Mesa, AZ February 2025 by City Lifestyle

Savor, Sisterhood: The Wine Lounge Built on Friendship

PGA PRO JESSE MUELLER AND CADDY JON SARSIAT TEE UP FOR THE WM PHOENIX OPEN

AN ATMOSPHERE OF ROMANCE

Rebel Wine Lounge sets the mood with a modern, intimate vibe. Warm lighting, cozy seating, and a welcoming staff create an atmosphere where conversation and connection come naturally. The charming downtown Mesa location adds an extra touch of magic to your Valentine’s outing, making it a night to remember.

Rebel Wine Lounge is bound to be one of the most sought-after Valentine’s destinations in downtown Mesa. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure you and your date have a spot for this special evening. Whether you’re toasting to many years together or beginning a new chapter of romance, we want to help make your Valentine’s celebration one to remember.

A Month to Love Local

Welcome to our February issue! As we embrace the theme of "Love Local," we're reminded of the incredible individuals who make our community in Mesa—and the East Valley as a whole—so vibrant and special.

We’re starting this issue with the inspiring story of two local women, friends turned business partners, who brought Rebel Wine Lounge to life. Their journey, built on passion and friendship, is a beautiful testament to the power of following your heart and supporting one another. Not only have they created a welcoming space for wine lovers, but their vision embodies the true spirit of local entrepreneurship.

In the same spirit, we’re excited to highlight the stunning work of Joanne West, whose photography captures the breathtaking beauty of Arizona’s natural landscapes. Whether it’s the golden desert sunsets or the quiet majesty of our mountain vistas, her lens invites us to pause and appreciate the wonders of the world around us. It’s an honor to feature her in this issue.

And for those of you who are gearing up for the Waste Management Open this month, we’re following along with one of my dear friends as he caddies for local Mesa native, Jesse Mueller. Their story is a powerful reminder of the camaraderie that exists among friends and the pride we take in supporting local talent as they shine on the world stage.

As we dive into these stories, let’s also take a moment to enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather. February is the perfect time to get outside and explore—whether it’s hiking our local trails, enjoying a meal at a neighborhood café, or discovering a hidden gem in your own backyard. I hope this month brings you opportunities for connection, adventure, and joy.

Here’s to embracing the local love that makes our home so exceptional—enjoy every moment!

With love and gratitude,

MICHAELA HETHERINGTON, PUBLISHER

February 2025

PUBLISHER

Michaela Hetherington

michaela.hetherington@citylifestyle.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Adam Hetherington

adam.hetherington@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Ashleigh Underwood

ashleigh.underwood@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sonja Stafford

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Hannah Lorsch

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

CTO Ajay Krishnan

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-3: Rebel Wine Lounge sponsors a gala supporting The HOPE Foundation. 4: First Impression Ironworks sponsors Tempe Fantasy of Lights and Boat Parade. 5-7: Mesa City Lifestyle families enjoy the holiday season.

COMING SOON

8537 E LELAND ST, Mesa, AZ 85207

4 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath, 3,471 sqft $950,000

Experience Luxury Resort-Style Living in the Prestigious Gated Community of Mountain Bridge! This beautiful meticulously maintained home offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a versatile bonus room with its own private entrance - perfect for multigenerational living, a guest suite, home office, or hobby room. Step outside to your private backyard, backing to the wash so no neighbor right behind and breathtaking Sonoran sunsets. Call for a private showing!

With 16+ years of experience specializing in Northeast Mesa, I’m more than just an expert—I’m your neighbor. Discover concierge-level, client-focused real estate service tailored to your needs. From complimentary staging consultations to pre-listing repair guidance and free staging, I make selling your home effortless and buying a dream home seamless. Let’s make your next move your best one!

Scan to learn more.

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

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

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

Bahme Law Celebrates Anniversary!

February fifth marks one year since Bahme Law opened their practice! Bahme Law is a firm that strives to provide personalized legal services tailored to meet your unique needs. Bahme Law covers a multitude of legal services from business law, to in-house counsel, to contract and negotiation. Be sure to check out Bahme Law as they celebrate this wonderful milestone!

media pages about our next location. We plan to have an expanded brunch menu and other great things we can’t wait to announce soon. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok under @rebelwinelounge to stay in the know on upcoming announcements!

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Educational Sessions offered by Amada Senior Care

Amada Senior Care is offering two upcoming educational sessions for seniors and their families: VA Custodial Benefits, which explains how veterans can access benefits for caregivers and assisted living, and How to Understand Your LongTerm Care Insurance Policy, for those with long-term care insurance or riders on annuities or life policies. The sessions will take place on February 18th in Mesa/Tempe. To RSVP, call 480-999-5289, and Amada will provide the location details.

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UNIQUELOCALLY Rebel

Experience the community at Rebel Wine Lounge

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY SONJA STAFFORD

If the name Rebel doesn’t stand out to you as you walk through Downtown Mesa in the evening, don’t worry— you’ll see the people, hear the laughter and conversation happening and you will feel the beckoning to go and find out what is going on. Feel free to stop and stay awhile. Everybody is welcome.

Walking into Rebel Wine Lounge feels like that first breath of fresh air on a beautiful spring day. From the green couch that is centered against a beautifully designed accent wall with cream paint and wood fluting, to smaller, green, tufted back bench seats, to the brick columns that accent the spacious bar everything at Rebel feels intentional and inviting. You want to take off your coat (if you’re wearing one) and find a place to sit, maybe even make a new friend.

Christina Goldsmith, one of the owners, designed the boutique lounge giving visitors a taste of her impeccable design skills. She knew she wanted to use earth tones—the design started with the green couch. The result is an easily flowing space that makes you feel like you’re in a desert oasis. Coming to Rebel Wine Lounge is showing up for a relaxing experience, a break from the day, a place to unwind. Rebel Wine Lounge is the experience.

The owners, best friend duo Christina Goldsmith and Macee Tillman, first met a decade ago, working together at a mortgage company. They both describe the shift from working in a corporate office to becoming entrepreneurs the same way, “the corporate world couldn’t contain us.” Thankfully, they burst free from those confines. Their escape from the corporate world allowed them to pursue their passions. Between themselves and their husbands, a lot of favorite places in Downtown Mesa are owned by these two families. Within their group they own Rebel Wine Lounge, Outcast Doughnuts, Level One Arcade Bar, and the speakeasy below Level One, Alchemy 48.

Rebel Wine Lounge though, is the baby of Macee and Christina. Rebel Wine Lounge opened in April of 2024 but the process started in 2022. Macee and Christina were up in Cornville, having wine at a winery, when the discussion of the suite next door to Outcast came up. Macee and her husband knew it was going to be available and they were thinking about opening up a Wine Lounge. Christiana says “she invited herself into the concept” and everything started from there.

Macee was quick to interrupt Christina though, “I don’t know about that, it was like ‘if we don’t do this together it’s not going to be what it is. It’s not

going to be right.’” The decision was made in December 2022— starting the process of what we get to experience when we visit Rebel Wine Lounge today. Clearly, the magic of best friends working together was exactly right. When asked about the name, Rebel Wine Lounge, Christina is quick to point to Macee as the one who came up with the name. “Macee had it and I loved it…” All attention is drawn back to Macee as she starts to explain the name Rebel and where it comes from. “It’s constantly evolving...” she starts off. The word rebel has its obvious meaning that we’re all aware of. However, this word holds a special place in Macee’s heart. It was her father’s nickname

for his sister. Hearing Macee talk about it, you get the sense that she was close with her aunt. The way her dad would call her “Rebel” always had that sibling mischievous, teasing undertone. Over time as Macee has grown up and learned what the word meant it has become something she has aspired to, “Just being willing to do things differently, to like think outside the box, get your hands dirty.”

Since choosing the name, the word “rebel” has been an undertone in almost every aspect of business, from hiring to the wine selection, there is a bit of rebel hiding underneath. It has evolved even to this day— Rebel has become their whole community.

Desert PhotographyMeet Joanne West

Seeing the beautiful where others don't

Look up the definition of the word desert and you will get a lot of uninspiring imagery. When you are looking at definitions like, “arid land with usually sparse vegetation” and “a desolate or foreboding area” the last thing you think about is life and beauty.

However, as desert dwellers, those of us living in Arizona know first hand how beautiful the desert can be. The sunrises and sunsets seem like works of art painted across a sky canvas. The elevated elevation devoid of skyscrapers allows us the perfect viewpoint to see the beauty of desert skies. There is a local photographer who has made it her mission to bring joy into the world and her method of doing that is through photography.

Joanne West came to Arizona by way of Chicago when she was seventeen. Her photography journey is unconventional and started from a period of time where she was looking for purpose after losing her mother. Now, she tries to find the humor

in things and see the light where others see darkness. She has photographed many beautiful places, places everybody would consider beautiful—Africa, Australia, Italy, and Peru to name a few. However, her true love remains in Arizona where the most heartful images come from. She has made her home near the Superstition Springs Mountains in an underground dome home.

You can visit her main website (jwestphotography.com) to view her galleries, upcoming events, and for more information on how to work with Joanne. You can purchase her photography in a variety of formats, from photo cards to canvas and metal prints at: jwestphotography.com

Want to see her work in person? You can schedule an appointment to view her home gallery at 602-999-7957 or you can visit a few places in the Gold Canyon area—Tortilla Flats Mercantile and Gift Shop, Gold Canyon Café, My Sisters Café, and Live it Well Yoga Studio.

Her true love remains in Arizona where the most heartful images come from. “

DIY GOLD LEAF JEWELRY DISHES

supplies you’ll need:

• Wooden bowls, trays, etc.

• Gold leaf (or metallic gold paint)

• Gentle gold leaf brush

• Mod Podge (or gold leaf adhesive)

• Acrylic paint

• Paint brushes

• Painters tape (optional)

Bahme Law Celebrates One Year of Empowering Business Owners

steps to do:

• Grab a wooden bowl, some acrylic paint, and a brush.

• Hand paint some paint on one section of the bowl.

• Let the first coat dry and paint another two to three coats of paint until you’re happy with the result.

• Let the paint fully dry.

• I wanted my gold leaf paper to overlap the paint for a layered look, so I took a paint brush and painted some Mod Podge in an overlapping pattern.

• Once the Mod Podge gets tacky, use your hand to apply the gold leaf and accompanying wax sheet.

• Push the gold leaf onto the tacky glue, then remove the top layer of paper.

• Use your fingers to gently push the gold leaf onto the glue a little further.

• Next, use the gold leaf brush to smooth over the whole area and gently wipe away any excess gold leaf. Pay extra attention to the edges.

• Next, smooth the gold leaf section as much as possible, but don’t worry about any imperfections. The organic look of the gold leaf being imperfect gives the piece character.

• Next, work your way to the outer edge.

• Once the gold leaf is perfected, gently brush over the leaf with some Mod Podge to seal it to the bowl.

• Let it completely dry and enjoy!

“They’re a great and affordable gift idea for friends.”

GOLF: THE SIDE HUSTLE

A look at friendship behind local golf duo

ARTICLE BY ASHLEIGH UNDERWOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SONJA STAFFORD

The WM Phoenix Open, also known as “The People’s Open” is the golf event of the year in Arizona. Some might even argue that it is the event of the golf season considering that the WM Phoenix Open is the highest attended event on the PGA Tour. As one of the first PGA Tour stops, it is known far

Jon (left) with Jesse (right) at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club

“Taylor Swift playing in the golf cart is a must have though when you’re playing golf.”

and wide as the “Greatest Show on Grass.” The WM Phoenix Open brings in money for the charity, The Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds, who also host the event, focus on benefitting organizations that assist children and families— helping people in need and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

Mesa native Jesse Mueller will be one of the golfers competing in the WM Phoenix Open, having won his spot through the year-end tournament of the Southwest Section in the PGA of America. We had an opportunity to sit down and chat with Jesse and his caddy for the event, Jon Sarsiat, wanting to learn more about the guys behind the clubs.

It would seem as though Jesse was born with a club in his hand. He tells a great story of how golf has

always been a part of his family culture and how it is how they spent time together growing up. Jesse attended Red Mountain high school, competing on the golf team, and leading the team to three state championships. Continuing on to ASU, where he did play at the collegiate level and earned varying awards and recognitions. After college, Jesse was active on the professional golf circuit where he won a few championships. These days though, golf is what you would call a side gig for Jesse. He spends his days as the general manager of the Grand Canyon University golf course.

Jon, on the other hand, is an amateur all-around athlete. Born and raised in Canada, he played any and all sports growing up, eventually starting golf in the sixth grade thanks to a friend. For Jon, caddying

is also a side gig. Although he has a deep respect for those who are professional caddies. You can hear the reverence when he talks about it. Instead, Jon took the academic route, golf giving him the opportunity to get scholarships to pursue the academics he wanted. Jon spends his days as a medical director, overseeing the providers at a local inpatient hospital.

With such different backgrounds and upbringings (not to mention different countries), how did we end up with this local dynamic duo? The answer is simple—the wives. Most husbands are quick to point out the amazingness of their wife and these gentlemen are no different. When asked about where their friendship started they quickly point to and give credit to their wives. Over eight years ago these families moved to the same neighborhood. Jesse and Jon’s friendship was born out of their wives becoming friends.

Jon caddying for Jesse is a new addition to their friendship, only within the past few years. Jon and Jesse both point to enjoying hanging out together

“Jon truly loves helping and giving advice to help Jesse’s game improve, 'Anyway I can help him out whether he needs a cookie on the course or a water…”

when asked about the best parts of working together on the golf course. “We always have a good time,” Jesse says.

Jon truly loves helping and giving advice to help Jesse’s game improve, “Anyway I can help him out whether he needs a cookie on the course or a water…” he says during our conversation. Jesse is quick to jump in with a story though, showcasing Jon’s dedication. During a tournament in Kentucky (Jon is already laughing, not even knowing what story is about to be shared), Jesse shot a bogey or two which sent Jon running back to the clubhouse, claiming he would be right back. “I feel like you needed

these,” Jon says as he runs back to Jesse on the course, shoving chocolate chip cookies in the caddy bib. It was summer though, by the time Jon returned the cookies had melted. Jon pointed out that Jesse still had one. Not only did Jesse eat a cookie, but his game improved after the cookie.

Are cookies the secret to a better golf game? The jury is still out, Jon later said he might have made that part up and he might have eaten all the cookies himself. I know they can agree that Taylor Swift playing in the golf cart is a must have though when you’re playing golf. I even heard it coming from their golf cart myself.

LOVE POTION #9

ANNA BARNES

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

A PINK COCKTAIL PERFECT FOR CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

WHO NEEDS FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE FLOWERS AND COCKTAILS?

This Valentine's Day, whether you plan to treat a loved one, treat your girlfriends, or treat yourself, I can promise you'll want to serve up this perfectly pink cocktail; one I like to call Love Potion #9. It looks as fabulous as it tastes. You can't beat the bright, fresh grapefruit juice and the bubbles add a lively kiss on top. Each sip is dreamier than the next. Cheers, here's to love!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1.5 oz rosé

• 5 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 5 oz simple syrup

• 1 egg white

• 3 oz bubbles (champagne or sparkling wine)

THE HOW-TO:

1. Pour the rosé, simple syrup, egg white, and grapefruit juice into an ice-filled shaker.

2. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until chilled.

3. Pour into a coupe glass using the strainer.

4. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

5. Garnish with edible flowers and grapefruit peel.

6. Enjoy!

The Perfect Steak

ARTICLE BY CASEY WEBER, TALL GRASS MEAT COMPANY

Nothing describes summer better than a good cookout! And what is a cookout without a good, quality steak and the perfect grilling recipe?

1. Thaw and acclimate the steak. For searing to occur, the proteins in steak need to be heated to at least 310°F. Tossing cold meat onto a hot grill lowers the temperature and can prevent a crust from forming, so it’s important that any frozen steaks are thawed completely before cooking.

2. Salt your steak 30-45 minutes before grilling. This causes the salt to draw moisture from within the steak up to the surface, where it dissolves the salt and creates a brine that gets reabsorbed into the steak where it breaks down tough connective tissues.

3. Oil the grate on the grill, not the steak. Use tongs and a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lube your grates.

4. Manage your heat well. Remember that your grill needs to be hot for your steak to get a good sear. But if it’s hot enough to cause your oil to smoke, it’s too hot.

5. Use the 60/40 rule. The best-tasting steaks are seared on both sides and cooked evenly in the middle. The simplest way to do that is to only flip your steak once. The 60/40 rule suggests that 60% of your cook time should be spent on one side, and 40% on the other.

6. Keep the lid closed. It may be tempting to peek, but trust the experts and keep it shut! Opening the lid makes your grill lose heat, which makes steaks cook unevenly.

7. Check for doneness. A meat thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature reading:

• Rare: 120°F

• Medium Rare: 130°F

• Medium: 140°F

• Medium Well: 150°F

• Well: 160°F

8. Let your steak rest. Pull your steaks from the grill once they’re cooked to 5-10 degrees below your target temperature and rest for 10-15 minutes.

FEBRUARY 2025

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

FEBRUARY 1ST

Sampling at the Superstition Springs

4087 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, Arizona 85119 | 4:30 PM

Superstition Mountain Museum’s annual beer and wine-tasting fundraiser. This is an opportunity to enjoy beer and wine samples, a catered meal, musical entertainment and history against the majestic backdrop of the setting sun on the Superstition Mountain range. Reservations and tickets are required for this event. Tickets are $30 per person and $50 per couple.

FEBRUARY 8TH

Romeo & Juliet

Mesa Arts Center- Piper Repertory Theater | 2:00 PM

Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET finds new life in Gujarat, India. In a city beside the Arabian Sea, this poignant retelling examines identity, cultural conflict, and the pursuit of an independent life through the eyes of two star-crossed lovers. Come see this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Show runs through February 23rd at varying times. See the Mesa Arts Center website for details.

FEBRUARY 8TH

Mesa Feastival-

Saturday in the Park

Pioneer Park- 526 E Main Street Mesa, Arizona 85203 | 5:30 PM

Saturday, February 8th and Saturday, February 22nd

Come enjoy Gourmet Food Trucks, live music, and boutique vendors. Follow Mesa Feastival on Facebook for truck schedules, updates & special events

FEBRUARY 15TH

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

Mesa Arts Center-Ikeda Theater | 8:00 PM

Amalia Hernández was a dancer and choreographer, founder of the Ballet Folklórico de México in 1952.

Hernández began a long journey through Mexican culture that would lead her to rescue the traditional dances around Mexico. She managed to project to the world the beauty of our country through movement, from pre-Columbian cultures and Spanish influences to the revolutionary times.

FEBRUARY 21ST

Cubs Spring TrainingLA Dodgers VS Cubs

Sloan Park | 1:05 PM

Come to the Sloan Park Home Opener! Watch the LA Dodgers go against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa’s very own, Sloan Park. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cubs.com. You can learn more about Sloan Park in the January issue of Mesa City Lifestyle.

FEBRUARY 28TH

Maricopa County Home Show

Westworld of Scottsdale— 16601 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 | 10:00 AM

First Impression Ironworks is excited to showcase our handcrafted iron products at the Maricopa County Home Show! Visit our booth to explore our stunning iron doors, gates, and security solutions, and meet our team of experts ready to bring your home improvement visions to life.