Sam Leyvas has been a man on a mission his entire life. That’s not hard to imagine considering his lovely mother, Helen, taught her only child the value of lending a hand. Whether the need came from their South Phoenix neighbors or a family member, Helen was quick to offer assistance without being asked. Taking […]

City manager of the City of Phoenix 5 A.M. >> MORNING MENTAL PREP I get up early and pray before I get my day going. I then tool around the house to mentally prepare to manage my day. I use this time to either finish reading or work out. I’m a financial guy and used […]

Founder of The Baller Dream Foundation Recommends: “Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy” by Isadore Sharp His Take “This book was written by the founder of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Mr. Sharp, the son of immigrants, created the world’s most admired and successful hotel brand, known for its exceptional quality and unparalleled […]

By Andrea Tyler Evans & Brian Pentek of Luxe Life Travel We may have the desert living thing figured out here in the Valley of the Sun, but there’s another desert destination along the I-10 to enjoy. Whether you’re up for a fun-in-the-sun weekend or a pit stop on a California road trip, Palm Springs […]

Organization: The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Leadership: Founder — Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Executive director — Danielle Frost Origin: Former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. founded The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation in 2005 in honor of his mother, Carol Fitzgerald, who died of breast cancer in 2003. Since then, the foundation has worked to provide youth with […]

You can’t miss the giant black buffalo head hanging outside Buffalo Collection in Old Town Scottsdale, beckoning foot traffic to take a peek. Wood-inlaid turquoise furniture shines in the daylight and Native American rugs and petroglyph paintings on hide hang proudly while the intoxicating aroma of leather fills your nostrils once you inevitably get lulled inside. […]

You might know Geoffrey Beene’s name from his men’s shirts or Grey Flannel cologne. What you may not know is that Mr. Beene — as he was known in his lifetime — was also an exquisite craftsman, the maker of visionary haute couture for women, who combined luxury with superb design and comfort. “That is […]

A top New Year’s resolution is to lead a healthier lifestyle. For some people, that may include drinking less alcohol or cutting it out altogether. Even if you are alcohol-free, you can enjoy tasty and thoughtful mocktails at various Valley establishments. “There are a number of reasons why someone might choose not to drink alcohol, […]

Describe the journey from being a contestant on a reality cooking show to becoming a culinary media star. When I was on “Top Chef,” I did it as a personal challenge. It had nothing to do with television. Almost 15 years later, it is my job to be on television. I lived the journey and […]

There’s nothing quite like music-festival life. If you’ve attended a multi-day music fest, you understand the magic. Complex and wild, a music festival can feel like an adult’s happiest place on earth. If you aren’t familiar, it is much more than tunes in an outdoor setting. Yes, live music is the sweet spot of festival life; […]