Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine #15-4 (July 2025 - August 2025)

Mid Summer Issue (Current Issue July-August) Subscribe Free at https://discovertheregion.com/subscribe/ to Gain Access to the Entire Book Now! On The Cover: Kevin Costner 108 Pages Dear Readers, As summer peaks in the Valley, the city hums with monsoon storms, laughter on shaded patios, and the quiet beauty of museum halls. On our cover, we celebrate Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, where Kevin Costner was honored with the Western Spirit Award—highlighting a decade of preserving Western heritage. This season isn’t just about staying cool, but living smartly. “Cool Home, Hot Savings” shares tips to keep homes comfortable and energy bills down, while “Splash Safely” and “Prevent Drowning” offer must-know pool safety advice. And for pet owners, “Fur-ever Friends” helps cats and dogs live together peacefully during lively summer days. Food lovers will find plenty to savor. “Sweet Escapes with a View” reveals Phoenix’s coolest indoor dessert spots, and “Summer Happy Hours” lists the best dining deals in Old Town Scottsdale. Adventurous readers can explore “Exotic Culinary Delights,” featuring goat stew with cassava and vegan lavender ice cream. Beyond dining, we spotlight movement and conservation: “Workout Cool” showcases the inclusive Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, while “Saving Every Drop of Water!” highlights SRP’s innovative efforts to protect our desert’s most vital resource. When the city heat lingers, “High Country Treks” invites you to cooler trails in Northern Arizona. And indoors, our “Book Reviews” recommend titles like “The Wide Wide Sea,” “Original Sin,” “Never Flinch,” and “Nightshade”—perfect reads for summer afternoons. What truly makes Phoenix summers special isn’t just how we cool off, but how we come together as neighbors, families, and explorers. We hope this issue inspires you to discover, taste, and celebrate the best of our region. Warmly, Marie Taylor Editorial Director Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine

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Jeff Shoket

Shoket Properties

https://irinaandjeffshoket.com

Kevin Webber

Owner/Partner, Webber Estate

https://webberestates.com

PRIMARY CONTRIBUTORS

JIM SCHWARTZ

Entertainment Editor

Jim Schwartz is a veteran of Phoenix’s

entertainment scene since 1998, known

for his deep connections with local

venues and artists. As the Entertainment

Editor for Discover The Phoenix Region

Magazine, he curates vibrant content spotlighting

Arizona’s un-equaled cultural & entertainment

landscape

ALLISON MCKNIGHT

Sports & Fitness Editor

Allison McKnight is an advocate for

Phoenix’s active lifestyle, promoting

sports and fitness since 2005. As the

Sports & Fitness Editor for Discover

The Phoenix Region Magazine, she

curates engaging content highlighting

Arizona’s dynamic outdoor and athletic scene.

PAUL LAMONT

Health & Wellness Editor

Paul Lamont is a devoted wellness

advocate to Arizonans, residing in The

Phoenix Region, inspiring mindfulness,

fitness, and diet he is an example of

health. He has been a resident of the

Phoenix Region since 2015. As the

Health & Wellness Editor for Discover

The Phoenix Region Magazine, he curates

transformative content to foster Arizona’s vibrant and healthy way

of life. He fosters a well-being community that is inspirational to all

of us at DTPR.

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Just as we were preparing to go to print, our beloved Entertainment

Editor, Jim, suffered a serious accident in his own home. A true craftsman

at heart, Jim had transformed his once ordinary, contractor-grade

staircase into a stunning architectural statement—hand-hammered

oak treads paired with elegant flagstone risers. Yet, in turning the

everyday into art, he inadvertently introduced a hidden danger that

nearly cost him his life.

A sudden fall left Jim with two broken ribs, and though the pain

is extremely real, his spirit remains unshaken. We, his colleagues at

Discover The Phoenix Region, are united in our prayers and

deepest wishes for his swift and gentle recovery. Jim’s unwavering

dedication—to our magazine, our readers, and to everyone fortunate

enough to call him a friend—has been a cornerstone of our shared

success.

We know he will heal now and that he is out of danger, and we

hope his journey back is marked by as little discomfort as possible.

In the meantime, we invite you, our readers, to join us in sending

Jim your words of encouragement. His artistry and passion enrich

every page we publish—and we can’t wait to welcome him back.

You can do so by emailing jim@discovertheregion.com

—All of us at Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine

THE DTPR TEAM

DIANA RUSSELL

Real Estate Editor

Diana Russell is a seasoned real estate

broker, offering expert guidance to buyers

and sellers. As the Real Estate Section

Editor she brings her deep industry

knowledge to curate insightful content

for Arizona’s dynamic housing market.

RYAN WILLIAMS

Home & Garden Editor

Ryan Williams is a passionate expert

in Phoenix’s home and garden scene,

shaping local trends since 2008. As the

Home & Garden Editor for Discover

The Phoenix Region Magazine, he

curates, 101 how-to tips on improving

your home, construction, gastronomy,

& luxury content for Arizona’s vibrant

indoor and outdoor living spaces.

ABI RODRIGUEZ

Pet Care Editor

Abi Rodriguez, a dedicated veterinarian,

has championed pet care in the U.S.

since 2010. As the Pet Care Editor

for Discover The Phoenix Region

Magazine, she curates incredible

content that enhances Arizona’s

vibrant pet community.

SERENA WINSLOW

Family Wellness Editor

Serena has been a trusted voice in

Phoenix’s family wellness community

since 2012, As the Family Wellness

Editor for DTPR, she curates

insightful content for Arizona’s

thriving family-focused lifestyle.

SPECIAL THANKS

Western Spirit Museum in Scottsdale, Phoenix Art Museum, Scottsdale Museum of

Contemporary Art, The Heard Museum, Zuzu at Hotel Valley Ho, SEL, Sweet Republic,

Urban Cookies, Annabel Sclippa, Greg Bernstein, Jill and Peter Galea, James and Linda

Muir, Nikki Lober, Michelle Thompson, Childhelp®, Arizona State Parks and

Trails, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, La Belle Social Media & Marketing, Maricopa

County Sheriffs Office, Perrier®, All of the pet care associates as well as dining

establishments in the pages to follow, The City of Flagstaff, Susan Richey, Lowell

Observatory, Caring for Angels, Friends of Jack Jamesen, Chewy.com, Sur La Table,

Hillary Metz, Coning Care, Venim Mensgear, SRP, Waste Management, Sedona’s New

Day Spa, Jeff & Irina Shoket, Ellen Croft, Light of Grace, To the team, our friends and

family thank you for your support.