LIFESTYLE LETTER
July—Explore!
Many North Peoria residents like to get out of town in July. Sure, it's escaping the triple digits, but I always consider it an opportunity to pursue another grand adventure instead of simply running away from the heat.
As many of you know from reading my previous letters, I’ve been a travel writer for 30 years, which allows me to explore the world, see amazing places, meet incredible people, and eat unforgettable meals. But traveling the world isn't the only way to explore this beautiful planet. We are fortunate to live in the Western US, which offers various travel options, from our impressive national parks and other natural areas to beautiful resorts and incredible adventures. Here in Arizona, we have something for everyone, just waiting for you to explore.
In this issue, we offer great destinations to visit throughout the Western States—and even a delicious recipe if you want to relax by the pool at home. Are you planning to travel this summer? As for me, I'm exploring the country this summer in my fifth-wheel travel trailer. While I'm enjoying the cool ocean breezes in Maine this July, I know there's no place like home in January. We would love to hear about your summer explorations. Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram @NorthPeoriaLifestyle!
SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM, MANAGING
EDITOR
@NORTHPEORIALIFESTYLE
July 2024
PUBLISHER
Julie LaCroix
julie.lacroix@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Susan Lanier-Graham
susan.lanier-graham@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Nichole Eckman nichole.eckman@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Nichole Eckman nichole.eckman@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Mimi Slawoff mslawoff@gmail.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jen David jen.david@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sue G. Collins, Stephanie Hasbrouck, Susan Lanier-Graham, Gretchen Pahia
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nichole Eckman, Susan Lanier-Graham
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
Proverbs 3:5-6
Freedom of Financial Security: Ensure financial stability for your loved ones by distributing assets wisely.
Freedom from Tax Burdens: Minimize estate taxes and administrative costs to maximize your beneficiaries’ inheritance.
Freedom from Worry: Rest assured that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes.
Secure your family’s future and enhance your independence with peace of mind.
•Wills and Trusts •Powers of Attorney • Trust Administration and Probate • Advanced Estate Planning
• Preparation of Health Care Documents
Create Your Own Taste of the West as You Explore Arizona
Western Weekend Getaways
Arizona has some beautiful retreats, each offering a unique perspective on the Southwest. These weekend getaways offer a taste of the West: horseback rides at sunset, gourmet meals after a day of golfing, and a romantic respite in downtown Tucson. Enjoy your escape!
ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
Tucson's Westward Look began in 1912 as a private hacienda. Today, the 80-acre resort at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains offers a quiet, peaceful retreat. Relax by the pool, play tennis, and enjoy a quiet dinner with a city view. Book a sunset horseback ride, a morning stroll through the gardens with landscape manager Raymundo Ocampo, and a spa treatment. I recommend the Sonoran Spa Wellness Garden Ritual, an 80-minute treatment that begins with a stroll through the gardens to gather ingredients and ends with a full-body massage.
WestwardLook.com
The Wigwam Resort
The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park blends casual elegance with Southwestern charm. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company opened the property in 1918 as a company retreat. It became a resort in 1929. Wigwam's 440 acres feature newly remodeled suites and casitas, three pools, two waterslides, multiple dining venues, a luxurious spa, and three 18-hole championship golf courses. Dining at Litchfield's is a treasure. I recommend starting with the Hot Rocks appetizer, featuring buffalo tenderloin, corn cake, and a roasted jalapeño crema. For your main course, try either the Wagyu flank or buffalo filet.
WigwamArizona.com
The Armory Park Inn
The Armory Park Inn in historic downtown Tucson is one of my favorite inns. Owner Amy Draper—an eighth-generation Tucsonan—has transformed an old 19th-century pueblo into a luxurious bed-andbreakfast inn. I feel a sense of peace at The Armory Park Inn that I seldom feel at a hotel. Each room is themed around a historic Arizona character and beckons you to relax. The inn is in historic Armory Park, just a short walk from downtown. Enjoy Armory Hour on the patio with a glass of wine, local beer, or non-alcoholic drink, and wake each morning to a home-cooked Southwest-inspired breakfast.
ArmoryParkInn.com
Photo Courtesy Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
Armory Park Inn. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Photo Courtesy Wigwam Resort
JET PLASMA PEN
National
5 WESTERN PARKS
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM
There are 40 national parks west of the Mississippi (not including Alaska and Hawaii). These beautiful settings offer great outdoor adventures! Consider getting an annual park pass and taking to the road.
Here are five of our favorite Western national parks.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
Grand Teton National Park is near the mountain resort town of Jackson, Wyoming. It covers about 310,000 acres and features the soaring peaks of the Teton Range. I recommend entering the park north of Jackson on U.S. Highway 191.
The scenic drive offers breathtaking vistas of the Teton Range, with the tallest, Grand Teton, soaring to 13,775 feet. I suggest taking the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, a 30-minute side route that meanders along the east shore of Jenny Lake.
Continue to the Colter Bay Visitor Center, home to the Indigenous Arts and Cultural Demonstration Program. After leaving the visitor center, drive ten miles along the John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway to Yellowstone National Park.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING, IDAHO AND MONTANA
Yellowstone National Park stretches over 2.2 million acres through Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Its most recognized icon is Old Faithful, which erupts about 20 times daily. While waiting for the famed geyser, visit the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center.
Take time to stop at the other geysers along the drive. Each is different, and watching the natural bubbling cauldrons is fascinating. Yellowstone Falls is also worth a stop. The dizzying view of the powerful falls left me speechless.
If you're looking for a place to stay in the park, I recommend Canyon Lodge & Cabins (YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com). There are several types of accommodations and dining options, all in the heart of Yellowstone.
Glacier National Park
Grand Tetons National Park
Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon National Park.
Photo by William Graham
Grand Canyon National Park.
Photo by William Graham
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Glacier National Park is probably the most beautiful national park I've visited. The splendor of Montana comes to life in the million-acre park with its glacier lakes, high mountains, and abundant wildlife.
While you must have a reservation to enter Glacier between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., there are ways around it. We stayed in nearby Hungry Horse, only ten minutes from the Apgar (west) entry. We headed back each afternoon at 3 to explore for a couple of hours before sunset. If you book a stay at the classic Lake McDonald Lodge, you don't need vehicle reservations— however, the lodge books up months in advance.
My favorite way to see Glacier is via the park's Red Bus tours (GlacierNationalParkLodges.com/red-bus-tours). Glacier has a fleet of historic red buses, lovingly restored to take you up the steep, narrow Going-to-the-Sun Road. We were happy not to have driven the road, but instead, we could sit back and watch the wonders unfold around us.
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
Saguaro National Park in Tucson is split into two districts— the Rincon Mountain District, east of Tucson, and the Tucson Mountain District, west of town. Together, they cover 500 square miles, and the Rincon Mountain District backs to the Saguaro Wilderness Area.
The paved Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the east and the graded dirt Bajada Loop Drive in the west offer the best introduction to the park. There is some primitive camping in the park, or you can book a stay at one of the accommodations we recommend in the Weekend Getaways article on page 8.
GRAND CANYON
NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
Of course, our state’s most famous national park is Grand Canyon National Park. The 1.2-million-acre park encompasses 278 miles along the Colorado River. The South Rim is the most popular tourist destination but extremely busy during summer. Fall is ideal. Shuttle buses run along the South Rim or bypass driving in the park by taking the Grand Canyon Railway (TheTrain.com) from Williams to the South Rim.
Stop by El Tovar for lunch or dinner and to see the classic old lodge.
Avoid crowds by visiting the North Rim, open from mid-May through mid-October. It is much less busy and offers breathtaking views.
Want to hike the Grand Canyon? The rigorous multiday hike requires planning, preparation, and reservations about a year in advance.
Saguaro National Park
ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM
Road-Trip Essentials
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ITEMS FOR YOUR SUMMER EXPLORATIONS
Whether your adventures take you across the state or around the world this summer, having the right travel gear can help make your trip successful. As a full-time travel writer for the past three decades, I've tried many products. Some helped, while others were mostly hype. Over the past year, I've sampled various items to select the best ones to help you as you plan your summer vacation. My favorites? The Level8 luggage and Samsonite backpack. They go with me everywhere!
Samsonite
Cincha
Nomatic
Level8 Voyageur
Melii
Wallaroo
Courtesy Rydir
Courtesy LOCHBY
Courtesy JordiLight
Courtesy MyBevi
Courtesy STNKY
Courtesy Helen Round
The Stripes Company
Courtesy Boutique Camping
Courtesy PackIt
ARTICLE BY GRETCHEN PAHIA
Exploring Close to Home
ENJOY ONE OF THESE GRAND ADVENTURES IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!
Lake Pleasant
Scorpion Bay Marina offers floating cabins, pontoon/ski boats, hot tub boats, jet skis, and kayak rentals. Check out the inflatable on-water obstacle course at Paqua Park or rent one of the 40-person party boats with a captain. ScorpionBayAZ.com
Radford Racing School
Radford Racing School is a racing and high-performance driving center in the East Valley. The 450-acre facility features a 1.6-mile, 15-turn track that fine tunes the skills of drivers of all levels. RadfordRacingSchool.com
Rainbow Ryders
Rainbow Ryders is the country’s largest hot air balloon company based in the West Valley. The company offers scenic sunrise flights to delight folks of all ages with exhilarating experiences. RainbowRyders.com
Arizona Outdoor Fun Adventures and Tours
Arizona Outdoor Fun Adventures and Tours, based in New River, offers guided and unguided ATV and UTV tours and other off-roading adventures. AZOutdoorFun.com
Foothills Ranch
Foothills Ranch in Mayer, one hour north of Peoria, offers horseback riding adventures for the entire family. It’s a great way to explore nature in the Bradshaw Mountains with your family. Foothills-Ranch.com
Jeep CompassTrailhawk
COMPACT SUV DESIGNED FOR FUN EXPLORATIONS
The compact Jeep Compass Trailhawk 4x4 is designed to confidently and comfortably take you across town or over the roughest terrain.
BRAWN UNDER THE HOOD
The Jeep Compass Trailhawk maneuvers smoothly over unpredictable terrain. Its 2.0L Turbo engine offers 200 horsepower and a 2000-lb towing capacity. It comes standard with Falken® WILDPEAK® All-Terrain tires ideal for road, trail, or stream. High air intakes and special water sealing mean you can ford those mountain streams wherever your adventures take you.
ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STELLANTIS MEDIA
BEAUTY AND BRAWN
Tough doesn't mean you forgo beauty in the Jeep Compass Trailhawk. The 10.1-inch touchscreen puts everything at your fingertips, and the instrument panel features a sleek design with slim air vents.
The available 10.25-inch digital cluster displays keep your trip and vehicle information ready and accessible.
You can cozy up your Jeep with an optional heated steering wheel and seats.
Drive to your favorite tunes with the Alpine Premium Audio System, which features a 12-channel, 506-watt amplifier, nine speakers, and an 8-inch subwoofer. The Uconnect5 system allows for seamless connectivity with your iPhone or Android device. The Active Driving Assist uses technology and cameras to keep you at a steady speed, centered on your lane, and safe.
MSRP: $33,895 | 24 MPG City/32 MPG Highway
STAYING COOL
Maximize Your AC This Summer with
ARTICLE BY GRETCHEN PAHIA
BY NICHOLE ECKMAN
Arizona summers can be even hotter and more costly if your home’s precious cool air escapes. One of the fastest ways cool air can get outside is through poor window installation or worn-out windows. It is essential to ensure your windows are in good condition. Local business owners at Desert King Windows (DesertKingWindows.com) have great tips and advice on keeping you and your family cool and comfortable.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sales Manager Koby Decker (L) and Owner/CEO Jayson Short (R)
“We perfected the art of replacing windows and doors by making the process as easy on our customers as possible.”
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Jayson Shortt, owner and CEO of Desert King Windows, says the company has been serving residents throughout the Valley for more than two decades.
“We have managed to serve over 30,000 customers in that time for one reason: we take care of our customers," Short explains. "We have perfected the art of replacing windows and doors by making the process as easy on our customers as possible."
WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS?
According to Desert King Windows Sales Manager Koby Decker, you should look at replacing your windows for many reasons.
“In terms of age, windows can deteriorate as quickly as five years," Decker explains. "When your home has aluminum window frames or single pane glass, they heat up so much in the summer that they effectively cook the seals and cause them to disintegrate and fall apart.”
This, in turn, causes failure in the weatherstripping and allows cool air from your A/C unit to pump out of all the cracks and holes that are left behind.
Decker adds that upgrading your windows, especially before the hot summer months, is extremely impactful for your home's design and efficiency.
“Once all the air leaks are sealed with new windows, the AC unit will quickly pressurize and cool
Owner & CEO Jayson Short
down your home instead of blowing cold air at hot surfaces," says Decker. "If you want your AC to last longer and that unit to work half the time, then replacing doors and windows is the first step.”
WORKING WITH DESERT KING WINDOWS
According to the Desert King Windows team, its priority is proper installation and ensuring clients understand the process step-by-step.
"When we work with you, you are given different options for installation, which leads to different home aesthetics," explains Decker. "We will walk you through those options, so you have a choice instead of [us] trying to force just one technique on you.”
A few factors can affect the price and project cost for replacing windows, including the number of windows you want to replace and the type of property. Also, education is key when working with window replacement companies, so be sure to do your homework and be selective with the company you choose.
Decker explains that it is vital for homeowners to understand the process along the way.
“Education is important. During our demonstrations, we educate homeowners on how new products can make their homes more energy efficient and how their homes can become more comfortable. The goal is to ensure your home is operating at its peak performance, and in Peoria, that means keeping the hot air out and the cool air in.”
Desert King Windows invites readers to contact them for an estimate or to check the condition of your home's windows. They offer military and first responder discounts and financing on approved credit. Desert King Windows is licensed and bonded, ensuring that you put your home in the hands of professionals.
1. OLD TIME SWAG: Vintage-inspired swag. GrandinRoad.com. $45.50 2. PATRIOTIC FIREWORKS HOOKED DOORMAT: 30” x 48” indoor/outdoor mat. GrandinRoad.com. $129
3. OUTDOOR WALL ART: Corten steel sign is 15.75” in diameter. LisaSarah.com $105 4. CITRUS FRUIT DINNER CANDLES: 3D orange and yellow citrus non-scented candles. TalkingTables.com $24.25 5. RINGO COUNTER STOOL: Indoor/ outdoor stools with rust-resistant bent metal frame. Umbra.com $200
Photo by Grandin Road
Photo by Grandin Road
Photo by Talking Tables
Photo by Umbra
Photo by Lisa Sarah
JULY
2024
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JULY 2ND blink-182
Desert Diamond Arena | 7:00 PM
Don't miss the multi-platinum, award -winning band blink-182 on their "One More Time Tour”! Joined by special guests Pierce The Veil and Hot Milk, this iconic punk band promises an electrifying performance. Secure your tickets now at DesertDiamondArena.com.
JULY 3RD
Celebrate America 2024
Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant 5:00 PM
Kick off your Fourth of July celebrations at Pleasant Harbor's annual July 3rd Fireworks Celebration along the shores of Lake Pleasant. Enjoy live music by Rock Lobster, free kid-friendly activities like inflatable waterslides and bounce houses, and browse novelty vendors. End the night with a spectacular fireworks display! Purchase your Vehicle Parking Pass at PleasantHarbor.com!
JULY 4TH
City of Peoria All-American Festival
Main Stadium at Peoria Sports Complex | 6:00 PM
Celebrate Independence Day at Peoria’s All-American Festival on Thursday, July 4, at the Peoria Sports Complex! Enjoy family-friendly entertainment with live music by 80’s tribute band The Spazmatics, thrilling BMX performances from the Superhero Stunt Team, outdoor games, delicious food, and Arizona’s best fireworks show! For event schedule and details, visit PeoriaAz.gov.
JULY 12TH - 14TH
Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show
State Farm Stadium | 10:00 AM
Don't miss the 3-day Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show, Arizona's largest home improvement expo! Explore over 1,000 vendor booths featuring top home remodeling and landscape companies. Discover fantastic deals for all your home improvement projects while enjoying a family-friendly, air-conditioned event with free parking at State Farm Stadium. Learn more at MaricopaCountyHomeShows.com
JULY 12TH - 28TH
Grease
Theater Works | 7:30 PM
Kick off the summer season with the electrifying musical "GREASE" at Theater Works. Transport yourself to the 1950s and Rydell High, where you can join the beloved gang as they navigate friendships, romances, and high school adventures. Sing along to iconic tunes and experience the nostalgia of this timeless classic. Purchase tickets at TheaterWorks.org.
AUGUST 8TH
Seminar: Estate Planning for Parents with Minor Children
Mazza + Niro Offices | 5:30 PM
We are planning a hybrid seminar (in-person at 8325 W. Happy Valley Road, Suite 120, and via Zoom) to help you make the best planning decisions for your minor children. Let the experts help you plan for the future. Registration for in-person attendees is required and limited to the first 15 registered guests. Call 602.900.1854 or visit MazzaNiro.com.
Want to be featured?
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE HASBROUCK
vacation VIBES
THESE EXOTIC COCKTAILS WILL TRANSPORT YOU TO PARADISE
Vacation time is just around the corner. We are dreaming of sitting on a secluded beach, sipping exotic cocktails with umbrellas in them. But why wait till vacation to enjoy a fun cocktail? These two easy and refreshing classics will instantly transport you to paradise.
Piña Colada
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 1/2 oz cream of coconut
• 2 oz light rum
• 3 oz pineapple juice
• Juice of ½ lime
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup ice
• Pineapple wedge for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Blend frozen pineapple and ice for a couple of seconds. Add in the liquid ingredients and blend until smooth. (To make thicker, add ice. Add pineapple juice if too thick.) Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Bay Breeze
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 oz vodka
• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• Pineapple wedge & maraschino cherry for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put desired amount of ice in glass, add vodka and pineapple juice. Top with cranberry juice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry and umbrella (of course).
BOOKS TO TAKE YOU AWAY
I ASKED MY EXPAT AND TRAVEL-SAVVY FRIENDS TO RECOMMEND BOOKS TO TAKE ME FAR AWAY. HERE YOU GO!
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
The Corfu Trilogy
BY GERALD DURRELL
Three classic tales of childhood on an island paradise - My Family and Other Animals, Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods by Gerald Durrell - are available in a single edition for the first time in The Corfu Trilogy.
Blue Latitudes
BY TONY HORWITZ
Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before
The Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist travels to various parts of the world, following in the footsteps of explorer James Cook.
The Island of Missing Trees
BY ELIF SHAFAIT
It is 1974 on the island of Cyprus. Two teenagers, from opposite sides of a divided land, meet at a tavern in the city they both call home. The tavern is the only place that Kostas, who is Greek and Christian, and Defne, who is Turkish and Muslim, can meet, in secret, hidden beneath the blackened beams from which hang garlands of garlic, chili peppers and wild herbs. This is where one can find the best food in town, the best music, the best wine. But there is something else to the place: it makes one forget, even if for just a few hours, the world outside and its immoderate sorrows.
Just before the Second World War the Durrell family decamped to the glorious, sun-soaked island of Corfu, where the youngest of the four children, ten-year-old Gerald, discovered his passion for animals: toads and tortoises, bats and butterflies, scorpions and octopuses. Through glorious silver-green olive groves and across brilliant-white beaches Gerry pursued his obsession . . . causing hilarity and mayhem in his ever-tolerant family.
Cutting for Stone
BY ABRAHAM VERGHESE
Cutting for Stone is a novel written by Ethiopian-born, IndianAmerican medical doctor and author Abraham Verghese. It is a saga of twin brothers, orphaned by their mother’s death at their births and forsaken by their father.
The Museum of Innocence
BY ORHAN PAMUK
The author is a Nobel-laureate Turkish novelist. The book, set in Istanbul between 1975 and 1984, is an account of the love story between the wealthy businessman Kemal and a poorer distant relative of his, Füsun.
