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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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DTPR MAGAZINE #15-4: July - August 2025

Stay cool and FIT through the sizzling Arizona summer,

with the help of online workouts and indoor facilities.

Specifically: Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center in Phoe-

nix, which is for ALL abilities. This is one of the largest

state-of-the-art plus fully- accessible Fitness Centers, that

I have seen. And it comes complete with pools, spa tub,

extensive gym with classes and trainers, basketball courts

and a full size track.

I recently visited to meet one of their teachers and person-

al coaches, Justin Graham, creator of WOW (Wonder on

Wheels) Wheelchair Fitness. Justin is a Certified Personal

Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Fitness Nutrition Special-

ist and many other more specific official trainings, such as

a Seated Exercise Certification. He has been working with

the disability community since 2018, but caters to all.

“Sitting, standing, rolling, I develop plans for folks from elderly

to kids. My first WOW was developed for a client in one of

my adult fitness classes whose daughter has Spinal Bifida

and she wanted a program for her daughter to enjoy. She was

too young for a personal trainer, and didn’t fit in to workout

classes with kids her age.”

The first WOW class at ABILITY360 was in February of

2019 “at 5pm on Fridays, known as ‘Happy Hour.’” At that

time, people would just show up and dance. “I developed

it for movement, music, motivation and feeling good - not

about doing anything ‘right.’ My inspiration and entire goal

is to lift people up.” Then COVID hit and closed the in-person

Happy Hour, and WOW Online was launched, so Justin

could continue to spread the inspiration.

I have been taking his online classes for almost three

years, and sharing them with friends. It is a great way to

stay fit when you can’t leave the house to workout, for

whatever reason: physical challenges, extreme heat warn-

ings, time constraints, et al.

With a range from Zumba to Yoga, the online WOW courses

are a flat monthly fee of only $25, which gives you an “on

demand” option as well as “live” classes. Since Justin also

manages to make it to every Abilities Expo national-wide,

sometimes others fill in for him, and his online WOW

incorporates numerous instructors.

Annabel and Justin Graham

Photo by: Greg Bernstein

Photo Courtesy of: Justin Graham