Local Services

A Life Worth Planning

Attorney Bernard Johnsen Shares Tips for Organizing Assets and Protecting Loved Ones During National Make-A-Will Month Article by Rebecca L. Rhoades | Photography by Lindsay Borg The phrase “death is hardest on the living” refers to the emotional grief a person feels after losing a loved one. But in many cases, it can also represent the financial and legal complications that arise when a family member passes on without a will. According to the Pew Research Center, only 32% of U.S. adults have...

Home Services

Bruce's Legacy

A Beloved Labrador Inspired a Smarter, Safer Pet Door for Dogs Everywhere Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Courtesy Pawport An East Valley man's devotion to his dogs led to the creation of a dog door that's smart, safe, functional, and attractive. When Martin Diamond and his family moved into their home, they quickly decided it was best to keep the two old-fashioned pet doors blocked off. “Because our home is in the desert areas of the Valley, we were afraid to use them for fear...

Life + Culture

Kinetic Curls Takes Shape

How One Teen Turned Her Curl Journey Into a Growing Brand Article by Megan Ewing | Photography by Courtesy Kinetic Curls At just 15 years old, Hamilton High School student Zoya Siddiqui has already accomplished something many adults only dream of: launching her own business. Siddiqui is the founder of Kinetic Curls, a hair care brand designed to help teens with curly and textured hair achieve healthy, defined curls without spending hours on complicated routines. The idea grew out of her own...

Local Services

Liberty Wildlife: Serving Arizona’s Native Wildlife

The Nonprofit Wildlife Rescue Helps Around 10,000 Animals Annually Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Courtesy Liberty Wildlife When Laura Hackett, education manager and lead wildlife biologist at Liberty Wildlife, is leading a field trip at the Phoenix nonprofit, she likes to ask the kids what they think goes on there. After listening to the wide range of answers, Hackett explains that Liberty Wildlife is “a nonprofit, wildlife, rescue, rehabilitation, education, conservation...

Life + Culture

Pawsitive Places

For These Animal Rescues, Saving Lives is a Labor of Love Article by Georgann Yara | Photography by Provided Anyone who has been a pet parent knows how rewarding and fulfilling it is to open your heart to an innocent creature who offers love in return. And many of these unions are made possible by the admirable efforts of nonprofits and volunteers who ensure these animals are cared for until they find their furever homes.  Perhaps you are looking to expand your family with a furry...

Life + Culture

Fostering a Family

What Began in the Professional Realm of Child Welfare Evolved Into a Personal Connection for Karen Taylor and Kody Shaffer Article by Georgann Yara | Photography by Lindsay Borg Karen Taylor doesn’t remember the exact moment she met her son. And Kody Shaffer can’t recall meeting his mom for the first time. But more than 20 years after Taylor, permanency program administrator for the Arizona Children's Association, adopted Shaffer—who had spent six of his first 10 years in foster care and...

Sports + Recreation

A Winning Pair

A Shared Love of Tennis Carries Local Siblings Into Their Next Chapter Article by Michelle Talsma Everson | Photography by Lindsay Borg For Natasha and Andre Aghenta, tennis began long before either of them stepped onto a court. Their mother grew up in Nigeria, watching matches on television with her father. Years later, she introduced the sport to her own children as something the family could share. What began as a simple family activity eventually became a defining part of Natasha and...

Life + Culture

Taking the Leap

Chandler Graduate Delaney Hudson Turns a Lifelong Passion for Dance Into a Career at Sea Article by Michelle Talsma Everson | Photography by Courtesy Delaney Hudson By the time Delaney Hudson steps onto the stage aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas cruise ship this summer, she will be carrying more than choreography. She will be carrying years of studio training, family support, hard-earned resilience, and the confidence that comes from choosing a dream even after it briefly seemed...

Travel

Glamping Under the Stars

Backland Luxury Nature Resort Is a Perfect Place to Relax, Unwind, and Enjoy Nature While Wrapped in Luxury Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy Backland Luxury Nature Resort Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, nestled into a king bed inside a luxury glamping tent, staring up at what feels like an endless canopy of stars framed by the skylight above. In the morning, you shower in your en-suite bathroom before heading off to a chef-crafted breakfast served in a...

Shopping

Gear Guide

Going Camping? Here Are Products to Put on Your Radar Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Provided Looking to head out on a camping trip? We’ve got products to make your adventure even better—and safer. From tent options to a product that ensures you always have safe drinking water to games fun for the entire family, these finds will help elevate your next outdoor escape.   Infinity X1 7000L Dual Power Rechargeable Flashlight This rugged, high-output flashlight delivers up to...