Issuu

The

Holidays & Giving Issue D E C E M B E R 2 022

Sav•vy adjective

shrewd and knowledgeable; having common sense and good judgement

“When passion, expertise and dedication come together, you have a Savvy Partnership!” — AMY RICHARDSON

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real estate report Recently sold properties in Ahwatukee. P RICE N EIGHBOR HOOD Ahwatukee 55+

SIZE

ORIG INAL

SO LD

$ / SF

D OM

450,000

436,403

97%

230.66

BD R M B AT H 2

2.00

Mountain Park Ranch

610,000

100%

370.37

2.00

Mountain Park Ranch

650,000

645,000

99%

315.40

3.00

Camelot Ridge

825,000

735,000

89%

236.26

2.50

Candleridge

739,900

740,000

100%

285.49

3.00

Granite Pass

765,000

770,000

101%

290.24

2.50

Foothills Reserve

985,000

860,000

87%

281.23

113

3.00

999,000

Foothills Reserve

950,000

95%

293.94

2.50

The Foothills

1,450,000 1,300,000

90%

359.11

3.50

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

1,499,000 1,445,000

97%

334.72

4.00

Average price per square foot for 85044, 85045, and 85048 zip codes is $290.89/sq foot

AMY@SAVVYREATLYAZ.COM

December 2022 PUBLISHER

Sherry York | sherry.york@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Beth Del Ville | beth.delville@citylifestyle.com ACCOUNT MANAGER

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Season’s Greetings I’m so happy to formally introduce myself as the editor of Ahwatukee City Lifestyle. I grew up in Ahwatukee – my family moved here in the 80s when there was only one grocery store on Elliot Road (anyone remember Alpha Beta?) – and have seen the area blossom into the wonderful community it is today. My family still lives here, and my husband and I chose to raise our son here. The holidays are one of my favorite times of the year. This is the season of family gatherings and holiday traditions. The season of making magic and memories. The season of gratitude. A time for togetherness. Ahwatukee has its own special brand of holiday magic – from the lights illuminating Chandler Boulevard to the generous and charitable spirit of the members of our community. While the holidays can be joyous for some, it can be a difficult time of year for others. My hope is that we extend kindness, empathy and love to those who need it most, now and throughout the year. I am excited to continue sharing the stories, businesses and people that make Ahwatukee such a great place to live, work and play. Please reach out to let me know your thoughts and ideas, or just to say hello. Wishing you the happiest of holidays!

Jackson York | jackson.york@citylifestyle.com AD DESIGNER

Hunter Richie LAYOUT DESIGNER

Antanette Ray CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Alison Bailin Batz, Michelle Talsma Everson, Katie E. Lanting CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER

Qiana Kelsch, Chris Frailey, Janie Jones, Nicole Leggio, Mindy Wester, Mark Szatkowski

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

BETH DEL VILLE, EDITOR @A H WAT U K E E C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Ahwatukee City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Ahwatukee area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Ahwatukee City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable,

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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DECEMBER 2022

inside the issue The Holiday & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

Weeknight Meals Made Easy

Lifestyle Letter

Planning makes perfect when it comes to feeding your family on

Eat Right

busy nights during the holidays

Gift Guide

Happy Hour

Must See

Giving Back

Seasonal Setups

Culinary Creations

How To

Our Town

Events

16 Magic in the Making

Behind the Scenes at The Arizona Nutcracker

20 ‘Tis the Season—To Give Back Local nonprofits in need of your support

28 Holiday Scent Sachets The perfect DIY holiday gift

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Janie Jones Photography 6

FO O D + B EV ER AGE HO ME + DES I GN FO O D + B EV ER AG E

ENT ERTA I NMENT LI FE + C U LT U R E HO ME + DESIG N FO O D + B E V E R AG E

LI FE + C U LT U R E LI FE + C U LT U R E

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D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

F O O D

Liz Haslem and Lauren Allen on location at Waterston North by Tri Pointe Homes 1443 E Rakestraw Lane, Gilbert, AZ. Photo by Chris Frailey.

W E E K N IG H T MEALS M A D E E A SY

EAT R IGH T | FOOD + BEVE RAGE

Photo by Chris Frailey

With the hustle of the holidays pulling us in every direction, from attending parties and performances to shopping for items on your gift list, it’s tempting to grab take-out for dinner at the end of a busy day. But with a little planning, you can have an easy, healthy and homemade meal on the table in minutes. East Valley resident Lauren Allen and her twin sister, Liz Haslem, share delicious, family friendly recipes – from the everyday to the exceptional – on their popular site TastesBetterfromScratch.com. We first met up with them in the beautiful kitchens at Tri Pointe Homes in Gilbert to capture their new cookbook, “Tastes Better from Scratch.” “It was always a dream of mine to write a cookbook,” says Lauren. “I wanted it to be a legacy of all our favorite recipes – the best chocolate chip cookies and homemade bread, along with great meals for dinner.” The approachable recipes in the book and on the site help home cooks create magnificent meals with ease. Lauren shares the key to making meals around the holidays is two-fold. “I meal plan ahead of time, and I make sure I have the ingredients on hand so that my husband and kids can help,” she says. “I’m always going to my 30-minute meals or doubling a recipe from a Sunday night that I can put in the freezer to eat in a couple of weeks.” Here, Lauren shares a one-dish recipe for even the busiest of nights, and it’s easy as (taco) pie.

PLANNING MAKES PERFECT WHEN IT COMES TO FEEDING YOUR FAMILY ON BUSY NIGHTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS FRAILEY AND NICOLE LEGGIO CONTINUED >

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

TASTE BETTER FROM SCRATCH’S EASY TACO PIE Servings: 6 Time: 35 minutes

T A C O

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, green bell pepper, taco seasoning and chicken. Set aside. 3. Tear five corn tortillas and line them on the bottom of the pie dish. 4. Spread half of the chicken mixture over the tortillas. Top with ¾ cup of cheese. 5. Tear remaining five corn tortillas and place on top. Add remaining filling, then top with remaining cheese. 6. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and mixture is warmed through. Serve topped with sour cream, chopped cilantro and avocado.

E A S Y

For topping: • Sour cream • Freshly chopped cilantro • Chopped avocado

P I E

Ingredients • 10 corn tortillas • 1 can cream of chicken soup (or homemade) • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies • 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced • 1 packet taco seasoning • 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (rotisserie chicken works great) • 1½ cups Mexican blend cheese

To substitute ground beef: Replace chicken with one pound of lean ground beef, cooked and crumbled, then taco seasoning and ½ cup of water added to ground beef mixture. Replace cream of chicken soup with ½ cup of sour cream, added to the filling mixture. Freezing instructions: Assemble taco pie in a freezer-safe pie dish and cover tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed, or bake from frozen for 1 hour, then remove foil and continue baking for 20-40 minutes or until warm and bubbly. TastesBetterFromScratch.com | @tastesbetterfromscratch

EAT R IGH T | FOOD + BEVE RAGE

Photo by Nicole Leggio

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CHEERS! ARTICLE BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

Add some razzle dazzle to the holiday season with these sensational sparkling wines Photo courtesy Domaine Caneros

Certainly, there is no wrong time for wine. However, as the temperatures dip and holidays approach, ‘tis the best season to break out the bubbly. Need help with celebratory selections? Consider sparkling wine from California, which is among the top producers of the varietal in the world. Here are two exquisite recommendations, both positively perfect picks for gifting, toasting around the table with friends and family, and especially for ringing in the New Year right.

H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Photo courtesy ONEHOPE

Photo courtesy Domaine Carneros

ON E HOPE

D OM A I N E CA R N EROS

CA LIF O RNI A BR U T S PA R K L I N G E TC H E D E D I T I ON

2 0 1 6 JARD IN D’HIVE R CUVÉ E

While ONEHOPE is in Napa’s acclaimed St. Helena growing region, the cause-related brand was co-founded in 2007 by Arizona native Kristen Shroyer. To date, ONEHOPE has donated $8 million from its award-winning wine sales to nonprofits worldwide. Currently, ONEHOPE offers glitter-covered, custom-etched bottles of its California Brut Sparkling Wine, an effervescent beauty with tropical notes of banana, pineapple, lime, and white pear. Enjoy it etched with “Thankful for You,” “Holiday Cheers,” and more. $49 OneHopeWine.com

Luxurious beyond measure, each of this sparkling wine giant’s varietals are 100% estate grown. This limited-edition cuvée is a beautiful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that celebrates the dramatic garden conservatory of the same name that opened at the vineyard’s Château in the Carneros region of Napa in 2018. Refined and elegant, expect jasmine, lemon zest, hazelnut, and pear aromatics and then toasted coconut, sugar cookie and baked apple on the palate. $62 DomaineCarneros.com

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

MAGIC IN THE

MAKING

Behind the Scenes at the Arizona Nutcracker

M UST SE E | EN TERTA INME NT

ARTICLE BY KATIE E. LANTING PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK SZATKOWSKI

Of all the holiday traditions, Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker is one that generations have included in their Christmas celebrations. There are many opportunities to see this production in Arizona, but perhaps not one quite as meaningful as the Arizona Nutcracker, formerly the Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker. Now in its 23rd year of production, the Arizona Nutcracker has been rebranded to emphasize the fact that it’s open to all ballet students across the state. Kimberly Lewis, who runs auditions and rehearsals out of her Ahwatukee dance studio, Studio 111, is a seasoned director. She speaks excitedly of all the students, ages 3-18 years old, who participate in the Arizona Nutcracker every year. Lewis explains that she has always believed it was important to expose younger children to a professional ballet production. “When I started my dance studio, I noticed that many other studios hire professional dancers for the major roles. But when I saw the talent of the younger children, I thought it would be special to have a Nutcracker that they could relate to.” She adds, “As far as I can find, we are the only Nutcracker that uses a cast entirely of children.” “Everyone who auditions is cast in something,” Lewis says. “Even if they don’t have a lot of experience, we teach them. It’s not just coming and learning your role, it’s an educational experience.” After she has cast everyone, the older dancers who get the roles of different “queens” and the lead role of Clara are welcomed to the cast with surprise yard signs outside of their homes. Then, they participate in a special ceremony passing on Clara’s crown and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s crown. The performer from the previous year formally gives her crown to the new person cast in that role. “We try to make it really special,” Lewis says. Lewis recognizes not only the dancers’ sacrifice of many weeknights and weekends to rehearse for this elaborate show, but also those of the parents who give up their time in driving their dancers to their commitments. She says, “I put on a Queen Mother’s Brunch to celebrate the mothers. The girls write their mother a letter

CONTINUED >

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

“Everyone who auditions is cast in something. Even if they don’t have a lot of experience, we teach them. It’s not just coming and learning your role, it’s an educational experience.” —Kimberly Lewis

and read them at the brunch, thanking them for everything they have done.” Lewis’s emphasis during the rehearsal process is comradery and bonding. “We have a strict no cell phone policy during rehearsals,” she explains, “and we keep journals throughout the rehearsal process.” The dancers write about their experience that day, and then they regularly share something they admire about another dancer. The older dancers mentor and befriend the younger ones. Right before the weekend of performances, Lewis hosts the Royal Queen Dinner, an elaborate sit-down dinner to acknowledge all the work that those ballerinas have put into their demanding roles. It takes a lot of backstage talent to make the Arizona Nutcracker come to life. Madi Nash, the artistic director, and Jordan Hill, one of the choreographers, grew up doing this same production, even dancing the roles of the queens, and now they’re

M UST SE E | EN TERTA INME NT

bringing their on-stage experience to the backstage. Ashley Jerger, another choreographer, works hard to help the dancers look their best on stage. Lewis is excited to announce that there will be some new costumes on stage this year to emphasize the rebranding of the production. “Every costume is hand designed, handmade, and I personally rhinestone the queens’ costumes myself,” Lewis says. Many of the sets used for the 23 years of the production’s run were built by Lewis’s father. He drove them out to Arizona from his home in Nebraska. Jeff Rollins and Corey Quinn, part of the tech crew helping with sets and lighting, have been with Lewis for all 23 years. “They are spectacular and very talented,” Lewis says. In addition to its main weekend of performances, the Arizona Nutcracker traditionally participates in some charity events. Snippets of the show can be seen at the Arizona Grand Open House,

Tempe Marketplace Lighting of the Tree Ceremony, and at Cityscape. The main weekend features three shows, all held at Madison Center for the Arts. The matinee shows are particularly special. Following the performance, they set up a Candyland vignette, Santa arrives, and the various queens are available for photos and autographs with audience members. Lewis emphasizes that this show is made for families, by families. With a shorter run-time than most ballets, even the youngest audience members can enjoy a performance. If you’re interested in attending the Arizona Nutcracker, performances are Saturday, December 17 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 18 at 1 p.m All shows are at Madison Center for the Arts, and tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster.com. More information can be found at TheArizonaNutcracker.com, or on Instagram @AZNutcracker.

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

‘TIS THE SEASON—TO GIVE BACK LOCAL NONPROFITS IN NEED OF YOUR SUPPORT ARTICLE BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY QIANA KELSCH It’s the season of giving, which for many Ahwatukee residents means giving back to charitable causes close to their hearts. Whether you’re looking to provide a one-time donation or want a go-to place to volunteer on an ongoing basis, here are some local nonprofits to consider.

THE YOPA S At Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA, “The Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors (OPAS) is a volunteer program that aims to meet the needs of the growing senior population in Ahwatukee with the goal of enabling seniors to maintain independent living in their own homes,” according to the organization. Volunteer services provided free of charge to Ahwatukee seniors include transportation, shopping and errands, caregiver relief, friendly visiting and phoning, basic business help, minor home repairs, and information and referral services. The nonprofit can use help with volunteer services and monetary donations. For more information call 602212-6088 or email opas@vosymca.org.

Time Nearly

one-third

Arizona’s

residents volunteer, giving more than 160 million hours of service annually, according to the most recent statistics from ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Not only does volunteering benefit both the volunteer and those they help, but

2ND TIME PARENTING

it can provide billions (yes, with a ‘b’) of dollars in estimated value.

Across the United States, more than 2.9 million grandchildren are living in homes with their grandparents—and here in Arizona, more than 60,000 “grandfamilies” need support. Founded by Ahwatukee resident CeCe Vance, 2nd Time Parenting’s mission is to assist grandparents raising grandchildren by providing resources for their grandchildren’s immediate needs and empowering families through advocating for better legislation. This holiday season, they will be hosting a holiday toy drive for the families they serve; toy donation boxes will be set up at all five Valley Arriba Mexican Grill locations, including the Ahwatukee locale. Follow them on Facebook @2ndTimeParenting for more details. 2ndTimeParenting.org

Talent Another way to give back to local nonprofits includes utilizing your unique talents to benefit your favorite charitable cause. This often falls under offering professional services for free; for exam-

LOST OUR HOME PET RESCUE

ple, tax advice, newsletter editing, maintenance and repair, and more.

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue has been serving Valley pets and families since 2008 as a grassroots response to the housing crisis that left thousands of people displaced and thousands of pets abandoned, according to the organization. They offer a variety of unique services, including a temporary pet care program, a pet food bank, a pet rescue program, a low-income boarding program, and a partnership with a domestic violence shelter. They have multiple upcoming fundraising events and are always in need of volunteers and donations. LostOurHome.org

Treasure Arizonans give an average of $3 billion dollars each year to the state’s nearly 20,000 nonprofits, according to IndependentSector.org. If

TREA SURES 4 TEACHERS

the organization can benefit from it, in-kind donations such as phys-

According to a recent survey, teachers spend an average of $750 of their own money on school supplies. Treasures 4 Teachers (T4T) is a nonprofit resource and supply store serving the educators of Arizona. T4T is a donation-based operation, meaning they are able provide low cost and free school supplies to educators. To do so, they depend on charitable donations, volunteer time, and donated products and resources. Treasures4Teachers.org

ical donations (toiletries, pet food, etc.), are often welcome as well.

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

Your end-of-year giving can provide a woman and her children with the gift of safety and security.

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S EASON A L SE T U P S | HOME + DE S I GN

Home, for the Holidays Decor ideas to create a festive feel in your bedroom ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE AND MINDY WESTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINDY WESTER

Decking the halls is one of the highlights of the holidays. Dressing your home inside and out brings joy to all who drive by and to those who are welcomed inside during holiday gatherings, while also creating memories and traditions for your family for years to come. One place to incorporate holiday decor that is often overlooked is the primary bedroom. “I believe your bedroom is the most important room in the house,” says local influencer Mindy Wester of @HouseOnOakHill. “It’s the first room you see when you wake and the last room you see when you retire for the evening. With the cozy appeal of holiday decorations – there’s no reason not to continue the festive decor in your bedroom.” Below, Wester shares five easy tips to spruce up your bedroom this season:

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN Add touches of wood to make your room feel cozy and cabin-like. Place a birch log bundle in a decorative basket, near a fireplace or add longer cuts to a corner for warmth and texture. Make use of your tree clippings by adding a few branches to a ceramic pot or vase. Eucalyptus, pine, and winter berries make beautiful arrangements. Adorn your mirror, window frame or headboard with garland (real or faux) for instant appeal.

SWAP OUT YOUR BEDDING Switching to flannel sheets or holiday-themed bedding makes such a huge impact and doesn't require much effort. Splurge on a new comforter or simply add a colorful throw to your bed for a pop of color. Plaid or decorative throw

pillows (covers) add interest and can be swapped seasonally. Wool, faux fur, leather, tweed, flannel, and cashmere are all great winter fabrics.

HOLIDAY SCENTS There's nothing like being welcomed by the aroma of winter scents. Add a scented candle or diffuser to your nightstand or dresser. Try seasonal oils such as peppermint, pine, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, frankincense or myrrh. Make your own passive diffuser by adding a few drops to pine cones, wooden ornaments or branches.

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE If you have room for a small (or large) tree, you will look forward to cozying up each night while admiring the soft glow of your Christmas tree. Keep it simple with velvet ribbons and glass ornaments or consider homemade decorations such as baked orange slices, strung popcorn, felt or wood beaded garland, gingerbread men, etc. Petite nightstand trees are also a wonderful option. Arrange various colors and heights on a shelf for a festive display.

LIGHT ME UP Fairy lights are one of the most inexpensive ways to create a magical glow and many don't require a plug. They are perfect for wreaths, garlands, glass jars, miniature trees, and can even be used as wall decor to hang holiday photos or greeting cards. Flameless LED candles create a cozy ambience all winter long. Group various sizes under a faux mantle or shelf or spread throughout your bedroom for a warm cozy glow.

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

A Shortcut to Spectacular ELEVATE A SIMPLE STORE BOUGHT DESSERT TO MAKE IT THE STAR OF THE SHOW

The holidays can be stressful and any tip that makes life just a little easier is a welcome resource. Make holiday entertaining effortless by turning something store bought into something really special. We took the New York style cheesecake from Trader Joe’s and transformed it into a festive dessert ready for any holiday soiree. We topped it with candied pecans (you can even make from them scratch if you have time) fresh berries and mint springs.

ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

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Holiday Scent Sachets The perfect DIY holiday gift ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY QIANA KELSCH

These holiday scent sachets are an easy and thoughtful gift for teachers, neighbors and grandparents! Put on your favorite holiday playlist, grab the kids – even the littlest hands can help – and have fun putting together these holiday scent sachets.

Sachet ingredients • 1 lemon • 1 orange • 3 (3-inch) sticks cinnamon • 6 bay leaves • ½ cup whole cloves

HOLIDAY SCENT SACHETS

Directions • Combine all ingredients in the large treat bag. • Attach the gift tag to the bag with ribbon or wine.

Makes one gift Supplies needed • Large treat bags • Large blank gift tags • Hole punch • Ribbon or twine

H OW TO | L IFE + CU LTU R E

Print or hand-write the following sachet directions on the gift tag: Instructions: • Cut lemon and orange into quarters. • Combine fruit, spices and two quarts of water into a large saucepan. • Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer as long as desired (add more water if needed). • Cover any leftover mixture, refrigerate several days, and reuse. • Makes 8 cups

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H OW TO | L IFE + CU LTU R E

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The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent struggling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does. To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.) Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amounts up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.” Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue. “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.” City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”

O UR TOWN | L IFE + CU LTURE

“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

W here ha s t he c a mpa ig n g i f t e d?

Scan Code to

Nominate between Dec. 1 – 15, 2022

Follow @citylifestyle on Instagram for reminders! To submit a nomination, follow @citylifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A HWAT UKE E

DECEMBER 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. D E C E M BE R 2 N D - 2 3 RD

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Holiday Night In Lights

T HE WIGWAM R ES ORT | FRIDAY NI G H TS 6 :0 0 P M - 9 :0 0 P M Get in the holiday spirit and take an evening stroll through the holiday light display at the Wigwam Resort. During the free event, you'll enjoy carolers, fire pits with complimentary s’mores kits, cookies and hot chocolate. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Goodyear Firefighter charities. Learn more at WigwamArizona.com.

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented by Lerner & Rowe

CEN TR AL AN D MIS S OUR I AVE NUE S I N DOWNTOWN P H O E NI X | 1 0 :0 0 A M The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented by Lerner & Rowe celebrates its 50th edition of enchanting generations with a two-mile march through Central Phoenix. Enjoy a morning filled with brightly colored floats, giant balloons, antique cars, equestrian units, charitable groups, local celebrities, marching bands and more. For more information, visit FiestaBowl .org . D EC E M BE R 3 1 ST

The Phoenix Symphony's New Year's Eve Concert

SY MPHON Y HALL | 7:30 PM Ring in 2023 in style with the Phoenix Symphony at the annual New Year's Eve Concert. This Valley tradition brings together great music, celebration and special guest, Broadway and television star Megan Hilty, for an unforgettable evening with conductor Stuart Chafetz at the podium. For more information and tickets, visit PhoenixSymphony.org.

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