Food + Beverage

Peachy Keen

Peaches that are local, fresh, and hand picked by you. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Alexxis Grant and Jenny Kaufmann The desert can yield some surprising fruit, and since the early 1990's, Schnepf Farms has held the 'Peach Season at the Farm' every year. Owner, Mark Schnepf, recalls the area being filled with orchards that stretched all the way to the San Tan Mountains of apricots, plums, and more. The Peach Season at Schnepf Farms has been a well attended and popular event...

Education

Beating the Summer Slide

A little goes a long way to keep your kids from getting rusty this summer. Article by Jennifer Revolt | Photography by Jenny Kaufman It’s the first week back to school in July and you notice right off the bat that your child is not where they were at the end of the school year. Their skills are a little rusty and you’re not sure what changed. It’s what we educators refer to as the “Summer Slide.” When you don’t practice skills over the summer, like math facts or reading, we tend to see fluency...

Finance + Legal Services

A Steady Investment

Why now is a strategic time to invest in Queen Creek real estate. Article by Stacey Siewart | Photography by Hold Fast Visuals For homeowners and investors alike, real estate decisions are rarely about headlines. They are about recognizing when a community’s long-term positioning aligns with stable market conditions. The East Valley market is operating close to balance, with pricing showing moderate movement across many segments and interest rates functioning within a more predictable range. ...

Health + Wellness

The Inner Investment

Expert strategies for strengthening your mental well-being. Article by Michelle Talsma Everson | Photography by Haley Oakes Photography Spring has a way of turning our attention outward. We reorganize closets, refresh routines, set new goals. But the most important system we live inside every day, our own nervous system, rarely makes the checklist. “When people hear ‘invest in your mental health,’ it can sound abstract,” says Josh Chapman, LPC, with East Valley Family Therapy. “But it’s...

Auto + Marine

Choosing the Right Car

How to the get the most from your car. Article by Tiffany Mraz | Photography by Hold Fast Visuals Who doesn’t remember their first car? Mine was a 1981 Honda Accord in Livorno Beige, though I preferred “French Vanilla”. It was a four-door sedan with rack and pinion power steering and hand crank windows. My mom bought it from the original owner for $2,000. It had low mileage and a detailed journal of every oil change and gallon of gas, along with the math calculating the fuel efficiency after...

Finance + Legal Services

Figuring out Finances

Vanessa Lucey puts people before numbers. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Alexxis Grant Vanessa Lucey says that it was a boss of hers that noticed her talent for accounting. 'He saw it before I did.' she says, acknowledging the doubts she had for her own abilities. When it comes to finance, Vanessa says that it comes down to two things: basic math and educating yourself on the changing climate of the tax code. A guiding hand to lead us through what might feel like a tangled web...

Home + Design

Loving Where You Live

Alyssa Warring of Wren House Design knows how to make a home. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Hold Fast Visuals Coming home a sigh is released, a bag is set down, and shoes are kicked off. Who doesn't feel a sense of relief upon coming home? Yet that sense of calm can be further enhanced in a home that is artfully designed, blending elements of contemporary style that is also tailored to your lifestyle . Alyssa Warring, owner of Wren House Design, understands this response, the...

Local Services

Flower Power

A simple touch of beauty has profound effects. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Hold Fast Visuals Most people, when they see a bouquet of flowers on a table, may often wonder what the occasion is. Susan Johnson of Cottage Flowers and Gifts says you shouldn't wait for a special day or event, instead she firmly believes in flowers for any day, even every day flowers. Anyone who receives flowers, argues Susan, 'even if you have a bad day, they bring joy because of why and who gave...

Life + Culture

Home Is Where Your Family Flocks

Have your chickens check in to the Chick Inn Coops. Article by Tiffany Mraz | Photography by Hold Fast Visuals At first, you might think a tiny backyard house with Victorian-style architecture, a steep gabled roof, beautiful large windows complete with a flower box and front deck is a high end “she shed”. That is until builder Alex Verkruijsse opens up the nesting boxes. “This is where they automatically know to go into and then lay their eggs.” The impressive house is a designer chicken coop...

Education

Homework That Helps

Purpose, routine, and the right space. Article by Jennifer Revolt | Photography by Jenny Kaufman We’ve all been there … homework chaos! Homework is a hotly contested issue with considerable pros and cons. Some argue that all work should be done at school and that home should be solely for family/free time. Others argue that homework has the ability to reinforce or extend and enrich what is being taught at school. No matter which side of the debate you find yourself on, I hope to share some...