Arts + Culture

My Thanksgiving Traditions

A few locals share their favorite ways to give thanks. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Ashley Blake Every family has their own touch and traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving. Here we talk to four locals about they spend the day, the must have dishes, and what they are grateful for this year. Krystal Lynn Carey , Owner of Botox Junky 'One tradition I’ve carried over from childhood is going around the table and sharing what we’re thankful for before the meal. Besides the...

Life + Culture

A Queen Creek Thanksgiving

Gratitude for the town we live in. Article by Ben Cloud | Photography by Ashley Blake In Queen Creek, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our family and our faith, our country and the privilege of living in a town blessed with both prosperity, peace, and pleasant surroundings. Many of us, who arrived in the last 35 years (now the majority), have reaped the rewards of the pioneer families who settled here over a century ago and the lands that the Native Americans enjoyed centuries...

Style + Beauty

These Boots

A pair of good boots can you serve you well in life. Article by Breanna Vega As a 5th generation Arizona native, when I think of cowboy boots, I think of my grandfather. Marvin Williams, Senior: longtime teacher, Christian, lifeguard, and at one point, Mr. Tempe Beach. Growing up in such a large family with over a couple dozen cousins, he was the leader of our pack. We’d all frequent his home in downtown Mesa, which felt more like all of our homes, and I remember he’d pull out his “fancy...

Food + Beverage

Apple Cranberry Crisp

Invite some sweetness to your Thanksgiving table. Article by Breanna Vega Entertain guests with the familiarity of pumpkin and the sharp surprise of cranberry with this twist on a classic favorite. INGREDIENTS: Cranberry Mix 1 cup cranberries 1/3 cup apple cider 2 star anise 4 cloves 2 dried orange slices  2 tbsp. raw honey 1 tsp. vanilla bean Apple Mix 4 cups honeycrisp or granny smith apples diced 1 tsp. orange zest 1 tbsp. orange juice 2 tbsp. raw honey 1...

Life + Culture

Moving with Purpose

Shannon and David Gillette want to give all kids a chance, and so can you. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Ashley Blake The idea to help those in need began with an idle day where David Gillette felt he needed to put himself to better use. So, with that in mind, he raised funds, bought some pizzas and then handed them out to the homeless in downtown Phoenix. Helping the homeless was the start of Purpose Movement , a non-profit led by David and Shannon Gillette. The two are also...

Food + Beverage

Butternut Squash Soup

A Schnepf family recipe for your family table. Article by Florence Daniels Right out of the Schnepf family cookbook comes a hearty vegetable soup that is both warming and flavorful. Bring this perfect Fall soup to your Thanksgiving table. Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. butter 1 small onion, chopped 1 stalk of celery, chopped 1 medium carrot, chopped 2 medium potatoes, cubed 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped 1 32 oz. chicken broth salt and pepper to taste ...

Food + Beverage

Shopping Local

Find your local farms and bakers this Thanksgiving Article by Breanna Vega | Photography by Jenny Kaufman The smell of warm cinnamon, mixed with the aroma of herbs basting in the oven is all too familiar on Thanksgiving. It is the welcomed nostalgia that visits us year after year and somehow we try to dress up tradition and provide a little twist. Do so, by shopping locally at hobby farms, homesteads, and cottage bakeries this fall. Let your guide to shopping local enhance your favorite dishes...

Food + Beverage

A Haunted Cocktail Party

Here are some treats just for the grown ups. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Ashley Blake It may feel that Halloween is just for the kids. Dressed up and on a sugar high, they skip from house to house to collect their usual loot. Yet the tricks and treats need not be reserved for the average elementary school kid alone. Adults can have their fun and embrace all the spooky deliciousness of the night as well. Here we show how you can throw an adults only haunted cocktail party with...

Arts + Culture

Ryan Bader Goes to the Movies

From fighting to acting, Ryan Bader welcomes the challenge. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Kaeden Peterson 'I had to pull over,' says Ryan Bader, mixed martial arts fighter known for his skills in the ring. Ryan is talking about the moment he got a call from film director, Benny Safdie, to be in a movie with Dwayne Johnson called The Smashing Machine. The biopic is all about the life and career of MMA Fighter, Mark Kerr. Safdie was looking for someone to play the part of Kerr's...

Food + Beverage

Queen Creek BBQ

A taste of community as well as flavor. Article by Jared Orr | Photography by Ashley Blake For Robert “Bam” Everson, barbecue has never been just about food; it’s about connection. As the founder of Queen Creek BBQ, Bam has built his business around the belief that great flavors bring people together. “BBQ is more than just food; it’s a celebration of flavor and community,” he says. “The process of slow-cooking meats and crafting untraditional BBQ dishes allows me to connect with people...