Arts + Culture

Tlaquepaque

A small slice of another time nestled in Sedona. Article and Photography by Florence Daniels Walking around Tlaquepaque (pronounced Tla-Kay-Pa-Kee), you feel as though you have discovered a secluded place from another time. The name itself means 'best of everything', and the beautiful surroundings certainly live up to it. The splashing of fountains, the ivy covered balconies, the old columns, and mature trees casting dappled sunlight upon the cobblestones all create a world unto itself, right...

Arts + Culture

Explore Pinal

Pinal County is full of adventure and fun. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Pinal County 1. Biosphere The world's largest controlled environment. 2. Arizona Zipline Adventures Experience the desert from new heights. 3. Peralta Regional Park Hiking and camping in the beauty of the Sonoran desert. 4. Goldfield Ghost Town Stage gun fights, shopping, rides, and more. 5. MD Ranch Offering horse rides through San Tan Mountain Regional Park. For more entertainment...

Food + Beverage

Fourth of July Flavors

Taste the red, white, and blue. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Ashley Blake Sage and Barrel have whipped up a fun cocktail to ring in America's birthday. Try out this new recipe which marries flavors of coconut and pineapple just in time for you to enjoy as you watch the fireworks. Cool and refreshing on a hot day, you'll bring a touch of the beach to the desert. Chef Chip Kennedy uses his creativity to bring the red, white, and blue to a patriotic twist on a funnel cake with...

Local Services

Desert Days and Cowgirl Weekends

Escape to the desert. Article by Jared Orr | Photography by Marilyn Van De Graaff For Max and Elle Dewitt,  Ride Out Ranch started as a remote family getaway in Florence, Arizona,  and has transformed into a soulful desert escape for horse lovers, adventurers, and those needing to unplug from the noise of everyday life. “When we first bought the land, my dad kind of had a doomsday mindset,” Max laughs. “But the zombie apocalypse never came.” Instead, the land became something much more...

Arts + Culture

Explore The Classics This Summer

Raise your reading game with these timeless classic novels. Article by Florence Daniels Outside of required reading for school, many of us may leave the classics behind. Here is your invitation to revisit or perhaps introduce yourself to the very best of literature. This selection covers romance, adventure, mystery, and more. Persuasion   Jane Austen Austen is at the height of her powers when she describes the pain of a past mistake haunting her heroine, Anne Elliot. Can she find happiness...

Entertainment

Beach Means Home

Cannon Beach is here with sand, water, and waves for an experience like no other. Article by Ashleigh Underwood | Photography by Ashley Blake Revel Surf is located in the center of “the intersection of lifestyle and adrenaline.” These sound like amazing cross streets but before you start searching on your GPS, we’re talking about Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is Mesa’s brand new premier destination offering beach front vibes, waves, food and shopping. This is just the beginning of services...

Education

Bearizona

Interact with wildlife from the comfort of your car. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Kaeden Peterson In most cases if your car is surrounded by wolves or bears, you might be worried. In this instance, our photographer, Kaeden Peterson and his family called it a day out in Bearizona. Located in Williams, Arizona, Bearizona is a unique wildlife park in which you follow the winding trails from the comfort of your car.  As the tires slowly crunch along the path, you will go past...

Food + Beverage

Pineapple, Chicken, and Mushroom Kabobs

Fire up the grill for some delicious kabobs from the Olive Mill. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Queen Creek Olive Mill Queen Creek Olive Mill has a variety of flavorful oils and vinegars to create something truly unique on the grill. Instructions: 3 Tbsp. Arizona Citrus Olive Oil 3 Tbsp. White Balsamic Vinegar 1/2 tsp. paprika 4 cloves of crushed garlic Salt and pepper to taste 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces Pineapple cut into...

Life + Culture

The Founding Fathers of Queen Creek

The path to becoming a town started with a few men willing to make the step. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Kaeden Peterson When you hear the term 'Founding Fathers' the names of Washington, Jefferson, and Adams comes to mind. Queen Creek has its own origin story and even a few names of those who made it possible like Schnepf, Sossaman, and Gardner. By the 1980's many of the descendants of farmers and homesteaders had been living in Queen Creek for a few generations. Now the...

Life + Culture

Music Man

Rick Dejesus has chased music all his life. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Jenny Kaufman and Kaeden Peterson "I'm going to make music." Rick DeJesus, lead singer/songwriter of the band Adelita's Way, told himself at 19 years old. He dropped out of college, left his hometown of Philadelphia, and drove all the way to Los Angeles. Despite the risk, it was not so much a choice for him as a calling. 'I was always consumed by music... music made me feel nothing is impossible,' he says...