Scottsdale Progress 12–01-2019 by Times Media Group

Saguaro High goes for the big title / P. 30

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS............................10 Southbridge heads for Wednesday showdown.

BUSINESS ............... 26 Scottsdale ﬁrms helping the needy.

FOOD ........................... 36 Scottsdale's sweetest piece of history.

NEIGHBORS .........................18 BUSINESS .............................26 OPINION ..............................28 SPORTS ................................30 ARTS ..................................... 32 FOOD & DRINK...................36 CLASSIFIEDS .......................39

S. Scottsdale yardsale helps small dogs / P. 25

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Big project eyed for entertainment area BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

third major redevelopment could be coming to downtown Scottsdale, this time in the entertainment district. The Yari brothers – who own the W Hotel, Galleria Corporate Centre and about 26 acres in the entertainment district – have unveiled an art-centric vision for the area including of�ice, residential and retail.

The proposed project, dubbed the Scottsdale Collective, is the Los Angeles-based developers’ latest attempt to redevelop the entertainment district and resembles a project they pitched in 2007 that did not pan out. Shawn Yari, who developed much of the entertainment district with brother Steven under the Triyar Companies and Stockdale Capital Partners banners, said his latest pitch re�lects a needed maturation of the entertainment district to in-

clude uses beyond bars and clubs. Yari said he still supports the bars and clubs that made the district successful but wants to diversify the area. “This isn’t a blank canvas. This is a successful entertainment area in downtown Scottsdale,” Yari said. “The opportunity is piece by piece, time to time, there’ll be a piece of that canvas available for me to develop.”

�� ENTERTAINMENT �� 14

Oversight of 6K Let the merriment begin! Arizona school workers sought BY JIM WALSH Progress Staff Writer

rizona education of�icials are sponsoring a bill to improve oversight of “noncerti�ied educators,’’ plugging loopholes accused sex offenders and others with questionable backgrounds previously used to slipped through. “Uncerti�ied educators’’ represent a broad category of school professionals of about 6,000 people working in both school districts and charter schools. They would include coaches, student teachers and some administrators who have regular or occasional interaction with students. “There are gaps where �ingerprint iden-

�� OVERSIGHT �� 16

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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

Visitors to Scottsdale, like those who attend the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open, contributed $35.7 million in privilege tax revenues last year to the city. (Progress ﬁle photo)

Advertising Office Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@scottsdale.org

Tourism still cash cow for Scottsdale – report

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 Veronica Thurman | vthurman@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.

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

ourism is still Scottsdale’s cash cow as visitors spent over $2 billion in the city last year, according to the city’s latest tourism report. Direct spending by domestic visitors was up slightly in 2018 over the previous year. In 2018, domestic visitors spent $1.65 billion in Scottsdale, an increase of about six percent over 2017. The report also shows foreign visitors spent over $444 million in Scottsdale in 2018 – bringing the total direct spending by all visitors in the city to $2.1 billion. The report issued by the city in 2018 did not include foreign visitor spending numbers for 2017. The report also concluded more visitors overall came to Scottsdale in 2018 than year before. Nearly 10.8 million people visited Scottsdale in 2018 – including foreign and domestic overnight visitors and day-trippers. The 9.1 million domestic visitors who came to the city in 2018 is an increase of nearly 200,000 visitors. In 2018, the city brought in $35.7 million in privilege tax revenues related to domestic and international visitor spending, which accounted for 18 percent of the city’s total privilege tax collections. In 2017, the city reported $26 million in privilege tax revenues attributable to visitor spending, but those numbers

only accounted for domestic visitors. Domestic and international visitors spent their money differently in Scottsdale. Overnight domestic visitors spent a total of $1.3 billion in Scottsdale last year and allocated the majority of their spending – 41 percent – to lodging. They spent 27 percent of the money on food and beverage and 12 percent on retail. The stats indicate Valley locals traveling to Scottsdale for the day were attracted by the city’s dining scene and shopping. Day-trippers spent $314 million in Scottsdale last year and allocated 41 percent of spending on food and beverage and 29 percent to retail. International visitors, who spent $444 million in Scottsdale, spent 41 percent of their money on retail. International visitors also allocated signi�icant amounts of money towards lodging (25 percent) and food and beverage (21 percent). Unsurprisingly, visitors accounted for nearly all of the city’s bed tax revenues in 2018. Bed tax, or transient lodging tax, is assessed on hotels and motels. In 2018, the city brought in $22 million in bed tax revenues related to visitor spending, 99 percent of the city’s total bed tax haul for the year. The occupancy rate at Scottsdale hotels was up year over year in 2018, according to the city. In 2018, the occupancy rate of Scottsdale area hotels was 70 percent, up from

68.3 percent in 2017. The rate could drop in coming years due to increased competition spurred by a hotel building boom in Scottsdale. Earlier this year – following the announcement Caesars Entertainment would build its �irst U.S. nongaming hotel next to Scottsdale Fashion Square – the Progress reported there were 10 hotels in various stages of development in downtown and southern Scottsdale. Other hotels under construction include a luxury hotel at Museum Square, Element Scottsdale at Sky Song and the under-construction hotel on the old Don and Charlie’s restaurant site. The competition from new hotels could be tempered if state lawmakers roll back a 2016 short-term rental law largely prevents cities from regulating the use of platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to rent residential properties to visitors. The city’s tourism report indicates 16 percent of domestic visitors to the city last year did not stay in hotels or motels and stayed in “other or unknown accommodations”. Two Democratic lawmakers have already crafted legislation repealing the 2016 law entirely, giving municipalities back the power to regulate short-term rentals. Rep. John Kavanagh, who represents much of Scottsdale, is not involved with the legislation but is chairing a separate bipartisan group looking into the shortterm rental issue.

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

Railroad park getting $722K bathroom remodel

The remaining project budget will cover administrative costs and a project contingency outside of the construction contract, according to the city. The project will be funded with $440,000 from the general fund and $282,000 from park revenues.

A City Council memo on the new project noted that the city already has a separate capital improvement project to replace bathrooms and storage facilities at four city parks, including McCormick Stillman, but noted the two projects are separate. “McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is

included as one of the four (parks in the existing CIP project); however, this speci�ic restroom is not part of that scope of work,” according to the City Council memo. The city has allocated $1.4 million this �iscal year to the four-park project – which also includes Eldorado, Pima, Vista del Camino parks. The total budget for that project is $8.3 million. The new bathroom facility is just one of several upgrades planned for the railroad park over the next few years. The $112.6-million parks and recreation bond approved by voters earlier this month includes $917,207 to construct a splash pad and improve walkways at the park. The city has also allocated over $4 million towards a capital improvement project to begin work on Phase 1 of the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Masterplan. The bulk of the $4 million was allocated from the city’s general fund. The park, which takes in revenues primarily in the form of ticket sales, is covering $850,000 of those costs, according to the city’s 201920 Capital Improvement Plan. The project includes expanding the parking lot, replacing the bunkhouse and relocating the Merci Train, a boxcar gifted to the U.S. by France to express gratitude for U.S. assistance after World War II.

�lict of interest. The rules brought before the council on July 2 would have removed commissioners if they had a 25 percent annual recusal rate, based on total meetings. However, Milhaven contended the 25 percent recusal threshold should be based on total number of items considered, not meetings. “I think itreally misrepresents the impact of a recusal because one meeting may have ten items and another meeting may have two items,” Milhaven said. “To say, a recusal for a single item on a single day has the same impact, I think it is distorting the impact of the recusal.” Milhaven suggested staff rewrite the rule to allow removal of a board or commission member if they recused themselves from 25 percent of total items discussed during a rolling six-month period. The new rules were again scheduled to go before the council on Sept. 17, but were again delayed at the request of city staff.

The Progress analyzed all regular Planning Commission meetings in 2019 and compiled the recusal rates for all members on action items affecting speci�ic projects or zoning changes in the city. The Progress did not count action items, such as approving the Planning Commission’s calendar, which does not affect projects or the city’s zoning ordinance. According to this analysis, Smith’s 12 recusals through Nov. 20 were more than any other planning commissioner. The only two other commissioners with recusals during 2019 were Ali Fakih with six and Larry Kush with eight. Under the original proposed rules presented to council in July – which based recusal rate on total meetings during a six month period – Smith could have been removed from of�ice. Between May and the commission’s Nov. 13 meeting, the Planning Commission held 11 regular meetings and Smith recused himself from one or more action items at 5 of those 11 meetings.

That equates to a recusal rate of 45 percent, well above the 25 percent threshold considered by council. However, under the wording proposed by Milhaven, which would calculate the rate based on total items considered, Smith’s recusal rate would fall below the threshold for removal. Smith recused himself from �ive of 56 action items considered by the Commission in the six months between May and November, which equates to a recusal rate of 9 percent. Smith was absent at two meetings this year that likely would have resulted in additional recusals, including the Museum Square vote on Sept. 11 and the Gentry on the Green vote on Oct. 23. His consulting �irm, Technical Solutions, was involved in both projects. Fakih, who was also absent during the Museum Square meeting, also worked on the Museum Square project as a civil engineer with his �irm Sustainability Engineering Group.

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

cottsdale has allocated $722,000 to build new restroom facilities at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a public city park that attracts around 1 million visitors annually. The larger facilities will replace restrooms built in 1982 and feature a design consistent with the park’s train station theme. The park has seen consistent visitor growth in recent years and earlier this year won the 2019 ELGL Knope Award for the nation’s best park or open space. The award is sponsored by Engaging Local Government Leaders. The park can attract as many 4,000 people in a single night during its popular holiday lights program that takes place every year in December, said Nick Molinari, city operations supervisor for the park. The �ive-week event accounted for 49,000 rides on the park’s train and $313,000 in sales last year, Molinari said. The City Council approved the $722,000 project on consent at its Nov. 12 meeting and awarded a $575,000 construction contract to Phoenix-based Straight Arrow Contracting, which had the lowest of six bids submitted to the city for the project.

The Scottsdale City Council approved the use of $722,000 to rebuild restroom facilities at the city’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. (Pablo Robles/Project Staff Photographer)

5 seek open city planning panel seat BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

mid a city-wide conversation over the recusal rate among city commissioners, �ive residents are vying for the spot held by Scottsdale Planning Commission Vice Chair Prescott Smith – who has the highest number of recusals on the panel. The city council received 15 applications for the seat and nominated �ive to of�icially be considered, including Smith. It will decide the matter Dec. 4. Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp nominated Smith, whose �irst term ended Nov. 28. Others include A.J. Germek, nominated by Solange Whitehead; Joseph Cusak, nominated by Vice Mayor Kathy Little�ield; William Scarbrough, nominated by Guy Phillips; and Dana Close, nominated by Virginia Korte. Council is considering limits on how often commissioners and city board members can recuse themselves for con-

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

Tiff over noise ends in trespass convicion BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

cottsdale resident Katie Hare alleges she was wrongfully arrested by Scottsdale Police after an altercation earlier this year with a construction foreman at the downtown waterfront apartment community where she used to live. Now, she says, “I wish we had never moved” to Scottsdale.” Hare also alleged police of�icers on scene failed to follow up on her allegations the foreman assaulted her during the dispute. Hare, a former resident of the Broadstone Waterfront apartments who moved to Scottsdale in 2015, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing following the April 22 incident, court records show. On Nov. 13, Scottsdale City Court Judge James Blake acquitted Hare of disorderly conduct but guilty of third-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor with a maximum jail sentence of 30 days and a �ine of up to $500. Hare will be sentenced Dec. 5. The incident, sparked by early morning construction, resulted in a dispute between Hare and construction foreman Adam Michael Leighton, who was working on what is now the Prep & Pastry restaurant on the apartment building’s �irst �loor.

Scottsdale resident Katie Hare alleges she was wrongfully arrested after an April confrontation with the construction foreman at what is now Prep & Pastry, a restaurant located in the Broadstone Waterfront Apartments where Hare used to live. (Progress ﬁle photo)

Though neither party disputes the altercation occurred, their accounts differ signi�icantly. Hare said she did nothing wrong and Leighton assaulted her when she confronted him about starting construction too early. Leighton denied in court assaulting Hare and admitted to shoving her to remove her from the active construction site when she refused to leave.

In court, Hare testi�ied she was woken up by construction activity she said, caused her fourth-�loor apartment to shake before 7 a.m. Though other residents with units closer to the construction had complained about noise for months, but Hare said this was the �irst time she had a signi�icant issue in her unit. Saying she thought there was an emergency, Hare said she ran downstairs to

check if a �ire truck was on-site and planned to return upstairs to help her �iancée, who has a medical condition, evacuate. In court, City Prosecutor Jared Johnson argued Hare only came downstairs to confront workers and her contention she thought it was an emergency was “a construction for trial.” Upon reaching the ground level, Hare said she realized it was not an emergency and saw a worker drilling into concrete. Hare said apartment management told residents “drilling into the deck” would not occur before 9 a.m. Leighton testi�ied his crew was allowed to start at 6 a.m. under city law but management asked them to start at 7 a.m. and not begin work on the ceiling until 9 a.m. An email from apartment management to residents a week after the incident stated, “Also, to ease some of the noise issues, there will be no drilling into the deck until after 9 a.m.” Leighton testi�ied on April 22 his crew “started making noise” around 7 a.m. Hare testi�ied she entered the site and contacted the worker, who then retrieved Leighton, the project’s manager. The parties disagree about what happened next.

�� HARE �� 12

Election manual changes rile Scottsdale lawmaker BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

veteran state lawmaker whose district includes Scottsdale wants to trim the wings of the secretary of state when it comes to enacting procedures for conducting elections. SB 1014, proposed by Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita would require that any changes in the formal election manual be approved by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. That means there would be formal public hearings. It also means, said Ugenti-Rita, that the council could quash changes that members believe go outside the legal authority of the secretary of state. Ugenti-Rita is particularly upset that Katie Hobbs has proposed to give people who fail to sign the envelopes on their early ballots an additional �ive business days – even after Election Day – to make the �ix and have their votes counted. The senator said that’s not something that’s allowed by law.

is illegally proposing. Murphy Hebert, spokeswoman for Hobbs, said the provision was part of a deal to settle a federal court lawsuit �iled against the state by the Navajo Nation. Attorneys for the nation argued that tribal members who did not know they were supposed to sign the envelopes or whose signatures did not match were effectively disenfranchised when election of�icials did not count their ballots. Ugenti-Rita said Hobbs lacked the authority to agree to such a provision and should have sought legislative authority before settling. State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who represents But Hebert said her boss was Scottsdale, wants to curb some of the election not acting on her own. She said powers of the Arizona Secretary of State. (Progress ﬁle photo) lawyers from the Attorney General were involved in the negoUgenti-Rita also is preparing legislation tiations and advised Hobbs that to ban counting any unsigned ballot, effec- inserting the provision about unsigned tively trumping the change she said Hobbs ballots was within the powers of her of�ice.

“We weren’t doing this without having legal advice,’’ Hebert said. And she added that three different counties also are part of the settlement, “which means three county attorneys reviewed the agreement.’’ Under current law, changes in the election manual must be approved by both the governor and the attorney general. The changes Hobbs has proposed – including the issue of unsigned ballot envelopes – remain under review. Ugenti-Rita said it makes more sense to move it the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council as SB 1014 would do, saying that panel already has purview over changes in rules sought by other state agencies. “The common longstanding practice is those are not counted,’’ she said. But Bo Dul, the state elections director, said the fact that Ugenti-Rita intends to introduce legislation proves that Hobbs was within her authority to set out rules on how to handle unsigned ballot envelopes. `The statutes are silent,’’ she said.

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

Southbridge heads for City Council showdown BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

harming pieces of the city’s history or crumbling relics in dire need of repair? That is the question the Scottsdale City Council will answer on Dec. 4 when it considers the sprawling Southbridge Two project, which would reshape a signi�icant portion of downtown Scottsdale’s 5th Avenue shopping district. The Council will consider approving a development deal, city land sale and zoning changes to make way for the proposed 10acre redevelopment, which would transform existing single-story storefronts and a city-owned parking lot into a mix of of�ice, condominium, hotel and new retail space. The project includes a 150-foot of�ice building near 6th Avenue and Scottsdale Road and a similarly-tall condo building along the canal and other buildings that range in height from 48 to 66 feet. Developer Carter Unger has also pitched space for a new urban grocer as well as pedestrian and vehicular connections between 5th and 6th Avenues. Unger said the project would breathe new life into 5th Avenue by bringing in year-round shoppers in the form of tenants and of�ice workers and quality buildings in place of aging ones with failing infrastructure. However, others – including a new political action committee formed by some neighboring property owners – argue that the height, density and scope of Unger’s development would damage the character 5th Avenue is known for and harm their properties and tenants. Southbridge Two has become something of a referendum on the city policy, approved unanimously by City Council in 2018, to allow heights up to 150 feet in certain parts of downtown under speci�ic conditions. Backlash following approval of other 150-foot projects like the Marquee of�ice building and Museum Square has made support at the Council for Unger’s project uncertain. Councilwoman Solange Whitehead – who was not on the Council when the height rule passed in 2018 – said she would likely oppose Southbridge Two but met with Unger’s team and a collection of supporters and opponents on Nov. 26 anyway. The meeting did not change her mind. “The proposed South Bridge (Two) is oversized for the location,” Whitehead said. “It is not in the best interest of Scott-

The proposed Southbridge Two redevelopment along 5th Avenue in downtown Scottsdale will go before the City Council on Dec. 4. (Special to the Progress)

sdale to amend our very high design standards to make it �it.” Unger acknowledged that not everyone in the city will see eye to eye on whether or not additional height and density is appropriate for the downtown area. But he said the project has been modi�ied in recent weeks to address some community concerns, including adding a stepback to the 150-foot residential building along the canal. That stepack would still be a deviation from the city’s standard stepback requirements and did not satisfy Whitehead. “Instead, the project should be properly sized to meet the City’s code such as set backs which give Scottsdale its elegant look and feel,” Whitehead said. Councilmember Virginia Korte spoke more favorably of Southbridge Two, saying: “I really think that this project is that balance between the need for economic development and maintaining our traditional values.” Korte said those traditional values included respecting the Old Town character by adhering to high-quality design and architecture standards while also creating a vibrant downtown in line with the city’s General Plan and Old Town Character guidelines. Councilman Guy Phillips does not share Korte’s point of view, arguing that “There are those who have been trying for years to replace our downtown tourism business with high rise business and multi family housing. They look at this as a more stable form of taxes for the city.”

“Well I say to hell with that,” Phillips said. Korte said she heard similar arguments about height and density and traf�ic concerns when the Scottsdale Waterfront was built a decade ago. “Can you imagine if Scottsdale Waterfront wasn’t built?” Korte said. “We wouldn’t have Canal Convergence and we wouldn’t have had a huge presence in the Super Bowl several years ago – it has been a magnet for development and vitality along our canal and Stetson and 5th Avenue.” The recent opposition, much of which has been driven by the new Committee for the Preservation of Old Town Scottsdale political action committee and former Councilman David Ortega, includes concerns over increased height and density downtown and the effect years of construction would have on other 5th Avenue businesses. Ortega also voiced concerns that some underground parking in the project will encroach on the city’s right of way, though Unger said those concerns were misleading and overblown. Any encroachments would have to be approved by city staff. The Old Town PAC is chaired by Janet Wilson and Dewey Schade, who both own properties near the proposed Southbridge Two development. In a letter to the city, the PAC outlined its goals, which include preserving the character of Old Town Scottsdale. The PAC speci�ically called out Southbridge Two in the letter, stating it is “not compatible with the surrounding shops

and businesses.” Increased car traf�ic – and where those cars would park – is also a concern. The development is expected to increase traf�ic from 3,360 weekday daily trips to 8,414 weekday daily trips, according to city documents. According to city documents, the developer will be responsible for some traf�ic improvements as part of the development deal. Those include improvements to the intersection at Stetson Drive and Scottsdale Road and a new road between 5th and 6th Avenues. Additionally, the developer is responsible for other infrastructure improvements, including upsizing several wastewater service lines in the area and improvements along the canal bank. Ortega also criticized the city’s decision to sell its Rose Garden parking lot to Unger for a residential building with underground parking. The City Council will consider selling the lot the Unger for $8 million Dec. 4. Wilson said she is worried about how the phased construction, which would likely last years, would affect her properties and tenants. Unger acknowledged there will be some pain caused by construction but committed to working with the city to mitigate issues. The city has also acknowledged the construction will impact local businesses Mayor Jim Lane told the Progress that the way in which Southbridge Two and its construction would affect the 5th Avenue shopping district is a concern. Still, Unger’s team at the Nov. 26 presented a map showing that more property owners in the area support the project than oppose it, said Andrea Alley, a Scottsdale resident and activist who supports the project and attended the meeting. Unger said his team would do its best to �ind new locations for businesses displaced during construction. The debate raging over Southbridge ultimately comes back to a more philosophical argument over the future of downtown Scottsdale – and whether that future includes new tall buildings or a preservation of the existing look of the area. Unger said keeping the area as it is isn’t an option for many of his tenants, citing high turnover at his properties. However, opponents said that new development would come at the cost of the 5th Avenues existing character. “Redevelopment is good downtown as long as it enhances tourism, not destroy it,” Phillips said.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

HARE �� 8

According to Leighton’s court testimony, Hare was behaving aggressively and “screaming profanities,” which “cleared out” the job site. However, Hare, who was wearing only a bathrobe at the time, said Leighton immediately yelled at her and shoved her in her chest and grabbed her arm to remove her. Leighton testi�ied in court Hare grabbed him �irst and “that’s when I grabbed both of her shoulders and moved her back forcefully and shut the door real quick.” A Broadstone employee who testi�ied in court said he saw Leighton grab Hare’s arm and use it to push her out the door. He said he did not see Hare slap Leighton. Hare said she considered the actions assault and planned on reporting the incident to police at the time. However, she alleged police never gave her the opportunity to do so. “I mean they weren’t really listening to what I was saying and every time I was talking they kept saying ‘you need to calm down, you need to calm down’ so it was kind of hard for me to get what I had to say out,” Hare testi�ied. Scottsdale Police Department denied failing to take Hare’s statement. “The of�icers in this matter made a probable cause determination based upon statements from all parties involved, including the site superintendent, other workers who witnessed the trespass and the defendant herself,” according to a statement from Scottsdale Police. Body camera footage from responding of�icers Michael Hertko and Stephen Montemayor shown in court showed of�icers repeatedly interrupted Hare as tried to explain what had occurred. Hertko spoke with Leighton �irst and then with Hare. Hertko’s �irst words to Hare are “Calm down; it’s Monday morning and this is ridiculous,” according to body camera footage. Hertko later repeatedly tells Hare

Katie Hare, fourth from the left, volunteering with the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation. (Katie Hare)

she was in the wrong and handled the situation “the wrong way.” He advised Hare she should have gone through the apartment’s management. “I know it doesn’t make me look good, but I was upset…and I was asking him to take a report and they were just giving me this ‘Well, you know, why don’t you dial back the Monday morning drama?’” Hare said. Hertko testi�ied he believed Hare’s conduct was “unreasonable,” which led to the arrest. Hare said she also asked police to look at footage from a nearby security camera to determine who was telling the truth. However, there is no evidence Hertko, Montemayor or any other of�icer attempted to obtain the footage. Whether or not the footage actually exists is unknown. Hare said her attorney attempted to retrieve the footage from Broadstone Waterfront management and was told the cameras were not functioning.

Alliance Residential, which owns the Broadstone Waterfront apartments, did not respond to a request for comment. Without the camera footage, Hertko and Montemayor made the judgment that whatever force Leighton used to remove Hare from the construction site was reasonable and allowable under state law. “I believe wholeheartedly if I were a man, he would’ve never done that,” Hare said. “He did it to me because I was small. I’m half his size and he thought he could.” Leighton disagreed, testifying in court he only pushed Hare out of the building after she grabbed and slapped him �irst. Hare denied ever hitting Leighton. Multiple times during the trial and in body camera footage, Hertko referred to Leighton’s use of force as reasonable. “Ms. Hare’s claim that she was assaulted simply because she was physically removed from the site is refuted by Arizona Revised Statute 13-407, which justi�ies the

of Arizona College of Medicine-Biomedical Campus, at 435 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix. Free parking is offered. Attendees will get no-cost health screenings, like blood pressure testings, �lu shots, dental checks and HIV and STD screenings. Plus, participants will hear from physicians, patients and patient advocates about the value of partaking in clinical trial programs. A free catered dinner will also be served. AWARE-for-All is a free education pro-

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use of physical force in defense of any real property to prevent or terminate a criminal or trespass. She admitted she entered the site and refused to leave after being asked,” according to the Scottsdale Police statement. A spokesperson for the department said the department uses the “reasonable person standard” under Arizona law to determine if force is reasonable. “The question for of�icers then becomes, ‘“What would a reasonable person do under similar circumstances and would those actions be lawful?”’ the spokesperson said. “Ms. Hare admitted during her contact with of�icers the force used upon her by the superintendent occurred in the context of his attempt to get her to leave the site. She did not report being pushed on her breasts to of�icers. She was argumentative throughout the contact and her primary issue appeared to be the fact she was physically removed which, despite her assertions, does not constitute assault,” according to a department statement. Both sides acknowledged Hare entered the site that morning, though Hare’s attorney argued she did so only to contact the construction worker who could not hear her from outside of the building and that the area has no “No Trespassing” signs. Hare said the April 22 incident has signi�icantly disrupted her life, including forcing her to postpone her wedding to her �iancé, originally planned for October, due to mounting legal bills and the cost to move. Hare said she moved out of Broadstone Waterfront shortly after the incident under threat of eviction from Alliance Residential. Hare said the situation surprised her because she and her �iancée had paid over $200,000 in rent over the previous four years and she tries to be a contributing member of society. Hare previously volunteered for YMCA fundraisers and the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation.

Screenings, info on clinical trials and dinner offered PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

cottsdale residents can learn how to get involved with clinical medical trials on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the inaugural Phoenix AWARE-for-All event. Local community members, patients and research professionals will gather to share information about the value of clinical research. The free educational session will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the University

tion dedicated to educating and informing the public and patients about clinical research opportunities and its bene�its. CISCRP is committed to providing services to help professionals engage patients as partners in the clinical research process, which can have a lasting and positive impact on patients whose options are limited. Register: ciscrp.org/event/aware-forall-phoenix. Information: awareforall@ ciscrp.org or call 617-725-2750.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT ��

Yari presented an early version of the plan to a gathering of some of the city’s prominent residents on Nov. 21 at the Galleria Corporate Centre. Attendees at the meeting included members of the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale, or COGS and Scottsdale Arts CEO Gerd Wuestemann. Though short on specifics, the presentation included an overall vision for the entertainment district in the area east of Scottsdale Road between Camelback Road and 6th Avenue. The plan includes increased height and density – hot-button issues as more developers attempt to take advantage of rules passed by the City Council in 2018 allowing for heights up to 150 feet in some areas of downtown. Yari’s own Marquee office project saw significant opposition for that very reason and narrowly passed earlier this year. Architect George Melara with Nelsen Partners said approximately 24 percent of the Yaris’ property could be used for increased heights and density. In addition to new development, Yari said art will be a major component to give character to the neighborhood and draw in visitors. He brought in a former director of Scottsdale Public Art to consult on the project. Yari said the project’s size will result in substantial funds to use towards the art project. That art could include wayfinding projects as well as iconic tourist attractions similar to the Love sculpture in downtown Scottsdale, the project team said. The project is inspired by city events like Canal Convergence and Scottsdazzle, Yari said. “The main component is the art component,” resident Tom Thompson said. “That is going to make it.” Total build-out could take 10 to 15 years, Yari said. He did not provide a specific timeline but said it would likely take a parcel-by-parcel approach as leases expire and open up properties for redevelopment. COGS Executive Director Sonnie Kirtley supported some of the proposed changes but took issue with the timeline. “Any physical improvements to the Entertainment District will be welcomed. The public art proposals throughout the area are exciting and highly supported,” Kirtley said. “Unfortunately, it will take a number of years

Shawn Yari, who developed much of the entertainment district with his brother, said his project goes beyond bars and clubs and elevates art. (Progress ﬁle photo)

when renovated parcel by parcel.” The plan would include new shaded pedestrian pathways to connect the entertainment district with other sections of downtown Scottsdale, said Melara. Nelsen Partners architects Melara and Jeff Brandt previously worked on Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons. It could also include more affordable multifamily residential for young professionals with smaller living spaces and shared amenities. Yari stopped short of calling the product “workforce housing” – as his architect initially characterized it – but said it would be more affordable than much of the existing housing downtown. Yari also stressed much of the project was still conceptual because he wants residents’ feedback to help shape the project. “I want the input,” Yari said. “I want to see where the hot buttons are, what means things to people, and then kind of take a first shot at it and meet with them again.” Thompson, one of the residents at the meeting, liked that approach, stating, “The developer is certainly doing the right thing by involving the community and getting their ideas instead of coming up with his own.” Only time will tell how the city receives the project. Similarly ambitious redevelopments downtown, like Museum Square and the proposed Southbridge Two project, garnered some backlash over a range of issues. Janet Wilson, a downtown property owner who co-chairs the new Com-

mittee for the Preservation of Old Town Scottsdale political action committee, said height is a primary concern for her group in the run-up to the forthcoming vote on Southbridge, which will have 150-foot heights across Scottsdale Road from Yari’s properties. “We’re not against development, but we want development that keeps our character and our history,” Wilson said. “If you wipe that history away from a city, you have nothing. You’ve just got tall buildings and no part of your town.” Wilson and her group have not commented on Yari’s proposal. Yari said he supported protecting some areas, like Scottsdale’s downtown galleries, from height and density but that the entertainment district is different. “I don’t think you go in there into the quaint areas where the art galleries are and knock them down to build high rises. That’s insanity,” Yari said. “But if (an area is) underutilized and there’s an opportunity, take the opportunity.” Yari pitched his project as a way to attract users to the currently “under utilized” area. “The process of approving a signi�icant project in Scottsdale ranges from cumbersome to perverted, depending upon the level of public outcry over each new ‘Big Thing’,” said resident Mike Norton, who attended the meeting. Still, Norton said, he could not imagine that many residents will be opposed to Yari’s plan to “to tear down some dilapidated old buildings” in the entertainment district, which does not have the same historic cache as other areas downtown. Norton said Yari is more likely to face pushback due to the “headwinds” from opposition to Marquee and parking and traffic concerns. Yari said the effect of northern Scottsdale shopping malls - which he says drew consumers away from downtown – along with new developments like the forthcoming Ritz-Carlton-anchored Palmeraie on the border between Scottsdale and Paradise Valley – are driving factors in the redevelopment. “You know the Palmeraie is happening up there, right?” Yari said. “That’s going to be a vacuum, just like Quarter and Kierland. I mean, you can’t just let the best tenants and the best residents and all this and move up. You gotta protect your downtown.” So far, Yari has brought at least two former critics on board with the project. Resident Andrea Alley and long-

time downtown business owner Bill Crawford are both part of the project team and spearheading outreach. Alley, who previously helped implement resident-supported changes to the Papago Plaza redevelopment, strongly opposed the Yari’s Marquee, characterizing its long, boxy structure as a “cruise ship.” In June, Alley posted on the South Scottsdale Project Facebook page “This strikes me as nothing more than a bottom-line development is that this giant, solid glass wall, which will be what greets visitors from the north, lacks embarrassing amounts of imagination and vision for what it could bring to our world-class city.” Alley said Yari approached her about coming on board shortly after the Marquee Council vote and she was surprised because “I really a thorn in your side.” “That’s the whole point,” Yari said. “You have to have the feel and the vision of the community.” Another strange bedfellow is Bill Crawford, who is in charge of the project’s outreach with the business community. Crawford years ago waged a scorchedearth campaign against Yari and the entertainment district that resulted in a messy defamation suit �iled by Yari in Maricopa County Superior Court. Things are different today. “So once upon a time, Shawn and I both vigorously fought to defend our interests and along that conversation, we found out that our interest was exactly the same thing: downtown Scottsdale,” Crawford said. The Scottsdale Collective is the latest in a slew of projects to propose redeveloping portions of downtown. Museum Square in the Arts District has already garnered City Council approval while Southbridge Two is still working its way through the city. Asked whether the city is ready for yet another controversial redevelopment, Yari said “I don’t think it’s controversial, to be honest.” Yari said he thinks the project will actually gain supporters who would like to see different uses in the entertainment district. The entertainment district has been criticized by locals over the years – including Crawford – for contributing to an increase in noise, crime and public intoxication in the area. Yari acknowledged that problems arose in the area with problems of noise and crime, but said steps were taken in 2012 to get rid of bad operators.

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OVERSIGHT ��

ti�ication cards aren’t necessary for people working with kids,’’ said Alicia Williams, executive director of the Arizona Board of Education. If it becomes law, the bill could impact about 2,000 uncerti�ied school district employees throughout the state and 4,000 charter school employees. Williams said about 60 percent of charter school teachers are certi�ied, while 40 percent are non-certi�ied. Williams said the bill is in draft form and will be introduced in the legislative session beginning next month. The bill essentially would extend the rules already applied to certi�ied educators to uncerti�ied teachers as well. School districts and charter schools would be required to submit a list of all educators working with children to the state Board of Education, a practice already followed by the vast majority of districts and charter schools. “We’re trying to have oversight of unprofessional and immoral conduct,’’ Williams said. The board currently has authority to investigate certi�ied educators and to take action against them. During the 2018-19 school year, the board disciplined 131 educators throughout the state. The variety of disciplines included revocation of certi�ication, surrender, suspension, and a letter of censure, Williams said. So far, 74 educators have been disciplined during the 2019-2020 school year, with another 21 are scheduled to come before the board at the Dec. 13 meeting. Williams stressed she is not attempting to expand certi�ication, but the bill

Arizona Superintendent of Schools Kathy Hoffman's spokesman said the proposed legislation will provide more safeguards against predators getting school district jobs.

Alicia Williams, executive director of the state Board of Education, has been working with numerous people, including legislators, on the new rules.

would subject noncerti�ied educators to the same sort of discipline as certi�ied educators. She said she is working with state Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, a former Mesa Public Schools Governing Board member, on sponsoring the legislation. Udall, who is also a part-time MPS math teacher at Red Mountain High School, chairs the State House Education Committee. “With the idea, the concept, I am 100 percent aboard,’’ Udall told the Progress, adding she needs to review the bill’s language carefully before deciding whether to �ile it, possibly within the next couple of weeks. Udall said the primary loophole involves teachers accused of a crime, but the case for whatever reason either never reaches law enforcement or does not result in charges being �iled. By addressing the loophole, “we

are not allowing them to shuffle from school to school,’’ she said. Certified teachers, principals and school superintendents are required to obtain the fingerprint clearance cards, which are monitored by the state Department of Public Safety. The standard of proof used by the board in disciplining certified educators is lower than the proof beyond reasonable doubt standard used in criminal courts. Williams said an expanded safety net would allow the board to discipline certified and non-certified educators who, for one reason or another, have been accused of crimes, but have not been prosecuted or convicted. “We have to prove the conduct more than likely occurred,’’ she said. “It’s all about keeping kids safe.’’ The board approved the effort to get a bill introduced and some draft language at its Oct. 28 meeting and the proposed legislation was under review by the state Legislative Counsel’s Office. “The most significant recommendation permits the state to investigate and take action against non-certified educators who engage in immoral or unprofessional conduct,’’ according to board documents. The draft language in the bill backs it up with a requirement mandating school districts report such suspected instances to the Department of Education in writing as soon as possible. Although the measure is in its infancy, two major education organizations, the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona Charter Schools Association, both said they support it conceptually. Chris Kotterman, director of government relations for the School

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Boards Association, said he supports additional oversight of non-certified educators. He said it makes sense for the state to add non-certi�ied educators to the tracking system already in place for certi�ied employees. Certi�ied educators already have an identi�ication number districts can track. “It’s just going to a web site and making sure an educator’s identi�ication number is clear,’’ Kotterman said. “From our perspective, we are in support of the state board having oversight.’’ If the bill is approved, “It provides a mechanism to attack allegations across districts,’’ he said. In other words, a district in central Phoenix would know when a red �lag was raised about a job candidate in another district miles away, such as Mesa or Chandler. The draft language speci�ically directs school districts to check the Educator Information System’ before hiring certi�ied or non-certi�ied personnel. Some exceptions include transportation, food service and maintenance employees. Kotterman and Udall both said school bus drivers are required to get the �ingerprint cards under different legislation. Jake Logan, president and CEO of the Arizona Charter Association, said he also supports expanded oversight and praised the state board for initiating the legislation. “I do think it’s something we can work out. I am in support of the concept,’’ Logan said. “We are very supportive of the concept no one has access to children who have slipped through the cracks.’’ “There ought to be a mechanism in place so we know we have done everything possible to make sure children are safe.’’ Logan said he would oppose legislation allowing expanded certi�ication. He said state statutes allow charter schools the �lexibility to select the best teachers possible, even if they are not certi�ied. “If Bill Gates wanted to teach computers, it would be a good thing,’’ he said. The Legislature last year approved a law allowing noncerti�ied individuals to be hired as substitute teachers. But protecting children is a non-partisan issue and student safety is a high priority for all schools, whether they are district or charter, Logan said. “I am optimistic we can get something done this year,’’ Logan said. “I can think of no higher priority than protecting our students.’’

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Scottsdale dog trainer vies for big award BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

ichelle O’Neill may be relatively new to the Scottsdale community, but she’s already making waves in the dog training world. A dog trainer at The Barking Dog, located just a stone’s throw from the newly opened White Castle, O’Neill is one of 15 dog trainers from across the United States vying for Greatmats’ fifth-annual award: the 2019 Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year. “That was quite a shock,” O’Neill said. The award honors trainers who have made a positive impact in the lives of their clients and communities. This marks O’Neill’s first time nominated for the award, and she’s in the lead, too, by thousands of votes – more than 6,500. “I have a great following,” she said. O’Neill was nominated by a former client in Michigan, where O’Neill grew up and spent 16 years as a dog trainer. “I had no clue. She stayed anonymous for a while,” O’Neill said of her nominator. “A lot of my clients I’ve formed relationships with, and we just become good friends.” O’Neill moved to Scottsdale part-time in

Jeze Santiago and Michelle O’Neill dog trainers at the Barking Dog in Scottsdale. O’Neill is one of 15 dog trainers from across the United States vying for Greatmats’ fifth-annual award, the 2019 Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff Photographer)

October 2018 and began working at the Barking Dog in January of this year. “I hate the cold,” O’Neill admitted with a laugh. “It was Christmas of [20]17. We came out here to Scottsdale and fell in love with it.” O’Neill’s career started in the auto industry; she was an automotive designer for 20 years. “Really!” she said. “For 20 years, I sat behind a desk and designed parts of vehicles.” But O’Neill knew she wanted to do something with dogs. O’Neill started as a dog walker and eventually quit her job as a designer to walk dogs full-time. It wasn’t until she and her husband adopted a dog and she took the dog to get trained that she fell in love with dog training. O’Neill started as an assistant trainer, teaching her an agility class. Over time, she climbed the ranks, eventually managing the training facility. “I love what I do. It’s not even a job,” she said. What O’Neill loves most about being a dog trainer are both her clients and, of

see TRAINER page 20

Group offers care for moms of special-needs kids

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Progress Executive Writer

ichele Thorne’s life took an unexpected turn not long after she became a mother. With a bachelor’s degree in genetics and a master’s in science, she had been working at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, or T-Gen, for five years. But she gave up her career because her children, Jackson, 6, and Maria, 3, have both been diagnosed as autistic. “I had to quit my career in order to be with them,” she said, explaining the need to get her kids to therapies was too timeconsuming to also hold down a job. It is out of the understanding about the challenges mothers of special needs children face – or, as she prefers to call them,

Michele Thorne, whose children Jackson, 6, and Maria, 3, have been diagnosed as autistic, has formed an organization called D.A.M.E.S. to help moms who have children with special needs. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

“differently-abled” kids – the Tempe woman formed an organization called DAMES, an acronym for Differently-Abled Mothers Empowerment Society. The acronym plays off a name of an honorific title given women in Britain and some other countries. “I was searching for a word kind of encapsulates moms like me who are out there battling for their kids relentlessly day in and day out,” she explained. “These mothers are relentless in their search for care and protection of their children.” Thorne is active in a number of regionwide organizations such as the Autism Society Of Greater Phoenix, but she had not found a group meeting the kinds of needs she’s trying to meet with DAMES.

see DAMES page 20

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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TRAINER �� page 18

course, the dogs. “Watching a puppy learn: There’s nothing more fascinating than when you get a puppy and you see the behavior starting to change on them,” she said. “Even older dogs, there’s no such thing as, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new trick.’” O’Neill prides herself on being a positive trainer. “I try to motivate with food and toys. You can pretty much get a dog to do anything if you find what makes them tick,” she explained. When O’Neill started at the Barking Dog, she introduced the facility and its other trainers to new obedience classes, including Obedience with a Twist. Obedience with a Twist is a class combining agility, tricks, and obedience and incorporates tunnels, platform training, tricks, recalls, loose leash walking, and games.

DAMES �� page 18

“There’s nothing out there that really takes care of deeper self-care mothers really need,” she said. For example, she said, “It’s really hard for parents who have special needs children to get out and find somebody to watch their kids so they can go to a support group meeting.” So she has developed an elaborate website, damesusa.com, where they can find support online. “What I’ve tried to do is make sure everything was accessible to a mom anytime she needs it, wherever she’s at,” Thorne said. “That’s why it’s all online. That’s why there’s an app. If she’s having a rough day and needs to meditate or she needs to maybe do a yoga class just to kind of recenter herself, all of those tools are available to her wherever she’s at.” She offers yoga and other fitness classes online, as well as guided meditation, a monthly webinars series and similar helpful tools. “At the end of the month they will have 12 webinars they can actually just watch at home instead of having to go out to a

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

“If you know anything about dog obedience, it can get very boring for people. So, I did a lot of research to find different games to play with our obedience. I incorporated the utility tunnels for control work — things people could really relate to and have fun with their dog and still want to continue training their dog,” O’Neill said. According to the Barking Dog Manager Lissy Schuster, O’Neill was a “breath of fresh air.” “She’s teaching us. [She has] broadened our horizon as far as training,” Schuster said. Schuster added O’Neill was a “blessing” from the moment she joined the Barking Dog team. “Her philosophy is it’s all about the dog, as far as I’m concerned. She will tell it to a pet parent exactly how it needs to be said. She tells them exactly what they should hear instead of what they want to hear,” Schuster said. The Barking Dog is based out of New

conference where maybe they won’t even be able to get to 12th,” Thorne said. Thorne envisions taking the organization nationally, which is why she focuses on online services for moms. Although she thinks she eventually will, she said, “I haven’t really started to do branch out sessions yet in the community. I’m not sure what those are going to look like.” She explained moms with differentlyabled children face a great deal of physical and emotional challenges – something she knows of first hand. “I was teaching classes to college students about genetics, but at home, I couldn’t even teach my child how to speak,” she said, noting her son is nonverbal. And so, there’s a lot of depression comes with these concerns and issues. And it took a lot to pull me out of depression.” She said she realized “I have to start taking care of myself before I can really start to care for my child. And so that’s where the emphasis of this came from – the realization of we are people too in these relationships and as moms, we’re driving the bus and so we can’t fall off. “We have to keep ourselves together so

Hampshire and expanded into Scottsdale in 2015. If O’Neill wins the Greatmats award, this would be her first award recognizing her dog training skills. A member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator since 2007, O’Neill has, however, won awards with her soft-coated Wheaten Terrier in AKC Obedience and Nose-work competitions. In fact, she’s won more than 20 dog competition awards. “I competitively compete with AKC and UKC, and if you know anything about terriers, they’re not competition dogs,” O’Neill said. The rest of the 2019 Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year nominees are based out of Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Voting closes on Dec. 1, and the two

we can give our kids the care they need.” She recalled attending a Caregivers Day gathering last year at the State Capitol, where most of the attendees had been caring for an elderly parent with dementia or other debilitating ailments. “When you think about parents who are raising special needs children, we’re not doing it for five to six years. I mean, we’re doing it for the rest of our lives most likely. And so, there’s a whole other level of just wear and tear that of goes on because it’s not a short-term commitment. It is the rest of your life dedicated to caring for your child.” She stressed other organizations, such as the Autism Society, provide critically needed help, but the assistance her organization offers is directed at people who's children confront a whole range of disabling ailments. “Sometimes I feel very blessed my children have autism because I have so much help and support,” she said. “There are networks out there, organizations like the Autism Society, that are there for me. But I have friends whose children have like fibromyalgia. I have another cousin whose son has a feeding tube. “And my whole feeling is ‘where is their

trainers with the most votes will be named finalists. Greatmats, a Wisconsin-based company selling dog training, agility and day care flooring products made from recycled and renewable resources, will then choose the winner based on the finalist’s demonstration of service and community impact, integrity, and quality of instruction. The winner will be announced on Dec. 13 on Greatmats’ website and will receive either $250 in Greatmats products for the training facility or $150 cash. O’Neill said if she won, she’d opt for the cash. “I would only take the cash option because all of our floors are mat here and they’re great floors. So, for me, I would do the cash, and I would buy products for the facility for training,” O’Neill said. More than 41,800 votes have been cast in the first four years of the Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year Contest. Cast your vote at greatmats.com. community? Where is their tribe and how do we build a tribe that’s not just for autism families, but for all families who are raising special needs children?’” Despite the demands of motherhood, Thorne said she derives considerable satisfaction through DAMES. “I’m giving back and trying to give hope and self-care and community to these women and it has just been a real big blessing for me. And it’s a real part of my self-care too – to help others. Thorne has organized a special business expo and donation drive for mothers of special needs children. “Many mothers raising special needs children become entrepreneurs because a 9-5 job doesn’t work when you are juggling getting your child to doctor’s appointments, therapies and school She explained. At the expo/donation drive, the public can get Christmas shopping done and support special needs families in their communities. The expo will be at Function Pilates Studio at 1840 E. Warner Road, Tempe, 7 a.m.1 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Information: michele@damesusa. com.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019 that center the mind, body and spirit for health benefits 3-3:45 p.m. at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave. Information: 480314-6660.

Days DECEMBER

Sunday

1 Tail waggin’ tales

Children 6 to 10 can practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog 2-2:45 p.m. at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. Information: 480-3127323.

Baby and Me storytime

Children to 2 can enjoy storytime activities and a reading of “Baby Shark: Meet Baby Shark” at 11 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, 10500 N. 90th St. Attendance includes a coupon for caregivers for a free tall, hot or iced Starbucks coffee the Barnes & Noble Café. Information: 480391-0048.

Monday

2 New Faces AA meeting

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

$5 Fido frisbee meals

Treat your dog to a delicious outdoor breakfast, brunch or lunch. The Brunch Cafe at 15507 N. Scottsdale Road, is serving $5 Fido Frisbee meals to all well-behaved dogs on their patio 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dogs are served two scrambled eggs on a frisbee and owners get to keep the frisbee. Information: www.brunchcafe. com.

Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-3127323.

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.

ESL class

All conversation levels are encouraged to practice the English language with experienced teachers and other students 9:30-11:30 p.m. at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. Information: 480312-7323.

Teen Advisory Board

Teens are encouraged to gather to brainstorm new ideas for teen programs and collections in the library 5-6 p.m. at Arabian Library, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Information: 480-312-7323.

Film series: Book Club

Enjoy the holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at 1:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-3127323.

Mitzvah Monday

Bake chocolate chip cookies for patients and their families at Hospice of the Valley 1-2:30 p.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, The cookies are delivered and provide a bit of light during a dark time. All ingredients and materials provided. Registration is required. Information: 480-483-7121.

Tuesday

Tiny tot time

Develop babies’ literacy with songs, rhymes, movement and board books 11-11:20 a.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center

Let’s knit

Learn or practice knitting with others 1:30-4 p.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701

Holiday Wine and Dine

N. Scottsdale Road, Free. Information: 480-483-7121.

Mohave PTO fundraiser

Support the Mohave Community with the Parent Teacher Organization auction fundraiser at Mohave Middle School, 8490 E. Jackrabbit Road, Information: info@mohavepto.org.

Wednesday

4 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.

Let’s Talk discussion group

Bring ideas and questions for a stimulating discussion led by Bill Adler 2-3:30 p.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Information: 480481-7033.

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. Handgun skills development Improve handgun skills 5:308 p.m. at 14860 N. Northsight Blvd. Information: 480-3481111.

Thursday

5 Tai Chi

Everyone is welcome to join a class that focuses on gentle and controlled movements

Celebrate the holiday season with the SHOPS Gainey Village at 8777 N. Scottsdale Road, 4-7 p.m. during the fourth annual Holiday Wine and Dine Christmas event. Guests will enjoy live music, festive horse and carriage rides, juice samples, baked goods, coffee, hot chocolate and complimentary wine tastings. The event is free to attend.

Friday

6 In stitches knitters group

Gather with other knitters to work on individual projects, share advice and talk with others 1-3 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480312-7323.

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 1-2 p.m. at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave. Information: 480314-6660.

Saturday

7 Meet Santa at The Promenade

Finish up holiday shopping, snap some photos with Santa and spread holiday cheer all in one stop at The Promenade, 16243 N. Scottsdale Road, Santa will be available for photos 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests can receive a complimentary printed photo with Santa in exchange for a donation to the Harvest Compassion Center. Specific donation items include cereal,

canned fruit or mixed vegetables, canned soup, boxed meals (such as Tuna Helper), corn, canned chicken and items for babies, such as diapers and wipes. Information: scottsdalepromenade.com.

Handel’s Messiah concert

Enjoy a holiday classic at 6:30 p.m. in the South Mountain Community College Performing Art Center at 7050 S. 24th St. Cost is $10. Information: southmountaincc.edu/events.

Arizona MD walk

Myasthenia gravis is a rare and non-contagious disorder that limits the ability of the brain to control muscle movement. Phoenix residents will raise awareness of this disorder and raise money to support those living with myasthenia gravis starting at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road, Information: 1-855-649-2557.

Christmas bazaar and bistro

St. Anthony of the Desert Episcopal Church will host its annual Christmas bazaar and bistro 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parish hall, 12990 E. Shea Blvd. Santa will be in the house noon2 p.m. and a festive holiday brunch will be served in the bistro 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a selection of items including nativity scenes, holiday felt napkin rings, handmade soaps, baked goods, Christmas decor and more.

Sunday

8 Story stop (Ages 0-5)

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

Holiday Pops

The Scottsdale Concert Band will kick off the holiday season with a free Christmas concert at 3:30 p.m. in the Coronado High School Auditorium, 7501 E. Virginia Ave. The program will have plenty of holiday favorites, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Hebraic Rhapsody” and “O Holy Night.” Information: 602-327-3168.

Newcomers and Neighbors annual holiday party

Enjoy the night with dinner and dancing 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Road. The dinner menu features seasonal greens, herb-roasted natural chicken, vegetarian past, strawberry swirl cheesecake and brown sugar and lemon clotted cream. Please bring a donation of new adult white or dark-colored socks. Cost is $55. Information: newcomersclubofscottsdale.com.

Art Appreciation 101

The Valley of the Sun JCC invites you to learn artist Leia Steingart on a field trip 12:30-2 p.m. through the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Museum entrance fee may apply.

Monday

9 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.

Mustang poets

Meet with other poets 6-7:45 p.m. at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. Information: 480-312-7323.

Messages in Ink exhibit

This exhibit displays work by print artists from the Phoenix Metro area including lithographs, etchings, letterpress, linoleum cut, woodcut and laser-engraved work. The artwork is on display 9 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Homework help

Students 8 to 15 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.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

Waiting isn’t easy– but if you are waiting for home care services including bathing, personal care, grocery shopping, and laundry help, any wait is too long. Area Agency on Aging provides these and other services to help older adults remain in their homes. There are more than 1,000 older adults on the waiting list for this essential assistance. With your support, we can lift the year long wait and provide critical services to more seniors in our community.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Your generous Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donation of $800 will make an immediate impact on the life of a homebound older adult by providing home care services for 10 weeks. Your $400 donation will provide those services for 5 weeks. Donating your Arizona Charitable Tax Credit to Area Agency on Aging will make a critical difference to older adults who are waiting for home care servcies.

Lifting the wait can make the difference – Your support can make the difference. Donate online: www.aaaphx.org Call direct: 602-264-2255 Mail your donation: Area Agency on Aging 1366 E. Thomas Road, Ste. 108 Phoenix, AZ 85014 *Consult your tax advisor – The Area Agency on Aging is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization qualifying for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit under the Arizona Department of Revenue. Our Tax ID number is 74-2371957. Our Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) number is 20044.

Thank you

for investing in our community by investing your Arizona Charitable Tax Credit in Area Agency on Aging. Every dollar you donate will make a difference. For instance, your donation will help someone like Melba stay in her home as she ages. Melba is an 83 year old widow. She lost her husband 2 years ago and last year she had a stroke. She is still able to care for herself and heats her meals in the microwave. But Melba cannot get out to grocery shop, and has trouble with laundry and some household tasks. With your help, Area Agency on Aging can provide the services she needs to stay in her home for years to come.

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

Brick Road Studio aims to ful�ill dreams BY OCTAVIO SERRANO Progress Staff Writer

North

hen Scott Leader was S cottsda 10, he was flipping le through old records when he stopped at one with a particularly striking cover. “I discovered my dad’s records when I was about 10 years old and it was ‘The Stranger’ album by Billy Joel,” Leader said. “‘The Stranger’ had kind of creepy mask on it. I put this record on and listened to all these Billy Joel songs and I loved it. I wanted to play piano like that. It’s funny. If I hadn’t discovered that record, I might have had a whole different path.” Ten years ago, Leader co-founded the Brick Road Studio at 7944 E. Beck Lane, Scottsdale with his partner, Mark DeCozio. Scott Leader has been performing music since he learned how to play on his grandfather’s baby grand piano. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer) The facility is a multiroom recording sturent space at 7944 E. Beck Lane, Suite 160, inside and out. dio catering to all musicians. “I come to this with a background and A producer/engineer/songwriter, Lead- he was sold. “This could not be a more ideal spot for being a songwriter and a touring artist,” er has strived to re-create Joel’s sound using a piano passed down from his late me because, obviously, this is a cool part said Leader, who’s part of the touring Jewof town,” Leader said. “So when musicians ish rock band, Sababa. “I understand the grandfather. “My grandfather was a concert pianist come here to work with me, it’s totally full facet, from being the guy playing the who went to Juilliard,” Leader said. “He nice. There are all these great restaurants guitar and singing to the guy producing passed away when I was 7, so I don’t re- and places to hang out. It’s a nice part of and the guy engineering. I’m able to do all of those roles.” member too much about him, but I do re- town to be, plus I live here.” Leader has worked with countless musiHaving produced over 300 albums, member him playing the piano. His piano moved to our house after he passed. So I had cians from around the world like English Leader wants to hit the next level. He’s this beautiful piano and I would sit at it and singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, Jewish singer happy where he is, but he would like to RebbeSoul, Arizona “The Voice” veteran cross over into the mainstream, national play. It was always very important to me.” Leader earned a master’s degree in edu- Josh West and Phoenix’s Natty Fox. Lead- audience. er, too, works with the Arizona Cardinals, “I understand it’s realistic but improbcation from ASU and taught in Texas. able at the same time,” Leader said. “I don’t “I was an elementary school teacher Phoenix Suns and Carolina Panthers. “I’ve been editing their half-time shows,” necessarily think I’ll be disappointed if I for a little bit in Austin, Texas. While I was a teacher there, I was working in Leader said. “They have to fit them in ex- don’t get there because I have a really good studios during nights and weekends and actly the right amount of time, so they send career. It’s definitely something I want to learning about music and getting my me the music they want to add and I’ll edit be able to achieve.” it so everything lines up with what they When recording or producing music, feet wet,” he said. Leader is in his zone, entranced by the creHe returned to Arizona and opened a re- need.” Unlike other recording studios, his is a ative process. Nothing inspires him more cording studio in the West Valley, but was forced to move when the owner sold the one-stop-shop. From writing the music to than coming up with the music in his head building. When he walked through his cur- producing it, he understands the process and watching it come to life in the studio.

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“My favorite part is when we’re tracking the musician,” Leader said. “When (musicians) have a song, I can hear in my head what it’s going to sound like. I can hear the drums, the bass and electric guitars and the back-up vocals. “It’s really exciting when the drummer is in that day and he plays what was in my head and I’m just like, ‘Yes, that’s what I’m talking about.’ That’s the most fun for me.” Being in the music industry is not without its challenges. Leader said it has drastically changed in the last decade because artists are not selling as many records because of streaming. He understands how to adapt his business and prices to the trends. He overcomes this challenge by providing the equipment, hiring the musicians and communicating what the artist wants to achieve. More than that, he emphasizes his brand. He’s sought after because of the music and sound he produces. “They’re hiring me, Scott Leader, to produce their albums and their music,” Leader said. “They’re listening to the work I’ve done. I’m often asked how am I still open and it’s because I’m selling myself, not necessarily the studio.” Leader has learned he doesn’t have to live in a major music hub to be successful. Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and full of potential. He’s excited to watch the Valley grow into a music community. “There is cool stuff happening here,” Leader said. “Everyone thinks you have to be in L.A., Nashville or New York City and if you’re not then you’re not doing anything important. That’s so far from the truth. “I want everyone to know there are unbelievably talented people in this studio. They’re releasing their music and they’re out there playing in Phoenix and they’re good.” Information: 480-788-3573, brickroadstudio.com

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Yard sale will bene�it small-dog rescue them $72,000, medical costs through June 2019 were nearly $75,000 and general operating costs at the shelor four days in a south- Scot ter – including facility maintenance, tsdale staff, ern Scottsdale neighborelectric, cleaning, food and inhood, volunteers, neighsurance – are approximately $10,000 bors and dog enthusiasts alike per week. will gather for a super-sized yard sale “I have watched their rescue efforts benefiting Phoenix-based Arizona Small and am in awe of the dedication of their Dog Rescue. volunteers and fosters,” Cherami said. All proceeds from the sale Dec. 5-8 will “They are a good group of folks. Their be matched up to $10,000 by an anony- goal to expand is indicative of their dedimous donor and supporter of the rescue. cation toward animal rescue, which is so “Arizona Small Dog Rescue stepped up important in the Valley.” and took the dogs other rescues were not,” Many members of the Scottsdale Nextthe unnamed donor said. “That, to me, door communities will be in attendance, most certainly makes this shelter worthy according to Leslie Tweeton, who volunof both my time and money.” The yard sale will have everything from “I am so encouraged by new and used wedding dresses, veils, dethe fantastic trajectory the signer handbags, jewelry, name-brand clothing, and holiday décor, to pet cloth- rescue is on, and the future ing, toys, and accessories; appliances, it means for dogs Valleyhome furnishings, antiques, patio furniwide that need the kind of ture and more. help we will provide with Rescue volunteer Audrey Cherami donated antique and vintage furniture, a guia larger facility. The plans tar and amplifier, exercise equipment and are amazing; we just need household items. the capital to get there.” “When I found out monies from this sale were going toward a goal to build a much-needed bigger facility, I was all in,” teers her marketing and PR expertise to Cherami said. the nonprofit. The nonprofit, no-kill rescue shelter be“I am so encouraged by the fantastic gan as a foster-based rescue in 2006, it has trajectory the rescue is on, and the future feverishly raised money for its new facility. it means for dogs Valley-wide needing the While it has not pinned down an exact kind of help we will provide with a larger location for the new facility, the nonprofit facility,” she said. “The plans are amazing; was eyeing the north Phoenix-Scottsdale we just need the capital to get there.” area back in March. Currently, the facility Ever since the rescue caught word of is 7,000 square feet, indoor and outdoor the hefty donation, volunteers have been space combined. packing their respective SUVs and haulThe new facility includes a maternity ing their items to the house just off Chapward for bottle-fed pups and newborns, arral Road and west of Granite Reef Road. a space with outdoor runs to accommo“I love this rescue,” volunteer Tamdate larger breeds, four meet-and-greet myra Hernandez said. “AZSDR has saved rooms, and a special wing for senior dogs thousands of unwanted dogs and has fawho need the quiet. cilitated finding forever homes for each “The new facility would have better ac- one. The staff, volunteers and fosters are commodations for special needs like se- wonderful, selfless souls - working tireniors, pregnant dogs and the like, and this lessly to help dogs throughout the Valwas one action I could take to help them ley. I love this family.” meet their goal,” said Cherami, who adInformation: azsmalldog.org opted a senior dog, Lily, from the shelter in 2014. In addition to raising money for the new facility, the nonprofit saved more than 1,100 dogs last year is also raising funds AZSDR Yard Sale to afford general operating costs. Where: 8301 E. Chaparral Road The rescue’s spay/neuter costs were When: Dec. 5-8, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. nearly $52,000, vaccinations were more Call: 602-944-2440 than $13,000, basic vetting costs cost BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

South

Arizona Small Dog Rescue volunteers Leslie Tweeton and Cheryl Miller donated various items to the upcoming four-day fundraising yard sale. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

Daphne was the third dog in two weeks whose veterinary treatments cost nearly $4,000, according to the rescue. (Facebook)

If You Go

Arizona Small Dog Rescue hopes to find a bigger space for its canines. (AZSDR)

BUSINESS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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Local businesses ramp up holiday charity BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

cottsdale businesses and residents alike are banding together to give back – and give back big – this holiday season. Farm & Craft in Old Town Scottsdale, for one, has partnered with Valley of the Sun United Way to raise money and help fund community gardens throughout Maricopa County. Starting late September, the local restaurant began donating 50 percent of sales from its signature Probiotic Bowl, $10$17, to United Way. Farm & Craft will continue to raise money via sales of the popular dish through Feb. 2020. The first project will take place at Frank Elementary School in Guadalupe. “Frank Elementary School in Guadalupe is an excellent partner with VSUW as they have taken great steps to ensure hunger will not be a barrier in a student’s success,” said Jayson Matthews, community impact director for VSUW. On Nov. 12, Scottsdale company Plexus Worldwide sponsored its third-annual Pima Center Community Walk, raising $25,000 for the Phoenix Children’s Heart Center. Seven-hundred walkers, including walkers from neighboring companies such

Mayo Clinic doctors Colin and Bithika Thompson and Dr. Basu and Mrs. Jean Saha pose for a photo with JDRF Executive Director Scott Showers at JDRF Arizona Chapter’s 19th annual Promise Ball Gala at the Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale on Nov. 9. (Haute Media/Special to the Progress)

as Medieval Times, Natural Partners Fullscript, V.I.P. Mortgage, Firetrace, and iMemories, participated in the one- and two-mile route through the Pima Center business park. “Phoenix Children’s Hospital provides hope, healing and the best healthcare for sick kids and their families, and we are honored to see so many local businesses come together to help our kids,” said Patty Barney with Phoenix Children’s Hospital. On Nov. 11, Valley-based Angry Crab Shack CEO and retired NFL player Ron Lou

presented a $40,000 check to the Arizona Housing Coalition, an organization aiding and providing resources to homeless veterans and their families. Over the past three years, Angry Crab Shack has raised more than $87,500 with the “You Dine We Donate” program. The donations go toward clothing, food, hygiene products and more. “We couldn’t provide the work we do without the generous donations from Angry Crab Shack,” said Shane Groen, chief programs officer at Arizona Housing Co-

alition. “Some of the services it benefits include legal, housing, Motor Vehicle Department and The Department of Economic Security.” On Nov. 10, the Steele Foundation donated $250,000 to Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona’s Building Hope Capital Purchase and Renovation Campaign. The campaign will transform 352 E. Camelback Road from an office building to a center for art and transformation. The new art room will be named after the Steele Foundation. “We are so appreciative of the Steele Foundation’s support and commitment to our mission,” said Alicia Sutton Campbell, Free Arts executive director. “With the gift from the Steele Foundation, we have raised $3,650,000 of our $4,500,000 goal. We are in the final stretch of our campaign, and it’s exciting to see our dream coming to fruition.” On Nov. 9, local organization Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International held its 19th annual Promise Ball Gala at the Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, helping the organization raise $1.4 million to help fund a cure for type 1 diabetes. This year’s event honored David and Kim Roberts and their family for their commitment to JDRF’s vision of a world

see GIVING page 27

Halloween sales powered job increase in state BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

he state’s jobless rate dropped a tenth of a point last month. And you can credit at least some of that to the fact that Arizonans apparently like to dress up for Halloween. The latest figures from the Office of Economic Opportunity show the state added 30,100 jobs between September and October. And about 2,200 of these were in the state’s financial sector. Doug Walls, the agency’s labor market information director, said a big chunk of these were in rental and leas-

ing – and that there’s actual evidence that a bunch of those were at shops that rent out costumes. “Costume rental, formal wear, it’s a big business -- in October,’’ he said. Still, it took more than that to have the seasonally adjusted employment rate to decline to 4.8 percent. All sectors of the Arizona economy showed month-over-month growth or at least posted no losses. Even department stores, which have been buffeted for years by an ever-expanding online economy, managed to add

see JOBS page 27

Pop-up Halloween costumes stores may have driven a small decline in Arizona’s unemployment rate last month, a state official theorizes. (Special to the Progress)

BUSINESS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

GIVING �� page 26

Quantum, Big Two Toyota, Valley Toyota Dealers, Nextiva Cares, Ability Center, Barwithout type 1 diabetes. row Neurological Institute, Bonneville, On Nov. 2, the ALS Association Arizona Honor Health, Mayo Clinic, United Access, Chapter raised $470,000 at its 19th annu- and more. al Walk to Defeat ALS at Salt River Fields “It is always inspiring to see the comin Scottsdale. munity come together in support of paThe event helped raise money and tients and families living with ALS,” said awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Scle- Taryn Norley, president and CEO of the rosis (ALS). ALS Association Arizona Chapter. “Our Community partners of the event in- free programs and services would not cluded Numotion Foundation, Permobil be able to help the amount of people we Foundation, Cytokinetics, MT Pharma, do, without every single walker and donor who showed up in November, and for that, we are very grateful.” On Oct. 25, UMOM New Day Centers raised nearly $687,000 at its 10th Annual Buckles and Bangles Gala at Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. The money raised by the 667 gala attendees supports Plexus employees and neighboring companies raise $25,000 UMOM’s mission to for Phoenix Children’s Hospital at the 3rd Annual Pima Center provide crisis shelter Walk sponsored by Plexus Worldwide. (Plexus/Special to the Progress) for families, single

JOBS �� page 26

another 600 workers in October, though employment levels still remain about 400 less than the same time last year. And Arizonans likely are still buying clothing and accessories at brick-andmortar stores, as evidenced by the fact they hired 400 new employees. But that wasn’t enough to overcome the loss of 1,400 jobs in the past year. Other items that may be less susceptible to online competition did better, with particularly strong growth among sellers of furniture and home furnishings. Elsewhere in the economy, restaurants and bars continue to hire apace, he

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adding another 4,300 workers in October, with employment levels now 8,000 above last year. That occurred despite the hike in the state’s minimum wage from $10.50 an hour last year to $11. In fact, employment in this traditionally low-wage sector has continued to grow steadily since the 2016 initiative which scrapped the $8.05 hourly wage for a staged set of increases. The final boost comes in January when the minimum goes to $12, with future increases pegged to inflation. Employers can pay workers who earn tips $3 an hour less, with the proviso that their tips have to bring them up to the

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women, and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness. And, earlier in the season on Sept. 28, Great Hearts Arizona raised nearly $560,000 for its teachers at its fourth annual gala at Chateau Luxe. Monies raised at the gala, which was themed “A Wrinkle in Time” this year, supports faculty through the Teacher Excellence Fund, a fund dedicated to rewarding Great Hearts’ best teachers

minimum. Overall, wages throughout the Arizona economy are up 4.1 percent since the last year compared with 3.0 percent nationally. But that involves more than just a higher minimum wage, a factor that likely pushes up the salaries of those who were earning more. Walls said it’s reflective of the state’s improving economy, with jobs being created as fast as people enter the workforce. “Overall, when you’re seeing employment growth wages tend to follow that if the workforce availability is scarcer,’’ he said. One note of interest is that the economy in Cochise County is showing signs of life, with the lowest number of people un-

based on the academic and cultural impact they have on their students and the overall school community. “Our teachers are the foundation of all our Great Hearts schools,” said Erik Twist, president of Great Hearts Arizona. “We are so excited we are able to use this money to thank them for the passion and dedication they show us every single day.” ‘Tis the season to give back, indeed.

employed -- meaning looking for work -since April 2018. Walls said there was a big jump in employment in professional and business services, everything from administrative jobs to those working for employment services companies, which added 200 people last month. While that doesn’t seem like much, it makes a big difference in a small county where the total number of people working in that sector is only 4,000. Employment in construction and mining also is up 11.8 percent in the past year, with a 9.8 percent annual boost in the number of people working for state and local government.

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OPINION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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Let’s continue the momentum of bond, override wins BY MIKE NORTON Progress Guest Writer

he darkest years in recent Scottsdale politics – 2016 to 2018. Many of us worried that it would take years to get over the damage done to our city and our schools. A huge bloc of voters threw their shields on the ground and declared the Gateway Trailhead to be the place where they were prepared to die their political death. An equivalent group of voters threw their shields on the ground at Coronado High School in the SUSD Governing Board meeting room. It felt like we were reliving the ‘60’s. Passion, commitment, everyone is your ally. News helicopters �lew over protest marches in Scottsdale? Scottsdale – seriously. We had protest marches in Scottsdale? It made you feel good about your city in some ways, but on the dark side, it was ugly, harsh and painful to watch. The entire community was in gridlock for almost three years. It made no sense to me when the city came out of that brutal battle to announce a bond election. Way too soon, I thought. What were they thinking? I knew SUSD had to have an override renewal to survive, but it made just as little

External incentives not an answer to learning

I recently had the occasion to visit your fair city from out-of-state and happened upon The Progress’ Oct. 20 edition. I am a retired public school educator, though I remain active in advocacy efforts for effective change through my website, blogs, a soon to be launched podcast and a book on educational issues was published in 2018. It is not surprising I would be interested in an article titled “SUSD far exceeded state AzMERIT scores.” The reported student test scores, while impressive, did not offer any surprises. The trends are pretty similar from state to state.

sense that November 2019 should have been the time for that �ight. How could voters possibly get over all that pain, struggle and those emotions? This is where this Net�lix movie-quality plot gets cool. Not only did former enemies lock arms and become allies (sometimes while gritting their/our teeth), but the city bond campaign and the SUSD override campaign became unexpected and seemingly accidental supporters of each other’s efforts. The city bond PAC reached out to those who needed the athletic �ields and the pool rebuilds. The SUSD Yes to Children PAC responded with some heart-warming columns authored by parents who made it obvious why the override and the bonds both had to pass. SUSD reached back and was rewarded with enormous support from every single city bond PAC co-chair and public endorsements from four City Council members. Council members Klapp, Korte, Milhaven and Whitehead: your support will not be forgotten. Now, look at numbers – because I’m a data guy and numbers always tell you something. These are the latest voting results. The city bonds and the SUSD override had the highest voter turnout in the Valley,

approaching or exceeding 30 percent on all four ballot questions. That is probably a record for an off-off-year election. I can’t �ind anything remotely close to that kind of turnout in any recent election results on the county’s website. The “no-voters” didn’t drop all that much. Between 16,000 and 19,000 off-year City Bond Voters have always said “No.” This year, 15,530 to 16,441 voters said “No” to the three bond questions – a few less “No” voters but that is clearly not the reason for the landslide win. On the SUSD side, 21,604 voters said “No” in the 2013 off-year override election that was lost. This year the “No” voters dropped to 17,300 – signi�icant but not the real story. The real story is this – the record voters who turned out did so to vote “Yes.” Our bond questions passed by record margins. Even the preserve ballots of the ‘90s through 2010 didn’t come close to those margins. The only ballot initiative that ever came close to the 73 percent win on one bond ballot question was Prop 420. Yes, the bond win topped the Prop 420 win. Who would have expected that in November 2018? On the district side, SUSD’s override ballot also won by a record margin with 61 percent voting “Yes.” A few of the naysay-

ers went away, but most important the “I Refuse to Let Naysayers Run Our City” voters came out in masse. And that’s the real story here. Our Community refused to be run over by naysayers. By 3:2 margins at the district and 2-1 margins or higher at the city, those who want our city to move forward retook control. How did that happen? People who fought with each other before put those issues aside and chose to team up for the greater good of the entire community. I have no misconceptions about how many people will invite me to their homes for holiday celebrations this year. We don’t carry each other’s photos in our wallets. But we do all respect each other for having found a way to get over the emotions of the past and start moving the city forward again. That is the coolest thing that came out of this year’s campaigns. Let’s maintain that momentum. Find ways to �ind consensus. Find ways to coalesce. Good neighbors do those things. Let’s continue to �ind ways to be great neighbors even when we disagree. -Mike Norton is 25-year Scottsdale resident and a member of Yes To Children PAC steering committee and the For The Best Scottsdale PAC

However, I was struck by two quoted comments by the SUSD Superintendent, Dr. John Kriekard, in response to questions from members of the school board regarding a pattern of declining scores as children progress through the system, particularly during high school. Dr. Kriekard offered: “With incentives removed, some students are simply not motivated to perform well on the current tests.” He was also quoted as saying: “There are issues going on with kids that age that it’s national, so the question then is how do you overcome that?” Like Dr. Kriekard, I draw on my experience as a secondary level principal for 18 years of my career to reach my conclusions.

I agree the fundamental cause of declining scores among high school students is a lack of motivation. However, I don’t believe the source of the motivation decline is the elimination of incentives. Incentives, as a form of motivation, are external. Substantial research evidence suggests external forms of motivation do not support the type of high-quality learning that will have lasting consequences in shaping the interests and eventual futures of the kids in classrooms. Even grades (the most common external motivating tool used in schools) do not offer reliable evidence of meaningful and lasting learning. It may be that the Arizona’s decision to

eliminate testing incentives was actually a step in the right direction. Learning that is deep, resonate and lasting will best occur where the motivation to engage is internally driven. When students have opportunities to explore their curiosity and to apply their creativity in the exploration of topics they �ind interesting or are introduced in a way that captures their imagination and builds on their interests, the likelihood of the caliber of learning we aspire to for our children increases considerably. When students are intrinsically motivated, they are much more likely to �ind value in what they are doing. If you ask any three high school students

Letters

�� LETTERS �� 29

OPINION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

LETTERS �� 28

this question, “How’s school?” two will respond with statements like: “It’s boring” or “I’m just not that interested” or “I don’t see how it connects with me.” Each of these comments is “kids speak” for a lack of perceived personal relevance and a lack of motivation to engage in an enterprise where they struggle to �ind value. However, if systems will then ask “What would make it better?” kids will have a lot to say, and they will offer some tangible concepts to build upon. I open my book, The Education Kids Deserve, with a quote by Tony Wagner from his 2008 work titled The Global Achievement Gap: “Teaching all students to think and be curious is much more than a technical problem for which educators, alone, are accountable. More professional development for teachers and better textbooks and tests, though necessary, are insuf�icient as solutions. The problem goes much deeper - to the very way we conceive of the purpose and experience of schooling and what we expect our high school graduates to know and be able to do.” As systems engage with students in

this level of meaningful inquiry, I’m con�ident there’s one thing they won’t suggest. They won’t say: “If only we had some external incentives.” -Michael C. Johnson

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Have you heard of something called the health insurance tax? If you’re a senior who has chosen a Medicare Advantage plan, the HIT tax could mean higher costs. My wife and I are switching to Medicare Advantage because it allows us to keep our doctors and maintain access to quality coverage while reducing our out-of-pocket costs. This is a primary concern for us, as it is for other Arizona seniors who live on a �ixed income. Unfortunately, the HIT could mean less robust bene�its, higher costs, and more damage coming down the pike if it continues to pile on — a serious problem for those on limited or �ixed incomes. That’s why I was glad to see both of our Arizona senators co-sponsoring the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 (S. 172). This bill is one tangible step Congress can take to keep health care costs low for Arizona seniors and families. - Bill Heckman

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Nomination papers for candidates seeking positions on the Boards or Councils of the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association (the “Association”) and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (the “District”), collectively SRP, are available from the SRP Corporate Secretary and may be filed beginning Jan. 8, 2020. Nomination petitions are available to candidates from the SRP Corporate Secretary. Nomination papers and petitions must be received by the SRP Corporate Secretary by 5 p.m. on Feb. 7. The SRP elections are slated for April 7 and will fill 20 positions of the Association, which manages the water operations of SRP, and 22 positions of the District, which oversees the electric operations of SRP. Applications for early voting ballots will be accepted beginning Jan. 5. Prior to that date, applications to be placed on the Permanent Early Voter List can be submitted and be in effect for the April 7 elections. Early voting ballots will be mailed beginning March 11. Qualified candidates must own qualified land or have been appointed to vote qualified land held in a qualifying trust that is within the respective boundaries of the Association or District and in the voting area they wish to represent as of Dec. 29, 2019; reside within the respective boundaries of the Association or District; and be a qualified, registered Arizona voter. SRP Board members establish policy, approve annual budgets and set prices and fees. SRP Council members amend and enact bylaws and make appointments to fill vacancies on the Boards and Councils. Positions up for election are as follows: ASSOCIATION: One position on the Board of Governors in each of voting districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 and three positions on the Council in each of voting districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. All Association positions have four-year terms. DISTRICT: One position on the Board of Directors in each of voting divisions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9; two at-large Board of Directors positions, 11 and 13; and three positions on the Council in each of voting divisions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. All District positions have four-year terms. The two at-large Board of Directors positions, 11 and 13, are elected on a one landowner, one vote basis. All other positions are elected on a one-vote-per-acre voting system. For example, an owner of 5 acres of land has five votes; an owner of half an acre has half a vote (0.50). Voters in the District election must be qualified, registered Arizona voters. The last day to register to vote is March 9, 2020.

For more information regarding eligibility, job duties, qualifications, election facts and answers to frequently asked questions, potential candidates can visit SRP’s website at srpnet.com/elections or call the SRP Elections Information Line at (602) 236-3048 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CCM200241-003 11/19

SPORTS & RECREATION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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Chandler vs Saguaro: The game everyone has waited for BY ZACH ALVIRA Progress Sports Editor

t’s finally happening. Chandler and Saguaro, two of the most dominant prep football teams in the state in recent years will finally face off against one another to be crowned true state champion. It will likely be the first time this many future Division I athletes will be on the field at the same time outside of postseason All-Star games. It’s a historic matchup, capping off a historic prep football season in Arizona. Chandler, the top-ranked team in the tournament, advanced to the championship after beating No. 8 Chaparral in the quarterfinals and No. 4 Salpointe Catholic in Tucson. The Wolves beat the Firebirds convincingly but struggled at times again a Lancer team filled with major Division I talent. Salpointe senior running back and Texas commit Bijan Robinson, arguably the best running back to ever come out of Arizona surpassed 7,000 career rushing yards against the Wolves and had a 50-yard touchdown run. His teammate, senior athlete and Ohio State commit

playoffs, dominated No. 6 Horizon in the quarterfinals before taking on a seventhranked Hamilton team - who had just dominated the twotime defending 5A champion in Centennial a week prior. The Huskies caught the Sabercats off guard, at one point jumping out to a 16-3 lead. But Hamilton senior quarterback sidelined with an injury late in the game, Saguaro clawed back into it and eventually took the lead and the win. Hamilton and Salpointe pushed the top two teams in the state, regardless of classification, to their limits in the semifinals. They, along with south the rest of the Open teams, will forever be After defeating Salpointe Catholic in the Open Division semifinals, top-ranked Chandler will a part of history. compete for the state championship. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff) But now it’s time for more Latham Ransom, helped limit Chandler’s nant fourth quarter filled with sacks and to be made. high-powered offense on defense and a fumble recovered in the end zone fuThe matchup between Chandler and added a 68-yard touchdown reception of eled Chandler’s will to come out with the Saguaro is one fan's have wanted to see his own. But Chandler’s stifling defense win. proved to be the difference, as a domiSaguaro, the No. 3 team in the Open see OPEN page 31

Saguaro earns championship berth, respect BY ERIC NEWMAN Progress Staff Writer

aguaro football has made a habit of playing deep into November and early December each football season, but its final game in 2019 presents a new challenge. Winners of the past six 4A conference championships, 11-1 Saguaro’s 20-16 comeback victory over Hamilton on November 23 earned it a spot in the newlyformed Open Division final against Chandler High, the defending 6A big-school champs. More importantly, Saguaro feels it has earned more respect from the local football community after beating a 5A and 6A school in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the tournament. “We’ve listened a long time to people

Saguaro senior linebacker and tight end Will Shaffer (in black) believes he and his team now have the ability to make a statement when they take on Chandler in the Open Division state championship on Saturday, Dec. 7. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff)

saying, ‘Yeah, but.’ Or, ‘Yeah, Saguaro’s good, but,’ and we had a lot to prove. They were playing for not just this team, they were playing for a lot of guys that came before them that had to hear, ‘Yeah, but,’ so no more,” coach Jason Mohns said. “It’s more Saguaro football history,” added senior linebacker and tight end Will Shaffer, “Every time Saguaro football wins a championship it’s always, ‘Y’all are 4A, y’all don’t play anybody,’ so now we get a chance to make this statement and go ahead and play this type of team, it’s just a great opportunity for us.” The Hamilton win was the first close game the Sabercats have played in months. Saguaro has beaten every opponent by 14 or more points since an 18-10 loss to San

see SAGUARO page 31

SPORTS & RECREATION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

SAGUARO �� page 30

Saguaro, the No. 3 ranked team in the Open Division playoffs, rallied to defeat Hamilton to move on to the state championship game. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff)

OPEN �� page 30

for years. It’s one that will give the winner ultimated bragging rights. But not just for current players on the roster, for the alumni as well. Players who have already made their way through both program, who for years were asked whether they would be able to beat one another if they played.

The time for speculation is over. On Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., thousands are expected to fill Sun Devil Stadium to watch Chandler and Saguaro compete for the Open Division State Championship. It’s a matchup years in the making. It’s a matchup fans have asked for. Finally, the question, “who would win?” will be answered.

Diego Cathedral Catholic on October 31. Mohns said this game, while nerve-racking, served to reinforce the team’s competitive spirit. The Sabercats were reminded they could overcome adversity with talent and trust in each other. “We’re not very comfortable being uncomfortable, and when you have a team that’s as talented as this, and maybe playing some teams that can’t line up with you, you get used to just jumping out and boat racing teams. And it’s a party on the sidelines, and so early in the year when somebody came out and punched us back, we lost ourselves a little bit,” Mohns said. But, the Sabercats worked through the struggle and came out with a close victory to show for it. Now, No. 1, undefeated Chandler lies ahead. Saguaro has touted one of the state’s best defenses, regardless of conference, all season. It boasts a stable of highly-recruited senior defensive backs with several talented linebackers, and quality playmakers to fill in other spots. The Sabercats had not allowed a touchdown since defeating Desert Edge 63-14 on Oct. 4. Hamilton junior quarterback Gavin Goulette saw that firepower firsthand. He en-

tered Saturday’s contest late after starter Nick Arvay was injured. The Sabercats held the Huskies scoreless in the second half and capped off the effort with a goal line stand in the dying seconds. Goulette, who was blitzed on the final offensive play of the game and threw a rushed, incomplete pass, had nothing but compliments to say about the opposing unit. “That Saguaro defense is really good. That’s going to take them places,” he said. Saguaro will likely need that sort of production again. The undefeated Wolves defeated Salpointe Catholic 24-16 on the other side of the bracket in their lowest offensive output this season. In eleven games prior, Chandler averaged over 53 points. But, if the Sabercats execute the way they believe they can, and the players use the two-week break to heal their bruises effectively, they believe another banner and gold ball could be in their future. “We’re excited to play them, and I think this is a game that a lot of people wanted to see,” Saguaro senior defensive back Jacobe Covington said. “A lot of people told us we weren’t going to make it this far, and I think the whole team collectively wanted to prove a point. Now we just have one more step to go.”

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Scottsdale events will keep you merry this month BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

rom Old Town to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, holiday events abound this month and around Scottsdale. For a family-friendly event where kids can mingle with the Ice Princess and Buddy the Elf from “Elf,” clear your calendar Dec. 21 for the Free Snow Ball Family Festival at OdySea in the Desert Courtyard. In Old Town, Scottsdazzle returns for two months’ worth of festivals and events, including the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Gold Palette ArtWalk, Santa Wine Around, Canal Concerts, Sugar Plum Avenue, Live Nativity with Adult and Children’s Choir Performance, Cowboy Christmas and the brand-new Sweet Treat Trail – an immersive dessert tasting experience that features a “taste-around” at nearly one dozen local sweet shops. Those who want to ring in the holidays with a free concert, the Scottsdale Concert Band – a 75-member community ensemble – will perform popular Christmas tunes, like “Have Yourself a Merry Little

The Sugar Plum Avenue event takes place Dec. 7 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the 5th Avenue District, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Here, attendees can catch hourly performances of the Nutcracker and Sugar Plum fairies milling about. Sugar Plum Avenue is just one of many holiday events at this year’s Scottsdazzle, running through the rest of the year in Old Town Scottsdale. (Scottsdazzle/Special to the Progress)

Christmas,” “O Holy Night,” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” on Dec. 8 at Coronado High School’s Eugene L. Hanson Au-

ditorium. Or, for an exclusive Christmas Camp for grown-ups, the Phoenician has teamed up

with Scottsdale native and writer of Hallmark’s 2019 “Christmas Camp” movie, Karen Schaler, to create an immersive holiday experience for adults. “I wanted to create a real Christmas Camp where people could go to relax and re-connect with what truly matters most at the holidays, embracing the true meaning and magic of Christmas,” Schaler said in a prepared statement. From holiday baking, culinary and cocktail classes, to crafts and signature Christmas Camp spa treatments, Schaler said this event at the Phoenician aims to help attendees reset and rejuvenate, “so you can be your best self at Christmas.” “I chose The Phoenician because I’ve personally experienced over the years how this legendary resort continues to focus on creating transformative and authentic experiences for guests,” Schaler added. According to Phoenician Director of Public Relations Denise Seomin, the Phoenician will continue to host Christmas Camp

see HOLIDAYS page 34

Burn Foundation slates annual tree festival PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

f you haven’t bought your holiday tree yet, you might want to consider a chance to get a beautifully decorated tree while helping burn victims and their families. The Arizona Burn Foundation will hold its annual Festival of Trees, which the foundation says “captivates the spirit and imagination of the holiday season in a winter wonderland that encompasses beautifully professionally decorated trees.” Nine whimsical trees showcase a special theme and style by some of the Valley’s premier tree designers. The 21st annual festival begins with a cocktail hour Dec. 7 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale. The festival is held primarily to advance the foundation’s mission of “Im-

The Arizona Burn Foundation's gala Festival of Trees at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort promises a festive way to help a worthwhile cause. (Special to the Progress)

proving the quality of life of burn survivors and their families while promoting burn prevention education in Arizona.” Established in 1967, the organization’s mission is to help families cope with the devastating physical and psychological effects of burn injuries and promote burn prevention advocacy and education in Arizona. “We are able to use the proceeds from this event to support our mission and to continue to offer programing to assist those impacted by burn and to offer statewide burn prevention and fire safety education,” a spokeswoman said. A silent auction is held during the hour-long cocktail reception, after which guests will be take their seats and enjoy the program and the live tree auction. The foundation provides services during a burn crisis and recovery phase and

see TREES page 34

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

S AT U R D AY , D E C E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 9 , 5 P. M . SCOTTSDALE ARTS CAMPUS Join us for a glamorous evening celebrating the 20th anniversary of SMoCA, and the people who made the dream of a contemporary art museum a reality. The honorees will be receiving the Herberger Award, named after our generous presenting sponsors.

Gala Chairman Oscar De las salas

For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit Gala.ScottsdaleArts.org or call Kelly Hicks at 480-874-4662. Squidsoup, Submergence, interactive LED light installation at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 2017.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

HOLIDAYS �� page 32

“as a one-of-a-kind Phoenician holiday tradition.” “It is truly a wonderful time of year to be partnering with Karen, sharing the joy from her Christmas Camp Hallmark movie and books with our guests,” Seomin said. “Karen’s passion for Christmas is truly inspiring, and we are thrilled that she will be hosting all of our Christmas Camp events.” The Phoenician’s Christmas Camp room package starts at $259 per night for two guests and features a variety of Christmas Camp activities with Schaler that include baking and cocktail and wine classes, Christmas decorating and craft classes, daily “Christmas Karen” chats, Christmas movie watching with giveaways, and more. From Scottsdazzle’s can’t-miss tree lighting ceremony to Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, where kiddos can take a ride on the historic Charros Carousel and meet Santa, among other events and activities, here are Scottsdale’s holiday happenings through the rest of the year.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

Scottsdazzle When: Holiday SingAlong & Tree Lighting on Nov. 30 from 7-9 p.m., Sugar Plum Avenue on Dec. 7 from 3-7 p.m., Canal Concert Series starts Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Cowboy Christmas on Dec. 9 from 3-7 p.m., Gold Palette Artwalk on Dec. 12 from 6:30-9 p.m., Miracle of Roses Pageant on Dec. 14 from 6-9 p.m., Santa Wine Around on Dec. 14, new Sweet Treat Trail on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Live Nativity with Adult and Children’s Choir Performance on Dec. 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Throughout Old Town area Tickets: Varies Scottsdale’s annual Scottsdazzle celebration includes a bevy of holiday-themed activities and Website: scottsdazzle. events throughout December, including the Canal Concert Series, Cowboy Christmas and the Mira- com cle of Roses Pageant. (City of Scottsdale)

Holiday Lights When: Holiday Lights: Nov. 29-Jan. 5; Visits with Santa: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-23; Ugly Sweater Contest: Nov. 29-Dec. 15 Where: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road Tickets: $3 Charros carousel ride, $5 Holiday Lights train ride, $5 family photos with Santa, $15 fast pass Website: therailroadpark.com Las Noches de las Luminarias When: Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 17-23, 26-31; 5:30-9:30 p.m. Where: 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. Tickets: Members: $29.95, $10.95; general: $34.95, $12.95 Website: dbg.org Christmas at the Princess When: Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Where: 7575 E. Princess Drive Tickets: $25

TREES �� page 32

include Camp Courage, Family Camp and the Young Adult Summit and burn prevention advocacy and education. Crisis Care helps families by offering lodging, emotional support and hospital food vouchers through the foundation’s Forever Courage Hospitality Program. The program also provides daily transportation to and from the lodging facility and the Arizona Burn Center. Staff works

Rates: $259 per night for two Website: thephoenician.com

Pinnacle Peak Park’s Jingle Hike When: Dec. 7; 9, 9:30 and 10 a.m. Where: 26802 N. 102nd Way Tickets: Free, but registration is required Phone: 480-312-0990

Scottsdale native Karen Schaler has planned a Christmas Camp at the Phoenician Resort. (Special to the Progress)

Website: scottsdaleprincess.com

Christmas Camp When: Dec. 5-9, 12-16 Where: The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road

in coordination with the Arizona Burn Center to offer caseworker support and emergency financial assistance to qualified participants. Recovery assistance includes assisting clients with on-going medical needs, limited emergency financial assistance and referral services along with executing family assessment tools and care plan management prepared with foundation staff. Survivors are then eligible for a series of programs offered by the Arizona

Scottsdale Concert Band’s “Holiday Pops” When: Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. Where: Coronado High School, 7501 E. Virginia Ave. Tickets: Free Website: scottsdaleconcertband.org Here Comes Santa 5K When: Dec. 8, 8 a.m. Where: OdySea in the Desert Tickets: $35 Website: odyseainthedesert.com

Burn Foundation including: Camp Courage, World Burn Congress Scholarships, school re-entry, peer support groups, yoga, family retreats , young adult retreat and memorialization. The World Burn Congress is an annual international conference that brings together more than 800 burn survivors, their families, caregivers, burn care professionals and firefighters. It is a forum for encouraging and facilitating the sharing of stories, providing support and increasing knowledge of

Via Linda Senior Center Holiday Art Show When: Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Where: 10440 E Vía Linda Tickets: Free with one canned food item to benefit the Vista del Camino Food Bank Phone: 480-312-5810 “Jingle and Mingle” Annual Senior Holiday Luncheon When: Dec. 20, 10 a.m. Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road Tickets: Free, but registration is required Website: recreation.scottsdaleaz.gov Free Snow Ball Family Festival When: Dec. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: OdySea in the Desert courtyard, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura Tickets: Free Website: odyseainthedesert.com burn recovery. “For many it is the first opportunity to meet and share with others who have experienced a burn trauma,” the foundation notes, calling the conference “a wonderful learning experience for burn care professionals to better understand the issues that impact burn survivors’ lives.” Many firefighters that have attended discuss the closure it brings for them as they witness burn survivors and their families living meaningful lives.

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Things change, but Sugar Bowl doesn’t BY ANTHONY WALLACE Progress Contributor

n 1958, Scottsdale was in its infancy. It had only been incorporated for seven years, its population was less than 10,000, and its downtown still featured wooden sidewalks and hitching posts. The Old Town of yesteryear may have been a radically different place to the one that residents know today, but at least one thing was nearly exactly the same: Sugar Bowl. Scottsdale’s iconic ice cream emporium opened on the corner of Scottsdale and Indian School Roads on Christmas Eve 1958. Today, it stands with its signage, interior design and menu virtually unchanged. When John and Marleen Van Cleve were young parents in the 1980s, they brought their kids to Sugar Bowl on hot summer afternoons after a vacation Bible school. The couple still goes “about once a month,” and now they often bring their grandkids. On a Wednesday afternoon in October, they celebrated an out-of-towner friend’s birthday. “If you didn’t know the upholstery must’ve been changed just because of wear, you wouldn’t be aware of it. It looks just the same,” John Van Cleve said. Operating within a culture that champions constant change, growth and innovation, Sugar Bowl has remained tirelessly dedicated to staying the same for the past 61 years. For longtime owner, Carroll Huntress, that is a major part of its appeal. “[People] are looking for stability, because everything is changing around us,” Huntress said. Huntress has �lirted with the idea of expanding the brand – he even opened a short-lived second location in Uptown Phoenix in the 1990s. But ultimately, he said the store is an entity that can’t be replicated. There can only be one Sugar Bowl. “We’re a standalone, we really are,” Huntress said. In an era where restaurants are clamoring to be as Instagrammable as possi-

erenced an unnamed national publication’s prediction of the total eradication of the “Mamma and Papa” stores at the hands of large national chains. The article’s author doesn’t “doubt for a moment” the impending demise of such stores, but takes a moment to pay homage to some of those “individual businesses” still standing at the time in Scottsdale. Naturally, he mentioned the then-17-year-old Sugar Bowl, which he called a “Scottsdale landmark.” Carroll Huntress’s uncle, Jack Huntress, set out to give ScottCarroll Huntress has owned and operated Sugar Bowl since the 1980s. Unlike most businesses, his goal sdale the affordable, is not to expand, evolve, or innovate, but to stay exactly the same. (Anthony Wallace/Progress Contributor) family-friendly food destination he felt it ble, the Sugar Bowl has no social media lacked. In the 1980s, Carroll took over, presence. In fact, it doesn’t even have a “We don’t even have and now, he said, his son is preparing to deep-fat fryer. Those came into fashion the reins from him. a TV; I don’t want one. take in the 1960s, and the store never felt the Despite the pessimistic predictions of When people come need to accommodate the trend. the Progress’ former columnist, Scott“We don’t even have a TV; I don’t want in here, I want them sdale �igures to have its family-run, one,” Huntress said. “When people come ice cream parlor for years to talking to each other. throwback in here, I want them talking to each othcome. I get a little incensed er. I get a little incensed when I have the Earlier this year, Sugar Bowl was inMom and Dad and two kids and they’re ducted into the Scottsdale History Hall when I have the Mom all on their phones. They say, ‘Do you of Fame. and Dad and two kids have Wi-�i in here?’ I say, ‘No, this is the “It’s friendly, it’s family-oriented,” local and they’re all on their historian Joan Fudala said. “It’s a place Sugar Bowl.’” The Sugar Bowl’s commitment to that feels really comfortable, whether phones. They say, timelessness has garnered national atyou live here or you’re a visitor. It’s a real ‘Do you have Wi-ﬁ in treasure for Scottsdale.” tention. Huntress said he sits down for an interview with the media “about once here?’ I say, ‘No, this is As Scottsdale grapples with controa month.” versial changes in the form of high-rise the Sugar Bowl.’” It is often written that the menu has hotels, marijuana dispensaries, and elec– with the exception of its prices – been tric scooters, Carroll Huntress is workunaltered throughout its 61 years. This up to the place everyday and does “what ing hard to maintain his unchanging is true, but it is far from the only aspect is needed,” whether that’s waiting on a portal into the past. of the operation that evokes a bygone table, cleaning up a mess, or doing pay“It’s really dif�icult to do what we do roll. era. The store is old school to its core. here. It takes a lot of labor, a lot of beAn article from the Sept. 10, 1975, edi- ing consistent because we don’t change,” Huntress owns 100 percent of exactly one restaurant: Sugar Bowl. He shows tion of The Scottsdale Daily Progress ref- Huntress said.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

What’s Cooking Progress Contributor

Rugelach makes for delicate and delicious gifts

t’s said to have come from the Yiddish word “rugel,” meaning royal. Rolled out delicate dough filled with a variety of ingredients, rugelach (pronounced rug-a-lach) has grown in popularity from a Jewish specialty baked during the holidays to an American favorite enjoyed all year long. It seems as though every country has its own version and name for rugelach and there are hundreds of recipe variations for this bite-sized goody. For the dough, sour cream or cream cheese is added to the flour which makes for flaDough: 1 cup butter, softened 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt Filling: 1 ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups walnuts, finely chopped Directions: In a mixing bowl, blend together butter and cream cheese until well incorporated. Add flour, sugar and salt, blending well. Gather dough and divide into two balls. Refrigerate in plastic wrap for at least 1-2 hours. Meanwhile, make filling. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts. When dough is chilled, cut each ball into two pieces. You will have 4 dough

vorful dough that’s extremely easy to work with. These one or two bite morsels are generally filled with ingredients like sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, chocolate, or preserves with a little cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top. Again, there are a number of ways to roll and cut rugelach, but the classic shapes are crescents or squares. I know that rugelach is baked up en masse for Hanukkah celebrations and but there are plenty more chances in the days ahead to make, bake and deliver these delicious and delicate gifts from the kitchen for the holidays. balls to work with. For crescent shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough ball into an approximate 9-inch circle 1/16 of an inch thick. Sprinkle ¼ of filling mixture over circle, leaving a ¼ inch border. Gently pat filling into dough. Cut circle into 12 wedges. Roll each wedge up starting at the wide end to form a crescent. Sprinkle top with filling mixture. For square shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 9-inch long rectangle. Sprinkle ¼ of filling mixture over dough, leaving a ¼ inch border. Gently pat filling into dough. Starting at the bottom, roll dough up tightly into tube shape. Gently flatten tube with your hands. Cut into 1-inch squares. Sprinkle tops with filling mixture. Place pieces onto parchment lined (or lightly greased) baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15-18 minutes or until deep golden brown. Makes about 36 pieces. Dough can be made ahead and stored in plastic wrap for up to one week. Baked rugelach can be frozen.

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Sund ore th ay, Se an a ha city w ptem CITY as inco lf century NEWS ber 1 6, 20 ............ ed mer dents pitc rporated, ago when Meet 18 ....... th he Sc by po chants’ plea d a fit afte ottsdale re e Coun the Scotts st r sis cil ca da ndidat le City dale Ro ing stop sig to slow do officials he edes. wntow ns at ad an either d in th n traffi “Stops e en c da m d id le” be until cit came dle of Old of Scottsy fo To th re and sw wn. e criti father cs' s th itc Now, hed to traffi ought bette rallying cr y r of th friendl the idea of c signals e idea inst y, wal creatin kable sdale g mor ead. is sp and el bubbling up aces in do e pedestria NEIG ecte wnt nHBOR again In fact d officials amon own ScottS ............ Scotts at g , ... Curren it is at the fo City Hall. city staffers save andale couple oughfa tly, attem refront of imals. helped ptin th re on trian foot w g to walk eir minds. Scottsd in do ale City Health the emerge ould likely wn the th Hall is or ncy ro land Scotts conside a pede - free fro da om But, le Os ring w at m ays to m roadw what if the born Med nearby Honos- plague the onsla ake dow ical ught of s do ay into cit r ntown s traffic “No do wntown a pede y turned Center. durin afer for th the fo ubt in strian(Pab g peak at curren pede ur-lane sdale w m only y tly strian lo Robles/Progre min ho er prom s by lim School ss enade, one of th e pedestria d that if pa urs? FOOD iting ve Staff Photograp of Ge nize e hotte rts her hicle said & DRIN st dest d, it wou of Scott- Planning at ographica access. ) Da vi d King K......... ld beco l The at in Arizo While na Stat Sciences an , assis ations in me th luscio mosphere th e tant pr e Unive face, it d Urba e id ofesso Valley,” rsity. has so ea might n new Cuus as the m just as BY so m r DA un e prec at the en ban re edence d radical Progre VID LEIB staura u at OW on its ss Co nationa nt. lumni ITZ lly. NEIG st see D HBOR nexed OWNT S ........ BUSI erhaps ............ NESS OWN ership new square ........ .... 24 . OPIN page 8 mileag Valley I’d been ION .... ................ He w e unde a mon in the .....43 .... anted SPOR the r hi m th TS & RE ................ s any fo to sh leadphon when Scotts ......48 e CR lks ha ow m ARTS da sprin Ther & ENTE EATION ..... ve lo e arou quarte le Prog rang at Most Wes g of ng ....50 RTAINM FOOD rs. Th ress he nd blue e’s Herb I was 1995. When tern Town.” called & DR ad ENT.... is w “the what sc jeans, his in his Stet INK CLAS and th the new co as th - 23 year I think ab riptio West’s son, bo dog Sa SIFIED ......................... 51 s e pr ou di lo ..... solid n on the S ........ Valley. e Tribune lumnist fo oud He later, what t that hi plaque e at his feet tie and perf ............ 57 r ne st the Pr st wspap . The ....61 nails Herb The calle “Servi ect. ogress culture, rb was of hi ands out ory lesson ers in the m Dr r greate ng the ci an de and bu its custom s city — to me is ho — sp inkwater — “Miste in the Ea tizen ad its hist , the ci st job oke as w r Scot siness st er s se of in ty’s lo or rvice Th Cancer quickl owne ngtim tsdale,” for re y and He ey don’ the world Scottsdale rs y as to an So ok t e may d its qu .” side Scotts is the rb Dr m Herb or it metimes, dale ality of nts da inkw ake publ a co w had an le at a hen I’m ic uple - M point to years life. de has chan er anymor servants in ayor like outsid stop by th Old Town, later. th cades sinc ged enorm e, and e Scotts e scul I mak e the in ously Civic e tin g has rem he passed pt in th Center ure of th , bu aine e ues to e . be wha d consta t I believe two nt: Th one t Herb e ci liked to de ty conscrib e as see L

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 1, 2019

ANDREW BLOOM, HOUSING EXPERT CEO A D FOU DER OF THE BVO LU URY GROUP Keller WIlliams Arizona Realty, Luxury Division Voted #1 Scottsdale Real Estate Team 201;

Andrew Bloom is the CEO and co-Founder of BVO LUXURY GROUP at Keller Williams Arizona Realty. In 2014, on his 20th anniversary in Real Estate, Andrew earned International fame among global real estate leaders when he became the 312th agent inducted into the esteemed Circle of Legends. Over the course of his career, Andrew has personally sold over $1.5 billion in residential resale Real Estate and runs the top Real Estate Team in Maricopa County. BVO Luxury Group was voted Maricopa County’s #1 Real Estate Team of the year in 2018, the team has grown significantly to make 2019 the best year ever!

How HOT is the housing market this year? HOUSING UPDATE Q&A: Andrew Bloom talks Scottsdale Home Values

The Fall selling season is always one of the best times to sell. Our population swells with snow birds who have been waiting on the sidelines to purchase. This year we have more demand coming from California buyers who have been aggressively purchasing well priced homes. Experts agree that this is the best time since the peak of the 2006 housing bubble to sell a home. Sarah Mikhitarian, senior economist of real estate site illow.com, tells us it is a trend she is seeing all over the country. “In my 25 years selling Real Estate in Arizona I have never seen a better time to buy or sell,” he said. Q. Is it worth it to remodel a home we’ve owned for 20 years if we are thinking of selling in the near future? A. Homes selling for the highest price are those that are move-in ready. We are seeing many luxury investors come into our market and buy homes as-is and completely renovate them. The average price per square foot to completely renovate a home is approximately $50.00 and the average increase in property value is about $100.00 per square foot. Of course cosmetic updating of paint and carpet is much less expensive and does provide a great benefit to getting market value for older homes. Q. here do I begin? I don’t have any idea what to do to my house! I don’t know who to call! and I don’t know what it will cost. A. Just call our team! We handle it all. For no cost we can get you a complete pro"ect analysis including the improvements that will bring you the best ROI! We have vendors for every pro"ect, big or small. Q. o you recommend staging a home to sell? A. All homes must be staged. Often times the owners decor is enough. We recommend that you read “The 10 Best Kept Secrets For Selling Your Home” guide at https<//www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/10-best-kept-secrets-for-selling-your-home. Q. As the to real estate team in cottsdale! what do you do differently to sell lu ury homes? A. We have a global network of the top real estate agents World wide. We also work closely with Wealth Managers, Sports Agents, Corporate Relocation, Physicians, and Estate Attorneys. Our depth of referrals is very deep and allows us to expose our sellers to many qualified buyers. In addition our Omni-channel marketing approach creates exponential global exposure by repurposing over 35 pages a month of print collateral in a digital world.

The Scottsdale Real Estate Market has been HOT! In 2019 there have been 1,723 homes sold over $1,000,000. There have been 270 homes sold over $2,500,000. BVO LUXURY GROUP has sold $134,50,,734 in residential sales and 190 transactions BVO List Price to Sold Price Percent: 97.44%. (Data collected from ARMLS on 10/14/2019)

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