Scottsdale Progress - 12.5.2021 by Times Media Group

Local business 'unties' couples / P. 29

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

Store reacts to hold-ups / P. 18

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Scottsdale PD clears Greenburg of any crime BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

NEWS.............................. 18 Where Scottsdale ranks for holiday spending.

NEIGHBORS..............25

Scottsdale wildlife center helper honored.

SPORTS........................34 Saguaro roundballers have solid foundation

NEIGHBORS...........................................25 BUSINESS............................................... 29 OPINION................................................. 32 SPORTS................................................... 34 ARTS............................................35 FOOD............................................38 CLASSIFIEDS...............................38

Sunday, December 5, 2021

he Scottsdale Police Department has cleared Scottsdale Unified Governing Board member Jann-Michael Greenburg of any criminal conduct in connection with a controversial dossier his father allegedly created on district critics.

The department in an announcement said the dossier “contained opensource and/or public documents” and that “therefore, it has been determined that no criminal conduct has been committed at this time that would be under the jurisdiction of the Scottsdale Police Department. “The Scottsdale portion of this investigation is now closed,” the statement continued,

adding detectives met with the FBI and state Attorney General’s office and “provided them with a copy of our investigation for review in determining if any criminal acts might fall under their respective jurisdictions.” Detectives also briefed the Maricopa County Attorney. The district “is still conducting an internal

see SCHOOLBOARD page 17

SUSD deal with Ready for ArtWalk Phoenix Rising moving along BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

fforts to turn the long-vacant Tonalea Elementary School campus into a practice facility for the Phoenix Rising soccer team are moving toward a vote on the deal Dec. 14. The Scottsdale Unified School District last week disclosed it received an appraisal of the 10-acre site at 68th and Oak streets of approximately $7.9 million with an annual lease value of $320,000. SUSD board member Jann-Michael Green-

see RISING page 4

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CITY NEWS

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 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282 Publisher Steve T. Strickbine Vice President Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@scottsdale.org TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@scottsdale.org Advertising Office Manager Kathy Sgambelluri | 480-898-6500 | ksgambelluri@timespublications.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@scottsdale.org NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@scottsdale.org Staff Writers Alex Gallagher | 843-696-6442 | agallagher@timespublications.com John Graber | 480-898-5682 | jgraber@timespublications.com Photographers Dave Minton | dminton@timespublications.com 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 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, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

RISING from front

burg said that while the Coronado Learning Community needs its own dedicated middle school, he was glad to see the site would be used to benefit the district’s students. Governing board vice president Julie Cieniawski echoed that sentiment. “I would also like to state my enthusiasm to improve that property, to make it useful, functional for the community that surrounds that property,” Cieniawski said. “Anyone who has driven by that property can see that it’s been a longstanding eyesore in our district. So, I appreciate putting the pride back into that community.” Phoenix Rising would use the site for its youth soccer league program. It wants to put $3 million to $4 million worth of improvements into the site, including creating two lighted soccer fields, remodeling the existing building on the site, creating an administrative office, putting in 100 parking spots and landscaping the perimeter. Improvements would also include a walking track and a playground. Phoenix Rising is Arizona’s highest level professional soccer team and plays in the USL Championship League, which has teams in the United States and Canada. “The thing we don’t have enough of is grass,” said Tim Riester, Phoenix Rising co-owner and board member. Riester proposed a partnership with the district that goes beyond soccer. He suggested bringing in foreign-languagespeaking athletes into the district’s foreign language classes and having some of the team’s sports trainers work with some of the district’s physical education teachers. He also suggested bringing students to the facility as part of field trips. Allowing students to use the facility for field days when the team isn’t using it is a possibility as well. “We are growing our resources,” Riester said. “We’re nowhere near the success of an Arizona Cardinals or Phoenix Suns. We’re still a small entrepreneurial organization but we are desperately looking for partnerships to help us serve more kids. “In the five years that we’ve been around, we’ve been able to grow youth soccer tremendously. The only thing between us and that continued success is grass.” The team’s youth soccer league started four years ago and has approximately

Only one building remains on the site of the old Tonalea Elementary School campus, which the Phoenix Rising soccer team wants to lease from Scottsdale Uniﬁed. (Progress file photo)

9,000 athletes. One of those athletes, a 16-year-old who survived the Syrian Civil War, was recently offered a position to play on the team at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania next year, as was another athlete of Native American descent. Another athlete is a Congolese refugee who received a scholarship at Western Oregon University, said the team’s youth sports director Tibor Pelle. “That’s just in the last three days,” Pelle said. “Every year we have dozens of kids from this community go off to play college soccer and fulfill their dreams. They are every stripe of color and ethnicity. We have a couple of Hispanic boys playing in the Ivy League at Cornell and Yale Universities. I could go on and on because it makes me happy.” At the time it was closed in 2014, district officials said Tonalea was badly in need of renovations and repairs. The district included the campus on a list of eight schools eligible for rebuilds under the $229-million bond approved by voters in 2016. But officials eventually demolished all but one building on the property and consolidated Tonalea Elementary and Supai Middle School on the Supai campus at 68th Street and Continental Drive to create Tonalea K-8. Community opinion is split on Phoenix Rising proposal. In May, a sizable group of locals were vocal in their opposition to the project during a community town hall. Some were skeptical of the community benefit because most local kids currently

play in non-Rising leagues and because the neighborhood’s predominantly elderly population wouldn’t benefit from the fields. Riester at the time said the organization will “absolutely” do outreach to boost local enrollment in its programs if the Tonalea proposal goes through. While some locals questioned whether

see RISING page 22

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Law firm seeks stipend applications from teachers BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters. To be sure, we’re proud of our experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We do everything with that idea clearly in mind. So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities. Savor fine dining every day. And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed. We invite you to experience Maravilla Scottsdale at our upcoming event.

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eachers who missed receiving a $300 stipend from DeFusco Law in August will have a second chance this year, as applications for the funds are open until Dec. 10. DeFusco Law will personally be awarding five teachers across SUSD with $300 stipends to use on school supplies and nine additional stipends have been funded by outside donors. Bryn and Andrew DeFusco of Defusco Law in Those outside donors include Scottsdale are making additional stipends availthe Crozier family at PC Enter- able to Scottsdale teachers. (Progress file photo) prises which is funding an additional five stipends, as well as “I think that the need for teachers and Liberty Home Products, ReThinc public for our public schools in general is trerelations and marketing, Just Be Yoga mendous,” she said. “We are ranked 49th Scottsdale and the Dimitruck family. in our funding for public schools and our “Everyone says they support education schools are so grossly underfunded that and most people believe that teachers the need is constant.” are not paid enough and should not have DeFusco has also taken note of the lack to spend their own money on classroom of funding for Title 1 schools, as those supplies,” said Bryn K. DeFusco, who are the ones who oftentimes struggle the funds stipends and will select the winners most with providing supplies for students. alongside her husband Andrew. “My rally“We try to give more to the Title 1 ing cry was for people to put their money schools because those schools don’t have where their mouth is and help out these strong parent teacher organizations teachers that they love.” like non-Title 1 schools do,” she said. “In While DeFusco has bargained for addi- those schools who have the robust partional funds for stipends, she has had no ent teacher organizations, they’re able to shortage of stipend applicants. reimburse teachers for their classroom During the last round of stipends, De- supplies. But even then, it’s not always Fusco received 63 applicants and fulfilled enough.” 18 stipends. DeFusco admits that she does still proHowever, the 45 teachers who were not vide stipends to teachers at non-Title 1 selected in the last round of stipends will schools and that it is a hard decision to get a second chance at securing funding select only a fraction of the applicants to this time around. receive stipends. Additionally, DeFusco has reported that “It’s heartbreaking because we want to there have been over 60 new applicants fulfill all of our applications,” she said. for stipends this time around making the However, those who do win have two total number of applicants over 100, so options of how to utilize the funds; teachfar. ers can buy the supplies they need, submit “It is very competitive this time around the receipts to DeFusco Law and they will because we have received more applica- receive a reimbursement check within 48 tions than we have in years past,” said hours or teachers can submit an Amazon DeFusco. wish list to DeFusco and she will order the For DeFusco, this speaks volumes to the items to be delivered to the school. lack of funding schools are receiving from see STIPEND page 24 the state.

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Short-term rental company frustrates homeowner BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

hicago resident Jeremy Bollinger thought he had a great idea back in June 2020 when he bought a second home in Scottsdale for his family to get away from the grinding midwestern winters. What’s more, he figured he could make some passive income by renting the place out as a short-term rental when his family wasn’t there. He looked around and decided on a house on Monte Vista Road in South Scottsdale and thought he was set up. He hired the TurnKey Vacation Rentals agency to handle the details and the money would start rolling in. It didn’t quite work that way though. TurnKey did not actually list Bollinger on the necessary tax document, called a transaction privilege tax (TPT) license. When the situation came to light, TurnKey gave Bollinger the tax documents and let him find another management agency. That’s when Bollinger found GoodNight Stay. It was more expensive but Bollinger said owner Scott Graden assured him that was because of all the high-end services the company provides. It wasn’t long after signing up with GoodNight Stays that Bollinger discovered it made the same mistake as TurnKey did by not listing Bollinger on the TPT license. “His attitude was, ‘I have a hundred homes, and you don’t count,” Bollinger said. It was a bitter pill for Bollinger to swallow, considering Goodnight stays gets 25 percent of the rental fees. Graden has not returned multiple calls for comments. Bollinger does not know this for a fact because he can’t get the documents to verify his theory but Bollinger figures there are other errors on the tax documents. For instance, Bollinger is afraid the property is listed as a long-term rental rather than a short-term-rental, which means there would be a considerably heftier tax bill attached to the property and Bollinger is afraid he’s the one going to get left holding the bag.

“The biggest investment of my life is at risk,” Bollinger said. And that’s just the big stuff, Bollinger said. He said GoodNight Stays was charging him the cost to heat the pool on the property but without actually heating the pool. Goodnight stays would also do things like leave the house a mess. “It’s stuff like this that give the industry a bad name, City of Scottsdale Staff declined to comment on the situation. This is not the first time GoodNight Stays has been embroiled in controversy. Numerous renters say they were misled by GoodNight Stay when they tried to cancel travel plans after Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency related to COVID-19 back in March 2020. One group of renters spent $2,500 for accommodations but then couldn’t get the money back after Ducey’s declaration. GoodNight Stays told the renters it had consulted with Ducey’s office and it would not offer a refund for a canceled trip. “Arizona is one of the least affected states with only a few isolated cases reported,” GoodNight Stays wrote to one group of travelers. “The streets are bustling and everyone is enjoying the incredible weather, golf, and other attractions … We were able to speak to the Governor’s office today and their general thoughts were that they aren’t too worried about this virus but all governors are establishing measures to help stop the spread.” Patrick Ptak, then-spokesman for the governor, at the time told the Progress, “No, this is not what our office is telling businesses and this is not an accurate depiction of our communication with businesses.” There are around 4,425 short-term rentals in Scottsdale and the city’s shortterm rental task force is trying to get its arms around the problems they represent. The city police department responded to 1,701 complaints in the last two years resulting in 167 notices of violation. The task force is working on some recommendations to strengthen the enforcement

see RENTAL page 22

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

Youth theater pauses season, others roll BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

t a time when many school and independent youth theater groups are presenting Christmas specials, Valley Youth Theatre has paused its season after its physician advisory panel expressed concern about the statewide increase in COVID-19 cases. Although the decision was a blow to actors and staff at Valley Youth Theatre, other drama groups across Scottsdale and the Valley are moving forward with weekly testing and face mask guidelines. “At the beginning of the year and through spring, it looked like things were going to get a little bit better and we were hopeful to start our season back up in October by moving forward with our production of ‘Spookley the Square Pumpkin,’” said Valley Youth Theater producing artistic director Bobb Cooper. “Then around August, the Delta Variant reared its ugly head and dealt us a serious blow.” Since then, Cooper has met several times with his physician advisory panel to see what the next steps would be for it to be safe enough for his kids to put on a professional production. “We began looking toward our annual production of ‘Winnie the Pooh,’ which falls in the middle of cold and flu season, when our kids get sick,” Cooper said. “Our saying here is ‘the show must go on’ and we keep one cast so we quickly realized the show could not go on.” Even with vaccines available to children ages 5 and older, Cooper still did not feel comfortable putting kids on stage and at a risk of infection. “The reality of this has become that even if people are vaccinated, they’re still not 100 percent safe,” he said. “People may not die but they can still become very sick and have ramifications that last a lifetime since this virus does not treat people equally.” Cooper also fears that the number of cases is set to only grow higher. “I’m being told by professionals right now that this is the calm before the storm,” he said. According to a September WalletHub. com study, Arizona ranked 31st in the nation for the percentage of the population

Valley Youth Theatre’s much-beloved holiday presentation of “A Winnie-ThePooh Christmas Tail” fell victim to the company’s decision to pause its season. (Special to the Progress)

Desert Stages Theatre will continue running its production of “The Sound of Music” until Dec. 19 before breaking for the holidays. (Courtesy Desert Stages Theatre)

that was fully vaccinated, ranks 48th for positive tests, is 44th in its hospitalization rate, 41st in its death rate and 19th in its transmission rate making Arizona the eighth least safe state during the pandemic. But Becker’s Hospital Review rated Arizona in 22nd place for fully vaccinated individuals, stating slightly more than 54 percent of people are vaccinated. However, the WalletHub study came before vaccines were approved for anyone 5 and older and Becker’s did not indicate whether its statistics included children under 16. Some Scottsdale theaters are moving forward but with increased caution. At Desert Stages Theatre, actors must receive weekly testing and must always wear masks while they are in the building and not performing.

Younger performers also wear a clear piece of plastic that tapes to the top of their nose and protects the people around them from anything that could be spread known as a “ghost shield” during performances. Guests are also required to wear masks while watching a performance regardless of their vaccination status at Desert Stages Theatre. “Because we have so many children coming through the building, we take all of the CDC’s guidelines seriously because up until now children did not have the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Desert Stages Theatre executive director Ellen Versen. In these past few months, Versen admits the theatre has had to make some adjustments from swapping out mem-

bers of the cast who tested positive with actors from a different cast to postponing shows like “The Odd Couple” and “Into the Woods.” “We’ve gotten really good at adjusting when we need to,” said Versen. “Safety is our number one priority.” Versen said postponements last year were hard for her cast members. “Those occurrences really shook our actors to their core and they want to be performing but they’re also conscious of safety,” she said. “Most of our actors do this because they love to sing, dance, act and be part of the story that we’re telling.” Cooper plans to continue talks with his physicians advisory panel on a plan to return to the stage and entertain children and audiences with virtual performances. “With this group as we go forward in building this advisory panel, hopefully we will have the guidance that we need to do our next show in February,” he said. However, Cooper feels no rush to get kids back to performing on stage before live audiences. “I believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel but it is taking a little bit longer because of the divide between truth and reality versus lies, deception and conspiracy theories,” he said. “We’re running a marathon right now, not a sprint, and we feel we are on the downhill of the marathon.” Meanwhile, Desert Stages Theatre will continue running its production of “The Sound of Music” until Dec. 19 before breaking for the holidays. Despite these trying times, Versen has been delighted to have performances back on her stage in front of a masked audience. “While our actors have been happy to be back on stage, I have been impressed by how happy the patrons are to have live theater back with them,” she said. Desert Stages Theatre presents: The Sound of Music

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

Lovin’ Life Expos return to the Valley BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Progress Staff Reporter

fter a 2020 pandemic pause, the Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos are returning. They are set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, January 24, at the Sundial Recreation Center in Sun City, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 26, at the Mesa Convention Center. “We’re going to have great entertainment, a lot of informative exhibitors and it’s just a great way to get out and find out what is going on in the community,” says Lovin’ Life After 50 publisher Steve Strickbine. “It’s a great way to meet lots of people and have some fun.” Previously, Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos have attracted thousands of people who network and gather information, as well as participate in the raffle prize giveaway and take a shot at hourly $100 cash prizes. “These expos were started as just a way to allow organizations in the community to come together with people

“We’re going to have great entertainment, a lot of informative exhibitors and it’s just a great way to get out and ﬁnd out what is going on in the community. It’s a great way to meet lots of people and have some fun.” - Steve Strickbine, publisher Lovin’ Life After 50

over 50 to show what they have to offer,” Strickbine says. “To give them information about things that are coming up in their organizations. “It has become a very good event though for entertainment and just a great way for getting out.” Among the exhibitors that will have

booths at both the Sun City and Mesa Expos include 4C Medical Group (Optum Care), Arizona Liver Health, Home Concepts Custom Remodeling, Humana, AFC Physical Medicine and Hospice of the Valley. Specifically at the Sun City Expo will be Arizona Institute and Cosmetic Laser Center, Edward Jones and MediSolutions LLC. Unique to Mesa are Bright Health Plan, Mesa Marketplace Swap Meet, Emphasis Advisors and National Cremation Society. “With COVID we are being very careful with how we proceed, and we are following the CDC guidelines, of course, to make sure that we are operating with best practices to make sure that everybody that does attend stays safe,” Strickbine says. In terms of entertainment, The Duttons will be returning to the stage once again. For those who don’t know, “they’re a band that has a theater in Branson, Missouri where they play during the summer months and then they also have a theater in the East Valley (in Mesa) where they play during the winter months. They

were on ‘America’s Got Talent’ at one point,” according to Strickbine. The Duttons’ setlist includes bluegrass, country and pop music. “They always attract a big crowd,” Strickbine says. Ms. Senior Arizona 2022 winner Patricia Person will meet and greet with attendees. “I think a lot of people are anxious to get back out,” Strickbine says. Lovin’ Life After 50 Sun City Expo WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, January 24 WHERE: Sundial Recreation Center, 14801 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City COST: Free INFO: lovinlife.com Lovin’ Life After 50 Mesa Expo WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 26 WHERE: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa COST: Free INFO: lovinlife.com

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

SCHOOLBOARD from front

investigation based on its policies,” the statement added. SUSD is hiring an independent forensic investigator to ensure no district resources were improperly used to compile the dossier. The announcement came two days after the board’s regular meeting, at which calls for Greenburg to step down continued meeting amid competing rallies outside. “I immediately call for your resignation,” said John Arnold, a 22-year resident of the city of Scottsdale. “You’ve brought national shame to our great city. You have betrayed the trust of the city … Mr. Greenburg, I ask that you do the right thing. Eliminate distractions so that this school board, community, our great teachers, our great students can get back to the business of being a world-class educational system. You maintaining your position on this board distracts from that.” Emma Kate Bartels questioned Greenburg’s commitment to the community. “What is your vested interest in this community?” she asked. “I am genuinely curious. I want to know why you are still here, Jann-Michael Greenburg, because clearly you don’t care about children’s well being, not enough to let them breathe freely, not enough to let them feel safe from stalkers like you and your father … It is your job to be a positive advocate for students and you are failing. It’s time to step down.” One woman went so far as to call Greenburg a “psychopathic cultural Marxist.” “In what world is an unmarried, childless 28-year-old man who lives with his parents and grandparents a natural fit to sit on a school board such as this?” asked Lilly Standley, adding: “In what world does an individual proven to be so incompetent as to share a link to parents of a dossier full of names, addresses, divorce proceedings, vacation home records, social security numbers, professional licenses and photos of 8-yearolds allowed anywhere near a school … the answer: the very world that psychopathic cultural Marxists like Jann-Michael Greenburg and his kind are allowed to create.” Meanwhile outside the meeting room, two contingencies of protesters for and against Greenburg and the board in general vied for the attention of any passersby, many with signs advocating their positions. “The public school district here in Scottsdale seems a little bit under fire recently,”

Groups for and against Jann-Michael Greenburg and his Scottsdale Uniﬁed Governing Board colleagues protested outside the board’s meeting venue last week. (J. Graber/Progress Staff)

said Shane Gledhill, one of the pro-board rally participants. “There seems to be a lot of people out here trying to follow an agenda to get rid of certain people,” Gledhill said. “We just want to show support for the public school system. I am product of the public school system. My kids are products of public schools and I feel that supporting our public schools is important. Funding them and supporting them. “Personally I feel there are too many people coming out and trying to weaken the public schools and get rid of the public schools and I am a proponent of public schools and I want to show my support,” he continued. Much of the public rage stems from a secret dossier that Greenburg’s father apparently compiled and that Jann-Michael Greenburg had access too. According to those who have seen it, the dossier contained over 1,000 files on it, some with titles like “SUSD Wackos” and “The Crazies.” The files, which were kept on a Google drive, contained Social Security numbers, people’s financial records, court documents like divorce records, students’ school files and pictures of students, according to those who have seen it. Its existence came to light in August when Greenburg emailed Kim Stafford, the mother of a former SUSD student. Stafford had contacted Greenburg via email regarding her desire to see schools remain open during the pandemic. During the back and forth of that conversation, Greenburg sent Stafford a screenshot with a link to the dossier, which was public to anybody with a link to it. It was made private later as more people became aware of it – and angered by it.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich asked the U.S. Justice Department to order an FBI investigation of Greenburg and the dossier. He has also asked the school governing board to meet with him to discuss the situation. That meeting has not yet been scheduled, SUSD spokeswoman Nancy Norman said. During its Nov. 16 meeting, the board removed Greenburg as president and replaced him with board member Patty Beckman – who, along with board members Zach Lindsay and Libby-Hartwells, called for Greenburg’s resignation at that time. But furor at the district has preceded the discovery of the dossier and people with disparate causes have been speaking out at school board meetings since the beginning of the year. Some parents have criticized the district’s mask mandate, which is set to end next month, and have railed against the governing board. Other parents have condemned what they see as Critical Race Theory in the district’s curriculum. Patricia Pellet created a website to recall the board members because of how her special needs child was treated at school. All those different factions were present at the board’s meeting last week while new to the fray were parents who took exception with the anti-CRT crowd. “I’m asking the school board to ignore the loud voices that are seeking to advance a Euro-centric, mythological, sanitized version of our history and instead do what you know is right,” said Lisa Olsen, a mother of five and former educator. “Listen to the expert educators and students who are demanding the truth be taught in our classrooms.

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

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Robberies prompt new mask measure at Scottsdale store BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

fter being robbed twice in three days, a Scottsdale consignment store owner is taking steps to beef up security at her stores. On Nov. 21, shoplifters stole four designer handbags worth well over $3,000 from the My Sister’s Closet women’s consignment clothing store near Scottsdale and Lincoln Roads. Scottsdale Police Department reports indicate there were two suspects involved, though only one left with the merchandise. Two days later, thieves took two coats worth over $1,000 from the chain’s location near N. Pima and E. Pinnacle Peak roads. “They were very much pretending to be shopping,” then grabbed the merchandise and ran out of the stores, said chain coowner Ann Siner. Two suspects were involved in the second crime as well and they were wearing masks, according to Scottsdale Police. So now anyone wanting to shop at any of the chain’s stores, including Siner’s Well Suited men’s clothing consignment store and My Sister’s Attic consignment furniture stores, will have to remove their mask and stand in front of a security camera for a moment before entering. Siner says anyone not wishing to remove

Ann Siner, founder and CEO of My Sister’s Closet in Scottsdale, is taking measures to prevent more holdups by people wearing masks. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

their mask is welcome to shop online. It’s not a mask ban, but it is something approaching it. “I guarantee we will get push back but I want them caught,” she said. Video cameras have been successful in

see SISTER'S page 20

Lawmaker wants partisan elections for school boards BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

veteran Scottsdale lawmaker believes she has a way of helping voters identify who they should elect to their school boards: Make candidates run with their party affiliation. The proposal by Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita would scrap the current nonpartisan system where people interested in the unpaid position submit nominating papers and then run against each other in a general election.

Instead, all the registered candidates from each party would compete in an August primary, with the winners then facing off in November. It would be a massive change for the process now used in the more than 200 school districts across the state. And it also would put Arizona in the minority of states with a similar system, following only Louisiana and Pennsylvania. Her idea is drawing a chilly reception from Chris Kotterman, lobbyist for the

see RITA page 24

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

Scottsdale ranked 2nd in state for holiday spending BY SIMON WILLIAMS Cronkite News

n the second holiday season of the pandemic era, goods may cost more, but Americans have more money to spend – and they appear to be eager to spend it. That’s true in Arizona, where retailers say the holiday shopping season is already in full swing and residents are expected to spend anywhere from $590 to $1,558 on their shopping, according to one recent estimate. Surprisingly, Scottsdale is not at the top of that list. The personal finance site WalletHub. com’s 570-city list looks at income, age, debt, expenses and savings to generate an estimate of per-person holiday spending by city. Of the 15 Arizona cities on the list, Gilbert was at the top, with projected spending of $1,558 this holiday, while Scottsdale ranked second with projected spending of $1,394. Tucson residents are expected to spend the least in the state, at an estimated $590. Nationally on that list, Gilbert placed 73 while Scottsdale was ranked 93rd. Experts say many shoppers started opening their wallets months ago. Katherine Cullen of the National Retail Federation said the Thanksgiving weekend rush is “not the kickoff to the season that it used to be.” “We consider it more of the halfway

SISTER'S from page 18

the past to identify thieves, Siner said. She’s also hiring off duty police officers for security and offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the recent incidents. “It’s more than they stole, but it will keep them from stealing again,” Siner said. She figures part of the problem is simply the season. “Thefts always go up during the holidays,” Siner said. But the prevalence of masks worn to protect against COVID-19 isn’t helping anything. “Pre-COVID, if somebody walked in wearing a mask you’d think, “Okay what’s he up to?’ But now you don’t give it a second thought,” she said. She also figures the two incidents are ex-

point,” said Cullen, the NRF’s senior director of industry and consumer insights. “But it’s something that consumers really enjoy as part of their Thanksgiving tradition.” Hitendra Chaturvedi said it’s an acceleration of a trend that was seen in previous holidays. “That same trend that was happening even before COVID – where people are going online and a lot more Black Fridays are happening in September – just accelerated,” said Chaturvedi, a professor in supply chain management at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. “Eighty-five percent of the U.S. population would have done their holiday shopping by Cyber Monday,” he said, something that’s “never been done before.” The NRF’s Annual November Holiday Customer Survey expected more than 158 million people to holiday-shop over Thanksgiving weekend, 108 million on Black Friday alone. But it also said that 61 percent of those “had already begun their holiday shopping,” slightly up from last year’s 59 percent, but 10 percentage points higher than the rate in 2011. This holiday season comes at a time when many Americans have more cash on hand, after a year in which the government doled out pandemic stimulus payments and the job market steadily improved. A Gallup report released two weeks

ago predicted that Americans planned to spend an average of $886 on holiday gifts this year, up from $852 last year. Despite fears of supply chain problems disrupting holiday shopping, the interim president and CEO of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce said that retailers there seem to be doing OK so far. Michael Guymon, the CEO, said any supply chain problems that Tucson is facing have less to do with household consumers, and more to do with larger-scale operations like “a construction company trying to build houses to meet the demands of the market.” “It’s not as much in the retail space that we’re seeing problems” of supply chain complications, he said, but added that the chamber has had to help retailers “figure out how to pivot to have product online” through the holiday season. “Online sales have trended up over the last five years,” he said, but more so “during the recent months of the pandemic.” That was echoed in the Gallup report, where Lydia Saad said that while some of the recent increase in e-commerce “could be a natural extension of the long-term increase in online shopping, it likely also reflects more people adopting the practice during the pandemic.” E-commerce sales totaled $214 billion in the third quarter of 2021, about 13% of total retail sales in the quarter, according to the Census Bureau.

The sign outside My Sister’s Closet warns that shoppers are being filmed. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Most of the online business has gone toward chain stores like Walmart, Target and Home Depot, Chaturvedi said. He said the pandemic’s effect on the economy “was industry agnostic, but it was not size agnostic.” “Businesses that were smaller got hit harder, while the businesses that were larger, initially when they were hit, they figured out a way to mitigate the risk because they had deeper pockets,” he said. “Coronavirus, turned into a nice little shield for the large businesses in which they have killed their competition,” he said. Despite the surge in online sales, Cullen said there remains a place for traditional Black Friday shopping, both as a social activity with family and friends and a way to get those in-store deals that keeps this event still very popular. Chaturvedi’s “biggest appeal” is that consumers help alleviate some of the impacts of the pandemic by buying fewer products for gifts and spending more on experiences from local businesses. He also said that will help keep supply chain problems in check. “We can make a promise to ourselves that one, we are not going to hoard,” Chaturvedi said. “Because the moment you hoard and think about yourself, the supply gets more constrained and the price goes up. It’s a classic example of supply and demand.”

amples of copy-catting of crimes happening across the country – although those incidents have been more violent than the ones that occurred here. Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and suburban Chicago have all recently seen incidents of “smash and grab” robberies in which suspects break into high-end retail stores like Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdale’s, using crowbars and hammers, and making off with designer merchandise. Police in those cities believe those were highly organized events. Siner figures it was not a coincidence that the thieves in her case – and other situations around the country – took designer hand bags. “It’s really easy to turn them over and make some good cash,” she said. “The demand for designer hand bags is crazy.”

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

CITY NEWS

RENTAL from page 8

process that they will ultimately take to the city council. Some of those recommendations are: Creation of a Short-Term Rental and Nuisance Party Response Team based on a review of data on calls for service, response times, and the enforcement ac-

RISING from page 4

or not that outreach would be effective, some were interested in signing their kids up for a team if the Rising takes over the site. Some neighbors also were concerned that noise and light spill over into nearby homes during evening activities. The team has said the lights would be on until 9:30 p.m. most evenings. “We have a very passionate community

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

tion needed. This should include focused efforts with increased resources during anticipated high activity times of the year. Requiring each property’s emergency contact person to respond in person to the site within one hour for emergencies to be defined within the ordinance to include nuisance parties and unruly gatherings.

that’s been here for a very, very long time, and we don’t want to see this change our neighborhood with crowds and trash and lights,” one neighbor said. Riester said the Rising’s youth organization does not use PA systems during practices or games and said it will be using new directional LED lighting technology that limits spillover to neighbors. Neighbors also had concerns that the new fields would further exacerbate growing parking and traffic problems in

Setting fines at the maximum amounts allowed under state law. For example, create a sliding scale of fines $750, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 (the maximum allowed understate law) for owners and $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,000 for occupants based on the number of prior violations. Eliminating the police service fee provisions of the city’s Nuisance Party and

the area that have resulted from an influx of apartments built in the area in recent years. The organization said it will maintain the site’s 100 parking spaces and is exploring potential on-street parking as well. Even with that opposition, a poll of meeting attendees and those watching online showed a majority supported the proposal. Of 232 votes cast, 140 indicated they

Unruly Gathering Ordinance and replace them with civil sanctions through citations filed in city court to provide for improved enforceability, including the possibility of criminal charges against someone defined as an habitual offender Creating a “reasonable person” standard in defining excessive noise and nuisance parties.

would like to see the district move forward with the project. Of the remainder 86 voted no and six were undecided. Critics have argued the poll had no guarantee everyone who voted is a community member or SUSD stakeholder. The district had no way to validate addresses or residency of participants. But SUSD staffer Daniel Collinsworth noted, “One of the first questions was how they were connected to the project.”

Know anything interesting going on in Scottsdale? Send your news to agallagher@timespublications.com

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Email Matters

A monthly column to help you take the guesswork out of your inbox What are common holiday email scams and how do I avoid them? ‘Tis the season for holiday scams, or however that ditty goes. A little known fact is that the holiday season is when scammers flourish, especially through email. Unfortunately, email scams today are much more advanced than the easily detectable Nigerian prince scams of old as scammers spoof popular retailers, banks, and even Netflix to steal your identity, money, and more. To help you stay on top of possible scams you may encounter, here are some tips from the Edison team on how to spot them and what to do about them. 1. When in doubt, scope it out Scammers will often impersonate legitimate businesses such as banks, retailers, or streaming services, telling you that your account will be locked soon or that there’s been a charge on your account that you didn’t make. These scammers depend on you reacting emotionally — clicking on the links within the email without thinking, leading you to input your login information for websites like Amazon so they can steal your information. To avoid getting tricked into this common con, you should always double check the email sender because chances are it’s not the company it claims to be. 2. You probably shouldn’t trust that IRS email A recent scam that’s been making waves is a fake IRS email that claims you can receive a third Economic Impact Payment (EIP) if you provide some information or pay some money upfront. It’s important to remember that the IRS and any other government agency will never ask you to pay money in order to receive financial help, and that any accurate information about potential future EIP payments will be found on their website. The best policy is, if a government ask seems a bit strange, it’s likely a scam. 3. Software that keeps a lookout for you It can be exhausting to always be on the lookout for scams in your inbox. Luckily there’s software that you can download that can be your eyes and ears. Edison Mail offers Edison Mail+. A premium email subscription service, Edison Mail+ inspects the legitimacy of every email that enters your inbox and will warn you of suspicious messages before they enter your inbox. Have your own email questions? Send any you may have to marketing@edison.tech and they could be answered in our next column!

RITA from page 18

Arizona School Boards Association. He said adding partisan labels would detract from the ability of board members to focus on what are issues of how to educate children in the community. And most school board members contacted by Capitol Media Services said they saw no benefit in such a move and a lot of potential trouble. But Ugenti-Rita said that is denying the reality that much of what falls within

STIPEND from page 6

“We have teachers that apply across elementary through high school who teach anything from special education to calculus, so their needs are all going to be different from each other,” DeFusco said. Over the years, DeFusco has seen teachers use the funds on unique items. “The teachers are in the best position to decide how the money gets spent,” she said. “I’ve seen some teachers purchase unique items like yoga balls for students, white shirts to decorate or owl pellets and animal

the purview of board members is partisan. She said these range from issues of taxes and budget to curriculum, parental control and even whether schools should be closed. "This is helping voters understand where someone stands ideologically and politically so they have a better sense of how they’re going to govern and how they’re going to vote,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. "This holds elected officials accountable,’’ she continued. "And this provides additional transparency to the voter.’’ skulls for a high school biology class.” Teachers have until Dec. 10 to apply for the stipends and DeFusco plans to announce the winners of the stipends sometime during the week of Dec. 13. There is no deadline for donors to fund a stipend but DeFusco would like to get all stipends sent out before New Year’s Day. “This is a great way to support your local teachers,” said DeFusco. “We would love it if more people in the community would step up and help out.” Info: Email Bryn K. DeFusco at bdefusco@defuscolaw.com.

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Wildlife Conservation Center volunteer wins $60K BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

he Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center has had a lot to celebrate recently as one of its volunteers was awarded $60,000 by Cox Conserves Heroes for her efforts in conservation. Diane Vaszily has been involved in conservation ever since she was 16 and has devoted over a decade to aiding the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) in its educational efforts. Vaszily has had a love of nature and the outdoors for as long as she can remember. “As a kid, like every kid, I was intrigued by every animal that peered behind a branch,” she said. “I am a questioning type of person and I was crazy into science growing up.” Over 40 years ago, Vaszily left her native Pennsylvania to venture to a state with a wider range of wildlife. “Wildlife became more important when

Diane Vaszily has been involved in conservation sicne she was 16 and was honored for her work with Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

I left Pennsylvania and went to Florida in 1970,” she said. “In Florida, you’re around wildlife that is of concern to people. I saw

immediately that people in south Florida – like in Arizona – had come from somewhere else and did not understand the

environment where the animals roll in it. I re-dedicated and redirected myself to that effort immediately.” While living in Florida, Vaszily was inspired by conservationist and activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whom she eventually met. “It was my desire to meet her, talk with her and see how I could carry on what she was doing, which I did,” Vaszily said. “In Florida, I became an environmental educator as well as a science educator and I would take people into the Everglades to show them how important it was, let them experience it and learn how to keep it the way it is.” Ever since finding her calling, Vaszily has centered her life around a single goal: “Everything I’ve done is inform people that these animals have their place in a particular environment and how we can continue to allow it to have its place and share it.”

see WILDLIFE page 26

At 50, A New Life continues to serve region

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Contributor

t was 1971. In football, the Cardinals season was off to a promising start – in St. Louis. The team wouldn’t move to Arizona for another 16 years. In baseball, Jason Giambi and Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Ivan Rodriguez were born, but the Arizona Diamondbacks wouldn’t be for another 17 years. Other than being a Cactus League hub for a few months, Mesa – like most of the East Valley – was best known for its miles and miles of orange groves and dairy farms, with smells ranging from sweet to offensive, depending on the neighborhood. But, with more people drifting out of the City of Phoenix, U.S. Census figures an-

A New Leaf is celebrating a half century of providing social services. Mike Hughes has been CEO of the nonprofit for more than 40 of its 50 years. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

nounced in 1971 that Mesa’s population had nearly doubled over the previous decade. Though its modest 66,049 population was a long way from the explosive post2000 growth that would make it home to over a half-million, Mesa was growing from a farm town to a small city. And with urban growth came urban problems: people struggling to pay rent, victims of domestic violence, drug abuse, broken families. Enter an agency that took its name from second chances: A New Leaf. Mike Hughes has come to be the face of the social services provider that now employs hundreds and provides assistance to thousands throughout the East Valley and

see LEAF page 27

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

WILDLIFE �� page 25

Vaszily eventually retired from education in Florida and with her husband moved to Cave Creek in 2010. Not long after retiring, she began to feel the old itch flare back up and wanted to find a way to get back into informing people about animals. “When I retired, I was looking for something else meaningful to do,” said Vaszily. It was while taking her granddaughter on a field trip to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale that she found her new home. “I found this place when my granddaughter came here on a school tour. I came along and I never left.” she recalled. Vaszily felt there was a need for an educational department and she decided to head up the effort. “I joined immediately and at the time SWCC did not have an education department,” she said. Her first step was to begin devising formal and educational tours that would teach guests a thing or two about the animals saved by SWCC. Vaszily had two goals for the tours; to pinpoint why a particular animal is at the sanc-

tuary and why it cannot be released and to educate the public about how to spot these animals while not disturbing them. “We educators are seeing this as an opportunity to share with people the right way to live with wildlife,” she said. “If we show them what happens when we don’t live properly with wildlife, maybe that sinks in better.” One of the most common problems that the sanctuary deals with involves people who are unable to identify animals but take them in as pets. “Most of our cats were brought in because people thought they were house cats and they didn’t know what to look for,” she said. “If we could educate people about how to deal with wildlife, these animals would not need to be habituated.” While some of the animals spend the rest of their lives at the 10-acre sanctuary, Vaszily reported that 80 percent of the animals that come to the sanctuary can be released. That keeps her motivated to come work at the sanctuary. “The thrill is that we give animals that were down and out and would have died a chance to live while aiding people in knowing that they played a role in it too,” she said.

“We all have a special place in our hearts for a cute little furry animal, but mine goes beyond that. I believe that these animals have as much that we have and there is enough for all of us but we have to do it sustainably.” Vaszily also stands behind the center’s mission. “This is what I believe in. There is a conservation ethic here,” she said. “We also do it for the right reasons in that we’re not in it for money or advertisement. We’re just in it to save the animals.” Even though her focus is to aid in the conservation of wildlife, she admits it was a treat to attract some funding for the center. “It was an honor that blew me away,” said Vaszily. “I was nominated around late May and I kind of forgot about it.” It was not until Vaszily’s birthday a few months later that she found out she had won the western division of Cox Conserves Heroes and a $10,000 prize. She was ecstatic about that. Then, on Oct. 18, Vaszily was boarding a plane to attend a family gathering when she received the call that she had won the grand prize of $50,000. “I wanted to scream but I knew if I did TSA would come running,” she said with a

laugh. “To be able to turn a personal honor into something meaningful for an organization I care about just blew me away.” As Vaszily sat on her flight, all she could do was reflect on all the hours of her life she had committed to the conservation of wildlife. “I sat on the plane and thought about how I had spent the past 60-years in conservation education, environmental education and science education and maybe it had really paid off,” she said. Upon her return from her vacation, Vaszily was excited to learn that she got the say in what the money was used toward. “I asked if we could concentrate this amount on expanding our education efforts so we can educate the next generation on what it means to be a steward for wildlife and what it means to live sustainably with wildlife,” she said. “We’re already looking into techniques and plans that we have for expanding our educational efforts.” In the meantime, Vaszily is grateful to Cox Conserves Heroes and plans to spread the word about the organization. “I had never heard of Cox Conserves Heroes but I will spread the word from now on,” she said. Information: Southwestwildlife.org

TOUR ISM SPOTLIGHT A CO M M U N IT Y R E P O RT FRO M E XPE R I E N CE SCOT TS DA LE

THE EXCEPTIONALLY SCOTTSDALE COLLECTION Last-minute shoppers, this is for you. The holidays are right around the corner, and with the supply chain on the fritz, you may be scrambling to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Experience Scottsdale and the city of Scottsdale have the solution – make that 11 solutions. Last month, the city and Experience Scottsdale launched the Exceptionally Scottsdale Collection, expertly curated experiences that will introduce you – or your friends and family – to Scottsdale like you’ve never seen it before. From the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright and the flavors of Arizona wines to the region’s unique history and vibrant Native American cultures, these immersive tours and workshops will give you unparalleled access to 11 popular local businesses and attractions. Participating businesses spent eight months working in partnership with the city, Experience Scottsdale and a national consultant to design, develop and deliver new offerings for visitors, groups and

locals. Discover Old Town Scottsdale’s Western history with JoyRidesAZ Scottsdale Tours; capture the colors of the sunset as renowned artist James Turrell envisioned at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art; or enjoy a red-carpet welcome and private shopping experience at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Even more possibilities are available through Carlson Creek Vineyard, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, French Designer Jeweler, LDV Winery, Native Art Market, Second Nature Clinic, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, The Merchantile and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. When you gift these distinctly Scottsdale tours, tastings and workshops to your family and friends this season, you’ll be giving unforgettable experiences while supporting local businesses. Visit ExceptionallyScottsdale.com to learn about all the opportunities available.

Experience Scottsdale provides you with inspiration to explore your city. Learn about local events, restaurants, attractions, discounts and more by visiting ExperienceScottsdale.com or by finding us in person at the Scottsdale Tourist Information Center in Scottsdale Fashion Square.

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

LEAF �� page 25

Scottsdale. But he wasn’t there for A New Leaf’s first day in 1971. “Oh, no! I was just a year out of high school,” the Long Island native said with a laugh, a touch of a New York accent still audible after all these years. By the early 1970s he went west to study education at ASU. “My first couple years after graduation, I was a school teacher at Mesa Public Schools in special population, working with troubled kids,” Hughes said. He loved the work and the city, settling here to raise a family. Then, in 1978, A New Leaf’s board of directors made Hughes an offer he couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t just, “Come work for us.” It was, “Come and be our leader.” He took the challenge. And he stuck. For more than four decades of its 50year run, A New Leaf’s chief executive officer has been Mike Hughes. This is a rarity in any field, let alone social services, where low-level workers and high-end managers alike hopscotch from agency to agency. When A New Leaf came calling, the offer certainly got Hughes’ attention. “I thought it was an extension of what I was doing with kids working at Mesa Schools, helping troubled teen-aged kids. A New Leaf had treatment facilities,” Hughes recalled. “I was offered a great opportunity. But I struggled on it. I loved my job at Mesa Public Schools.” The clincher was what A New Leaf’s board of directors promised: You can help us get bigger and better. They were good to the promise, Hughes said. “I’ve loved the career,” he said. “I love the board of directors. They’ve always allowed the agency to grow. We’ve been able to grow over the years to where we are today.” Indeed, A New Leaf has mirrored Mesa’s explosive growth over a half-century. After 50 years, A New Leaf is nearly a $50 million operation. The agency’s operating budget is now around $45 million, with 500 employees. “We’ve grown remarkably over all these years,” Hughes said. And it’s not just a Mesa/East Valley thing, anymore. “We have programs throughout met-

ropolitan Phoenix,” Hughes said from his Mesa office. Indeed, A New Leaf sponsors the likes of Glendale’s Faith House, a shelter for domestic violence victims, Riverboat, a sprawling facility in Surprise, where bingo nights raise funds for the nonprofit’s operations. Even so, A New Leaf’s history and soul are intertwined with Mesa, where it operates homeless and domestic violence shelters. A New Leaf often works closely with the city, with programs such as assistance for language- and/or computer-challenged populations, who need help applying for rent and utility assistance funds offered by the city. As Mesa Vice Mayor Jenn Duff put it, “For 50 years, A New Leaf has been a beacon of hope in our community for so many individuals and families to overcome challenges, and in many cases, crises in their lives. It has evolved over the years with so many programs to offer help and hope to those who need it.” “Since 1971, A New Leaf has provided assistance to those most in need in our community, helping families, children, and adults overcome the challenges they face,” the nonprofit states on its website. “These challenges are often unexpected, and can be devastating. Whether it be the loss of a job, a medical crisis, domestic violence, homelessness, or another heartbreaking crisis, A New Leaf is here to help households recover and thrive.” In the last year, according to its website, A New Leaf provided shelter to 2,247 people. In addition to shelters, A New Leaf provides “comprehensive services to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness become self-reliant and find safe, stable housing.” Another 7,776 people received “health and wellness” help from A New Leaf, including treatment for addictions and mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic created a surge of people desperate for help; to keep its own staff working, A New Leaf received $4.7 million in Paycheck Protection Plan federal assistance. The leader of 500 or so receiving A New Leaf paychecks remains Mike Hughes, who has no plans to slow down. “I’m the longest-standing employee – I’m still ticking!” he said with a big laugh. “It’s a great challenge,” he continued,

see LEAF page 28

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LEAF �� page 27

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

office, with a positive focus when he walks in his home. “I know this sounds silly, but I have always been able to do my job and work hard and at the end of day feel good about what I have accomplished rather than feeling bad about what I haven’t. I think that’s been my mantra,” Hughes said. He still lives in Mesa. “It’s a great city, great community,” he said. “My kids were all raised here and I

wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Asked about A New Leaf’s plans for 2022, the agency’s leader replied, “Right now we’re really concentrating on how we can become not necessarily bigger, but better. We’re anchoring down on the services we provide.” Chief among the services is helping people find and maintain stable housing; “It’s such a need,” Hughes said. Again, he shifts to the positive, the good ing service members, veterans and spouses.

medical services for children and adults.

La Mesita After School Program Offers free child care for students K-8 after school and during the summer.

Faith House Provides shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence, sex crimes and homelessness.

Sexual Violence Survivor Advocacy and Support Offers services for teens and adults that have survived sexual violence.

East Valley Men’s Center Provides shelter to homeless men and helps them achieve long-term housing stability.

Phoenix Day Educates children 6 weeks to 5 years of age from primarily low-income, single parent households.

MesaCAN Provides low-income households with utility assistance, financial literacy and college savings.

Financial Wellness Assists individuals with learning how to have a healthy relationship with money.

La Mesita Community Family shelter and affordable housing that provides diverse services to help homeless families.

Autumn House Domestic violence shelter providing security and shelter to women, children and men fleeing abuse.

Economic Development Provides business loans, place-making and educational support for small business owners.

Dorothy B. Mitchell Counseling Center Offers counseling, case management, medication management and support services.

DV Court Advocacy Provides survivors of domestic violence with the tools needed to secure court protection.

Workforce Services Provides individuals with employment resources, training, mentoring and interview preparation.

East Valley After School Program Engages children in activities to promote progress for behavioral goals in the East Valley.

Rapid Rehousing Provides rental assistance and case management to individuals and families in shelters or who are homeless.

DV Safe Temporary Overflow Program Provides short-term emergency placement to

Veterans Business Outreach Center Provides entrepreneurial resources to transition-

La Mesita Family Care Offers community-based behavioral health and

with a shift in tone. “I’m very fortunate. You know people who say they hate what they do? I love my job. “I always wanted to work helping people.” Even so, it’s a tough job: Trying to use limited resources to help a seemingly endless number of people needing food, treatment and shelter. Hughes said he leaves his work at the

A New Leaf’s services

domestic violence victims when shelters are full.

A New Leaf has done in 50 years. “It’s a great agency,” Hughes said. “We help a lot of people. “We helped more than 30,000 people last year.” Duff, who represents the downtown area, most urban of Mesa’s neighborhoods, added a comment on A New Leaf that echoes on Thanksgiving week: “All of us in Mesa should be thankful they are in our community.”

A New Leaf is at 868 East University Drive, Mesa. Information: call 480-969-4024 or turnanewleaf.org.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

Business

BUSINESS 29

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Camelot’s remodel division surges in pandemic BY DAVID M. BROWN Progress Contributor

“The home had never had been updated; everything was original,” said Beckert, who lives in Silverleaf with her family. “A friend of a friend asked if we would be interested in remodeling the home. She liked the idea that we were the original builder and was familiar with our current work. “We took the house down to the studs, rearranged spaces, took down a wall to open up Third-generation Scottsdale homebuilder Cammie the kitchen, added on in a few places and completely Hancock Beckert led an extensive renovation of a updated the interior finMcCormick Ranch home ishes,” she added. “The built in the 1970s by her before/after photos were

bout five years ago, third-generation Scottsdale homebuilder Cammie Hancock Beckert led an extensive renovation of a McCormick Ranch home built in the 1970s by her family’s Camelot Homes. Founded by her grandparents, JW and Maggie Hancock, more than a half-century ago, the company has built thousands of Valley homes, including $3–$5 million customs in luxury golf communities such as Grayhawk, Desert Mountain and Silverleaf, all in family’s Camelot Homes. (Courtesy Camelot Homes) north Scottsdale.

see CAMELOT page 30

Scottsdale homeowners Valerie and David Blanco were delighted with the work that Camelot Homes’ remodeling division did with their McCormick Ranch hosue. “You helped us get our home to where it is. It feels brand new, and we love the design and interior finishes,” Valerie said. (Courtesy Camelot Homes)

2 help unravel divorce's complexities BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

ivorce can oftentimes be one of the worst experiences of a lifetime – and something that Amy Bloomberg Corben and Sheri Heitner-Anderson are all too familiar with. Corben and Heitner-Anderson had always maintained a good friendship through working at non-profit events and having children that attended the same preschool. But their divorces brought them closer together and gave them the idea for un◆tied – a consulting firm that aids people through the bureaucratic and overwhelming process of breaking up. “There’s a lot of different ways to get divorced – like filing for legal separation or meeting with a mediator to create a par-

that no divorce is the same.” Corben explained, “One of the things that resonated with me was that I was finding it hard to function with the experience and the reason for our divorce. “I was running a business and my home, taking care of my children, dealing with letting my loved ones know what was happening and to be provided a list from my attorney while constantly contacting the attorney started to add up.” Sheri Heitner-Anderson, left, and Amy Bloomberg Corben began doing reCorben started un◆tied to help people who are going search to see if there were through divorce. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer) any resources available that guided someone through enting agreement,” said Heitner-Anderson. “We want to make sure our clients know the daunting process of divorce. She could

not find anything. “I couldn’t find anything that was of a resource to me,” Corben said. “There was nothing out there to hold my hand and guide me through one of the worst times of my life.” Corben saw a need for a business that offered individuals guidance and held their hands through a challenging time. “I had thought of doing something just like this but when Amy suggested it, she pushed me to make a decision,” HeitnerAnderson said. With the business model in mind, the two began reaching out to family law attorneys to decipher ways that they could aid couples who were divorcing and the lawyers representing them. “Before we formalized our decision to

see UNTIED page 31

BUSINESS

CAMELOT from page 29

dramatic and something I was proud to be a part of.” Owners Valerie and David Blanco were enthusiastic. “You helped us get our home to where it is. It feels brand new, and we love the design and interior finishes,” Valerie told Beckert. Their redo was perfectly timed. During a management retreat, Camelot Homes had discussed the possibility of adding a division that would offer $350,000plus remodels of its homes and those built by others. In 2019, company completed another renovation in Grayhawk. “So our team said, ‘Let’s get serious about this,’ and we began marketing our Custom & Remodel Division to previous Camelot owners in Grayhawk.” Then in 2020, the pandemic changed homebuilding. Beckert and others thought the Arizona real estate industry, including new-builds and re-builds, would collapse. “Well, I said, ‘There goes that,’” she re-

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

called with a smile. “But it ended up just the opposite. “The pandemic intensified the need for this service.” People felt imprisoned in four walls and couldn’t escape, even by traveling. “I think just having to sit in our homes during the pandemic caused a lot of people to focus on aspects of their homes that had been bothering them, but they hadn’t made a priority to fix,” she said. ”We can do that tomorrow.” Since then, clients of the remodeling division have been requesting open floorplans, removing walls and interior-finish makeovers. Other common requests are adding casitas, or separate living quarters, for visiting family and friends; updated workout rooms and offices; dedicated homework spaces; teen rooms; and wine walls or other type of wine storage, she explained. “A lot of these existing homes might have an open kitchen, but that could be accompanied by a more formal dining room that goes mostly unused, so this space could

CORRECTION

be repurposed,” she said. “Or, they want to update their bathroom’s once-popular ornate fixtures and curving ‘snail’ style showers with a sleeker, symmetrical modern look that brings an open, airy feel to even the most intimate of spaces.” “With 60 percent of homeowners now saying that having outdoor space is more valuable than indoor square footage, many want seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Our clients love that they can open up the living room to the outside with the flip of switch thanks to roll away pocket walls or quickly change an open space into a private home office that keeps the kids, and their noise, out,” said Beckert, who expects the division to triple its business in the next few years. New technology has helped her team. This includes 3D cameras that accurately measure a client’s living spaces and HGTVstyle renderings provide them with a virtual walk-through of their planned space

A story in last Sunday’s Scottsdale Progress gave the wrong website for Scottsdale attorney Tricia Schafer. It is vitality.law.

or allow them to explore different layouts, finishes and fixtures. Her clients vary from younger professionals wanting to expand their homes to empty nesters, whose space needs have changed. Many requests come from existing Camelot homeowners who love the location and quality of their aging homes and want to update them to fit their changing lifestyles. About half request space additions, depending on their lot sizes. Often, people who have visited the company’s models ask if the company can build one of the designs on their property, which the company can do through its Custom division. Or they ask if the company can replicate one of the model home kitchens in their existing homes or provide indooroutdoor living space. John and Sandra Moses liked their Camelot Home in the Firenze neighborhood at Grayhawk but needed more space for entertaining; they were considering moving. Then, they visited Camelot’s luxury White Horse models in Scottsdale. “We loved the open floorplan and en-

see CAMELOT page 31

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UNTIED from page 29

create this company, we met with some well-known family law attorneys to find out how we could help them and what made their job more difficult,” HeitnerAnderson said. The biggest needs they identified: “organization and timeline and having access to additional experts.” Corben and Heitner-Anderson compiled a referral list with 30 different categories of professions such as family law attorneys, mediators, business attorneys, CPA’s, forensic accountants and financial experts. They also produced a plan for assessing clients before creating a proposal to move forward with. The client begins with a consultation and questionnaire followed by a two-hour intake session to find out the length of the marriage, what assets they had and what is at stake. From there, Heitner-Anderson and Corben will help guide the way through untying the knot. “We’re going to help clients become better organized and prepared for when they do meet with their attorneys,” Corben said. “There’s many documents like financial statements, copies of tax returns, credit card statements and statements up to their will and trust.” Not only can these documents be a nightmare to track down, but they also can be a hassle to download and view. “We will go to our clients and sit down to aid in downloading documents and be someone that makes things a little bit easier,” said Heitner-Anderson. The duo will also aid individuals in the process of selecting an attorney, which is

CAMELOT from page 30

gaged Camelot’s remodel division to help in reconfiguring our space and updating our interior finishes,” Sandra said. “We recently hosted a large dinner party, and everyone loved our new and improved home. We are thrilled with the finished product.” Beckert is very much at home with her professional role. From youth, her grandmother Maggi and mother, Julie, taught her the value of the woman’s viewpoint in home building, she explained. After graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, she worked at NBC affili-

often the most important part of the process. “I think it is important when selecting an attorney that you know how you want to proceed,” Heitner-Anderson said. “There’s probably no one else who knows your soon to be ex-spouse’s personality and behavior better than you do and it’s hard when you rely on an attorney to just go after it.” The two are also there to aid in the not so pretty situations. “The more that couples have and the longer the marriage lasts creates a huge complexity, so there’s a lot to untie,” said Heitner-Anderson. “When it comes to dividing money, that’s when things are not so pretty and not so fun.” Because of this, the two feel that their business serves as a lifeline for those going through this hardship. “When you have someone that can help lead the way, everyday gets less and less scary,” said Heitner-Anderson Above all, the two want to aid in educating individuals in the ways that they can get through these dark times. “I think a lot of people don’t really know what they don’t know,” said Heitner-Anderson. “We say that we wish we would’ve had someone like us that we could call and talk through things that would not be an absorbent cost.” In addition to saving client’s money, the two hope to provide much-needed company to their clients. “I want people to know that they’re not alone and we want our clients to feel comfortable with us knowing that we have their best interests at heart,” said Corben. “Life is not over because you’re getting divorced.” Information: untiedaz.com ate KPNX, The Meyers Group and Nathan and Associates. About 15 years ago, she returned to the family business, first as a sales associate, then marketing manager and today managing director of the Custom & Remodel Division. For years, people have been regularly calling the company regarding renovations. “But the answer was always, ‘Sorry, we don’t do custom or remodels,’” she said. “We always knew the demand was there, but we just had to figure out how to offer the same design quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail before we were willing to put the Camelot name on it.” Information: camelothomes.com/ custom-remodeling.

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OPINION

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Earn-learn act helps higher ed students BY CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCHWEIKERT AND KATE HOFFMAN Progress Guest Writers

tudents in the United States must be given the opportunity gain a college education and develop sound financial literacy without fear of overwhelming debt, Arizona has been a leader in this effort through the Earn to Learn program. For nearly a decade, Arizona’s Earn to Learn program has been helping make college a reality for local students – most of whom graduate with

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little or no student-loan debt. That’s why it’s so important to pass the Earn to Learn Act, which will give Congress the opportunity to make this same matched-savings model available to students nationwide. Here’s how it works: Qualifying lowincome students set aside up to $500 per year of their own savings. In return, they’re able to access $4,000 per year in matching financial assistance from university, philanthropic, and public sources – an 8:1 match. As a condition of receiving Earn to Learn aid, participating students complete financial literacy training, and

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have access to success coaches and business mentorship programs to help complete their education and secure a job in their chosen field. Nationwide, the average high school graduate will accrue nearly $40,000 in student-loan debt before finishing college. Total student-loan debt in the U.S. has reached an estimated $1.7 trillion, and 3,000 borrowers default every day. For countless other would-be college attendees, rising tuition and related expenses discourage them from even applying. Earn to Learn addresses these challenges head-on; nearly two-thirds of program participants are the first in their family to attend college, and colleges thrive with a diverse student body. More than four in five Earn to Learn scholars graduate within six years, far better than the national average of 60 percent. College isn’t right for everyone, but higher education has remained one of the surest ways for someone to improve their life. College graduates tend to earn more than their peers with a high school di-

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ploma alone, experience lower rates of unemployment, and are less reliant on welfare and public assistance. Labor shortages are a critical challenge across the Northeast Valley. Employers in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and across Arizona are looking for college graduates to join their workforce. The same is true among employers nationwide. The Earn to Learn Act meets these diverse needs by including career and technical schools among eligible institutions for participants. Passage of the Earn to Learn Act will create at least 250,000 additional scholarship opportunities over the course of five years. The legislation will directly help Americans who might otherwise be bogged down in student-loan debt or forego their college dreams entirely. Congress must work to expand access for education across America. It’s time to stop just talking about college affordability – Congress should pass the Earn to Learn Act. U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., represents the 6th Congressional District and is a co-sponsor of the Earn to Learn Act. Kate Hoffman is the CEO and founder of Earn to Learn.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

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Saguaro striving for next step with solid foundation BY ZACH ALVIRA Progress Sports Editor

ucas Ramirez greatly admires and respects the success for his predecessors as head coaches of the Saguaro High School basketball program. Often, he aims to emulate the accomplishments of Mike Cady and Bob LaRue with Sabercats. The two in separate tenures led Saguaro to �ive state championship games. Cady won two of them. LaRue captured the 2011 title, the most recent championship Saguaro has earned. While Ramirez is only in his second season as the head basketball coach at the school, he already has a sense for what he needs to accomplish in order to build off the foundation set by his two predecessors in the past three decades. And he is starting to learn what it will take to do that. “There’s such a long history here with basketball,” Ramirez said. “There’s a great tradition here. We aren’t building it from the ground up. There was a foundation set here. We just want to put our own wrinkle on it.” Saguaro won just four games in 2019, the last year with LaRue leading the team. The roster was �illed with talent, but Ramirez said they were unable to put it all together as they were still relatively young. So, when he took over, he challenged the returning seniors. He wanted them to continue to build on the foundation laid out by those before them. The underclassmen who followed them, most of whom are now juniors or seniors, would take over and “�inish the house.” They took that in stride and �inished the 2020 season with a 14-6 record and a region title. Saguaro also made its return to the postseason as the No. 14 seed in the 4A Conference. The Sabercats ran into a red-hot Paradise Honors team that �inished as the runner-up in the �irst round and had an early exit. But

Saguaro head basketball coach Lucas Ramirez has started to change the narrative at his school. No longer will it be known only for its football program. The basketball took a stride toward success in his ﬁrst season and is on track to be even better in 2021. (David Minton/Progress Staff)

the success of the season gave players like junior guard Jeremiah Hinds motivation to build off the success in the new season. “We just came together as a team,” Hinds said. “Nothing has really changed for us, we just have new people … I’m ready for a breakout year. We are ready.” Hinds has quickly become one of the leaders for the Sabercats this season. While not the most vocal of the bunch, he leads by example when he’s on the �loor. That was made apparent from tip off of Saguaro’s �irst game of the season Monday, Nov. 29 against Mingus Union. The Sabercats started slow on offense, allowing Mingus to jump out to an early lead. But Hinds quickly helped calm down the team coming out of a timeout. That led to a run by Saguaro to end the �irst quarter that carried over into the second in the form of

Saguaro freshman J.T. Thomas has already established himself as a key contributor to the team this season with his aggressive play style. (David Minton/Progress Staff)

a 12-2-point advantage. The Sabercats went on to dominate the Marauders and open the season with a 7343 win. Along with Hinds, freshman guard J.T. Thomas was key, bringing a high level of energy to the �loor. Ramirez said when the Sabercats pressed early in the second and out of halftime, it was at Thomas’ request. “I work hard, and I expect those results to show,” Thomas said. “But I’m nothing without my teammates. Jeremiah and Tyrus (Lister)…They’re leaders.” Saguaro is seemingly already in good position this season with the talent on its roster. But it will get a boost in a matter of weeks after the football program is done with playoffs. Ramirez hopes that is in two weeks – when Saguaro would play for the Open Division championship. The Sabercats faced top-ranked Hamilton in the Open semi�inals on Saturday. Freshman guard Dajon Hinton, a starting defensive back for Jason Mohns and the football team, will bring a new level of ath-

leticism to the basketball team. Forward Tristan Monday, a 6-foot-3 defensive end committed to Wisconsin for football, will bring a physical presence to the paint and some size with his large frame. Devon Dampier, a standout guard and quarterback in football, made the move to Saguaro from Pinnacle during the offseason. Like he did in football, he will have to miss half the season due to the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s transfer rules. Outside of football, sophomore guards Damariae Sawyer and Tyler Stegmeier will also provide a boost to the roster once eligible to play. Sawyer transferred in from Dream City Christian in Glendale. Stegmeier came from nearby Desert Mountain. Ramirez aims to be among the 4A powers. And while it will take time, he knows they’re taking yet another step in the right direction this season, saying: “We just have to show up to work every day and let the chips fall where they may.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 35

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Gold Palette ArtWalk promises festive evening BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

he Gold Palette ArtWalk season is in full swing with its next session slated for Thursday and local galleries are hoping for large crowds and sales. Though this is the second Gold Palette ArtWalk of the season, the one on Dec. 9 is in partnership with the City of Scottsdale as part of its “Scottsdazzle” celebration. “It’s a very festive evening that gives attendees a chance to enjoy live entertainment while looking through some of the most amazing artwork that we have in our state,” said spokeswoman Susie Timm. It also gives the shops an opportunity to spread holiday cheer by offering warm Visitors to the Gold Palette ArtWalk will be able beverages, snacks and a to find a plethora of original and unique gift items, unique way to experience the such as these works of art at French Designer Gallery. Owner French Thompson also is president of galleries and their art. “We like to have one of our the Scottsdale Gallery Association. (David Minton/Progress) Gold Palette Art Walks during Scottsdazzle so we can theme it with the ies with guests. “It is a very well attended and festive holidays and keep a good relationship with the City of Scottsdale,” said French Artwalk that serves as a good kickoff to Thompson, president of the Scottsdale the season and a lot of people use it as a Gallery Association and owner of French chance to shop and look for gifts,” said Designer Jeweler. “It’s a really comfort- Timm. “This is an extremely fun and fesable way for people to come down and tive way to shop because everyone is in run into things that they may not see the spirit.” While there are several other holiday anywhere else.” To complement the festivities within experiences happening throughout the the galleries, Main Street will host stroll- Valley this month, but the Gold Palette ing carolers, live music and Santa, who see GOLD PALETTE page 37 will be walking around to pose for self-

Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez will make its return to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 10. (Special to the Progress)

‘Merry-Achi Christmas’ returning to Scottsdale BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

After cancelling last year’s performance, Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez will return to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Friday for a night of Christmas classics with a mariachi twist. Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez has made it a point to include Scottsdale on its tour list for the past decade and thrives off the intimacy the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts provides. “The Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most intimate venues that we go to,” said Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez maestro Jose Hernandez. “It’s just the right size and the audience is so diverse, which we love.”

Hernandez also enjoys how the musicians and audience become a cohesive unit from the moment his band hits the stage to the final note. “There is nothing like playing together and being on the same page musically,” he said. “It’s so awesome to be able to go back to the Center for the Performing Arts and be able to feel the level of the crowd applauding and singing along.” Even though Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez did not come to town last year, Hernandez felt that the show had become a tradition prior to the pandemic. “It’s become a tradition,” he said. “It’s always a full crowd that responds so well.” Hernandez has been blown away ev-

see MERRY-ACHI page 37

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

Made Here: How Manufacturing is Shaping Arizona’s Future PHX East Valley Thought Leader Forum 3:30-6 p.m. Dec. 9 Hilton Phoenix-Chandler, 2929 W. Frye Road, Chandler More than 1,600 manufacturing companies – from startups to global leaders – are shaping Arizona’s future. Hear about the growth and investment of manufacturing in our region and state, and the value proposition for relocating and expanding manufacturing firms. Then, help honor three of our region’s biggest champions – Steve Chucri, Jack Sellers and Okland Construction – with the PHX East Valley Partnership’s Legacy Awards. Tickets: $800 for a package of 8 or $125 each To register, contact Jessica Hubbard at 480-532-0641 or jhubbard@phxeastvalley.com. The event also will be livestreamed for those who prefer to attend virtually.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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GOLD PALETTE

Artwalk differentiates itself by focusing on the art at the shops on Main Street and Marshall Way as well as the works on display throughout the Scottsdale Arts District. “This has a different vibe from the other monthly artist celebrations,” said Timm. “This provides an opportunity to gain experience about art and the mediums in which these artists work within.” Because of this, the event boosts sales for the galleries and generates repeat visitors who later purchase high-dollar works. “Over the years, I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t like people looking over their shoulder when they’re about to make a large purchase,” said Thompson. “People tend to see something they like and come back to make the purchase at a less busy time.” This is also a prime opportunity for

patrons to see works they cannot see anywhere else. “When people are walking around and see something they didn’t even know existed, it adds to the possibility of people coming back to explore the area and the galleries a little more,” Thompson said. “It’s a wonderful way of introducing people to the area.” This also gives guests a golden opportunity to score holiday gifts while not having to worry about the supply chain disruptions plaguing big box stores. “There are no supply chain issues when shopping locally,” Timm said. “This is a great opportunity to support these galleries that are owned by families or by business owners who have owned businesses for decades.” Thompson and other business owners are hoping for a seasonal bump in sales. “We’re optimistic that there’s going to be a pent-up desire to get things that are original, unique and not mass-pro-

duced,” he said. “Everything down here is unique, quality, beautiful and enhances a person’s life.” Not only will this ArtWalk serve the galleries financially, but restaurants in the area can also anticipate an increase in customers who may be looking to grab a bite before or after walking through the galleries. “We set an environment that is very consistent and allows people to go out to a nice dinner and experience a highclass event afterwards,” Timm said. Thompson also said seeing the galleries at night provides guests with a unique opportunity to see the art in a different light. “The galleries are fun because the art looks different at night with the interior lighting of the galleries,” he said. “All of the galleries have a different feel to them during the evening – which makes it fun to come down here and see everything lit up as part of the holiday season.”

For those who maybe are not looking to do any shopping, the Gold Palette ArtWalk provides a nostalgic feeling. “This is always nostalgic,” Timm said. “I don’t know too many people who could leave the ArtWalk with a frown on their face.” “Scottsdale has a historic arts district that is also a comfortable area with businesses that have been here a long time,” added Thompson “There’s a certain amount of comfort in knowing that something is going to be here many years in the future.”

ery year by how people enjoy the music even though they may not understand the language the lyrics are translated into. “The show is so musical that even people who don’t speak Spanish appreciate the music and the vocals,” he said. “Music truly is the universal language.” He also feels that audience members who have never heard his band are impressed by its panoramic sound. “Most people who have not heard a big sized mariachi in person are shocked when they hear us, it’s almost like hearing a small symphony orchestra,” Hernandez said. Hernandez admits he cannot take all the credit as his fourth-generation band prides itself on its discipline and intonation that has lasted for 40 years. “We’re very disciplined when it comes to music,” he said. “For us, intonation is so important – which is why we have

lasted so long.” Another reason for the band’s longevity is its addition of new songs every year; this year’s is “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” “I’ve heard this song my whole life but I always thought it would work perfectly in a certain rhythm that mariachi is played in,” said Hernandez. Like all songs on the setlist for Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez, Hernandez aims to ensure that these songs pay homage to the original composers. “When somebody from another country that plays a different style of music wants to adopt a song from another country, it can get into dangerous territory,” he said. “We don’t want this to become cheesy and we want to pay tribute to the original composer of the song.” This is easy for Hernandez as he believes that Christmas music is so powerful that translating it into a different style is not a challenge.

“People really are impacted by this music and these songs were not hard to translate into mariachi music,” Hernandez said. “A good song translates into any kind of style.” No matter where Hernandez and Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez perform this music, it is celebrated. “We’ve been all over the world and most of our audience ends up being touched by the music because of how passionate it is,” he said. Hernandez also feels that the sound of mariachi music offers a good contrast of emotions. “The great thing about mariachi is that it varies a lot in tempos and people don’t get bored,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of highs and a lot of lows that are on the romantic side that are going to be cool.” It also gives the audience a good reference to the sounds of Mexico. “When we celebrate the music of other parts of Mexico that’s where the people

become shocked by the musicianship of Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez,” Hernandez said. Hernandez hopes that audiences feel joyed by this music and leaves the show with feelings of glee. “I hope the audience takes a sense of joy from the show that gets spread,” he said. “The whole idea is to be inspired and to connect with music that is very positive.”

from page 35

MERRY-ACHI from page 35

If you go

What: Gold Palette ArtWalk When: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 Where: Along Main Street and Marshall Way Cost: Free Info: Scottsdalegalleries.com

If you go

What: Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez When: Friday Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. Where: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 7380 E 2nd Street Cost: $39-$59 Info: Show will be livestreamed. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test will be required for inperson attendees. Scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Know anything interesting going on in Scottsdale? Send your news to agallagher@timespublications.com

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Company coming? Serve this sweet treat

uring the holidays, whenever someone stops by, I get the coffee brewing. If you’re from the East or Midwest, you know that to be the unwritten rule of hospitality. It doesn’t matter the time of day, who comes knocking, or what the reason; if someone visits, you pour a cup of Joe and slice up the coffee cake. This week several of my colleagues were reminiscing that, while they love the Southwest, they miss this heartwarming custom. So, this recipe is dedicated to all of our Eastern and Midwestern transplants who may be looking for a luscious coffee cake the next time the door bell rings. This ever-so-scrumptious sour cream coffee cake comes courtesy of Steve and Carol Rogan of Scottsdale. Steve explains, “Everyone who has tried Nana’s Sour Cream Coffeecake is blown away by the flavor. Carol’s mom used to make the cake, minus the frosting as Christmas presents when she was a little girl. This recipe is over 80 years old.” Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla 2 cups sifted flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 large eggs DIRECTIONS: #1 Cream together butter and sugar, then add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. #2 Add sour cream, vanilla, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and blend well. #3 Pour one half of the batter into a small greased and floured angel food cake pan (or 8-inch square/ round cake pan.) Then pour in half of the nut mixture. Pour in the rest of the batter and top with the rest of the nut mixture.

Steve and Carol also make a cupcake version of the coffee cake with a delicious cream cheese frosting which I’ve included in the recipe below. (I thinned out the frosting by adding just a bit of half and half and then drizzle it over the sliced cake. Heavenly!) I love the idea of having coffee and a sweet at the ready for company, and I can’t think of a tastier welcome than Nana’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake. Once you make it, you’ll want to share it. And that’s mighty neighborly. #4 Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick comes up clean. For cupcakes: Same process with cupcakes only no need to butter and flour each cup. Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of batter, sprinkle nut mixture, then another tablespoon of batter. Finish with a sprinkle of nut mixture. Bake for approximately 26 minutes. Nut mixture filling and topping Mix: ¼ cup sugar 2 cups chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon cinnamon Cream cheese frosting for cupcakes Cream together: 8 oz. soft cream cheese 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 tablespoons butter 2 ½ cups powdered sugar Directions: Blend together and frost the cupcakes.

Life Events Jane Bruner-Hill

Jane Bruner-Hill, a faithful servant of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, left us Friday, November 19th.

Born in Baton Rouge and raised in Tucson, Jane lived most of her life in the Phoenix metro area. She spent the majority of her career teaching math in Scottsdale, first at Saguaro, but primarily at Chaparral High School.

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Above all else, Jane was always active in church, particularly in choir and playing piano, the latter which she did until her last days. She is survived by her sister, Ann, children Connie (d), John, Carol and David, thirteen grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations in her memory go to: International Grace Community Church, 13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA 91352. Saturday, December 18th, 10am at: Grace Bible Church, 7440 S Priest Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 5, 2021

ANDREW BLOOM, HOUSING EXPERT HE BVO LUXURY GROU P CEO AND FOUNDER OF T K e l l e r W I l l i a m s N o r t h e a s t R e a l t y :, L u 0x u r y D i v i s i o n V o t e d # 1 S c o t t s d a l e R e a l E s t a t e T e a m 2 0 1 8 :, 2 0 1 9 & 2020 Andrew Bloom is the CEO and co-Founder of BVO LUXURY GROUP GROU at Keller Williams Arizona Ari2ona Realty. Collectively Keller Williams Arizona $1.5 billion in 2020 and Year to date Keller Williams Ari2ona Realty sold over 1.7 Internationally has sold 25,000 $1M. KW continues to expand 27:000 homes over 1M. e0pand globally and remains the number one real estate company in the world as ranked by Realtrends. The BVO Luxury Lu0ury Group is now in it’s 3rd generation, generation: now being run by Austin Bloom who just is a recent graduate of Scottsdale Leadership. BVO Luxury Lu0ury Group was voted Maricopa County’s #1 Real Estate Team of the year in 2018, 2018: 2019, 2019: and 2020. The team has grown significantly to make 2021 the best year ever serving our clients right here in Scottsdale.

DID WE HIT THE PEAK? NOW WHAT? Top 3 factors affecting the market. 1. Inventory Shortages have caused buyer fatigue. 2. Bidding on multiple houses has caused buyer e0haustion exhaustion 3. Discount commissions on both the buyer side and seller side have resulted in more transactional fall out. E0perience Experience matters most in this market; market!

TOP 3 reasons to SELL your home NOW!!! This is the best time we have to get you the highest price possible 1. Stay nimble. Get ahead of any downturn the market takes. We are already seeing days on market increase as well as price reductions. 2. You never lose money taking chips off the table. We’ve had a great market for over 10 years. Equity in your home may mean now might be the best time to cash out and sit on the sidelines. 3. Downsize or upsize. Sure why not. Interest rates are low. Inventory is low. Only serious buyers are buying. The market is not as competitive today for buyers or sellers. There is a nice balance in today’s market. Take advantage of the equilibrium in the market after the fren2y. frenzy. The pendulum is near a stand still (but for how long)? “Anyone who dreams of an uncommon life eventually discovers there is no choice but to seek an uncommon approach to living it.” - Gary Keller, The ONE Thing

Call Today!! (480) 400-1985 | BVOLuxury.com

Scottsdale Progress - 12.5.2021

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