Local Services

Compassion That Feeds the Community

Harvest Compassion Center serves Valley families with dignity and hope. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger For families facing difficult seasons, a bag of groceries can mean much more than food on the table. It can mean relief, stability and the reassurance that someone in their community cares. That belief is at the heart of Harvest Compassion Center, a Valley nonprofit providing food, clothing and essential resources in an environment designed around dignity, compassion and choice. The...

Education

Growing Together in West Valley

ASU strengthens West Valley connections through education, innovation, partnerships and opportunities designed to serve communities. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger Arizona State University’s West Valley campus is becoming more than a place to earn a degree. As the region continues to grow, the campus is evolving alongside it, creating connections between education, business and community. For Bobbi Magdalen, Executive Director for the Office of Government and Community Engagement at ASU...

Local Services

Together We Trot

A Thanksgiving tradition brings North Peoria together through movement, gratitude, giving back and community connection. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger For Sharon West, Thanksgiving morning is more than logging miles before the turkey hits the table. It is about gathering people, creating connection, and giving an entire community a reason to begin the holiday with gratitude. Sharon is the heart behind the North Peoria Turkey Trot, an annual tradition that brings together runners, walkers...

Home + Design

Rooted in Local Community

Nick Daugherty builds meaningful connections through real estate, local involvement and a commitment to giving back. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger | Photography by Nick Daugherty For Realtor Nick Daugherty, gratitude and community are closely connected. As he builds his real estate business in Peoria, the relationships formed along the way have become just as meaningful as the homes he helps clients buy and sell. “I’m most thankful for the relationships I’ve built through real estate and the...

Local Services

Purpose Beyond the Platform

Faith, family and service shape Shawn Ryan’s unexpected platform purpose. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger Six years ago, Shawn Ryan wasn’t trying to build a media empire. He was trying to reach people who might be struggling in silence. After finding an audience through survival and training content on YouTube, the former Navy SEAL began thinking about the veterans he had served alongside and the challenges many faced after returning home. “I thought, what if I bring guys on who’ve been...

Local Services

Hope Lives Here

Born from one family’s loss, Billy’s Place surrounds grieving children and caregivers with compassion, connection and a community that reminds them they’re never alone. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger | Photography by Chaz Romero Photography Billy’s Place began with a loss that forever changed founder Juli McGreal’s life and a desire to ensure other families would never have to navigate grief alone. When McGreal’s husband, Mike, was killed in a car accident in 2005, their son Billy was just 15...

Education

Where Little Readers Find Confidence With Every Page

Paws 2 Read pairs young readers with therapy dogs, creating a welcoming space for confidence. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger For a child learning to read, opening a book can sometimes come with more anxiety than excitement. Sounding out unfamiliar words or reading aloud can make young readers worry about mistakes. At Peoria Main Library, Paws 2 Read is helping change that experience—one story and one furry listener at a time. Each month, certified therapy dogs like Penny, an enthusiastic...

Food + Beverage

The Sparrow Experience

Where thoughtful cuisine, genuine hospitality and a welcoming neighborhood spirit come together to create memorable moments around every table. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger | Photography by Chaz Romero Photography There is something intentional about Sparrow at Trailhead. From the warmth of the dining room to the dishes arriving at the table, the Peoria restaurant was designed to feel elevated without losing the comfort of a neighborhood favorite. For owner Emily Ganem, that balance was...

Food + Beverage

Handmade Traditions Meet Modern Flavor at North Italia

CChef Chris Curtiss brings heart, seasonality and creativity to Italian cuisine. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger | Photography by Chaz Romero Photography At North Italia, what arrives at the table is only part of the story. Behind every handmade pasta, slowly built sauce and seasonal dish are hours of preparation and a culinary philosophy rooted in the traditions that first made Italian food so beloved. For Chef Chris Curtiss, North Italia’s Senior Director of Culinary Operations and Research...

Food + Beverage

Built From the Neighborhood Up

Joey Lucidi’s Peoria roots shaped Haymaker’s enduring community-focused approach. Article by Kylie Strawn-Badger For Joey Lucidi, restaurants have always been about more than what comes out of the kitchen. They are places where families gather, relationships form and, over time, a restaurant can become part of the rhythm of a community. Lucidi learned that early. Growing up in Poway, California, he worked in his parents’ family restaurant, beginning as a server at 14 and taking on restaurant...