatory, Colorado, and Flagstaff, Arizona. Their final season wraps up this March with Championship races in Taos, New Mexico. 

When asked for takeaways from being an athlete on the Flagstaff Alpine Ski & Snowboard Team for almost all of their childhood, the Gillenwater twins said self-confidence, discipline, respect for the mountains, and how fortunate they feel to have been a part of the team and sport. These are the qualities that will define them forever. 

flagstaffskiclub.org

Entertainment, Inspiration, Sports

A Mountain Biker’s Journey

When the Summer Olympics head to France in 2024, one of the sports continuing to gain attention and momentum is mountain biking, especially here in the Grand Canyon state.  After beginning in California in the 1970s, the sport’s popularity has grown among adults and especially teens looking to tackle Arizona’s dramatic landscape and rugged terrain.

One of those young mountain biking enthusiasts’ is 14-year-old Zane Thomas of Anthem. 

“I love to jump and go fast downhill,” said Zane Thomas. “I would watch videos on social media of people going to bike parks and I knew it was something I wanted to try.”

Two years ago, while still in junior high school Zane came across a post about a Mountain Biking team allowing him to join the nearby Boulder Creek High School team and compete against older students.  Zane, who always had a spark for adventure and lives a little on the side of danger, didn’t waste any time.  As soon as he arrived at the first practice with a bike a helmet and he was ready to go. 

“He was practicing three days a week during summer vacation waking before the sun is up to try and beat the heat.  His new coaches were welcoming and so encouraging,” said Mom, Jennifer Thomas.

Unfortunately, that year the Arizona Cycling Association’s season was canceled due to COVID, but the coaches continued to hold practices all season for the teams and the following January the young mountain biker joined an additional MBAA series.  This was Zane’s first taste with cross country enduro racing and he fell in love.  

“I am so proud of him and so happy that he finally found his passion.  I am always nervous when he is on the start line knowing he will give it his all out there.  He has had several crashes, and has a few battle scars to show for it, but to see the excitement in his face when he breaks another goal is the best feeling,” said Thomas.

When his school year resumed Zane was back racing with the Boulder Creek team and he was so excited to race as a Freshman for his high school.  In his first year, he had a great high school season breaking all of his personal goals and ending with the State Championship in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  His teammate Gabe Harrelson won the State Championship that year. Zane has now started his second MBAA racing series in January and this time as a Junior Racer for Exhale Bikes Inc. 

Even though he’s just 14-years-old he’s currently racing with 15-and-16-year-olds. With northern and southern divisions, his mom says she is still shocked how popular mountain biking has become in Arizona and how many high schools across the state have teams and races on the weekends.

“Race weekends are full of energy and so much fun.  The families of the teammates gather in large pit areas as races commence all day,” said Jennifer Thomas.  “The teammates support each other at the start and finish line. It is a great group of kids and the families have been so warm and welcoming.”

Zane Thomas loves watching his fellow team members and Red Bull’s professional riders.  He hopes to ride like them all one day and his mom hopes he continues doing what he loves.

“It is not always about getting to the podium, but doing what makes you happy.  If he is happy then we are happy.  I know there are scholarships available and opportunities to travel with this sport.  If this is something he decides to do, we are 100% behind him,” she said.

I am so proud of him and so happy that he finally found his passion.  I am always nervous when he is on the start line knowing he will give it his all out there.  He has had several crashes, and has a few battle scars to show for it, but to see the excitement in his face when he breaks another goal is the best feeling. It is not always about getting to the podium, but doing what makes you happy.  If he is happy then we are happy. 

Jennifer Thomas, MOM

Looking to get your young mountain biker into competing? 

Check out the Arizona Cycling Association’s website for more information on the races and resources for Arizona Mountain Bikers arizonacycling.org or nationalmtb.org.

For more information on USA Cycling visit https://usacycling.org.

Architecture, Art, Business, Entertainment, Inspiration, Real Estate

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is Proud to Announce the $21.5 Million Sale of “The Castle on The Hill” in Silverleaf Making It the Second Highest Residential Sale in the State

Arizona’s leading luxury brokerage now holds the records for the first, second and third highest residential sales in Arizona per the MLS

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce the $21.5 million dollar sale of a French inspired Italian estate in the Upper Canyon of Silverleaf in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This is now the 2nd highest residential sale in the state of Arizona per the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty currently holds the records for first, second and third highest residential sales in Arizona according to MLS. 

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Associate Broker Barry Van Patten, alongside agents Ginger Van Patten and Barry Van Patten II represented the buyer. 

The buyers, a retired couple from the San Francisco Bay Area, said they chose to relocate to the Grand Canyon state in search of a better way of life. With a new found love of Arizona’s culture, wildlife and beauty, the couple selected the home because of the quality and detail in the home combined with the views, location in Silverleaf and the reputation of the builder drew them to the property. 

Located at 11200 East Canyon Cross Way, The Castle On The Hill as it is referred to, offers more than 12,000-square-feet and was designed by Fratantoni Design, built by Fratantoni Luxury Estates and interior design by Fratantoni Interior Design. Built in 2020 and featuring an Italian exterior style with a modern French interior design inside, the grand estate sits on more than 3-acres and also includes a separate guest house.  

Outside, sophistically detailed stone carvings surround the exterior of the home with varying window shapes and designs to give the estate a grand look. The immaculate and beautiful French inspired details continue inside with soaring ceilings, custom arches and chandeliers, intricate marble, stone and brickwork throughout and beautifully designed rooms for entertaining with the finest amenities. Inside the main house of the estate, the home features 5 luxurious designed bedrooms and 6 ½ bathrooms. The separate detached guest home also offers another 2 custom designed bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with its own kitchen, offering guests first-class accommodations.

Ginger and I along with our son Barry Van Patten II were honored to represent the buyers on this one-of-a-kind, masterpiece of a home. It is very satisfying to us that both buyers and sellers are extremely happy with the outcome.

Barry Van Patten

Within 3 days after listing the buyers’ first Silverleaf home, Van Patten shares the home went under contract. 

This sale was an incredible achievement in Scottsdale, Arizona selling at over $1,700+/sqft. From designing/building this property to representing our clients in this transaction to the new owners, we couldn’t be more pleased with all of the parties involved in this smooth transition.

Angelo Fratantoni
All images provided by Angelo Fratantoni
Architecture, Art, Business, Community, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Multi Purpose, Real Estate

Iconic Estates – Crave Worthy Culinary Kitchens

Any food aficionado dreams of a chef’s kitchen to prepare exquisite dishes and entertain friends and family. Plenty of preparation space, top-notch appliances and even butler’s kitchens show up in the top residential kitchens in luxury homes. Create restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of your own home in a gorgeous culinary kitchen.

Whether cooking for one, two or thirty, Arizona’s top estates, listed by Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty’s team of expert agents, will have just what you need. Thoughtful design creates spaces that allow for expert navigation throughout the cooking process, and some feature outdoor kitchens that complement the interior spaces for cooking year-round.   

Whether you’re searching for a modern, open kitchen, a grandiose traditional kitchen or a cozy Southwestern style, these ICONIC Estates will impress any chef de cuisine.   

Experience the many flavors of culinary kitchens in this month’s ICONIC Estates!

Prominent racecar driver Kevin Buckler crosses the finish line to victory creating award-winning wines at his Adobe Road Winery. Buckler and his wife, Debra, launched Adobe Road in 2002, and today the winery produces a large variety of wines, many awarded 90 points or more. The winery purchases grapes from several vineyards throughout Sonoma County and was named Adobe Road in honor of the road in. Petaluma on which he first purchased fruit. Whether behind the wheel of a car or behind the scenes creating a Cabernet blend, Buckler continues to push boundaries and win with Adobe Road Winery.

As part of our exclusive relationship with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, ICONIC LIFE takes you along on a tour of an incredible Italian villa inspired by the ICONIC Getty Villa outside of Rome. This beautiful home, designed by Juan Sandoval,is nearly 52,000 square feet under roof. The designer had every element custom-made and carved on site. See incredible marble floors, a 2,000-bottle wine cellar, a secret passageway, grand ballroom and more! This home is represented by Cheryl Anderson.

In recent years the dining scene in the Valley of the Sun has elevated to the point that the culinary delights in the desert regularly draw the epicurious traveler. But many are surprised that the top table in town is the hotel restaurant at the Sheraton Grand Resort at Wild Horse Pass.

Not only is Kai Restaurant one of the city’s best fine dining establishments, but it’s also the only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant in the state. Even more interesting, it’s the only fine dining Native American restaurant in the world. We so encourage you to check it out.

Architecture, Business, Entertainment, Golf, Inspiration, Multi Purpose, Real Estate

ASCENT AT THE PHOENICIAN® UNVEILS DESIGN FOR THE SUMMIT ROOFTOP TERRACE AT MOUNTAINSIDE CONDOMINIUM BUILDING

 Ascent at The Phoenician® is unveiling the design for The Summit Rooftop Terrace at its new luxury condominium building, which will offer 360-degree views of the Valley and Camelback Mountain.

Designed uniquely for the Ascent mountainside condominium owners, residents will enjoy their own private rooftop community terrace featuring soft seating, fire tables, multiple gathering spaces, and an activity lawn in addition to the dramatic views.

Ascent at The Phoenician® is situated at the base of Camelback Mountain, overlooking The Phoenician® Golf Course and located adjacent to The Phoenician®, a Luxury Collection Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ascent at The Phoenician® recently released an intimate residential building of 40 luxury condominiums on Camelback Mountain consisting of one-bedroom plus den, two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus den, and three-bedroom plus den plans. Prices are estimated to range from $1.5 million up to $5 million. 

With the dramatic views of the Valley during the day and city lights at night all set right on Camelback Mountain, the mountainside residences are generating strong interest for their spectacular panorama. Ascent at The Phoenician offers an extraordinary way of life at Scottsdale’s most coveted location on Camelback Mountain.

Todd Patrick, Vice President of Sales and marketing

The mountainside condominium residences follow the early sales success of the Ascent Golf Villas, which Ascent began selling in mid-February. The Golf Villas include homes ranging from two-bedroom to three-bedroom plus den/office plans, extensive indoor-outdoor living, private two-car garages, and views of both the golf course and Camelback Mountain. Current prices range from $2.16 million up to $3.195 million. Construction of the Golf Villas is now underway.

The mountainside condominium residences will enjoy a prime location adjacent to the Mountain Club, a private club for owners at Ascent. Programs, amenities and private events at the Club will celebrate the iconic Camelback Mountain and will include a private pool, fitness and movement rooms, social spaces and demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and private chef experiences. Architecturally designed as a modern interpretation of the historic Jokake Inn on The Phoenician® grounds, the Mountain Club will be an intimate gathering place for connection, wellness, celebration and relaxation.  

Ascent at The Phoenician® residents will have a connection through the cactus garden to all of The Phoenician® hotel’s restaurants. Also, residents will have the opportunity to join the Phoenician® Amenity Access Program that provides Ascent real estate owners with access to resort amenities, including the pools and fitness facility and preferred pricing for golf, spa, food and beverage, and other services.

With more than $2 billion of real estate projects in planning and development, Replay has properties in some of the world’s most sought-after settings. The team for Replay’s condominium residences and Golf Villas includes design partners from the Valley’s best internationally recognized talent: Nelsen Partners, an architecture and planning firm founded in 1990; Vallone Design, a leading, full-service interior design firm specializing in exquisite residential and commercial interior design; Floor Associates, a landscape architecture and planning firm; and bulthaup Scottsdale, a globally recognized company producing premium kitchens custom-made in Germany.

Joe Bushong and Leslie Jenkins of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty are the listing agents for Ascent at The Phoenician®. For more information on the remaining Golf Villa homes or to register for updates including Priority Registration for the first release of mountainside condominium residences visit ascentatthephoenician.com or call 480-534-4086.

Art, Business, Community, COVID-19, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Multi Purpose, Real Estate

Russ Lyon Foundation Brings Back ‘Love Your Neighbors’ campaign to Raise Funds to Benefit Arizona Housing Fund

The Russ Lyon Foundation is bringing back their Love Your Neighbors campaign to raise money for the Arizona Housing Fund. In 2020 $5,290 was raised. The sale is happening now and only runs through Sunday, August 22, 2021.

The Love Your Neighbors apparel is being produced by local company SideBar and just $20. New to the 2021 lineup is the apparel coming in a stonewashed blue-gray color option, women’s v-neck, unisex tank and bandana. They are available online, click here.

Every item ordered benefits the Arizona Housing Fund (AZHF). AZHF is a dedicated and sustainable revenue source that grants funding to the nonprofit agencies that build and operate Permanent Supportive, Low-Income and Working Poor Housing. Its equity grants will enable more housing units to be constructed, meeting the growing needs of our communities in Arizona with the goal of reducing homelessness.

There has never been a more important time for everyone to come together and support the Arizona Housing Fund. This foundation gives families a fighting chance to stay in their homes and helps others find housing.

Betsy Dickinson, President of Russ Lyon FOundation

The Russ Lyon Foundation seeks to provide valuable and meaningful service work within communities as well as charitable investments. Since the foundation began in 2014, more than $500,000 has been contributed towards various 501c3 Arizona-based organizations through direct donations, matching funds, sponsorships, and fundraisers.

Art, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Music, Real Estate

Noble Vision – A World Premier

Arizona’s leader in luxury real estate, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, is proud to sponsor The Noble Vision World Premiere Concert by the Flagstaff Community Band. 

The Noble Vision World Premiere Concert will be held on Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at 5:30 pm and at Coconino Community College which is located 2800 S Lone Tree Rd in Flagstaff. 

70 members of the Flagstaff Community Band are currently rehearsing for the performance. 

Among those is a musically gifted saxophone player named Paula Mack.  

The Flagstaff resident has been playing the  saxophone for 20 years and shares her time between playing for the Flagstaff Community Band and working as a REALTOR for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.  Mack, who works out of the brokerage’s Flagstaff Office is excited to perform with the Flagstaff Community Band in the upcoming Noble Vision World Premiere Concert. 

“I am extremely proud to be a part of such a talented group of musicians,” explains Paula Mack of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, and member of the Flagstaff Community Band, “The Flagstaff Community Band has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort to put together a beautiful ensemble, and this composition will be especially special to the Dark Skies Flagstaff area.” 

Noble Vision is a commission composed by Patrick J. Burns and celebrates the life and contributions of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory and was established in 1894, placing it among the oldest observatories in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. This observatory is also known for discovering the dwarf planet Pluto.

The Flagstaff Community Band has chosen to honor Lowell with this commission to highlight this special part of the state. The observatory provided inspiration for the theme of the music and offered room for the composer’s creativity when writing the piece. The composer, Patrick Burns, in learning much more about Lowell Observatory, liked the grandness of very simply drawing attention to the work of Percival Lowell and the boundaries that he pushed through his thoughts, studies, and eventually discoveries.