< PreviousThousands of Five Star Reviews Criminal Defense Law Firm Criminal Defense Law Firm Bankruptcy Law FirmBankruptcy Law Firm Personal Injury Law FirmPersonal Injury Law Firm Most PhilanthrMost Philanthropic Companyopic Company Most In昀uential NonprMost In昀uential Nonpro昀t in the Vo昀t in the Valley alley Thanks for voting us best:Thanks for voting us best: PERSONAL INJURY | BANKRUPTCY | CRIMINAL & DUI DEFENSEMORE THAN JUST A LAW FIRM • We’ve collected BILLIONS of dollars for injured people. • Over $1 billion recovered in the last 昀ve years alone. • With our award winning law 昀rm, you NEVER pay out of pocket expenses. • We don’t get paid until we win your case. • Trial ready and available 24/7 so that you get help when you need it most. • 11 of昀ces in Arizona. • Trusted by over 150,000 clients. • A caring and empathetic staff invested in your well-being. • Always provide straightforward and honest advice. • Award winning nonpro昀t supported by our caring legal team. Here are just a few reasons why people repeatedly seek our help: LernerAndRowe.com | LernerAndRoweGivesBack.com LernerAndRoweLawGroup.com One Call, That’s All!® 602-977-1900 Criminal Defense Law Firm Bankruptcy Law Firm Personal Injury Law Firm Most Philanthropic Company Most In昀uential Nonpro昀t in the Valley Thanks for voting us best: OFFICES LOCATED THROUGHOUT ARIZONA.Welcome to the annual Best of Our Valley issue! We are so excited to reveal and celebrate this year’s well-deserving winners—from talented individuals who are making a difference to amazing local businesses that have left a lasting impression—as chosen by you! You certainly have excellent taste, dear reader. There are also a range of exciting features that I’m sure you’ll enjoy, starting with a spotlight on an adorable local couple who found love through the AZ Foothills Trendsetters blog. Our cover star is this year’s Best of Our Valley Most Influential Philanthropist and all-around stellar multi- hyphenate, Dr. Stacie Stephenson. She illuminates how it’s possible to take control of our individual health by making overall wellness the cornerstone of daily habits in her latest book, GLOW: 90 Days to Create Your Vibrant Life from Within. And if you have a soft spot for furry friends, you won’t want to miss meeting the cutest AZ Foothills Dog of the Year. As we approach summer, we’re reminded of the perks of living a desert lifestyle and also share some of our favorite can’t-miss Arizona hiking spots. For those of you who are adventure seekers, we’ve compiled a list of the most heart-pumping adrenaline activities across the state. If you’re caught up in the pickleball craze like I am, we’ve got you covered, too, with a roundup of Valley resorts that offer some of the most well-equipped pickleball courts around. Be sure to keep this issue at an arm’s reach to use as a guide the next time you’re wondering where to go for the best brunch or Italian food, or when you’re needing to consult who’s at the top of their game in medicine, real estate and more. We hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Now, let’s cheer on the Best of Our Valley winners that make our city such an innovative and vibrant place to call home. 12 AZFOOTHILLS.COM Christina Silvestri EDITOR-IN-CHIEF , D A VID WILLKIE, DUKE PHO T OGRAPHY editor’s LETTERVilla Santa Cruz Book Now Camino a la Playitas, La Pastora Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico 23300 jessica@villasantacruzbaja.com www.villasantacruzbaja.com +52 612 155 6941 +1 760 230 5557 Amenities Beachfront Property set on 20 acres 24 Ocean View Rooms Grand Swimming Pool & Lap Pool Two Full Bars at Pool and Evening Lounge "Toes in the Sand" Beach Restaurant Oceanfront Palapa Farm & Lake Massage & Spa Services Complimentary yoga, Bonfires Full Breakfast Included Families welcome Weddings, Groups, Retreats This boutique beach resort is a secluded haven located in the bohemian enclave of Todos Santos, Baja Sur, Mexico. With upscale amenities and personal service, guests can slow down, soak in the wild beauty around them, and effortlessly savor each moment of their stay. Los Cabos ArizonaIt is with great enthusiasm that AZ Foothills presents its latest issue, Best of Our Valley. This annual favorite celebrates the exceptional local people and hardworking small businesses that make our city and neighborhoods thrive, as chosen by the ones who know them best—Valley residents like you who nominated over 5,000 contestants across 295 categories and cast more than 100,000 votes in just four weeks! This year’s Best of Our Valley winners have worked diligently to stand out, create a positive impact and make their mark. Whether it’s bringing a couple’s dream wedding to life or providing expert medical care or home services solutions, the 2023 winners show up daily, harnessing their talents and expertise to take care of the community and move the needle forward to make Arizona such a great place to call home. At the heart of this issue, and indeed every issue at AZ Foothills, is a deep and authentic love for our city. We at AZ Foothills believe in our community’s diverse talent and recognize the responsibility the magazine has as a fashionable storytelling platform to amplify, foster and connect. With the ultimate intent to serve as a resource for our community, we are constantly improving and innovating. This includes growing our team and business. I am also thrilled to share that we recently announced two key additions to our AZ Foothills team. Serving as President of AZ Foothills Media is Brett Brooks, a native of Phoenix with more than 20 years of experience in brand activation, business development, communications and media. Amber Perona now serves as Operations Director for AZ Foothills Media, bringing her experience in marketing, development and passion for connecting like-minded people and businesses. I am excited for the roles Brett and Amber both play as we continue to build upon the legacy of AZ Foothills. The spirit of this Best of Our Valley issue is to promote these accomplished individuals and inventive businesses by showcasing their amazing talents and shining a light on the passion behind what they do best. I encourage you to pay a visit to those winners you may already be familiar with or to reach out to someone new. You never know what invaluable connections and groundbreaking ideas may arise when great minds (yes, that means you!) meet and come together. Please join me in welcoming and congratulating our 2023 Best of Our Valley winners in the pages ahead. Warm regards, 14 AZFOOTHILLS.COM Aaron Klusman OWNER/PUBLISHER , GET T Y IMA GES publisher’s LETTEREXTRA EXTRA! From the weekend’s hottest events to breaking resort and restaurant news, be the first to know what’s new and next in the Valley by following AZ Foothills on Instagram @azfoothills and signing up for weekly e-newsletters by visiting azfoothills.com/enews OWNER / PUBLISHER PRESIDENT Brett Brooks EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christina Silvestri CREATIVE DIRECTOR Antoni Pham COMMUNICATIONS CONTENT EDITOR David M. Brown EDITORIAL COORDINATORS Lauren Geiser, Savannah Leedy, Bennett Silvyn OPERATIONS OPERATING DIRECTOR Amber Perona OPERATIONS AND IT DIRECTOR John Hales CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS David Willkie, Duke Photography WRITERS David M. Brown, Cassie Brucci, Lauren Geiser, Alyssa Grabinski, Savannah Leedy, Bennett Silvyn, Christina Silvestri, Mental Health Center of America ADVERTISING sales@azfoothills.com SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Elizabeth Black MAIL TO: AZ FOOTHILLS 2701 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 180 Phoenix, AZ 85016 © Copyright 2023, Arizona Foothills Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in Arizona Foothills Magazine is accurate and complete, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Arizona Foothills Magazine provides information in articles such as phone numbers, times, prices, etc. as a service to our readers. All information has been researched and checked for accuracy at press time. We are not responsible for any changes or variances in information following publication. 40th Street & Camelback 24 Hour GasNext >