Life + Culture

The Master Craftsman's Pour

James Lewis's passion for community and artisanry shapes both business and pleasure Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Gates and bourbon. It might seem like an unlikely pairing, but for James Lewis, owner of Renovate Your Gate, they're both expressions of his passion for craftsmanship and excellence. He creates custom gates by day, and by night, explores the rich world of fine bourbon. His collection, largely amassed mostly in the first of his four years collecting...

Life + Culture

Building Boys into Leaders

Volunteerism and community drives boys team charity Article by Gretchen Pahia | Photography by Provided In the heart of Ahwatukee, there exists a special non-profit organization doing work to build the next generation of strong and thoughtful leaders, one volunteer hour at a time. Boys team charity ( boysteamcharity.org ) was founded nationally in 2001 and created by families who wanted to teach their sons the value of giving. Today, with 43 chapters across the country, boys team charity has...

Life + Culture

Andy Hayes: The Heart of Business in Ahwatukee

Get to know the head of the Ahwatukee Chamber who's proud to call Ahwatukee home Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak As CEO and Executive Director of the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce, Andy Hayes is passionate about advocating for local businesses and helping them to succeed. Hayes’ interest in business was sparked when he was a student at Arizona State University. “I had a marketing and sales class that was taught by a young doctorate student named Jeff Conant,”...

Life + Culture

Fathers in Focus

How two professionals intentionally approach fatherhood despite demanding careers Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Stephanie Slezak The delicate balance between career and family is more precarious than ever, thanks to the constant accessibility of our digital lives. For Juan Roque and Joshua Wagner of Viking Law Group, a locally-based firm specializing in personal injury, prioritizing fatherhood despite their demanding careers is something they take very seriously. In a profession...

Style + Beauty

Rooted in Tradition

Mariah Abeita was inspired to open her own jewelry business to honor her Indigenous heritage Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak For as long as she can remember, Mariah Abeita has loved anything to do with creativity and craftsmanship. When she was about 8 years old, Abeita, who is from the Navajo Tribe Diné, began making jewelry that was inspired by her Indigenous heritage and the stories behind the traditional designs. In 2020, Abeita, who teaches fifth grade at...

Wellness

From Passion to Practice

The journey of Dr. Kristen Mayorga Article by Gretchen Pahia | Photography by Stephanie Slezak From the beginning, Dr. Kristen Mayorga knew that she was interested in a career in medicine, and it was early on in her life where dentistry caught her attention. This was all thanks to her neighbor who was a dentist.   “He invited me to his office, allowing me to observe, assist and experience firsthand the intricacies of the profession. Through him, I was also introduced to many of his...

Life + Culture

The Power of Pedals and a Purpose

One woman's unstoppable spirit and dedication to improving the lives of others Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak When you walk into locally owned Curbside Cyclery – a bike store staple in Ahwatukee for more than 16 years – you’re greeted with, of course, bikes galore, all manner of accessories for everything from street rides to mountain bike adventures, and the affable shop owner herself, Stephanie Cox. Cox and her husband Mike own and operate the retail and repair...

Health + Wellness

A Most Delightful Day

Four women share a personal portrait of the perfect way to spend a day Article and Photography by There’s a certain magic in the everyday, isn't there? A quiet beauty woven into easy moments. We’ve gathered four stories, four unique visions, from women who understand that magic intimately. Join us as we explore the art of a perfect day, shared through personal visions of some of the women who bring this magazine to you each month.    Stephanie Slezak Photographer A perfect day would...

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...