Surprise, AZ February 2026

GERBER INJURY LAW

The Arizona Personal Injury Law Firm Where Everybody Knows Your Name

At Gerber Injury Law, our commitment to excellence extends far beyond the courtroom. We are not just a law firm; we are a ded icated member of the community we serve. Our passion for justice is paralleled by our deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact in our local community.

How Can Our Lawyers Help You?

Hiring a Phoenix personal injury lawyer to oversee your case can be the best decision you make after an accident. You cannot tru st an insurance company to handle your claim fairly unless you have a lawyer p rotecting your best interests. Insurance companies are more interested in their bo ttom line than your recovery.

“I Remain Committed To The Highest In Client Service.” – Ken Gerber

Rooted In Local Love

February has a way of slowing us down and reminding us of what truly matters. In a world that often feels rushed, this month invites us to pause and celebrate love not just the grand gestures, but the quiet, meaningful moments that shape our everyday lives. this issue is about something broader and just as meaningful, the love that lives right here in our community. Local Love celebrates the people, places, and traditions that make our town feel like home. It’s found in small businesses built on passion, neighbors who support one another, friendships that feel like family, and shared experiences that connect us year after year. This kind of love isn’t flashy it’s steady, intentional, and rooted in care for the community around us. In these pages, you’ll find stories that reflect the heart of our area people who pour love into what they do and who they serve. Their dedication reminds us that love isn’t just something we celebrate once a year it’s something we practice daily through kindness, commitment, and community spirit. Thank you for supporting local stories and for being part of what makes this place so special. We hope this February issue reminds you just how much love surrounds you right here in our community.

SAVANNAH MORELLO, PUBLISHER ASSISTANT @SURPRISECITYLIFESTYLE

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Faith Morello | faith.morello@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Savannah Morello | savannah.morello@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bailey Hall, Kylie Strawn-Badger, Sue G. Collins

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Danielle Muccillo Photography, Megan Gerbe, Danielle Paynter Photography

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

Kohler Bathroom Design

Elements Massage Opening

We invite you to experience the rejuvenating benefits of massage and skin therapy, designed to relax your body, restore balance, and enhance your natural glow. Our treatments promote deep relaxation, improved circulation, and overall wellness, helping you feel refreshed, renewed, and more connected to your body. Discover the lasting positive impact these therapies can have on both your body and your well being.

Wigwam Brunch

The Wigwam is debuting its first Sunday Brunch beginning January 11, 2026. The menu celebrated the resorts rich heritage while embrac ing modern evolution and desert inspired flavours. Guests can enjoy elevated brunch classics, refined cocktails, and zero proof offerings in an iconic setting, creating a weekly destination for indulgent thought fully crafted dining.

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Spencer’s Place

Brewing Opportunity and Belonging in Surprise

Inside the Team 4 Kids building at Greenway and Cotton in Surprise sits a place that represents far more than what’s on the menu. Spencer’s Place is a local coffee shop built on intention, heart, and the belief that everyone deserves meaningful work and a place where they belong.

Spencer’s Place was created to open doors for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering opportunities that too often disappear after graduation. Rather than focusing on limitations, the café highlights strengths, dedication, warmth, consistency, and pride in a job well done. The result is a space that feels welcoming the moment you walk in, where connection is just as important as the coffee being poured.

Guests are greeted by friendly faces and a genuine sense of joy. It’s the kind of environment that encourages conversation, slows the pace of the day, and reminds visitors that small moments, a smile, a thank-you, a familiar order- matter more than we realize. For the employees, Spencer’s Place is a source of confidence and independence. For customers, it’s a reminder of how powerful inclusion can be when it’s put into action.

The Surprise location, tucked inside the Team 4 Kids building, is truly a hidden gem. While it may not sit on a busy corner or major shopping strip, those who find it quickly realize how special it is. The menu is thoughtfully curated and easy to love, featuring quality coffee, teas, and refreshing flavored lemonades. Fresh baked treats line the counter, alongside breakfast favorites like breakfast bagels and hearty breakfast burritos. With several gluten-free and allergy-friendly options available, the cafe makes it easy for everyone to feel included, not just in mission, but in experience.

“Spencer’s Place is proof that when opportunity meets community support, meaningful work and genuine connection can thrive together.”

What makes this location especially meaningful is the opportunity it represents for the Surprise community. Every visit supports meaningful employment. Every purchase reinforces a business model rooted in dignity and purpose. And every shared recommendation helps bring visibility to a place that quietly changes lives every day.

Spencer’s Place isn’t asking for grand gestures. Its growth happens through simple, everyday moments, meeting a friend for coffee, stopping in after a workout, grabbing breakfast before work, or making it part of a weekly routine. These small choices collectively create stability, opportunity, and long-term impact.

There’s something powerful about supporting a business that gives back in such a tangible way. Spencer’s Place shows that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of values. Instead, it proves that inclusion, compassion, and community support can be the foundation of something truly lasting.

As Surprise continues to grow, places like Spencer’s Place remind us what makes a community strong. It’s not just the buildings or the development, it’s the people, the relationships, and the shared commitment to lifting one another up. This café is a place where abilities shine, confidence is built, and kindness is part of the daily routine.

If you haven’t discovered Spencer’s Place yet, consider this your invitation. Stop in, try something new, and experience a space where purpose is brewed alongside every cup. Sometimes the most meaningful local spots aren’t the most visible; they’re the ones quietly creating opportunity, connection, and hope, one day at a time.

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letter from the PUBLISHER

Love shows up in so many ways, from big moments to quiet routines and traditions that become an integral part of who we are. For me, love begins at home with my husband of 20 years, whose steady support and partnership remind me daily what commitment truly means. Together, we’ve been blessed with four incredible daughters who have taught us patience, laughter, and the beauty of unconditional love. One of our favorite traditions happens every Valentine’s Day. No matter how busy life gets, I wake up early to make “I Love You” pancakes,carefully spelling out each of the words. It’s a simple gesture, but one that never fails to bring smiles and set the tone for a day centered on love. This Local Love issue celebrates those same meaningful connections, family, community, and the small traditions that bring us together. We hope these stories inspire you to cherish the love that surrounds you every day.

Faith Morello, Publisher

GerberFAMILY

ARTICLE BY KYLIE STRAWN-BADGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN GERBER & DANIELLE PAYNTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Some love stories announce themselves loudly. Others unfold quietly, built moment by moment through intention, faith, and shared purpose. The story of Megan Gerber and Ken Gerber belongs to the latter. It is not defined by grand gestures or perfectly curated moments, but by consistency, choosing each other daily, and choosing to show up for the community they call home. Their journey began in a way that often surprises people. Megan and Ken were living in different states when they first met online. Despite the distance, something felt familiar from the start. They were drawn to each other’s smiles, their shared desire to laugh, and a mutual longing for a relationship rooted in meaning rather than convenience. As conversations deepened, admiration grew into respect. Megan noticed Ken’s calm presence, integrity, and steadiness. Ken was drawn to Megan’s warmth, creativity, and her ability to connect with people effortlessly. “It felt like two very different strengths that fit together in a meaningful way,” they share, a balance that would come to define their marriage.

That balance continues to shape their life together, especially in their professional partnership at Gerber Injury Law. Working alongside a spouse is not without its challenges, but for Megan and Ken, it has become a source of strength. Their roles within the firm are clearly defined, and there is a deep level of trust in one another’s abilities. “Working together has taught us how to communicate clearly, respect each other’s roles, and trust one

another fully,” they explain. Witnessing each other serve clients with compassion and integrity has deepened their respect, not just as business partners, but as husband and wife.

Outside of work, their shared values come into focus through their love for the community. For Megan and Ken, community is not a buzzword; it is deeply personal. It is where they are raising their children, forming meaningful relationships, and living out their faith. They believe true impact happens locally, through consistency and presence. “Real impact happens when you show up,” they say, emphasizing that change is built through genuine relationships rather than recognition.

This belief led to the creation of their nonprofit, Tones N Bones. Rooted in their faith in Christ, Tones N Bones was born from a desire to serve others and give back in a tangible way. Megan and Ken see youth as the future and wanted to create a space where young people feel encouraged, supported, and valued. Through creativity, music, and mentorship, the nonprofit invests in the next generation, helping young people build confidence and grounding during formative years. Their mission is not about programs alone; it is about presence and possibility.

When asked what they value most in each other, their answers reflect a marriage built on strong foundations. Faith, commitment, perseverance, and loyalty rise to the top, along with humor and a shared love for family. They speak openly about how they

“We strive to live with integrity in how we serve and how we show up for people.”

have learned to support one another through challenges, choosing growth over resentment. “We’ve learned to grow together rather than apart,” they say, acknowledging that commitment is not passive; it is practiced.

Their drive to help others comes from firsthand experience. They have seen how powerful it can be when someone steps in at the right moment. For Megan and Ken, service is not about being seen; it is about responding when there is a need. Everything they do, they say, is rooted in sincerity. “We don’t have it all figured out,” they admit, “but we strive to live with integrity in how we serve and how we show up for people.”

Looking back, they reflect thoughtfully on what they would tell their younger selves. Ken jokes that he would find Megan sooner so they could have more time together. More earnestly, they both emphasize trusting God earlier, communicating more openly, and not rushing life’s process. Many of their most valuable lessons came through patience and perseverance during challenging seasons, lessons that continue to guide them today.

Balancing marriage, family, work, volunteering, and charity requires constant intention. Megan and Ken are honest about the learning curve. For years, they worked tirelessly, skipping vacations and even a honeymoon. Eventually, they realized something had to shift. Now, they intentionally prioritize time together, whether through a staycation, an RV trip across the country, or a more elaborate European adventure. “It’s not an exact formula,” they share. Even on vacation, work often follows them, but dedicating time to their family remains non-negotiable.

Date nights play a key role in maintaining that connection. While they enjoy a good meal at a nice restaurant, their idea of a perfect date is refreshingly simple:

“Working together has taught us how to communicate clearly, respect each other’s roles, and trust one another fully.”

meaningful conversation, laughter, and uninterrupted time together. Their favorite memories reflect that same simplicity: meeting for the first time, getting married in Sedona, welcoming their kids, and countless moments spent laughing until their sides hurt. The details may fade, but the feeling remains.

Serving the community together has brought them even closer as a couple. Working side by side toward something larger than themselves has unified their purpose and strengthened their bond. As they look ahead, Megan and Ken hope to continue expanding their impact, deepening community involvement, growing opportunities for youth through Tones N Bones, and raising their family with strong faith and values.

Above all, their story is a reminder that love is not just something you feel; it is something you choose. For Megan and Ken Gerber, that choice shows up in their marriage, their work, and their unwavering commitment to the community they love.

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BECAUSE.

CHOCOLATE.

ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS

When my kids were little, we would address valentines to classmates, deliver flowers to neighbors and decorate the house with hearts and snowflakes (cut from white coffee filters). For dinner, I would make their favorite meal: dessert! Why not? I'd melt chocolate (the good stuff) and let them line up their dippers. They thought dessert for dinner was magical. Of course, I'd fed them a protein-packed after-school snack and served “dinner” early so they could get their sugar wiggles out before bed. Delightful! Happy Valentine's Day!

The Spiked Jones

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 cup whole coffee beans

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate (61% Valrhona), chopped

• 2 tablespoons Kahlua

• 1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar

• 1 tablespoon dark chocolatecovered coffee beans, chopped

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, 1/2 cup cream, and whole coffee beans. Bring to a simmer, turn off heat, cover, and steep beans for 1 hour. Strain liquid and return to saucepan; discard beans. Bring the milk-and-cream mixture back to a simmer, add chocolate, and whisk until incorporated. Remove from heat; whisk in Kahlua. Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream and the confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Divide the hot chocolate between 2 cups and garnish each portion with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans.

AND THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE

WHERE FOUR-LEGGED SOULMATES WAIT PATIENTLY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER

ARTICLE BY KYLIE STRAWN-BADGER

If you have not found your two-legged soulmate yet, do not worry. It may be that your perfect match has four legs, a wagging tail, and an unmatched love for snacks and belly rubs. Sometimes, the truest kind of love comes with fur, muddy paws, and a heart that is ready to give you everything it has. Your soulmate might be patiently waiting right now at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control or the Arizona Humane Society, hoping today is the day they finally meet you.

Dogs are not just man’s best friend. They are women’s best friend, family protectors, walking buddies, and loyal companions through every season of life. From playful puppies discovering the world for the first time to gentle senior dogs who simply want a warm bed and a loving presence, shelters are full of incredible animals waiting to show their loyalty and love. One of the most beautiful parts of adopting locally is knowing that these dogs are already chipped, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered, making the transition into your home smoother and safer for everyone involved. Even on our hardest days, dogs see the best in us. They do not care if you are exhausted, overwhelmed, or running late. They greet you with the same enthusiasm every single time. Life truly becomes richer with a dog by your side, and adoption makes that bond even more meaningful. Here are three of the best reasons to open your heart and home to a rescue dog.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. WHAT COULD BE BETTER?

Many people worry about whether they will connect with a rescued dog, but shelter dogs have an extraordinary capacity for love. Once you let them into your heart, they do not hold back. Expect endless cuddles, loyal companionship, and movie nights with a furry head resting on your lap. Their love is pure, uncomplicated, and constant, offering comfort in ways words never could.

YOU

ARE GIVING A SECOND CHANCE TO A DESERVING ANIMAL

Adopting goes far beyond bringing home a pet. You are giving a dog the opportunity to start fresh, to feel safe, and to finally be themselves outside the walls of a shelter. For many of these animals, adoption is the turning point that changes everything. You are offering them stability, kindness, and a future filled with possibility in a world where second chances are not always easy to come by.

DE-STRESS AND UNWIND WITH A COMPANION WHO NEVER JUDGES

Sweatpants? Messy bun? Long day? Your dog could not care less. They are there to listen, to sit beside you, and to remind you to slow down. Studies consistently show that spending time with dogs can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. A rescue dog offers a calm presence and unwavering support, helping you find peace in the everyday moments. If puppy love is calling your name, consider visiting a local shelter. You might just find the love you have been waiting for, patiently wagging its tail and ready to come home.

Date Night

AT HOME

THREE CREATIVE IDEAS TO CELEBRATE LOVE

ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL

Not every date night needs to involve reservations or an elaborate itinerary. With a little creativity, you can create magical moments right at home. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just want to reconnect, here are three ideas for unforgettable at-home date nights.

Transform your backyard or balcony into a dreamy picnic spot! Spread out a cozy blanket, add a few fluffy pillows, and hang string lights or fairy lights for ambiance. A small fire pit or lanterns can also add a romantic glow.

Pack a picnic basket with finger foods and a bottle of wine or sparkling water. Don’t forget a decadent dessert like chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Lay back and stargaze, identifying constellations or making wishes on shooting stars. To make it extra romantic, bring a bluetooth speaker and play soft music.

Unleash your inner artists with one of these three fun and interactive dates. Grab some inexpensive canvases, brushes, and acrylic paints from the craft store. Don’t forget aprons or old clothes to protect against spills!

• Paint each other’s portraits for a mix of laughter and creativity.

• Work on a collaborative paintingeach person adds their own touch to a single canvas.

• Try a themed painting challenge, like recreating your favorite memory together.      Pair this date with a cheese platter and wine and don’t worry about being “good’ at painting - it’s all about enjoying the process together.

Start the day with love by turning breakfast into an indulgent experience. Prepare a tray with a DIY breakfast charcuterie board. Include mini pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, bacon, and pastries. Add small bowls of toppings like syrup, Nutella, or whipped cream.

Mix up mimosas or serve coffee with flavored syrups and whipped cream for a café vibe. Then, snuggle up in bed and watch a favorite movie or TV series.

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FEBRUARY 6TH

Jurassic Quest

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix | 12:00 PM

Step into a world where dinosaurs come alive! Walk beside towering giants and baby dinos, hear them roar, and watch them move. Kids can dig for fossils, ride life sized dinos, train raptors, and explore brand new LEGO play zones where prehistoric adventure meets creative fun.

FEBRUARY 6TH

90s Backyard Bash

Mark Coronado Park | 15960 N Bullard Ave, Surprise | 5:00 PM

Get ready to rewind time at this free, all ages throwback party presented by Toyota of Surprise. Enjoy skate shows, food trucks, retro games, a live DJ spinning 90s hits, themed photo booths, market vendors, and a 90s costume contest with nostalgic prizes for the whole family.

FEBRUARY 7TH

Play Your Way To The Park

The Vista Center For The Arts | 15660 N Parkview Pl, Surprise | 6:00 PM

Local musicians will take center stage at Play Your Way to the Park, a new live music competition highlighting emerging bands and solo artists. Participants will compete for the opportunity to perform at the 2026 Out of the Park Music Fest. This year’s festival will feature country music star Russell Dickerson and offer a full day of entertainment.

FEBRUARY 18TH

24th Annual Mayor’s Spring Training Welcome Back

Surprise Stadium | 15850 N. Bullard Ave | 4:00 PM

The City of Surprise will kick off Spring Training with the 24th Annual Mayor’s Spring Training Welcome Back Reception. The event will celebrate the return of Cactus League baseball and feature representatives from the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, marking the start of an exciting season for the community.

A Night in the Tropics

CONTINUED

FEBRUARY 21ST

Leadfoots Grill & Chill

Papago Park | 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix | 9:00 AM

Leadfoot’s Grill & Chill honors the Bomb Squad’s Bomb - BQ. Bring your classic, relax, and reconnect with friends while enjoying good vibes, great cars, and tasty food. It’s the perfect chance to chill, catch up, and enjoy a fun community driven day at the park.

FEBRUARY 27TH

Benevilla Dinner In The Tropics

Renaissance Hotel | 9495 W Entertainment Blvd, Glendale | 5:30 PM

Enjoy exotic appetizers, cocktails, and live entertainment by the Paradise Island Dancers in the Renaissance Hotel’s lush courtyard. Bid in the silent auction or enter the Treasure Chest drawing for exclusive prizes. Dine on island inspired fare, then dance the night away to trop rock hits with Tadd Johnson. Proceeds support Benevilla’s programs and services.

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