Life + Culture

Diversify Your Portfolio of Knowledge

How lifelong learning can improve your happiness, health and career Article by Emily Schlorf Do you remember the feeling from elementary school when the fog of a difficult concept finally began to lift? What about the wave of accomplishment experienced after mastering a new recipe, figuring out how to strum the chords to your favorite song or constructing an IKEA shelf sans leftover screws?   As unrelated as those experiences may seem, they share a commonality: it feels good to learn. The...

Home + Design

Crafted for a Lifetime: The Value of Quality Cookware

Your guide to choosing the best quality tools for your kitchen Article by Beth Del Ville If the kitchen is the heart of the home, a space where memories are made and culinary creations come to life, then it stands to reason that investing wisely in your cookware is a smart move. It can significantly enhance your cooking experience and elevate your meals. While Instagram-worthy and budget-friendly options may seem appealing, investing in high-quality cookware offers numerous long-term...

Arts + Culture

Hidden Treasures

Appraising and preserving your family heirlooms Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Stephanie Slezak An oil painting that once graced a great-grandparent’s wall, an antiquated diamond ring passed down from a great aunt, a rare coin from a father’s private collection—these heirlooms and treasures are often symbols of a family’s stories, traditions and values. But, as generations pass, the sentimental significance of these objects often becomes lost or forgotten.  This potential loss of...

Life + Culture

Investing in People Pays Positive Dividends

Solari Crisis & Human Services Has an Employee-First Work Culture Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Christine Johnson Solari Crisis & Human Services, a (501c3) nonprofit that provides community-based crisis intervention services and a wide range of mental health services, opened its doors in 2007 with one key mission in mind: Inspiring hope. As Manager of Marketing Laboraex Abeita notes, the East Valley nonprofit, which also answers all calls made in Arizona to 988, the National...

Home + Design

Splurge vs. Save

Design finds to elevate your home at any price point Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by RocketLister Let's be honest, creating a home that truly reflects your style can feel like an endless pursuit. But fear not, fellow design enthusiasts! You don't need to break the bank to achieve a sophisticated and stylish space. The key lies in a clever combination of high-end splurges and budget-friendly finds. Lisa Ryan Whyte of Whyte House Real Estate and Interior Design loves to incorporate...

Arts + Culture

Uncorked and Unforgettable

An in-home wine experience with a personal sommelier is a toast to friendship for girls’ night in Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Forget crowded restaurants and noisy bars. The ultimate girls’ night out is actually a girls’ night in. This season, host a small group of friends for an intimate in-home wine experience featuring a local sommelier, sure to be a sophisticated and indulgent event. Ahwatukee resident Maria Reyes-Smith is an engineer by day and shares her...

Travel

Spring Break Stays Local

This Spring, explore Ahwatukee activities, hotels and dining for a memorable staycation Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Provided Many Ahwatukee residents choose to spend their spring breaks soaking in the desert's mild spring weather before the summer heat arrives. With a little planning, a staycation can be a fun and rejuvenating experience without the hassle of traveling logistics that often leave people needing a vacation from their vacation. Explore unique offerings in or near...

Home + Design

The Magic of Modernizing

Why kitchens and bathrooms are ideal places to start renovations Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Studer Maybe you’ve lived in your current home for a while, and you are ready to remodel some of the rooms with modern and stylish upgrades. Or perhaps you recently purchased a house and want to do some renovations sooner rather than later, in order to transform it into the home of your dreams. Whatever your home remodel goals may be, you might understandably wonder where you...

Arts + Culture

East Meets "West"

Desert Vista senior’s painting "We, The West" featured in prestigious 2024 National Congressional Art Competition Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Stephanie Slezak “Sooner or later things come to you if you work hard. And it’s great that there are things continually coming, and that there are still more to come.” – Alberto Mielgo   Every year, millions of visitors walk through Cannon Tunnel, the most traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S...

Life + Culture

The Healing Power of Community

By inviting people to join him for lunch every Friday at Philly’s Sports Grill, Mike Glynn has found support, encouragement and camaraderie Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Mike Glynn is living proof that when you are going through a really rough time, there is a community of people around you who is more than willing to lift you back up. In the spring of 2024, Glynn was feeling hopeless and depressed. To get out of the house, Glynn went to Philly’s Sports Grill in...