Nonprofit Perspective The Role of Solar Power in Increasing the Sustainability and Capacity of Nonprofits
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Volume 30 • Number 8
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Wild West TECH TALK
Infant Planets and Cybersecurity Funding Page 10 UNIVERSITY BLVD
ROUGH EDGES
Old Tucson Studios finds new operator
Nail salon learning how to buff down rough edges in first year of business
Page 6
Alexandra Pere Inside Tucson Business / Page 8
ON THE MENU
BURGER BATTLE
Slider Smack Down coming up at Button Brew House
Page 13 BOOK OF LISTS PEOPLE IN ACTION
REAL ESTATE
THIS YEAR’S NUMBERS
New promotions, hires and awards Page 3
Southside Apartment Complex Paseo del Sol Sold for $33M Page 4
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Health and fitness clubs
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Chamber Chatter Engaging in the Political Process
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May 7, 2021
Volume 29• Number 10
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Nonprofit Perspective Education Acceleration Would your business benefit from lower energy and water costs? | Page 2
May 21, 2021
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An Outpouring of Optimism
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Engineering Awards, Solar-Powered GoKarts and Martian
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
| Page 6 in a virtual year Volcanoeslearning Pima JTED balances hands-on
Local First Arizona and YWCA
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LOCAL Gardnertheir Local venues are once again scheduling shows andJeff opening doors Inside Tucson Business / Page 4 STARTUPS
‘HOWL-ITOSIS’
TECH TALK
UA researchers study how to cure bad breath in dogs
Space bucks and robot surgeons
Margaret Regan Inside Tucson Business / Page 10
PEOPLE IN ACTION
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New promotions, hires and awards THIS YEAR’S Etherton Gallery to move locations after three decades NUMBERS Page 5 Page 3 Art Galleries
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PIVOT PLAYBOOK REAL ESTATE
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Texas-based Builders FirstSource acquires Arizona building materials supplier for $400M | Page 4
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THIS YEAR’S NUMBERS REAL ESTATE
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VENUE GRANTS
Sen. Kelly tours Rialto, highlights aid program
UA researchers stops COVID reports
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Hospitals, hospice, and assisted living facilities
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REAL ESTATE
Colleges, universities and optics companies
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Page 14 DEVELOPMENT
Sunawards Corridor releases post-COVID plan Tucson ranks among hottest rental markets in nation New promotions, hires and Page 10 Page 5 Page 3
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LEGAL PERSPECTIVE
Understanding health care law changes
FEDERAL FUNDING
PANDEMIC RECOVERY
“PAST THE WORST OF IT”
COBRA SUBSIDY
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Healthcare Heroes
Nurses look back on lessons learned during the past year Christina Duran Inside Tucson Business / Page 8
Photo courtesy UA / NASA
Galactic Maps and Cancer Treatments
Chamber Chatter
June 4, 2021
Plaza Liquors and Fine Wines Still in business after 43 years
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Culinary Confluence
Zio Peppe fuses classic Italian with flavors of the Southwest
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APRIL 22, 2022
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NONPROFITPERSPECTIVE BY JENNY FLYNN
WEEKLY TOP
BY STEPHANIE HEALY
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA
The Role of Solar Power in Increasing the Top 10 apps for businesses housands of apps are orders. You can create and Sustainability and Capacity of Nonprofits launched every day. print shipping labels directly
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he first time I heard about climate change I was 12 years old, and I remember being absolutely stunned by what I learned. As I continued in my studies, I pursued a master’s degree in environmental studies and later had the opportunity to share my passion as a ranger naturalist with the National Park Service. I always felt privileged and delighted to be in those beautiful natural spaces, but I frequently wondered how we would preserve those spaces for the future. How could we sustain our incredible environment? When I moved to Tucson, the first thing I did was look around and wonder, “Where are all the solar panels?” This was more than two decades ago. Solar panels weren’t nearly as accessible as they are today, but the potential of sunshine as a clean and abundant natural resource to benefit our community was shining off every roof. Perhaps that’s why it has felt especially meaningful for me to watch as Technicians for Sustainability transformed our Community Foundation Campus into a solar powerhouse over the last several months. Our campus rooftops and parking structures are now home to 252 solar panels capable of producing 200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy each year. In addition to increasing the sustainability of our services and directly reducing operating costs for our nonprofit suite tenants, those panels are helping the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona minimize our environmental impact. By shifting to solar power, we will be preventing more than 410,000 pounds of carbon
Courtesy photo
dioxide emissions and saving over 97,000 gallons of water – every year! This month, the Community Foundation is launching a new fund – our Environmental Sustainability Impact Fund – that offers people of any level of means the opportunity to combine their resources and support critical environmental work in Southern Arizona. The launch of this fund feels like the culmination of a lifelong hope for steps that we can concretely take as a community to ensure the sustainability of our future. In addition, I am excited to share that applications for our new Nonprofit Solar Project, a project of the Environmental Sustainability Impact Fund, open today, Friday, April 22. The Nonprofit Solar Project offers local nonprofits the opportunity to meet a significant portion of their energy needs through solar power. Through the switch to solar, nonprofits will be able to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs, freeing up resources for programming or other infrastructure needs. The project was developed by CFSA in partnership with local donors and Solar United Neighbors, and has received additional funding support from Tucson
Electric Power. For most nonprofits, investing in a solar installation is too challenging and expensive of a commitment. By offering this opportunity to our nonprofit partners, CFSA looks to address environmental disparities in our local community and increase the capacity of the nonprofit sector in Southern Arizona. Together, we can shine a light (some sunshine, perhaps?) on the connections between human quality of life and the sustainable practices that are essential for us to have the vibrant and equitable community we care so much about. You can learn more about the Nonprofit Solar Project and CFSA’s Environmental Sustainability Impact Fund at www. cfsaz.org/solar.
Jenny Flynn is the President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.
From business operations to personal productivity, it’s no surprise that business owners are exploring the benefits these apps provide. Whether you own a startup or are looking for ways to improve your company, here are some resourceful apps to help get you started! 1. Homebase. The Homebase app gives employees more flexibility in their schedule, while giving you the time tracking resources you need. It makes hiring and onboarding run smoothly with team communication channels. 2. Google Drive. Team collaboration is much more streamlined with the Google Drive app. Create new documents, edit spreadsheets, and share work with others all on the go. 3. Square. Many local Tucson businesses have adopted this custom point of sale system. With no need for Wi-Fi connection, Square allows you to accept payments on any device, from anywhere. 4. Cox Panoramic Wifi App. Working from home? This app gives you notifications for network changes, alerts when a new device joins, monitors cyber threats, and allows you to set limits for different devices. 5. Slack. Slack provides many tools to assist with successful communication with your team. You can create a variety of “channels” within your company workspace for both collaborative and fun team building conversations. 6. ShipStation. With ShipStation, you don’t have to wait to get to the office to create and make changes to
from your phone. That’s just a few of my many reasons e-commerce businesses enjoy this app. 7. Asana. Asana allows you to communicate, collaborate and coordinate with your entire team. This project management app allows you to have your whole workspace in one. Alongside your team, visualize work maps over time to see how changes or delays may affect deadlines. 8. Harvest. Harvest is a time tracking app that allows you to find insights that can help your business progress. This app can integrate with project managing software like Asana to successfully manage workflow and send invoices and/or payments quickly. 9. Intuit QuickBooks. Tracking expenses through Intuit QuickBooks gives business owners a stress-free tax season. You can also create dashboards to find insights specifically tailored to your business. 10. HelloSign. HelloSign gives businesses the convenience of sending and signing agreements at the palm of their hands. With its easy-to-navigate interface, HelloSign has legally binding security measures to ensure your confidential and important documents remain secured. Lisa Lovallo is the Southern Arizona market vice president for Cox Communications, leading a team of 260+ Southern Arizona Cox employees. Prior to joining the Cox Southern Arizona team, Lisa ran a family business based in Tucson and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. Reach her at lisa.lovallo@cox.com.
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APRIL 22, 2022
PEOPLEINACTION
Ann-Marie Alameddin
EMAIL YOUR PEOPLE IN ACTION DETAILS TO JEFF@TUCSONLOCALMEDIA.COM
Ann-Marie Alameddin has been named Arizona Health Champion for the month of March by the All of Us research program at University of Arizona-Banner Health. Alameddin serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. According to UA, the All of US research program aims to build the largest and most diverse database of health information of its kind to improve health for future generations. “It is so important for all communities to be represented in health care discussions,” Alameddin said. “Health care is personal. It affects all of us. We all have a right to sit at the table and engage in conversations that affect our community and our families. The AzHHA is working to make sure we are inclusive of the diverse patient population within our state. We are enlisting input and feedback from community leaders to help us provide meaningful and equitable information in our educational materials so we may better serve and educate all Arizonans.” Alameddin led policy and advocacy efforts to secure hospital payment increases of $1.2 billion during COVID, expand telepharmacy for small rural hospitals, and develop grant-funded programs to serve emergency preparedness needs and patient safety and quality programs.
Longtime supporter wins the Tucson Museum of Art’s Lifetime Achievement Award Renee Girard
Casey Carrillo
Julie Wolfe-Beadle
Melissa Hernandez
Renee Girard has joined the Tucson-based nonprofit Iskashitaa Refugee Network as program manager. In this role, Girard will oversee the harvesting programs and community initiatives, manage food donations and redistribution to refugee families and other partner agencies. Girard is a graduate from the University of Arizona, where she received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition. She has served as a food bank board member and brings managerial experience to Iskashitaa. For nearly 20 years, the Refugee Network has worked to create opportunities for United Nations refugees into the Southern Arizona community while educating the public and strengthening the local food system.
Casey Carrillo, the assistant director of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science, Engineering Foundation). In addition to hosting a major annual science fair, SARSEF supports science education and critical thinking throughout the Tucson area. “Casey’s expertise and passion will bring an important perspective to our board, and I know that students will benefit from her thoughtful leadership. Her insights into entrepreneurship will be key in ensuring students involved with SARSEF know all of their career options in STEM,” said SARSEF CEO Julie Euber.
Julie Wolfe-Beadle has joined nonprofit Literacy Connects as the director of development. She comes to Literacy Connects with an extensive background in development, having served as executive director for the TMC Foundation and as the vice president for resource development at the United Way of Southern Arizona. “I am excited to join an organization that has made huge strides in sharing the importance of literacy and how it benefits our community,” Wolfe-Beadle said. “I look forward to building upon the incredible work of the last ten years to continue to impact Southern Arizona.”
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona has hired Melissa Hernandez as associate vice president. Prior to her new role, Hernandez worked at Northern Arizona University leading literacy programming to address inequity in classrooms across Arizona, and also taught part-time for Pima Community College. She has worked with teachers, directors, nonprofits, community colleges, universities, and government agencies, and holds a PhD in higher education from the University of Arizona. United Way is an international network of more than 1,000 fundraising nonprofit affiliates.
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The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block has honored Joyce Broan with their 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Broan has been a member of TMA’s Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years, and currently serves as Secretary of the Board. She is also a member of the museum’s support organizations including Contemporary Art Society, Latin American Art Patrons, TMA League and the Western Art Patrons. “Joyce Broan is a true example of a volunteer, supporter, and leader in the arts and culture in Tucson and Southern Arizona,” said Mary Jo Brown, president of the TMA Board of Trustees. “Her commitment and support of TMA in the community is exemplary and we are grateful for her ongoing commitment and leadership in advancing TMA’s role.” According to TMA, the Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the career of an artist, patron, or community member who has demonstrated a passion for and commitment to the advancement of the arts in southern Arizona and the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block. Each year nominations for the award are reviewed, and the recipient is selected by a panel that includes members of TMA’s Leadership Circle. The award program started in 2017.
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INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM
APRIL 22, 2022
REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION
EMAIL YOUR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS TO JEFF@TUCSONLOCALMEDIA.COM
Southside Apartment Complex Paseo del Sol Sold for $33M represented the seller in this transaction. Esther Empens with Tierra Antigua Realty, represented the buyer.
Jeff Gardner
Inside Tucson Business
I
n the face of rising rents throughout the Tucson area, multiple apartment complexes have been purchased in multi-million-dollar deals. Recently, Northmarq’s Phoenix team sold the Paseo del Sol townhome community to Element Property Company of Los Angeles for $33.65 million. “Element continues to expand their footprint in Tucson and Southeastern Arizona,” said Griffin Martin, a managing director at Northmarq. “With their newest acquisition of Paseo Del Sol they plan to enhance the community with investments in interior and exterior improvements.” Last year, Element acquired three Tucson properties with a combined total of 724-units, as well as two other Arizona multifamily properties, a 192-unit community in Sierra Vista, Arizona and a 312-unit community in Yuma. Paseo del Sol is located just north of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and contains 152 units. Built in 1994, Paseo del Sol has 38, two-story buildings that include three-bedroom, two bathroom and four-bedroom, two-bathroom units that range in size from 1,050
LEASES
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at 1472 E. Kortsen Rd. in Casa Grande, AZ. The absolute NNN investment was purchased from DCM Development Company, LLC for $2,144,563. Dave Hammack, Principal, and Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction. Spreading Threads Clothing Bank purchased a 5,025-square-foot building from Brock Cabinetry, LLC, located at 2945 N. Flowing Wells Rd. in Tucson. The industrial warehouse property SALES with yard area was purchased for $420,000. Paul Hooker, K&L Dirt Company, LLC SIOR, Principal, and Induspurchased the brand-new trial Specialist with CushDollar General store located man & Wakefield | PICOR, to 1,150 square feet. “Paseo Del Sol was a value-add opportunity for Element to come in and strategically reposition the asset with renovations that will allow them to gain substantial revenue growth,” said Jesse Hudson, Senior Vice President of Investment Sales at Northmarq. According to a new report from Rent.com, Tucson renters are paying 24% more compared to this time just last year.
represented the seller in this transaction. Gabriela N. Roque purchased 3.41 acres of industrial land, located at 740 E. Fair St. in Tucson, from Helen L. Denn for $275,000. Ron Zimmerman, Principal, and Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction. 240 West Drachman Street LLC purchased 1,866 square feet of office space at 240 W. Drachman St. in Tucson, from Richard P. Chamberlain & Linda G. Chamberlain for $252,000. Molly Mary Gilbert, Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR,
Global Logistics Company leased 163,800 square feet of industrial space at Tucson Airport Center 2, 6818 S. Country Club Rd., Suites 106-110 in Tucson, from Schnitzer Properties, LLC. Jesse Blum, Principal, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Principal, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield| PICOR, and Joshua Wyss with Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona, represented the tenant. Sion Power Corporation renewed and expanded their lease with US REIF Tucson Commerce Center Arizona, LLC for a total of 101,277 square feet of industrial space at Tucson Commerce Center, 2900 E. Elvira Rd. and 6950 S. Country Club Rd. in Tucson. Jesse Blum, Principal, and Alex Demeroutis, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Hexagon Mining, Inc. renewed and expanded their lease with Albany Road-East Elvira LLC for a total 36,496 square feet of industrial space, at 2650 E. Elvira Rd. in Tucson.
Jesse Blum, Principal, and Alex Demeroutis, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Trane U.S. Inc. renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 9,520 square feet of industrial space at Butterfield Business Center, 4520 S. Coach Rd. in Tucson. Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Principal, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Mitchell, Lewis & Staver leased 8,142 square feet of industrial space at 2401 S. 34th Place in Tucson, from Ozam Investments, LLC. Jesse Blum, Principal, and Alex Demeroutis, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the tenant in this transaction. Max Fisher with BRD Realty, LLC, represented the landlord. AmeriPride Services, LLC added 6,000 square feet of industrial space to their lease with Ohio Street Building No 2 Ltd., LLLP, at 750 E. Ohio St., Suite 3 & 4 in Tucson. Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Principal, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Tucson ADAS Calibration Center, LLC renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 3,034 square feet of indus-
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trial space at South Dodge Business Center, 3631 E. 44th St., Suite 125 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Old Pueblo Trophy renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 2,800 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 4933-4935 E. 29th St. in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Foster Plumbing, Inc. dba Foster Plumbing renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 2,552 square feet of industrial space at Dodge Business Center, 3681 E. 44th St. in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Mobility, LLC, an AT&T authorized retailer, leased 2,400 square feet of retail space from Prince Road Associates, LLC, located in Old Vail Plaza, 10235 E. Old Vail Rd., Suite 155 in Tucson. Dave Hammack, Principal, and Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in the transaction. Kalen Rickard, with Western Retail Advisors, LLC, represented the tenant. Evolved LLC renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for
APRIL 22, 2022
2,400 square feet of office space at Town Central Business Park, 4905 E. 29th St. in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Psalm 112 L.L.C., dba Tucson Solar Pros, leased 2,400 square feet of industrial space at Exchange Place Business Center, 1870 W. Prince Rd., Suite E-52-53 in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Tyler Meigs renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 2,000 square feet of industrial space at Eastpoint Business Plaza, 1603 S. Eastside Loop, Suite 203A in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Gunning Fitness, LLC renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,600 square feet of space at Midway Business Park, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., Suite 11 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Professional Engineering & Technology, Inc. renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner
LLC for 1,552 square feet of industrial space at Midway Business Park, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., Suite 20 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Noodles & Rice, a restaurant offering Ramen, Pho, and Boba Tea leased 1,500 square feet of pad space at Placita de Oro, SWC Tangerine / First Avenue, in Oro Valley, from CTWFVP, LLC. Aaron LaPrise and Dave Hammack, Principals and Retail Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Rojanna Harvey with Omni Homes International, LLC, represented the tenant. Fish Meds Online, LLC renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,440 square feet of industrial space at Clairemont Plaza, 1660 S. Research Loop, Suite 134 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Coronado Engineering & Development, Inc. renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,440 square feet of industrial space at Exchange Place, 1870 W. Prince Rd., Suite 33 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Blockage Studios, LLC
leased 1,338 square feet of office space, located at 78 W. Cushing St. in Tucson, from TWW Investments LLC 20% & DAS Holdings LLC 20% & Calico Ventures LLC 20% & Habibi LLC 20% & AIT Ventures LLC 20%. Ryan McGregor, Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the tenant in this transaction. David Volk, with Volk Company, represented the landlord. Randy Lawrence Root renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,236 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 4901 E. 29th St. in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Zelos Dx renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,200 square feet of industrial space at Commerce Plaza, 245 S. Plumer Ave., Suite 7 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Rachas, Inc. renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,200 square feet of industrial space at Commerce Plaza, 245 S. Plumer Ave., Suite 6 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Dr. Robin P. O’Neal,
dba First Chiropractic renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,200 square feet of office space at Midpoint Business Plaza, 1801 S. Alvernon Way, Suite 107 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Monitech, LLC renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,200 square feet of industrial space at Midway Business Park, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., Suite 46 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. BNR Acres, LLC leased 1,185 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 5027 E. 29th St. in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Total Mobility and Accessibility renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,182 square feet of industrial space, at Palo Verde Business Center, 3860 S. Palo Verde Rd., Suite 311 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Sandra Solial dba The
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Beauty Boutique renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,058 square feet of retail space at Midway Business Park, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., Suite 68 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Adria Coleman Agency renewed their lease with Caldor Investments of Arizona, LLC, for 1,043 square feet of office space located in Ina Corporate Center, 3275 W. Ina Rd., Suite 113 in Tucson. Thomas J. Nieman, Principal, and Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Moustafa Farah, dba Cohiba Smoke Shop renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 900 square feet of retail space at Midpoint Business Plaza, 1835 S. Alvernon Way, Suite 209 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Avtel Technologies renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 745 square feet of industrial space at Midpoint Business Plaza, 3933 E. 29th St., Suite 503 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. ITB
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INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM
APRIL 22, 2022
Campus-area nail salon learning how to buff down rough edges in first year of business around from salon to salon before settling in at one place to build her clientele and then decided to open her own shop. elissa Tran opened Tran has noted that the her first campus-ardemand for nails depends ea salon, Lush Nail on the neighborhood. She Lounge, last May and has seen put together a team with the a booming business since ability to do the type of designs then. that trend on social media Located on the crossroads platforms in order to bring in of Speedway Boulevard and younger customers who spend Campbell Avenue, the salon lots of time on Instagram has been a hot spot for UA and Tik Tok. Social media is students. Tran, 25, got an early start so important that Tran said there’s “no way” she would in the nail biz, attending a specialty school in Vietnam to be successful without platbe a nail tech two years before forms such as Facebook and she immigrated to the United Instagram. When she opened the salon States in 2013. She bounced Nicole Feltman
Inside Tucson Business
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with her husband, Han-Jay Huynh, 27, Tran tapped into her social media network to market Lush Nails. Huynh said that social media has geared the nail industry to be more based in art and design rather than just a gel Mani Pedi. He added that social media is a tool that he and Tran are trying to navigate in an efficient manner. They want to advertise more to let people know of their presence, but they also want to be able to supply the heavy demand. “We have been extremely busy to the point where we can’t handle it because we do not have enough technicians,”
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said Huynh. For the past few months, Tran and Huynh have been going through different technicians to build their team. “We need technicians that are willing to be a part of the team for the long run,” Huynh said. “They also need to be very skilled. If they are not, that’s okay, we will train them up to be on the level that we expect of the salon so we can retain customers and build more clientele.” Because they have a small space and a limited number of technicians, Lush Nail Lounge has had to limit how many customers they serve. But Huynh said that made it easier to manage and schedule appointments. The salon team is still building their clientele as it approaches one year in business. Sorority rush week was a learning experience for the Lush team as they had to turn down customers. But they still overbooked the number they could handle, leading to some bad online reviews. They took the negative feedback as a learning experience about their limitations. “We would love to say yes to everybody, but we can’t,” said Huynh. “Customers are the most important part to the salon. If we do not have happy customers, we do not have a busy salon.” The pair split up duties when they were working to open the salon. Tran took care of the interior design of the salon, while Huynh did paperwork, construction, and permitting. “My background is not
Courtesy photo
“She always knew she wanted to be a boss!” said Lush Nail Lounge co-founder Han-Jay Huynh about his wife Melissa Tran. construction,” said Huynh, who graduated from the UA with a degree in engineering in 2016. “It is a different type of engineering, so I did not know the whole layout on how a salon would operate efficiently.” Tran says she “looked everywhere” to find the best decor for the salon. She spent hours online finding different aspects of different salons that she liked to put them in a portfolio for the architect. Huynh made a CAD model for the salon and he and Tran developed the interior design through the software. But even after all that hard work, the married couple is already thinking about opening a new location with
more space to serve future customers. COVID-19 restrictions were on the decline as the salon was being built, but the construction and permitting was difficult to complete amid the pandemic. Tran is insistent that the salon follow all state board regulations on cleaning. At Lush, all the surfaces are white, making it easier for the staff to spot anything that needs cleaning. Lush staff use liners on chairs, have disposable files and buffers, and even scrubs the bowls after pedicures for added protection. Follow Lush Nail Salon on Instagram @lush_nail_lounge_tucson or on Facebook @LushNailLoungeTucson
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Old Tucson Studios finds new operator Winchester 73, The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold, Arizona, Tombstone, and Three Amigos were filmed at Old Tucson ld Tucson Studios, Tucson’s iconic mov- Studios. Pima County Attractions ie filming location and Tourism Director Diin Tucson Mountain Park, ane Frisch wrote in an email will be managed by a new that Old Tucson Studios has operator. The Pima County Board hosted concerts and recreational events in the past, of Supervisors voted unanimously on April 5 to and “these tourism dollars approve American Heritage are important to the region as hotels, restaurants and Railways as the new park local attractions welcome operator. Old Tucson Studios was our visitors.” The County began lookthe backdrop for multiple ing for a new operator after feature films and television shows after Columbia the previous operator, Old Tucson Company, notiPictures chose to build an 1860s replica of Tucson in fied the county it would be 1939. Old Tucson Studios terminating its lease due to the impact of COVID-19 was built just before the restrictions. Western movie era in the One of the companies to 1950s, making it the perfect show interest in the site was location for new producAmerican Heritage Railtions. Iconic films like
Alexandra Pere
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ways (AHR). Established in 1998, AHR has experience in the entertainment, filming, and hospitality industries. Frisch said AHR has ties with film studios that are shooting at other properties. The County wants AHR to bring those relationships to Old Tucson Studios. “With our beautiful and unique landscape, we hope to increase filming opportunities at Old Tucson and in and around Southern Arizona,” Frisch wrote. AHR’s subsidiary corporation, Old Tucson Entertainment LLC (OTE), will be in charge of the site. With the approval of the county supervisors, OTE will begin preparing to host the immersive horror experience Nightfall during Halloween. John Harper, OTE’s chief operating
officer, told the supervisors at the April 5 meeting that the company also plans to transition the entire park into a Christmas-themed event after Nightfall. Harper said local Tucsonans will be hired to develop the park. “Our goal is to bring the historical presence of the property to a new environment and really create a sustainable environment for the property, for the community, and for the future of this location,” Harper told the supervisors. “And that’s going to be a mixture of filming productions, commercials and even some possible music videos.” The park has been difficult for past operators to Courtesy photo keep relevant when filming isn’t being hosted on the
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site. Harper said the company will be creating many entertainment events for the community to attend. Along with Nightfall and the Christmas event, OTE wants to continue the 5K and 10K mud runs that were hosted in the past. Frisch said the company needs to have multiple streams of revenue from the site to keep the park financially viable. Filming is only one facet of the Old Tucson Studios’ potential and OTE needs to host community events to keep people coming back. “For our students, we used to have Ted Walker days out there and that is one of the concerns, is that we engage the students to do this one-time thing, but what are the events that
will keep families coming back?” Supervisor Adelita Grijalva told Harper during the April 5 meeting. “So I think your expertise in working across the country will be beneficial to Old Tucson.” Frisch said AHR’s international and national entertainment experience will be key to reviving Old Tucson Studios after its pandemic closure. According to Frisch, AHR is in charge of more than 50 special events in over 35 states throughout four different countries. “They also have a clear understanding of the need to make sure Old Tucson has a unique and local feel that highlights our local history, food, and culture,” Frisch said. ITB
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APRIL 22, 2022
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COVID-related Medicaid coverage extended – for now – for 500,000 Arizonans Emily Sacia
Cronkite News
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ederal officials threw a lifeline last week to as many as 500,000 Arizonans, just days before they were in danger of losing the Medicaid coverage they got under a COVID-19 public health emergency. That emergency declaration, which was set to expire Saturday, was extended last Tuesday for another 90 days by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Advocates welcomed the extension, but said it only delays the inevitable: When the emergency authorization eventually ends, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System will have to start weeding out some recipients. “COVID has already shown us the vulnerabilities and the shortcomings of our system, which have been particularly painful for those who are the most underserved and vulnerable,” said Dr. Shad Fani Marvasti, director of Public Health, Prevention, and Health Promotion at the University of Arizona. “Disenrolling Medicaid is going to impact those folks in a really dire way.” The decision to extend the public health emergency was unsurprising for many, since HHS had not given states the 60 days notice it has promised before lifting the authorization.
The HHS announcement came one day before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered a 15day extension of its requirement that people be masked when traveling, which was set to expire Monday. The CDC said the move was needed so it could have time to study the impact of the latest COVID-19 variant, which has led to a slight uptick in cases this month. The COVID-19 public health emergency was first declared in January 2020 and has been renewed nine times since, with the latest extension set to run through mid-July. As long as it is in effect, the state cannot remove people from the Medicaid rolls. Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law March 2020, states get an additional 6.2% in federal funds to help pay for coverage of those enrollees while the public health emergency remains in place. “AHCCCS has not disenrolled anyone from the program since March 2020,” said Heidi Capriotti, an AHCCCS spokesperson. Medicaid enrollment in Arizona increased by 26.7% since the start of the pandemic, covering 2.38 million residents as of this month. But once the public health emergency ends, the state will be required to begin removing Medicaid recipients who no longer meet
eligibility criteria. Capriotti said the state is preparing for that day, sending out letters to recipients to determine their eligibility, a task that is normally done monthly but has been suspended for the past two years. AHCCCS estimates that about 500,000 recipients might need to confirm their eligibility to keep their coverage, which could lapse if the recipient got coverage from their work, aged into Medicare or makes too much money to qualify. Capriotti said recipients should make sure the state has the correct contact information to keep them from being dropped from the rolls because the state could not reach them. “If we have their correct contact information and we can get a hold of them quickly, we can get ahead of the end date of this public health emergency,” Capriotti said. “But we don’t know when that’s going to happen.” But health care advocates worry that the end of the public health emergency will not mean the end of the need for public health. “There’s already too few resources available within the county system and too many people who need resources,” Marvasti said. Zaida Dedolph, the director of health policy for the Children’s Action Alliance, said that lifting the emergency “does not necessarily mean that COVID is no longer a threat. But it means that
things have sort of abated to the point where we no longer need access to these flexibilities.” Others worry that people will be dropped from coverage accidentally by AHCCCS employees faced with “compressing 24 months worth of (Medicaid eligibility) redetermination into just several weeks,” said Will Humble, executive director for the Arizona Public Health Association. Capriotti said the state does not currently plan to hire additional staff to handle the increased workload of sorting through all the
eligibility redeterminations once the emergency ends. Those dropped from the rolls will be able to apply for coverage during a special enrollment period. But advocates said that might not be an affordable option for all those who are disqualified, especially those whose income pushes them just above the threshold. “We’ve seen the poverty level adjusted each year for cost of living, but we don’t necessarily see income eligibility adjusted for cost of living,” Dedolph said. The potential loss of coverage for hundreds of
thousands of Arizonans could also overwhelm emergency rooms, which will be the only option for those who will have “the lack of insurance and access to good primary care,” Marvasti said. “Not only should we not be stopping the coverage, disenrolling people, I think we should actually be expanding Medicaid to make it universal for anyone and everyone who can’t afford private insurance,” he said. ITB For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org
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Infant Planets and Cybersecurity Funding Jeff Gardner
the first-ever look at a gas giant planet in its earliest stages of formation. The new study, conducted by a ith a major research univer- team of astronomers that sity right in our includes Tucson researchbackyard, a strong military ers, provides evidence for “a long-debated alternative presence and innovative companies throughout the theory for how Jupiter-like metro region, there’s often planets form.” The team used the Haa plethora of interesting waii-based Subaru Telescience, medical and technology news to be found in scope and the Hubble Space Telescope to detect evidence Southern Arizona. Here’s of the “protoplanet” ora breakdown of the most biting the star AB Aurigae interesting recent some 500 light years away. developments.’ The researchers argue that their study provides Infant Planets. A new evidence for a long-debated study published in the theory for how gas giants journal Nature Astronoform. According to UA, my provides evidence for
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the dominant theory on the formation of gas giants is called “core accretion”—a bottom-up process in which planets embedded in a disk of gas and solids grow from smaller objects sticking together as they orbit a star. In contrast, the researchers’ “disk instability” evidence is a top-down process in which a massive, gaseous protoplanetary disk cools, and gravity causes the disk to rapidly break up into one or more planet-mass fragments. “Subaru Telescope’s extreme adaptive optics pulled AB Aur b’s image from the bright structured disk surrounding the star,
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allowing our infrared and visible instruments to then confirm its nature,” said Olivier Guyon, an astronomer at the UA’s Steward Observatory and professor in the College of Optical Sciences. The research team argues this understanding offers a glimpse into the formation of our own solar system. “The spiral arm features we observed in this disk are just what we should expect if we have a planet with the mass of Jupiter or more in the presence of these dust structures,” said Kevin Wagner, a NASA Hubble/ Sagan Fellow at Steward Observatory. “A massive planet should perturb them into exactly like what we are seeing here.” Funding Cybersecurity.
The State of Arizona’s Technology and Research Initiative Fund has committed $6 million to the University of Arizona’s cyber operations program to strengthen and increase the nation’s cybersecurity workforce. In a world that is increasingly online whether we like it or not, more and more personal information and banking is susceptible to online attacks. Indeed, even our very infrastructure is channeled through digital pathways. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a shortage of software engineers and cybersecurity professionals in the coming years. From 2019 to 2020, the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs increased
Photo courtesy of ALMA Observatory (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO) / CC BY 4.0
A research team including Tucson astronomers has detected evidence for the formation of a gas giant in the spirals around star AB Aurigae.
from more than 300,000 to more than 500,000. This new funding will support workforce development, training and cyber operations. In particular, the funding will allow the UA cyber operations program to hire more faculty and staff, with the goal of boosting its enrollment to 2,000 students by the end of 2025, and to 5,000 students by the end of 2030. “We’re trying to make a fundamental impact on the security posture of the U.S. – that’s what our graduates are going to do,” said Jason Denno, director of cyber, intelligence and information operations at the UA College of Applied Science and Technology. “We reverse-engineered the cyber degree from the NSA’s most technical standards. We created this program from the ground up to be the most
technical set of knowledge, skills and abilities for our students.” For instance, the program has partnered with the city of Sierra Vista. In the program, students can behave like nefarious hackers and “attack” the city’s networks to determine vulnerabilities. The students then compile a report to show where the city can improve its cyber defenses. “Our students’ hands-on experience is embedded in our AI-driven virtual environment, from their first class through their required capstone project,” said Gary Packard, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology. “This ensures we meet the NSA’s highest technical standards to develop graduates with real-world cyber security capability on day one for the government and corporate cybersecurity workforce.” ITB
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APRIL 22, 2022
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U.S. inflation rose at fastest rate in 40 years, Valley grew even faster Alexia Stanbridge Cronkite News
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he U.S. cost of living surged 8.5% over the past 12 months, the fastest one-year increase in more than 40 years, driven by skyrocketing gas, food and housing prices, new government data shows. And consumers in the Phoenix area have been seeing even sharper increases – while March numbers are not yet available for the Valley, the region saw a one-year inflation rate of 10.9% as of February, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economists blame the increases on lingering supply chain issues from the pandemic and the energy uncertainty caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And they don’t expect things to settle down any time soon. “Hopefully, the supply chains will gradually unscramble and we’ll get back to something more normal,” said George Hammond, an economist at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. “We don’t really know when that’s going to happen. But … my guess at this point would be some time next year, we’ll see overall inflation start to come down in a pretty significant way,” he said. The last time inflation was this high was in 1981, and the solution then was a severe tightening of credit that tipped the economy into recession, said Dennis Hoffman, economics professor at Arizona State University.
“I think that the Federal Reserve will step in with massive interest rate increases that will choke off demand for automobiles, choke off demand for houses,” Hoffman said Tuesday. “The interviews six months from now will probably be about ‘Have we started into a recession, are we headed for recession?’” Their comments came as new BLS data showed that the consumer price index nationally jumped 1.2% from February to March, capping a 12-month period during which inflation rose 8.5%. More than half the monthly increase was driven by higher gas prices, according to the BLS, which said higher prices for food, fuel oil, electricity and housing all contributed to the spike in prices over the past year. The same factors have been in play in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area over the past year, the bureau said. The 10.9% rise in inflation from last February to this one was the highest in the nation for that period among large urban areas, according to the data. Hammond called it the result of a “perfect storm” of economic factors: Increased demand from consumers with money to spend after being stuck at home during the pandemic, running up against limited availability of goods from COVID-19 supply chain problems. “You know, that’s a real recipe for rapid inflation,” he said. Hoffman agreed that inflation was bound to rise in an economy where there is “too much money chasing too few
goods.” “We certainly have too few goods, with much of the economy shut down,” Hoffman said. “Much of Asia is still. I mean China is still shut down.” Both men said the consumer price index took another jump with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Hoffman said took “a significant share of oil out of the world market because we have to impose sanctions on Russia.” Arizona currently has some of the highest gas prices in the nation, at $4.596 per gallon as of Tuesday, according to AAA. “The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had the effect of really increasing crude oil prices and injecting a lot of uncertainty into the world economy,” Hammond said. “And the rise in crude oil prices has certainly contributed to the increase in overall inflation.” Arizona consumers face the additional burden of surging housing prices, as the number of homes cannot keep pace with the number of people moving to the state. “Our population is adding 100,000 residents each year and we have not been able to build quickly enough to keep up,” said David Leibowitz, a spokesperson for the Arizona Multihousing Association, in an email. “The biggest issue right now in Arizona is lack of housing supply.” Leibowitz said landlords are subject to the same forces as other consumers: Inflation has “driven up the cost of housing people astronomically and driven up the cost of building new units. Add
in the supply chain issues that housing businesses are experiencing and you begin to understand why rents have increased.” Rep. David Schweikert, R-Fountain Hills, said he is not surprised by the demand for housing, given the lure of the state to new residents. “If I get to choose where I work … wouldn’t you love to live in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area?” Schweikert said during a summit on jobs hosted Tuesday by The Hill newspaper. But Schweikert said he worries that if inflation does not come down soon, “we’re going to start to see some really uncomfortable numbers on a big segment of our retirement
population that, you know, their savings are becoming devalued. So that’s one of my worries there.” Hoffman said low- or limited-income residents are likely to get hit hardest by inflation. “You got people living paycheck to paycheck trying to juggle elder care and child care, facing challenges, and they got their landlord telling them that their rents going up $700 a month when the lease expires,” he said. “That is a problem.” Hammond said the inflation rate will come down – eventually – but that he expects it to “run at a very high rate” in Phoenix and the U.S. for a while. In the meantime,
he said, there’s not much consumers can do besides watching their spending. “The average person can, you know, engage in additional comparative shopping … you can put off purchases you know, as much as you can until prices come back down,” he said. Hoffman agrees, but said it will be a bitter pill for some consumers to swallow. “The challenge with inflation is it just is so unkind to certain people that are challenged … to make ends meet, to challenge to pay bills, and really have to take this straight on,” he said. ITB For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
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Small wonders: Slider Smack Down coming up at Button Brew House Matt Russell
Special to Inside Tucson Business
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here’s nothing small about the life Chef Lindy Reilly lives. His iconic burgers are second only in size to his prodigious personality, and a big bolt of lightning is the centerpiece of his Fourth Avenue restaurant’s brand. So, imagine my surprise when I learned that he’ll soon go to battle in a cooking competition that requires participants to set their sights on the smaller side of things. Yes, Lindy Reilly, whose behemoth burgers have made local and national news, will be among seven area foodies competing in the inaugural Slider Smack Down on May 7 at Button Brew House. Typically weighing in at around two ounces, the average slider would be a single-bite snack for most of Reilly’s regulars at Thunder Bacon Burger Co. But he believes that imagination and creativity are essential for stacking-up a memorable burger no matter its size. “Sliders don’t have to conform to the same gut-busting guidelines we follow at the restaurant,” he said. “But even with a
slider, I’m still able to hit all the flavor levels that I’m after. I’ll be hitting some sweet, salt, heat, and a little bit of tang, which you’ll be able to taste separately and together.” Though he didn’t tip his hand and reveal the ingredients for the sliders he’ll be serving at the Smack Down, he did share that he’ll be “showing up with some stuff that nobody will have even thought about.” Shots fired. He also commissioned the baking of a special bread that he said, “won’t be your typical slider bun.” Reilly will go up against Bryan Benton of Dominick’s Real Italian, Ted Bias of Teddy B’s Hot Sauce, Tyler Davison of Davison Meats, Michael Jaeger of BuzzBros Culinary, and a collaborative pairing with Adam Romero of Monsoons Tap & Grill and Dan Peel of Fat Bob’s BBQ. Button Brew House seems like the perfect venue for the Smack Down, and not just because of the pairing potential of sliders and beer. The event hosts, owners Todd and Erika Button, are self-proclaimed foodies as well as craft beer enthusiasts. “We’ve been foodies ever since we can remember, and for us, craft beer is an extension of food,”
they said. “We’ve found an industry that is really more of a community, a culture all its own, and that culture is craft beer. It’s beer that has a story, it’s beer that has a purpose. But more than that, it’s an opportunity to build a better community.” The Buttons appear to approach their craft like a chef imagines a dish. Among the foodie-inspired beers they’ve brewed are the Chiltepin Red, an Irishstyle beer made with local chile peppers; the Button Amber, with notes of toasted bread, caramel, and raisin; and the Button IPA, with hop-derived profiles of grapefruit, pine, and citrus. The inaugural Slider Smack Down is on Saturday, May 7, at noon at Button Brew House, 6800 N. Camino Martin. Tickets are $35 and include six sliders, one beer, and the privilege of casting one vote for the People’s Choice award. Advance purchase is required on Eventbrite. Lindy Reilly has participated in more than 20 cooking competitions and has a heap of hardware to show for it. But trophies aren’t necessarily his goal. “I really do these events to have some fun and to make things that are a little
different,” he said. “Winning for me is seeing the reactions of the people I’m serving and knowing when I evoked an emotional response.” Gentlemen, start your smacking. ITB Contact Matt Russell, whose day job is CEO of Russell Public Communications, at mrussell@ russellpublic.com. Russell is also the publisher of OnTheMenuLive. com as well as the host of the Friday Weekend Watch segment on the “Buckmaster Show” on KVOI 1030 AM.
Courtesy photo
“Even with a slider, I’m still able to hit all the flavor levels that I’m after. I’ll be hitting some sweet, salt, heat, and a little bit of tang, which you’ll be able to taste separately and together,” said Lindy Reilly.
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Chicano Por La Causa charter schools bring students across the finish line
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Nogales sees border-crossing delays as trucks flee Texas border logjam Emily Sacia
Cronkite News
F
ederal officials threw a lifeline this week to as many as 500,000 Arizonans, just days before they were in danger of losing the Medicaid coverage they got under a COVID-19 public health emergency. Commercial truckers were coping with longer-thannormal delays at the Nogales border crossing Thursday, as trucks trying to escape a logjam at the Texas border headed west to Arizona instead. And border and industry officials worried that the problem might get worse unless Texas Gov. Greg Abbott backs off a recently imposed truck inspection program, an “inspection regime” that one expert said has slowed trade almost to a halt at some ports. In response to Abbott’s order, some Mexican truckers have blocked Texas ports of entry as a protest.
In the meantime, “Millions and millions of dollars are being lost every day, over $100 million in fresh produce already,” because of delays in Texas, said Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. “We’re seeing kind of an increase in crossings in field activity in Nogales,” Jungmeyer said. “Because since last Friday, that’s been the only major port of entry to get fresh produce across.” At 11 a.m. on a typical Thursday, commercial truckers can expect a 39-minute delay to get through the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales. But trucks were waiting as long as 75 minutes at 11 a.m. last Thursday, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The backups began April 6 when Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to conduct “enhanced safety inspections” of all vehicles after they come through
the state’s international ports. He said the inspections are needed to protect Texans from “unsafe vehicles and their unsafe drivers” coming from Mexico. Even though it was laced with references to cartels, trafficking and the planned end of Title 42 – the health regulation that has allowed border officials to turn away asylum seekers since March 2020 – Abbott’s order officially targets only the roadworthiness of the trucks themselves. The order was derided Wednesday by White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki as “another political stunt” that is “impacting people’s jobs and the livelihoods of hardworking families in Texas and across the country.” She said in a statement that the “redundant” inspections have caused “significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices.”
That criticism was echoed by industry officials, the CBP and even members of Abbott’s own party in Texas. In a statement Tuesday, CBP officials called the order “unnecessary” and a costly measure that will impact consumers and businesses nationwide. Trade slowed tremendously at Texas ports as a result, while it was stopped entirely at the Hidalgo/Pharr border entry by protesting Mexican truckers who blocked the port. To avoid the extensive delays, and the Texas DPS inspection of trucks, some truckers are willing to drive as much as 20 hours to reach the border at Nogales. They started showing up Thursday, said Arizona Department of Agriculture spokesperson Robert Smook, who added that Mariposa is expecting more in the coming days. The Mariposa Port of Entry is the main port of entry for fresh produce from Mexico
BUSINESS CALENDAR use. There will be a panel of professionals to update members on current and • The Marana Rotary Club forecasted trends. Panelists meets, both in-person and come from Larsen Baker, over Zoom. Details: 7 to 8 Metropolitan Pima Alliance, a.m. At the North West Fire and the Tucson Association Training Building, 5125 W. of Realtors. 3:30 to 5 p.m. At Camino De Fuego. maranthe Arizona Sands Club, 565 arotary.org or text (520) N. Cherry Ave. $10. tucson909-9162 for virtual meeting chamber.org information. • The Marana Chamber • The Tucson Metro of Commerce is hosting Chamber is hosting a a 4th Tuesday Mixer at members-only event at the Oasis at Wild Horse the Arizona Sands Club. Ranch. This provides an This is a discussion on all opportunity to engage with things real estate and land a wide range of friendly
Tuesday, April 26
business connections from the area. 5 to 7 p.m. At the Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch, 6801 N. Camino Verde. Free for members, $10 for non-members. maranachamber.com. (520) 6824314. • The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend their “Mariposa Mixer” at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. 5 to 7 p.m. At the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Reservation required. tucsonhispanicchamber.org
Wednesday, April 27 • The Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce discusses the state of the town at their Economic Outlook Luncheon and Spring Business Expo. Speakers include Leonardo Electronics, who is building a 120,000-sq-ft semiconductor laser facility on 13 acres of Innovation Park, and Craig Dismuke of Vining Sparks, a nationally renowned economist. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the El Conquistador Hilton Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Rd. $60. orovalleychamber.com
and is also the primary produce distribution point on the southern border, according to the General Services Administration. Jungmeyer said the port’s ability to quickly process imports is vital to Arizona’s economy, but that there is such a thing as too much traffic for the port. An unexpected increase in commercial traffic through Mariposa could “strain the resources” in Arizona, eventually slowing the supply chain and raising prices for consumers. Officials said they hope that recent agreements between Abbott and the governors of two of the four Mexican states bordering Texas – Nuevo León and Chihuahua – will start to ease the backlog. Texas ended secondary inspections at the Laredo–Colombia Solidarity International Bridge on Wednesday after Nuevo León officials agreed to conduct “enhanced border security enforcement measures”
on their side of the border. A similar deal Thursday with the government of Chihuahua ended Texas inspections at the Del Río-Ciudad Acuña border crossing. Under the agreement, Texas officials will return to conducting random searches rather than screening every truck crossing at those ports. But those are just two of more than a dozen commercial land ports of entry in Texas. Officials with the Texas Department of Agriculture – whose commissioner this week called Abbott’s order “a clog in the drain” of commerce for the state – said Abbott needs to do more to fix the problem they say he created. “This didn’t wind up all at once,” said Reb Wayne, communications director for the department. “It’s not going to unwind just immediately, it’s going to take some time.” For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
EMAIL DETAILS FOR YOUR BIZ EVENTS TO JEFF@TUCSONLOCALMEDIA.COM their members’ businesses and organizations, from real estate and finance, • The Rotary Club of Dove to non-profit and various professional services. Lunch Mountain hosts a Board will be available for purMeeting & Club Assembly at the Highlands Clubhouse chase to all attendees. All Spring Business Fair attend- Catalina II. 5 to 6:15 p.m. 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd. ees will have the chance to win a free portrait photogdovemountainrotary.org raphy session. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 565 N. Cherry Ave., Gate 1. Free. Registration is • The Arizona Sands Club open to the public and required for all attendees. Call is organizing their annual (520) 621.8300 to register. Spring Business Fair at the clubcorp.com/clubs/arizoArizona Stadium. Tucson’s na-sands-club premier private social and business club, will showcase
Thursday, April 28
Friday, April 29
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APRIL 22, 2022
Health & Fitness Clubs Rank 2021 2020
Business Address
Phone Company Email Website
No. of No. Members Locations: Local National
Monthly Membership Fees
Amenities
Top Local Executives
Year Establ. Locally
1
Prestige Fitness 4490 N. 1st Ave Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 334-0205 info@prestigefitnessaz.com www.prestigefitnessaz.com
3,000
N/A N/A
N/A
Personal Training. Nutritionist. Massage. Group Fitness Classes. Comprehensive health and physical fitness analysis. 24/7 gym and facility access. Locker rooms and showers.
Ronald Yousefnejad Joseph Genova
2009
2
Body Works Pilates 1980 E. River Rd., Ste. 250 Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 323-7070 info@bodyworkspilates.com bodyworkspilates.com
2,773
N/A N/A
N/A
Private and group Pilates sessions, massage, yoga, Pilates teacher training
Kyria Sabin
1993
3
Snap Fitness 24-7 7545 S Houghton Rd Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 861-4556 info@snapfitnesstucson.com snapfitness.com
200
1 N/A
35
Open 24/7 - 365 days a year, strength ,cardio equipment, certified personal trainers,Results driven small group, One on one personal training, basic nutritional guidance Sliver and Fit, Optum and Tivity access accepted
David Gillespie Frank Robles
2006
4
Jazzercise Tucson Central Fitness Center 504 E. Ft. Lowell Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 282-1532 mkjazzercise.com http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/ jazzercise-central-center
140
N/A N/A
N/A
Dressing rooms, weights, balls, mats, resistance tubes
Mary Hofferber Mary Rose Baron
1980
5
Motivator Personal Fitness Training and Rehabilitation 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. Ste. 115 Tucson , AZ 85715
(520) 906-5438 az.motivator@gmail.com www.motivator.net
4
1 1
0
4th Avenue Yoga 413 E. 5th St. Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 352-9850 N/A 4thavenueyoga.com
0
N/A N/A
N/A
Cardio, free weights, kettle bells, weightlifting machines. We offer Personal Training, Alexander ART (active release technique), and Boomstick therapy. No membership fees. No Vishnevetsky contracts.
1996
N/A
2011
Tony N. Vaccaro
Ranked by the number of members Ranked information is provided by business representatives at no charge and is ranked alphabetically in case of ties. Other businesses were contacted but either declined or did not respond by deadline. There is no charge to be included in Inside Tucson Business listings. N/A=not provided WND=would not disclose NL=not listed last year NR=listed last year but ranking criteria not provided
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