Mesa, AZ August 2026

This One is For the Kids

My favorite question to ask my kiddos is: what was your favorite part of the day?

I used to try and guess what their answers would be—especially on big days. You know, those days where you do the fun activity or the random treat or even the shopping trip for toys. The day where the favorite thing would be so obvious because of how much fun your kiddos had. Despite the obvious answers, my kids would always surprise me. The trip to Legoland where you would think the theme park would be the favorite thing—no. The favorite thing that day was the bingo game or the fact that they were able to have all the soda they wanted. The favorite thing wouldn’t be a new Lego set from the shopping trip. It would be the playlist we sang along to in the car. Eventually, I learned to stop guessing, allowing myself to be surprised by their answer. It really allowed me to discover what brought my kids the most joy.

It’s this question that reminds me that mundane days are the quiet heartbeat to nurturing, growing, and raising kids. Sure, the day was filled with appointments and errands and a lot of lectures but when asked about their favorite thing—they still had an answer. Kids can find the positive in any situation, the silver lining in the clouds, the spark of light in the darkness. Their hope is contagious and their flexibility an art. Their expectations are small and their contentment is endless.

If only we could ask our pets the same question, right? In my house, our dog is a loving comfort. She might also be the favorite thing some days for my youngest son. You’ll get to meet her in this issue; she got to write a whole article.

This issue is a resource for adventures for your pets, for your kids, and even contains some hidden gems. There are ways to get involved in the community and recipes to try out at home. As we’re approaching Back-To-School season, be sure to take the time to get the family photos. We know just the photographer. With Love,

August 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

Lindsey McArthur lindsey.mcarthur@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sonja Stafford

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

B-Real Media

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Pauli Reep, Kristen Hafner

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 Megan Cagle

+ digital packages,

business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.

Valley Bloom Special Event

Valley Bloom—you can learn more about them in this issue—is going to be open specially for National Thrift Shop Day on August 17th. The store will be open, there will be some fun things planned, and it will a good way to support the organization.

Behind the Camera

Meet Sonja Stafford, the creative behind the camera of amazing photos

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SONJA STAFFORD

Q: WHAT WOULD YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH BE ABOUT YOURSELF?

I’m Sonja Stafford, owner of Sonja Stafford Photography. I create timeless, magazine-inspired portraits that help everyday women, families and professionals feel confident, beautiful and seen.

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER?

I’ve had the privilege of working as a professional photographer for the past 16 years.

Q: TELL US HOW YOU GOT STARTED. WHAT WAS THE SPARK OF INSPIRATION?

Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was constantly borrowing my parent’s camera, photographing everything from my stuffed animals to my little sister. Even then I was fascinated by the idea of capturing a moment and freezing it forever. The passion took on a deeper meaning when I lost my mother at the age of twelve. Photographs I have of her became my most treasured possessions—allowing me to revisit memories, emotions and moments that would otherwise be gone. It was through that experience I truly understood the power of photography.

Q: HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

My greatest source of inspiration are my clients and the stories they carry with them. Every person has a unique journey, personality, and chapter of life they’re living, and I love finding creative ways to tell that story through portraits.

Beyond my clients, I draw inspiration from many forms of art and visual storytelling. Fashion editorials, magazine covers, film cinematography, music videos all influence my work. I am also inspired by texture, color, light, architecture, nature and the emotions certain moments evoke.

I believe inspiration is everywhere—my role as an artist is to recognize it, incorporate my client’s stories and create lovely portraits that are both meaningful and beautiful.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

The reaction when I show the subject the back of my camera after we are a few minutes into their photoshoot. It’s like a spark occurs and they certainly start to glow and take ownership of their photoshoot and that confidence shows through on film.

Q: HOW DID YOU HONE YOUR SKILLS?

I started as a self-taught photographer after finding an entry-level DSLR on Craigslist. Not long after, I attended a local photography class in Kenai, Alaska taught by photographer Joe Kashi. That class sparkled something in me, and I knew photography was what I wanted to pursue wholeheartedly.

I immersed myself in learning everything available. I spent time studying camera settings, lighting, posing, composition and took a local college course on post-processing. I immersed myself in education platforms for photographers on YouTube and CreativeLive, while continually practicing behind the camera. I refined my skills through hands-on experience.

Even after 16 years as a professional photographer, I am still inspired to grow, evolve and push my creativity and skills further. I attend conferences and workshops every year to keep my skills fresh and to grow my craft.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PHOTOSHOOT?

A dream would be to photograph in a castle in Europe—I wouldn’t be picky on what genre. It could be a wedding, engagement, or brand, sign me up!

Q: WHAT OTHER “HATS” DO YOU WEAR? TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE.

I am a mother to four children and a fur baby. Recently, with my husband, we have opened Booch Haus Plant & Gift Lounge in Downtown Mesa. In my free time I love to enjoy my time with family by a body of water whether it be poolside, lakeside, oceanside or riverside.

Real Stories. Lasting Perspective.

ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

There is little more satisfying to your sweet tooth than ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Here is an easy and fun way to make this tearable, shareable treat!

CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD IS A FUN DESSERT FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE AND SHARE!

AROUND

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 3 (12 oz.) cans of buttermilk biscuits

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat the inside of a bundt pan with cooking spray or butter. Melt the butter in a pot or bowl. Mix the sugars and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Open one can of biscuits, separate, and cut each into four sections. Next, roll each quarter into a ball and then put each one into the sugar mixture to coat. Place the balls in the bundt pan in a single layer and drizzle a little melted butter evenly over the top. Repeat with the other two cans of biscuits. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Be sure to let cool for a minute or two before turning the bread onto a plate and carefully removing the pan. If you leave the monkey bread in the pan much longer, it will stick and be hard to remove.

I sometimes make icing, a few tablespoons of milk, to about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla.

Drizzle over the top while warm and enjoy!

For the Kids in the Valley

HOW TWO NON-PROFITS IN THE VALLEY ARE ON A MISSION TO SERVE KIDS

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Combating Childhood Hunger

Corbin's Legacy

Q: WHAT IS CORBIN’S LEGACY?

Corbin’s Legacy is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. The mission is to eliminate childhood hunger at a local level. Over the past ten years Corbin’s Legacy has provided meals to students at Title I schools through backpacks of food sent home over school breaks, delivery of food to classrooms for children who would not eat during the school day, backpacks of food sent home on Fridays with children who would go hungry over the weekend without it, and a new program that offers Title I families with canned fruits and vegetables through free farmer’s markets.

Q: HOW WAS CORBIN’S LEGACY STARTED?

Corbin’s Legacy is the legacy of Corbin Leafman, a kindergarten teacher who passed away from cancer at the age of thirty. She taught at schools with disadvantaged students and would stand in line, holding a twenty-dollar bill to show the lunch lady that none of her students were to go without a meal. She wanted to be remembered for how she lived—with passionate care and a giving spirit—rather than how she died. Her family took up the mantle and Corbin’s Legacy was born.

Q: WHAT IS THE MISSION?

The mission is simple: feed hungry children. Corbin’s Legacy exists because no matter where you stand in the valley, there are at least five children going to bed hungry every night within a mile radius.

Q:  HOW CAN SOMEONE SUPPORT THE MISSION AT CORBIN’S LEGACY?

It doesn’t take much to get involved. The simple mission makes the action simple too. It costs around $12,000 to sponsor an entire school for an entire school year. $10 buys a bag of food (a backpack) that feeds children and their families for an entire weekend. There are ways to donate, including using your AZ Tax Credit. You can simply show up and serve too. Each week there is food that needs to be packed and distributed. This work is easy to participate in, just show up to pack the food, it all happens in Joan’s driveway. You can call the phone number or email Joan to find out more about how to help serve.

Corbin’s Legacy is the little engine that could in our community. They are here to serve—an army of volunteers trying to make a difference.

Giving Kids Style

Valley Bloom

Q: WHAT IS VALLEY BLOOM?

Valley Bloom is a 501(c)(3) that is rooted in decades of service in the valley. Started in 1989, Valley Bloom was formerly Assistance League East Valley. In 2025, the organization stepped into full independence, becoming Valley Bloom, a move that allowed for quicker decisions, more flexibility, and deeper connections within the community.

Q: HOW DOES VALLEY BLOOM WORK?

Through three separate stems of service:

• Valley Bloom Students— where students receive clothing, school uniforms, personal care items, and school essentials. Valley Bloom has partnerships with schools in Mesa, Tempe, Kyrene, and Chandler. There is also support for homeless teens to receive supplies and support to achieve success in school. There is also financial assistance that can be awarded to qualified seniors graduating from EVIT and plan to pursue higher education.

• Valley Bloom Cares—where neighbors in crisis receive new clothing, snacks, blankets, and other essentials to ease stress, poverty, and trauma. Cleaning supplies are provided to families transitioning into housing through the Save the Family organization.

• Valley Bloom Enrichment—where disabled adults at adult day care centers received provided activities and snacks.

Q: WHAT IS THE MISSION?

To transform the lives of children and adults through community programs.

Valley Bloom has dedicated itself to being a community staple but one that works with other programs. There are many “vines” that enables the organization to support the flourishing of the community. You can start small by donating to and shopping at the Valley Bloom Thrift Shop. As a non-profit there are ways to give directly. Support fundraising events such as the Runway for Hope, an annual fundraiser that combines community, compassion, and a splash of style to support our programs serving children, families, and individuals across the Valley. You can also become a member of the organization and there are countless volunteer opportunities.

TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE

Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.

Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.

Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”

Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.

After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”

The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.

FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.

Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

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ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD

A Downtown Treasure

Beyond

Words Bookstore is a shop the whole family can enjoy

Follow me to Downtown Mesa where we explore an adorable alleyway—The Greenbelt Shops. At the end of the alleyway, tucked to the left is the coziest bookstore just waiting for you to open the door—Beyond Words Bookshop.

It’s like a breath of fresh air when you first walk in, whether that’s really feel of the A/C hitting your face after stepping in from the Arizona sun is up to you, but it’s like that revitalizing breath that makes you open for exploring, wonder, and everything else the literary world has to offer.

Kelly Boggs—owner of Beyond Words Bookshop—has one mission: to provide a place that provides books that are positive, make you think, and adds value to your life. How she achieves that is through a whole family bookstore. Her shelves are stocked with classics, fun rom-coms, memoirs and biographies, along with suspenseful thrillers and literary fiction. That’s just one side of the store. On the other, the shelves and baskets are filled with a plethora of titles for readers of all sizes. There are picture books for the pre-readers. The leveled reading books for beginning

readers, alongside chapter novels and series books for the middle to young adult readers. You’d be hard pressed not to find a bookish gem in this shop. It’s not just the stocked shelves either. Every Wednesday there’s Little Lantern Storytime where a variety of people come and do a story time for kiddos, including children’s authors.

Kelly has always been an avid reader, but—like a lot of us probably—the busyness of life pushed personal reading to the edges a little. Being a middle school English teacher kept Kelly reading but most of her reading was along with her classes as they did novel studies. During her career as a teacher, there was a change that had the school asking Kelly to catalogue the defunct library books. Kelly got brave, asking for a pivot: what if they reopened the library?

The experience of re-opening the library reignited Kelly’s love of reading. Eventually her family would re-locate to Arizona. Kelly, wanting a shift from teaching, desired to start a business. She discovered pop-up bookshops online and knew that would be her business. The only thing holding her

“Words matter, what we consume makes an impact in our live. Is the impact a positive one or a negative?”

back was a name—nothing she thought of felt right. Eventually, while at a church event, she saw “Beyond Words” and knew immediately it was her shop name. From there, she did pop-up markets until she was given the opportunity to open her shop in the Greenbelt shops. It’s been a year since Beyond Words Bookshop opened in Downtown Mesa. The mission, the actions, the goal hasn’t

changed. Kelly believes words matter because what we read impacts our life—are we consuming good things or negative things? Both will make an impact. She believes that—after a year in her bookshop and throughout all the conversations, she’s been able to have with customers and regulars and Storytime attendees—words matter.

Book Recommendations from Kelly

The Owner of Beyond Words gives recommendations for your next great read

Beyond Words Bookshop,  owned by Kelly Boggs, is a bookstore for the whole family. Each shelf is thoughtfully stocked with books that are uplifting, real, filled with hope—stories that make you think. She hosts numerous events including a weekly storytime for littles along with author events, highlighting local authors. She carefully curates her shelves but also loves to order books that her readers are looking for.

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FOR THE LITTLES: Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb and Erin Kraan

Cornbread & Poppy for the Win by Matthew Cordell

FOR THE KIDDOS: The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri

Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou

FOR THE TEENS: Places We've Never Been by Kasie West

Concealed by SK Horton

FOR THE PARENTS: The Unselected journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen

A DAY AT DESERT PUPS

FOLLOW ATHENA AS SHE HANGS OUT AT HER FAVORITE PLACE

ARTICLE BY ATHENA UNDERWOOD

Hi Friend! I don’t know what is going on but my human said it’s important so I’m going to try. I overheard her and my other human, well really, I have four humans. Two big humans and two smaller humans. One of them might be more medium sized but the little one, the littlest human—he’s my best friend. Well, all my humans are my best friend, but I play with the littlest human the most. Anyway, I overheard the two big humans talking and she was saying that this was for a magazine. I don’t know what that is either—maybe it’s the pretty paper that sits on the table by the couch. I know I’m not allowed to eat

it. My human said I need to take the reader through my day. I tried asking what a reader was, but my human thought I wanted a treat and once she pulled it out it turned out that I did want a treat!

It’s an exciting day; I’m going to Desert Pups. The little human calls it doggy daycare but I don’t know what those words mean. Desert Pups is the best place, my friends are there as well as the Pawtrollers, those are the humans who are with us at Desert Pups. They always give pets and kisses.

When I first get to Desert Pups, I must sit really still and really good so my human can put my leash on to walk me from the car to the parking lot. I always get the sit right but once I am out of the car, I run as fast as the leash allows to get inside. My friends are waiting for me. Plus, there is always extra fun to be had if it is a theme day. My favorite is water day. Don’t confuse water day for days that you get baths—you can get baths at Desert Pups!—Miss Madison has taught me that there is play water and water that I am supposed to be cleaned with. I cannot tell the difference, but I’m not supposed to play with the bath, even though I try.

My human leaves my leash and food—I have to get special food, but Miss Madison has food and treats too—in my cubby and I get let through the special

gate. Once I am in the play area, I am greeted by my friends, we’re always so happy to see each other. Sometimes they bark their excitement, other times we just start running. Sometimes, I grab a toy to play with. Miss Madison has a bunch of toys we can play with, but some dogs like to play with a toy by themselves. Other dogs like to lay down while we play. I don’t think the lying down is a rule—like you don’t have to lay down.

Today is extra special because we’re celebrating—my human says the celebration is for my gotcha day, but I don’t know what that is. She also said it was late, but I didn’t know what she meant by that either. I’m excited though because a celebration means cupcakes. I get a special cupcake, and my friends get cupcakes too! Desert Pups does everything for the celebration so I can have my own paw-ty!.

Miss Madison put up a special banner and put something fuzzy on me. She tried to put a hat on, but I thought it was a toy and it flopped over to the side. Everybody was laughing though so I think I was okay. All my friends liked their cupcakes. It was a good celebration, I think.

My favorite thing about Desert Pups is that there are no kennels. I get to run and play all day, well as long as I have until my human picks me up. I don’t like being locked up—just ask my human—so open space allows me to play. Even when I sleep over, there are no kennels or contraptions to lock me up in. There are wide open spaces everywhere and it’s the perfect place for me to run, play, get the zoomies out (as Miss Madison says), and I love coming here. But my human is here to pick me up, so I’ll leave this for her to edit and fix up for what she needed it for. I hope to see you here soon!

AUGUST 2026

AUGUST 4TH

Paint & Sip:

Poppy Mountain

200 N Centennial Way Mesa, AZ 85201 | 6:00 PM

Join Maci C. for a fun night of painting at Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix / Mesa. This is the perfect chance to enjoy a relaxed evening with friends or family while creating a beautiful piece of art. All supplies are included, so there’s no need to bring anything but your enthusiasm. Tickets can be purchased online at paintnite.com

AUGUST 23RD

Roger Daltrey

Mesa Arts Center— Ikeda Theater | 7:30 PM

Roger Daltrey is a POP / ROCK experience where you can expect an unforgettable night featuring Roger Daltrey. Tickets can be purchased online at mesaartscenter.com

AUGUST 25TH

Sweet Pill

105 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85210 | 7:00 PM

Come see the band Sweet Pill live at the Nile Theater where they will be joined by special guests. Tickets start at $21 and can be purchased on the Nile Theater website.

A Roof You Can Trust Built Tough.

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