Life + Culture

Heart Behind the Issue

A look back at the people, stories and moments that shaped the first five years Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Five years ago, Ahwatukee City Lifestyle was the new magazine in the mailbox. Publisher Sherry York remembers that first year as a whirlwind—recruiting the right team, getting a foothold in the community and learning to think in editorial cycles. Even before she was involved, editor Beth Del Ville recalls showing her husband an early issue and thinking...

Food + Beverage

The Signature Sip

Toasting community with a cocktail crafted for Ahwatukee Photography by Stephanie Slezak The Well Read A great signature cocktail doesn’t need a long list of ingredients…just a few good ones, thoughtfully combined. Our anniversary sip starts with smooth vodka, tart unsweetened cranberry juice and fresh lime, balanced with just enough simple syrup and topped with a splash of club soda. The result is bright, refreshing and a beautiful deep ruby red. For an extra-special finish, dehydrate your...

Arts + Culture

Our Favorite Covers

Eight iconic covers from our first five years Article and Photography by Sounds like an easy job — selecting a few of our favorite covers. But when we sat down to think about it, it became a walk down memory lane. How do you choose only eight covers that tell the story of the last five years? Every cover represents more than a great photo or clever concept. They capture the people, places and moments that have made Ahwatukee feel like home, and reflect how our community and magazine have...

Life + Culture

The Desert We Call Home

A visual love letter to the landscape that surrounds us Photography by Stephanie Slezak

Life + Culture

A Fridge Full of Comfort

The ultimate care package protocol for showing up when it counts Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak The porch light is on, but the house is quiet. You leave the heavy tote by the door, send a quick text—“On your doorstep, no need to reply”—and walk away. Inside isn't just a meal; it’s three days of cognitive relief for a friend navigating a season that feels impossibly heavy. There are moments when we desperately want to help, but words feel clumsy. A new baby...

Food + Beverage

Building a Family and Community Legacy

Owners of Zzeeks Pizza are devoted to using their restaurants as a springboard for making a positive impact in Ahwatukee and beyond Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak When Jody and Mark “Zzeek” Pectol opened their first Zzeeks Pizza location in 2013, they wanted the Ahwatukee restaurant to be known for more than serving up delicious house-made pizza, wings, sandwiches and salads. The couple also had three specific missions in mind for Zzeeks Pizza: to create a warm...

Finance + Legal Services

The Heart Behind the Balance Sheet

Edward Jones advisors rally Ahwatukee to fight hunger Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak For financial advisors Jeff Schenk and Kristin Spackeen, Ahwatukee isn't just a market on a map; it is the place they call home. They live in the neighborhood, raise their families here and build their business around the long-term well-being of their neighbors. So every autumn, when the national Edward Jones Bag-A-Thon food drive begins, their Ray Road office pivots from...

Food + Beverage

Bottled Fresh Daily

The family behind Danzeisen Dairy is bottling fresh milk, crafting old-fashioned treats and serving its local community Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Axis Culture Group Walk into almost any Phoenix grocery store, and you'll likely spot Danzeisen Dairy's signature glass bottles—the ones with the floppy black-eared cow and the word “Fresh” scripted across the front. With over 60 years and three generations in the local farming industry, the Danzeisen family believes they bottle...

Shopping

Rent It, Rock It, Return It

Use a clothing subscription service to build an elevated, budget-friendly vacation capsule wardrobe. Article by Kris Ann Valdez | Photography by Provided by Kris Ann Valdez Packing for a vacation or work trip can feel like a monumental undertaking, especially when your wardrobe could use a refresh. For busy travelers with limited time, money and closet space, traditional shopping marathons can be overwhelming and unrealistic. The smart solution? Try renting standout pieces specifically for...

Home + Design

Where Design Begins

Lisa Ryan Whyte and her team set the mood with boards that elevate your home design Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Qiana Kelsch The team at Whyte House Interior Design is known for its ability to tell a story through thoughtful, intentional design, and it all starts with a mood board. The process begins with lead designer and owner Lisa Ryan Whyte's creative direction and selection of anchor materials, while her team gathers the finishes, fabrics, paint colors and hardware that fit...