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It’s time to bring re-create an iconic neon sign and bring it back to the West’s Most Western Town, the author believes. (Courtesy Peter Corbett)

Let’s re-create Scottsdale’s iconic Neon Cowboy

BY PETER CORBETT Progress Guest Writer

Imagine a new attraction for Scottsdale. Imagine a 30-foot Neon Cowboy, blinking on at dusk and lighting up the desert night in Old Town.

Las Vegas has Vegas Vic as its iconic Western image. Scottsdale had its own Neon Cowboy for 25 years, standing tall and welcoming moviegoers to the Round Up Drive-In Theatre on Thomas Road west of 68th Street. It’s time to bring the Neon Cowboy back to the West’s Most Western Town.

Here’s my idea: — Hire a sign maker to re-create the Neon Cowboy based on the Round Up Drive-In Sign. — Find a tourist-friendly spot in Old Town with a small plaza perfect for selfies with the Neon Cowboy.

What would it take to bring the Neon Cowboy back to Scottsdale?

A preliminary estimate from Yesco Custom Electric Signs, based in Chandler, sets the price at between $300,000 to $350,000 to re-create, build and install the Neon Cowboy sign. This would be a modern electric sign using LED light strands, rather than neon.

Actual neon would be better but also more expensive to create and maintain with the risks of vandalism.

Another key element is finding a site to install the Neon Cowboy.

Ideally, this would be in Old Town, Fifth Avenue, Main Street, or near the Western museum. Somewhere that would allow visitors and locals to take selfies with the Neon Cowboy.

If nothing else, a Neon Cowboy would be an ideal piece of public art at WestWorld.

One funding possibility would be a major downtown project that could pay for the Neon Cowboy as its public art donation. Otherwise a public/private partnership could fund the cowboy sign using tourism development funds and private donations.

It’s not an inexpensive project but the return on investment would be substantial by adding an iconic new visual element to Scottsdale’s streetscape.

And it’s important to note that the Neon Cowboy has an authentic and colorful back story.

Scottsdale’s first mayor, Malcom White, opened the Round Up in 1955 and later sold it to theater operator Harry L. Nace. Years later, Nace closed the Round Up Drive-In and the Neon Cowboy went dark in February 1980.

Scottsdale Community College football coach John Avianantos tried to convince SCC President Art DeCabooter that the towering cowboy sign would be a useful message board for the college. DeCabooter declined.

Others tried to convince the city of Scottsdale to find a place for the 30foot Neon Cowboy with his 10-gallon hat and welcoming smile. No takers.

Enter a secret posse of pranksters, calling itself the Neon Cowboy Liberation Front. They carted off the cowboy’s head and briefly held it hostage, demanding that the city save the Neon Cowboy. When that failed, the pranksters returned the cowboy’s head to a fountain at the Civic Center Mall.

It was later reported that Nace sold the Neon Cowboy to a Flagstaff developer who planned to post the cowboy at a site in the Valley. That never happened and the Neon Cowboy was lost in the dark night of history.

Scottsdale does have a modest cowboy sign at Main Street and Scottsdale Road that’s been around since the 1950s. It’s well loved and is a magnet for tourist selfies.

But a three-story Neon Cowboy would truly be a show-stopper for visitors. Photos of the iconic dude would spread far and wide to boost Scottsdale and its Western roots.

Peter Corbett is a former Scottsdale Progress city editor and Arizona Republic reporter and editor. He has lived in Scottsdale for 30 years.

Neuropathy Is Often Misdiagnosed

Muscle cramping, difficulty walking, burning, tingling, numbness, and pain in the legs or feet are symptoms of neuropathy people live with every day,” explains Dr. Kerry Zang, podiatric medical director of CIC Foot & Ankle. “The thing is PAD has very similar symptoms. So similar that in many cases, people are told it’s neuropathy when it may not be.”

Medicine is often prescribed. “Pills aren’t a cure, they just suppress the symptoms,” says Zang. “If neuropathy isn’t causing the symptoms, the real problem could get worse.”

It’s important to determine if PAD (peripheral artery disease) is causing the pain or making it worse. PAD is plaque in the arteries which causes poor circulation. “Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your feet which they need to stay healthy,” explains Zang, “When your feet aren’t getting an adequate supply, they start sending signals.” Those signals include pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or cramping.

The good news is PAD is treatable in an office setting. Dr. Joel Rainwater, MD endovascular specialist explains, “We go into the bloodstream to find the blockage using imaging guidance. Then with small tools that can go into the smallest arteries, remove the blockage, and restore blood flow.”

Getting the proper diagnosis is the first step to getting better. “It’s all about finding out what’s causing the problem,” says Zang. “When your feet burn, tingle, or feel numb, it’s your body telling you it needs help, and you should listen.”

If your neuropathy medication is not working, your symptoms may be an indication of another condition.

For golfers, a stiff big toe can make their game suffer.

HELP!

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Don’t wait for your feet to yell at you. If your feet hurt, they are talking to you. Our doctors can help tell you what they are saying.

Does foot pain prevent you from doing your favorite activity? Do you have burning or tingling in your legs or feet? Do you have leg or foot cramps with activity or at rest?

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, call our office today to see how our doctors can help.

(602)954-0777 azfeet.com

Dr. Kerry Zang • Dr. Shah Askari • Dr. Dan Schulman • Dr. Kim Leach Dr. Barry Kaplan • Dr. Jeff Weiss • Dr. Patrick Gillihan

Stiff Joints Interfere with Everyday Living

One in 40 people over the age of 50 may find themselves limiting their activity because of a condition called hallux rigidus. It’s a degenerative disease of the big toe joint. As it progresses, the pain in the joint increases and motion decreases.

“People don’t realize the impact their big toe has on their life. It plays a role in balance, shock absorption, and forward movement as you walk,” explains Dr. Daniel Schulman, of CiC Foot & Ankle. “When the joint is stiff, it’s not able to bend and rotate properly, and it changes how we walk without us even realizing it.” These changes can lead to back or knee pain as well as discomfort in other parts of the foot.

“It always concerns me to hear that someone is playing less golf or staying home because they’re in pain,” says Schulman. “There are ways to help.” The goal is to protect your feet from the repetitive stress of everyday activities. “We have several treatment options to not only relieve foot pain but help improve how your feet work. If we can help your feet function better, in many cases the need for surgery can be avoided or at the very least postponed,” says Schulman. “Patients are always happy to learn about ways to alleviate their symptoms.”