Scottsdale Progress - 02-16-2020 by Times Media Group

More taxes for short-term rentals? / P. 10

Scottsdale firm looks to raise $50M / P. 30

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS................................ 6 Suit against SUSD board member settled.

NEIGHBORS...........22 Fabled jazz singer Vince Watson returns to stage.

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Council wrestles with Scottsdale parking BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

he City Council is considering a host of remedies to address concerns that an impending parking shortage is on the horizon in downtown Scottsdale. There is still some disagreement over how dire the situation is, however, and what the

Stadium work beats Cactus League clock

city should do to address the problem. On Feb. 11, city staff presented a variety of potential parking changes to the City Council that ranged from building new public parking to adding more time restrictions on existing parking. The Council only discussed the options at the Feb. 11 without making final decisions.

The concept of paid public parking – long the boogeyman in discussions – was broached but not seriously considered. Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp called Scottsdale’s free public parking the “lifeblood” of the area and said she did not want

No rain on this parade

see COUNCIL page 14

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

ARTS............................. 40 Pop-up show marks arts center anniversary

NEIGHBORS...........................................22 BUSINESS...............................................30 OPINION................................................. 35 SPORTS................................................... 36 ARTS.........................................................40 FOOD & DRINK................................... 42 CLASSIFIEDS.........................................47

ith little time left to spare before the Feb. 22 start of Spring Training, the City of Scottsdale and

More baseball inside

Cactus League’s big impact.. Page 32 Teams’ new looks....................Page 36 Where to eat............................Page 42

see CACTUS LEAGUE page 12

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Local woman helps lobby for suicide prevention bill An edition of the East Valley Tribune Scottsdale Progress is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Scottsdale. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of Scottsdale Progress, please visit www.Scottsdale.org. CONTACT INFORMATION Main number 480-898-6500 | Advertising 480-898-5624 Circulation service 480-898-5641 Scottsdale Progress 4301 N 75th St., Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Publisher Steve T. Strickbine Vice President Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@scottsdale.org TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@scottsdale.org Advertising Office Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@scottsdale.org Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@scottsdale.org NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@scottsdale.org Managing Editor Wayne Schutsky | 480-898-6533 | wschutsky@scottsdale.org Copy Editor April Morganroth | 480-656-9667 | amorganroth@ timespublications.com Staff Writers Kristine Cannon | 480-898-9657 | kcannon@scottsdale.org Jim Walsh | 480-898-5639 | jwalsh@scottsdale.org Photographers Kimberly Carrillo | KCarrillo@scottsdale.org Pablo Robles | Probles@scottsdale.org Design Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@scottsdale.org Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 | production@scottsdale.org Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@scottsdale.org Marketing Director Lynette Carrington | 480-898-5621 Scottsdale Progress is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

BY JIM WALSH Progress Staff Writer

he health care insurance system failed 14-year-old Jacob Edward Machovsky miserably in 2015. An insurance company decided his inpatient treatment for a mental illness was not a “medical necessity,’’ ending the second of two hospitalizations within two months. That decision led to tragedy when Jacob, who had turned 15, took his life at his family’s Tempe home in January 2016. His parents, Denise and Ben Denslow – who have since moved to Gilbert – launched the JEM Foundation in Jacob’s memory, setting in motion their mission to save the lives of other teenagers suffering from mental illness. Now, the Denslows are hoping the same legislative coalition that a year ago won passage of a landmark suicide prevention bill will help them with the adoption of “Jake’s Law’’– a wide-ranging bill designed to improve access to treatment for troubled juveniles. The Denslows have the support of Scottsdale resident Christie Lee Kinchen, a suicide survivor who lost her father to suicide when she was just a toddler. Kinchen, who serves on Scottsdale’s Historic Preservation Commission and owns a Valley real estate company with her sister, found out about the Denslows’ effort through her fundraising work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and has since joined the effort to lobby for legislative support. “It’s important to me, because I know what it feels like (to have) no hope and wanting to end my own life,” Kinchen said. “I know how costly it is to get help when your insurance won’t cover your mental health care, and how that could cost someone their life.” At least 38 East Valley teens have taken their lives since 2017. “We don’t want any other family to go through this. That’s why we are fighting so hard,’’ Denise Denslow said. “We definitely have momentum from last year and we are going to build on that. It’s a huge next step and I am really proud of this bill.’’ Jake’s Law would: • expand youth access to behavioral health services in schools at a cost of $8 million; • establish a suicide mortality review team that would start looking into the root causes of a death within a few days after teens take their own life;

• create parity in the insurance coverage of medical and mental health conditions. Approval of the parity measure would mean that Arizona for the first time would be enforcing a federal law, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act, that was signed in 2008 by former President George W. Bush. Jake’s Law would require insurance companies to demonstrate how they are complying with the federal law. That law requires insurance coverage for illnesses of the brain – such as depression, anxiety and addiction – be no more restrictive than any other medical condition, according to the JEM Foundation. “It’s access and having the industry treat mental health in the same manner as physical health,’’ Denslow said. “If he (Jacob) had gone to the hospital with a cardiac issue, they would not have released him until it was repaired.’’ She recalled her own apprehension when she learned the treatment center was going to discharge Jacob. Jacob had spent five days in a treatment center in September 2015. He was readmitted in October 2015, only to be discharged another five days later after an insurance company decided his hospitalization was unnecessary. “I’m worried, I’m not sure he’s ready to come home,’’ Denslow said. She said Jacob’s follow-up care for treatment of bipolar disorder was inadequate. It included seeing a psychiatrist once a month and waiting months to see a counselor. Jacob’s state of mind seemed to improve. Only after his death did Denslow learn that it’s easy to misinterpret the actions of a mentally ill person, who may only be signaling that they are comfortable with taking their own life. Three months after Jacob’s discharge, he was found dead. If the bill passes, his mother said, “It helps us to know that Jake is still making a positive impact on people’s lives.” She believes with the proper recognition of warning signs and follow up treatment, that teen suicide is 100 percent preventable. “It’s about saving lives and saving our kids,’’ Denslow said. Katey McPherson, a former longtime East Valley educator and a suicide prevention advocate, said the mortality review team will help save lives by identifying the common factors that lead to suicides.

Christie Lee Kinchen of Scottsdale got a "pinky sweater" from state Rep. Jay Lawrence for supporting suicide prevention. (Special to Progress)

These factors sometimes include emotional problems related to family relationships, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, getting a bad grade in school, or having easy access to an improperly stored firearm. “For me, whenever we have data in front of us, we can look at the protective factors, what would have prevented this death,’’ McPherson said. “When a review team comes out and says, here are some commonalities, now we can attack the problem,’’ she said. “It’s a point of reference to start looking at the root causes.’’ Denslow has recruited some powerful allies, including Gov. Doug Ducey. She said Ducey’s office suggested the bill seek the $8 million for addressing the mental health needs of students. “Insurance companies should be covering mental health, just like they cover an annual physical. And we’re going to make sure they do,’’ Ducey said in the annual State of the State address. The bill is sponsored in the state Senators Kate Brophy-McGee, R-Phoenix;. Sean Bowie, D-Mesa; and J.D Mesnard, R-Chandler, and in the State House by Rep. Jeff Weninger, RChandler. Kinchen, who personally met with lawmakers and received a “pinky sweater” of support from Rep. Jay Lawrence, who represents Scottsdale, as long as he promised to

see SUICIDE page 6

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Suit against SUSD board member settled BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

SUSD Governing Board Member Barbara Perleberg settled a lawsuit filed against her by resident Mark Greenburg for $25,000. (Progress file photo)

berg’s attorneys at Jones, Skelton & Hochuli for her defense in the case under the district’s policy through the end of last year, according to trust records provided to the Progress. Greenburg’s lawsuit was a response to a suit filed by Perleberg in April 2018 as she sought to unmask the then-anonymous author of the parody website perlebergforsusd. com, which mocked Perleberg and others in district leadership. Perleberg ultimately obtained a subpoena unmasking Mark Greenburg as the author of the site before dropping her suit. Greenburg filed his lawsuit in November 2018, arguing Perleberg’s suit violated his First Amendment right to free speech. “When Ms. Perleberg filed her lawsuit, it was very clear that she had no understanding of the First Amendment and the protections that are provided for citizens of the United States to ridicule publicly-elected officials,” Greenburg said. “Hopefully, she now has a much more clear-cut understanding of that part of our Constitution.” Greenburg, father of current SUSD Governing Board member Jann-Michael Greenburg, declined comment on the settlement. However, the elder Greenburg did reiter-

“It’s a great bi-partisan bill. I think Kate’s got all but four senators on board,’’ Weninger said. “You are always going to have partisanship, but there’s no room for it on this issue.’’ Denslow, Chimbo-Andrade and McPherson all said that the bill would address a gap between the mental health coverage provided to low income students through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and by private insurance. Denslow said she receives reports every couple of weeks from frustrated parents who tell her how a child suffering from a mental health illness has been turned down for treatment. “We definitely hear that, that folks want this coverage. They often find out they are not covered,’’ said Bowie, one of the primary sponsors of the Mitch Warnock Act. “The mental health parity piece is very important,’’ he said. Although Bowie and Ducey are members of different parties and clash on other issues,

Bowie praised the governor for his support of mental health. He said there appears to be a consensus that problems with mental health affect everyone. “We are trying to use our role as a legislature to be helpful [in the prevention of suicide and the treatment of mental illness]," Bowie said. Bowie is sponsoring three additional bills aimed at addressing mental health. They include authorizing the state Department of Education to set rules for allow students an excused absence for mental health reasons, such as being victimized by bullying. The others include requiring teaching, counseling and social worker instructional programs to teach suicide awareness and prevention and requiring school district ID cards for students in grades 9-12 to include suicide hotline numbers. Progress Managing Editor Wayne Schutsky contributed to this report.

he Scottsdale Unified School District’s insurance provider is on the hook for at least $44,000 due to a lawsuit filed by Governing Board member Barbara Perleberg in 2018, records obtained by the Progress show. The Progress obtained a copy of the settlement in a lawsuit filed by resident Mark Greenburg against Perleberg showing the district’s insurance provider is paying half of the $25,000 settlement amount on Perleberg’s behalf. Greenburg’s attorney Lesli Sorenson said she was “unable” to verify the legitimacy of the settlement copy obtained by the Progress. Georgia Staton, an attorney representing Perleberg in the case, did not respond to a request to verify the settlement. The parties notified the Maricopa County Superior Court they had reached a settlement in December 2019, but the details of the settlement were not immediately available. According to the copy obtained by the Progress, the Arizona Schools Risk Retention Trust, the district’s liability insurance provider, will pay $12,500 of the settlement. State Farm, Perleberg’s home owner’s insurance provider, will pay the other half. The trust already paid $32,205 to Perle-

SUICIDE from page 4

not harm herself in the future. “I said, ‘Deal!’” Kinchen said. Kinchen plans to share her story alongside other survivors in front a State Senate panel this week. Natalia Chimbo-Andrade, director of community education and outreach for Community Bridges, a behavioral health agency in Mesa, said that approval of last year’s bill, the Mitch Warnock Act, was critical in prevention. It requires that as of the 2020-21 school year, all teachers and other school employees who serve kids in sixth through 12th grade receive training within three years on how to recognize the early warning signs of suicide and what to do. But she said prevention, while laudable, needs to be followed up with safeguards to ensure access to proper treatment. “This whole bill is a game-changer for Ar-

izona and for those who work in behavioral health,’’ Chimbo-Andrade said. Chimbo-Andrade said the state funding would allow school districts to contract with behavioral health agencies to treat the mental health needs of students or to provide the services through their own counselors and seek reimbursement. “It’s the missing piece of the puzzle,’’ she said. “You can scream from the mountain tops about prevention and education, but if you don’t provide the services, it’s all for nothing.’’ Weninger said he supports state oversight to ensure that insurance companies are following the federal parity law. “It’s creating the ability of mental health coverage to be extended to school campuses,’’ he said. “We are trying to make sure we are all on same page and they are all covered by the same statute.’’ He said his bill in the House mirrors Brophy-McGee’s Senate bill.

see SUSD page 8

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

State bill might keep cities, schools from gun bans BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

tate lawmakers voted Thursday to create a financial disincentive for state and local governments – and even schools – to try to keep weapons off their property. SB 1664, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 4-3 party-line vote, says that anyone who injured while in a government-created “gun-free zone’’ can sue that agency for any damages. All the victim would have to show is that a reasonable person would believe that the injury would not have occurred if the victim had been allowed to keep a weapon to defend himself or herself. Sen. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, who is sponsoring SB 1664, said the law is justified. “If a government entity creates gun-free zones which prohibit a law-abiding citizen from defending themselves, that if harm comes to them because of that policy, that government entity will be held liable for the damages,’’ he said. “So, the point is, if you’re going to have a policy like this you protect the citizen or allow them to protect themselves, or there will be consequences.’’ Stephanie Richardson, a volunteer with Moms Demanding Action, a group that seeks new gun regulations, told lawmakers that approving this measure sends the wrong message. “This bill would have a chilling effect on government entities choosing to exercise their authority to take the steps they feel are necessary to keep their citizens safe,’’ she said. And Howard Neiberg, another member of the same organization, said this measure would work against public safety. “Allowing guns in places has already been proven to be a heightened risk of safety, putting Arizona families and communities at risk,’’ he said. Gowan said the goal of his bill actually is just the reverse. The problem with the current law, Gowan said, is that it allows government agencies to put up signs declaring the buildings and the surrounding areas to be gunfree zones.

“Criminals don’t care about law,’’ he said. “They don’t say, ‘Oh, there’s a sticker on the wall here that says no guns so I’d better not bring a gun in,’’ Gowan continued. “What you’re saying is the law-abiding citizen who sees that, they’re not going to take it in.’’ The result, he said, is that the unarmed person is left defenseless because of the policy. Gowan said he’s not concerned that his legislation will result in – and potentially encourage – people who go into schools to bring their weapons with them and not leave them in their vehicles. “What I’m concerned with is that anybody that’s a law-abiding citizen is protected, at all times,’’ he said. “That’s the issue.’’ Merissa Hamilton told lawmakers that, as a survivor of domestic violence, she has to carry a gun to protect herself. Only thing is, Hamilton said, is she was working for a member of the Phoenix City Council. And that building has a no-guns policy. She described an incident with a homeless person who was “acting erratic and having a mental health crisis and attacked me several times.’’ “There was no one there to protect me and I had to wait for police to arrive, cowering once again in fear and having to relive the violence that happened to me prior,’’ Hamilton said. “Being able to carry a gun saves my life,’’ she said. “And if government is going to prohibit that then they should have to be responsible for keeping me safe.’’ Roxanne Pitones, lobbyist for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, told lawmakers one problem with the measure is that it makes local governments “strictly liable’’ for any injury that occurs to anyone in a public building. She said that goes far beyond existing laws that allow people who believe they were injured to sue, but with a requirement to prove in court that the injury was caused at least in part by the government agency’s negligence. That did not bother Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert. He said that cities are still entitled to due process, even with strict liability. It now goes to the full Senate.

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

City seeks input on using housing dollars PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

cottsdale is seeking community input on how the city should use federal housing and community development funds over the next five years. The city is in the process of developing its five-year plan that will guide policy, actions, and investment for housing, infrastructure, community and public facilities and economic development. Residents can leave feedback via an online survey that is available in English and Spanish on the city’s website at scottsdaleaz.gov/human-services/ cdbg-home. Responses to the survey will remain

anonymous, according to the city. The survey, which runs through May 3, takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Respondents will be asked to rank various housing needs in the community, such as the need for the construction of more affordable rental or for-sale housing and additional rental assistance programs. The survey also asks respondents to rate the need for more energy-efficient housing improvements, improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and housing and homeownership options for elderly and racial

or ethnic minority communities. The five-year plan is required the plan is by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is used to determine how the city spends federal HUD dollars, including monies from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Last year, the city’s Human Services Department used over $183,000 in CDBG public service funds to assist 565 households in the community by partnering with area non-profits, according to a department report.

That included providing homeless and shelter services to 385 households by providing funding to Family Promise and Save the Family. The funds were also used to provide mentoring and peer support through Big Brother and Big Sister of Central Arizona, family services through Florence Crittenton and Homeward Bound, and job training and work assistance through Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services. The city was also able to assist 4,345 households using over $683,000 in CDBG funds for public facilities and housing assistance.

ate comments he made in December, alleging Perleberg never should have received coverage from the district’s insurance provider in the first place. Mark Greenburg said Perleberg “abused and obtained insurance coverage from the Arizona Risk Retention Trust by lying to them about her involvement in the case, which was not a case about protecting district, but was a case that was actually filed by Christine Schild and paid for by Christine Schild and was designed to expose Jann-Michael as the creator of the website.” Perleberg did not respond to a request for comment. Mark Greenburg has long argued that Perleberg was not acting on behalf of the district when she filed her suit and, thus, should not be given coverage. The trust did initially deny coverage to Perleberg when Greenburg filed his suit in 2018, arguing that she was not acting on the district’s behalf when she filed the original suit. Greenburg argued that Perleberg and former board member Christine Schild were acting on a personal grudge against Jann-Mi-

chael Greenburg, who was campaigning for a board seat at the time and had been critical of the school board. Schild, a retired attorney with an inactive Arizona license, eventually entered the 2018 board election as a write-in candidate and also helped Perleberg file the suit to unmask Greenburg, according to depositions and other evidence in the lawsuit. In a May 7, 2018 email to Clint Bolick of Rose Law Group was included in court filings, Schild wrote: “All signs pointed to Mr. Greenburg as the author of the website…I was aware Mr. Greenburg was seeking admission to the bar.” The statement about admission to the bar suggests Schild was referring to JannMichael Greenburg, a lawyer seeking admission to the New York bar at the time. Mark Greenburg is not a lawyer. The only reason given in a letter from the trust to the district for the reversal is a claim by Greenburg stating Perleberg’s public outing of him caused a spike in blood pressure resulting in a retinal vein contusion. “Claimant’s new allegations could potentially give rise to coverage under the trust’s applicable coverage agreement with Scotts-

dale Unified School District,” Hall wrote. The trust did not elaborate on how the potential injury affected Perleberg’s qualification for coverage, which is reserved for district employees acting on the district’s behalf. The trust’s initial denial letter from General Counsel Norman Hall wrote the district’s coverage agreement only covers “those persons ‘undertaking an action for the district under the express and direct jurisdiction of the district’s governing board… or while acting solely on behalf of the district.” The district itself has largely deflected any questions about why Perleberg received coverage. SUSD General Counsel Michelle Marshall said the district played no role in appealing the trust’s initial denial of coverage and the trust is solely responsible for deciding who is covered under the district’s policy. “The Arizona Risk Retention Trust makes coverage determinations, not Scottsdale Unified School District or its governing board,” Marshall said. Ryan Cole, trust director of operations, declined to elaborate and told the Progress “there is no formal appeals process” to chal-

lenge a denial of coverage. The details of the lawsuit and settlement do call into question whether or not Perleberg was really acting on the district’s behalf, though. The district was never named a party in either lawsuit, and the governing board never voted to approve Perleberg’s initial suit or give her the authority to pursue the identity of the website’s author. Also, only half of the settlement was paid by the district’s insurance provider with the other half paid by Perleberg’s home owner’s insurance. It is unclear why, if the trust determined Perleberg was acting on behalf of the district, it did not cover the full settlement amount. Cole declined comment on the settlement, citing a confidentiality clause. A 2011 opinion filed by then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, now the Texas governor, cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent in finding school districts may not cover legal expenses for administrators who file defamation lawsuits because the districts themselves are barred from bringing those type of lawsuits by a 1964 Supreme Court decision.

SUSD from page 6

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Bill would hold noise complaints to stricter standards BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

tate lawmakers are moving to subject noise complaints to the same standards as speeding violations – only police could issue them if they have the proper equipment. Officers would be required to measure the sound level with a calibrated meter, much the same way that speeding violations require the use of a calibrated radar gun. The 5-1 vote last week by the House Committee on Regulatory Affairs comes from complaints by Mehmood Mohiuddin, owner of the Hitching Post restaurant in Apache Junction. He said he has repeatedly been cited by city officials for excessive noise and told lawmakers that was based on complaints from neighbors who were armed only with videos. State Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, said such citations are arbitrary. Central to the issue is a state law that makes it a public nuisance to interfere “with the comfortably enjoyment of life or property by an entire community or neighborhood or by a considerable number of persons’’ in a way that is “offensive to the senses or an obstruction to the free use of property.’’ “That’s up to interpretation by whom-

ever is reading this,’’ Townsend said. “And it’s quite vague.’’ She wants the law to reflect that any prosecution under state public nuisance laws based on noise complaints “must include an accurate recording and measurement of the noise made by a peace officer.’’ Her HB 2389 spells out the scale to be used, how samples should be taken and even the technical requirements for the type of sound meter that would have to be used. Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley, D-Tucson, said that effectively would require all police departments to outfit patrol cars with these meters. Mesa Police did not respond to the Tribune’s request for comment, but Chandler said its patrol cars currently are not equipped with decibel meters. Townsend conceded she has no idea how much that would cost. But she said it’s fairer than what occurs now where the “evidence’’ produced against property owners often consists only of cell phone videos from nearby residents. And that, Townsend said, hardly qualifies as “valid for sound measurement.’’ Mohiuddin said videos he claims were altered have been the basis for hundreds of complaints against him and that he has

had to defend himself against noise complaints at the city’s board of adjustment. He told lawmakers he has had to sell his home to pay his legal fees. Townsend said there’s no reason that these complaints are being handled without real, measurable evidence which has been gathered by a peace officer. Nick Ponder, lobbyist for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, said the legislation puts cities in the business of having interceding every time someone files a noise complaint. “The last thing that our police officers want to do is respond to a noise call, frankly,’’ he said. “They have other things they could be spending their time on.’’ Townsend was unconvinced. “I understand a police officer doesn’t want to have to go and see a call on noise,’’ she said. But Townsend said it’s important for a judge or hearing officer to have all the relevant – and reliable – evidence. “If you’re going to charge somebody, they’re going to have to defend themselves and spend thousands of dollars,’’ she said. “We don’t want this happening on a he said/she said basis by somebody who’s disgruntled.’’ That argument was buttressed by Braden Biggs, a member of the Apache Junction Board of Adjustment.

“When one of our police officers cites somebody for a speeding violation, they have to do so with a radar gun,’’ he told lawmakers. “That gun is required to be calibrated and logged and tracked, consistently,’’ Biggs said, providing documentation that the officer is able to review and present when there is as hearing. “That should also be the case when it comes to noise violations.’’ That still leaves the question of cost. Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, said he did a quick Google search and found sound meters for as little as $19.90 and as much as $376.95. There was no immediate indication which of these, if any, would prove acceptable for use under Townsend’s legislation. Powers Hannley told Mohiuddin that it sounds like he’s being targeted. “And it’s very unfair,’’ she said. “I’m not sure that this bill is the fix for it, though,’’ saying one of the issues for her vote against the measure is the potential cost. Townsend said she does not want this to be an unfunded mandate on cities, suggesting that if her measure advances, she may look to have the state provide some dollars to communities to purchase the devices. The measure now goes to the full House following routine constitutional review.

but also apartments and other longterm rentals. The problem, according to several county assessors, is that the law leaves them in a position where they have to give the residential classification – and therefore lower taxes – to people who buy up and rent out multiple homes for short-term rentals through online platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. And they said that really isn’t what these properties are. “There is a clear distinction between a property that is occupied by an owner who on occasion rents their property for short-term vacation rentals and an investor-owned property that acts like a mini hotel in a residence,’’ said Coconino County Assessor Armando Ruiz. Jenanne Kentch, the Mohave County

assessor, said these rentals create other problems in rural tourist communities like her in Lake Havasu City, “negative effects such as a lack of full-time rentals for our teachers, young adults and our seniors.’’ Then there are issues like traffic. But Kentch said that, at the very least, lawmakers need to deal with the issue of tax equity. “If a property is not a primary residence, such as a hotel, if the owner of a property makes money for accommodating visitors, such as a hotel, and if the property sees multiple visitors per week or month, such as a commercial hotel does, then this property should be and needs to be classified as commercial,’’ she said. Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, who crafted SB 1490, said the current prac-

tice is not right. “People can really have a thriving business that takes advantage of the (property tax) classification system, and really does so unfairly,’’ he said. “It gives them a competitive advantage over others.’’ But Randy Durow, who owns seven short-term rentals, said any change in tax policy is not fair. “We are not hotels,’’ he told lawmakers. “We don’t have room service,’’ Durow said. “We’re not allowed commercial events.’’ He also pointed out that the law preserves the lower residential tax assessment for any property rented out for periods of 30 days or more. Durow said there’s no reason his

State may impose more taxes on short-term rentals BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

tate lawmakers are moving to ensure that owners of vacation rentals are paying what some believe is their fair share in property taxes. SB 1490, approved by the Senate Finance Committee, would require that residential property used at least 90 days a year for short-term rentals be classified as commercial property. What makes that significant is that commercial properties, like hotels, are assessed for tax purposes at 18 percent of what’s considered it’s “full cash value.’’ That’s supposed to be roughly equal to its market value. By contrast, residential property has a 10 percent assessment ratio. That includes not just owner-occupied homes

see RENTALS page 18

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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construction crews put the finishing touches on the first round of improvements at Scottsdale Stadium. The Phase 1 improvements were estimated to cost $50.6 million and included a new team clubhouse for the San Francisco Giants, press box and upgrades to the Charro Lodge fan area in right field. Under an agreement between the city, Giants and Scottsdale Charros, the city agreed to pay up to $30 million towards the ongoing Phase 1 of renovations in addition to the $5 million it paid towards designing the improvements. The Giants and Charros, respectively, agreed to pay $15.125 million and $2.7 million towards Phase 1. From the get go, the project was on a tight schedule. Because the stadium is the Cactus League home of the San Francisco Giants, the city’s contractor could not start work until the team wrapped up spring ball last April and had to complete the first phase before the Giants moved back in earlier this month. The situation was unique, said Dave Lipinski, city engineer. “You’ve got 10 months to complete your whole design and have everything built and turned back over,” Lipinski said. That resulted in an all-hands-ondeck urgency in recent weeks as the city prepared for the Giants to come to town. Lipinski said contractor AECOM Hunt began working six days a week prior to Thanksgiving and upped that to seven days sometime before Christmas. “On a typical day, they were running between 150 and 200 individuals on site between all their (subcontractors),” Lipinski said. With that last-minute rush, Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Manager Chris Walsh said crews were able to finish all Phase 1 improvements on time. “We are just finishing up some lastminute details and working collaboratively to get to the finish line,” Walsh said Feb. 10, the day before the first Giants players were scheduled to report to the stadium. Walsh commended the effort of all parties – from the city and the Giants to the construction crews and subcontractors with Aecom Hunt, the contractor selected by the city in March 2019.

Fans will notice a host of improvements, including new right field seating and shade structures at the Charro Lodge. (Progress file photo) The City of Scottsdale renovated the stadium’s entryway as part of a $50.6-million package constructed over the past 10 months. (Progress file photo)

“It really did take a village,” Walsh said. The phase one improvements have a little something for fans, players and the city. The first thing fans will notice when approaching the stadium is improvements to the entryway pavilion facing the street at Drinkwater Boulevard and Osborn Road to create a more traditional “front door” to the stadium. “We are proud of our new front door,” Walsh said. Scottsdale Charros Executive Director Dennis Robbins said the fan experience is improved at the Charro Lodge, the VIP area run by the organization in the right field stands. Robbins said the Charro Lodge now features a permanent shade structure for most seats and a second deck that seats about 120 people. Robbins said the Charros, who produce and sell a Spring Training magazine and run the 50/50 raffle, will also take advantage of the stadium’s new entryway. “We’re going to have to reposition some of our sales teams to sell programs and to sell 50/50 raffle – it’ll definitely change the traffic patterns,” Robbins said. The San Francisco Giants’ players and staff were also greeted by new digs when they arrived. The first year of renovations included

a renovated and expanded clubhouse to accommodate the team’s desire for upgraded facilities and space to bring more players to Spring Training, Assistant City Manager Bill Murphy said. “So far, we’ve had lots of positive comments from (the Giants’) clubhouse staff,” Walsh said. Other improvements included a new press box, ticketing and administration offices, parking, and improvements along the right field concourse. Maybe the most significant part of the Phase 1 improvements will not actually play a major role during Spring Training, though. That is the stadium’s new 10,000-sq.-ft. multi-use center that will be used to host events and conferences. The center was pitched as a way for the city to monetize the stadium during non-Spring Training months by attracting large conferences and other events that otherwise would bypass downtown Scottsdale for areas with larger venues. “Really the thing that everyone says is here in downtown Scottsdale there really isn’t a large enough (approximately) 10,000-square-foot venue that some of those smaller hotels downtown couldn’t accommodate … And our hope is that we would be able to fit that niche,” Assistant City Manager Bill Murphy told the Progress in Jan. 2019. Other new spaces in the stadium, including the expanded clubhouse, will also double as rentable space when not in use by the team. The Charros plan to host their annual education banquet at the new facility,

and Mayor Jim Lane’s State of City address is also scheduled to take place there in April, Robbins said. Though Walsh confirmed that all Phase 1 improvements were complete by the deadline, the city did postpone a planned ribbon cutting for the events center that was supposed to take place on Opening Day. “We will have that celebration at some point, but right now we agreed that the united front should be focused on getting ready for Spring Training,” Walsh said. The first game at the newly-renovated Scottsdale Stadium will take place on Feb. 22 when the Giants host the Los Angeles Dodgers. With phase one complete, everyone involved is ready for a break. “Right now we’re all kind of taking a collective step back and letting Spring Training occur,” Lipinski said, though he acknowledged there will still be small kinks and issues the city and contractor will have to address and the team moves back in to the stadium. That break will not last long, though. Phase two renovations are planned to begin on March 30, according to the city’s construction contract with AECOM Hunt. Those renovations will include new premium seating, improvements to the leftfield berm, a new building in centerfield, and improvements addressing accessibility and code issues. Phase two could also include more shade canopies, new outfield restrooms and additional leftfield seating.

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COUNCIL from front

to see any attempts to kill the city’s “golden goose”. The discussion took place at the behest of Councilman Guy Phillips, who requested last June that staff dig into the issue. Randy Grant, Planning, city planning, economic development and tourism executive director, produced a list of potential solutions. Phillips’ request was prompted by repeated outcries from property and business owners in recent years arguing the downtown parking code is deficient and that large new developments will eat into existing space. The city has long maintained that there is an adequate supply of parking downtown, citing a 2015 parking study that reached that conclusion but also found the supply may not be dispersed well. According to city research, there are a total of 8,972 public spaces in downtown Scottsdale, and nearly all destinations in the area are within 1,320 feet, or 0.25 miles, from a public garage. When the city reduced its analysis to 660 feet, or 0.125 blocks, there were considerable gaps in the northeastern and southwestern areas of downtown. Klapp, who previously owned her own retail business, said those gaps are bad for business. “In the retail business, people will not walk very far to a store,” Klapp said. Around 150 downtown property and business owners signed a petition submitted to the City Council in February by longtime property owner Marilyn Atkinson. The petition, among other requests, asked the city to increase its parking requirements for new apartments and condos downtown. Bob Pejman, owner of Pejman Gallery in the Arts District, also argued though the area may be adequately parked now, but that won’t be the case in the future. Pejman said Atkinson’s petition is “not a complaint about the present parking situation…The complaint is about tomorrow.” Pejman cited city goals outlined in its downtown plans that are aiming to double the residential population in downtown Scottsdale. The parking uproar played a role in early opposition to major redevelopments like Museum Square in the Arts District and the ongoing squabble over the future of Southbridge Two along Fifth Avenue.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

The Galleria Corporate Centre, a failed shopping mall on the east side of Scottsdale Road, was successfully transformed years ago into an office center that has attracted high profile tenants like Yelp, Zillow and Indeed. But several local business owners and council members chided the Galleria and its tenants for parking in public spaces throughout downtown despite having an onsite park- The Scottsdale City Council discussed parking solutions for downtown Scottsdale nearly eight months after Councilman Guy Phillips asked city ing garage. staff to bring the discussion to the dais. (Progress file photo) “I see an immediate problem at the Galleria, and that has to be resolved,” utilize public parking. “Yelp or any other employer would not Councilwoman Solange Whitehead said. Galleria ownership at Stockdale Capital need an agreement with the city to do this,’ Partners has long maintained it has ad- Scottsdale Public Works Executive Director Dan Worth said. “They are simply using equate parking. “When we bought the Galleria, McKes- public parking just as anyone else is able son was here and they were over parking, to do.” That irks some local small businesses. so they were causing a problem. UltimateRosemary Preisel owns a salon on Fifth ly, they left because they didn’t belong in a downtown,” Galleria owner Shawn Yari Avenue and blamed Galleria employees said. “So that need was gone and we add- for filling up the public garage next to her ed two levels of parking on the Galleria business. “I cannot understand why we cannot restructure, so actually this asset today is get the Galleria to use their own parking,” perfectly amply parked as an asset.” However, a 2015 parking study and Preisel said. Councilwomen Kathy Littlefield and more recent Progress report challenged Whitehead both called for the city to do that assertion. The 2015 study was commissioned by more to prevent Galleria employees from the city and found the Galleria was under- monopolizing public spaces. One possible solution would include parked and would remain that way even after the owners built two new levels of reinstating two- or three-hour time limits on all levels of the public garage that sits parking at the garage. In 2019, the Progress obtained emails between Third and Fifth Avenues. But that could pose problems for embetween the city and Galleria management that showed at least one tenant’s employ- ployees at smaller businesses in the area who also use the garage. ees park at public spaces. “I know currently, YELP has a shuttle to Those limits are already in place in the this garage but our service would be for all northeastern part of downtown and local Galleria tenants,” Stockdale Management property owners are provided with parking President Barry Bartle wrote the city in passes that exempt them from the limits. last September in reference to the Civic Grant presented the Council with a Center parking garage. number of potential solutions to downCity staff later told the Progress that town parking issues, including simply employees from any business are free to building more public parking.

The city has $22 million earmarked for downtown parking from the 2019 bond, though construction won’t start until mid2022, according to city staff. There was some support on the Council for building more parking. “We’ve already talked about needing more public parking; we’ve just got to decide where to put it,” Klapp said. Phillips supported a proposal included in Atkinson’s petition to add additional levels of underground parking to the city’s 1st Avenue and Stagebrush Theater lots in the Arts district and the Farmer’s Market lot in Historic Old Town. Phillips, by and large, supported everything the property owners asked for in Atkinson’s petition. “They work here and they know what’s going on – and everybody knows what’s going on,” Phillips said. Littlefield also supported building new spaces, though she emphasized that the responsibility should be put on developers to adequately park their projects. “We have to put the burden of paying for adequate parking squarely where it belongs to be and that is on the developers,” Littlefield said, stating she supported increasing parking code requirements for downtown developments. There was not unanimous support on the Council for building new public lots. Councilwoman Linda Milhaven stated there was already adequate parking downtown and also reminded the Council that recently made a significant investment in downtown parking. Last fall, the Council agreed to lower the sale price of city-owned land for the Museum Square development by $7 million after the developer agreed to add 151-168 public parking spaces to the project, effectively a city investment of $45,000 per stall. Councilwoman Virginia Korte asked the Council to consider the parking discussion be within a more “holistic” look at the downtown that focused on the dearth of public transit options in downtown Scottsdale, which sees tens of thousands of workers commute to the area every day. Korte said the discussion should be a “broader conversation” about workforce and transit options in Scottsdale. That move failed to gain traction with the rest of the Council, though. There was support for collecting more data to obtain a better picture.

see COUNCIL page 16

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

COUNCIL from page 14

Several on the Council, including Milhaven, Korte and Klapp, supported doing a new study to better understand the current situation and other proposals to better take advantage of existing parking – including signs directing visitors to underutilized lots on the area’s periphery Those ideas had the support of much of the rest of the Council as well, though Phillips thought a new study was not needed. “This is just bureaucratic duplicity – ‘let’s do another study’ – we don’t need another study,” Phillips said. “Voters voted for the bonds; we got the money; let’s locate where we’re going to put it and do it.” The city has not commissioned a parking study since 2015. Even if the Council ultimately approves more public space, those asking for more parking downtown argued it will not do much good if the underlying issue – a deficient parking code – is not addressed first. “We need to have parking in the code required of the developers or that $22 million taxpayer bond money [is going to subsidize parking for new developments]," Littlefield said.

Atkinson’s petition asked the Council to increase parking requirements for new apartment and condo projects coming downtown to avoid spillover into downtown’s public spaces. The city’s current parking code for apartments and condos downtown has no guest parking requirements and requires one space for one bedroom units two space for two-bedroom units. The Atkinson petition requested Council increase parking requirements to require 1.5 spaces for 1-bedroom units, 2 spaces for 2-bedroom units and 1 additional space for each additional room. The petition also requests a requirement of one guest parking space for every four units in the development. The city found that some of these requests fall in line with other cities in the Valley, Grant said. Grant said that most Valley cities require guest parking and most also have per-unit requirements above Scottsdale’s current downtown code. Phillips, Klapp, Littlefield and Korte all offered varying levels of support for increasing multifamily parking requirements downtown.

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But Mayor Jim Lane cautioned against increasing requirements without first taking other steps to utilize existing parking. “The one thing we do not want to do is either force this on someone (in a) very costly experiment as far as increasing space without really exploring what it is we have,” Lane said. There was also considerable Council support for modifying the city’s existing in-lieu parking system, though Lane and others expressed concern for how modifications would affect small property owners. In-lieu parking is a system in which smaller property owners downtown can pay into a parking fund when they cannot meet city parking requirements on site. Local critics have knocked the program for creating “phantom spaces” and not reinvesting monies in actual parking projects. Grant showed evidence that city has used in-lieu fees to build more spaces than have been purchased by property owners. According to city records, 496 in-lieu spaces have been permanently credited since 1986 and 855 have been built using in-lieu funds. Grant acknowledge additional in-lieu

spaces have been paid into by property owners but are not yet credited because they have not been paid off. However, there are legitimate questions about whether or not the city can afford to continue to subsidize the program moving forward. The current per space price charged by the city – based on the original 1985 cost of $7,500 adjusted for inflation – covers only a fraction of the real cost. The city currently charges property owners $13,800 per in-lieu space – well below the $45,000 the city estimated it actually costs to build a space. The current balance of the in-lieu fund is around $306,000, which would only build between six and 15 spaces based on city and developer estimates that have priced parking at anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 per stall. Grant said the city could increase the cost per space, but warned that could undermine the program’s goal of allowing the rehabilitation of smaller properties without placing prohibitive parking costs on owners. Milhaven cautioned against any changes that would hurt “the little guy.”

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

EVIT superintendent reinstated to his position BY JIM WALSH Progress Staff Writer

had Wilson is back as the East Valley Institute of Technology’s superintendent – not that he ever left the regional vo-tech campus. The EVIT board voted 8-0 to reinstate Wilson’s title after the state Attorney General’s Office decided to drop charges of misuse of public monies and theft stemming from his tenure as Apache Junction superintendent. The Attorney General’s move was without prejudice – leaving open the possibility that the charges could be refiled again after further investigation. The key for Wilson’s reinstatement was his fingerprint clearance card, required under the terms of his contract. The card automatically was suspended when Wilson was indicted on the theft charge. Instead of taking action against Wilson, the EVIT board gave him a new job title, director of external affairs, which did not require him to possess the clearance card. “I am beyond grateful the EVIT board stood firmly behind me despite fundamentally flawed allegations,’’ Wilson said in a prepared statement release by EVIT. “Being an educator is the most important community work I can do and I can’t think of a better place to do it than at EVIT.’’ EVIT is a regional vocational education district that includes most of the East Valley and Scottsdale, preparing juniors and seniors students from area high schools for a wide range of jobs after graduation, including careers as mechanics, in the culinary arts, cosmetology and welding. Wilson, who declined a Progress request for an interview, was allowed to participate in leadership meetings even though EVIT administrator Dana Kuhn served as acting superintendent until his case was resolved

With his legal troubles at least temporarily settled, East Valley Institute of Technology Superintendent Chad Wilson is back in his position, overseeing a vo-tech district that serves at least 200 Scottsdale Unified high school juniors and seniors. (Progress file photo)

Ronda Doolen, EVIT governing board president, praised Wilson in a statement and said she was glad to reinstate him to the superintendent’s position. “Under Dr. Wilson’s leadership, EVIT has embraced a new spirit of staff collaboration and community service that has empowered EVIT employees and strengthened our partnerships with our sending school districts and other com-

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RENTALS from page 10

homes, which may be rented out for three days at a time, should subject to different treatment. The change in SB 1490 would have no effect on taxes of people who rent out rooms in the homes they reside, no matter how many days a year they do that. Nothing in Mesnard’s bill, by itself, deals with some of the problems cited by not just Kentsch but other lawmakers who are unhappy with what has happened since Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in 2015 eliminating the ability of local governments to regulate short-term rentals. Several measures have been intro-

munity organizations,’’ Doolen’s statement said. Wilson’s alleged transgressions occurred in Apache Junction before he was hired by former EVIT Superintendent Sally Downey as an assistant superintendent. Wilson ended up replacing Downey as interim superintendent until he was appointed to the top job only a month or so before his indictment. The state Attorney General’s Office used an audit, by the Arizona Auditor General’s Office, to obtain charges of misuse of public monies, alleging that Wilson arranged for $133,223 in payments not authorized by the Apache Junction Governing Board to administrators during a five-year period, from 2012 to 2016. The $126,000 in “performance payments’’ went to 11 to 15 administrators, while another $3,880 was spent on “professional development instruction,’’ and $2,550 was spent on paying three administrators to attend athletic events on Friday nights. Wilson himself received $480 in unauthorized payments, according to the Auditor General’s report. The Attorney General’s Office decided to withdraw the charges after Wilson’s attorneys filed a motion to remand to the grand jury, pointing out potential holes in the investigation and arguing that the grand jury was not presented with a full understanding of Apache Junction school district policies. duced to restore that local control or, at the very least, limit the number of vacation rentals in any one area. So far, though, none of those have gotten any traction. And Ducey has threatened to veto them. Mesnard said that this approach avoids that debate and instead rests on a simple principle: All who rents out property on a short-term basis should be subject to the same property tax structure. Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, who voted against the measure, said he sees the move to hike the taxes on these rentals to be an infringement on the free market. The legislation now needs action by the full Senate.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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Ethics complaint filed against Southbridge developer BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

he legal barbs continue to fly in the fight over the future of Southbridge Two, the massive redevelopment along downtown Scottsdale’s 5th Avenue. The project is currently in limbo as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge considers a lawsuit filed by developer Carter Unger challenging the validity of signatures gathered by the Committee for the Preservation of Old Scottsdale as part of a referendum drive to put the project before Scottsdale voters. The Old Town PAC spent much of December and early January to gather 14,807 valid signatures in support of the referendum – over the 11,930 required to put Southbridge Two on the ballot. Now, an attorney for the PAC has filed a campaign finance complaint with the city alleging Unger and/or a PAC that he started to combat the referendum violated state election laws. On Feb. 5, Tim LaSota, the Old Town PAC’s attorney, filed the complaint with

City Clerk Carolyn Jagger against Unger and Protecting Scottsdale’s Future, a PAC organized by Unger that raised over $133,000 – all from entities owned by the Unger family. In the complaint, LaSota alleged that a campaign flyer circulated by Unger supporters failed to include “paid for by” disclosure. Unger declined to comment. Arizona state law A campaign finance complaint filed with the City of Scottsdale on Feb. 5 alleged that a pro-Southbridge Two flyer failed to include a “paid for by” statement disclosing who paid for the material. (Progress file photo)

requires political action committees making expenditures on election-related advertisements to disclose who paid for the material. “The attached flyer was distributed by individuals believed to be associated with Carter Unger and efforts to convince electors not to sign the Southbridge Two referendum petition. The flyer does not include any information on who paid for the flyer,” according to the complaint. LaSota’s complaint stated that “we believe” that Protecting Scottsdale’s Future paid for the flyer, which touts the potential economic impact of Southbridge Two and other aspects of the project. Even if the PAC did not pay for the flyer, LaSota alleged a violation could have occurred by an unknown entity. “If Protecting Scottsdale’s Future did not pay for them, then it is possible that the entity that did was required to register with your office but did not,” according to the complaint. The complaint also alleged that Protecting Scottsdale’s Future failed to disclose any expenses related to the flyer on its campaign finance report. The PAC’s only campaign finance report to date, filed on Jan. 15, only includes payments to a petition circulating company, Arizona Petition Partners, totaling $133, 460. LaSota’s letter is the latest in a litany of complaints and other legal filings resulting from the Southbridge Two referendum. In addition to the ongoing Unger lawsuit, there is a pending ethics complaint against Councilman Guy Phillips. In January, resident Mike Norton filed the complaint against Phillips alleging that payments made by the Old Town PAC to Phillip’s wife for signature collection and anonymous donations to Phillips through an online GoFundMe page were politically-motivated and violated election law. That complaint was reviewed by the city’s independent ethics officer and then referred to an independent ethics panel by the city attorney. The panel, made up of former judges and legal scholars without ties to Scottsdale, is currently reviewing the complaint.

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Legendary jazz singer Watson to perform with DJ son BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

n the late 1960s, Phoenicians would be hard-pressed to flip to the Scottsdale Daily Progress entertainment section and not find an ad for Andy Grand’s Bowery on McDowell Road, a popular spot at the time for live music. “Andy Grand’s Bowery – was a character,” said southern Scottsdale resident, Vince Watson. “The old-timers in Phoenix will remember Andy Grand. He was a total character from New York.” Watson knew Andy Grand’s Bowery very well; he was a frequent performer there, after all. “It was very, very much alive here,” Watson said of Scottsdale’s late-’60s music scene. “I was able to perform [at Andy Grand’s Bowery] with, to me, a worldclass guitarist, Lloyd Ellis. He was an absolutely wonderful guitar player, and I had two wonderful years with him.”

Southern Scottsdale resident and jazz singer Vince Watson, right, and his son Sean will be taking the stage together Feb. 31. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff Photographer)

Watson was a jazz singer who also performed at several other venues around the Valley, including Joe Hunt’s Steakhouse, Scotch Mist, and Fireside Chalet. As his family grew to nine, he took a step back from performing; but now, decades later, he’ll take the stage once more

– this time, alongside his son, Sean Watson, a popular local DJ. On Feb. 21, Vince and Sean will both perform at The Walter Hive’s inaugural fundraising event, The Big Buzz, at the Walter Gallery in southern Scottsdale; Sean will perform a DJ set, and Vince will

interactive arts, live music, speakeasies, and small bites — all benefiting The Walter Hive. The Walter Hive was founded in 2018 as the nonprofit arm of The Walter Project, which began in 2009 with the repurposing of a 1963 Walter Crash Vehicle into a Volkswagen Micro bus now known as Walter the Bus. From there, the Walter Project grew with the opening of the Walter Dome, the Walter Art Gallery, Walter Station Brewery, Walter Yoga, the Walter Where?House Gallery, Walter Studios, and the Walter Hive. “I wanted to bring art to kids in a big way,” said Walter Hive Founder Mary Strawn in an interview published on the nonprofit’s website. “The Walter Hive was a way for me to combine my passions of health and well-

ness and art,” she added. “Also, it was the right time to expand the community outreach of the Walter Project.” The Walter Hive offers 12 different workshops and programs for people of all ages — from robotics and art therapy to woodworking, welding, 3-D printing and more. “Our focus is less on the actual skill and [more] on the empowerment to take a chance and try something new — finding you can unlock your world, you can unlock your universe through just trying something,” said Nan McCoy, the Walter Hive executive director. “It’s been really exciting to watch kids do this and watch adults do it, too.” McCoy spent 13 years at the Arizona Burn Foundation — three as executive vice president — before she joined the Walter

perform a set of classic hits. “He is over-the-top talented,” said The Walter Hive Executive Director Nan McCoy, who added the first time she saw them perform was a few months earlier at an industry event held at Walter Where?House Gallery in Phoenix. “My dad stole the show,” Sean said. “It was awesome. You went out there and performed. They loved it.” Music has always had an undeniable presence in the Watson household. For Vince, he and his seven other siblings grew up listening to his mother sing. Similarly, Sean and his six other siblings spent many nights listening to Vince and his friends sing jazz. Every Christmas, the kids were also encouraged to perform for the rest of the family. “We got a chance to sing a carol or you

see WATSON page 24

Fundraiser to help kids connect to art, tech BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

ince April 2018, The Walter Hive has provided more than 470 hours of art and technology programs. About 95 percent of it is provided free to their diverse group of 20 partner organizations, including Scottsdale Boys & Girls Clubs, the Arizona Burn Foundation, the Foundation for Blind Children, among others. And to continue to provide free programming for their local partners, the southern Scottsdale-based nonprofit is hosting its first fundraiser, called The Big Buzz. The Big Buzz takes place Feb. 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at The Walter Dome, a private event venue located just off Thomas Road and 64th Street. The fundraiser promises an evening of

Hive team as the executive director. McCoy met Strawn during her time spent at the Arizona Burn Foundation; Strawn, at the time, was heavily involved with the foundation’s Camp Courage. “We did a lot of resilience and empowerment programming there,” McCoy said. “When [Strawn] wanted to start this organization and she recruited me to be her executive director, I’d never done a startup, but I believed in the mission. I believed in the culture. And I said, ‘Absolutely, I will do this.’” Through McCoy’s leadership, the Walter Hive not only continues to build community partnerships throughout the region but, since its inception, the nonprofit also held more than 126 events and clocked more

see FOUNDRAISER page 24

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Notre Dame Prep names principal as its president PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

he Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, appointed Jill Platt president of Notre Dame Preparatory High School, beginning with the 2020-21 academic year. Currently, Platt serves as the Catholic high school’s principal and the search for her successor will begin in the near future. “It is an honor to be asked to serve as president of NDP,” Platt said. “NDP’s growth and expansion, particularly over the past three years, created extraordinary opportunities that will be transformative to our community. “Having both a president and a principal will enable us to engage and realize those opportunities more fully. The president’s chief responsibilities include development and fundraising, donor and alumni relations, enrollment management, partnerships with businesses and public relations, the diocese said. The principal leads academics, curriculum, staff and faculty development and day-to-day operations. Each will report directly to Harry Plummer, superintendent of the Diocese of Phoenix’s Catholic schools. Principal at Notre Dame Preparatory since 2017, Platt hails from a long line of educators and began her career at Xavier College Preparatory in 1994. Prior to coming to Notre Dame Prep, Platt was principal of All Hallows Academy, in La Jolla, California, and served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University. Platt is a member of the National Catholic Educators Association, the Principal’s Round Table for Growing Leaders and the National Association for Secondary Principals. Since its founding in 2002, Notre Dame Prep has garnered state, regional and national awards for its academic, co-curricular and formation programs. Located at 9701 E. Bell Road, in north Scottsdale, its mission is to provide a

rigorous Catholic college preparatory education for its 830 students. In October 2019, NDP announced the campaign, “Our Future In Focus: Vision 2020,” to expand space for arts programs, worship space and to strengthen all facets of the NDP experience. As president, Platt will oversee the three-phase capital campaign strategically focusing on the future of the art, athletic and academic programs at Notre Dame Prep. The first phase of “Our Future in Focus” is the construction of the St. Catherine of Bologna Performing Arts Center. This 20,000-square-foot facility will provide dedicated space to support NDP’s rapidly growing theater, music, and digital videography programs. More than $5.1 million has been raised for the $6.8-million project.

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WATSON from page 22

living the dream,” Vince said proudly. “The boy’s done good,” he added. could sing whatever you want; you could Sean isn’t the only member of the Watwrite your own song. Growing up in this son family to pursue a career in music. kind of environment definitely helped me Vince’s sister’s 22-year-old daughter, on the path of what I found my happiness Carly Paige, is a singer and songwriter with, which is music and deejaying and pro- currently living in Los Angeles. duction,” said Sean, a Phoenix resident. Her writing credits include “Bloodshot” by Dove Cameron; she also cowrote and is featured on 3LAU’s “Touch,” among other tracks. “She’s going big time. She’s really good, and she’s a wonderful performer herself,” Vince said of his niece. Sean said he credits his drive and passion for music to his jazz-singing father. “He was a definite influence and a definite spark for what I’ve gotten my life to. Growing up in a household so accepting and loving of music and art, it’s a very awesome thing,” he said, Vince and Sean Watson are not only father and son, but adding: they’re also talented musicians. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff “I definitely didn’t get the Photographer) gift of the voice; I got the gift of the instrument.” After years performing various venues Sean’s goals for 2020 include working throughout the Valley, including Crescent on perfecting his live set, which includes Ballroom, Sean has become a staple in the guitar, a couple of drum machines, and a local house music scene and has, for near- couple of loop machines; releasing new ly seven years, hosted the always-crowd- music in – hopefully – in a couple months; ed BFF at Bar Smith events in downtown and continuing to build out his studio. Phoenix. “He has a studio just about any music Sean has also become a regular on the producer would envy right now,” Vince Phoenix festival circuit, including Gold- said. fish and Phoenix Lights, and he has per“Yeah, it’s definitely a time consumer,” formed an endless number of sets atop Sean added with a laugh. “I’m so fortunate the Kalliope stage. to be here and to have this kind of stuff.” Built by the Walter Productions team, Sean also has international gigs lined up, Kalliope is a “music art car” with a phe- including a show this summer in Greece. nomenal sound system and fire-shooting “Touring around to New York and San abilities. Francisco, Seattle and Burning Man, this “We have a lot of the same visions and whole beautiful thing I do with these peoethics, and we definitely have the same ple, it’s unbelievable. I’m very fortunate,” dreams and passions. I love Kalliope and Sean said. the whole Walter team,” Sean said. As for whether he’ll perform again with Kalliope debuted at Burning Man in Vince following The Big Buzz, though, it’s 2013, and has since traveled to Bonnaroo up in the air. Music & Arts Festival a few times. “I would love that, but it hasn’t been It also has appeared at the Crescent decided yet. Let’s see how this works out,” Ballroom for its ever-growing New Year’s Vince said. Eve party, an event Sean performed at to But what they do know is Vince plans open 2020. to perform covers by his own musical in“I can’t tell you what a thrill it was for fluences, including Johnny Cash, Bobby me, after all these years, to work with my Darin, and Frank Sinatra. son who actually has made it a very nice “I once lost a job to Frank Sinatra Jr.,” career just doing music. A lot of us who did Vince said, adding with a laugh, “and I it, that was our dream, and he actually is needed the money.”

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

FOUNDRAISER from page 22

Vodka speakeasy (one of their sponsors), a Walter Station Brewery speakeasy, and more. Local DJ Sean Watson and his father Vince Watson will provide the live music throughout the night, and the Big Buzz will also have interactive art projects on-site, including a T-shirt silkscreen station. “Hopefully, they leave inspired. We want people to know they can do something very easily and be successful at it,” McCoy said.

than 1,300 volunteer hours thanks to its group of 116 volunteers. “Our objective as a nonprofit is to collaborate with other community partners who have a population of teens and some adults, and we help them fill the gap with their programming,” McCoy said. “I think our success can be measured by the fact these individuals just keep coming back to us for more and more programming,” she added. McCoy said she most proud of the nonprofit’s many partnerships. “I’ve done a lot of programming over the years in different arenas, and this is all focused on arts and technology and creative expression. There are a lot of ways to play and heal and this is the way Walter Hive has chosen: through empowerment,” she said. The list of workshops and programs will only continue to grow, too. Just this past month, Qigong instructor Xie Ling taught a group of Voices for CASA kids the basics of Qigong. “It’s just constantly expanding,” McCoy said of the nonprofit’s programming. “If somebody brings me an idea and it fits in our mission statement somehow, we’re going to take a stab at it.” The money raised at the Big Nan McCoy is the executive director of The Walter Hive. Buzz will support the Walter (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff Photographer) Hive’s programming, includTickets are $25 each at thewalterhive. ing its mobile programming. “We have gone to Peach Springs; Boys & org and include entrance to the event, Girls Clubs has a branch in Peach Springs,” one drink, and a commemorative “WalMcCoy said. “They don’t have a lot of re- ter Hive” glass. Those who cannot attend the event but sources, and so we said, ‘Heck yeah, we’ll go out there!’ We have a mobile laser cut- would still like to donate to the nonprofit ter, we have lots of painting, different me- can do so by also visiting their website. diums we can take all over the place.” The Walter Hive has also traveled to Bombay Beach in Southern California, hosting welding and laser-cutting workshops for the kids there. The Big Buzz Fundraiser “It’s another marginalized community When: Feb. 21, 6:30-10:30 p.m. where kids don’t have a lot of resources,” Where: The Walter Dome, 6435 E. McCoy said. Thomas Road The Big Buzz will have four speakeasies Tickets: $25 Website: thewalterhive.org for attendees to attend, including a wine and cheese speakeasy, a Tito’s Handmade

If you go

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Thursday

Days Sunday

Story stop

Build children’s literacy with a free picture book program from 2-2:15 p.m., Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480312-7323.

Jeff Berkowitz league

Young basketball players will participate in 10 weeks of skill development and gameplay with sessions noon-5 p.m. Feb. 9-March 22. Times based on players' grade level. Cost $135 to $190.

Monday

New Faces AA meeting

Find recovery from alcohol addiction alongside this support group at 7:45 a.m. at North Scottsdale Fellowship Club, 10427 N. Scottsdale Road. Membership not required to attend.

Fido Frisbee Meals

Treat your dog to a delicious outdoor meal. The Brunch Cafe at 15507 N. Scottsdale Road serves $5 Fido Frisbee meals to all wellbehaved dogs on the patio 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dogs are served two scrambled eggs on a frisbee and get to keep the frisbee. Information: www.brunchcafe.com.

Shemesh camp

Children K-4 will have a blast in art, sports, swimming and splash pad 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Martin Pear in the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road Information: 480-634-4949.

Tuesday

Business mentoring

SCORE’s large network of volunteer business mentors will offer questions to business questions 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Free. Registration is required. Information: 602-745-7250.

Tiny tot time

Develop babies’ literacy with songs, rhymes, movement and board books 10-10:20 a.m. at the Arabian Library, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road Information: 480-312-7323.

Twos and threes together

Young children can learn social and literacy skills 10-10:30 a.m. with short stories, finger-plays and action rhymes at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Tail waggin’ tales

Children 6 to 10 can practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog 4-4:45 p.m. at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street. Information: 480-3127323.

Civil War Roundtable

The Civil War Roundtable brings well-known Civil War experts from around the country to learn about this historic time. Today’s program covers the impeachment of Andrew Johnson 5-7:30 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-599-5844.

Film series: ‘Judy’

Enjoy the drama, “Judy,” at 1:30

Tai Chi

p.m. at the Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street. The film is rated PG-13. Information: 480312-7323.

Wednesday

Speedy bridge

Join others in a fast round of bridge at 10:30 a.m. at Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda. Registration is required. Information: 480-312-5810.

Walkin’ Wednesdays

Make friends while exercising during a brisk 1.5-mile walk through The J neighborhood 9-10 a.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road Bring water and walking shoes and meet at the campus’ flagpole. Strollers, dogs and all walking paces are welcomed. Information: 480-481-1797.

Mind-body alignment

Attendees and practice Water-Chi and technical therapy skills 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Phoenician Oasis, 1620 W. Nighthawk Way, Phoenix. Water-Chi is a form of water therapy with the pool heated to a high temperature where participants gently stretch the body and relax the mind.

Books 2 boogie

Children and their caregivers are invited to participate in music, movement and song 10-10:30 a.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Drop-in e-reader help

Receive help with downloadables. Bring your device, library card and questions noon-1 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Everyone is welcome to join a class focused on gentle and controlled movements centering the mind, body and spirit 3-3:45 p.m. Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Avenue. More: 480-314-6660.

Critters and crafts

Designed for children in preschool-3rd grade, this program offers an up-close look at the bugs of Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura. The 4 p.m. program is free with admission, it features an educational story and craft. Call 480-800-3000, ext. 210.

Little libros

Learn fun songs, stories and rhymes in English and Spanish 1010:30 a.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Homework help

Students 8 to 18 can stop by the Arabian Library at 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road for help on any subject 3:30-5:30 p.m. Information: 480-312-7323.

Book discussion

Pick up and read “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George for a library book discussion 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street. Information: 480-9482651.

Friday

In stitches knitters

Gather with other knitters to work on individual projects, share advice and talk with others 1 to 3 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Advanced beginner bridge

Join others in playing a fun game of bridge 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive Information: 480-312-7323.

Chair Pilates

Pilates improves the cardio system, eases back pain, improves bone density and boosts heart rate. Join a class to better physical health 1 to 2 p.m. at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Avenue. Information: 480-3146660.

Painting class

Children can learn some basic art skills while painting a beautiful butterfly with artist Michael Danebread 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura. Space limited to 25 people. Cost is $25 and free for members. Class does not include admission to Butterfly Wonderland. Light refreshments served. RSVP at 480800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve.

Mustang writers

Practice writing exercises and share writing in a pressure-free and supportive group from 10 a.m. to noon at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street. Information: gpaulson4@gmail.com.

Saturday

Family storytime

Children and their caregivers can listen to stories and music and participate in rhyming activities from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive Information: 480-312-7323.

Storytime and activities

Children can enjoy storytime activities and a reading of “Saturday” at 11 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, 10500 N. 90th Street. The story follows a mother and daughter who learn how precious time together is. Information: 480-3910048.

Sunday

Story stop

Build children’s literacy with a free picture book program from 2 to 2:15 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Lenten reflection

The North Scottsdale United Methodist Church invites the community to prepare for the Lenten season at a reflection service and luncheon from 10 a.m. to noon at the church, 11735 N. Scottsdale Road. The event is free to the public. The event will include a merriment of New Orleans’ jazz music, masks and traditional New Orleans’ food like homemade gumbo, rice, French bread and more.

Monday

Business Energizer

Learn about setting weekly goals and generate business ideas with fellow business owners 9-10 a.m. This group meets virtually. To join, meet the group online through the “Monday Business Energizer” group LinkedIn page. Free. Information: edgar@compasscbs.com.

Senior day

Seniors are invited to a special days dedicates to senior learning and entertainment at Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura. Free with admission. Call 480-800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve.

ESL class

All conversation levels are encouraged to practice the English language with experienced teachers and other students 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street. Information: 480-312-7323.

Advanced beginner bridge

Join others in playing a fun game of bridge 3-5 p.m. at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive Information: 480-312-7323.

Guitar club

Kids 8 to 11 can learn guitar basics including warm-up techniques, tuning, hand positions, note-reading and more 4-5 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. No prior experience needed. Participants are encouraged to attend the class for six weeks. Information: 480-312-7323.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit: www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

NEIGHBORS

They loved a parada!

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

CHRIS MORTENSON/ Progress Staff Photographer

Some of the Parada del Sol spectators called it one of Scottsdale's best parades in years and those in agreeemnt likely included, from left: 1) Trixie and Carrie Martin; 2) Cameron and Blake Loree; 3) Shastaline and Yuri Romirez, Geraldine Ramirez, Blake Spahn and Brooke Spahn; 4) Shari Cole, Max, Danielle Bristoll and Marty; 5) David and Hazel Vallecorsa: 6) Robyn Albertson, Steve Albertson; 7) Trixie Bickhart. On the next page are some of the many colorful parade entries, including the mintcondition 1956 Chevy Bel Air that the Scott Resort & Spa at Scottsdale and Chapparal roads loaned to the Scottsdale Progress, a parade Hometown Sponsor.

2 5

4 7

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BUSINESS

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Local investment firm eyes raising $50M BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

Scottsdale-based real estate investment firm launched its first online public offering in February, capitalizing on years of growth driven by investments in Opportunity Zones throughout Arizona. On Feb. 5, Caliber hosted a party in downtown Phoenix to announce a Reg A+ campaign to raise up to $50 million over the next 12 months by offering 12.5 million shares at $4 per share. Caliber’s announcement was not the kickoff for a traditional IPO, though. Reg A+ was included in the 2013 federal JOBS Act as a way to make it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to generate investment. The law also made it easier for individuals to invest in these ventures by lowering the financial qualifications required to invest. Chris Loeffler, Caliber’s co-founder and CEO, called the process “a big wide platform (with) lots of shareholders – everybody gets to participate in growing the company.” Typically, investors in new companies must be accredited with a yearly income over $200,000 or net worth of at least $1 million and meet high investment minimums dictated by the firms. Reg A+ significantly lowers the threshold. “What it allows us to do is raise up to $50 million from almost anybody, “Loeffler said. “They don’t have to be an accredited investor anymore…their limitation, per the SEC’s rules, is they can invest up to 10 percent of their net worth.” The minimum investment in Caliber’s Reg A+ offering is $2,500, well below the minimum investment of $35,000 to $250,000 in its funds.

Caliber CEO Chris Loeffler, right, listen's to a speaker at his company’s first public offering. (Courtesy of Caliber)

Loeffler views the lower barrier as an asset and said it will allow many of the individuals who have followed the company for years – from subcontractors to real estate agents – to invest in the growing company. According to the SEC, there are some basic requirements companies have to meet before becoming eligible for a Reg A+ offering, including complying with provisions designed to prevent “bad actors” from taking advantage of the system. Caliber, which is pursuing a Tier 2 offering allowing for up to $50 million, also must provide audited financial statements and file annual and mid-year reports to the SEC. Even with these protections in place, Reg A+ has received significant criticism since the SEC finalized rules in 2015 due to relative lack of success associated with the fundraising model. Even companies once held up as Reg A+ success stories have taken hits in recent years. Just weeks ago, the SEC announced it reached a $400,000 settlement with Venkata Meenavalli, CEO of Longfin

Corp, over allegations the fintech company lied about being based in the U.S. Over the course of its investigation, the SEC recovered $26 million in “illgotten gains” from Longfin, once considered one of the most successful Reg A+ companies. Loeffler said Caliber is something of an outlier when it comes to Reg A+ offerings because it is not a startup and has a decade-long proven track record. “We’re one of the few companies that has lots of assets and has lots of momentum and that has 12 years of operating history allowing people to invest via this vehicle,” Loeffler said. According to Caliber’s SEC filing, the company has $172,726,013 in total assets versus $165,642,447 in total liabilities. The Barron’s report backs up Loeffler’s argument. According to Barron’s, the over 300 Reg A+ offerings it analyzed, which included everything from cannabis paraphernalia and flying cars to a UFO venture by former Blink 182 guitarist Tom DeLonge, were short on proven concepts. “Proven ideas like this are rare among

microcaps,” Barron’s noted, referencing BrewDog, a successful Scottland-based brewpub chain that used Reg A+ to expand to the U.S. Based on its proven track record, Caliber appears to have more in common with BrewDog than the other businesses that have used Reg A+ in the past. Loeffler said the next step for the company will be listing on an exchange and pursuing a more traditional IPO, though he declined to comment on a timeline for those moves, citing industry rules. Caliber leadership made the decision back to jump on Opportunity Zones early while many others were waiting for more guidance from the federal government. In 2019, Rodney Riley, Caliber’s director of acquisitions and development, told the Progress the decision tied directly into its early talks about going public. The company was building up its accounting and legal teams as it explored the possibility of going public, which also gave the company the resources and people it needed to get a head start on the considerable compliance requirements associated with opportunity zones when talking about the potential legislation began to heat up. CEO Chris Loeffler “saw it as opportunity to take advantage of what we were already building,” Riley said. Loeffler is bullish on the company’s ability to sustain its growth through this latest fundraising effort. According to the company, the Reg A+ offering will allow the company to scale its operating, reduce debt, invest in its funds and improve infrastructure and operating and control systems.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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Cactus League brings over $300M to Valley BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN Progress Staff Writer

springtime rite of passage for baseball fans returns to the Valley next weekend, with the dawning of the 2020 Cactus League. The 15-team league, which has its first game Friday, Feb. 21, and runs through the end of March, brings Major League Baseball competition to 10 fields in the region. The games technically don’t count in the year-end standings, but make a huge impact on the state’s economy, according to ASU’s Daniel Marburger. Marburger, a clinical professor in the W.P. Carey School of Business, said the league makes a unique impact unlike any other sporting event in the region. “It’s a little bit different than trying to estimate the economic impact of, let’s say, the Super Bowl, which is people coming in from the outside to go to the game, they spend some money here for the weekend and then they go back, because with the Cactus League, you have people who are

retirees, snowbirds, who have chosen Arizona, chosen Phoenix, because it’s where the Cubs play,” Marburger said. “Maybe they would have retired in Florida, or maybe they’d be snowbirds in Florida if the Cubs were playing in Florida,” he continued, adding: “So, it’s not just visitors who came up for an event and then went home, or even a better example would be, let’s say, the Arizona Cardinals. Well, most people who go to a Cardinals game, live in Phoenix, Phoenix area, and therefore you really don’t count them, because they’re not coming in from the outside. But when you have permanent residents or semi-permanent residents who have actually chosen Phoenix because of Cactus League baseball.” The research by Marburger and his colleagues at the W.P. Carey School of Business backs up his point. The college’s 2018 study found the Cactus League brought in $315.7 million in economic impact, with $122.6 million being spent on bars and restaurants while

$89.8 million was spent on lodging and accommodations. What stands out for Cactus League Baseball Association Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher is the impact the exhibition has on the communities hosting the league’s 10 stadiums. “I’ve been focusing on really trying to understand the different models existing in all of our Spring Training cities,” Binsbacher said. “They’re all different and their impact on the community, their relationship with the community, with the team, they’re all unique to one another.” The league, which was founded in 1947, has entrenched itself in Grand Canyon State sporting lore, with generations of fans flocking to the venues each year. ASU’s economic impact study found the league drew 1,737,975 fans for the 2019 season, across 220 games, averaging out at 7,900 people per contest. Leading the way in 2019, in terms of attendance, were the Chicago Cubs, who drew 13,939 fans per game, a .4% increase

over 2018. The Arizona Diamondbacks (10,628) and Los Angeles Dodgers (10,326) were the other franchises to draw more than 10,000 fans per game in 2019. The San Diego Padres saw the largest year-over-year increase, in terms of pergame attendance, gaining 12%, to 6,704 fans per contest. The league’s ability to draw in fans from across the country year after year is important for a number of reasons, according to Binsbacher. Mainly, attendance is vital, as the league itself is a nonprofit organization using its proceeds to fund a number of causes, such as scholarships for local teenagers. Binsbacher believes the league can gain on its altruistic roots, serving the region off the field while entertaining the masses with top-notch action on the diamond. “As a result of volunteer work and the various relationships we’ve built, we gen-

see CACTUS LEAGUE page 34

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CACTUS LEAGUE from page 32

erate more than $2.6 million in funding,” Binsbacher said. “Whether it’s scholarships or grants or different funding for various programs, mostly youth-based in various communities. “So, it’s just another impact we weren’t talking about before we’re really starting to look at how we can measure it and really continue to focus and grow.” Above all, the Cactus League serves as

states in the entire country hosting these types of games and Arizona is one of them. And we do an amazing job at it and it has a tremendous impact on the state as a whole. “It’s a tremendous opportunity and we really have to take care of it and understand what it means to our economy, to our communities, to our local businesses.” Marburger saw the impact first-hand, watching the league bloom from its more austere roots to an economic powerhouse

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a month-long advertisement for the state and its way of life, according to Marburger. “You’ve got a bunch of teams, and if you’re loyal to one of those teams and you’re from someplace else and you come here for a vacation or come here as a snowbird or a retiree,” Marburger said. “Now these are people who are permanent or semi-permanent residents who were influenced by the Cactus League.” This draw isn’t lost on Binsbacher, who cited the state’s unique position as one of two states, along with Florida, hosting Spring Training games, as an economic tour de force. “We’re so fortunate to have this league here,” Binsbacher said. “There are two

and continues to grows every year. The ASU economic professor remembers when he was a Ph.D. student in Tempe during the late-1980s, when he could walk to see the Cubs play at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa. Now, the Cubs have their own palatial complex, Sloan Park, which was built in 2014 for $99 million, with a league-high capacity of 15,000. Marburger believes the league’s longevity has helped bake baseball into the bloodlines of local residents, as we’ve grown accustomed to seeing the best players in the world play in intimate venues throughout the region for decades.

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Letters

Scottsdale must do better, stop sign proliferation

attended the meeting last night February 12 at Grayhawk Community Center where Mr. Chi from the Planning Department presented the city’s proposed ordinance change regarding signage. Specifically for this group, the one-mile distance between Scottsdale Road and Hayden Road along the 101 Freeway Loop was the subject area. The meeting was very well attended. Present were at least two individuals who are planning to run for mayor, two existing city council members, and at least two who are planning to run for council. Conspicuously missing were the two progrowth city council ladies running for mayor, Ms. Klapp and Ms. Korte. No surprise there, as these two councilwomen have voted for every or almost every zoning variance that would favor bigger, larger, denser projects and the developers behind these projects over the past several years. Mr. Chi gave a thorough presentation, hats off to him for that. What the Planning Commission is recommending is that up to eight signs on one side of the 101 and up to six signs on the other side between Scottsdale Road and Hayden Road be allowed in this one-mile stretch of freeway. Illuminated pylon signs up to 60 feet high above grade of the freeway would be allowed. Now this is a one-mile stretch. Most of us have GPS in our cars, we are driving at 60-70 mph through this stretch, and just imagine the lane changes required for exit. Imagine the potential accidents with drivers looking up at this many signs in a short stretch of freeway. Mr. Chi was very defensive – why not, as he stated, noting the city has been looking at changes in the sign ordinance for five years. After a great deal of discussion, one person stood up and asked that all those against changing the ordinance, please raise your

hand: 90 percent of the locals’ hands were in the air. She then proceeded to tell Mr. Chi, to report back to his committee this response – unlike three years ago when the citizens weighed in at such a meeting about building on the Preserve and he did not report the temperature of the locals. The folks in this area just flat out do not want this signage change. They are already more than upset or should I say angry about the Nationwide Development, and we all know Nationwide is behind this, despite denials from the city. Who is to benefit from signage? Nationwide Development and its tenants or the locals who pay taxes? Answer is Nationwide, nothing in it for the locals. The City Council already committed to pay 67 percent of infrastructure cost of the project, where total benefit accrues to the owner/developer. Then to add insult to injury, the Council buried the cost of a new fire station in the area in the bond issue, only needed because of this development. Where does this go next? Allow 60-foot high signs here, then onto the 101 south to Princess, then Cactus, then Shea and onward. Soon, we will look like the 202 on the way to the airport, or the I-10 in Avondale, or, heaven forbid, Los Angeles. The time has come for our City Council to listen to and adhere to what the citizens want, because after all it is our city, it is our future, and we moved here to escape that which is elsewhere. But, unfortunately a majority of this city council does not give a you know what about what we want for our city. Hopefully, this will not be just another 4-3 vote in the city council, where the pro-growth-at-any-cost council members prevail. We negated that result with the build on the Preserve issue where the “build build build” council majority of four were turned away

with citizen activism (Prop 420). We saw that majority of four prevail with the Marquis, we saw that result with Southbridge 2, and most recently in N/E Scottsdale with the rezoning of residential property, where the locals were vehemently against such action. We will hold the City Council responsible

for its decisions, council person by council person. Voting records and positions on issues will be made public come November. Our future is on the line! We need to do better. We must do better. -Jim Bloch, 28 year Scottsdale resident.org

Farewell to a bygone era BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Progress Columnist

t was lunchtime and my schedule was empty for a few hours. I was passing Metrocenter Mall when a strange urge struck. I hung a right. A minute later, I found myself driving through a parking lot emptier than the brain of your average politician. This was how I browsed a bookstore for the first time in years. Inside Barnes & Noble, the 20-something behind the customer service counter greeted me with the kind of enthusiasm I imagine shipwreck survivors muster when rescuers finally land on the beach. I veered toward magazines. The once-familiar glossy covers in rows felt odd, like revisiting your old hometown after years away. Oddly, soft-core porn like Penthouse is still published in magazine form these days, wrapped in plastic and stashed behind the sports magazines. Given that it’s virtually impossible to avoid naked people on the Internet in 2020 – displayed free of charge – I can’t imagine who still buys them. Barnes & Noble also still sells scores of novels in hardcover and paperback, which I imagine most people use as bookends, doorstops and gag gifts. As an avid reader, a guy who goes through a hundred books annually, I don’t remember

the last time I read a book in paper form. For old time’s sake, I spent a few minutes searching for the Cliffsnotes versions of various works of literature I was assigned to read in high school, but skipped. One day I may get around to Aldous Huxley and Zora Neale Hurston in full. But surely in digital form and not with sufficient clarity to write a five-page, double-spaced term paper. It was comforting to find old favorites still on the shelves. Flipping through them, I tried to recall why I gave up paper texts. The why: The majority of us have traded the superior heft of texts, the tactile joy of turning pages and the ability to scribble in a book’s margins for the simplicity of pointing, clicking, buying, downloading, reading. Sure, some bookstores – Changing Hands, the Poisoned Pen – still make a go of it, but a thought occurred: When our children’s children’s children go to Old Western towns like Rawhide for kicks in 2120, will the faux scenery still be saloons, shooting galleries and the undertaker? Or will the place feature storefronts like Borders and The Gap? Sheer guilt made me buy something: Another copy of The Great Gatsby, though I already own more than a few. I haven’t read it in a couple years, but that famous last line of Fitzgerald’s stuck with me as I turned back onto Dunlap Avenue. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

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Cactus League will feature new and old faces BY HALEY SMILOW Progress Contributor

ried food, the crack of a bat, and home runs are back. Spring Training kicks off with a full slate Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Valley. New and old faces will return and we’re looking forward to all of them.

Arizona Diamondbacks 2019 record – 85-77 A few games short of a wild card spot in the 2019 season, the D-backs are looking to return to the playoffs. General Manager Mike Hazen made sure the team would have the players to get there. In October, Hazen signed Stephen Vogt to a one-year, $3 million contract with a vesting option for 2021. In 2019, Vogt was consistent for the San Francisco Giants. At the start of the off-season it wasn’t in the D-backs’ plan to find a replacement for Zack Greinke, but not too long after, priorities shifted, and Madison Bumgarner found his place on the Diamondbacks’ roster. The 11-year veteran enters Chase Field as the ace and comes to the team for $85 million. The D-backs looked to improve the corner outfield spots when they signed Arizona native Kole Calhoun and traded for Starling Marte. Calhoun will add a little bit of lefty power in the outfield and will give the D-backs more flexibility in its lineups. Chicago Cubs 2019 record – 84-78 The Cubs avoided arbitration for the eight year in a row this offseason. By extending one-year contracts to players

like Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, the Cubs are sitting pretty for next offseason. The Cubs were able to hold onto three-time all-star Anthony Rizzo with a $16.5 million deal. But the Cubs still took some hits this offseason. They lost ace Cole Hamels, power bat Ben Zobrist and a reliable bullpen arm in Steve Cishek. The team picked up CD Pelham off waivers and traded for Travis Lakins, Casey Sadler and Jharel Cotton. Chicago White Sox 2019 record – 72-89

Rick Hahn, the Chicago White Sox’s general manager, is rebuilding his team. On Halloween, he traded Welington Castillo to the Rangers to free up space on the roster – and money. Without a catcher, Hahn went straight for the top. He brought in all-star Yasmani Grandal, who inked for $18.25 million. As a backup, Hahn went for Brian McCann, whose role will be to provide leadership to younger players and play behind the plate when needed. On the mound, Hahn signed Dallas Keuchel for $18 million and Steve Cishek for $6 million. Hahn added the power bat of Edwin Encarnacion on a one-year deal for $12 million and extended a deal with Jose Abreu for $17.8 million. The final move this offseason was signing the No. 3 prospect in baseball, Luis Robert, for six years with a $50 million contract.

Cincinnati Reds 2019 record – 75-87 The Reds stepped up their game, landing plays who could make a playoff push in 2020. The Reds started the offseason by the signing strong bats. Mike Moustakas signed a $64 million contract, a record for the Reds. Where Moustakas is going to play is still a bit of a question, but for that sum, it is sure that he will be a starter. They also signed the nine-year outfield veteran from Japan, Shogo Akiyama. Over his career, Akiyama has acquired 1,405 hits, 116 homeruns and a .301 batting average. In addition, the Reds finished out their rotation by adding former D-backs pitcher Wade Miley. He agreed to a twoyear, $15 million contract, and is getting the call for the final spot in the Reds rotation. In the offseason the Reds traded for Jose De Leon, Justin Shafer and Travis Jankowski, and picked up Nick Martini and Freddy Galvis off waivers. Cleveland Indians 2019 record – 93-69

The Indians are trying a new formula to return to the World Series. After losing Jason Kipnis and Corey Kluber to injuries at the end of last season, the Tribe did away with them. Kluber was shipped off to Dallas, and Cleveland welcomed relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase and the speedy outfielder Delino DeShields. Replacing Kipnis is former Phillies

second baseman Cesar Hernandez. Entering his eight season of professional baseball, he landed a $6.25 million deal. The Tribe acquired catcher Sandy Leon through a trade with the Boston Red Sox for Adenys Bautista. Colorado Rockies 2019 record – 71-91

The Rockies will be looking to close the gap in NL West. The team was quiet this off-season, but MLB veteran Yonder Alonso left the team. The Rockies also picked up a couple of minor league arms. The biggest signing the Rockies made was extending a deal with the righty reliever Scott Oberg. The deal will see Oberg on the Rockies for three more years for $13 million and it avoids arbitration. The Rockies may have made a risky move in signing ex-Rays player Jose Mujica, who sat out last season due to Tommy John surgery. Kansas City Royals 2019 record – 59-103

After back-toback 100-plus losing seasons, things aren’t looking too good for the Kansas City Royals. Rather than trying to rebuild the team, the Royals are taking it one step at a time. In early December, the Royals resigned right-hander Jesse Hahn for

see ROUNDUP page 38

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$600,000. They also inked lefty specialist Mike Montgomery for $3.1 million to maintain the bullpen. The Royals added Maikel Franco, formerly of the Phillies, to the roster for $2.95 million for two years to improve the infield. Los Angeles Angels 2019 record – 72-90

After losing 90 games for the first time in 20 years last season, the Angels needed a new approach. However, they went in the opposite direction. In December, they splashed the cash once again and signed Anthony Rendon to seven years for $245 million. General Manager Billy Eppler and Coach Joe

Maddon say Rendon is an important addition to the lineup. He’ll add power that was frankly missing in the hot corner last season. To fill a void in the rotation, the Angels signed two-time all-star Julio Teheran and traded for Dylan Bundy, the latter of which cost the Halos four minor league pitchers. They also dealt for Parker Markel of the Pirates and Matt Andriese of the D-backs. With new pitchers, the Angels found a permanent catcher in Jason Castro, who signed a one-year, $6.85 million deal. Castro was at a career high last season with 13 home runs and 30 RBIs last season. Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 record – 106-56 About 40 minutes north, the Dodgers

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

tore through the 2019 season, but, in the end, they still couldn’t find a World Series ring. The Dodgers kept the core of the team in the

offseason. After a rough season last year, the Dodgers still had faith in Blake Treinen, whom they signed to a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason. In addition to Treinen, they signed Jimmy Nelson to strengthen their bullpen for $1.25 million. In good news, Kenley Jansen decided not to opt-out of his contract, which leaves him as yet another man for the Dodgers bullpen.

Milwaukee Brewers 2019 record – 89-73 After making it to the 2019 wild card game, the Brewers are looking to return. The team added many players to help them reach the playoffs, but they lost players, too – namely Yasmani Grandal and power hitting infielder Mike Moustakas. To replace Moustakas, the Brewers signed MLB veteran Jedd Gyorko, who can play nearly any position in the infield except for shortstop. Eric Sogard and Justin Smoak signed one-year deals with options for a second season. To give Ryan Braun more time at first base, the Brewers added Avisail Garcia for two years. They improved their bullpen as they signed Brett Anderson and Josh Lindblom, the latter of whom played in South Korea for the last five seasons. He earned the equivalent of that country’s Cy Young and the MVP in 2019. Oakland Athletics 2019 record – 97-65 After a great showing in 2019, the Athletics strengthened their core to return to the playoffs. The A’s had one goal in the offseason—acquire lefties. It didn’t matter whether they were a lefty hitter or a lefty pitcher, the team leans

right-handed. They acquired Tony Kemp for Alfonso Rivas. They also traded away Jurickson Profar for Austin Allen, a left-handed catcher. Former D-backs pitcher T. J. McFarland was grabbed from waivers, and Jake Diekman was signed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. San Diego Padres 2019 record – 70-92

All the way down the West Coast, the Padres remain in the middle of a rebuild. They stayed busy this offseason by trading for Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth. They also acquired infielder Jurickson Profar, outfielder Trent Grisham and pitcher Zach Davies. Wanting to improve the bullpen, the team resigned Drew Pomeranz, to a four-year, $34 million contract. They also signed Pierce Johnson, who played in Japan last season, to a two-year, $5 million deal. San Francisco Giants 2019 record – 77-85

The Giants are looking to shake things up in the NL West. During the winter meetings, the Giants landed veteran infielder Zack Cozart from the Angels, and persuaded the Angels to give them their first-round draft pick of 2019, Will Wilson. To improve their pitching staff, the Giants signed Drew Smyly to a one-year, $4 million deal, and the resigned Tyler Anderson. They also claimed former Angel, Luis Madero. What fans won’t see are the behindthe-scenes changes. It started when Scott Harris signed on as the new general manager. From there, Gabe Kapler was hired

as the new coach. Eight other coaches have been added to Kapler’s staff, including third-base coach Ron Wotus. Seattle Mariners 2019 record – 68-94

After a 90-plus-loss season, the Mariners focused on rebuilding their young core. The biggest offseason move they made was extending a contract with the No. 4 prospect in baseball, Evan White. He will star with the Mariners for six years, thanks to a contract worth $24 million. They also added power-hitting third baseman Patrick Wisdom, the switchhitting versatile second baseman Sam Haggerty, and pitchers Adam Hill, Phillips Valdez, Nestor Cortes and Carl Edwards. Newbie Kendall Graveman is expected to start in the majors, where he hasn’t played since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018. He and the team reached a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Texas Rangers 2019 record – 78-84

With a new stadium, the Rangers are going for a bit of a different look this season. The biggest addition to the team is the two-time Cy Young winner and three-time AllStar Corey Kluber, who arrived in a trade with Texas for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase. With the Kluber deal done, the team needed some pop to provide Kluber with run support, so they signed Todd Frazier from the Mets. The deal will cost the Rangers $5 million for one year of Frazier’s service. The Rangers made other moves, also acquiring 12 players: Sam Travis, Robinson Chirinos, Adolis Garcia, Edinson Volquez, Ian Gibaut, Tim Federowicz, Joely Rodriguez, Jordan Lyles, Nomar Mazara, Jimmy Herget, Nick Goody and Kyle Gibson.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Creative Center pops up a birthday BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

When painter and poet Doria Dphrepaulezz moved to Scottsdale 10 years ago from Milan, Italy, she was in search of a creative space where she could write and paint. A year ago, she found that space in Old Town Scottsdale, at the Creative Center of Scottsdale, which celebrates its fourth anniversary this year. “It’s like having a private gallery and studio all in one,” she said. The Creative Center of Scottsdale, a 4,000-square-foot co-working space dedicated to artists, opened in the old Mandall’s Shooting Supplies building in 2016. To celebrate its anniversary, the center will host its 2nd Annual Pop-up Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event is located on-site and features the works of 10 artists, including tenants that currently call the center home as well as artists who are local to the Valley

but create elsewhere. “We’re excited to open our doors to the public, who will get to experience the incredible art of our tenants and community members,” said center owner Michelle Biely. “The fair is a celebration of the amazing work these artists create.” Currently, the center is almost at capacity with nine artists currently calling the co-working space home. One more space is available to rent. Dphrepaulezz rented a space at the studio because she liked being able to interact with other artists and the public, as well as showcase and sell her art. At the Pop-Up Art Fair, Dphrepaulezz will have her poetry books and a selection of her paintings, acrylics on paper, and canvas all available for sale. “My paintings are abstract poems of life in vivid color. An abstract painting tells a story, [and] part of that story is what the artist designs; but the story that survives time and generations is the story that the

client sees, tells, and feels,” Dphrepaulezz explained, adding that her paintings are an invitation into her world. Photographer Alynn Parde, an Old Town

fuel) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (pro stock) raced to victories at this event last year. Fans will see 11,000 horsepower nitro cars coursing through the track and the sophisticated pro stock class during the NHRA Arizona Nationals. They can also meet their NHRA stars, including the likes of John Force, Antron Brown and Erica Enders. Hagan was an all-around athlete at Auburn High School where he was a defensive lineman and all-district center on the Eagles football team. In the spring, he was the school’s catcher on the baseball team. He attended Radford University for four years and majored in recreation, parks and tourism.

Hagan has been racing for almost half his life. Starting on his family’s quads as a teenager in Virginia, he developed a passion for speed and the thrill of competition to move into circle-track, stock car racing. From there, he began bracket drag racing and later made a splash in Pro Mod, earning the 2006 Rookie of the Year honor in the NHRA AMS Pro Mod Challenge. Hagan and the MOPAR Express Lane/ Pennzoil/Sandvik Coromant Dodge Funny Car team, led by crew chief Dickie Venables and assistant Michael Knudsen, wasted no time putting together a competitive 2019 campaign. At the second event of the season, Hagan powered his Dodge Charger to victory and

Local painter and poet Doria Dphrepaulezz, a tenant at the Creative Center of Scottsdale for one year, will be one of 10 artists participating in this year’s Pop-up Art Fair taking place Feb. 22.

Michelle Biely is the owner of the Creative Center of Scottsdale, a co-working space that celebrates its fourth anniversary this year. (Kimberly Carrillo/Progress Staff Photographer)

(Kimberly Carrillo/Progress Staff Photographer)

resident since fall of last year, has been a tenant at the Creative Center for five months.

see CREATIVE page 41

Hagan looks to repeat at NHRA Nationals BY CHRISTINA FUCCO-KARASINSKY Progress Staff Writer

Matt Hagan has raced throughout the country, but the Valley is one of the few places he feels comfortable. “I love the Scottsdale area. I’d even consider getting a winter home there,” Hagan said. “I’ve got a lot of love for that. Everything has a good feel to it. I like the Native American feel. I’m a quarter Cherokee Indian. I love going in the airport and buying jewelry and different things like that.” He’s returning to the Valley Friday, Feb. 21, to Sunday, Feb. 23, for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler. Hagan (funny car), Billy Torrence (top

took home a Wally trophy for the 30th time in his career. The win also marked 150 Funny Car victories for Don Schumacher Racing. In his free time, Hagan spends time with his wife, Rachel, with whom he has four children – Colby, Penny, Tucker and Nelly. He is an avid hunter and loves spending early mornings in a tree stand on his property hunting for deer and takes a couple trips each year out of state to hunt deer and ducks. If his bounty is too much for family and friends to consume, he shares the meat with groups helping the unemployed

see NHRA page 41

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

NHRA from page 40

around his Virginia home. “I also farm a lot,” he said. “I have a 2,000acre, 600-head cattle farm in Virginia. I enjoy it. It keeps me humble. I work, get my hands dirty and build some callouses. I live this rock star life—go, go, go—with adrenaline-driven fans, TV and sponsors. I come back home and turn all that off. I drive the tractor 5 miles an hour. It’s like yin and yang.” He enjoys winning, but everything that

comes with touring on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is exhausting. “The travel wears on you—the hotel and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “I was gone 180 days last year. I’m 37 years old and in the pinnacle of my sport. What other sport gives you an adrenaline rush at this age? Most people in other sports have retired at my age. “The competition and the drive to win keeps me going. I was named Driver of the Decade by MotorTrend. I put myself around good people, so good things hap-

pen. They don’t want to let me down. It’s pretty amazing.” In his 11th year with Don Schumacher Racing, Hagan is inspired by his father, David, who owns Shelor Motor Mile new car dealerships and the Motor Mile Speedway short track and drag strip, as well Matt Hagan Outdoors locations in Radford, Virginia, and Blacksburg, Virginia. The first Matt Hagan Outdoors store opened in December 2013 in Radford, near Hagan’s home in Christiansburg, Virginia, and success led to moving to a larger

location a year later and opening a second location in 2016. “My dad owns 42 companies,” he said. “I own an outdoor store, a cattle farm, and a hemp farm. I race. I have four kids and he makes me look like a chump. I take lessons from him. He’s a great leader and really cares about people. I just sit back, watch, learn and listen.”

Matt Hagan will be driving his funny car next weekend in the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park right next door to Chandler on the Gila River Indian Community. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

CREATIVE from page 40

“I was attracted to the urban warehouse vibe. What [Biely] has created here is unique to the area. Most co-working spaces are designed for people with desk jobs,” Parde said, adding that “being surrounded by artists who are creating across genres is inspiring.” At the Pop-Up Art Fair, Parde will be onsite making headshot images for both personal and professional use. “I am fascinated by subtle expressions of experienced emotion and enjoy making images that reveal personality diversity,” he said. “In my workspace, I focus on headshot and portrait photography. After hours, I photograph story prompts and fuse visual inspiration with creative writing.” Other artists participating in the fair are

mixed medium painter Freddie Lieberman, nature photographer Ken Sklute, oil painter Paige Stone, illustrator Freed, and painter Saad Haddad. Local artists who are interested in participating can still apply by submitting an application to artists@creativecenterscottsdale.com. If selected, artists must pay a $25 fee, and they will have a 10-by-10-foot dedicated space on the center’s outdoor patio to display their work. Biely said the Pop-Up Art Fair was a way to “try something new with [the] space.” “We opened the doors to artists and the public for the chance to come together and celebrate different mediums,” she said. “The turnout [last year] was modest but appreciated, and we are excited to see more new faces this year.”

This year, Biely asked local businesses in the area to participate in the Art Fair as a way to expand the Creative Center’s community reach. For example, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria located four blocks north of the center on Scottsdale Road will offer guests free mini cannolis during the fair. “We hope to build connections with businesses around us and expand our community to our neighbors beyond our doors,” Biely said. The Creative Center of Scottsdale offers shared workspaces, private offices, meeting areas, an outdoor event courtyard, and a second-story patio. Shared workspaces include a 100-squarefoot space priced at $300 per month, while private workspaces start at $450 per month. Since its opening, the center has been

home to creatives of all genres, including painters, photographers, and clothing designers. “In four years, the center has helped build friendships and allowed other artists to work together and give each other confidence through a community they may have been lacking before,” Biely said. “We are excited and honored to hold another Pop-Up this year,” she added.

If you go

The Creative Center of Scottsdale 2nd Annual Pop-up Art Fair When: Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: 3616 N. Scottsdale Road Tickets: Free Website: creativecenterscottsdale.com

FOOD & DRINK

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Food & Drink

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Where to eat before or after the game S

BY PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

ure, catching a Cactus League game is fun – but so is a good meal before or after the event. If you’re heading to Scottsdale Stadium, check out these Scottsdale places to eat. Many of these restaurants have Cactus League specials, so ask or check their websites.

Butters Pancakes & Café 8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite F104, 480629-4333; 14795 N. Northsight Blvd., 480-99-0011, butterscafe.com Arizona Diamondbacks players hang out here and with good reason—Butters Pancakes & Café’s food is innovative. The staff serves only fresh-squeezed orange juice, and strives to source organically grown ingredients from local farmers and producers. Check out the Brioche French toast, fluffy pancakes and moist omelets.

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers 4222 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-941-2747; 5625 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-354-8093; 3950 E. Indian School Road, Suite 150, Phoenix, 602-314-6221; 18529 N. Road, Suite 121, 480-912-7219. Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers’ awardwinning patties are hand-formed from fresh ground chuck. The rotating beer menu offers more than 130 beer choices – tap, bottled or canned. Culinary Dropout 7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 125, 480-970-1700. culinarydropout.com. Enjoy gastropub fare in a way only Culinary Dropout can provide. Developing into a true mainstay among Valley residents, first-timers should check it out to see what everyone’s raving about. Menu items include the “cheap house salad” and 36-hour pork ribs.

Detroit Coney Grill 6953 N. Hayden Road, 480-597-4300. detroitconeygrill.com From authentic Detroit coneys, to made-from-scratch burgers, down to the hand-cut fries using only Idaho potatoes, everything at Detroit Coney Grill is fresh. Having been schooled in the grocery industry, owner David Najor knows the importance of fresh food served right. Miss Michigan? Check out Detroit Coney Grill for Faygo, Better Made Chips, Sanders Bumpy Cake and coneys. Dorian 7419 E. Indian Plaza, 480-907-5635, dorian.com Dorian is a modern restaurant that combines California cuisine with Asian flavors and textures. Located in Old Town , Dorian features a seasonal menu of flavorful and bold dishes seared in a mesquite wood oven, craft cocktails and an extensive champagne, wine and beer list.

Eggstasy 6990 E. Shea Blvd., 480.500.5889; 10155 E Via Linda, eggstasyaz.com. See the website for other locations. Breakfast. Lunch. Mimosas. Eggstasy provides customers with outstanding service, quality food and value while offering the freshest ingredients in the market. Most of the products are purchased the same day. Everything is made from scratch daily, including its soups, pancakes, crepes, waffle batter, pancake sauces and compotes. Orange juice is fresh squeezed daily. Eggstasy is happy to prepare dishes the way customers prefer. Johnny Rockets 7014 Camelback Road, Suite 576, 480423-1505. 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Suite C200, 480-291-8770, johnnyrockets.com Johnny Rockets offers high-quality, in-

Lush Burger 18251 N. Pima Road, 480-686-8908, lushburgeraz.com Lush Burger is a family-friendly, local neighborhood pub and hamburger-centric eatery.

novative menu items, including fresh, never-frozen 100% beef cooked-to-order hamburgers, Veggie Boca burger, chicken sandwiches, crispy fries and rich, handspun shakes and malts. Kelly’s at Southbridge 7117 E. Sixth Ave., 480-393-3205, kellysatsouthbridge.com Kelly’s wants to celebrate the baseball season with fans. Come to Old Town for happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and all day on Sunday. Check its website for current specials.

Kona Grill 2244 E. Williams Field Road, 480-289-4500; 7014 E. Camelback Road, 480-429-1100; konagrill.com Since opening its first location in in 1998, Kona Grill has boasted a global menu that features contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty cocktails—all made from scratch.

The Living Room 20751 N. Pima Road, Suite 120, 480-404-7465; 8977 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 500, 480-634-6709, livingroomwinebar.com Enjoy happy hour, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch at The Living Room, which serves fresh foods with a contemporary twist, showcasing locally grown ingredients from Arizona-grown producers.

New York Bagels 'n Bialys 10320 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-991-3034, nybbaz.com New York Bagels ‘N Bialys brings the best of New York to Arizona. Breakfast includes Challah French toast and Benedicts. Lunch is just as crave-able, ranging from turkey sandwiches to Reubens. Don’t overlook the homemade soups, fresh salads, smoked fish, burgers and drink specials, as a full bar awaits.

Philly’s Sports Grill 1826 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-946-6666; phillyssportsgrill.com Locally owned and operated by ASU alumni, Philly’s Sports Grills have become superb neighborhood watering holes. Tons of craft beers, as well as master mixologists and awesome food, keep the locals returning.

Razz’s Restaurant and Catering 10315 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-905-1308, razzsrestaurant.com With his engaging smile, rich exotic voice and culinary wizardry, Chef Razz Kamnitzer is the charismatic soul of the hip restaurant. The restaurant is small and sleek. A bustling open kitchen transports diners to the hobnobbing, energetic experience of big city dining. The chef is a native of Venezuela with a heritage spanning Europe. Razz offers international classics: paella, bouillabaisse, osso bucco, escargot bourguignon as well as inspired contemporary creations such

see GAME FOOD page 43

FOOD SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

GAME FOOD from page 42

as macadamia nut-encrusted mahi mahi served with a tropical fruit relish and garlic beurre blanc sauce. Guests who are Food Network junkies will enjoy chatting with Razz as he and his team flambé, sauté and slice it up.

Taphouse Kitchen at Hilton Village, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 108, 480-656-0012, taphousekitchen.com Taphouse Kitchen offers a menu by Chef Patrick Karvis that’s focused on modern American cuisine with only the freshest and finest ingredients that are complemented by a respectable selection of craft beers. With more than 20 craft beers on tap, Taphouse Kitchen also offers four beer flights, each of which offer 4-ounce pours.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill, Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 1423, 480-284-7292; At Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill you’ll find great food, more than a dozen big screen TVs, two bars and 52 beers on tap. Ranging from full-bodied I.P.A.s and stouts to smooth ambers and lagers, the Thirsty Lion has a beer for every palate and every plate. Brunch features Irish whiskey French toast, burritos and cocktails. Happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Twin Peaks Restaurant 8787 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., 480483-0921, twinpeaksrestaurant.com Twin Peaks offers its customers delicious food, cold beer and a welcoming staff, known as the Twin Peaks Girls. The comfortable, mountain lodge atmosphere entices you to sit back, relax and enjoy the game. It houses more than 60 flat-screens. Want to celebrate a big win? Ask the bartender for four-person shotski and select from Jack Daniel’s Honey, Jose Cuervo Silver, Fireball, Lemon Drop or Sex on the Peaks shots for $10.95. Additional location: 2135 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.954.8946. U. S. Egg 7119 E. Shea Blvd., 480-443-5558; 3238 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-947-7344; useggrestaurant.com The breakfast joint is launching a secret menu for Spring Training in honor of teams that practice here.

Crust 8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite F101, 480-948-3009, crustrestaurants.com Owner Michael Merendino grew up as a first-generation Italian on New York’s Long Island. The food was simple, but the taste was gourmet and authentic, thanks to his mother’s recipes from her small hometown of Abruzzi on Italy’s mainland. Little did he know then, he had inspiration in front of him every night. This is also where Merendino adopted his father’s recipes and where his father developed and recreated the Pizza Rustica from the ideas of the Pizzetta. The Rustica has been a cornerstone of the menu at Crust since they open in 2007. The combination of growing up in the family business and cooking at home led to Merendino opening Crust Simply Italian. There he shares his authentic East Coast style of Italian cooking and where he gets to prepare the recipes of his childhood. Humble Pie 6149 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-556-9900; Artisan pizzas with fresh ingredients, sandwiches, hamburgers, award-winning fries, pastas, salads and desserts complemented by an extensive wine list and full bar. The upbeat unpretentious environment and high-quality dishes continue to earn Humble Pie its reputation as a neighborhood favorite.

El Encanto Restaurant 9500 E. Via de Ventura, 480-745-3535, elencantorestaurants.com Located within Odysea in the Desert, El Encanto Restaurant offers the sights, sounds and tastes of Mexico with authentic cuisine, all handmade and considered to be “the best Mexican food in the Valley.”

Zinc Bistro Kierland Commons, 15034 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-603-0922, zincbistroaz.com Authentic French cuisine, decorations and, of course, the Zinc bar and sidewalk café give this eatery a true taste of Paris.

Pangaea Dinosaur Grill 9500 E. Via De Ventura, Suite C-230, 480-434-6577, landofthedinos.com Dine with the Dinos at Pangaea Dinosaur Grill located at OdySea in the Desert. Enjoy quality, family-friendly dining directly above Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs. The menu features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine as well as dinosaurthemed entrees and desserts. Kids will enjoy seeing the animatronic dinosaurs up close while they eat. For information about birthday parties or to see the menu, visit landofthedinos.com

& DRINK

Olive & Ivy Restaurant and Marketplace Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road, 480-751-2200, foxrc.com Get lost in a Mediterranean manner at Olive & Ivy. Patrons can dine under shady trees on the patio, in the signature dining room to indulge in private, or enjoy the outdoor lounge and bar in true nightlife fashion.

Vito’s 10999 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., 480-664-8260, vitospizza.com Vito’s has been serving Chicago-style, thin-crust pizzas and Italian cuisine since 1986. Celebrating its 32nd anniversary, Vito’s offers dine-in, take-out, delivery and catering services. The restaurant, which has been dubbed the best pizza and best Italian restaurants, has great happy hour and weekly specials. Until March 31, receive a free individual two-topping pizza with the purchase of $20 or more. Not valid with any other offers or promotions. Blanco Tacos + Tequila 6166 N. Scottsdale Road #601, 480-305-6692, foxrc.com. Blanco Tacos + Tequila offers modern Mexican fare in a casual-chic setting. Updated classics like tacos, enchiladas, and queso crisps are reinterpreted with fresh, flavorful and unique ingredients.

Caramba Mexican Food 7318 E. Shea Blvd., 480-998-7777; carambamex.com The fast-casual Caramba eateries have been serving authentic Mexican food to the Valley for more than 25 years. Dishes at the six Valley locations are prepared fresh daily, and they pair nicely with their award-winning margaritas, which are made with premium tequilas.

Los Sombreros 2534 N. Scottsdale Road, 480994-1799; lossombreros.com Los Sombreros gives their guests the opportunity to dine on cuisine unique to Central Mexico, while staying away from the typical Tex-Mex. The restaurant couples regions like San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City, and Oaxaca’s traditional fare and exploring all the fusions and possible innovations related to Mexican cuisine. Los Sombreros offers a unique, relaxed dining experience, with gracious service where every guest will experience a warm welcome. Creative drinks, select tequilas, beer and wine are available. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Los Sombreros serves brunch every weekend beginning at 11 a.m.

Old Town Tortilla Factory 6910 E. Main St., 480-945-4567, oldtowntortillafactory.com Regional dishes and the best of the Southwest meet at this restaurant, like carne y camerones (filet of beef with grilled shrimp). The cozy cottage and romantic patio among a variety of trees give this restaurant an elegantly casual ambience, but a full bar and 120 premium tequilas for their award-winning margaritas keep this place lively. Appetizer may include cup of spinach con queso, carne asada fries, two street tacos of choice, tomatillo pork nachos, and more. To complement, sangrias, Texas margarita, and well cocktails.

Fatty Daddy’s Ice Cream & Coffee 1608 N. Miller Road, Suite 5, 480-634-6460, fattydaddys.com Fatty Daddy’s Ice Cream & Coffee offers gourmet ice cream, and cookie cups topped with fresh macaroons and toasted mallow. Coffee, tea and pastries are served from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FOOD & DRINK

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Girl Scout Cookies pair nicely with wine BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ Progress Staff Writer

For six weeks each year, Girl Scouts in Arizona participate in the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world: The Girl Scout Cookie Program. From January 20 to March 1, more than 10,000 girls in central and northern Arizona will walk around neighborhoods and booth in front of local stores learning entrepreneurial skills while selling delicious cookies. “It is critical to note that Girl Scout Cookies are about far more than money and sweet treats,” says Tamara Woodbury, CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC). “The cookie program provides girls the skills they need to be fiscally savvy now, and to become successful, financially independent women.” The qualities that lead to successful entrepreneurship, like curiosity, confidence and innovation, are important for all types of academic and career success. There aren’t many organizations that help girls learn key entrepreneurial skills, like business ethics and decision-making. GSACPC sold over 2.8 million packages of cookies last year. This year’s goal is 3 million packages. Want to help them get there in one of the most delicious ways possible? Consider these surprisingly perfect wine pairings, courtesy of the wine experts at long-time local partner AJ’s Fine Foods, with their 2020 cookie lineup: Lemon-Ups and Pinot Grigio These newly released and deliciously crispy cookies are bursting with bright citrus flavors and baked with inspiring messages. Given its zest, consider pairing them with a Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris, which is known for its lemon, pear and apple notes so will be a nice complement, such as Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Gris ($15) or Ramazzotti Pinot Grigio ($23). Thin Mints and Cabernet Sauvignon Likely, these mint-flavored (and vegan) chocolate-coated cookies don’t need an introduction, nor does the way many people choose to enjoy them: frozen. Whether right from the box or out of the freezer, these classics need a wine that can stand up to the mint. Cabernet, perhaps a Fran-

Girl Scout cookies are available through March (Photo courtesy Girl Scouts)

cis Ford Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.99) or Foley Sonoma Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48), is up for the task.

Tagalongs and Port These heavenly layers of peanut butter with a rich, chocolaty coating also need a red. Given the rich peanut butter flavors, however, a sweet ruby or tawny port will sing on the palate of even the most discerning wine (or cookie) lover. The texture of ports such as Pedroncelli Four Grapes Vintage Port ($20) and Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel Port ($40) are best bets. Samoas and Malbec One’s taste buds are always in for a treat when enjoying Samoas, with their caramel and toasted coconut, not to mention drizzle of chocolate. Truth be told, most red wines pair with this crowd pleaser, Perhaps, try Sebastiani Alexander Valley Malbec ($35) or Three Rivers Columbia Valley Malbec ($38).

Trefoils and Chardonnay Buttery with balanced sweetness, these shortbread cookies and chardonnay are made for each other! And, the pairing actually works with both buttery and less oaky bottles alike. A few favorite to try: Roth Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($38) and Blue Rock Chardonnay ($48). Do-si-dos and Zinfandel Crunchy oatmeal and creamy peanut butter filling combine in these luscious sandwich-style cookies. Given the peanut butter, one might be tempted to try another port—like with the Tagalongs—but given the depth of flavor that the oatmeal provides, first try them with a bold, big Zinfandel, such as Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Vines Zinfandel ($26) or Bella Winery Belle Canyon Zinfandel ($45).

Girl Scout S’mores and Merlot There isn’t much better than these

graham cracker-flavored sandwich cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallowy filling. Merlot is the perfect pairing as it is as smooth as the cookie is complex. Both DeLorimier Winery Dry Creek Valley Merlot ($30) and Firestone Vineyard Chairman Series Merlot ($42) are winning ways to pair these sweet treats.

Toffee-tastics and Sparkling Wine On first blush, one might be tempted to pair these buttery (and gluten-free) cookies with sweet, crunchy golden toffee bits with a similarly buttery chardonnay. And while certainly an option; also consider a fizzy sparkling selection like Korbel Natural ($26.95) or FIZZ Sparkling White Wine ($39).

All area cookie proceeds stay local to benefit Girl Scouting in Arizona. Visit girlscoutsaz.org/cookiefinder to find a troop near you.

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What’s Cooking Progress Contributor

Shareable cheesy bread is ridiculously delish

t’s a shareable cheesy, pull-apart round of ridiculously delicious bread. It’s really so simple to make – maybe 10 minutes of prep time, then into the oven it goes until its golden brown, and the cheese is melted to perfection so when you pull a chunk of bread apart, the mozzarella just stretches and pulls just like those pizza commercials. It’s fun to make, the ingredients are readily available and I always really enjoy dishes that you plop in the middle of the table and share. You can make this with a round sour dough bread boule, an oblong French or Italian loaf or even mini sour dough rounds for individual servings. The pesto can be store bought or homemade, the recipe of which I have included here. Ingredients: 1 large bread boule (sour dough, French or Italian bread) 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted ¼ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning 1 (16oz) log of sliced Fresh Mozzarella, or two (8oz) balls 1 (8oz) container pesto or 1 cup homemade pesto 1 cup shredded mozzarella 1 cup fresh grated parmesan Optional, marinara or pizza sauce for dipping bread Directions Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Make diagonal slices one way and then the other three quarters of the way down the bread to form square or diamond shapes on the top of the bread. In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, olive oil and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasonings. Spoon half of the mixture into the bread slits. Cut the fresh mozzarella into ½ inch pieces, and stuff them into the slits. Spoon the pesto into each slit. Spoon or brush the remainder of the butter and olive oil mixture over the entire top of the bread. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasonings. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and fresh grated Parmesan cheese over top. Place bread on a baking sheet lined with alumi-

num foil. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cheese has melted and top is golden brown. If bread gets too dark, cover with foil until cheese has melted. Serve immediately. Pull bread apart with your fingers. Dip is marinara sauce if desired. Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe/cheesy-pesto-crack-bread.

Homemade Pesto Ingredients: 2 cups fresh basil, packed 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts 1 cup extra virgin olive oil ½ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon salt Directions: Combine all ingredients except the olive oil and pulse in a food processor. Add olive oil and blend until smooth but still slightly coarse. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an air-tight container.

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on March 03, 2020, at 5:00 P.M in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, for the purpose of hearing all persons who wish to comment on the following: 9-UP-2019 (Indian Bend Wash Municipal Use Master Site Plan) Request by City of Scottsdale for approval of a Municipal Use Master Site Plan (MUMSP) for future improvements to the Indian Bend Wash from McKellips Road to Thomas Road. Staff contact person is Greg Bloemberg, 480-312-4306. Applicant contact person is Jeremy Richter, 480-312-7869. A case file on the subject properties is on file at 7447 E. Indian School Road, Suite 105, where it may be viewed by any interested person. A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

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