dove valley LIVING
THE PIERCE FAMILY
Cover Photo by Lisa Knoebel Photography
© Best Version Media
dove valley LIVING
Ideas/Submissions
Have content ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 5th of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: srusenovich@bestversionmedia.com.
HOA Submission information
Are you on the association board for your subdivision? Contact us for information on how you can submit articles, updates, reminders, events and more to the residents. We create customized homeowners association sections at no cost to the HOA or the residents.
Important Phone Numbers
Emergency 911
Maricopa County Sheriff (Non-Emergency) 602-876-1011
Daisy Mountain Fire Department 623-465-7400
HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center 623-683-5000
Anthem Pets Animal Rescue 480-287-3542
Phoenix Police Department (Non-Emergency) 602-262-6151
Cave Creek Post Office 480-595-9598
Daisy Mountain Post Office 623-551-7950
Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce 480-488-3381
Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce 623-322-9127
Desert Foothills Library 480-488-2286
North Valley Regional Library 602-652-3000
Content Submission Deadlines
Content submissions due the 5th of each month
Letter to Residents
Dearest Neighbors,
Each month, Dove Valley Living gives us the opportunity to celebrate the people who make this community so special, including our veterans, first responders, local charities, businesses, organizations, and neighbors who give so much of themselves.
To our sponsors, thank you for supporting this publication and making each issue possible.
To our readers, thank you for welcoming Dove Valley Living into your homes. We especially love sharing the stories of our Feature Families and helping neighbors feel more connected to the people living right here in their community.
We are deeply grateful for the trust and support of Dove Valley and for every opportunity to highlight local events, charitable work, community milestones, and the people who make this such a wonderful place to call home.
With gratitude,
Ewa Rusenovich
Publisher, Dove Valley Living Magazine
PUBLICATION TEAM
ADVERTISING
EWA RUSENOVICH Publisher erusenovich@bestversionmedia.com
SAM RUSENOVICH
Content Coordinator srusenovich@bestversionmedia.com
Contributing Photographer: Lisa Knoebel, Lisa Knoebel Photography
Contact Ewa Rusenovich erusenovich@bestversionmedia.com
Designer: Jeanne Komp
© Best Version Media
Expert Contributors
WATER & PLUMBING SOLUTIONS EXPERT
David Newham
North Valley Water Solutions
623-551-0515
nvwsdave@gmail.com northvalleywatersolutions.com
DENTISTRY EXPERT
Dr. Milutin Drakulovic
Smile Creations Dentistry
623-434-9868
tuscanismiles@yahoo.com smilecreationsaz.com
ESTATE PLANNING
LAW EXPERT
Jim Carroll Anthem Law
623-551-9366
info@anthemlaw.com anthemlaw.com
REAL ESTATE EXPERT
Wende Bartolomeo, REALTOR HOMESMART
480-433-9949
info@myamericandreamteam.com myamericandreamteam.com
OUTDOOR DESIGN SERVICES EXPERT
Meagen Lenhart
Outdoor Design Chick 602-885-6917 meagen@outdoordesignchick.com outdoordesignchick.com
PEST PREVENTION & PROTECTION EXPERT
Mitch Love Pure Desert Organic Pest Control 480-202-1898
mitch@puredesertorganic.com puredesertorganic.com
SMILE CREATIONS DENTAL: A Simple Guide to Returning to the Dentist
By Beba Drakulovic
IFYOU HAVEN’T been to a dentist in years, the main thing to know is that dentists see this situation all the time. You shouldn’t expect judgement - just an assessment of where things stand and a plan to get you back on track.
At Smile Creations Dental’s new-patient information, your first visit will likely include:
1. Medical and dental history review
• Curent medications
• Medical conditions
• Dental concerns, pain, sensitivity, or areas of concern
2. X-Rays
• To check for cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections, or other issues that cannot be seen visually
3. Comprehensive exam
• Examination of your teeth and gums
• Oral cancer screening
• Evaluation of jaw/TMJ issues if needed
• Discussion of any signs of gum disease, decay, cracked teeth, or old dental work that may need attention
4. Cleaning (sometimes same day)
• If your gums are generally healthy, you may receive a routine cleaning at that visit
5. Treatment plan discussion
• The dentist will explain what they found, what needs attention first, and what can wait
• If there is significant tartar buildup or gum disease further discussion regarding a deeper periodontal cleaning may be necessary, schedule additional treatment
• You’ll typically discuss costs, insurance coverage and scheduling before moving forward
A few tips if it’s been a long time since your last dental visit:
• Be honest about how long it’s been
• Mention any anxiety you have
• Write down or mention any symptoms beforehand (bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitivity, broken fillings, etc.)
Don’t assume the worst – many problems are easier to treat than people expect. If you’re nervous because it’s been 5, 10, or even 20+ years, that’s actually one of the most common concerns dentists hear from new patients. The appointment is usually much more focused on gathering information and creating a plan than on doing extensive treatment that day.
PHOTOS BY LISA KNOEBEL PHOTOGRAPHY
© Best Version Media
THE PIERCE FAMILY
Welcome to the next chapter
FORKATIE PIERCE, this season of life feels like a doorway. Behind her are chapters filled with love, loss, motherhood, faith, and hardearned perspective. Ahead is a new decade, a stronger sense of confidence, and a willingness to welcome whatever comes next.
Katie and her husband, Matthew, have called Copperleaf home for three years. Before moving to the community, their family lived in Fireside Norterra. They needed more space, but the move was about more than square footage. It was about being closer to the people and places that mattered most. Matthew works as a portfolio manager with Trust Bank, while Katie works as a trainer at Body Fit Training. Together, they are raising their three boys: Kaiden, 11, Greyson, 9, and Elijah, 3. Their days are full of school, practices, appointments, church, and family time. “We wanted to be closer to my in-laws, who live in the same subdivision,” Katie says. “We wanted to be close to school, and we already knew so many people who lived here.” With Matthew’s parents right down the street, their family has support nearby. Having family close has brought comfort, help, and stability.
Kaiden keeps the family busy with club football and basketball. Greyson has special needs due to a rare brain abnormality, which means therapy,
appointments, and extra care are part of their family rhythm. Elijah, the youngest, is, as Katie puts it, “living his best life.” Katie and Matthew are intentional about the values they hope to instill in their children, especially kindness. “I am a very big believer that everyone should be treated with kindness,” Katie says. “I want my boys to go out into the world with that as part of their character. I want them to be known as the kind kids.”
Motherhood has shaped Katie in ways she never expected. Raising boys has stretched her heart, tested her patience, deepened her perspective, and given her a love that is grounding and transformative. For Katie, home has become less about a place and more about the people inside it. “Home is where the family is,” she says. That understanding is especially meaningful because Katie’s own story began with adoption. She was born in Calcutta, India, and spent the first months of her life in an orphanage before being adopted. Her story has shaped how she understands belonging, gratitude, and the power of being chosen. “I am so grateful that I was adopted,” she says. “If I wasn’t adopted, I would not be here.” Becoming a mother gave her adoption story new depth. When she became pregnant, she thought about
the unknowns that come with not having family medical history. Still, Katie says she always felt loved and accepted. “Belonging does not have to be blood,” she says. “You can belong anywhere. I always felt accepted. I always felt loved.” That belief has carried into the way she raises her children. When her boys ask about her adoption, she answers honestly, using her story to teach them about gratitude, culture, family, and the many ways love can form. Katie’s life has also been marked by profound loss. She has experienced the passing of her parents and her brother, grief that reshaped the way she views life, purpose, and joy. Rather than allowing loss to close her off, Katie has allowed it to deepen her.
By Ewa Rusenovich
PHOTOS BY LISA KNOEBEL PHOTOGRAPHY
© Best Version Media
“I think it has shaped me to really find true satisfaction out of life,” she says. “Don’t just be surface level with life. I want to dig deeper in my family, in my work, and in the things I want to do.” Faith has been one of the anchors that helped her keep going. “That is when I dove deep into my faith,” Katie says. “If I didn’t have that, I don’t think I would be where I am now.”
Grief, Katie has learned, does not disappear or follow a neat timeline. It becomes something you learn to carry. Honoring the people she has lost means allowing herself to feel every emotion while choosing to move forward. “You can grieve and still enjoy life,” she says. “They can coexist.”
Fitness has become one of Katie’s places of peace. Working out helps her cope, process, and reconnect with herself. “I feel calm,” she says. “I feel liberated.” This August, Katie turns 40. At first, she admits, the milestone felt intimidating. Now, she feels excited. Her 30s brought growth, hardship, motherhood, loss, and lessons she could not have learned any other way. She sees 40 not as an ending, but as a beginning.
“The best is yet to be had,” she says. “Everything I have grown from has shaped me.” As she enters this next decade, Katie wants to leave behind guilt, trauma, chaos, and the parts of her story that no longer need to define her. She is not pretending the past did not happen. She is choosing not to let it be the only story she tells. She is ready to welcome growth, opportunity, confidence, and a new version of herself.
“I want to be someone who holds her head high,” she says. “Someone who walks confidently in a positive light.” When Katie thinks about what she hopes her boys learn from watching this new chapter, the answer is clear: resilience.
“I hope they see that life can be really hard,” she says. “But you keep your head up. You stay focused. You know there is always light.”
For Katie, the word welcome has taken on a deeper meaning. It is not just about arriving
in a new neighborhood or being greeted at the door. It is about welcoming growth, discomfort, healing, opportunity, and the version of yourself that is still becoming. It is about understanding that the past is part of you, but it does not have to hold the pen forever.
As she steps into 40, surrounded by family, faith, community, and the wisdom of everything she has walked through, Katie is choosing to welcome what comes next.
ASPEN WEST Building Legacy Through Financial Stewardship
By Ewa Rusenovich
FORASPEN WEST, becoming a wealth advisor was never just about numbers. It was about people. It was about families. It was about the quiet decisions made today that can completely change what tomorrow looks like.
Aspen believes financial literacy is one of the most important life skills a person can have, yet so many people enter adulthood without truly understanding how money works. That realization became one of the driving forces behind her career. What she loves most about her work is helping people understand their finances in a way that feels clear, empowering, and personal. It is the moment when a client finally sees what is possible. The moment when fear turns into understanding. The moment when a family realizes that small, intentional choices can create real opportunities for their future.
That passion started long before Aspen entered the financial world. It started with her mother.
Aspen’s mom was self-employed, and Aspen began working for her when she was only six years old. Each time she earned money, her mom would pay her, but she would set aside 25 percent for taxes and 25 percent for savings. At the time, Aspen did not fully understand what her mom was doing. She simply knew that part of what she earned was being put away.
Years later, she realized her mother had not just been saving that money. She had been investing it.
By the time Aspen was ready to buy her first car, pay for college, and take part in study abroad programs, she had the resources to do so because of those early lessons. Without realizing it, she had experienced the power of investing, patience, and compound growth for more than a decade.
That lesson stayed with her. It taught Aspen that wealth is not built overnight. It is built slowly,
through discipline, consistency, and time. It also taught her something even deeper: one generation can change the path of the next.
Today, that belief shapes the way Aspen serves her clients. She wants families to feel informed instead of overwhelmed. She wants them to understand that financial planning is not just for the wealthy or for people who already have everything figured out. It is for anyone who wants to make better decisions, protect what they are building, and create a stronger foundation for the people they love.
For Aspen, financial advising is a form of stewardship. It is helping people care for what they have been given and make decisions with wisdom and purpose. That same mindset carries into her family life with her husband, Ryan. Together, they have built a life centered around faith, family, service, and entrepreneurship. Ryan brings vision, creativity, and the courage to build. Aspen brings strategy, structure, and a deep understanding of finance. Their strengths are different, but they work together in a way that has shaped both their home and their future. They challenge one another. They encourage one another. They push each other to grow as parents, as business owners, and as people.
Both Aspen and Ryan are self-employed, and that has allowed them to create what Aspen calls “worklife integration.” Instead of treating work and family as two separate worlds constantly competing for attention, they have built a life where both can support each other. Their work matters, but so does being present for their children. Their careers have purpose, but so does the life they are creating at home.
Their decision to live in Desert Hills was also intentional. Ryan grew up on a farm, and Aspen grew up on a cattle ranch. Both of them understood the value of space, hard work, and growing up
close to the land. When they began raising their own family, they wanted to give their children a piece of that same experience. Desert Hills gave them room to breathe. Room for their children to explore. Room to live outside the pace of the city. More than anything, it gave them a community that felt aligned with the values they wanted to pass down. Those values are simple, but they guide everything: give more than you take, treat others better than you expect to be treated, leave things better than you found them, and finish what you start. If you are going to do something, do it right. That is the foundation Aspen and Ryan are building on.
Aspen knows that entrepreneurship and leadership are not always easy. There is freedom in building something of your own, but there is also responsibility. Her advice to others is to find work that allows them to use their natural gifts in a meaningful way. For Aspen, that work is helping families understand their finances and make decisions that can impact not only their own lives, but the lives of their children and grandchildren. At the center of it all, Aspen and Ryan are grateful for each other. The life they have built has not happened by accident. It has taken sacrifice, perseverance, teamwork, and faith. They have learned through difficult seasons and grown stronger through the challenges. They know there will always be more to face, but they also know they do not have to face it alone.
Looking ahead, Aspen hopes to continue helping families build confidence, create stability, and think beyond the present moment. Because to her, wealth is not simply about what a person earns or owns. It is about what they understand, what they protect, and what they pass on. It is about legacy.
PURELY PAETON A Passion for Patient Care, Artistry, and Lifelong Learning
By Paeton Deskin
One of the reasons I fell in love with aesthetics is because of the relationships I get to build with my patients. Every appointment is more than just a treatment—it’s an opportunity to connect, listen, and help someone feel like the best version of themselves. That trust means everything to me, and it’s something I never take for granted.
What makes aesthetics so special is the perfect balance between anatomy and art. Every face is unique, and every treatment requires both a deep understanding of facial anatomy and an artistic eye to create natural, balanced results. I love that no two days are ever the same, and each patient allows me to customize a plan that’s tailored specifically to their goals.
One of my favorite parts of this career is being someone’s pick-me-up, whether they’re celebrating a milestone, preparing for a special event, or simply needing a little confidence boost after a difficult season of life. Helping patients feel more confident in their own skin is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a privilege to be part of those moments.
I also love that the aesthetics industry is constantly evolving. There is always something new to learn, whether it’s advanced techniques, new products, or the latest research. Education is one of the most important parts of being a nurse injector, and I’m committed to continually growing my knowledge and refining my skills. My goal is to be better today than I was yesterday and to never stop learning.
Above all, my mission is to build lasting trust with every patient who walks through my door. I want each person to feel heard, educated, and confident in their treatment plan. By focusing on honesty, safety, and personalized care, my goal is always to guide patients toward natural, refreshed, and beautifully balanced results that help them look and feel like the very best version of themselves.
© Best Version Media
FORAt Evolve Collective , our members build strength, improve mobility, and stay active for life through Reformer Pilates, Strength Training, and Barre. Whether you’re new to fitness or looking for a fresh challenge, you’ll find expert coaching and a supportive community every step of the way.
Reformer Pilates • Barre Strength Training • Pilates X Strength Private Training Sessions
WOMEN WHO LEAD: Amy Ward
By Ewa Rusenovich
AMY WARD, leadership has never been about a title. It has been about people, trust, growth, and showing up with warmth in every season. Amy’s career in banking began shortly after high school in Michigan, where she started as a part-time teller at a credit union. Over the years, she worked through different roles, learning the business from the ground up and discovering how much she enjoyed helping people reach their financial goals.
After stepping away from full-time work to raise her young children, life brought Amy and her family to Arizona in 2020 through her husband’s career. Like many families new to the area, they were looking for the right place to call home. They were directed to Anthem, a decision Amy now considers one of the best things that could have happened.
Not long after settling in, their realtor encouraged her to visit Copper State Credit Union to open an account. During that visit, Amy’s banking background came up in conversation. Before long, she was offered a part-time position. What began as a way to meet people and connect with the community quickly grew into a new career path.
Amy joined during a season of growth and change as Copper State Credit Union continued strengthening its systems and services. She embraced the transition, supported her team, and advanced from part-time teller to full-time employee, personal financial consultant, assistant branch manager, branch manager, and now Assistant Vice President of Business Services.
As Branch Manager, Amy became a trusted face in Anthem, building relationships with members, local businesses, and community partners while leading with consistency, integrity, and care. Under her leadership, the Anthem Branch was recognized as Best of the Foothills for four consecutive years. In 2025, Amy was also honored with the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Excellence Award.
One of the things Amy loves most about credit unions is their foundation of “people helping people.” Unlike traditional banks, credit unions are not-for-profit, which means income is reinvested back into members through improved services, better products, and competitive rates. She describes great leadership as listening, following through, supporting a team, and encouraging people to reach their goals. Some of her proudest moments have come from watching employees grow into new opportunities.
Outside of work, Amy is proud of her family and is celebrating 20 years of marriage this year. She and her husband stay busy raising their 17-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter, and four rescue pups. She understands the challenge of balancing leadership, motherhood, marriage, and community involvement, and is grateful to be part of an organization that values family and flexibility.
As Copper State Credit Union celebrates 75 years, Amy is stepping into her new role focused on business growth and community support. She hopes to expand services for local businesses and continue creating financial solutions that help people thrive.
To young women hoping to lead, Amy’s advice is simple: stick with it, follow your heart, and keep going.
PHOTOS BY GOLDIE PIX PHOTOGRAPHY
Morozko Forge Ice Baths:
Built in Arizona. Trusted Around the World.
By Thomas P. Seager, PH.D. PHOTOS BY LISA KNOEBEL PHOTOGRAPHY
When I got a lab report showing my prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 7.0, I started ice bathing every day. I thought I was going to die of prostate cancer, and I was determined to avoid surgery. It took me four months to have the courage to retest. It worked. The ice bath brought my PSA down to 1.8 and my testosterone up to 1180 ng/dL, which is pretty good for a sedentary college professor.
Morozko Forge was founded in 2018 because me and my co-founders wanted a real ice bath that makes its own ice, and there was no such thing on the market. During the COVID lockdowns, everybody got interested in at-home wellness -- including Joe Rogan, probably our most famous customer -- and ice baths became something of a craze. Before COVID, we were building Morozko by hand in a backyard. When demand exploded, we had to rent a Studio in West Phoenix and hire lots of new people to try and keep up.
Arizona’s intense heat makes it the ideal test location for ice bath design an development. We handcraft every machine here in Phoenix, and we test them in the parking lot where it can get over 120F in the sun. Our promise is that Morozko will deliver ice under even the most brutal conditions. For me, the visual of the ice floating in the water is essential to psychological experience. That’s why I always say you should set your ice bath to a temperature that frightens you.
Immersion in water cold enough to trigger the gasp reflex activates the sympathetic nervous system— vasoconstriction, norepinephrine and dopamine
repeated sessions (often within two weeks), brown fat is recruited for non-shivering thermogenesis. Insulin sensitivity improves, and the nervous system becomes more adaptable.
If you’re starting a new cold plunge practice, go cold enough to gasp and long enough to shiver. After that two-week training period, you won’t feel the urge to shiver any more, and you don’t have to to get the benefit. I like to keep my ice baths freezing cold, and shorter than five minutes.
People often misunderstand the intensity as reckless or purely painful. In reality, it’s controlled hormesis—beneficial stress that builds resilience when dosed properly. It’s not just for athletes; we see broad use among those managing metabolic issues, mental health challenges, autoimmune conditions, and everyday stress. Resilience, to me, means the capacity to maintain composure and performance under pressure while recovering faster. My own daily practice has transformed how I handle stress: the initial shock trains me to choose calm breathing over panic, carrying over into work deadlines, relationships, and life’s unpredictability. I recover faster, think clearer under load, and approach challenges with greater confidence. A basic cold tub or shower offers milder metabolic benefits but rarely reaches the freezing temperatures needed for full psychological and brown-fat effects. Morozko systems make their own ice to sustain true ~32–34°F conditions as tolerance builds and use ozone disinfection plus microfiltration for crystal-clear water without chlorine—critical for safety, skin health, and enabling frequent use without irritation or bacterial concerns.
Hypertension is the #1 contraindication to cold plunge therapy. Because the ice bath can raise your blood pressure, those with chronic, untreated hypertension should not undertake cold plunge therapy without the supervision of a physician. For the rest of us, start feet-first and always breathe. There’s no benefit to overdoing it. Shivering
that won’t stop, brain fog, or the need for a long (>20 minutes) rewarming period indicates you’ve overdosed on cold. Allow full rewarming before driving or intense activity. A good rule of thumb is 3 minutes of light exercise for every minute of freezing cold water exposure.
The best metabolic reason to do regular ice baths is that they support mitochondrial health. All sex hormone synthesis originates in the mitochondria, so a regular practice of cold exposure typically boosts testosterone and estradiol levels. Studies also show a big improvement in insulin sensitivity, even to the point of reversing Type 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, most people who are serious ice bathers report that the mental benefits far outweigh the metabolic. My readers report better mood, reduced anxiety, greater confidence, better sleep, and improved handling of stress. Several have told me that ice baths may have saved their lives.
There’s an ancestral connection between the human body and cold. Our ancient ancestors survived Ice Ages, for goodnessakes. We’re already designed to flourish in the cold. The problem is that most people love such comfortable, climate-controlled lives that they never feel uncomfortable. As a consequence, they become vulnerable to chronic illness.
FIND MOROZKO FORGE ICE BATHS AT YOGA COLD BATH OFF HAPPY VALLEY RD. IN GLENDALE!
Did you know you can recycle worn or damaged American flags for free right here in Anthem?
A flag retirement collection box is located inside the Anthem Civic Building at:
3701 W. Anthem Way
Anthem, AZ 85086
Residents can place old flags inside the designated drawer, where they will be collected and retired with the dignity and respect they deserve.
American flags should not be thrown into a regular trash can. When a flag becomes faded, torn, frayed or no longer suitable for display, the proper tradition is to retire it respectfully. This local collection box makes it simple for Anthem residents to do the right thing while honoring the symbol and everything it represents.
Before dropping off your flag, remove any poles, brackets or other hardware. Fold the flag neatly, place it in a bag if possible, and deposit it inside the collection drawer.
It is a small community resource that many residents may not know about, but it provides an important service for our veterans, military families and neighbors who want to show proper respect for the American flag.
The next time you replace a flag at your home or business, bring the old one to the Anthem Civic Building for free and proper retirement.
RUSTY’S ANGELS SANCTUARY Second Chances, One Paw at a Time
By Ewa Rusenovich
Rusty’s Angels Sanctuary began 12 years ago with a senior dog named Rusty and a promise to save dogs age 10 and older.
Rusty was on the euthanasia list because of his age and medical needs, but founder Emilee Spear saw his worth and gave him a second chance. Today, his story lives on at a five-acre sanctuary where senior dogs are surrounded by comfort, safety, and love in the final chapter of their lives.
At Rusty’s, dogs live in air-conditioned tiny homes with private yards rather than kennels. The property also includes a Farm of Hope, providing refuge for rescued chickens, ducks, goats, and donkeys. Many of the dogs arrive after heartbreaking life changes, including the loss of an owner or a family no longer able to provide care. Rusty’s ensures their remaining years are filled with dignity and compassion.
The sanctuary’s impact is powered by community support. In the past year, 123 volunteers contributed more than 8,000 hours of service. In 2025, Rusty’s cared for 137 animals, including 85 senior dogs and 52 farm animals. Seven dogs found loving forever foster homes, while 17 animals completed their journey surrounded by care.
Support also comes through Rusty’s Resale Boutique at 42407 N. Vision Way in Anthem. The shop offers clothing, home décor, furniture, books, and unique treasures, with every purchase helping fund the sanctuary’s mission.
Rusty’s greatest need is financial support to help cover its $10,000 monthly veterinary expenses and provide care for the animals who call the sanctuary home.
© Best Version Media
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
NORTH VALLEY WATER SOLUTIONS Keeping Cool with Misting Systems in the North Valley
By David Newham, Owner NVWS
In the North Valley, outdoor living is part of everyday life. From backyard patios and pool areas to outdoor kitchens, restaurant patios, golf courses, and community spaces, Arizona residents love spending time outside. But when summer temperatures rise, even the most beautiful outdoor space can quickly become uncomfortable. A properly designed misting system can help make those spaces usable again.
At North Valley Water Solutions, we know that Arizona heat is more than just a seasonal inconvenience. It affects how families enjoy their homes and how businesses welcome their guests. A high-quality misting system works by releasing a fine mist into the air. As the mist evaporates, it helps cool the surrounding area, creating a more comfortable environment for relaxing, dining, entertaining, or simply enjoying time outside.
For homeowners, misting systems can makepatios, pergolas, pool decks, ramadas, and outdoor seating areas much more enjoyable during the warmer months. Instead of avoiding the backyard during summer, families can extend the use of their outdoor living spaces and continue making memories outside.
Businesses can also benefit from a dependable misting system. Restaurants, cafés, golf clubs, fitness spaces, and event venues with outdoor areas often depend on comfort to keep guests happy. A cooler patio or outdoor seating area can create a better experience and encourage people to stay longer, even during the hottest part of the year.
In Arizona, proper installation matters. Water quality, pressure, nozzle placement, and regular maintenance all play an important role in how well a misting system performs. Systems that are not designed correctly may drip, clog, leak, or fail to cool the space effectively. With professional installation and routine service, homeowners and business owners can protect their investment and keep their system running smoothly throughout the season.
Because hard water is common in Arizona, maintenance is especially important. Cleaning or replacing nozzles, checking lines, and servicing the system before peak summer can help prevent problems and extend the life of the equipment.
At North Valley Water Solutions, our goal is to help residents and businesses make smart choices for outdoor comfort. Whether you are installing a new misting system, improving an existing one, or preparing your system for summer, the right setup can make a major difference. Arizona summers are here to stay, but that does not mean outdoor living has to stop. With a reliable misting system, North Valley homeowners and businesses can stay cooler, more comfortable, and ready to enjoy the Arizona lifestyle.
© Best Version Media
HAIR BY KATIE J
Sun, Swim, and Healthy Hair
By Katie Simpson
SUMMER IS THE time for lying by the pool, soaking up the sun, ice-cold popsicles, and the smell of barbecue lingering in the air. But what happens at the end of summer when you look in the mirror and see green hair that looks and feels like straw?
Living in Arizona means our hair is exposed to some of the strongest UV rays in the country. Excessive UV exposure can cause hair to weaken and result in the texture feeling dry and dull. The outermost layer of your hair strands is called the cuticle. This layer forms a protective shield over your hair. A healthy hair cuticle should be flat and smooth to help lock in moisture while keeping it smooth and shiny. The harsh UV rays can break down that outer barrier, leading to frizzy, unmanageable hair.
So how do we fix this? Protect your hair from the sun! Hats are an easy option, but did you know that there are special products designed to protect your hair from the harsh UV rays? K18 HeatBounce, Joico Defy Damage Protective Shield, and the Color Wow Pop & Lock High Finish Serum are just a few options to keep your hair protected. We use sunscreen on our bodies, and we should also be using it on our hair!
Now that we have talked about the sun, what about the pool? Chlorine is a harsh chemical that is great for keeping our pools clean, but we have to think about what it is doing to our hair. Sebum is the natural oil that our scalp produces that coats the hair cuticle. Chlorine can strip our hair of those protective oils. Not only that, but it can also affect the color of our hair. It can cause artificial pigment in the hair to be oxidized, causing the color to fade or turn brassy.
For the blonde girls, copper in the water can build up on the hair shaft and turn it that dreaded green color. So how do we prevent this? The first step is to wet your hair with clean water before getting in the pool. Think of your hair like a sponge; if you get into the pool with it already wet, it will prevent it from soaking up the chlorinated water. You can also layer your hair with a conditioner or leave-in conditioner.
The Redken One United is a favorite in my studio, with 25 different benefits that leave the hair soft and shiny.
The company Malibu C has an amazing Swimmer’s Wellness kit that removes the damaging minerals and discoloration left on the hair after swimming. A little prevention goes a long way during these Arizona summers. Leave this season with an amazing tan and healthy, gorgeous hair!
Hair by Katie J is located inside Sol Haus Suites in Anthem, Arizona. Katie is passionate about helping clients protect, restore, and maintain healthy hair through every season, especially during Arizona’s hot summer months!
MY AMERICAN DREAM TEAM REALTY
The Truth About the Dove Valley Area Housing Market
By Wende Bartolomeo
IFYOU’VE BEEN following some of the national news stories, you might think the housing market has come to a standstill. Headlines about falling prices, higher interest rates, and fewer buyers have led many people to believe the market is crashing.
Here in the Dove Valley area, however, the local data tells a different story.
While today’s market has slowed from the unprecedented pace of 2021 and 2022, it is not collapsing. Instead, it has shifted into a more balanced and sustainable market— one where buyers have more choices, sellers have more competition, and both sides have opportunities.
The biggest difference today isn’t that homes aren’t selling—it’s that buyers have become more selective.
Homes that are thoughtfully prepared, professionally presented, priced competitively, and marketed effectively continue to generate strong interest. Buyers have more inventory to choose from than they did a few years ago, so they’re naturally drawn to homes that stand
just about the asking price—it’s about presenting the best overall opportunity
This is simply how a healthy real estate market functions. Instead of homes receiving multiple offers within hours of hitting the market, buyers now have time to evaluate their options, negotiate terms, and make informed decisions. Sellers, in turn, benefit from understanding today’s market and positioning their homes to meet current buyer expectations.
MARKET UPDATE
Take our community as an example. As of this writing, there are 61 homes actively on the market, with 27 already under contract. That means nearly 45% of the available inventory has already found a buyer. Those numbers simply don’t reflect a market where "nobody is buying."
out and clearly demonstrate their value.
Interest rates have certainly changed the conversation, but they haven’t stopped it. Today’s buyers are looking beyond the purchase price and paying closer attention to overall terms and affordability. Many successful transactions now include creative strategies that help improve affordability while creating value for both buyers and sellers. In today’s market, it’s no longer
Real estate has always been local. National headlines provide a broad overview, but they rarely reflect what’s happening in individual neighborhoods. Looking at the data within your own community paints a much clearer picture than stories covering the country as a whole.
The Dove Valley area housing market isn’t crashing—it’s normalizing. And for many buyers and sellers, that’s actually good news. A balanced market creates opportunities for thoughtful decisions, successful negotiations, and outcomes that benefit both the buyers and sellers, creating a win-win.
Q2 2026 - Single Family Homes in Dove Valley/ Sonoran Foothills
AZ Puppy Yoga
By Ewa Rusenovich
AZ Puppy Yoga has brought a fun and feel-good experience to the North Phoenix community, offering a unique way for people to relax, connect, and enjoy time with adorable puppies.
The concept is simple: guests attend a light, beginner-friendly yoga class while puppies brought in through AZ Puppy Yoga play, cuddle, and explore around the room. While yoga is part of the experience, many people come simply for the puppies - and that is completely welcome. AZ Puppy Yoga is designed to be relaxed, welcoming, and enjoyable for all comfort levels.
The classes have become a memorable local experience for families, friends, coworkers, and anyone looking for something fun and different to do close to home. The experience is also beneficial for the puppies, giving them gentle socialization with new people, sounds, movement, and positive handling in a safe, supervised setting.
In addition to community classes, AZ Puppy Yoga also offers private events, corporate wellness experiences, team-building sessions, school staff appreciation events, birthday parties, and pop-up experiences throughout the Phoenix area.
WHEN:
AUGUST 8 TH : 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
(INSTRUCTOR: JULIE)
WHEN:
AUGUST 21 st : 5:00 PM
(INSTRUCTOR: JEN)
WHERE:
AZ Puppy Yoga also gives back to local rescue efforts. For every two fully booked classes, AZ Puppy Yoga helps provide a spay or neuter surgery for a rescue dog, supporting the work being done to reduce unwanted litters and help more dogs find loving homes. AZ Puppy Yoga continues to grow as a creative local event option, bringing together movement, laughter, puppy cuddles, and a little extra good along the way.
Even to the employed doing everything right. We offer a hand up, not a handout. When the unexpected happens.
www.giveemabreak.org for more information.
© Best Version Media
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER
TSMC’s Commitment
to
Protecting North Phoenix’s Water
By TSMC Arizona
At TSMC Arizona, we are incredibly proud to call North Phoenix home. The chips we make here power the latest technologies - from smartphones to life-saving medical devices. As we work alongside our neighbors to bring advanced semiconductor manufacturing to Phoenix, we know that true growth must go hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship.
When we selected North Phoenix for our U.S. operations in 2020, the city and state’s thoughtful 100-year water planning was a deciding factor. We wanted to match that visionary planning with our own strict conservation standards. Although semiconductor manufacturing uses far less water than other sectors, like agriculture, cleaning high-purity silicon wafers still requires a significant amount of ultra-pure water.
Currently, our Phoenix campus operates at a 65% water recycling rate, reusing wastewater in our chillers and air scrubbers. To push our conservation efforts even further, we broke ground in 2025 on our new 15-acre Industrial Water Reclamation Plant (IRWP). Scheduled for completion in 2028, this state-of-the-art facility will enable "Near Zero Liquid Discharge" capabilities. At startup, it will boost our water recycling rate to 85%, with plans to reach 90%
or higher. Which as a result, reduces our demand on the City of Phoenix’s water supply.
Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop with water; we are actively implementing green practices across our entire campus today. We’ve designed our facilities with energy efficiency at their core, utilizing waste-heat recovery systems, LED lighting, and smart energy management for our manufacturing tools. If you visit us, you will see 14.5MW of solar panels that generate clean energy while providing welcome shade for parked vehicles. We also protect our local air quality using a rigorous two-stage control strategy for air emissions and have achieved an incredible 96% chemical waste recycling and reuse rate, minimizing the need for offsite disposal.
These initiatives are a key part of our recordsetting $165 billion investment in U.S. chip production. For us, investing in Arizona means investing in its future. By pioneering advanced recycling and green technologies in a desert region, we hope to set a new global standard and prove that technological progress and environmental preservation can thrive together. We are honored to be part of this vibrant community, and we look forward to building a sustainable, water-smart future with you.
dove valley living YOUR COMMUNITY.
Anytime. Anywhere.
By Sam Rusenovich
Dove Valley Living is now online!
One of the greatest joys of publishing Dove Valley Living is bringing our community together through stories that celebrate the people, businesses, organizations, and moments that make Dove Valley such a special place to call home.
Now, we’re excited to make those stories even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re traveling, sharing an article with family, or simply prefer reading on your phone, tablet, or computer, Dove Valley Living is now available online!
OUR NEW DIGITAL HOME ALLOWS YOU TO:
• Enjoy local feature stories and expert articles
• Discover trusted local businesses and community partners
• Submit story ideas, photos, community announcements, and events
• Learn about advertising opportunities for local businesses
• Connect directly with our publishing team
Our website is designed to keep Dove Valley connected between monthly issues while continuing the mission we’ve had since day one: bringing neighbors and local businesses together through stories that highlight, inform, and uplift our community.
Stay Connected All Month Long
While Dove Valley Living continues to grow, we invite you to join our Anthem Living Magazine Facebook community, where we share updates, feature stories, community events, local business spotlights, and content from both Anthem Living and Dove Valley Living. It’s the best place to stay connected with everything happening across our North Valley communities.
Thank you for welcoming Dove Valley Living into your home each month. Whether you’re turning the pages of your printed magazine or reading online, we’re honored to continue sharing the stories that make Dove Valley one of the North Valley’s most vibrant and connected communities. We look forward to connecting with you online!
