Mesa, AZ April 2026

TIM TEBOW

ON LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL, HIS FOUNDATION, AND BECOMING A DAD

FINANCE + LEGAL SERVICES

THE INVESTMENT ISSUE

Defining Investment

If you were to look up the definition of the word invest ment, you would find definitions involving finances and numbers. In fact, the first definition is the process of investing money for profit or material result. For some, investments and numbers are fun and exciting. For others, investments and numbers are boring and possibly stress-inducing.

In my experience investment is much more than the technical definition that brings us to numbers and financial planning. Let me to bring up the third definition of “investment,” an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.

We live in a world of quick and fast. Fast shipping, fast delivery, fast and busy schedules. The quick and fast cultural lifestyle that is becoming the norm has us only looking at things right now and in the immediate future. When you’re trying to move at the speed of light, it’s hard to see what lies ahead.

Investment requires us to slow down, to think about the future, to look at the bigger picture. If you want to set up college funds and retirement funds, you have to plan and invest in those things to make them a reality. If you want to be close with your family, you need to invest time with them and the same is true about friendships. If you want to be surrounded by a good community and love your neighborhood, you need to invest in serving the community, helping it become the very place you love.

Despite the fast and quick culture, good things take time. Really good things take more time, as you’ll see in the story about the Mesa HoHoKams, who have been serving our community and Spring Training for seventy-five years. There’s Nando’s, a restaurant that has spent over twenty years becoming a community staple.

In these pages, you’ll learn about financial investments and how to give new life to furniture. You’ll read about impactful community members who use their passion to serve the community and grow it. This month, we’re defining and expanding the definition of investment to encompass everything it really requires. Investment is hope for the future. It’s a choice to start today and gain something good later, taking the small steps to get there.

Here’s to investing, all forms of it.

With Love,

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Michaela Hetherington

michaela.hetherington@citylifestyle.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Adam Hetherington

adam.hetherington@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ashleigh Underwood

ashleigh.underwood@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Skye Wagner skye.wagner@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sonja Stafford

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

B-Real Media

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Laura Sanchezquan

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

VGroup Photography

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

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The Market is Shifting What We’re Seeing

Over the past month, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in buyer activity. As interest rates have come below 6%, for the first time since 2022, many buyers who had been waiting on the sidelines are beginning to re-enter the market. Buyers who paused their search now feel more confident moving forward.

Lower rates also open the door for homeowners who previously felt “locked in” to ultra-low pandemic-era mortgages.

For buyers, this may be a great time to buy while there is still enough inventory, and you still have negotiating power. Then, when rates drop, you can refinance.

For sellers, now is the time to get your home ready to list. Getting your home market-ready before activity accelerates allows you to list strategically rather than reactively. The homes that are staged, priced correctly, and thoughtfully presented are the ones capturing the strongest offers.

If you’d like more information about the current market conditions, when is the best time to sell, or your home value, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

business monthly

First Impressions Giving Back

First Impression Ironworks recently donated a custom double iron automated gate to Silver Spur Therapeutic Riding Ranch in Cave Creek. Silver Spur provides life-changing therapeutic riding services to individuals and families facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges. First Impression Ironworks is proud to support organizations that create meaningful change and is honored to contribute to a mission that continues to make a difference for Arizona families.

The Mesa HoHoKams Celebrate 75 Years

Spring Training wouldn’t be Spring Training if it weren’t for The Mesa HoHoKams. Not only are they the wonderful volunteers that we find at Sloan Park and HoHoKam Stadium but their organization has deep roots in our community. Be sure to read the article in this issue showcasing their investment in the community and how they have grown over the years. Congratulations on 75 years of dedicated service!

Investing in Giving Back

Bill Stevens (WestPac Wealth Partners) and his wife continue to partner with different organizations dedicated to giving back to the community and supporting the vulnerable. They’ve recently volunteered at the Justa Center feeding the homeless.

Scan to read more

When you work closely with Schwab along your financial journey, you can leave trade-offs behind. Our Financial Consultants don’t just deliver an elevated level of guidance and service—they do it at no additional cost to you. Give up nothing, but still get everything.

us a call.

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SONJA STAFFORD

TACKLING Financial INVESTMENTS

Invest in how you view investments and financial planning

Finances can be one of those topics that nobody wants to talk about. You can be working with something as simple as budgets or something as complex as investments and end up with a lot of conflicting information. It’s difficult to know what the right steps to take are.

To help with financial confusion, meet Brett McAvoy. His family would describe him as generous, helpful, dependable, and insightful. His five kids (one married, two in college, a high schooler, and a fourth grader), have benefitted from McAvoy’s experience and knowledge in the financial sector. He has passed his knowledge and insights to his children, setting them up for success from a young age. His high schooler recently got a parttime job and is already learning about the importance of savings and investments, putting the knowledge to work with the paychecks he is currently getting.

As a child, McAvoy moved around a lot. He is the son of an Army soldier. Once his dad moved to reserve service, they were able to plant some roots, settling in Seattle. After high school, he attended BYU Provo, obtaining a degree in Portuguese. The major was influenced by the two-year mission McAvoy served in Brazil. He is still fluent in Portuguese even teaching his kids some words. His minor in business helps make sense of the now financial advisor but it doesn’t give the full picture. To pay for college, Brett would take sales jobs in different parts of the country. This adventurous method of working to pay tuition is what brought him to Arizona, where he would meet Rachel, a Mesa girl. As it

turned out, she was attending Utah Valley University, a few miles away from BYU. They dated for two years before getting married. When graduation was approaching, McAvoy knew he wanted to stay in sales. He liked the freedom it offered him—freedom in terms of being able to control his schedule and his income. Raises weren’t dependent on a manager approving or deciding he was worthy of the raise. In sales, there is a direct correlation of how hard and how well he worked with how much he made. He was planning on getting into pharmaceutical sales and had offers right out of college. Before considering any offers, he was introduced to a family friend in financial advising and services. After a conversation, financial advising started to have an appeal. There was a better match in McAvoy’s skillset, and it was more appealing in general, even with the starting salary being lower than what he was being approached with in pharmaceutical sales positions. When asked about what made financial advising more appealing in such a way that made the lower starting salary worth it, McAvoy’s answer is simple—it was helping people. Being able to help people and give positive outcomes as a result of his work and efforts made the career he ultimately chose appealing. In financial advising, he is able to work closer with clients and see the benefits and outcomes himself. It’s an impact made in the lives of his clients and in turn, the lives in the community.

Taking the pay cut paid off, he started off with a small mutual fund, working on the wholesale side of investments. His first clients were financial advisors and worked with assets management

“Finances are cold, worldly, and hard. Yet it is tied to hopes, dreams, and backgrounds.”

firms in a regional sales territory. There was lots of traveling, lots of conferences and dinners. It was getting tiresome. Between wanting to travel less, wanting to be more active in service to community in Mesa, and wanting to be home with his family more, the choice was easy to make when he was offered a position with a new branch with Charles Schwab. It was the exact right opportunity at the exact right time.

McAvoy has a long but interesting title—Independent Branch Leader and Financial Consultant. What does it mean? It means he is an advocate and tour guide to all things Charles Schwab. The main focus: “helping Americans save, invest, and retire the way they want to and in a way that will lead to their long-term success.” When asked about the best part of his work day, he says it’s the adventure of every day. Every client has a different financial picture, different goals, and different needs. Finances are cold, worldly, and hard. Yet it brings out so many emotions because it is tied to hopes, dreams, and backgrounds. McAvoy enjoys the stories shared around the conference table as he meets new people.

Financial advice is always personal. It is also subject to regulations and laws but there are some pieces of advice McAvoy was able to share. His top three pieces of advice are:

1) Start Young or Start Now—someone once said the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now. The same is true for finances and future planning.

2) Have a Plan—This goes further than a monthly budget, you need a financial plan that covers all aspects of finances.

3) Be Patient—Stick to the plan and don’t worry about outside noise.

“Start Young or Start Now— someone once said the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now. The same is true for finances and future planning.”

The best place to start is with a consultation, a business way of saying have a conversation. Talk to an advisor and ask questions to see if services match your needs. At Charles Schwab, you have options. You can do a DIY approach, taking their tools and handling everything yourself. They also offer a ton of educational materials and workshops. The DIY approach doesn’t require full-time work hours, just a curiosity about finances and a willingness to learn. You can also handle your financial

planning the old-fashioned way by working with an advisor who does more of the heavy lifting. The beauty is that you can start the process—conversations are free. As you navigate the different paths and options, you can always pivot and change paths if you want to or need to. It’s about the relationship with the advisors and the services they can provide. You are not locked into non-negotiables when it comes to your service path at Charles Schwab.

When We Say We Travel, We Mean It!

Whether it’s setting up your wedding in a serene forest or by a picturesque river, we’ll be there to make your special day unforgettable. No destination is too far for us to bring our exceptional service to you.

“We got married 10.07.2023 in Strawberry Arizona at the Rim! Josh & Kasandra went up & beyond to make our day SO special! We got married in the woods with a limited power supply and limited notice for the exact location of our wedding! (Because it’s the middle of the woods and you never know!) They took the time to meet us at our wedding location on the Rim days before the wedding! They took the time to ensure we were happy with the food and if we had enough to eat! Their crew was so helpful in arranging the tables and even table settings! They even packed our leftovers which we are still enjoying today!!

A huge shout out to Kasandra who took the time to help me breathe, take a moment to myself, and let me know it was my turn to walk down the aisle from afar! Thank you both so much! Our day wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you guys! We would %100 recommend The Local Catering company as your choice for catering!!!” - Olivia Hammond

The Food Investment

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Nando’s of Mesa has spent the past twenty-three years striving to be the community’s go-to spot for a family night out. Whether you’re celebrating your birthday, an anniversary, or memorable team wins, Nando’s has been—and will continue to be—a backdrop for celebrations. Nando’s has stood out as an easy, welcoming restaurant where you can gather with your friends and family for a delicious meal.

Hatch Chile Cheese Crisp

Once a seasonal special, this is now a year-round staple. A crisp, flour tortilla, that is deep-fried, topped with melted cheese & Hatch Green Chile Strips. You can also add guacamole or tomatoes and green onions. There are a few options to customize this yummy dish.

Timbo’s Ultimate Nachos

Move over boring nachos and try the upgraded version! A plate of fresh corn tortilla chips layered with whole beans, fresh jalapeños and your choice of grilled chicken or steak. It’s then smothered with Nando’s famous Chile Con Queso Dip and topped with sour cream and guacamole. This happy hour favorite is great to share with friends and family.

From the moment you walk through the doors to the moment you leave, with full bellies obviously, you will feel the warm welcome of Nando’s. You’ll leave with the satisfaction of good food, great service, and the desire to go back. The easy, relaxed, and joyful atmosphere is one to enjoy and savor. You can enjoy life’s big milestones or come in for a casual night out. Being family-driven and community focused, anybody and everybody can walk into Nando’s and find something to enjoy.

Come in for the unexpected. Nando’s provides truly authentic and hands-on hospitality. We live in a world of quick, easy, and fast convenience. It’s become such a cultural norm that sometimes, we forget what hospitality is

Sonoyta Ensalada

Flavor meets wholesome ingredients! This dish features Mesquite grilled chicken, black beans, corn, cucumber, sliced avocado, and Pico de Gallo served on a bed of greens. On top, you’ll enjoy the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla strips. Mango Vinaigrette dressing is served on the side.

Chicken Fajitas

Things really start to sizzle here! Marinated strips of chicken that is grilled to perfection with onions, tomatoes, green and red bell peppers. This delicious fajita is served with rice, beans, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, with flour tortillas on the side.

*Like the sizzle of Fajitas but want to try something different? Check out the steak, shrimp, or vegetable fajita options!

and what it looks like. We’re used to being served quickly with quick interactions. The surprise factor at Nando’s of Mesa is the true warmth and welcome you will receive from the moment you walk into the restaurant. You are coming in for good food and great hospitality. Every interaction is seeped with genuine warmth and personal-care, elevating the common dining experience. At Nando’s you are valued, not simply served.

Make going out with your family something you invest in, investing in good food, a great restaurant, and a good time. Check out these fan favorite dishes, maybe you’ll find something new to try next time you go to Nando’s of Mesa.

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS

THIS INVESTMENT IS MORE THAN A FACIAL

What if getting a facial was not only self-care and some time for yourself but relaxing, more like going to see a friend? Deedee Green has accomplished exactly that. Getting a treatment from Deedee at the Skin Rendezvous is relaxing, self-care, and like catching up with an old friend.

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD

At Skin Rendezvous, DeeDee believes in handling facials and skin care differently. Her services aren’t simply facial transactions where you are rushed

come in is a couch ready to sit on instead of the table you’re going to be laying down on. You walk in a client and leave a friend by the end of your first visit.

Deedee explains her approach with a focus on physical touch. Hands are healing and how she gets to share her passion with the world. The intention is to give peace because once you enter The Skin Rendezvous, you’re in a judgement free zone. The whole experience from start to finish is intentional and one without gimmicks and sales-y pitches. Deedee knows her industry well, making her an expert that stands out above others. She is transparent and doesn’t give lip service or fluff.

The couch is your first stop. Come in, grab a drink, and have a conversation. It’s the setup, ensuring that your facial is exactly what you want and need it to be. Deedee is asking precise

questions to figure out what is normal and what is concerning about your skin. Next, there is a skin analysis. We all know how helpful a second set of eyes can be in any situation but with Deedee you’re getting expert eyes that will create an accurate picture of what is really going on. During this step a plan is made, a plan that is determined with how Deedee can best serve in that moment and with what is needed. She isn’t going to make promises she cannot keep and she isn’t going to just shove products in your face. These conversations happen with a friend, someone who is cheering you on and wants the best for you, not with someone who wants to make a sale. This isn’t a transaction to Deedee; this is community building. At the end, Deedee focuses on teaching you what works, what doesn’t work, and what will work better but she is meeting you where you are at. She gives

recommendations where you need it and if you want it. Her goal is to improve the regimen that is already there, not recreate the wheel.

Deedee knows better than any body what it feels like to go through it. We’ve all been through it, and Deedee is determined to help, how ever she can. She starts with what she is passionate about—skin care. She wants to empower women and eliminate insecurity. You’re seeing a skin therapist but you’re getting your soul worked on in the process.

Inspired Design Enduring Craftsmanship

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY VGROUP PHOTOGRAPHY

Community Investment Community Dividends

How the Mesa HoHoKams have invested in our community for 75 years

If you’ve gone to a Spring Training game, you have encountered the fantastic Mesa HoHoKams. They are the wonderful volunteer organization that is dedicated to making every Spring Training season a wonderful experience for all the fans. It’s their members and volunteers that are running the gate, handling parking, selling programs, ushering the stands, running the raffles. They’re the heartbeat to Spring Training.

They are also the people who brought Spring Training to Mesa. In 1951, Dwight Patterson along with thirty-four other businessmen, ranchers, farmers, and Mesa locals banded together to make a difference and impact in Arizona. This year marks seventy-five years of service to Mesa and to Spring Training and their partnership with the Cubs and the Athletics are a tribute to the work of those thirty-four men decades ago.

It doesn’t end with Spring Training though. The HoHoKams sponsor and donate half a million dollars to youth sports and other non-profits in the East Valley through their fundraising efforts. In the beginning, they raised funds by renting seat cushions for the wooden benches at the stadiums!

The HoHoKams are committed to empowering the athletic dreams of the next generation. They are deeply invested in youth athletic success, sponsoring city championship games across sports like tennis, golf, unified track and field, cross country, and a few more. The HoHoKams, in partnership with the Cubs, have also been supporting baseball and softball field renovations across Mesa high schools.

Over the past seventy-five years the Mesa HoHoKams have grown from the original thirty-five that worked so hard to get the Cubs to Mesa. Today, the Mesa HoHoKams have one hundred and sixty members. Members are the ones who are leading committees, propelling the groups, and committing to being at seventy-five percent of the organization’s events throughout the year. That equals about nineteen Spring Training games in a thirty-day period if you were wondering. There are still events outside of Spring Training too. Something to know about the members of the Mesa HoHoKams is that a majority of them are local business owners and working professionals. They are dedicated to the mission and the impact the HoHoKams make on the community, juggling the commitments

“Now they give back, empowering the athletic dreams of the next generation through generous donations to youth sports”

well and with a smile. There are also about one hundred and fifty volunteers with the Mesa HoHoKams. The commitment level for volunteers is less than a member, which makes this a more approachable way to serve—anybody can be a volunteer.

The Mesa HoHoKams is an organization that has been dedicated to investing into the community from the start. First by bringing Spring Training to Mesa, growing and evolving

to where they bring the best fan experience to the Cubs and the Athletics Spring Training games, and now they give back, empowering the athletic dreams of the next generation through generous donations to youth sports and other local nonprofits. It’s no wonder that the City of Mesa proclaimed February 17th be Mesa HoHoKam day in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Mesa HoHoKams.

Plant You r Kitchen Garden

A quick guide for simple ideas to start off your backyard kitchen garden. With endless health and medicinal benefits, combined with the beauty and enjoyment to be found, gardening is endlessly rewarding.

GETTING STARTED

• Plant your vegetable options right into your beds with flowers, the pollinators (bees, butterflies and more) are attracted to the beautiful flowers and your veggies will easily and abundantly go-to-fruit, living harmoniously in one bed.

• Every garden needs a rain gauge - you’ll be surprised at how fun it is to check. There is nothing like rain water for your garden. (This is optional, but definitely fun).

• Get your family involved. It’s never too late!

• Just go for it, our local climate can be weird and often extreme but don’t let it stop you- the most success and fun I’ve had was just going for it. Experiment and see what you love and what works best for you!

• In most cases, when watering, don’t water the petals and leaves, (especially when they’re in direct sunlight) try to water straight to the soil. All they need is water, nutrients and light to thrive! (and maybe a little love helps too!)

• Don’t forget herbs: Lavender, Mint, Lemon Verbena, Oregano, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley and more. Don’t be afraid to skip the spice rack and grab your seasoning from the garden.

ARTICLE BY LAURA SANCHEZQUAN

BACKYARD GARDENS OFFER FRESH VEGGIES AND FOOD FOR YOUR SOUL

What to Plant

Whether starting from seed or seedlings, you can’t go wrong with these options. Start with foods you know you like to eat.

TOMATOES:

They’re delicious, money-saving, good for eating fresh and for preserving. Tomatoes come in endless colors, shapes and sizes. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, ideally in full sun, and ensure they receive consistent moisture, supporting them with cages or stakes as they grow.

EGGPLANT:

Eggplant is a short season vegetable and a relative of peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco. It thrives in heat and full sun and can be deliciously made into baba ganoush and many other delicious dishes.

OKRA:

Okra loves our hot summers and full sun. Don’t wait too long to pick your okra, ideally harvesting them when they are 2 to 4 inches long. Can be eaten raw on a salad or best served deep fried. (The flower that turns into the okra itself is uniquely beautiful as well!)

PEPPERS:

Like tomatoes, peppers have many purposes and variations. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil after the last frost, spacing them 18 inches apart, and provide consistent watering while ensuring the soil doesn’t become waterlogged.

Flowers Bring Pollinators

Flowers bring joy to all five of our senses, but they also bring pollinators to our garden in order to ensure your backyard kitchen will produce lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not to mention they also contain health and even medicinal properties.

HIBISCUS:

Make sure your hibiscus plants, whether tropical or hardy, get at least 6 hours of sun per day in order to achieve optimum blooming. Hibiscus flowers can be made into a delicious tea that can be served hot or ice cold (and is a good source of Vitamin C). With over 200 varieties of hibiscus world wide, their blooms only last a day or two! Stunning in all shapes, sizes and colors.

MARIGOLDS:

To the surprise of most people, marigold flowers are edible. Whether used fresh, dried, or infused into various beverages, Marigolds have a multitude of uses in the kitchen. An added benefit of planting these bright and low maintenance flowers next to tomatoes– they help keep pests away from devouring your tomatoes while also encouraging pollinators.

ZINNIAS: PLUMBAGO:

These bright, colorful garden gems have many benefits beyond their beauty and ease of care. Along with attracting pollinators, and being low maintenance they also have medicinal properties. Zinnias have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they’re rich in antioxidants, and the natural compounds in zinnias can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

Plumbago is thought to have many health benefits, such as its anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties, resulting from its principal chemical components, which are concentrated in the roots, leaves, and stems of plants. This attractive light purple flowering plant thrives in the sun, and has moderate watering needs. Trim and prune to suit your own preferences of growth and it’s a welcome, abundantly beautiful member of any garden.

When

This quick checklist will help determine whether it’s time to have a conversation to see if in-home care or other care solutions are needed.

you are Aging. miss taking Medications. Assistance needed by others to stay at home – help with transportation, errands, grocery, housecleaning, personal hygiene.

Desire to stay at home.

A spouse of someone you are caring for – in-home care as a respite for a loved one.

APRIL 2026

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

APRIL 1ST

The Phil Collins Story

1 E Main St Mesa, AZ 85201 | 7:30 PM

Check out an all-new docu-concert: The Phil Collins Story! Chronicling his remarkable chart-topping time with Genesis to his multi-Grammy winning solo career to his Academy Award-winning work for Disney, The Phil Collins Story brings the artist’s distinctive music to life. Tickets can be purchased from The Mesa Arts Center at: mesaartscenter.com

APRIL 3RD

Golden Egg Easter Hunt

200 North Centennial Way Mesa, Arizona 85201 | 11:00 AM

Celebrate Easter weekend at the Delta Hotel Phoenix Mesa. Experience Downtown Mesa with spring flavors, sunshine and maybe even a little luck. Join them for festive cocktails and dining at AZ Brews along with their special egg hunt happening throughout the hotel. Find more information at: visitmesa.com

APRIL 10TH

Free Admission

Day @ idea Museum

150 W. Pepper Pl. Mesa, AZ 85201 | 5:00 PM

Check out the idea Museum during their free admission evening! You’ll be able to check out exhibits and learn more about what makes the idea Museum one of the best places for kids.

APRIL 11TH

Fenders & Vendors Car Show

Boulder Mountain Parke, 3250 N Red Mountain Mesa, AZ 85207 | 10:00 AM

Spend the day at the Las Sendas Fend ers & Vendors Car Show! Enjoy music, a 50/50 raffle, face painting, and excit ing cockpit tours of two helicopters. Shop and dine with local businesses and food trucks, and explore incred ible cars all in one place! This event is free to attend as a spectator.

APRIL 11TH

Celebrate Mesa

526 E Main St., Mesa, AZ, 85203 | 10:00 AM

Celebrate Mesa and everything our won derful city has to offer at the Celebrate Mesa Family Festival! This free festival is sure to bring enjoyment to the whole family. Learn more at: mesaaz.gov

APRIL 24TH

Breakaway Music Festival

Sloan Park | 9:00 AM

Come down to Sloan Park for a two day music festival, April 24th & 25th. Featuring artists like Marshmellow, Arthi, Jon Casey, and more. Tickets for the festival start at $159 and can be bought online at: breakawayfestival. com/festival/arizona-2026

One Year of Stories A New Season of Purpose

Celebrating one year of conversations that matter. Scan to discover what wealth & abundance truly mean.

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Furniture Glow Up

Do you have a piece of furniture that you’re thinking of getting rid of? Do you like the piece but it isn’t working with a new design aesthetic or newer pieces? Is it hard to find a replacement for it? Perhaps, instead of getting trashing the furniture and buying new, you can give your furniture a second life.

HOW TO GIVE FURNITURE A SECOND LIFE

1. D ecide the project. Figure out what you need to do in order to make the piece of furniture work or to make it better. Usually, a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware will do the trick.

2. Gather materials and make a game plan. If you’re going to be revamping anything with wood, you should be sanding everything with sandpaper before painting. If you’re trying to paint furniture with laminate, you will need a special primer. Decide on paint finish, which can depend on what the piece is used for, and pick your paint colors (or stain, if you’re working with wood and want to enhance it).

3. Set up your workspace. Use canvas drop cloths, which can be found at any hardware store, to protect floors and surrounding décor or furniture. You can also use old blankets if you’re in a pinch. Be sure to use painter’s tape to keep the parts you don’t want painted paintfree. Plus, painter’s tape helps create clean, crisp lines.

4. Get started! Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy or grab an apron to help cover up your clothes. Most paint can be washed out in the laundry but that is never a guarantee.

5. Second coat and topcoats. Getting a quality paint will help ensure that your coverage is smooth and even with one coat, but a second coat is good practice. Be sure the paint is completely dry between coats. After the second coat is dry apply your topcoat to seal in your hard work.

6. Clean up and enjoy! Place the furniture where you want it, enjoy the second life you have given it.

Bonus: you can humbly brag when guests ask about the piece.