Communities

Last month, downtown Tucson once again proved why Tucson Meet Yourself is one of the most meaningful cultural gatherings in Southern Arizona. From October 17–19, 2025, the city transformed into a celebration of heritage, food, movement, and shared identity, and this year felt especially powerful.

In Southern Arizona, filmmaking is more than an art form; it’s an act of reclamation, resilience, and community. For two producers who began their journey as writers and visual storytellers, cinema has become a way to give voice to communities too often left out of mainstream narratives.

That’s why this July, two powerful forces—DeGeorge Partners and Phoenix Rescue Mission—are coming together to fight back against the heat. The local real estate team, based in Fountain Hills, has partnered with the long-running nonprofit to support Code: Red, a heat relief campaign that delivers life-saving water, hygiene kits, and direct outreach to the Valley’s most vulnerable residents.

How Kelley Keffer and Mesa Business Builder Are Cultivating Growth from the Ground Up

From business incubators to retail booms and workforce housing, this small mountain city is proving that innovation doesn't only happen in metro centers.

Forget the old image of sleepy suburbs tucked away from the action. The West Valley is not just waking up — it’s roaring to life. West of I-17, this dynamic region of Arizona is home to over a dozen cities, each with its own character and heartbeat. From the time-tested charm of Avondale to the fast-rising energy of Surprise, the landscape is transforming before our eyes.  But today, we’re spotlighting two cities that aren’t just participating in the region’s evolution — they’re leading it: Peoria and Goodyear.  With more than 1.7 million residents already calling the West Valley home, the momentum is undeniable. Experts project that over half of Maricopa County’s future growth in the next 25 years will unfold right here. It’s more than a population boom — it’s a cultural, economic, and communal awakening.

May 29th didn’t feel like just another town hall. It felt like a turning point for Scottsdale. At the Mustang Library auditorium, every seat was taken. The aisles were packed. Residents stood shoulder to shoulder against the back wall, eager to be heard—and to hear from their new mayor. As Managing Editor of Arizona Ascent, I stood near the back, capturing the moment on my iPhone. I wasn’t just reporting I was witnessing a defining civic moment. At the center of it all was Mayor Lisa Borowsky, just five months into her first term. With no notes or script, she fielded an hour-long volley of questions—sometimes difficult, sometimes heated—on topics ranging from wildfire mitigation and water security to zoning disputes, development concerns, and the future of Scottsdale’s public spaces.

Peoria, Arizona, was once a quiet suburban retreat, but today, it’s a city on the rise. With its population growing by 5.2% since 2020, Peoria has transformed into one of the Valley’s most desirable places to live and work. In 2025, Peoria boasts a growing community of approximately 201,000 residents, all drawn by the city’s booming economy, top-notch schools, affordable living, and rich quality of life. It’s no wonder that Peoria is not just growing—it’s flourishing.

When most people think of the film industry, Hollywood is the first place that comes to mind. However, our state of Arizona is shifting that view. From March 27th to April 6th, I had the privilege of attending the iconic Phoenix Film Festival for the third time. The Phoenix Film Festival turned 25 this year, which made this year’s festival all the more exciting.