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Business
Aug. 15 - Sept. 4, 2009 29
RigaTony’s celebrates 15 years
by Joan Westlake 26 to celebrate the café’s birthday,
Since October 1994, RigaTony’s has served big says Abraham. Priced at $40, the
helpings of the cuisine and atmosphere of Little Italy restaurant’s fi ve-course meals paired
to the southeast Valley. From the homemade marinara with wines are always a delicious deal,
to the warm welcome and abundant portions, area but the October event will be all the
residents have enjoyed being part of the Lopercio more festive. Reservations are a must.
family. If you can’t wait for the birthday bash,
A wide variety of residents have embraced the food there’s a winner dinner Sept. 21 and
and atmosphere of RigaTony’s, according to Alyssa a holiday wine dinner on Dec. 7. An
Abraham, director of marketing. Regulars range from admirable and affordably priced wine
local business people stopping by for lunch to date list is always available.
dinners such as the Chicken Portofi no for $13.95.
night couples to families who love the affordable Through August, in addition to the daily all-you-
A favorite of the Sun Lakes crowd is the daily Early
prices, especially on Wednesdays where they get a free can-eat bread sticks and salad, there’s an endless
Bird Special from 4 to 5 p.m. Happy Hour from 3 to 6
kid’s meal for each adult entrée. She adds that while pasta platter for $10.95 featuring a sausage penne
p.m. daily features special food and beverage pricing.
the bulk of the diners are from the neighborhood, the cacciatore with fresh basil, grilled veggie lasagna
RigaTony’s, at 1374 N. Arizona Ave., is open daily
restaurant has loyal patrons who drive down from with pesto cream sauce and fettuccine Alfredo with
from 11 a.m. On Sundays through Thursdays, they
Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. chicken and broccoli. Get a super sampling of the
close at 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 10
Mike Lopercio, president and self-proclaimed café’s fare with the Tour of RigaTony’s. For $13.95
p.m. For reservations and more information, go to
head food taster, says the inspiration for RigaTony’s ($10.95 at lunch), feast on chicken Picatta, Italian
www.RigaTonys.com or call 480-899-1111.
came from his years as a young man roaming the sausage, jumbo stuffed shells and fettuccine Alfredo.
streets of New York’s Little Italy district. The legendary Build-your-own pasta bowl at lunch for $6.95
excitement and inviting smells of garlic, tomatoes including salads and bread or, for the same price, enjoy
Quik Bite
and fresh herbs are a magnet for New Yorkers of the daily lunch special such as chicken Parmesan,
every ethnicity. Along with his wife, Chrissy, head of deep dish lasagna and stuffed shells. The individual
RigaTony’s
operations, he recreated that experience using the pizza is $5.95 and big, hearty sandwiches like the
Arizona Ave. and Knox Rd., North of Ray Rd.
name his Italian uncle was given by a confused clerk meatball or Raging Bull are $6.50. For a $1 you can add
480-899-1111
ARIZONA AVE.
at Ellis Island – Riga Tony. a soft drink, coffee, soup, salad or fries.
KNOX RD.
Homemade and abundant is the key to the At dinner, appetizers large enough to share, such as
restaurant’s success. One taste and you know it is the calamari and fried zucchini, start at $6.25. Pasta
fresh and hand crafted. Even salad dressings are from entrees are from $9.50 and selections from the grill
RAY RD.
family recipes. range from the Italian chops at $13.50 to the fi let and
A wine dinner is planned at 6:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. shrimp platter at $18.50. Weekly specials can include
K9 Valley fever prevalent during monsoon
Maricopa County veterinarians report Valley fever blood work, including a test that detects antibodies
as one of the most frequently diagnosed illnesses of in the blood which tells us if the animal has been
dogs brought in for veterinary care. exposed to the fungus,” she says. “If the test is positive,
Valley fever is a fungal infection. The fungus we look to the rest of the blood work for other changes
normally lives in the Southwest desert soil but to support an active infection. Sometimes x-rays are
becomes airborne on windy days, like those occurring necessary to make the fi nal diagnosis.”
during the monsoon. The dog breathes in the fungus, According to Anderson, Valley fever is treatable
which attempts to fi nd a home in the moist tissues of with anti fungal medication.
its lungs. “In my experience, the majority of animals infected
According to the University of Arizona Valley Fever with Valley fever respond quite well to Fluconazole,
Center for Excellence, symptoms of infection include though the course of treatment is long, taking from six
fever, weight loss and lack of stamina, and coughing, months to years,” explains Anderson. “Follow up with
which can turn into pneumonia and even cause death. your veterinarian is important as relapse can occur if
Photo by Shawn Patrick
Marshal Rick of Chandler-based Poop Marshal, medication is discontinued too soon.”
Inc. suggests pet owners protect their dogs from
study was conducted using groups of dogs from Pima
For more information about the study performed
Valley fever by keeping animals indoors on days when
and Maricopa counties.
by the Valley Fever Center for Excellence,
monsoon winds are forecast.
Dr. Connie Anderson, DVM, of the Ocotillo Animal
go to www.vfce.arizona.edu. Contact Rick at
In a study conducted by the U of A, 28 percent of
Clinic and Pet Resort in Chandler, describes the
480-626-4190 or check out his animal health blog at
the dogs tested positive for Valley fever exposure while
diagnosis of Valley fever.
web.me.com/rhyocom. Anderson can be reached at
only 6 percent of the tested dogs became sick. The
“If Valley fever is suspected, we typically start with
480-899-8181.
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