28 JUNE 2026 I n 2007, during season four of Arizona Highways Television , we featured Durant’s Steakhouse, capturing the mystique of one of Phoenix’s most iconic dining institutions. Just a few weeks ago, we went back to interview the people behind Durant’s newest chapter and to be honest, it felt less like covering a restaurant story and more like revisiting a living piece of Arizona history. From the moment you walk through the well-known kitchen entrance, Durant’s still feels suspended in time. The red leather booths, dim lighting, bustling bar, and old-school atmosphere transport diners back to a different era, a place where martinis feel timeless, stories linger in the walls, and dinner feels like an occasion. I’ve eaten many lunches and dinners at the steakhouse over the years, and it’s a great place to go before theater performances, for celebrations with friends, or simply on nights when you want to feel like you’ve stepped into another era for a few hours. Returning now, after the restaurant opened under Prime Steak Concepts, I wondered what might feel different. Surprisingly, not much. The same crimson booths still invite guests to settle in. The bar still glows with old-school elegance. The bathrooms, the atmosphere, even the feeling of walking through the kitchen somehow remain untouched by time. During filming, it was impossible not to think about all the people who had occupied those same seats over the decades. Maybe Marilyn Monroe once ordered a martini from the very same booth. That sense of history is exactly what Durant’s has always represented. Long before Phoenix became a sprawling metro filled with freeways, luxury developments, and sports arenas, Durant’s stood at the center of the city’s social and political life. Opened in 1950 along Central Avenue, the steakhouse became a gathering place for celebrities, politicians, business leaders, and generations of locals. “This was the restaurant,” Chief Brand Officer Oliver Badgio said. “This was the steakhouse that was in the center of it all.” Longtime patron Bill Dougherty remembers coming to Durant’s as a child with his father and recalls the magnetic personality of founder Jack Durant, who famously walked from table to table, greeting guests personally. “He had a velvet touch,” Dougherty said. “Everybody knew your name.” Over the years, Durant’s became known as a powerbroker destination where politicians made deals over lunch and Hollywood stars casually filled the booths. Some of the stars that graced these premises were Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Dick Van Dyke, Doris Day, and Shirley Jones. Today, that legacy still lives inside the restaurant’s walls. One of the most striking additions is a photo wall blending family photographs with images connected to the new ownership group’s own family history, a symbolic passing of the torch that feels less like a corporate acquisition and more like stewardship of an Arizona institution. “When I told people what we were doing, they’d ask, ‘Are you going to change the name?’” said Jeffrey Mastro, Prime Steak Concepts founder. “Are you kidding?” Instead of reinventing Durant’s, the new ownership has focused on preserving the experience generations fell in love with while carefully polishing it for the future. Maybe that’s the magic of Durant’s. Not that nothing has changed, but that the restaurant still knows exactly what it is. An eatery that endures as one of Phoenix’s most timeless icons Robin is the host and executive producer of the Arizona Highways Television , Saturdays and Sundays on CBS. BY ROBIN SEWELL PHOTO COURTESY OF NATALIE MESZAROS

29 JUNE 2026 On a warm spring evening in April, roughly 400 neighbors gathered together for a first- of-its-kind event in Arcadia. The inaugural “Symphony on Exeter: An Amazing Arcadia Night” offered an outdoor take on classical performance, right in one neighbor’s front yard. Presented by The Phoenix Symphony, the free concert featured a brass ensemble of 10 musicians performing a lineup of film scores. Selections ranged from Disney favorites to iconic themes by John Williams, whose work on films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones has shaped generations of moviegoers. The familiar melodies made the evening appropriate for all ages, blending classical technique with pop culture nostalgia. “I grew up with the symphony as my sister was a concert pianist and I want to expose my grandson to it, but without ruining it for others in a big theater setting. This was the perfect opportunity to do that,” attendee Margarete Nasir said. “Shepherd is 18 months old and he absolutely enjoyed the evening! We sat all the way in the back in case we needed to make a quick escape, but I’m pleased to say we made it all the way through! I’m excited to say I already bought tickets to take him to another performance.” Attendees spread out blankets and lawn chairs. Hosts Jason Rose and Jessica Pacheco provided refreshments and snacks. Jason and Jessica helped guide the evening with commentary, adding a local feel to the program. The pair also underwrote the event, highlighting a shared interest in supporting accessible arts programming. “On a perfect Arcadia evening on the front lawn at our home, we were so happy to welcome 400 neighbors and friends together for the first ever Symphony on Exeter that ended up resembling an idyllic picnic or wonderful summer night in Coronado,” Jason and Jessica said. “Most importantly, the evening benefited The Phoenix Symphony and brought people together in a unique way, celebrating music, friendship, and the special sense of community we share here in Arcadia. It may be an annual tradition in the making!” Leaders from Paradise Valley also took part. Mark Stanton addressed the crowd alongside Town Council member Julie Pace, highlighting the role of the Symphony as Arizona’s only full-time professional orchestra. For Symphony leadership, the event represented part of a larger push to expand access to live classical music. President and CEO Peter Kjome noted the importance of meeting audiences where they are, particularly in informal, outdoor environments that feel welcoming and familiar. Judging by the turnout and energy, “Symphony on Exeter” struck a chord. The combination of recognizable music, community support, and an easygoing setting offered a reminder that classical music doesn’t have to stay confined to concert halls. Phoenix Symphony’s inaugural Exeter event By Kylie de Best The Board of Visitors is the oldest women’s charitable organization in Arizona. Established in 1908, every woman involved serves as a volunteer to support healthcare needs for women, children, and the elderly in the greater Phoenix area. In April, the nonprofit hosted its 111th annual Charity Ball. Held at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa, the evening celebrated 40 high school seniors from Arcadia, Biltmore, Central Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Scottsdale. They were affectionately presented as Flower Girls, a title that dates back to the early years of the tradition. Members invited their daughters to attend the event and sell flowers to guests, with proceeds benefitting St. Luke’s Hospital. The ball is similar to many of the Valley’s premier black- tie fundraising events, offering an elegant evening of dinner and dancing while raising funds for nonprofits . The Flower Girls are taught the waltz the evening of the event and traditionally dance with their fathers or another meaningful family member or close friend. “Being part of The Board of Visitors connected me to my mom and dad so much,” Arcadia senior Claire Christensen said. “My dad was my mom’s escort at the Charity Ball in 1996 and being able to share an experience they once had through my own event was so special.” Since its inception, The Board of Visitors has granted $30 million to nonprofit organizations in Phoenix – and beyond – that serve the healthcare needs of women, children and the elderly. Earlier this year, the board funded 26 grants totaling $1,150,000 at the annual Grants Celebration. Throughout the year, the BOV Ambassadors (another title for Flower Girls) participate in three events: Care Card, which is Arizona’s largest retail shopping and fundraising program, the Annual Fashion Show Luncheon each December, and the Annual Charity Ball each spring. Funds raised through Care Card are directed to a single grant recipient. In 2026 and 2027, the beneficiary is Banner Health Foundation’s Big Pink Bus, which provides free 3D mammograms to women throughout the Valley. “Being part of The Board of Visitors has been such a meaningful experience that helped me grow in confidence and leadership,” Xavier senior Layla Vanderhoff shared. “It gave me the opportunity to connect with new people, represent my community, and be part of something rooted in tradition and service.” Alongside service projects, these high school seniors learn about philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and the grantmaking process, with the goal of inspiring others to stay involved in their communities throughout their lives and possibly even explore careers in the nonprofit field. boardofvisitors.org Board of Visitors celebrates 111 years with Charity Ball Phoenix Symphony musician Ben Ngyuen, event co-host Jason Rose and Peter Kjome, president and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY The Charity Ball is known as an elegant evening of dinner and dancing while raising funds for Valey nonprofits. PHOTO COURTESY OF NATALIE MESZAROS BOV leadership: Courtney Buck, Natalie Meszaros, Amy Hall, Shannon Jones. Not pictured is Christie Frakes.