Partner
Proven Success
#1 Team For Over 40 Years
Rob Castellini | Josh Mendoza | Mike Mendoza
Celebrating 250 Independence Days!
Hello friends!
Cheers to the biggest Fourth of July that we've had in the 21st century! I wonder how many of you can remember our 200th birthday in 1976? I'm aging myself, for sure. My third grade class performed "It's A Grand Old Flag" at our school program. I proudly wore the Pioneer dress that my mom hand-sewed, complete with an apron and a bonnet. The entire experience is seared in my memory. The Bicentennial celebrations were incredible.
I hope our amazing country goes all out again for our Semiquincentennial Independence Day. My wish is that a new generation of kids lock in a core memory of the family, friends and community coming together to acknowledge the incredible number of years that we've been a free country and the enormous blessings that affords each of us. However you mark the day, we hope you are surrounded by your favorite people, spending the time in a way that is special to you.
After the holiday weekend, we have the rest of July to enjoy. Many will travel to escape the heat. Lots of families will squeeze in a vacation before school starts back up. It truly is the perfect month for our Explore issue.
Ranging from visiting a new coffee spot in Ahwatukee to traveling abroad, there are endless ways to explore. Think day dates, lake days or road trips of varying lengths (I've previously shared the astounding number of day trips and diverse topographies that Arizona offers)! Or you can explore at your own home — a new recipe, a recently released book or trying your hand at a new craft.
We hope you will take this month to explore something brand new. And we hope this issue serves as inspiration for the many places, people and things just waiting to be discovered.
Cheers to you finding a new favorite!
SHERRY YORK, PUBLISHER
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Sherry York | sherry.york@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Beth Del Ville | beth.delville@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Stephanie Slezak
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kris Ann Valdez, Alison Stanton, Michelle Talsma Everson, Beth Del Ville
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Stephanie Slezak, Desiree Cruzan
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
inside the issue
Exploring Ahwatukee Luxury
Realtors
city scene
1-3: Guests enjoy the Ahwatukee City Lifestyle Leading Ladies event hosted at Verbena The Salon. 4: Josh and Jude Mendoza, partners from The Mendoza Team. 5: Lara Abalos with a giveaway from The Cellar. 6: Ahwatukee City Lifestyle writer Kris Ann Valdez and editor Beth Del Ville. 7: Partners from Duenas Eden Cravatta, PLC and Edward Jones. Photography by Stephanie Slezak
8: James and Lisa Kenyon from BLK LBL Fitness Club with Jayleen and Jackson York. 9: Katrina Bervin with Verbena the Salon manager Zachary Novak and Verbena the Salon owner Mateo Wood. 10: The Posh Revival owner and May 2026 cover model, Ana Piña, with her husband, Alex. 11: Nicolas Chavez from Confluent, Jayleen York, and Nolan Macnab from Myranda Fine Jewelry. 12: Tiana Soto and Izzy from 93.3 FM enjoy bites from Spinatos at the Leading Ladies event. 13: Tabitha Dumas provided color analysis to guests at the Leading Ladies event. 14: Verbena The Salon owner, Mateo Wood, and The Posh Revival owner, Ana Piña. Photography by Stephanie Slezak
> edwardjones.com Member SIPC
Jeff Schenk, MBA, CFP®, CEPA®,
3930 E Ray Road, Suite 250 Phoenix, AZ 85044
480-706-0327
jeff.schenk@edwardjones.com
Kristin Spackeen, AAMS® Financial Advisor
3930 E Ray Road, Suite 250 Phoenix, AZ 85044
480-706-0327
kristin.spackeen@edwardjones.com
Mountain Pointe High School Teachers Receive Excellence in Education Awards
Natasha Alston and Jack Vermeer were honored during the 37th Annual Excellence in Education Awards hosted by the Tempe Diablos. The local Tempe nonprofit recognized educators and school staff across three local school districts for their dedication, leadership and impact on students. Alston, who teaches Social Studies, received the Lifetime Achievement award. Vermeer, a Math teacher, was presented with the Leadership award.
Photography by Eddie Farris, The Motion Production
Explore a Healthier, Brighter Smile
Crêpe Bar Signs New Lease, Celebrates 14 Years in Tempe
Jeff Kraus, chef and owner of Crêpe Bar, has signed a new three-year lease at the beloved Tempe location at 7520 S. Rural Road. The milestone comes as the restaurant — which serves sweet and savory crêpes, coffee, local pastries and more — celebrates 14 years in business. Kraus says the renewal “felt like a commitment to the community that has supported us since day one, and to my staff who show up daily to give their best.” IG: @crepebar | 480.247.8012
Mention this article at your next appointment and receive a complimentary take-home whitening kit as our gift to you!
This season, we invite you to EXPLORE the benefits of excellent oral health and discover how a healthy smile can enhance your confidence, wellness, and quality of life.
Maintaining good oral health is about more than just having beautiful teeth. Regular dental visits, professional cleanings, and consistent home care help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other health concerns that can impact your overall well-being. A healthy mouth contributes to a healthier body, allowing you to smile, speak, and enjoy life with confidence.
Whether you're new to the area, searching for a new dental home, or simply ready to experience a higher level of care, we warmly welcome all new patients to our practice. Our team is committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Now is the perfect time to explore what modern dentistry can do for your smile. From preventive care and cosmetic treatments to advanced technology and personalized treatment plans, we're here to help you achieve your healthiest smile yet.
Photography by Debbie Wolvos, DW Photography
Ahwatukee EXPLORING LUXURY
Realtors Mike and Josh Mendoza share their favorite bespoke features
ARTICLE BY ALISON STANTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DESIREE CRUZAN AND COURTESY OF THE MENDOZAS
In their 60-plus combined years working in real estate, Mike Mendoza and Josh Mendoza have helped countless clients find their dream homes throughout Ahwatukee and the rest of the Valley.
Having such extensive and successful careers as Realtors means the Mendozas, the owners of the renowned Mendoza Team, have spent plenty of time inside some of the most stunning luxury homes in the area.
While most high-end homes have plenty of attractive and desirable amenities, Mike and Josh have noticed that some bespoke details are especially desirable – both for them, and buyers.
While the Mendozas work with clients at all price points, we asked them to explore 10 of their favorite opulent details found in the most luxurious homes.
HIGH-END KITCHEN APPLIANCES
A beautiful kitchen is more than the heart of a home. As Josh notes, an expertly laid-out kitchen, filled with high-end appliances, is definitely a desirable feature of a luxury home. “People expect quality craftsmanship and equipment in luxury homes and expect the best finishes when purchasing,” Josh says, adding that kitchen appliances by the Viking, Wolf, Bosch and/or Sub-Zero companies are particularly attractive and desired by buyers.
“Many of these amenities are timeless rather than trends,” Mike says. “For example, while the type of flooring, cabinetry and countertop stone can shift throughout the years, the quality of the craftsmanship and what is placed in the house always matters the most.”
Josh (left) and Mike Mendoza. Photography by Desiree Cruzan.
QUALITY FLOORING
While there has recently been a movement to high-end luxury vinyl flooring in upper end housing, Mike says he feels real wood flooring is still an unparalleled luxury that he likes, and is often desired by his clients. “Many of our buyers prefer true wood,” he says.
A LOVELY VIEW
There’s a reason that “location, location, location” is a common saying in real estate. Whether it’s in the mountains and foothills surrounding Ahwatukee, the desert, on the water or by a golf course, Mike says a beautiful home at an incredible location always drives sales.
BACKYARD AMENITIES
“A resort-style backyard that takes advantage of the Arizona weather is preferred,” Josh says, adding that the amenities he always likes to see include a sparkling pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen and entertainment areas.
WINE CELLARS
Although many luxury homes have started incorporating a “wine wall” that features clear glass, Mike says he, and many buyers, prefer the classic wine cellar. “For a true wine aficionado, a traditional wine cellar can be a selling point,” he notes.
LUXURIOUS PRIMARY BATH
“People like to see extra amenities and perks when purchasing a high-end home,” Mike says. “Items like saunas, steam rooms, large rain showers and other features elevate the property to the next level.”
CUSTOM, QUALITY BUILT-IN CABINETRY
Instead of cookie cutter cabinets that are functional yet generic, Mike says he and Josh are always happy to list homes that feature custom-made cabinets. “Nothing says luxury like a uniquely built item meant only for your home. Custom designed cabinetry can make a home truly unique,” Mike says.
ENSUITE BATHROOMS
In addition to the primary bedroom having an attached bathroom, the Mendozas say multiple ensuite bathrooms are a highly attractive feature. “When you’re purchasing a large home, every bedroom having a bathroom is desired for both resale, and the convenience it affords when living in the property,” Josh says.
A LARGE GARAGE
When it comes to the garage space, the Mendozas share the same opinion. “The bigger the garage, the better,” Mike says. More specifically, higher ceilings that can incorporate car lifts are a plus, and RV garages on the lot are also always a great feature, he notes.
RETRACTABLE, HIDDEN SLIDING GLASS DOORS
These types of doors that open up the home to the backyard allow for effortless entertaining and great airflow through the home. “It’s a statement that people enjoy and helps elevate a property above others,” Josh says.
ACHIEVING THE AESTHETICS
As for the architectural style of a luxury home, Mike and Josh agree that this is usually a personal preference for buyers, and all styles tend to be popular.
What makes the difference, they note, are the high-end finishes that accompany the architecture.
“Different layouts and design choices flow with tastes through the decades, but updated amenities are what drives luxury real estate,” Mike says.
If a luxury home is missing a few of the amenities that buyers are looking for, the Mendozas may suggest the sellers consider adding them in.
“Updating a home to bring it into a more modern aesthetic can often help garner a higher price point,” Josh says.
Overall, the Mendozas say, a luxury home that offers plenty of bespoke amenities, and is turnkey, is likely to appeal to the broadest range of buyers.
“Every buyer has a different want or need,” Mike says. “But the more move-in ready a luxury home is, the more likely it is to sell quickly for top dollar.”
MendozaTeam.com | 480-706-7234
Photography by Desiree Cruzan.
THE VISIBLE AND VEILED ART OF ELLEN GONZALES
DISCOVER BEAUTY
ARTICLE BY KRIS ANN VALDEZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SLEZAK
“...she writes thoughtful messages, fragments of scripture or words tied to a season. Most of the time, she covers them or leaves them barely peeking through. Yet always, the intended theme is felt in the finished product.”
Ellen Gonzales started her career in aviation—a far cry from the fine art world where she’d eventually end up.
But the creative side of her was always there. As a child, she recalls, “I loved all things creative,” which included watercolor, drawing and painting. As a high school student, she took an art class, and her piece was selected for exhibition at the local public library.
It excited her, but it wasn’t enough to set her on the fine art path. Not yet.
Although Gonzales took art classes in college, her focus shifted several times before she settled on a degree in social sciences and entered the aviation industry to work in her family’s business.
Fifteen years passed. Then came 2020. And suddenly, like many people, she found herself with more space to think, create and explore her life’s purpose.
Shifting her career started with stickers.
Gonzales says she loves planners and wanted to redecorate hers, but couldn’t find any faith-based stickers she liked.
“Let me get you an iPad, and you can make your own,” her husband suggested.
She did, and he was so impressed, he encouraged her to sell them. Gonzales opened an Etsy shop to sell hand-drawn products, but what began as a small creative outlet rapidly grew. Soon, she was painting more than just stickers, experimenting with drawing on everything from notebooks to Bibles to cutting boards.
“Oh, my gosh, I've painted so many different things,” she says.
To sell her work outside of Etsy, Gonzales signed up for craft shows and art fairs, both locally and out of state. But even as her business expanded, she wanted to grow in her technical skills.
In 2023, she signed up for the Milan Art Institute, a year-long, rigorous technical fine art training program—one that Gonzales credits for helping her gain confidence and for her work to bloom, literally.
Yes, these days she often paints flowers. But that’s because she sees desert florals as symbolic and expressive. As she puts it: nothing dry is dead, it’s just “learned to wait.”
She Is Overflowing
Held in His Light
“My work holds that same posture: patient, rooted, reaching towards light,” she adds.
Gonzales works out of a sunlit studio, surrounded by her beloved desert landscape. While she used to mainly paint in acrylics and watercolors, she’s since expanded into mixed media, almost always finishing with oils because “it makes things come to life.”
Her work does take on a life of its own. Often on her blank canvases, she writes thoughtful messages, fragments of scripture or words tied to a season. Most of the time, she covers them or leaves them barely peeking through. Yet always, the intended theme is felt in the finished product.
At shows, Gonzales says she finds herself in deep conversations about the meaning of her individual paintings. “Sometimes, people cry,” she says.
Collectors even tell her that they bought a piece from her during a hard season and that it still speaks to them years later.
Gonzales has received recognition for her work, including placing in the top 10 nationally in the Tubac Festival. This summer, she plans to participate in an art exposition in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
But for Gonzales, success is deeper than that. Once, she envisioned herself working inside a church, but now she sees her art as an opportunity to touch people’s hearts. When it does, that means everything to her.
The artist calling is not for everyone, but it’s certainly for Gonzales.
“I’m 100 percent in this,” she shares.
Artwork images provided by Ellen Gonzales
Rest In Me
WANDER Mortimer FARMS
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY MORTIMER FARMS
At Mortimer Farms, every season has its own story.
It begins in spring, when fields are planted, flowers open and baby animals arrive. It swells into summer with blackberries, tomatoes, sweet corn and sunflowers. By fall, the farm turns golden, filled with pumpkins, cider and family traditions. Winter brings a slower beauty, with greenhouse growing, holiday gatherings and preparation for another year to begin again.
A WORKING FARM FIRST
Located in Dewey, Mortimer Farms sits on 324 acres of Arizona agriculture. This is not a place built to imitate farm life. It is farm life, with crops in the fields, food in the market and a calendar shaped by what is growing.
That authenticity is part of the draw. Visitors can pick produce from the field, meet farm animals, shop the market and deli, enjoy baked goods and seasonal meals, attend events and spend time outdoors.
“What makes the experience unique is that it is not just entertainment layered onto a property,” says Ashlee Mortimer, CEO of Mortimer Farms. “It is agriculture woven into every experience.”
At the heart of it all is a simple mission: connecting families to the story of their food.
SUMMER IN FULL BLOOM
Summer is one of the farm’s most flavorful seasons, when the fields offer sweet corn, blackberries, tomatoes, flowers and vegetables ready for picking. For families, the Pick-Your-Own experience is often the heart of the visit. Children can walk into the fields, harvest food with their own hands and learn that dinner does not begin at the grocery store.
The season also brings sunlit days in the Farm Park, farm-inspired rides, animal encounters, fresh baked goods, lunch from the deli or Windmill Kitchen, homemade ice cream and lemonade. On Friday nights, the pace shifts. The Friday Night Barn Dance brings live music, food and dancing to the farm, creating the kind of small-town gathering that feels increasingly rare.
“Summer at Mortimer Farms is very much about slowing down, being outdoors and enjoying simple moments together,” Mortimer says.
A SEASON FOR EVERY VISIT
In addition to summer’s long days and field-fresh abundance, each season brings its own reason to visit.
Spring arrives softly, with blooming flowers, fresh plantings, baby animals and cool weather. Fall brings the farm’s most well-known tradition, Pumpkin Fest, when the property becomes a harvest celebration filled with pumpkins, rides, games, entertainment, apple cider donuts and fresh-pressed cider.
Winter moves at a quieter pace. The season centers on the market and deli, bakery, holiday experiences, farm-to-table dinners and greenhouse growing, offering guests a more peaceful view of the farm while the fields prepare for what comes next.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, food REMAINS THE THREAD THAT TIES THE experience together. MONTHLY FARM-TOTABLE DINNERS invite guests TO GATHER AROUND LONG tables for seasonal MEALS MADE WITH INGREDIENTS grown on THE PROPERTY.
ROOTED IN TRADITION
Throughout the year, food remains the thread that ties the experience together. Monthly farm-to-table dinners invite guests to gather around long tables for seasonal meals made with ingredients grown on the property. Great-Grandma Alice’s homemade pies, blackberry treats, sweet corn, homemade ice cream and scratch-made bakery items have become favorites people return for.
Still, Mortimer says the farm’s lasting pull is not only about food, festivals or wideopen space. It is about connection. “At Mortimer Farms, guests are not just buying a ticket or eating a meal,” she says. “They are participating in something bigger.”
That may look like a child holding a justpicked blackberry, grandparents dancing on a summer night or a family carrying pumpkins back to the car. Season by season, Mortimer Farms invites visitors to step out of their routines and remember that some of the best memories are grown close to the ground. MortimerFarmsAZ.com
ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE
Everything you need to make any flight feel like first class
KEEP CALM & CARRY ON
Airports can be chaotic, middle seats are torture and the legroom is never enough. But a well-packed carry-on? That part is entirely up to you. Whether you’re headed to a quick weekend getaway or a transatlantic adventure, these curated essentials are sure to keep you comfy for the long haul — or short.
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1. BAREFOOT DREAMS COZYCHIC ANKLE SOCKS | $25 | nordstrom.com | The ultimate in warmth and softness for those chilly plane rides. | 2. BOSE QUIETCOMFORT HEADPHONES | $359 | bose.com | Legendary noise-cancelling headphones. | 3. OSTRICHPILLOW GO MEMORY FOAM TRAVEL PILLOW | $59.95 | nordstrom.com | A travel must-have for helping you stay comfortable and prevent neck and back pain. | 4. CROWN AFFAIR THE DRY SHAMPOO | $28 | sephora.com | Refresh your hair before reaching your destination with this aerosol-free powder. | 5. SALT & STONE MINI DEODORANT | $32 | sephora.com | Smell good, not overpowering, with these travel-friendly minis. | 6. AESOP RESURRECTION RINSE-FREE HAND MIST | $16 | nordstrom.com | This alcohol-based hand mist with aloe vera refreshes and protects hands. | 7. TATCHA SERUM STICK | $49 | sephora.com | Moisturize in the friendly skies with this touch-up balm that targets dryness and signs of aging, perfect for your neck. | 8. slip LOVELY LASHES PURE SILK CONTOUR SLEEP MASK | $79 | nordstrom.com | This luxury mask sits away from your eyes, allowing space for your eyelashes to sit. | 9. SUMMER FRIDAYS THE JET LAG ESSENTIALS HYDRATION SET | $34 | sephora.com | This set brings together a travel-sized hydration mist, serum, mask and eye patches for on-the-go hydration.
Image courtesy of Nordstrom, Inc.
Image courtesy of Nordstrom, Inc.
courtesy of Nordstrom, Inc.
Love Luxury Again
April - June Promotions
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
events
THROUGH AUGUST 2027
Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion
Phoenix Art Museum
Commemorating 60 years of Phoenix Art Museum’s fashion collection, Colorwear is a celebration of colorful ensembles and whimsical accessories. This exhibition reveals how North American and European designers used color as a source of inspiration. It also features spectacular accessories, such as Judith Leiber pillboxes, psychedelic scarves and exquisite shoes. PhxArt.org
SUNDAYS
Ahwatukee Farmers Market
Ahwatukee Swim & Tennis Center | 8:00 AM
Fresh food, arts and crafts, food trucks and more come together each Sunday for this signature weekly community event. The Ahwatukee Farmers Market continues their summer hours this month, running from 8 to 11 a.m. through September. For more information, visit ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com/Ahwatukee-Farmers-Market
JULY 12TH-26TH
Taste in Tempe
Enjoy the city’s dining scene during Taste of Tempe, where participating restaurants, including Ghost Ranch, North Italia - Novus Place, Society Tempe and more, will offer prix-fixe menus. Delicious discoveries await around town; explore new culinary destinations during this two-week event. TempeTourism.com/Taste-in-Tempe
