The Peak Magazine

Not For Profit, For Communication

About The Current  Issue  
Getting The Peak (Print Magazine)
  Reading The Peak (Online Magazine)
Advertising in The Peak 
This Issue's Advertisers
Subscribing to e-Peak Newsletter (E-mailed Monthly )
About Future Peak Issues  
Writing for The Peak 
Editorial Copy Calendar
Download Free Monthly Calendar
Meet Peak People
For More Information
 

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Founded as a Scottsdale, Arizona magazine, A Peek at the Peak's logo is a stylized outline of Pinnacle Peak, North Scottsdale's most distinctive mountain. A "refreshingly different" magazine founded in 1983, The Peak has been a distinguishing part of the Pinnacle Peak and Desert Foothills community since 1983. By and for that community, it is the only magazine dedicated to quality of life, education, desert preservation, wildlife conservation, and the arts in the North Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, Rio Verde, and northern Phoenix areas. The Peak, a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 publication, is provided as a community service by the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA), which was founded in 1977. The magazine, which received national recognition in 2006 and 2009 when the Society of National Association Publications named it an EXCEL Award winner,features original articles by local writers about local organizations, community events, local history, Sonoran plants, animals, restaurants, galleries, and people.

If you own or manage a local business, join the many other businesses that benefit by advertising in The Peak. Advertisements in The Peak not only attract customers but they enable advertisers to be part of an established community tradition. By placing ads, advertisers  foster desert preservation, wildlife conservation, the arts, education, and community service. Advertisements and GPPA Friends fund publication of The Peak magazine, which provides a voice for local writers.

About The Current Issue 

Read The Peak Online

Not For Profit, For Communication

The Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA) thanks you and the advertisers, members (Friends of the Community), writers, photographers, and volunteers. Together, you make it possible for us to produce our community publications not for profit but for communication.

A Peek at the Peak

Continuously published since 1983, our flagship magazine, A Peek at the Peak (The Peak), has evolved from a brief newsletter enjoyed by a few hundred neighbors living in the then remote Pinnacle Peak area to a unique, two-time national award-winning nonprofit magazine, distributed both in print and online versions. The Peak remains the only publication that is “by and for the people” and nonprofits of the north Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, northeast Phoenix, and Verde communities.

ThePeakAZ.org

Established in 2003, our popular Web site, www.ThePeakAZ.org (a.k.a. www.gppaaz.org), provides extensive coverage of upcoming community events and the announcements of nonprofits in The Peak’s distribution area. An online Marketplace directory delivers information about The Peak’s advertisers, providing an opportunity for even broader exposure to Web surfers and other online visitors. The Peak magazine advertisements can also be published online for additional exposure. Information on The Peak’s Web site supplements the content of the magazine.

e-Peak Newsletter

Our e-Peak Newsletter, which is distributed to a rapidly expanding list of e-mail subscribers, was introduced in 2005. e-Peak articles supplement community information found in The Peak magazine. e-Peak utilizes The Peak’s Web site to provide up-to-date event calendar information. It also includes a Marketplace directory, providing its advertisers with another opportunity for business exposure.

You can support our publications and our community efforts by advertising in The Peak, shopping our online store for photos and books, or becoming a Friend of the Community. Toward the back of this magazine, you will find information about becoming a Friend and the benefits you’ll receive. To become a Friend, complete and mail the membership form or visit our Web site.

About This Issue

The announced theme of this issue is “Pet Party.” If you’re a newcomer, that’s not a pet on The Peak’s cover; it’s a javelina, a member of the peccary family that makes its home here in the Sonoran Desert. The graphite and colored pencil sketch of the javelina, “Peccary Pulchritude,” is provided courtesy of Cave Creek artist Dick Mueller. Peak readers may recall Dick’s drawing of a bobcat that graced our cover in 2003. Dick is the owner of Coyote Crossing Studio. The studio’s Web site is www.coyotecrossing.com, and he can be contacted at (480) 595-1106 or dick@coyotecrossingstudio.com. Check out the studio’s advertisement in this issue of The Peak.

The cover was designed by Tony Nelssen. Tony, now a member of the Scottsdale City Council, has been designing The Peak’s covers for many years. In addition to his professional work, Tony teaches graphic design and photography at ASU and local community colleges. You can contact him at (480) 585-3840 or redbirdranch@earthlink.net. The Peak’s talented art director, Sandie McCune, does the magazine layout of the cover.

Theme Articles

This issue is packed with information about local nonprofit activities and events that both snowbirds and year-round residents (“heatbirds”) can enjoy. You’ll find information and event listings for concerts, theater performances, a trail run, festivals, and other activities that can be enjoyed this month and beyond.

 We expanded the theme of this issue, “Pet Party,” to also incorporate articles about human friendship. Somehow, they seem related.

Our first group of theme articles is devoted to our pet friends. We’ve selected some of the best pet articles that have been submitted over the years for your reading pleasure. In “Sneak Peeks,” frequent contributor Natalie Keller examines why pets are important to the lives of us humans. In “A Companion for Life,” Michelle Anderson, who ghost writes the “Dog Daze” column, discusses the importance of her pets. “I’m One Proud Mule” was written by north Scottsdale resident Hanna Nelssen when she was 14. She’s now a freshman at ASU. The Nelssen family still has the pet mules and they are an important part of their family life. In “Your Pets in the Desert,” Howard Myers, who normally writes The Peak’s Government 101 column, provides some helpful advice for pet owners.

In the next theme article, “Friendship,” Manual Germano takes a thought-provoking look at the characteristics and importance of friendships. Next, in “Friendship on the Range,” cowboy poet John Hinds captures a quiet and humorous moment when the friendship that exists between two men is threatened by Blanch the Rodeo Queen.   

There’s More!

In addition to the above theme articles, you will find a variety of articles, some serious and some not so serious, in this issue of The Peak. Don't miss the articles that have been provided by the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, Desert Foothills Land Trust, and Pinnacle Concert Series. Also, check out The Peak’s extensive events calendar. Whether you’re a snowbird or a “heatbird,” you’re sure to find something to enjoy in our vibrant and beautiful community. And remember, when you attend one of these events, you’re supporting a community nonprofit. In these challenging times, the nonprofit will appreciate your support.

 Columns

In addition to interesting local news and articles, you'll find these columns in almost every issue:

• Arizona Cowboy (humorous poetry about the West)
• Dining Out (review of local restaurants)
• Dog Daze (pet dog describes the challenges of daily life)
• Far From Home (experiences of two Scottsdale residents who do business training abroad as volunteers)
• Government 101 (a look at development issues that impact our community)
• Here and There in Art (review of local art exhibits and galleries)
• A Peek at Fitness (advice for keeping in peak condition)
• On the Wild Side (articles about rehabilitation of great horned owls, hawks, and other raptors)
• Community Scene
• Community Events

    If you need a product or service, why not contact a local business that supports GPPA. You'll find those businesses listed in our Advertiser Sections.

Editor

About Future Issues

The  lead articles of every issue of The Peak are based on a theme. The themes of the year's issues are listed below.

• January - Have The Peak Year

• February - Snowbird Fun

• March - Pet Party

• April - Our Desert

• May/June - Summer Fun

• July/August - Our Wildlife

• September/October - Our Community Groups

• November - Peak Thanksgiving

• December -  Peak Gift Issue

In addition to theme-related content, you'll find articles by local writers, interesting columns, information about upcoming community events, and the latest GPPA news in this Scottsdale, Arizona magazine. 

Getting The Peak (Print and Online)

At Local Outlets

You can pick up your free copy of The Peak magazine at more than 70 convenient locations in North Scottsdale.   These locations include supermarkets, banks and stores. At  supermarkets you will find copies of the magazine in free standing magazine racks or in the customer service area. At offices, salons and stores the magazines are usually in the reception area in table-top racks.  Supermarket locations include:

• AJ's Supermarket at AJ's center at Pinnacle Peak, Thompson Peak/Frank Lloyd Wright, Pima and Union Hills Road, Scottsdale Road and Lone Mountain Road 
• Basha's at Grayhawk Shopping Center, McDowell Mountain, Carefree
• Big Lots at N. 90th Street
• Safeway at DC Ranch, The Summit, Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale, Scottsdale Road and Shea, E. Via Linda and Shea, and several others
• Sam's Club, N. Northsight Blvd.
• Walgreen's at Grayhawk Shopping Center, Terravita Marketplace, Dynamite and Alma School in Scottsdale
• World Foods at E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, E. Raintree Drive, Scottsdale

To find the location most convenient to you ,

Download, View, Print Ad Kit

Online

The current version of The Peak is available online. To view the magazine, simply click on the link below.

 View Online Version of The Peak

Mail

GPPA mails free copies of The Peak to all its members. By becoming a GPPA Friend of the Community, you will be contributing to deserving community causes while saving time and gasoline. 

This Issue's Advertisers

All current Peak advertisers are listed in the Marketplace section of this site and their advertisements appear in both the print and online editions of the magazine. If you don't have a print edition hand, "thumb" through the online version and review the advertisements.

Peak advertisers can choose to gain additional exposure by having their magazine advertisement published also posted on a separate page on this Web site. Click on the link to the right to view information about these companies and organizations.  Let them know you appreciate their support of The Peak and GPPA by using their products and services.

GPPA thanks this issue's advertisers. Every year, GPPA donates money to a variety of nonprofit organizations and awards a college grant. It is the support of  advertisers and members that made those donations possible. 

Advertising in The Peak

Review The Peak's Advertising Kit online or download and print for later use. It provides all the information you need to make a decision and get started.

Download, View, Print Ad Kit

Writing for The Peak

The Peak has been a "labor of love" since 1983. If you love to write and are looking for an enjoyable  way to serve the community, we hope you will consider contributing articles to The Peak. Almost all of the articles that we publish are written by local residents who donate their work to support the objectives of GPPA. You can meet some of them in Peak People. The Peak's Amazon Store provides a resources for writers.  Writer Guidelines are designed to assist writers who plan to assist their work to The Peak.

 Editorial Calendar for 2010

All articles and other copy must be submitted by the dates shown below. Earlier submissions are appreciated. Late submissions may be withheld until a future issue.

For More Information

For more information about writing articles for The Peak, advertising in The Peak or obtaining copies of The Peak, please do not hesitate to contact us.