ARIZONA
SNOWBOWL
SNOWBOARDING
ARIZONA SNOWBOWL’S
UNEXPECTED SLOPES
SEE PAGE 72
DTPR
TM
DISCOVER THE PHOENIX REGION
L I F E S T Y L E • W E L L B E I N G • H A P P E N I N G S
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 - F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 5
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THE ALLURE OF
ARIZONA WINES:
SIPPING DESERT RICHES: SEDONA’S VINO
ZONA UNVEILS ARIZONA WINES’ HIDDEN
CHARM +
SO MUCH MORE
SEE PAGE 9
$13.99 US DISPLAY UNTIL 2/28/25
⁄ 2
FRIENDS OF
JACK JAMESEN
MEMORIAL SCULPTURE PARK
Park Location
89A and Mountain Shadow Drive
Office Location
PO Box 1625
Sedona, AZ 86339
(201) 615-4012
Friends of Jack Jamesen
Memorial Sculpture Park
Sedona, AZ- 501c3
Experience the
heartfelt tribute
to community service
and remembrance
at Jack Jamesen
Memorial Park
an enduring sanctuary which
celebrates service, sacrifice,
and the contributions within
the heart of West Sedona.
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Slotted
PYG
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REDISCOVER
Retreats for Women:
“Rediscovering our innate power, passions, and gifts as leaders on this planet.”
Our retreats in Sedona AZ are for you if you are ready to receive…
•pampering for your mind, body, and spirit
•group sessions to amplify your energetic body
•realignment of your nervous system
•nourishment from delicious and organic food
•new experiences through healing technologies, workshops, and mini courses
•1:1 sessions to feel connected to your inner wisdom
•practices and modalities to feel and be the best version of you
•intentional ways to be in connection with yourself and the sacred elements of the land
•an exciting way to enjoy the celebration of being YOU!
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Why is this Supportive for My Well-Being?
Lauren has created retreats and one on one healing experiences
in Sedona for over 2,500 people all over the world. It is her great
passion to build experiences that people might not otherwise give
themselves with the level of expertise, care, and compassion that
she employs from.
As a teacher, facilitator, guide, and leader in the community, Lauren
brings in the most skilled professionals to create magical and
memorable experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds.
She creates a space of safety, comfort, passion, and FUN for
everyone!
Why Custom Retreats?
Rediscover Retreats are designed for individuals and groups to
experience themselves in their highest joy, authenticity, and to
rediscover their own unique and innate wisdom. The focus of the
retreats center around connecting people back into living the
life of their truest desires. Through this retreat experience, people
step away from the ordinary and live into their innate extraordinary
selves!
With Lauren’s assistance groups select the modalities, sessions,
and experiences that they see most beneficial. These retreats allow
people to build a retreat that feels individualized and supportive
of their personal goals, passions, and desires.
Phone: (708) 710-0605
email: lightofgrace77@gmail.com
Learn more about our offerings & retreats:
https://www.lightofgracereiki.com
Light of
Grace
Lauren’s Rediscovery retreat was
MAGIC. Lauren held a beautiful
sacred container for love, joy and
connection. I came home with
renewed energy, new friendships,
and felt more deeply connected
to my spirit. I also had a dramatic
improvement in my foot which was
healing from a previous injury! The
schedule had such a great balance of
time in nature, time in connection,
and also time to receive nourishing
treatments, reflect and integrate. I
highly recommend this experience.
It’s a sacred gift to give yourself :)
Dana - June 2021
If you’re lucky enough to be invited
to one of Lauren’s retreats, jump at
the opportunity! Her retreats are
filled with light, love, and hope!
Such an enriching, rejuvenating,
and delightful time! From the
accommodations to the delicious
organic food to the soul connections,
it’s truly a not-to-miss experience.
Cary R - Oct 2023
The women’s retreat in Sedona
was one of my favorite events I’ve
ever attended. It was super sweet,
empowering, uplifting, entertaining
and so nice to be surrounded by
positive feminine energy!
Danika - May 2023
“
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DTPR DECEMBER 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2025 / EDITORIAL & TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Special Three-Month Celebration!
Welcome to a grand treat from Discover
The Phoenix Region Magazine! This issue
is a special edition spanning three incredible
months—December 2024, January 2025,
and February 2025—designed to kick off
the calendar year with a bang. We’re packing
in the best of Phoenix’s winter wonders,
from holiday lights and desert marathons to
blooming arts and festive cheer, all to keep
you in the loop through the season. After
this jumbo journey through the Valley’s
coolest months, we’ll return to our beloved
bimonthly schedule, bringing you fresh
adventures every other month starting in
March. So, cozy up, dive in, and let’s make
the most of this triple-dose of Phoenix
magic!
Dear Readers,
Welcome to a dazzling gift—our special
three-month issue of Discover The
Phoenix Region Magazine, stretching from
December 2024 through February 2025!
As your editor, I’m beyond excited to share
this hefty edition, perfectly timed to kick
off the calendar year with a burst of desert
magic. We’re taking a grand detour from
our usual rhythm to bring you a triple dose
of Phoenix’s winter wonders—think snow-
dusted peaks, festive lights, and blooming
possibilities—before settling back into our
bimonthly groove in March. This is the
Valley at its most vibrant, and I can’t wait
for you to dive into the adventure with me.
Our pages sparkle with seasonal delights:
shred the unexpected slopes of Arizona
Snowbowl—our cover story—sip Arizona’s
finest wines at Sedona’s Vino Zona, or bake
your way through a desert Noel with holiday
treats. For the soul, we’ve got tips to master
your mindset through life’s challenges,
while green thumbs will love our guide to
crafting a Phoenix gardening oasis. Unwind
at Arizona’s top massage destinations, savor
the region’s best bites in our dining guide,
and explore Old Town Cottonwood’s dozen
years of transformation. It’s a lineup that
celebrates every facet of life here—from
the thrill of the outdoors to the quiet joys
of home.
We’re also shining a light on what sustains
us: Waste Management’s green vision
for Phoenix and SRP’s innovative water
saving efforts keep our desert thriving.
For pet lovers, a Red Cross-sourced guide
to pet CPR could be a lifesaver, proving
there’s always more to learn in this vibrant
community. This issue is Phoenix in full
bloom—resilient, flavorful, and brimming
with heart. So, grab a cozy spot, turn the
page, and let’s make this winter a season to
remember!
Warmly,
Marie Taylor
Editorial Director
Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine
Welcome
Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine
Embracing Health, Culture, and The Community
MarieTaylor
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Table of Contents
72-75
ARIZONA SNOWBOWL
Snowboarding Arizona Snowbowl’s
Unexpected Slopes (Cover Story)
36-37
MASTERING MINDSET
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Strength
in Adversity!.
48-53
OLD TOWN COTTONWOOD
A Dozen Years of Transformation and Preservation
107-109
GARDENING SECRETS FOR
A PHOENIX OASIS
Phoenix’s Winter Bounty: A Guide to
Seasonal Gardening in the Desert.
68-71
MAXIMIZING RESOURCES
WASTE MANAGEMENT’s Green Vision for
Phoenix.
66-67
SAVING EVERY DROP OF WATER!
SRP’s Innovative Conservation Efforts for a
Sustainable Arizona
98-102
DINING GUIDE
Phoenix Area Restaurants, Restaurant Ratings
And More.
88-91
VINO ZONA
Sipping Desert Riches At Sedona’s Vino Zona
Unveils Arizona Wines’ Hidden Charm
76-85
TIS’ THE SEASON
Desert Noel: Christmas Glows Bright in
Phoenix!
33-35
TOP MASSAGE DESTINATIONS
For Those Seeking Premier Massage
Experiences In Arizona
60-63
PET CPR
A guide sourced from the American Red
Cross on how to perform pet CPR.
DTPR MAGAZINE #15-1: December - February 2025
As December dawns in Phoenix, a refreshing chill sweeps across the sun-drenched
desert, softening the edges of its rugged terrain with a whisper of winter magic. The
Valley of the Sun trades its fiery summer glow for a festive sparkle, as twinkling lights
drape saguaros and adobe facades alike, casting a warm, inviting hue over the city. The
air hums with anticipation—holiday markets bustle with artisans selling handcrafted
treasures, the scent of roasted chiles and cinnamon-spiced treats wafts through the
streets, and the distant peaks of the San Francisco Mountains gleam with snow under
the morning sun. This month, Phoenix becomes a tapestry of celebration, weaving
together its rich multicultural heritage with the timeless joys of the season, from tamale
making gatherings to festive light displays that brighten the longest nights.
The city’s energy spills into every corner, offering endless ways to savor the region’s
charm under crisp, clear skies perfect for outdoor adventures or quiet strolls. Whether
you’re sipping hot cocoa by a firepit or exploring the desert trails dusted with frost,
December invites intimate gatherings that honor tradition and spark new memories.
For locals seeking festive cheer or visitors escaping colder climes, Phoenix delivers a
desert holiday unlike any other—a blend of warmth, wonder, and community spirit set
against a stunning natural backdrop. It’s a time when the desert’s wild beauty shines,
proving that even in winter, Phoenix pulses with life and a joyous sense of togetherness.
“IN DECEMBER, PHOENIX
IGNITES WITH HOLIDAY
MAGIC AS THE CITY REVELS
IN JOY, UNFOLDING A
VIBRANT ARRAY OF FESTIVE
LIGHTS AND GATHERINGS.
FROM THE TWINKLING
GLOW OF LUMINARIAS
TO THE RICH SCENTS OF
ROASTED CHILES AND
SPICED TREATS, A COZY
WARMTH ENVELOPS THE
DESERT AIR, BECKONING
ALL TO SHARE IN THE
SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION.”
December
Calendar
In December, Phoenix sparkles with festive cheer as holiday
lights illuminate the desert nights, blending urban energy
with seasonal magic. The crisp air carries the scent of tamales
and pine, drawing locals and visitors alike into a whirlwind
of celebrations, from markets to music, that showcase the
region’s rich multicultural tapestry. Against a backdrop of sunlit
saguaros, this month offers a warm embrace of tradition and
joy unique to the Valley of the Sun.
December
Calendar
In December, Phoenix sparkles with festive cheer as holiday
lights illuminate the desert nights, blending urban energy
with seasonal magic. The crisp air carries the scent of tamales
and pine, drawing locals and visitors alike into a whirlwind
of celebrations, from markets to music, that showcase the
region’s rich multicultural tapestry. Against a backdrop of sunlit
saguaros, this month offers a warm embrace of tradition and
joy unique to the Valley of the Sun.
Photography by: Svetlana Kolpakova
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DTPR DECEMBER 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2025 / DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS