By Marion Hager

This past June, I took a fabulous cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner. It was my third time in Alaska, and I have to say it was by far the best. I purchased my first two Alaska cruises based on low price. This time, I paid more and went for the value.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises operates deluxe ships that are totally inclusive. Once I paid for the cruise in full, I could have left my wallet at home! My cruise fare included everything: airfare, transfers, and accommodations, including meals and entertainment, taxes, shore excursions, onboard gratuities, and all beverages and spirits aboard the ship. Even the alternative restaurants were complimentary. I booked early and reserved their minimum accommodation—a luxurious suite with a balcony.

The shore excursions Regent included at each port were nothing less than spectacular. A few of the more extensive ones required a small supplement; however, most were included with the booking. We could select from anything and everything from an active day of hiking and zip-lining to a relaxing city tour. My biggest thrill came during a whale watching excursion. We found a mother humpback and her calf and stayed with them for almost fifteen minutes, and I got a photo of the calf waving goodbye to us!

Whether you are sailing to the Alaska Last Frontier or the ancient treasures of the Mediterranean, be sure you know what you are receiving for your money. I’ve returned home from other cruises to some very large credit card bills when I thought I got a real deal on my cruise.

To receive complimentary copies of our travel magazines, Insights and Virtuoso Life, please e-mail me at marion@hagers-journeys.com with North Valley Magazine in the subject line.

By Jon Kenton

It’s that time of year again when the world’s leading electronics manufacturers get together to show off their latest products. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held in Las Vegas every January. Approximately 110,000 visitors had the opportunity to meet with 2,500 exhibitors, featuring a whopping 20,000 new products. We obviously don’t have room enough to discuss them all, but here are a few highlights.

With the huge success of Avatar this holiday season, undoubtedly helped by stunning 3-D showings, a new breed of 3-D–enabled TVs was very popular at the show. CNET (cnet.com) sponsors the Best of CES awards and Panasonic’s Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma television took both the Best in Television and the coveted Best of Show categories. Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology delivers a full 1080p-resolution image to each eye, offering viewers the highest possible visual experience. Panasonic will ship four 3D models in the spring of 2010 in 50-, 54-, 58-, and 65-inch sizes. All four 3D VIERA televisions feature Panasonic’s VIERA CAST(TM) IPTV functionality, and all models are THX certified for the best sound reproduction possible. Many other manufacturers announced 3-D technology, including Sony, JVC, Samsung, and Toshiba.

Not surprisingly, the trend toward connecting everything to the Internet continues. A big buzz at last year’s CES, Yahoo’s Connected TV initiative has moved a step closer to us all having Internet TV by adding several new companies to its cache of developers and adopters. Yahoo has software called the Yahoo Widget Engine that will run programs called (not surprisingly) widgets. Along with existing partners such as Samsung, LG Electronics, and Sony, manufacturers Vizio, Viewsonic, and Hisense have announced new products that will ship this spring. Widget partners include Amazon, USA Today, eBay, Twitter, Facebook, CNBC, NBC, Napster, RadioTime, Dailymotion, and The Weather Channel.

Speaking of the Internet and linking to phone services, there was some very interesting and controversial news relating to a new product by Magic Jack—yes, that’s the very same company you have heard on TV promoting their Internet phone gadget. YMax Corp., the company behind Magic Jack, announced a new gadget that will allow you to use your cell phone at home for free calls. Essentially, this new device acts as your own private cell tower in your home. It then connects to your computer and sends your call over the Internet. There has so far been a muted response from the cell phone network operators, who have paid billions for the rights to the radio frequencies, as questions were asked about the legality of the setup. The bottom line is that if this product goes to market, it will allow users on GSM networks such as AT&T or T-Mobile to reduce the minutes they are charged for while making calls from within the home.

Got a digital camera and can never find the cable to get the photos onto your PC, or you can’t remember how to upload to your photo-sharing site? Checkout the wireless memory cards from Eye-Fi. Yes, that is just what it sounds like: an SD memory card with built-in Wi-Fi. At CES, we saw the new Eye-Fi Pro X2 wireless SD card. Store up to 4,000 photos or three hours of video with 8GB SDHC capacity and then upload photos and videos directly from your camera through your Wi-Fi network. The X2 has unprecedented wireless performance built in as it implements the latest technology standard (802.11n). There is a comprehensive list of features, including the ability to share your JPEG photos and videos on popular Web sites like Flickr, Facebook, Picasa, MobileMe, and YouTube.

If you want to display some of those photos and want to automatically jazz them up a little, you may like Casio’s new Digital Art Frame. With in-built automatic Photoshop-like software, this digital photo frame “transforms ordinary digital photographs into works of fine art,” as several reviews state. Users can create up to eight different authentic styles of art from a single photo at the push of a button: watercolor painting, color-pencil sketch, pastel painting, pointillism, airbrush, and oil painting, Gothic, Fauvist, or otherwise. The frame has a 10-inch LCD display, supports SD memory cards, and has WiFi capability.

If you like gadgets and can stand to be in Las Vegas at capacity attendance, then add CES to your calendar next January. If not, look for my highlights here in North Valley Magazine!

By Lea Friese-Haben

Dear NV readers—I’ve received an unbelievable quantity of mail in reaction to Tiger Woods’s indiscretions. The following are two such letters.

Noticing Links

Dear Lea,

I am really upset about the whole Tiger Woods story. I too have had a philandering husband. [Woods’s] wife, Elin, is beautiful and a great mother who has shied away from the press—choosing to make a somewhat normal life for her family. They are still pretty much newlyweds—I don’t get it…My husband and I were only married a year when I found out about the first of his thirteen affairs. I guess I thought Tiger was different. My son has looked up to him as a role model. If Elin Woods can’t keep her husband faithful, how can the rest of us ever hope to have a faithful, loving relationship?

Unlucky in Love

Dear Unlucky,

You are not alone. Many people were upset with the news of Tiger’s affair. (That is the problem with putting people on pedestals—the fall is far). I would like to point out, however, that it is a private matter, and unfortunately, because of Tiger’s celebrity status, there are probably some inaccuracies. I had to reread your letter—I am shocked that you stayed married to a man who has had thirteen affairs, if indeed you did. I don’t really have enough information to go on regarding your situation, so my response will be somewhat generalized. There seem to be a few common trends when it comes to infidelity. Some men do have sex addictions, but I have found that most married men are not looking for a one-night stand—they are looking for a lost connection. It is rare for this to happen in the short span of a year (it’s generally five to seven), but my male clients have revealed to me over and over again that they feel neglected and saddened by their wives’ loss of interest in them. The majority of the men I have consulted feel that their wives are preoccupied with the house and the kids and that they have become an afterthought. Once the relationship becomes a roommate situation, it becomes more difficult to resolve. I also hear that men are bored with the same dull routine. They like their wives to change things up—sexy lingerie once in a while, for instance. (A sexy text or a seductive voicemail can do a lot to keep the home fires burning hot). One of the most important things to remember is that men need to feel appreciated and wanted. (As human beings, we all want to feel special to someone. Men do feel deeply—they just communicate it differently). Although infidelity is not at all justified, most of the time it comes as a result of both parties and not just the one who had the affair.

Lea

Hold That Tiger, Buddy!

Dear Lea,

I read your columns and find your advice pretty much dead on most of the time. I am writing to you about the Tiger Woods story. I am about Tiger’s age and have been married about five years and am considering having an affair. My wife is completely preoccupied with our 3-year-old. She wears T-shirts and boxers to bed and has lost all interest in me sexually. I consider myself lucky if we have sex once a month. I am attractive and work out and keep myself in shape—women in my office find me attractive, and a couple have asked me out. I love my wife, but I can’t stand the fact that she is letting herself and our relationship go. She got me into reading your columns, so I am hoping you choose to print my letter. I just feel so rejected by her.

P.S. I am an avid golfer. I have hidden my golf clubs after the violence Tiger experienced. LOL.

Avid Golfer

Dear Avid Golfer,

I am glad that you decided to write about rather than act on your current options. I don’t know whether you have talked to your wife about your concerns, but you should if you haven’t. I have had a small child a home and know that sometimes it’s tough to feel sexy when you are dealing with dirty diapers and sleep deprivation. It is really important during these times, however, to stay connected and communicate. You may want to take a few things upon yourself, such as buying her some pretty clothes as well as lingerie and treat her to a day at the spa. Let her know how beautiful she is and that you want to make her feel special. A lot of overwhelmed moms are tired and feel less than sexy. If you help her in subtle ways to feel good about herself, you will reap the benefits. I really think you will see big dividends with just a just a few small gestures. (Ever notice how we are drawn to people who make us feel good about ourselves?) Make her feel special and important and communicate with her—then you won’t have to hide the golf clubs. Keep me posted!

Lea

Final Thought

Staying connected is vital and is the responsibility of both parties. It really does take two to make a relationship work, to ensure that the “worse” portion of “for better or for worse” is but a fleeting moment in time. One party should not be expected to shoulder all the responsibility.

Thanks to Valentine’s Day, approximately 110 million roses—the majority of them red—will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.

Almost 2,500 ASU freshmen are from the top 10 percent of their high school class. That’s more than Harvard, Yale, or Princeton.

The Gila monster, which calls Arizona its home, is the only poisonous lizard in the United States.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of the ten busiest airports in the world, with a $90 million daily economic impact. On a typical day, more than 1,200 aircraft arrive and depart, and more than 100,000 passengers arrive and depart. It was purchased by the City of Phoenix in July of 1935 for $100,000: the city paid $35,300 in cash and took out a $64,700 mortgage.

In 1900, the top three boys’ names were John, William, and James, while the top three girls’ names were Mary, Helen, and Anna.

Before the days of mattresses, beds were square frames elevated from the ground, with ropes tied across in a sort of weave. It was similar to a hammock in concept. In order to sleep well, the “mattress” couldn’t sag, so the bed had to be “tight.” Hence, “Sleep tight!”

The meteor crater in Northern Arizona is nearly a mile wide and 570 feet deep. The meteor itself weighed roughly 300,000 tons and was traveling at a speed of 28,600 miles per hour. The explosion created by its impact was equal to 2.5 megatons of TNT, or about 150 times the force of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

Dr. Martin Cooper, a former general manager for the systems division at Motorola, is considered the inventor of the first portable handset and the first person to make a call on a portable cell phone in April 1973. The first call he made was to his rival, Joel Engel, Bell Labs head of research.

The warmest temperature ever recorded in March in Arizona was 100 degrees. The coldest was 25 degrees.

By Alana Stroud
Jungle Love at the Phoenix Zoo

Spend this Valentine’s Day with some unusual friends from the animal kingdom, courtesy of the Phoenix Zoo! On February 13 from 6–9 p.m., the Phoenix Zoo will host an entertaining evening that will feature Spanish-inspired cuisine, an open bar, and Flamenco dancing. Some of your favorite critters will even greet you at the door! Tickets are $80 per person. phoenixzoo.org

The Big West Valley Home & Landscape Show

Completely unique, and different from other Maricopa County Home Shows, this edition on March 5–7 at the University of Phoenix Stadium will feature vendors and companies from all over the Phoenix area that are specialists in their field. They’re ready to help you make your home and yard special, creative places tailored to you and yours. maricopacountyhomeshows.com

2010 Olympics

Our friendly neighbors to the north host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Vancouver, Canada, a favorite of famous faces, will welcome the world’s greatest athletes for the best in cold-weather competition. If you weren’t fortunate enough to score tickets to the Games yourself, you can keep up with the events by watching them on TV. Host viewing parties during your favorite events, complete with Olympic-themed food (see this issue’s Flavor recipe) and fun! vancouver2010.com

St. Patrick’s Day Feast

Watch a culinary master demonstrate how to prepare a spectacular St. Paddy’s Day feast at the Classic Cooking Academy in Scottsdale on March 12 from 7–9:30 p.m. This interactive event is also a tasty one: the studio audience dines on the finished product! $60 per person. pvc.maricopa.edu/ce/spring/cooking.html

Long Lashes

One of the spring 2010 fashion trends is long, beautiful eyelashes. Whether you heavily apply the mascara, apply false lashes, try out lash-growing products, or even go the “permanent” route by having individual lashes glued on (these last a couple of weeks), now is the time to accentuate those lashes and bat them to your benefit!

Spring Break

Spring break is not just for college students, who frequent top destinations like Cancun or Acapulco, Mexico; Panama City, Florida; or our own Lake Havasu for the social event of the year. You could take advantage of the break to explore a European city or see the East Coast. Or, if you’d rather keep it close to home, grab the kids and head out to the baseball park or the zoo or go play in the snow up north before the sun melts it away!

Bona Fide, Not Bogus

Home interior trends for 2010 are all about what’s “real” and disregarding faux pieces. Hand-me-downs and generational pieces have become wildly popular. Fill your home with woods, metals, watermarks, and even rust spots—the more imperfections, the better. With the recent trend toward green products, the more natural your interior, the more you help the environment.

By Cassaundra Brooks

A rose by any other name….Cross of Christ School in Anthem may be undergoing a name change for the 2010–11 school year, but it intends to maintain its spiritual and academic character as North Valley Christian Academy (NVCA). In fact, expect NVCA to raise its maturity in the areas of Christian values and academics as it renews its commitment to the greater Anthem community.

The school, launched by Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in 2005, will expand to serve preschool through eighth grade and is implementing a few positive changes in order to successfully meet the challenge of preparing its students to take on the world now and in the future using the intellectual, spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional skills and values they acquire at NVCA: The academy’s mission is to “build leaders who are thoroughly prepared to thrive in all of life, work, and with a passion to serve others,” according to admissions director and curriculum specialist Shannon Lauletta.

The hiring of the new executive director, Nate Kretzmann, is one of those changes. Kretzmann brings with him over twenty-five years of experience. He has served as school consultant to over one hundred schools in the United States and will now help NVCA grow with the support of what he considers the key principles: leadership, excellence, relationship, service, and integrity.

A nationally recognized curriculum will also present new opportunities for growth. The Core Knowledge curriculum is a grade-by-grade specification in subjects like history, visual arts, science, mathematics, language, music, literature, and geography. This knowledge-based philosophy should boost the school’s current liberal arts curriculum, which will also implement the additional focus on developing a global education program. According to their Web site, the school has a philosophy of helping children to develop mentally and spiritually in preparation for their continued education and life experiences in general, and they “strive to ensure that academically no child is left behind.”

New name. New people. New curriculum….Same mission.

(623) 551-3454 or crossofchristschool.org

FOR HER

Women can never have too much jewelry, so consider this 14k white-gold custom ring with two-carat heart-shaped pink sapphire and diamonds for the special woman in your life. $3,000 at Treasures Custom Jewelers. (623) 486-7875 or treasuresforyou.com

It’s true that (most) women love chocolate, but not just the chocolate that comes in a box. Or in ice cream cartons, in fancy-restaurant desserts, and coating fresh strawberries. Chocolate facials are one of the many other delightful forms of chocolate, and Par Exsalonce is offering one such tempting treatment for Valentine’s Day. The antioxidant-rich chocolate smoothes and refines skin and is a wonderful stress reliever. At a special price of $120, but must be ordered by February 13. parexsalonceaz.com

FOR HIM

Treat your guy to some high-quality pampering at one of V’s Barbershop’s seven Valley locations. Yes, you could get him that much-needed haircut or a straightedge shave, but V’s also carries some top men’s grooming products, framed sports-themed artwork, and more. vbarbershop.com

Keep him on time with a Luminox EVO Navy SEALs Dive Watch from Cabela’s. It’s a handsome timepiece with highly scratch-resistant sapphire glass crystal—perfect for when he’s out working, playing, or hunting—and a stainless steel case that protects it from moisture to a depth of 660 feet—most desirable for when he takes you on that trip to the Caribbean….$549.99 or $649.99 (steel bracelet) at cabelas.com

FOR BOTH

For more personalized, individual gifts or those that are rare or hard to find, consider antiquing! The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall boasts over 600 antique dealers and features aisles filled with collectibles of every sort, from Depression glass to military items to Star Wars memorabilia. It’s the perfect place to shop for either men or women. (602) 942-0030 or brassarmadillo.com/phoenix

Exotic trips are a special way to celebrate love, and India is rich with romantic getaway spots, gorgeous architecture, festive traditions, vibrant dress, intimate dining, and sensual spices. It has more than the enchanting Taj Mahal to entice couples looking for a new and exciting experience. tourindia.com or india-unveiled.com

Perhaps you and your special someone would rather not stress over dinner reservations and would prefer a romantic evening in instead. Hire a personal chef for your Valentine’s Day meal! Private cooking lessons are also available and are an interactive culinary treat you might consider. chefdujour.com, seasoningsbyrex.com, azcustomcuisine.com, hireachef.com

FOR SINGLES

The single life is an exciting one! No pity gifts necessary. But if you wish to treat your single friend to something nice for Valentine’s Day, a gift certificate to his or her favorite store is a great option. It’s something they can take advantage of alone or with friends, and it gives them money they must spend on something fun, something they like, and something that makes them feel great about themselves!

Forget your own single status and pay a visit to those who are aware of their single status daily. Nursing homes and similar facilities are good places to consider, but you may know of someone in your community or your neighborhood who has lost his or her life partner and could use a little company on this particular day. Go together to a place or an event that was special to your friend and his or her partner, or create brand new adventures for yourselves. Everyone should feel important on Valentine’s Day, and making someone else have a good feeling is one of the greatest gifts you could give.

This top-grain leather armchair with table rock copper chenille fabric goes for $1,999 at Valerie’s Furniture and Accents. The suede pillow with silver-button conchos and leather detailing is a nice touch at $189. (480) 483-3327 or valeriesfurniture.com

You spend one-third of your life sleeping, so it makes sense to sleep on a mattress that is not only supportive but also organic! Organic Mattresses, Inc. (OMI) mattresses are made with cruelty-free Eco-Wool, certified organic cotton, and 100-percent-natural rubber latex—all renewable, biodegradable sources that are grown, processed, and manufactured without toxic chemicals. Both natural rubber and innerspring options are available in a variety of firmness options. organicpedicbyomi.com

We’re transitioning out of winter, but we use hot water year-round, and Eternal Hybrid is an effective water-heating system that delivers hot water faster for multiple applications at once than do tankless units. It’s small, self-cleaning, and maintenance-free. eternalwaterheater.com

It’s about time you found a way that expresses you and reflects the style of your home when display your growing wine collection. EuroDream Kitchens and Design Gallery in Scottsdale will help you build your vision—take what’s in your mind’s eye and fit it in the space you have available in your home. (480) 998-0244 or eurodreamkitchens.com

If you like to cook, you may want to consider a Gaggenau appliance. Gaggenau innovators have secured three hundred patents and produce restaurant-grade appliances designed for your home. Some of their innovations have included the first-ever built-in oven, the first glass ceramic cooktop, and the first pyrolytic self-cleaning system. gaggenau.com/US_en/home.do

Hardwood floors can be your home’s best feature, and Old World Floors installs high-quality hardwood, bamboo, cork, engineered wood, and laminate flooring products as well as accent stone veneers. Wood floors add value to your home, are easy to maintain, and provide a rich ambience that makes living in your home pleasant day in and day out. (480) 233-HARD or oldworldfloors.net

Summer is not too far off, and even with this cooler winter weather, the 100-plus-degree weather is not so distant a memory. One of the best ways to enjoy the Arizona is in the water—it’s about time you got your own custom-built swimming pool! Tribal Waters Custom Pools & Spas can build your pool to fit the size, shape, and style of your yard, and include decorative stonework, waterfalls, and streams to your taste and whim. (623) 587-8500 or tribalwaters.us

A 2010 trend in kitchen style is traditional (with contemporary a close second), and inset-door–style cabinets reflect that trend well. 101 Cabinets & Interiors supply and install these versatile, timeless cabinets, making your kitchen a sleek and inviting room you’ll enjoy spending time in. (602) 971-1715 or 101cabinets.com

By Cassaundra Brooks

MOVIES

February
12 The Wolfman Anthony Hopkins, Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt
     Valentine’s Day Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway (and a whole host of A-listers!)
     Yellow Handkerchief William Hurt, Maria Bello, Eddie Redmayne
19 Shutter Island Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Sir Ben Kingsley
26 A Couple of Cops Bruce Willis, William Scott, Adam Brody
     Takers Idris Elba, Matt Dillon, Paul Walker

March
5 Alice in Wonderland Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover
12 Green Zone Matt Damon, Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear
     Our Family Wedding Forest Whitaker, America Ferrera, Regina King
     Remember Me Robert Pattinson, Pierce Brosnan, Emilie de Raven
16 The Back-Up Plan Jennifer Lopez, Alex O’Loughlin, Michaela Watkins
19 The Bounty Hunter Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Jason Sudeikis
26 Clash of the Titans Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Liam Neeson

TV FUN FACTS

Foreigners invade U.S. television. There are a number of foreigners with delightful accents—particularly the British, Canadians, and Australians—who lend their talents to adopting flawless American accents for our U.S. shows, and we blindly accept these actors as our own. One of the best examples is Limey character-actor Hugh Laurie, who so brilliantly assumes all of the challenging aspects of his character Dr. Gregory House that we forget he sheds his lovely British accent in favor of a Yankee one. His fellow countrymen (and women) Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl), Johnny Lee Miller (Eli Stone), Gabrielle Anwar (Burn Notice), Lena Headly (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Minnie Driver (The Riches) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace) are some of the other Brits masquerading as Americans on the silver screen. Canadians Joshua Jackson (Fringe), Tamara Taylor (Bones), Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic (Castle), Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), Erica Durance (Smallville), Evangeline Lilly (Lost), Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City), Kristen Kreuk (Smallville), and Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) are among the invaders from the North who likely find it a little easier to settle into their American roles. But Aussies like John Noble and Anna Torv (Fringe), Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck), Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters), Rose Byrne (Damages), and Anthony LaPaglia and Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace) ditch heavier accents in order to fool us properly.

What’s with TV ratings? Television is a business, and commentators and other television pundits are ever talking about ratings. What about ratings? Advertising drives media, TV included, so the commercials or subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) product placements are what keep a show on the air. If no one watches the show, no one sees the commercials, which means that fewer people buy the advertised products—and that means those companies have fewer funds for advertising…it’s a cycle. Ratings help networks gauge the size and demographics of their audience. Nielsen Media Research created the most prominent audience measurement systems, which not only measure the percentage of all television households tuning in to a particular program (ratings points) and the percentage of televisions actually in use that are tuned into a particular program (share), but also the average age, gender, race, economic class, and location of those tuning in. Hours after a program concludes its latest time-zone run, online articles spring up depicting early Nielsen ratings numbers. You may have seen them. For example, in the number construction 7.3/11, the numerals represent ratings points/share. The numeral before the slash indicates that 7.3 percent of the nearly 115 million television households in this country tuned into the show in question (let’s say it’s Lost). The latter number states that 11 percent of the televisions in use during Lost’s time slot were tuned into Lost. Make sense? Now, these percentages correspond to a large number of television sets. But Nielsen also records the number of people per television. How? Select households, assessed and chosen to represent the country at large, have TV set meters and people meters. Individuals punch in pertinent information with each program they watch—the number of people watching and their ages and genders, for example. The most coveted audience is the 18–49 age range, so shows that attract that group generally last longer. Others, despite large audiences, may get the ax if they fail to appeal to that group. There are flaws in the system, of course, and Nielsen is beginning to measure DVR and TiVo numbers and the like. With the increase in online viewing, additional changes will likely have to be made.

MUSIC

February
2 Toni Braxton – Pulse
   Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors
9 Massive Attack – Heligoland
   Monica – Still Standing
23 Michelle Branch – Everything Comes and Goes

March
2 Jamie Foxx – Body
   Natalie Merchant – Leave Your Sleep
   Usher – Raymond v. Raymond
9 Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
23 Jane Krakowski – Live at Feinstein’s at The Regency

By Cassaundra Brooks

Still haven’t made it up to seductive Sedona? February affords a great opportunity to nip to the north for some romance. Valentine’s bed-and-breakfast getaways are not clichés—they’re classics, and they’ve maintained a distinct level of popularity for good reason.

A prime example of their appeal can be found at Kokopelli Suites in West Sedona. The excellent service begins before you set foot in Sedona with a prearrival call from a staff member who can help you plan your trip, make recommendations, and make reservations for dining and attractions. The recent renovations ensure the latest in comforts and amenities, the pool is heated to combat the cooler temperatures, and the outdoor fire pit creates the perfect ambience for canoodling. Especially for Valentine’s Day, Kokopelli offers a package that includes a romantic cathedral suite complete with king bed, in-room Jacuzzi and fireplace, and a Valentine’s basket featuring Kokopelli winery’s Imperial Kir sparkling wine and a number of other sweet samplings. Opt to receive your breakfast in bed (for no additional charge), and go home with one of the locally created artworks featured in your suite, which you can purchase. It’s an affordable romantic weekend that demands satisfyingly little planning on your part.

3119 W. Highway 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
(800) 789-7393

Use promo code VALENTINE when checking availability at kokopellisuites.com, and check out kokopellisuites.com/northvalley for exclusive discount rates and special packages throughout the year.

If candlelight and comfy king-size beds do not constitute your idea of romance, perhaps you’ll appreciate starlight and sleeping bags. Consider embracing the big outdoors with your better half! Sure, it is not yet officially spring, and we can’t always predict the weather, but the cooler temperatures will keep the snakes in their own beds and necessitate some quality cuddling time. A night spent under Arizona’s breathtaking velvet night sky sprinkled with twinkling stars while snuggled in sleeping bags beside a cozy campfire might suit you and your sweetie better than a B&B. Thanks to Arizona’s mass of state land both here in the desert and up in the mountains, we can enjoy nature up close and outside the bounds of state parks. Waking to saguaros silhouetted against the dawn or a rising sun filtering through pine trees is heavenly, but an overnight trip into our backyard offers more than midnight picnics, s’mores, and stargazing—it’s an opportunity to hike, scout out our furry neighbors, brush up on botany, and—should you arrange it—improve your equestrian skills. Just be certain to check online for weather forecasts and camping regulations before foraying into the forest or driving into the desert. Pack more essentials than you think you’ll need, and always let someone know exactly where you will be—it should be a romantic weekend to remember…for the right reasons.