Flip
Side
By Darlene Washington
Karen Buckley of Avant
Garden
Karen has always loved planting
things. She graduated from digging her hands into the
dirt to opening the Avant Garden in October of 2004.
Located in an area that is concentrated with architectural
projects by Al Beetle and houses designed with fi fties
a charm, Avant Garden is a perfect fit in this community.
Karen describes the design of her shop as traditional
with a contemporary edge.
Along with the eye popping variety of fl owers, Avant
Garden features the works of many local artists. Karen
muses, “Flowers and art go hand in hand…”So,
while shopping the Avant Garden beautiful plants and
flowers, you may fi nd something else that you cannot
live without- like a jewelry piece, painting or some
photography.
Working around the colors provided
by mother earth has infl uenced Karen to explore different
avenues involving color, in turn, creating the hobbies
of interior decoration and painting on canvas.
Karen also loves to write. Having started a journal
at a very young age, Karen is still compiling notes.
So far, her notes have inspired Karen to begin writing
a children’s book which has become a joint
project along with her husband.
Karen has a big heart for the stray animal community.
She says, “one of my ultimate dreams is to have
a farm someday. Karen to the rescue! Avant Garden 2824
E. Indian School, Ste 9 www.avantgardenfl owers.com
Miguel Ivery of Diverse-FI
Music
Miguel Ivery wears many hats. As President of Diverse-Fi
Music, he manages a variety of local talented individuals
from various musical genres including hip-hop, jazzy
emcees and a progressive rock band.
In addition to this venture, he is the hosting DJ at
“Paint” an event held at the Paper Heart
Gallery on Tuesday nights and hosts a musician showcase
by the name of “Soul Sessions” at
Real Grill Sports Bar (formerly PI’s). He is also
the bassist in a jazzy-funk-house band.
Ivery shares a unique twist about himself, “two
of my favorite bands are Korn and Deftones, but when
I spin, I like to spin house music with a deep and soulful
down tempo. The sensual, soulful, jazzedelic sound and
the chill vibe that it creates are more of a reflection
of me as an individual.”
When outside of the music industry,
Miguel gets into travel and photographing breath-taking
scenery. Ivery comments, “Sedona is one of my
favorite scenic escapes when work is done. I also love
New York; it seems crazy to imagine, but in the midst
of thousands of people and city hustle and bustle, I
fi nd peace there.”
Now that is some serious diverse-fi -cation! www.diversefi
music.com
Susan and Barry Brooks
of Cookies From Home
Susan and Barry Brooks shared a longtime hobby of creating
amazing cookie recipes and giving the fi nished products
to friends and family as a tasty gift. Many rave revues
later along with the decision to work together, Susan
and Barry felt inspired to spread the “cookie
love” to the general public and opened the doors
of Cookies From Home in October of 1981. The original
location was
on Mill Avenue and seven years ago has moved to 1605
West University in Tempe.
The establishment provides freshly baked cookies, coffee
drinks and a quaint café for you to sit and enjoy
the good stuff. Susan Brooks fiinds sharing valuable
knowledge with the public “just delicious”.
In 2004, her first book titled, “Serves You Right”
was made available to the public. An avid critic of
customer service,
Susan Brooks has a column in the Business Journal publication
that is dedicated to the subject.
Commenting on her book, Susan says,
“it is a compilation of my more popular and controversial
encounters in the marketplace. It also provides insightful
tips on how to better serve our customers. Susan also
conducts training sessions and keynote presentations
on the subjects relating to customer service,
healthcare and education.
Barry Brooks has always been into music, namely the
acoustic guitar. He as been
writing music forever and in the last six years and
decided to share his writing and musical talents with
others during open mic nights at some of the local coffee
houses. Barry comments on how good it feels to share
on the musical level,
“I look at it as sharing my diary.” Super
“Mmm-Delish!” Cookies from Home: 1605 W.
University, Ste. 106, Tempe www.cookiesfromhome.com
Tammie Coe and Michael
John Coe of Tammy Coe Cakes and Fine Pastries
Three years ago, Tammie and Michael John Coe opened
Tammie Coe Cakes inside of the Le Grande Orange market
café, located in Phoenix - this was a sweet beginning
to a bigger picture. The couple will soon open their
second location in the Artisan Lofts, located in the
downtown area of Phoenix. Tammie expresses her excitement
to be a part of the “reinventing” of downtown
Phoenix, “I look forward to joining the First
Friday crowd as well as everyone else who ventures downtown...”
Tammie’s creations include amazing pastries along
with specialty and wedding cakes. One of her trademarks
is a unique use of color and textures in the decoration
of her baked goods - particularly the
fondant cake. According to Tammie, “I am inspired
by color, shape, and fashion. I also fi nd it inspiring
to be surrounded by the artwork of others while working.
Lately, MJ has been having a blast with his line of
specialty breads. While creating a product that is big
on quality, taste and texture, he enjoys presenting
his clientele with a new variety of breads on a daily
basis. According to MJ, “ It is a complete improvisation-the
orders that are placed consist of head counts and the
rest is left to us...
it feels good to know that our clientele trusts that
they are going to receive a product of high quality
– every time.”
The Coes have chosen quite a dynamic
industry; with catering to restaurants, resorts and
the general public, their work hours are unusual. MJ
comments, “It is a real treat working in the same
industry as Tammie. We work opposite shifts and it is
cool that neither of us has to explain why we are not
home.
On the Flipside of things, the Coes find it fun to venture
the local eateries. From pizza at home to margaritas
at Chuy’s or a meal at Zinc or Christopher’s
Fermier…it is all “rock and roll delicious.”
In addition to being foodies, the Tammie and MJ enjoy
exploring music of many different genres. From the edgier
stuff like Keen and Dr. Dre to Classical, there is never
a dull musical moment.
For more information, contact Tammiecoe@aol.com Tammie
Coe cakes: 4410 N. 40th Street (inside La Grande Orange
Grocery), Phoenix 602.840.3644
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