Understand, Appreciate, Love, Protect
Long before publishing a magazine, I spent about 7 years working as a Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Naturalists sometimes also go by the title ‘interpreter,’ meaning they translate more deeply the natural world to those who are interested.
We’re innately drawn to the exploration of the world around us. As kids, we dig, turn over rocks, dive to the bottoms of rivers. As adults, we take the exploration more seriously, maybe with better gear. As a species, we’ve looked to the stars and deep into the oceans, willing to risk the deprivation of our most basic needs for a glimpse at understanding what else exists around us.
As ingrained in us as exploration is, so also is a very human urge towards ownership. We become territorial over the places we love. Conservation and preservation put these two urges at odds with one another. We don’t want to see the places we love affected negatively by others.
Enos Mills, who in many ways pioneered the field of interpretation, led more than 250 hikes up Long’s Peak, accompanied over the years by hundreds of visitors. Mills likely struggled with the same conflicted feelings of sharing what he treasured with so many, but ultimately he decided upon the idea that would later become the foundation for Freeman Tilden’s philosophy: "Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.”
Some famed naturalists, like Edward Abbey, have been less optimistic, and for just cause. It would be irresponsible to consider only the optimism of Tilden and Mills without also recognizing the reality that increased visitation to the places we love comes with risks of its own.
I think that’s exactly the point, though. These conflicting ideals–the push and pull of progress and preservation–gives us the balance we need to share what we love to the goal of protecting it.
That’s a hard balance to hold within ourselves in a place as special as the Ozarks. But if I could challenge you (and I) to one idea as the trails become more crowded and the rivers more congested—choose optimism. Wave to a tourist on the Buffalo, smile at someone on the trail, pick up someone else’s can or wrapper with the hope that they’ll someday do the same. Because, though there are giants who have led the charge, no place has ever been preserved by one person alone.
WYATT LAYMAN, PUBLISHER @ROGERSCITYLIFESTYLE
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Wyatt Layman | wyatt.layman@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Michelle Bazis | michelle.bazis@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Alexis Roach | alexis.roach@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Jennifer Purifoy | jennifer.purifoy@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Claire McFarland | claire.mcfarland@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Claire McFarland
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Brennan Nicole Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
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QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
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CLAIRE MCFARLAND
MICHELLE BAZIS
CLAIRE MCFARLAND
Leader in All Things Skin
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LOCATIONS IN BENTONVILLE & THE WALMART CAMPUS
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Animal Medical Center Expands in Rogers
Animal Medical Center is continuing to grow alongside Rogers with the purchase of a third hospital location on New Hope Road. The expansion remains locally owned by Dr. Lindy O’Neal and Dr. Kyle Fugett, while welcoming a new owner to the New Hope location, Dr. Karson Gregory. The expansion will allow AMC to serve more families across the community while bringing its trusted brand of care to a new area of the city.
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A New Standard for Dental Care
Paragon Dental Studio was founded on a simple belief: dental care should be comfortable, personalized, and exceptional. Dr. Austin Baker combines advanced technology, cosmetic expertise, and sedation options to create an experience that helps patients feel relaxed and confident from the moment they arrive. Conveniently located near Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, Paragon Dental Studio is now welcoming new patients and helping Northwest Arkansas smile fearlessly.
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Shop New Collection at Avenue Designs
Avenue Design Company welcomes the Norwalk 1920 collection–where timeless design meets personalized comfort. Featuring clean lines, exceptional craftsmanship, and a wide variety of fabric swatches, each piece can be personalized to reflect your home’s unique style. Discover furniture designed to reflect your personality while delivering lasting comfort and quality for years to come. Visit our showroom to explore your many options.
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Photography by Michelle Bazis
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YOUR DIGITAL DESTINATION FOR LOCAL LIVING
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Brennen Nicole Advocates for Arkansas' Dark Sky Through Photography Workshops
DISCOVER
DARK SKY ARKANSAS
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE BAZIS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENNEN NICOLE
WHEN I AM STANDING OUT THERE IN total silence WITH A vast sky overhead , MY PROBLEMS START TO FEEL pretty infinitesimal.
Introduce yourself.
I was born and raised in NWA. In college, I had to choose a secondary emphasis for my graphic art degree, and I chose photography. I created an Arkansas Milky Way Locations Guide because Arkansas is a hidden gem for dark sky photography.
What should locals know about the significance of Arkansas Dark Sky opportunities?
Arkansas is one of the last stops–heading East–before you run into major light pollution. We have a dedicated dark sky park by the International Dark Sky Association, and that’s the Buffalo National River. We also have a great dark sky advocacy group, the Arkansas Natural Sky Association, which hosts a dark sky festival every year.
How does spending days in remote destinations, under the stars, impact your perspective on your art?
Being under the stars brings a total sense of humbleness. When I am standing out there in total silence with a vast sky overhead, my problems start to feel pretty infinitesimal. It shifts my perspective not just on life, but on the way I approach my art. For me, the experience is less about photographing space and more about photographing our place within it.
Explain your Dark Sky backpacking workshops: What can one expect when they book this experience with you?
My Dark Sky backpacking workshops are designed for people who want more than just a photography class. They’re immersive experiences that combine adventure, night photography, storytelling, and unplugging from the noise of everyday life. We hike into remote locations far away from city lights where participants can experience truly dark skies. As a landscape and astrophotography educator, I’ve spent years teaching workshops across the country, specializing in Milky Way photography, star tracking, blue hour blending, median stacking, Lightroom, and Photoshop editing techniques. I guide participants through everything from camera settings and composition to finding creative foregrounds and understanding how to work with changing conditions in the field. All bookings can be made directly through my website or reaching out via email.
ARKANSAS IS ONE OF THE last stops –HEADING EAST–BEFORE YOU RUN INTO major light pollution.
Share about the National Parks retreats you’ve organized. How can we join your next retreat?
A lot of my workshops are built around national parks, state parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, dark sky destinations, and rugged landscapes. Every retreat is designed to blend adventure and education. The best way to join an upcoming retreat is
through my website and newsletter, where I announce new adventures, early registration openings, and waitlists.
What are some of the technical differences between capturing a dark sky image versus the same scene during the day? Literally everything is different. For night photography, a full-frame
camera is preferred since you will be at much higher ISOs. You also need a fast lens that can open up to f/2.8, at least. A tripod is also necessary since you will be shooting long exposures up to 30 seconds. For more advanced astrolandscape photography, an astrotracker and intervalometer are helpful.
FOR ME, THE EXPERIENCE IS LESS ABOUT photographing space AND MORE ABOUT photographing our place WITHIN IT.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: Night at the Refuge: A fundraiser for Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. All proceeds will go directly to the refuge. Milky Way Boot Camp: Co-hosted with Bedford Camera & Video and sponsored by Canon. Info on all workshops can be found at: brennennicole.com
This Page: Brennen Nicole's snow moon self-portrait. Taken after hiking Mt. Magazine with her camera gear in ice cleats.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAIRE MCFARLAND
Claire's Picks: Rogers Summer Favorites
ROGERS CITY LIFESTYLE SOCIAL COORDINATOR
DISHES HER GO-TO SUMMER SPOTS
Onyx Coffee
Ask me for the perfect wake-up treat in Rogers, and I'll tell you: An Iced Onyx Delight, a warm sausage roll, and sunrise on the dog-friendly patio, every single time.
An outdoor beer garden in the Rogers' Entertainment District? Add rotating food trucks and top-notch service, what’s not to love? I’ll always recommend a beer flight—there are just too many great options. Mt. Crushmore, El Tio, and Artemis are usually on repeat for me.
Wright’s BBQ
Post-ride plans? Already decided. Wright's is my favorite fuel stop of all time, and my go-to order: brisket, burnt ends, and a side of deviled egg potato salad. More than likely, you’ll find me planted somewhere on their patio with my sheepadoodle, Max, aka 'Sheep,' in tow.
The best frozen margaritas I’ve ever had—whether you go strawberry or mango, you really can’t miss. And whatever you do, save room for dessert. The churros topped with ice cream and lechera are an absolute must.
This is the golden hour rooftop spot for cocktails and apps. The Spicy Cucumber and Spicy Guava Mezcalita are in a constant battle for my favorite, so the only real solution is to enjoy one of each. And yes, we’re ordering the fresh guac and queso fundido. Chef's kiss!
Loma
Casa Alejo
Ozark Beer Co
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS’ PASTIME
INSIDE THE COMMUNITY AND TRADITIONS OF NATURALS BASEBALL
To step into a baseball stadium is to participate in a timeless American ritual. All the senses are activated. The crack of the bat, the murmur of the crowd, the nostalgic ballpark smell. The mythology of the game—stats, stories, and superstitions—turns the atmosphere into an entire ecosystem of experience.
ARTICLE BY BO SIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE BAZIS
In Northwest Arkansas, a Naturals game blends small-town Americana with the energy of one of the country’s fastest growing regions. Every summer, families gather under stadium lights for hot dogs, fireworks, and good, old-fashioned ballgames.
As a Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, the Naturals offer fans an opportunity to watch future major league talent before the rest of the country gets the chance. Alumni include Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Eric Hosmer.
The Naturals bring to Arvest Ballpark an intimate atmosphere without losing any of the liveliness of ballpark tradition. Sightlines are good from anywhere in the stadium, which is easy to navigate, and the tickets are affordable. What’s more, the overall vibe is intentionally family-oriented and community-centered.
A unique culture has formed around the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. People from all over the region gather for the experience. Little league kids run around in team jerseys, cheering on their favorite players, and many sport Naturals jerseys and merchandise. Meanwhile, longtime fans and former baseballers reminisce in the stands.
Locals are invited to participate in the rituals alongside game day staff. A student choir may sing the national anthem to kick off the game, and there’s a good chance you’ll hear a young kid announce, “Play ball!” with fans of all ages leading stadium cheers.
A number of traditions can be regularly anticipated as well. Postgames on Friday nights light up the sky with fireworks. On Sundays, kids run around the bases. At every game, kids will gather around the dugouts for autographs, baseballs, and interactions with the coaches and players.
Conversations here flow as naturally as the innings themselves. Families catch up between pitches, kids lean over the railings hoping for a foul ball, and longtime fans keep scorecards or debate players and prospects from seasons past. Even people who rarely follow baseball find themselves pulled into the rhythms of the evening. The pace of the game invites people to settle in, slow down, and stay present for a few hours under the stadium lights.
The ritual of America’s Pastime brings together many of the things people crave most: community, tradition, competition, and entertainment. Here, the baseball players are heroes, the flow of the game structures the evening, and ballpark fun becomes an embedded memory that families carry home with them.
Naturals games are Northwest Arkansas’ Pastime. Year after year, families return to Arvest Ballpark for the traditions, the atmosphere, and the simple enjoyment of a summer evening at the ballpark. The players change, the seasons pass, and the standings reset, but the ritual remains much the same.
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.
Host Without the Hassle
U NMATCH E D BE UT Y
If Switzerland is not on your bucket list, put it on there now! Switzerland is awash in beautiful mountains, hiking trails, the alps, villages and lakes. It truly captures the heart the second the plane lands. The train system is easy and affordable and a great way to see the countryside, so be sure to plan some day trips using their easy transportation systems. Don’t be afraid to visit with the locals to hear where they would go to base some of your day trips on their recommendations. They are generally spot on every time.
ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY
BY JANIE JONES
WHERE TO EXPLORE:
• Appenzell and Lake Constance is surrounded by Switzerland, Austria and Germany. An easy and short train ride to Appenzell and a quick gondola ride up the mountain boasts a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding areas.
• Ticino is where the locals suggest to visit and holiday. It is known for its waterfront promenade, bridges, castles, historical buildings and stunning landscape.
• Take in the sights of Zurich and its magnificent lakeside views. This spectacular city boasts amazing views, food and locals.
• Take a short three hour train ride to Paris to explore the gorgeous city and delectable French food.
WHERE TO EAT:
• To indulge in the traditional treat that Switzerland is known for, visit Sprungli which serves the best chocolate in Switzerland.
• To treat yourself to a Michelin restaurant, head to Zurich and eat at Kronenhalle.
• Aperol spritz and local craft beer is readily served at almost every cafe to enjoy.
• When in doubt, ask the locals, as they are happy to suggest their favorite eateries.
JULY 4TH
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular
Walmart AMP | 8:00 PM
The 2026, July 4th Fireworks Spectacular sponsored by the City of Rogers will feature a patriotic celebration packed with a powerful fireworks display and performance by the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas with guest conductor Shih-Hung Young. Admission from $4-17 available at Ticketmaster.
OPENING JULY 9TH
Craig Colorusso: Liminal Spaces
MIXD Gallery
Known for his immersive sound installations, Craig Colorusso’s newest body of work, Liminal Spaces, will be available to experience at MIXD gallery in a set two installations: CUBEMUSIC and Sun Boxes. The Sun Boxes will be on view outside the MIXD gallery each Saturday during the exhibition run, with a rotating suite of community events, workshops, and performances.
JULY 12TH
Rug Tufting Workshop at Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope Collective | 2:00 PM
Join this Sunday, beginner-friendly workshop where you'll learn how to take home your own handmade rug! Melissa of Melspace Creative will be leading the experience from beginning to end, covering basic tufting skills so you're able to take your creation home that day. All materials will be provided. Bring an idea for your design. Cost $130; space limited.
