Living the Dream

Where did you go this summer? We transformed 10 rooms at the Phoenix Dream Center with some amazing people.

The Arizona summer, to me, is like living back in Chicago in the middle of winter: not that pleasant. However, I would not live anywhere else. Though many of us have the ability or lifestyle to move, we chose to stay here during the hottest months. Why? Because we really do live in a paradise that people pay big bucks to travel to from around the world. I ask tourists why they enjoy coming here, and they always say the dining, golf, spa and the people. The people who live here make this the Best Place to Live and that is why I believe we do stay here. The weather in Newport Beach in August is around 75-80 degrees, and the city has incredible spas, dining and golf, too. It just does not have the people who make Arizona the Best Place to Live. We should all be very proud to live here, and I know I am. The best parts of my job—if I call it a job—are meeting new and interesting people and helping out our community.

Speaking of people, we wanted to showcase some of those who not only make this a beautiful place to live, but also care and came together this year to give back. We are proud to present the renovated rooms from the Phoenix Dream Center in our pages. Owner of Desert Star Construction, Jerry Meek, and his lovely wife, Carol, and local authors Mark and Chrissy Donnelly, along with myself, invited the top local interior designers and vendors to make a difference. The designers spent this spring making the Phoenix Dream Center a very special place to live for young girls who where rescued from a life of sex trafficking. (Yes, it is happening right here in our neighborhood, and Phoenix is one of the top places in the country for this unthinkable crime.) We asked the designers and vendors for their time, inspiration and knowledge of how to make an old hotel room look like an inviting, loving atmosphere. Oh boy, did they do it. Wait until you see. Turn to P. 100 and take a look at the finished product. Take time to thank these designers and, if needed, use them for your own personal projects. They care.

The project was a huge success, and we want to thank everyone involved. Visit AZFoothills.com, under Dream Center, to see a listing of everyone who contributed to the project. The need, however, is still great. Jerry, Carol, Mark and Chrissy, along with myself and others, all agree we need to look at this as a start to something beautiful. We need more than 10 rooms; we need many more. If you have the time, money or resources to help, please e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We would love to meet for coffee. For more information, visit AZFoothills.com and type “Phoenix Dream Center” in the search box.

The best thing you can do is please pass this message around via Facebook and Twitter and to friends and family. If everyone would take five minutes to share the mission of the Phoenix Dream Center with someone, Arizona will continue to be the Best Place to Live.

Thank you everyone.
Michael S. Dee  President and Publisher