Illustration by Mark Scarp
PARKING FOR THE MIXER is available both in the Arizona Wilderness Brewing lot behind its building (1418 E. McDowell) and the lot behind the building to its immediate west. No parking is allowed behind the building to its immediate east. See parking map adjacent to building entrance. Thanks.
We thought of breaking into song about the 2025 edition of the one and onlyValley Media Holiday Mixer —“It’s the most…WON-derful TIME… of the YEEEAAAR!” — but as Halloween is long over, we figured you’ve been scared enough.
So, here’s the more straight-up approach:
(1) You deserve a break from 2025.
(2) People who get you — because they do what you do — just might be the right people with whom to enjoy that break.
(3) We’re throwing a party with free appetizers for Valley media and communicators. (The drinks are on you.)
(4) It’s at the newest location of a place with a familiar name, which but you may not have yet visited.
So get your Yule on, as we’re fond of saying, with colleagues and competitors at the legendary Valley Media Holiday Mixer ’25. It’s 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.’s Miracle Mile location, 1418 E. McDowell Road (just west of the 51’s McDowell exit). We’ll tap into our vast (?) SPJ treasury to supply free appetizers from Wilderness’ great bistro menu. And we’ll dig into our stash of journalism-related stuff for door prizes.
So, wherever you practice journalism, as the day draws to a close Dec. 9, head on over to a great neighborhood watering hole. They’ll be keeping the beer cold — about two dozen kinds — as well as some mead and wine and a cool array of cocktails. And again, we’re springing for the apps.
This event literally comes but once a year. To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, “Journalism moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and enjoy a brew with your media peeps once in a while, you’ll likely suffer from FOMO.” *
Photo by Esra Afşar on Unsplash
*Note: In the ’80s, neither Ferris nor anyone else had yet contemplated the term “FOMO.” They were just disappointed.
SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter 