Scottsdale Progress 12–15-2019 by Times Media Group

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WHO’S the BEST?

Sabrecats fought the hard �ight / P. 33

INSIDE: Best of Scottsdale

The votes are in.

The people have spoken... It’s the Best of Scottsdale!

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS............................... 8 Climate change protest draws few participants.

BUSINESS ............... 28 Gift locallly for the holidays.

FOOD ........................... 36 Scottsdale hooks upscale fish restaurant.

NEIGHBORS ........................20 BUSINESS .............................28 OPINION ..............................30 SPORTS ................................ 32 ARTS .....................................34 FOOD & DRINK...................36 CLASSIFIEDS .......................39

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Sunday, December 15, 2019

Will public decide Southbridge Two’s fate? BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

ollowing Scottsdale City Council’s narrow approval of the Southbridge Two redevelopment on Dec. 4, a local political action committee made good on its threat to continue fighting the project. The Committee for the Preservation of Old Town Scottsdale submitted paperwork to the city on Dec. 5 to begin the referendum process and potentially put the issue before

Scottsdale voters. The developer fired back with his own proposal if the PAC drops its fight. Members of the PAC argued the council majority did not adequately consider the negative affects the new development would have on existing shop owners in the area. “We are disappointed with Mayor Lane and Councilwoman Klapp’s vote and their bizarre reasoning for supporting such an inappropriate project that will kill off Old Town,” said Lamar Whitmer, a longtime

Scottsdale political consultant working with the group. Property owner Janet Wilson, who chairs the PAC, said she thinks the project is too tall and will damage 5th Avenues existing character, driving away longtime tourists and putting existing retailers out of business. “I guess the council didn’t take into effect how many lives they are destroying,” Wilson said.

Scottsdale police, A home run, always civilians ‘Ring’ in crime together

see PACpage 12

BY JIM WALSH Progress Staff Writer

doorbell never made as many friends and enemies, but then again, The Ring is far from the ordinary lighted button with chimes. Ring videotapes people walking up to your front door – some of whom might be up to no good. And at a time when Christmas online shoppers are expecting packages, Ring has become a new crime-fighting tool for Scottsdale and many other Valley cities. Scottsdale police actually have two camera programs, CamerEyes and Ring, working in tandem with each other and use some similar principals. “It’s all voluntary on both sides,’’ said

see RING page 10

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

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Schools reap millions in test-results bonuses PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

cottsdale-area schools earned over $4.4 million in resultsbased funding from the state Department of Education for their performance on last year’s AzMerit tests. The bonuses go to schools that performed well on the statewide exams and are based on a formula that requires higher-income schools to have an overall passing rate of 67.5 percent on AzMerit and low-income schools to have 44.25 percent of their student body pass the performance test. High-performing schools in highincome areas get a bonus of $225 per student while $400 per student is awarded to high performing schools in lower-income areas. Only schools in the top 10 percent of AzMerit scores qualify for the bonus. Schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District earned a total of $2.25 million in total bonuses for the 2020 fiscal year – a significant jump over the $1.5 million the district earned last year. Paradise Valley Unified School District schools in the Scottsdale area earned over $1 million in resultsbased funding. Overall, the district earned a total of $2.5 million based on last year’s test results. SUSD schools receiving bonuses are Anasazi Elementary ($80,673); Cherokee Elementary ($138,853); Cheyenne Traditional School ($199,428); Cochise Elementary ($120,038); Cocopah Elementary ($202,253); Copper Ridge School ($162,405); Desert Canyon Elementary ($95,402); Hohokam Elementary ($164,350); Hopi Elementary ($158,766); Kiva Elementary ($102,271); Laguna Elementary ($83,897); Mountainside Middle School ($146,491); Pueblo Elementary ($97,989); Redfield Elementary ($99,488); Sequoya Elementary ($101,793); Tavan Elementary ($237,119); and Yavapai Elementary ($57,914). Paradise Valley schools in the Scottsdale area earning bonuses include Copper Canyon Elementary ($114,805); Desert Shadows Elementary ($96,792); Desert Shadows Middle School ($199,491); Grayhawk Elementary ($88,475); North Ranch Elementary ($101,620); Pinnacle Peak Preparatory ($134,840); Sandpiper Elementary ($125,944); and So-

noran Sky Elementary ($145,629). Area charter schools earned $1.15 million bonuses. Basis Scottsdale and Basis Scottsdale Primary earned $251,568 and $130,290, respectively. Great Hearts schools in Scottsdale earned over $737,000, including $110,859 to Archway Classical Academy Cicero; $205,664 to Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale; $109,329 to Cicero Preparatory Academy; $120,314 to Lincoln Preparatory Academy; and $191,067 to Scottsdale Preparatory Academy. Scottsdale Country Day School also earned $28,922 in results-based funding. Arizona law gives districts significant freedom in deciding how to use their bonus funding, with some districts allocating funds only to the schools the state awarded and others spreading the money to all schools throughout the district. Scottsdale Unified School District did not respond to a request for comment about how it plans to use its funds. In years past, SUSD used those funds to create school-specific performance plans only at schools qualified for bonuses under the state formula. Scottsdale has also dedicated some of its funds to provide stipends for teachers to attend summer training sessions, provide other professional development, add staff and reduce class sizes. Last year, PVUSD used its awarded funds to replicate the results at awarded schools at other schools throughout the district. “All certified staff received two additional days of professional development at the start of this school year,” Laura Felten, assistant superintendent of Business Operations, said in an email to the Progress last year. “Principals and para-educators also received additional professional development time. Awarded schools did receive additional funding for additional professional development resources (not in the form of stipends),” Felten said. The performance-based incentives are a source of contention between the Republican-controlled Legislature and public education advocates. When Gov. Doug Ducey and the State Legislature adopted the program in 2017, $39-million was set aside, with

supporters saying the money it would expand access to high-quality education for all students throughout Arizona and help lower-income students to close the achievement gap. In the previous two fiscal years, about $39 million a year has gone to nearly 300 public schools, according to Arizona Education News, a service of the nonpartisan Arizona School Boards Association. In Fiscal Year 2020, the funding was increased by $30 million for a total of $68.6 million. Arizona Education News analyzed the allocations for Fiscal Year 2019 and found 70 percent of the award money went to schools with less than 60 percent of its student population on the federal free and reduced lunch program. Top-performing schools had 60 percent of their student population on the free- and reduced-lunch program got more money than those below the threshold. The news service also discovered schools serving a high percentage of white students had more awards as did schools with fewer disabled students and English-language learners. The Children’s Action Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization has been opposed to this funding formula, which it claimed has numerous inequities, including the “test-based funding reaches only one in four of Arizona’s public-school students” and nearly half of the funding went to higher-income schools. Looking at the combined charter and public-school beneficiaries of the bonuses, the alliance found 74 percent of all students attend schools in high-income neighborhoods. “Nothing in the initiative expanded access to high-quality schools or required any expansion of the schools getting the bonus,” the alliance complained, adding: “The initiative leaves less funding available to strengthen education in all the other schools with AzMERIT scores below the top 10 percent.” This academic year, the department awarded traditional and alternative schools received A letter grades, which were largely calculated based on how students scored on AzMerit, the state’s accountability assessment. Last year, the department awarded schools whose AzMerit scores ranked in the top 10 percent statewide.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Groundbreaking near for Cherokee School rebuild BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

onstruction crews are preparing to break ground on the Cherokee Elementary School rebuild – more than a year after district staff and architects first met with the community about the project. The rebuild, which will be phased in over the next several years, is expected to be completed in March 2021. The Scottsdale Unified Governing Board unanimously approved on Dec. 3 a guaranteed maximum price, or GMP, of just over $23 million with contractor Core Construction for the construction of the school. The board awarded a construction manager at-risk contract to Core on May 14. On March 19, the board awarded a contract for preconstruction services to Core worth 7 percent of the final construction costs. The preconstruction contract could be worth up to $1.6 million if the rebuild costs the total GMP amount, though final construction costs for previous rebuilds

That price is over $1 million less than estimated costs presented to the board in September due largely to significant reductions in costs for site work, interior finishes, structural work, roofing and glass work, according to Mike Pilkington with Core Construction. he

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The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board approved a $23-million contract with CORE Construction to construct the Cherokee Elementary School rebuild. (Special to the Progress)

at Hopi Elementary and Pima Traditional schools both came in under the GMP price. The price is over $1 million less than estimated costs presented to the board in September due largely to significant reductions in costs for site work, interior finishes, structural work, roofing and glasswork, according to Mike Pilkington with Core Construction. The $23,040,730 GMP approved by the board also does not include around $100,000 for security systems and access controls were included in original estimates, because the district chose to pay for those out of a separate contract, Pilkington said. Dennis Roehler, SUSD’s director of Building Services, did not have a specific cost estimate for the items moved onto the new contract when asked by Board

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Member Jann-Michael Greenburg. Roehler did say with certain items, like the security systems removed from the larger rebuild contract, the district will work directly with subcontractors or vendors to negotiate better pricing for the district and avoid general contractor fees while also controlling quality. According to a presentation by Core Construction, the price is comparable to the final costs of recent rebuilds at Pima Traditional School and Hopi Elementary. The Cherokee GMP amounts to $294 per square foot, which falls in between the costs for Pima ($284) and Hopi ($307) when the costs of those builds are adjusted for inflation, according to the presentation. John Thomason with Core Construction told the governing board phase 1 of the rebuild would begin less than a week

after the Dec. 3 meeting and run through July 17, 2020, prior to the start of the next school year. The first phase will include demolition of an existing canopy overhang and some playground space and the start of work on new classrooms. The construction team plans to begin demolition on the canopy over the district’s winter break at the end of December and start some classroom construction in January. When school is out from late May through July next year, crews will begin demolition on existing buildings and playgrounds and complete the classroom space and sports fields on the southeast part of the campus. Crews will also begin construction on a multipurpose building and administration building during the same time. Core will finish the admin and multipurpose buildings during the second phase of construction, from August 2020 through the end of January 2021, Thomason said. Phase three of construction will take place from February to mid-March in 2021 and include the demolition of existing admin and multipurpose buildings after the school occupies the new facilities. Crews will also construct the school’s new parking lots during this time, which will close the existing back parking lot and may cause short-term hardship for a school already experiencing backups and delays during student drop-off and pick-up. Thomason said the company will work with Cherokee Principal Walter Chantler and the community to mitigate issues. “We’re definitely going to have to work with community to be as seamless as possible for a little timeframe there,” Thomason told the board.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Climate change protest draws cool attendance PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

rotesters gathered Dec. 6 in Scottsdale and other Arizona cities, continuing the #FridaysforFuture climate strikes inspired by Greta Thunberg, who has reached international recognition since she demanded action before Sweden’s parliament at age 15. After a global climate strike in September, local group AZ Youth Climate Strike sought to keep the momentum. The turnout at the Scottsdale AZ Youth Climate Strike protest was less than in other Valley cities but the group’s message was the same. “Our goal as the Arizona Youth Climate Strike is for each city to declare a climate emergency,” said organizer Bridget Glass, a student at Paradise Valley High School. About a dozen students, mostly from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, marched around the Civic Center and Scottsdale City Hall, demanding the city take action. A handful of supportive adults also showed up to march with the students, who chanted phrases like “What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!” and “Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Fossil fuels have got to go!” as they made their way through the Civic Center. The students held signs calling for action on climate change, including one reading: “There is no Plan(et) B”. The protests came in the wake of the Trump administration’s announcement Nov. 4 stating the U.S. began a yearlong process to officially withdraw from the Paris climate accord by next fall. The agreement’s long-term goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature below 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit compared with pre-industrial levels. In the absence of meaningful state, national and international action, the protest was meant to pressure officials of Arizona cities and towns to declare a climate emergency. Aditi Narayanan, a senior at Basis Phoenix Central charter school, led a few dozen protesters on West Washington Street in Phoenix. Organizers set up booths with such slogans as “Arizona Needs a Green New Deal” and “This Is an Emergency.” “This strike is intended to stress the need for more city action as opposed to state action,” Narayanan said. “One thing we want is for all cities to declare a cli-

Desert Mountain High School student Johnny A handful of students from Desert Mountain High School and Paradise Auh participated in a protest outside Scottsdale Valley High School protested in Scottsdale’s Civic Center on Dec. 6, callCity Hall as part of the statewide AZ Youth Cli- ing for the city to take action to combat climate change. (Chris Mortenson/ mate Strike. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff Photographer) Progress Staff Photographer)

ter of greenhouse gasses, behind China. The United Nations hosted the COP25 Climate Change Conference in Madrid last week. Thunberg made an appearance there as part of the international protests. “We are getting bigger and bigger, and our voices are being heard more and more but, of course, it does not translate into political action,” Thunberg said. “I sincerely hope world leaders, the people in power, grasp the urgency of the climate crisis because right now The Dec. 6 climate change protest at Scottsdale Civic it doesn’t seem like they Center drew fewer students than similar marches else- are.” where in the Valley. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Photographer) While the movement is global, the Scottsdale stumate emergency and have a climate acdents who participated in tion plan. Phoenix’s is lacking. It’s very the strike are advocating for local solutions. outdated, from 2007. We’re asking them “(Our) goal is to get cities to draft a to update it to include new demands and proposal to combat climate change and needs because the city has changed. declare a climate emergency,” Desert “This is focused on very specific poli- Mountain High School student Johnny cies, the climate action plan and other Auh said. ordinances. In terms of laws being Glass, the organizer of the Scottsdale passed, more needs to be done.” protest, said she would like to see cities The U.S. remains the second-largest emit- like Scottsdale adopt sustainable water,

energy and transportation policies and see the creation of more city committees focused on those issues. Scottsdale Councilwoman Solange Whitehead said climate change will hurt Scottsdale’s residents and economy and “I’m thrilled kids are involved” in pushing for solutions. Whitehead said climate change is worsening Arizona’s heat, an issue she said disproportionally hurts fixedincome seniors during the spring and summer months when air conditioning costs rise. “Heat is reducing Arizona’s water supplies and terrible for our economy,” Whitehead said. “Climate resilience and heat reduction solutions create jobs, improve our quality of life, and often save us money. The future is bright but to get there, we need all hands on deck and especially the younger generations.” The City of Scottsdale did not receive a petition or request from the protestors “so we have nothing to respond to,” City of Scottsdale spokesperson Kelly Corsette said. “If they present something to the city, we would of course consider it and respond accordingly,” Corsette said. This story is based on reporting by Deagan Urbatsch of Cronkite News and Wayne Schutsky Progress Managing Editor.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

RING from front

Sgt. Ben Hoster, a Scottsdale police spokesman. “It’s more of an ask for us, but we can narrow it down to certain neighborhoods.’’ With CamerEyes, residents can register any type of security camera, allowing police to create a database police can use to determine if there might be cameras located near a location where a crime was committed. A detective could decide to send a resident or a business registered a request for a video in hopes it might assist in an investigation, Hoster said. Ring is more specific. In exchange for agreeing to a partnership, police receive access to Ring’s law enforcement portal, which allows them to monitor videos posted to Ring’s Neighbors App, which accepts footage from a variety of sources. “We can go on a map, draw a square (in the general vicinity of a crime), and send out a request to Neighbors App users’’ for video footage, Hoster said. In both instances, police have no direct access to any video surveillance systems and it is completely up to the owner’s discretion on whether to provide the video, he stressed. In Phoenix, Ring has helped police arrest a woman and her boyfriend on multiple charges involving the physical abuse of her young son. In police Commander Ed Upshaw’s south Chandler district, Ring has helped police nab a stalker, porch pirates swiping Amazon packages – even a couple of Amazon delivery workers caught stealing packages they supposedly delivered or a previously delivered. Chandler police also used the Ring to bust another sort of ring – a carload of teens from Phoenix who jumped out of a car early in the morning and opened the doors of unlocked, park cars to steal whatever valuables they could find. “We have used it on multiple cases. It is a valuable tool our agency uses,’’ Upshaw said. “It’s 2019. It’s not the same world you lived in 1970. The world has changed. You are under constant surveillance.’’ But some civil libertarians consider Ring a technological manifestation of Big Brother and a dangerous intrusion on privacy rights, with innocent people suddenly accused of suspicious behavior without reason and cops obtaining evidence quickly, with no oversight, through a network of nosey doorbells. Upshaw and other East Valley police

Chandler Police Commander Ed Upshaw holds a Ring kit, which he and his counterparts in Scottsdale and other neighboring municipalities find an effective tool in curbing crime. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

officials say their concerns are overblown. They consider Ring the equivalent of a digital block watch, an update on an aspect of community policing departments have promoted for decades. Instead of holding a Block Watch meeting or calling each other, neighbors are sharing videos and issuing potential crime alerts of their own. “They are giving it to us for free and it works with every camera system,’’ Upshaw said, referring to Ring’s Neighbors App. “We’ve been trying to create something like this for years. No one has ever done it.’’ Gilbert police spokesman Sgt. Mark Marino, another Ring fan, said town residents have shown no hesitation about sharing Ring videos. “The Valley as a whole works well with law enforcement,’’ Marino said. “As long as people are willing to share their videos, it will help us.’’ In a world where customers always are under surveillance at supermarkets, big box stores and other public places, it shouldn’t be shocking the same concept would be extended by technology into neighborhoods, he said. “We don’t have the ability to pull video from anyplace. This is a voluntary submission. We don’t have access unless you provide it to us,’’ Marino said. Police have been asking major companies for access to surveillance videos for decades while investigating a wide range of crimes, from armed robberies to even hit-and-run accidents, he said.

“No one ever had privacy rights in public. Privacy and public are contradictory terms,’’ Marino said. “I think there is a misconception about what privacy is.’’ A Ring doorbell also recorded two thieves going through the owner’s car in a Mesa driveway while the unsuspecting owner was asleep inside his home. Mesa police eventually arrested the suspects. None of these incidents qualify as crimes of the century. Instead, they are what police often describe as crimes of opportunity – incidents upset victims to no end but often do not lead to an arrest. But to Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert police – which all have relationships with Ring along with about 600 agencies nationally – the popular device represents another crime-solving tool. Residents can go to police web sites and enter a code to sign up for Ring’s Neighbors App, where videos are shared. “We’re not seeing it wipe out the burglary problem, but it gives residents a little bit of power,’’ said Mesa police Commander Ed Wessing. Residents download videos taken by the Ring, with a smartphone and other devices to Ring’s Neighbors App, alerting each other about suspicious activity. Police can view such videos through Ring’s law enforcement portal, using geofencing to monitor up to a five-mile area. Cops can also put out an alert requesting videos in response to a par-

ticular crime or crime trends, such as the vehicle burglaries. Police also say civil liberties are not violated because they have no direct access to anyone’s Ring system and do not monitor specific doorbells on a daily basis. “They are empowering each other through the Neighbors App, sharing the activity involved,’’ Wessing said. “Just like your neighborhood can view it, we can view it.’’ “It’s community-driven. These are videos they are giving us,’’ Wessing added. After a string of vehicle burglaries in the Dobson Ranch neighborhood, for instance, when thieves can commit 1520 burglaries in short period of time, “it was overwhelming sought after and supported by the community,’’ he said. These agencies report no major crimes, such as homicides or sexual assaults, being solved by Ring. But they say the doorbell might just capture a fleeing suspect’s car driving by or license plate number could be used a track down a suspect. “It’s a much faster way for us to canvass a neighborhood than 15 years ago,’’ Wessing said. The traditional police procedure is for officers to comb through a neighborhood, knocking on doors, looking for witnesses or others with information. A civil libertarian, however, argues this is part of the problem with Ring. Depending upon how the settings are set by the owner, Ring can also record innocent people doing nothing wrong in a neighborhood – such as a delivery person simply leaving a package near a front door, someone soliciting contributions for charity or someone walking their dog along a familiar route. Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future, a digital civil rights advocacy organization, fears Ring could create a nationwide neighborhood surveillance network, with police involved in cozy relationships with Ring and evidence obtained by police without obtaining a warrant. She said there are no oversight or safeguards, creating a permissive atmosphere where residents with no law enforcement training have engaged in racial profiling, automatically assuming someone innocently walking through a neighborhood is acting suspicious because they are not white. “Speed matters. It changes the impact on society,’’ Greer said. “I think

see RING page 17

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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PAC from front

Southbridge Two developer Carter Unger, president of Springcreek Development, said he believes Wilson’s concerns are genuine but the argument tourism will be affected negatively “is an out-ofdate model.” He said other members of the Old Town PAC are motivated by political aspirations rather than concern for shop owners. “People are leaving the downtown to go seek vibrant live-work-play atmosphere, and we’re not protecting anybody by just staying with same,” Unger said. “We will have continual overturn (and) places will continue to close down.” Unger said he was sympathetic to concerns about how the project would effect existing retailers and was even willing to match the Old Town PAC’s current contribution total in exchange for dropping the referendum, with the money going towards helping local businesses. “If the PAC drops its opposition, I will match its contributions and put it into an escrow account they manage to mitigate the impact on local businesses,” Unger said. “We can do more when we work together.” The PAC, formed just weeks before the Dec. 4 city council vote, filed paperwork with the city stating its intention to challenge the council’s approval in the form of a citizen referendum. The referendum would ask voters to reconsider council’s decision to rezone nearly 10 acres of land in and around the 5th Avenue shopping district to make way for the development, which includes a 150-foot office building and residential buildings over 130 feet along the canal. The development will keep a lowerprofile retail presence adjacent to the street on 5th Avenue and Unger said he plans to keep the same mix of unique local retailers in the area, not bring in large chains. State law requires the PAC must collect 11,930 valid signatures by Jan. 3 to put the matter before Scottsdale voters, a city spokesperson said. Arizona state law allows city residents to file referendum petitions challenging city council zoning decisions within 30 days of the action. Whitmer said the Old Town Pac would be conducting outreach through its website and social media accounts and at a physical office it opened up near Fifth Avenue and Marshall Way. Unger, who set up the Protecting Scottsdale’s Future PAC to oppose the referendum, said his project has the support of over 50 property owners, businesses and

A local Scottsdale political action committee is seeking a referendum petition to put the Southbridge Two project before voters. (Special to the Progress)

The Southbridge 2 proposal has become a lightning rod in Scottsdale political circles as a political action committee tries to up-end City Council's approval by trying to get it on the November ballot next year. (Progress ﬁle photo)

associations in the area. He asserted only three property owners, who own six total properties, oppose Southbridge Two. At the core of the debate is a philosophical split over what the future of Old Town would look like and disagreements over the economic viability of the existing 5th Avenue district. Both Unger and Wilson said they had no personal issues with each other but acknowledged they will likely never agree on how much height or density is appropriate for Old Town. Unger said the increased heights and mix of uses brought by his project would be the shot in the arm area retailers need,

stating his tenants suffer during the tourism off-season. Wilson, though, argued heights at Southbridge Two – with buildings reaching up to 150 feet – are too tall and would erase the 5th Avenue character making up much of downtown Scottsdale - a tourism destination in the first place. Wilson said the construction on the project – which could take 10 years to reach full build-out – will also harm existing businesses and make it difficult for property owners like her to keep tenants who don’t want to deal with construction. “How are we supposed to write leases? How are we supposed to do anything?” Wilson said.

Unger, who said it would be two years before the first construction begins, acknowledged there will be some pain involved during construction of the project, but said the city council approval included commitments his team made to the city to mitigate issues. It included commitments to maintain two-way access to all businesses in the area during construction and keeping both lanes of 5th Avenue open. Wilson was dubious. “Where are the cranes going to go?” Wilson said. Unger said he will also work with the 70 or so tenants at his properties scheduled to be displaced by construction to find them new locations as development progresses. He said the phased construction will allow tenants who would like to stay in the area to move to other buildings his company owns when their existing locations are rebuilt. They would then have the opportunity to move back as new buildings are complete. Whether or not Unger’s argument about the political motivations behind the Old Town PAC is correct, the fight could complicate a 2020 election if it reaches voters. The local end of the 2020 ballot will already include a mayoral race and several open city council seats. Both prospective mayoral candidates, Councilmembers Virginia Korte and Suzanne Klapp, voted for Southbridge Two. So far, five candidates have filed paperwork with the city to run for the three open seats on city council in 2020, with at least two others stating their intention to run publicly. Unger said he believes opponents are using the Southbridge issue to garner support in the race. “Now, in my opinion, they’re trying to run a slate of candidates in the next election and they’re trying to make this issue a firestorm to fire up their base like the DDC was in the last election,” Unger said, referencing the successful resident movement to approve Proposition 420, which restricted development on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Wilson did not comment on specific candidates, but she did make connections to Prop 420, arguing her PAC has similar community-wide support. “We’re very pleased with all the volunteers we have and we’re getting them from all over the city. We’re getting people who want to save the preserve,” Wilson said. And Wilson confirmed the PAC plans to spend in the 2020 election. “Big time,” Wilson said.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Lawmaker wants pot legalized for autism BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

state lawmaker is seeking to force state health officials to do something they have previously rejected: allow the use of medical marijuana to treat autism. The proposal by Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson, would add “autism spectrum disorder’’ to the list of what a 2010 voter-approved law considers “debilitating medical conditions’’ for which a doctor can recommend the use of marijuana by patients. Espinoza said parents want that as an option for treating some of the symptoms as an alternative to other medications. HB 2049 also would allow the use of marijuana by those who are suffering from opioid use disorder. Espinoza said he sees the use of marijuana as far preferable to people dying from overdoses. The 2010 law allows doctors to recommend marijuana to those who suffer from certain listed conditions, ranging from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and Crohn’s disease to seizures, severe nausea and severe and chronic pain. But the law also allows state health officials to add conditions themselves if they believe it is medically justified. Parents of some children with autism made such a request two years ago only to have their plea rejected. That decision was upheld last year, with a state hearing officer concluding that the petition “failed to provide evidence that the use of marijuana will provide therapeutic or palliative benefit to an individual suffering from ASD.’’ Espinoza’s bill would eliminate the need for health department approval – or even medical studies. He pointed out that Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed legislation this year adding autism to the list of conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended. “In Colorado there are families that actually have results based on what their children have been experiencing by taking that medical marijuana,’’ Espinoza said. He said it appears to be a better alternative that other medications now available that can have side effects. “So how could you deny, especially a parent that’s willing to try that ... transition into this alternative to see if that

would be a better alternative for them?’’ Espinoza asked. Nor is he deterred by the lack of the kind of studies that the health department recognizes as proving that marijuana is effective in helping children with autism. “I can share with you that I have worked with constituents in my district that their sons and daughters in that realm have had tremendous results,’’ Espinoza said. “I’ve actually seen in first hand.’’ Still, he acknowledged that the Arizona parents who are getting marijuana legally are able to obtain it because their children are having seizures, a side effect for some youngsters with autism. And seizures already are lawful conditions. The use of marijuana to help those addicted to opioids is a different matter. There is no evidence that anyone has petitioned the department to add that to the list. But Espinoza said there is reason to believe that it is a better option. “I have overdoses in my community it seems like every day,’’ he said. “And so if marijuana could be an alternative to help wean them off, then why not try that?’’ The idea of marijuana as a legal option to deal with addiction has come up in Arizona before. In 2018, then-Rep. Vince Leach, RTucson, agreed to language to a bill he was sponsoring to add opioid use disorder to what would allow doctors to legally recommend the drug. The measure cleared the House but faltered in the Senate. State Health Director Cara Christ noted that chronic pain, one of the reasons that some people get hooked on opioids, is one of the conditions for which marijuana already can be recommended. Still, she stopped short of suggesting that doctors start treating patients with marijuana, stating, “Each individual is going to be different.’’ Backers of expanding the medical use of marijuana will need to generate a great deal of support to get HB 2049 enacted into law. That’s because the original 2010 law, having been approved by voters, can only be altered with a three-fourths vote of the Legislature.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Phoenix Open of�icials undaunted by Mickelson absence BY ERICA BLOCK Cronkite News

hil Mickelson’s announcement he will skip the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2020 shook the Arizona golf world, but tournament officials remain optimistic fans will still arrive in droves for the golf spectacle at TPC Scottsdale. Mickelson, a fan favorite who first competed in the tournament in 1989 as an Arizona State student, has won three Phoenix Open titles and is the tournament’s alltime leading money winner. His decision to play the Saudi International tournament in Saudi Arabia instead of returning to the PGA Tour event in the Valley surprised many local fans who regard the former Scottsdale resident as a hometown hero and the unofficial face of the tournament. Longtime Arizona golf writer John Davis, who has been covering Mickelson since his playing days on ASU’s golf team, said Mickelson helped create the tournament’s unique atmosphere and played an outsized role in making the Phoenix Open the unique event it has become. “The 16th hole is one of the most famous golf holes in the world and it’s referred to as ‘the hole Phil built,’” Davis said. “He was the guy who started coming out here with ASU students and fans supporting him. Crowds started to gather there and it just kind of exploded at that point.” Despite Mickelson’s influence in shaping the culture of the tournament, the Phoenix Open is bigger than any individual golfer who competes in it, according to Tim Woods, chairman of the 2020 tournament. “I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t want him in our tournament,” Woods said. “But when he doesn’t come, what happens? People show up and they show up in masses and we (still) break at-

Waste Management Phoenix Open fan fave Phil Mickelson is bowing out of next year's golf classic in Scottsdale. (Progress ﬁle photo)

Jon Rahm could emerge as a new fan idol on the links during the Phoenix Open. (Special to the Progress)

tendance records.” In a tweet, Mickelson intimated he might not compete in the Phoenix Open again. Some people who are affiliated with the

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supports him, so it’s going to be strange without him,” said Arizona Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall, who is a member of the Thunderbirds, the group sponsors the event. “We’ll get him back here. We know he’ll be back here again very soon.” While some speculate money was the motivating factor in Mickelson’s decision to enter the Saudi International (the PGA Tour does not allow players to receive appearance fees from its events), Mickelson said his decision was based on his desire to grow the sport. Considering Saudi Arabia made it a priority to host more Western sporting events, others wonder if Mickelson’s decision signals the start of a trend of American golfers competing abroad. According to the New York Times, Saudi Arabia began making sports a priority in 2016 as part of its economic development plan. Saudi officials hired a lobbying firm to set up meetings with the NBA MLS, the World Surf League and Formula One auto-racing officials, according to The Times. The European Tour last year came under heavy criticism for adding the Saudi International to its schedule and going forward with the event, despite the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in September 2018. The event, supported by the government of Saudi Arabia, was considered controversial even before the slaying because of Saudi Arabia’s reported human rights abuses. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Open will have to find a new face for 2020. They might find one in another ASU product. “Now Jon Rahm, who also played at Arizona State, is up to the No. 3 ranking in the world, it wouldn’t surprise me if he moves to number one within the next year,” Davis said. “He’s that good. So now maybe the ASU fans have a new hero to cheer for.”

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RING from page 10

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it’s what is so concerning. They don’t need a warrant. It allows them to do it astonishingly fast. It makes it so much easier.’’ With Ring becoming so popular, it’s hard to escape from surveillance, she said. “It’s not just stores, it’s literally everywhere,’’ Greer said. Greer’s fears were amplified when BuzzFeed.com reported a former Chandler police assistant chief had spoken about the capability of matching Ring videos with facial recognition technology at a seminar in April before the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Police acknowledged they have access to facial recognition technology through the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, but Upshaw said this level of effort would be reserved for solving major crimes, not property crimes. “It’s there, but it’s for kidnappers, bank robbers, active killers,’’ Upshaw said. “We’re not going to use it for simple burglars and shoplifters.’’ Greer accuses Amazon, the owner of Ring, of turning police into glorified Ring salesmen. Police reject such a characterization. Upshaw said Ring gave Chandler police 25 doorbells when police entered into the agreement, and one new doorbell for every 20 people who sign up for the Neighbors App through the Chandler police web site. The relationship paid dividends in crime prevention when Chandler police gave a free doorbell to a woman in south Chandler who was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend after she ended the relationship and threw him out of her house. Upshaw said the ex-boyfriend is accused of terrorizing the woman for two months, slashing her tires, entering her house through a window and sending her text messages he was watching her. The woman placed the Ring in an unconventional spot, not as a doorbell, and the video captured the exboyfriend trespassing on her property shutting off her power. Police arrested the ex-boyfriend at a hotel. Despite the privacy concerns, Wessing said, “At the end of the day, we are trying to prevent future victims.” Scottsdale residents can registered their cameras at scottsdaleaz.gov/ police/security-camera-registration.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Elks Lodge delivers Christmas in spite of school BY PAUL MARYNIAK Progress Executive Editor

ometimes Scrooge can come in the form of bureaucracy. Or so it seemed to Terry Young two weeks ago as he prepared for Scottsdale Elks Lodge 2148’s annual Christmas shopping spree for 15 needy kids on Dec. 7. It’s a ritual the lodge has followed for more than 15 years, picking a school in Scottsdale Unified School District, buying $100 gift cards for each kid, taking them to JC Penney so they can buy whatever they want – more likely, need – and then hosting them and their families at the lodge with a hearty breakfast and a visit from Santa. But when Young checked in with Tonalea Elementary School on Dec. 4, he feared the entire project would be scuttled. Which stunned him since for more than 15 years the Elks Lodge 2148 has made the holidays a bit merrier for Scottsdale Unified kids, the last six were with Tonalea. Not only that, just last month, the Elks had pitched in to raise $1,375 for gift cards to Walmart, Fry’s Supermarket and Safeway so 20 Tonalea families could buy dinner for Thanksgiving. “The aide told me ‘We don’t have a bus,’” Young recalled. The district has provided a bus in past years. And Young and his lodge brothers and sisters needed one this year to take the 15 children and 15 chaperones to JC Penney’s in the Superstition Shopping Center in east Mesa, where a number of other Elks Lodges from around the Valley would be going. Penney’s has had a years-long relationship with the Elks, opening the store at 6:30 a.m. so the kids can get their shopping done. Besides the gift cards the store sells the Elks, Penney’s also gives the kids a price discount on the underwear, shoes, socks and other basic necessities they inevitably want to but with their gift. Young said, “I was really upset” when the unidentified staffer pulled the rug out from under him at the last minute. “I asked her if we got the bus would they let us take the children and I was told no.” “We’ve been doing this for years and something like this has never hap-

pened,” added Young, a member of the Lodge for 15 years and the guy who plays Santa at the post-spree breakfast. “I started raising a ruckus,” he said, adding at least he didn’t act like part of him wanted to. In the meantime, fellow Elk Don Crosby and his company, Total Logistics by Crosby,” solved half the problem. “He offered one of his brand-new luxury buses for free.” But it still left the other half of the problem: Getting the school’s permission to let the kids meet their chaperones at the Elks Lodge on Saturday morning. Finally, the school relented and the kids got to go on the shopping spree. “We were grateful we could get them there,” Young said. “If it hadn’t been for Dan, we would never have made it. The cards are only good for that day and if we hadn’t made it, we’d have been out $1,500 and 15 kids wouldn’t have had gifts.” But the foul-ups continued. When the Elks and the children got back to the lodge, the parents were waiting to take their kids home. “We asked them, ‘What about breakfast?’ And they said, ‘No one told us about breakfast.’” The breakfast is something the Elks look forward to as the families enjoy pancakes, bacon, ham, eggs and other breakfast items the lodge members cook while their fellow members are chaperoning the shopping spree. Young, who played Santa, said he was grateful for one thing: “The kids didn’t know all the commotion had been going on.” The school district and Tonalea Principal Dr. David Priniski were apologetic for the snafu. Priniski, who apparently was not aware of his staff dropping the ball, said, "Tonalea is more appreciative than ever for the generosity and support of the Scottsdale Elks organization. "Not only did they supply the funds for a wonderful shopping trip again this year but they also helped us handle some unforeseen logistical issues to make sure this special day happened for our students. We are committed to our community partnership with the Scottsdale Elks and look forward to its continuation for many years to come." But some fence-mending may be needed, as Young said, “We’re going to pick a different school.”

Santa Claus, a.k.a. Elks Lodge member Terry Young, is ﬂanked by, from left, Andres Vasquez, Evie Vasquez and Cesar Vasquez.

Vying for Santa's lap are Leilani Quinonez, left, and Jacabed Quinonez.

Jacey Rall had fun at Elks Lodge 2148. (All photos by Chris Mortenson/Progress Photographer

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Ingleside students launch charity drive BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

round 200 sixth-graders at a Scottsdale middle school are giving back big this holiday sea-

son. Ingleside Middle School in the southern Scottsdale-Arcadia area launched its Give Back Drive on Dec. 4 benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. As part of the donation drive, the sixth-grade students are collecting items on the organization’s Wish List, which includes everything from pantry items to bedroom and bathroom essentials and kitchen and cleaning items. “Outside donations are crucial in helping Ronald McDonald House Charities provide a ‘home-away-fromhome’ to over 1,000 families served annually,” said Chief Executive Officer Kerry Schulman. “Wish List donations ensure we can keep our pantries stocked, allowing for more funding toward our mission.” The charity provides extended lodging for families who have a gravely ill child in the hospital and live far away from it. So far, the sixth-grade class estimates they’ve collected around 1,200 items, and they’ll continue to collect through Dec. 18. “I have donated trash bags, food, cereal, trash bags,” said Chloe Herwig, an 11-year-old sixth-grader at the school. “And towels, a sheet set, a mattress protector, paper towels,” added sixthgrader Jaxon Krohn, 11. Robin Taylor, a special education teacher at Ingleside, spearheaded the drive. The sixth-grade class knew they wanted to host a “community give back” event during the holidays, but it wasn’t until Taylor saw a friend post about the Ronald McDonald House nonprofit on Facebook, they decided on the organization. Plus, its mission for more than 30 years of providing a “home-away-from-

Gathered around some of the items collected by Ingleside Middle School sixth graders are staffers, from left, Jessica Scordo, Robin Taylor, Kiersten Cress, Alexa Rama, Angelina Maneri and Amber Emr. (Pablo Robles/Progress Photographer)

Ingleside Middle School sixth graders Jaxon Krohn and Chloe Herwig, both 11, are proud of what they and their classmates collected in their holiday drive. (Pablo Robles/Progress Photographer)

home” for families with children facing medical challenges resonated with the students who had just finished reading “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie Book” by Jordan Sonnenblick.

Published in 2004, “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie Book” is about a boy diagnosed with leukemia. “After we read a book about a kid who has leukemia and he had to go

to Philadelphia, they had to stay in a room with a bunch of other kids. I think it would be nice if he would’ve had a home to go to with all the supplies they needed,” Jaxon said. According to sixth-grade math teacher Jessica Scordo, the teachers wanted to pursue a project to help build compassion in the students. “We thought, ‘Why not around the holidays do some sort of give back?’” Scordo said. “Ms. Taylor ran with it did some research, and we landed on Ronald McDonald House.” So far, Taylor said, the drive has “brought on really good conversations in the classroom of why would we give and realizing other kids might have it worse off than they have it.” The community is welcome to drop donations, including travel- and snacksized items, off to Ingleside before the deadline. “Community members are able to drop off donations at our school’s front office or send them in with a current middle-schooler,” Taylor said, adding the nonprofit “is also looking for gift cards, which might be easier for the community members to drop off as well.” Jami Carlson, community engagement manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona, visited the school Dec. 3 to give a presentation to the students and kick off the Give Back Drive. “She showed the video about the Ronald McDonald House. You could hear a pin drop. The kids were so engaged,” Taylor said. To make the effort more engaging for the students, Carlson suggested the teachers set up a point system for each of the 10 homerooms. The homeroom with the most points at the end of the drive wins bragging rights — and possibly a pizza party. “We’ve made it kind of a competition,” Taylor said. “When the kids bring up their items in the morning, they’re so excited and they’re cheering each other on,” Scor-

see INGLESIDE page 22

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Scottsdale High alums donate $1,700 to museum BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

they challenged the Class of ‘79 to do the same. Needless to say, the Class of ‘79 accepted and donated more than triple. The donated money will help support the museum, which hosts a permanent display of Scottsdale High School memorabilia. SHS opened in September 1923 on the north side of Indian School Road, closed at the end of the 1982-1983 school year, and was torn down in 1991-1992 to make way for downtown commercial development. Coming up on 40 years of the school’s closure, SHS’ history can be found only at the Scottsdale Historical Society Museum. “What better way to show our rivals, the Arcadia Titans, you cannot keep the spirit of the Scottsdale High Beavers down even if we had to give up our school and they didn’t!” Hoefke said. “Go Scottsdale Beavers!” Information: scottsdalehistory.org

INGLESIDE �� page 20

with the average family size being two to three people, Ingleside’s donations may impact as many as 230 people each day. “These items collected will help families feel at home during their most trying times,” Schulman said. “The support of the [Ingleside Middle School] community helps alleviate at least one burden for these families by providing everyday essentials.” When the drive is over, Ingleside would like to donate the items in person to Roanoke House and, hopefully, have the students go on a tour. Ingleside’s sixth-grade teachers and students said they’d like to host a drive for RMHC-CNAZ every year moving forward, as well as host other drives each quarter. “I think it’s very helpful for the Ronald McDonald House. So, yeah, I’d like to do it every year,” Chloe said. “With over 17,000 nights of rest provided last year, RMHC is in need of donations on a consistent basis,” Schulman said. A full list of Wish List items can be found at rmhccnaz.org. It also has a Wish List on Amazon, where people can order items and have them delivered directly to the charity.

n Dec. 7, members of the Scottsdale High School Class of 1979 reunion committee presented the Scottsdale Historical Museum with a $1,700 check. The money was raised by SHS alumni at their 40-year reunion at the Old Town Tortilla Factory in October. “I believe in the spirit of competition and for the preservation of our town’s history and memory of our beloved Scottsdale High School, the Class of 1980 will step up and provide a donation to the Historical Society,” said reunion committee member Susan Taylor Hoefke. “The question is: Will they accept the challenge of meeting or beating the donation given by the Scottsdale High School Class of 1979?” she asked. Last year, the Class of ‘78 raised $500 at their reunion for the Historical Society; and on the day they presented the check, do said. “It’s created a nice community-feel for sure for the kids.” A majority of the items will be distributed among residents of Roanoke House, the largest — and oldest — of the nonprofit’s three homes. “This year, we’ve received Wish List donations from a variety of supporters ranging from conference attendees and corporations to Girl Scout troops and toddlers’ birthday parties. The champions within our community never cease to amaze us,” Schulman said. Established in 1985, the Roanoke House is located in Central Phoenix and has 37 total private rooms and seven apartments. Roanoke also has a community kitchen, pantry and dining room; a playroom; a library and family room; a shaded playground with misters; three laundry facilities; and free Wi-Fi throughout the campus. The other two houses are Cambridge House in Phoenix, established in 2008 with 12 rooms and six apartments, and Dobson House in Mesa, the newest facility established in 2014 with 16 rooms. Schulman said, “up to 78 families are welcomed between all three Houses in the Valley on any given evening,” and

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Local woman �inds ASU an ally in male-dominant �ield BY JUSTIN LYONS Progress Contributor

sther Sim, a biomedical engineering student at Arizona State University, said an important factor in her choice of university was the percentage of female students in the engineering program. “I always had the impression it was obviously going to be a very male-dominated field from the research I was doing online,” the Scottsdale resident said. “I didn’t actually realize once you are in engineering, there’s quite a big disparity between the different majors and the different ratios of male to female engineering students.” In 2017, 20 percent of bachelor’s degrees in engineering and computer science were awarded to women according to the Society of Women Engineers, an organization empowering women in engineering and technology to achieve full potential in their careers and demonstrates the value of diversity. It said last month only 13 percent of engineers in the workforce are women, citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Kyle Squires, dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, said 22 percent of the current student body identifies as female. “If there are still communications of stereotypes about a given major or how a young person fits into engineering, who can really make a huge and negative difference,” Squires said. “The good news is we’re attracting more women into engineering,” he added. “The less good news is the number. The percentage representation in the population, which is what you find about nationally, is not healthy for the profession.” Squires said he can still see indications as early as primary school, students get signals certain programs – like engineering – are for males. Sim said she considers herself lucky, saying she sees a near-even split of male and female students in her biomedical engineering classes. “I have a lot of close relationships with the female students in my degree program, and I’ve been very fortunate to have a really good community of like-minded students I can fall back on if I’m ever having trouble with school,” Sim said. She has friends in other fields of study, such as mechanical and aerospace engineering, however, who have not been quite as lucky. Sim looks to continue her education and

Esther Sim of Scottsdale, right, posing with classmate Haley Harelson, is grateful for ASU’s efforts to give women support in the male-dominated ﬁeld of engineering. (Special to the Progress)

achieve her Ph.D. in bioengineering to become a professor at an academic institution or work as a researcher for National Institutes of Health. “Some of my friends have described being in classes where they’re one-of-five female students in a classroom of 100 male students,” Sim said, adding the 22 percent figure given by Squires is not evenly spread throughout ASU’s different engineering disciplines. Sim also said having a support system of female students is important, noting - being assigned to work in groups evenly split between males and females makes her feel more comfortable and confident in her ability to achieve her

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maximum potential. Jeremy Helm, the senior director of academic and student affairs for the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, said Squires has used resources to hire a world-class female faculty. Sim said it is important to female engineering students. “Being a female going into a male-dominated industry, you really do have to carry yourself differently and you have to deal with other issues male students might not,” she said. “Being able to talk to professors and talk to people who have gone through it and hearing their stories and seeing how successful they can be, it definitely gives me motivation.”

One way Helm said colleges can draw female students to engineering programs is through early education about engineering itself, noting ASU reaches out as early as kindergarten. Sim said such outreach is necessary because “it really just starts from a young age where we have to cultivate a society or a community of people who facilitate engineering education for females.” She attended a high school program emphasizing: Engineering is for women, too. Helm said ASU intentionally features female students and faculty prominently in its recruitment collateral. “We don’t want to continue the stereotype science and technology and engineering are for men. We intentionally highlight and showcase female students and faculty in all of our promotional materials,” Helm said. He cited ASU’s clubs and programs like Advancing Women in Construction, Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computer Science and events like the celebration of International Women in Engineering Day. “When we’re talking to prospective students, we want them to know when we say, ‘Hey, we support female students,” it’s not all talk,” Helm said. “We are doing this because we really believe diversity in our student body and our faculty leads to a more enriched experience for everyone,” he added. “Having a more enriched experience leads to greater student outcomes.”

He's only a year old, but little Jaxon Sherman of Scottsdale had some winning legs in during halftime at a recent Grand Canyon University basketball game, where he won the diaper derby crawling contest and $529 in a promotion for the AZ529 state tax deduction.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019 Library, 10101 N. 90th St. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are available. Information: 1-800733-2767.

Days DECEMBER

Sunday

15 Poinsettia Tea

Duet, a local nonprofit organization, will host a fundraising event open to the public feasting a traditional afternoon tea complete with scones, sandwiches, sweets and music by the Shannon Wallace Quartet at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and the program starts at 2 p.m. Cost is $75. Information: 602-274-5022.

Scottsdale Philharmonic concert

Enjoy an annual holiday concert at 4 p.m. at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St. Tickets are $5 to $15. Information: scottsdaleperformingarts. org/events. Information: 480-951-6077.

Monday

16 New Faces AA meeting

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

$5 Fido Frisbee Meals

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

to keep the frisbee. Information: www.brunchcafe.com.

Supercamp at Arizona

The Arizona Sunrays will host a fun-filled day camp for children ages 3 to 13 featuring gymnastics, dance, yoga, trampoline, team sports and more on Dec. 16 through 20 and Dec. 23 and 24. Half-day camp sessions are 8:30-11:30 a.m. or noon-3 p.m. for $220. The full-day camp is 8:30 a.m.3 p.m. for $320. The camp is held at 15801 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Information: 602992-5790.

Advanced beginner bridge

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

‘White Christmas’

Enjoy the holiday film, “White Christmas,” at 1:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-3127323.

Tuesday

17 Let’s knit

Learn or practice knitting with others from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road. Free. Information: 480-483-7121.

Ladies of Liberty gun course

This educational course is designed specifically for women that have little to no practical shooting experience from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 14860 N. Northsight Blvd. Attendants will learn gun fundamentals and etiquette of safety and shooting. Cost is $54 to $60 and includes a rental handgun. Information: 480-3481111.

Thursday

19 Tai Chi

Gingerbread storytime

Children through age 5 are invited to a special holidaythemed program with fun stories and a craft 10-10:30 a.m. at Arabian Library, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road. Information: 480-312-7323.

Homework help

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

Wednesday

18 Speedy bridge

Join others in a fast round of bridge at 10:30 a.m. at Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda. Registration is required. Information: 480312-5810.

Walkin’ Wednesdays

Make friends while exercising during a brisk 1.5 mile walk through The J neighborhood from 9 to 10 a.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road. Bring water and walking shoes and meet at the campus’ flagpole. Strollers, dogs and all walking paces are welcomed. Information: 480481-1797.

Cancer topics

Everyone is welcome to join gynecological oncologist Drive. Bakhru in a lunchtime conversation about digestive health noon-1 p.m. at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave. Attendees should bring a packed lunch. Information 480-3146660.

Blood drive

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mustang

Everyone is welcome to join a class that focuses on gentle and controlled movements that center the mind, body and spirit for health benefits 3-3:45 p.m. at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave. Information: 480-3146660.

12 & 12 Study AA

Find recovery from alcohol addiction alongside this support group at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays at St. Anthony on the Desert Church, 12990 E. Shea Blvd. This is a discussion meeting based on the Big Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

AM Connect

Attend a business professionals networking breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. at The Franciscan Renewal Center, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road. The event is open to both Scottsdale members and guests. Preregistration guest tickets are $30. Guest tickets may also be purchased at the door for $35. Check in at 7:15 a.m. Please donate a food or toiletry item for Vista Del Camino, a local food bank, upon arrival. Information: www. scottsdalechamber.com.

Mature Mavens

Valley of the Sun JCC invites you to make new friends and socialize at a local restaurant 5-7 p.m. Dinner is separate checks. Call Bunnye at 602371-3744 for restaurant details and to make a reservation. Singles and couples welcome.

Blood drive

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cattle Track Arts Compound, 6105 N. Cattletrack Road. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are available. Information: 1-800-733-2767.

Sunday

Friday

20 In stitches knitters

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

Advanced beginner bridge

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

Chair Pilates

Pilates improves the cardio system, eases back pain, improves bone density and boosts heart rate. Join a class to better physical health 1-2 p.m. at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave. Information: 480-314-6660.

Meet your neighbors

22 Story stop (Ages 0-5)

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

Oy Vey 5K at the J

Participate in a children’s course or 5K walk or run from 8 a.m. to noon at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Cost $10 to $30 and includes a long-sleeved race tshort, post-race snacks, swag bag and more. Registration is required. Information vosjcc. org/funrun.

Monday

23 Business Energizer

Attend a monthly networking lunch 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at McDowell Mountain Golf Club, 6186 N. Scottsdale Road. The event is open to both Scottsdale members and guests. Preregistration guest tickets are $20. Guest tickets may also be purchased at the door for $35. Information: www.scottsdalechamber.com.

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

Join a group of people with optimism and knowledge that can listen and help 10 a.m.noon at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave. Information: 480-314-6660.

Saturday

Messages in Ink exhibit

This exhibit displays work by print artists from the Phoenix Metro area including lithographs, etchings, letterpress, linoleum cut, woodcut and laserengraved work. The artwork is on display 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480-312-7323.

Paintings of Cam DeCaussin

Cam DeCaussin explores what might be behind the windows, doors and houses of a fictional Phoenix neighborhood with his realistic paintings. View the artwork 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive. Information: 480312-7323.

General Cancer support group

Winter break Shemesh camp

Children grades K through 4 will have a blast with art, sports, swimming and splash pad fun 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road. Registration is required. Information: youth@ vosjcc.org.

‘ Christmas Vacation’

Enjoy the comedic holiday film, “White Christmas,” at 5 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Information: 480312-7323.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Miracle League is a home-run for these kids BY MELODY BIRKETT Progress Contributor

North

trikes, home runs and even wins aren’t all that Scottsda le important for the Miracle League of Arizona – the 300 special-needs athletes, ages 4 and up, who comprise it, play ball at the North Scottsdale park to have fun. “Our pitcher has never gotten anyone out in six years,” said Al Maag, past president of Miracle League of Arizona. “Almost every game ends up in a tie.” “Everybody bats and they take the field, basically two innings,” said Maag. “They all get walk-up music and announced. They have their names on the back of their uniforms. They sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame.’ They get together after the game is over and all have a little cheer for Bradley Allen is delighted to be coming up to the plate for his team at a Miracle their own team and shake hands.” League of Arizona game. (Melody Birkett/Progress Contributor) Maag comes every Saturday to watch the children play from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at with their peers,” said Sarah. the park at 11130 E. Cholla St. “They can talk about base“We’ve added a batting cage, an adapball. It helps them with intertive playground and picnic area,” said actions on the baseball field. Cassandra Switalski, executive director It’s just amazing how easy of the Miracle League of Arizona. “We it is to join in and how welalso added a video scoreboard just to come the coaches and the give our families a Major League feeling volunteers are. It’s also nice where they can come here, enjoy a day the way all of the buddies at the ballpark, and then go home and look after them. They can enjoy the rest of their weekend.” just go out there and play.” Out of 300 Miracle Leagues in the U.S., Added Dean: “It’s fantasScottsdale has the only stadium with a tic…We know the boys are flat field to accommodate wheelchairs. going to be safe while they’re While parents are in the stands, cheerplaying. The buddies and ing their junior player on, a buddy is as- Maia Camarillo beams not just from being able to volunteers understand the play ball but also over the friendships he has devel- boys have special needs they signed to each child. by participating in the Miracle League. “The buddy sticks with them the whole oped need to be catered for. When (Melody Birkett/Progress Contributor) time, whether at bat or in the field,” exwe come, it’s great for us beplained Maag. “So, they have a friend Everyone scores. It ends in a tie every time. cause it’s rare we get to just right away. Some get very attached to But then we do have competitive leagues sit and watch our boys have fun without each other. And then you get kids who where we do adaptive strikes and closer us worrying about what they’re doing.” have their family members help out.” to the real games of baseball for some of Thomas Allen, one of their sons, likes The play is free as the Miracle League our athletes who want to use their skill it too. relies on sponsors and fundraisers to and knowledge at a higher level.” “I like making friends and running survive. “For me personally, I have a strong around because I’m more of an active “It’s one thing we’re so proud of, too,” connection because I have two siblings person and I enjoy sports a lot,” said said Switalski. “We know parents have who have special needs,” said Switalski. Thomas, who dreams of becoming a proother expenses with medical costs, “I have two younger brothers who are fessional baseball player. transportation, making everything athletes here. They play twice a week. Jessica Terrazas said Miracle League adaptive so the last thing we want is for My father coaches. has done wonders for her daughter them not to be able to participate be“It’s just a family-run affair for me. It’s Maia, who can’t speak without an eleccause of funding.” so great because when I was growing up tronic talking device. The leagues run in nine months of the I was playing sports and they were sup“When Maia started, I couldn’t even year, with summer being a break time porting me and now it’s all about them. I get her on the field,” said Terrazas. “She because of hot weather. Each season is feel very fortunate.” was crying. The noise. The people. Evabout seven weeks. Sarah and Dean Allen’s 9-year-old erything was so overwhelming. I know “The majority of our leagues are recre- twin boys play every week. she liked sports. She loved to throw a ational,” explained Maag. “Everyone hits. “It’s good because they can interact ball. And then to be able to have this ex-

perience for her and play baseball and be around all of these people it has just brought her out of her shell. She just feels so important, so good when she gets off the field.” At the end of the season, all players get a trophy. “She holds onto it and she’s just so proud,” Terrazas said. “She’s been able to make friends here. She sees different people every week. Her anxiety has gotten better. She plays with friends at school when they’re playing baseball. Because she can’t talk, it’s different for her to make friends at school. So, being able to play baseball here and throw a ball and use a bat, when she sees people at school doing it, she goes and does it then. “She feels comfortable. They have no idea she’s non-verbal. So it disappears and she blends in with the crowd. This has brought so much joy and happiness to Maia.” Lisa Gray’s son, Xavier, has vision challenges but the 10-year-old doesn’t let it stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. “He absolutely loves it and everybody here knows him as the slide king,” said Gray. “Every time he makes a home-run he has to slide literally all of the way in so he loves that.” “He has a great time,” Gray added. “I have to give credit to all of the coaches and the buddy kids who come out. They’re just wonderful with him. They give him extra time in the outfield to run around and to really feel the game and to be part of it.” Miracle League’s confidence boost helps Xavier at school as well. “It was such a blessing to find this place and for them to understand him and to really give him no extra special consideration other than he’s a kid first,” said Gray. “And I think it’s always important to remember with any of these kids with disabilities or other abilities, they’re kids first.” Maag said even spectators get a lift. “I don’t care what mood you’re in, you’re going to leave smiling because the kids are so happy,” said Maag. “And the parents are happy. Here, children of all ages can come here with some disability – it can be physical or mental. I’ve also seen miracles. “I’ve seen some kids who barely could walk and by the end-of-the-year they could because they see other kids their age and they say, ‘I can do that, too.’” Info at miracleleagueaz.com.

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

The stars were aligned for Scottsdale Arts

he Starry Night, an ARTrageous Gala benefitting Scottsdale Arts on Dec. 7 Scot tsdale brought out close to 400 glamourosly-attired community leaders and patrons of the arts for an evening of fun and fundraising. It included dinner under the stars hosted by Vanessa Ruiz and a Party on the Red Carpet hosted by Javier Soto. The gala celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and, true to gala chairman Oscar De las salas' promise, brought "pizzazz to downtown." Museum founding director Dr. Robert Knight received Scottsdale Art's new Herberger Award for the Arts, The award was named after Billie Jo and Judd Herberger for what De las salas called the couple's "financial and emotional support." Also honored were architect Will Bruder, former Mayor Sam Campana, former Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts director Kathy Hotchner, former Scottsdale Arts CEO Frank Jacobson, former curator of the arts Carolyn Robbins, former director of arts development Randy Schilling, former public art director Valeria Dr. Robert Knight is interviewed after Vadala-Homer and philanthropist getting the Herberger Award for the Arts. (Steven Fellheimer Photography) Ellie Ziegler.

South

Champagne dress model Brooke Llamos is ďŹ&#x201A;anked by Cameron Martz, left, and Ryan Conl. (Lynette Carrington)

The dessert table was sumptuously decorated. (Lynette Carrington)

Cassie Hepler, left, and Kelly Sallaway pose on the red carpet. (Steven Fellheimer Photography)

Progress Publisher Steve Strickbine and his wife Suzanne took a break from mingling with guests. (Steven Fellheimer Photography)

Guests dined at tables that were handsomely decorated. (Lynette Carrington)

Attorney Jordan Rose, left, and gala Diamond Sponsor Billie Jo Herbeger had a blast (Steven Fellheimer Photography)

BUSINESS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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Local businesses have your back on gifts BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

hen it comes to gift shopping, why not shop local? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2018 Small Business Pro�ile, Arizona has more than 553,000 small businesses, a nearly 3 percent increase compared to the prior year, which saw a total of more than 538,000 small businesses. One Valley business that started three years ago but recently set up shop in Old Town Scottsdale this past October is Twig & Lace, a shop offering hand-stamped products and gifts, from bottle openers and coffee stirrers to dog tags, ornaments, wine charms, and keychains. “I was looking for a way to contribute to the family �inances while being able to stay at home with our two children, Audrey and Wesley,” said found and owner Michelle Wiederhold of Twig & Lace’s beginnings. Wiederhold started her business with only $200; and now, Twig & Lace products can be found in seven brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Valley, including The Merchantile located in what was once Saba’s Western Wear. In fact, The Merchantile is the only Scottsdale location shoppers will �ind Twig &

ucts online, she said having physical locations has helped increase sales and visibility “immensely.” “The bene�its are customers can pick up something in the moment instead of having to wait for online purchases. Having my items in The Merchantile helps spread the word about what I do as well as all the other talented vendors in the space,” Wiederhold said. “I truly believe customers Michelle Wiederhold (second from right) is the founder and who shop small love owner of Twig & Lace, which recently found a new home in to know they are getThe Merchantile in Old Town Scottsdale. Currently, Twig & ting a one-of-a-kind Lace products can be found in seven total retail locations. item made by some(Twig & Lace/Instagram) one local.” Lace products. The holidays are “I feel The Merchantile has curated the a very important time of the year for best of the best in the Valley,” Wiederhold Wiederhold’s business, as the earnings said. “The pure talent amongst the ven- during these months make up about 40 dors amazes me. I am so honored to be percent of her sales for the entire year. included in such a wonderful group.” “Because I make hand-stamped items While Wiederhold does sell her prod- that can be customized, the holiday gift-

Local gifts throughout Scottsdale and beyond:

MIM snowflake ornament, $26.95 at Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., themimstore.org.

Twig & Lace’s coffee stirrers, $8 each at the Merchantile of Scottsdale, 3965 N. Brown Avenue, twigandlace.com.

$24.95 at the Frank Lloyd Wright Store, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., shop.franklloydwright.org.

My First Xylophone Menorah, $24.95 at Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., themimstore.org.

Van Gogh Vino (sip-and-paint class), $45 for one painter or $90 for two at Carrie Curran Art Studios, 8300 N. Hayden Road, #A100; carriecurranart.com.

The Party of Four pack, $50 at Drybar Scottsdale Quarter, 15147 N. Scottsdale Road, thedrybar.com.

Personalized rectangle cheese board, $55 at Everything Etched, 8341 E. Evans Road, #105; everythingetched.com. Little Box of Blessings CBD Gift, $65 at Simple Jane, simplejane.co. Nut Sack’s Sedona Mix, $15 at Luci’s at the Grove, 7400 N. Vía Paseo Del Sur; buynutsacks. com. Wild Tonic’s Wild Love, $21.99 at Sprouts Farmers Market, 4402 N. Miller Road, wildtonic.com.

Prickly Pax cactus pink bubble dress, $95 at Pax Philomena, paxphilomena.com. James Anthony Come Undone face wash, Vivify a.m. cream, and Resurrect p.m. treatment, $148 at James Anthony Skincare, jamesanthonyskincare.com. Bearberry Brightening Cream, $85 at Sleekskin Aesthetics, 10900 N. Scottsdale Road, #207; sleekskinaz.com. E.B. Masselink nature pattern coaster set,

Power birthstone necklace, $70 at Gorjana Scottsdale Quarter, 15125 N. Scottsdale Road, #130; gorjana.com. “Scottsdale Yentas Club” shirt, $18 at Schmattees, shopschmattees.com. Merkin Vineyards jams, preserves, and pasta, $9-$12 at Merkin Vineyards, 7133 E. Stetson Drive, #4; merkinoldtownscottsdale.com. Arizona Animal Welfare League Rescue Brew coffee, $9.99 at AJ’s Fine Foods, 15031 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.; aawl.org/rescuebrew

giving season is so busy,” she said. “This is my �irst holiday season with the retail locations, markets, and online.” Twig & Lace’s most popular products are it's coffee and cocktail stirrers. “They are great gifts and people just love the funny and snarky sayings on them. My ornaments and keychains are a close second,” Wiederhold explained, adding what she believes attracts shoppers are the cheeky and sometimes “naughty” sayings inscribed on the products. “I really feel it resonates with so many people,” she said. Personalized, custom gifts, including keychains with a special name, quote, or date, make up for almost 75 percent of Twig & Lace’s online orders. And Wiederhold said personalized gifts will only continue to increase in popularity. “It’s getting harder and harder to buy gifts for loved ones and friends. Picking something special that means something is a trend I think will only grow and grow,” she said. For those looking for personalized and/or local gifts this holiday season, look no further than the following list, which includes everything from curated gift boxes full of local sweet treats to custom engraved glassware, wood gifts, and more. 2020 Phoenix PubPass, $20 at PubPass, getpubpass.com. “Wine is the Key!” package (inc. bottle of LDV red or white, LDV serving tray, wine key chain), $55 at LDV Winery Tasting Room, 7134 E. Stetson Drive, #B110; ldvwinery.com. Festivus Holiday Blend, $16 at all Press locations, presscoffee.com. Local Sweets Gift Box, $45 at Sphinx Date Co., 3039 N. Scottsdale Road, sphinxdateranch.com CBD Healing Balm, $10 at Wünder CBD, cbdwunder.com. Four Peaks Mining Co. 0.70ct round AZ amethyst, set in 14-karat yellow gold crown bezel on 18-inch chain, $300 at OdySea in the Desert, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, fourpeaksminingco.com.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Scottsdale Arts would like to thank our sponsors for making our ARTrageous Gala the most successful ever! We would also like to thank Billie Jo and Judd Herberger, Scottsdale Progress, Sharron and Delbert Lewis, 5 Arts Circle, BMO Harris Bank, Cox Communications, IMI Design, and Phoenix Magazine, and all the table hosts and guests who were in attendance! Because of you, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to provide essential art programs throughout Scottsdale!

Squidsoup, Submergence, interactive LED light installation at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 2017.

OPINION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

Opinion

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A mother’s anguish, a son lost to a red-light runner BY BARBARA HOFFMAN Progress Guest Writer

Editor’s note: The author titled this “My Last Day on Earth by the Late Michael David Allanson, Forever 14.” He was her son.

never thought that today would be my last day on earth. I woke up feeling the wet tongue of a puppy licking my eyelids. It startled me at �irst, then I remembered my dad bought me a new beagle puppy that I called Copper. The school year has just started for me. I was excited to be in ninth grade. I got to ride my bike to school now. I got a job in the school cafeteria. It will be cool to get a paycheck. I can save some money so I can �ix up my bike. I love working on bikes, skateboards and motorized skateboards. I want mine to be different from others, faster and to look amazing. Bad news recently hit my family as my older sister, Jenn, was in a rollover crash on her way home from Mexico. My mom and dad are very upset. My mom has taken me to see her in the hospital a few times. She broke many bones and she had bleeding in her brain. When she came home from the hospital, they gave her a wheelchair because she can’t walk. She sleeps a lot because of the pain medicine. My sister and I decided we could watch a movie together, so I rode my motorized scooter over to my mom’s house from my dad’s house. It is only a few miles apart. I got there fairly fast. I always wear my helmet and sunglasses because I don’t want to get pulled over. It is a law in our city. I don’t need to get in trouble. We watched the movie and of course, my sister fell asleep. I got up to leave. For some reason, I felt the need to give my sister a hug. I looked up and saw my mom smiling. She liked it when we got along. My mom had friends over to play computer games. She asked me if I wanted to stay as she was going to order pizza, but I told her I needed to get back to dad’s

house to feed my new puppy. I also I realized that I was hit and killed by needed to ride my scooter before dark. an elderly man who ran a red light. I love pizza but I have a little puppy that My life was over just like that. needs me. In my new realm, I could see things I headed out on my motorized scoot- in many places. I watched as my er. When I stop, the motor stops. I just neighbor knocked on my mom’s front rebuilt the engine on this scooter, and door. Her twin daughters were crying it is running pretty well. Makes me feel hysterically. My mom opened the door proud of myself and they all told for �ixing it up. her at once that It didn’t even I had been hit by run when I got it a car. from my friend. My mom When I got to the looked over to intersection of my sister and McKellips Road said, “You will and 64th Street have to move in Mesa, my light over as your was red. I pulled brother probup to the side ably broke his of a large SUV. leg too.” My I stared at my neighbor looked light until I saw at my mom’s the light turn to boyfriend and green. shook her head. As I pulled forThey pretty ward, I got a nod much knew I from the SUV was dead but driver as they didn’t want to were going to Michael Allanson was 14 when a red-light say it out loud. turn right and in- runner took his life. (Barbara Hoffman) My mom asked dicated that they our neighbor to would wait for me to go �irst. I took off take her to the scene of the crash. in the proper crosswalk and wham, out My mom got out of the car at the of nowhere a car hit me. intersection and ran toward the It was a big old white Buick. I screamed crash scene. A police officer stopped out in pain as I �lew up in the air. My her. She wanted to see me, but they scooter shattered into pieces and I fell wouldn’t let her. down hard to the burning hot asphalt. I was bleeding badly out of my head. Immediately, I saw a white light. It was My heart had stopped. Many of my orwarm and calming. I followed it to a gans were damaged. They worked on more peaceful place. me for a long time but couldn’t do much. Looking down from my new heavenThe police officer told my mom ly home, I saw my next-door neighbor that a helicopter was standing by and run to my body. She was screaming my would take me to the hospital, but name. I saw her kids stay in their car. they needed to get me stable. I never They were crying. got stabilized. An off- duty police of�icer came and Two men walked over to my mom took my pulse. I didn’t have one. A few who was sitting on the curb by the road people called 911. and they told her that they couldn’t An ambulance, police and a �ire truck save me. My mom had an oxygen clip on came. Paramedics began to work on me. her nose as they had thought she was My neighbor drove off to tell my mom going into shock. what happened. She said the words out loud to her

boyfriend. “They couldn’t save him.” Her voice quivered. I saw my mom dialing her cell phone to call my dad. He was at work. She was put on hold. Her hands were shaking. My dad got on the phone. She told him that I was hit by a car and they couldn’t save me. I heard my dad yelling out on the phone, “NO, NO, NO.” My mom was paralyzed with grief. My dad also came to the scene. He was terribly upset. My mom realized it had gotten dark by that time. The �lashing of all the emergency lights were everywhere. She asked to go home. She knew she had to tell my sister what happened. They got to the house and my mom ran to my sister to tell her. They cried and hugged even though my sister was cringing in pain because hugging hurt her broken ribs. Shortly afterward, my dad, my grandparents, old neighbors and the �ire department showed up at my mom’s house. The social worker for the �ire department was the mom of one of my best friends. I saw her crying. I spent the night at their house many times. She was a cool lady and I felt bad that she was so devastated by my death. I watched as people made phone calls. Crying and sobbing were all around. My grandfather, who is normally a very strong man, was laying on the floor sobbing. One tragic mistake from a driver who neglected to stop at a red light devastated many lives that day, especially mine. I will never get to graduate high school, go to college, get married or have children of my own. He took away my future. He broke the hearts of my family and friends. Please, if you are reading my story, “STOP ON RED!” -Barbara Hoffman is executive director of Red Means Stop Traf�ic Safety Alliance, redmeansstop.org.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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SPORTS & RECREATION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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Saguaro put up valiant Open Division �ight BY ZACH ALVIRA Progress Sports Editor

t was billed as arguably the biggest game in the history of high school football in Arizona. Top-ranked Chandler, the winner of the last three 6A Conference titles matched up against No. 3 Saguaro, the six-time defending 4A Conference champion. Fans packed Sun Devil Stadium Saturday evening to see history be made, and both teams delivered. A three-touchdown Chandler lead quickly dwindled away in the second half, but it was the Wolves who hung on to beat Saguaro, 42-35, to become the first-ever Arizona Open Division state champions. “This is what we worked for,” Chandler coach Rick Garretson said. “I can’t ask for anything more. I love my staff, I love my kids, I love my community. Chandler was out in force tonight.” Chandler running back Dae Dae Hunter missed the Wolves’ semifinal game against Salpointe Catholic with an ankle injury. But he quickly proved he was at full strength on Chandler’s first offensive possession. The senior broke free up the middle for a 71-yard run - taking the life out of the Saguaro defense. Two plays later, junior quarterback Mikey Keene capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. “Right then and there, at that moment, we knew we had it in the bag,” Hunter said. “We knew we could compete with anybody. We knew we were the best. From going into the game and throughout it we believed it and we came out as state champions.” The fast start by Chandler seemed to have a lasting effect on Saguaro’s defense, which gave up an 18-yard touchdown pass from Keene to sophomore wideout Kyion Grayes on the Wolves’ next offensive possession. From there, Chandler’s defense took over. On Saguaro’s ensuing drive, senior quarterback Tyler Beverett’s pass was tipped by Chandler defensive end Zion Magalei into the hands of his teammate, Brandon Buckner, who then walked into the end zone 3-yards away. In less than 6 minutes into the first quar-

Saguaro ﬁnished as the runner-up in the inaugural Open Division state championship game. (Zach Alvira/Progress Staff)

ter, Chandler had already built a 21-point lead. “We got after it,” Garretson said. “When it comes down to it, I block you and I throw, I run and I tackle. Player ‘A’ has to beat player ‘B.’ That’s what we did tonight.” Saguaro did, however, manage to get on the board after a big hit from defensive back Jacobe Covington forced a Chandler fumble. From there, senior Kelee Ringo took it in from 19-yards out to put the Sabercats on the board. But it wasn’t enough. Just before the end of the first half, Keene and Grayes connected once again, this time for a 22-yard touchdown giving Chandler a 28-7 lead at the half. As rain started to fall during halftime at Sun Devil Stadium, most fans headed for the upper concourse to stay dry while watching the remainder of the game. Some, however, headed for the exits. “For a while there I thought, ‘man, people are going to be asking for a refund,’” Mohns said. “I wish we wouldn’t have started as slow as we did but I’m proud of the way we battled back in the second half.” Saguaro cut into Chandler’s lead with

an 8-yard run by senior Will Shaffer in the third quarter. But even as the defense began forcing the Wolves to punt, they still had trouble containing Hunter. The senior transfer from Colorado broke free for a 74yard touchdown with just over 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Hunter would score once more on the night, a 4-yard run ultimately helping Chandler clinch the victory after two scores by Saguaro to trim the lead. The Sabercats cut Chandler’s lead to just 7 points late in the game after a 1-yard run by Shaffer – his third touchdown of the night. But an onside kick recovery by Chandler ended the game. “This has always been a dream of mine,” Hunter said. “At the beginning of high school, I never thought I would win a state championship but here I am. What else can you ask for?” Hunter rushed 24 times for 247-yards and two touchdowns against Saguaro. Keene completed 18 of his 28 passes for 186-yards and three total touchdowns of his own. It was a dominating performance by

Chandler as a whole, as it put up 521-yards of total offense. “I think we made a statement that we are the best team in the state,” Keene said. “It feels amazing. All of our hard work paid off.” But even with the staggering numbers against them, the Sabercats still proved they belonged atop the state rankings. Saguaro put up 391 total yards of offense against Chandler and ultimately had a chance to send the game to overtime had the onside kick gone their way. Beverett threw for 230-yards and ran for 103 more, while defensive end Quinton Summerville and the rest of the Saguaro front-seven wreaked havoc at times on Chandler’s stout offensive line. Both teams proved they deserved to be there. Both teams put an exclamation point on what was a historic season for Arizona high school football. “There’s nothing wrong with losing to a team like Chandler,” Mohns said. “Obviously, it’s hard watching teams you played and beat run off the field with a trophy. But I think our state needs to embrace that the Open Division is the standard.”

SPORTS & RECREATION SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

2 4

The Game Photos by Chris Mortenson/Progress Photographer

aguaro waged a mighty fight in Arizona's first Open Division championship Dec. 7, but fell to Chandler. 1) Abercats fans tailgated while awaiting the game before )2 Mason Davis and the rest of the team took the field. 3) Kelee Rongo ran his heart out and 4) Quarterback Tyler Beverett played a championship game and 5) Saguaro was gracious in congratulating Chandler on its victory and 6) Saguaro fans rooted for their team throughout the game.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Scottsdale Nutcracker steeped in tradition BY BRIDGETTE REDMAN Progress Contributor

hen it comes to traditions such as “The Nutcracker,” Slawomir Wozniak, the Scottsdale Airpark-based Phoenix Ballet artistic director, believes the classical approach is the most satisfying. It doesn’t mean you won’t see surprises in his highly popular version of “The Nutcracker” which has 15 performances in Phoenix this year – all 15 performances are nearly sold out. This is because the one-time principal dancer for Ballet of the National Opera of Warsaw knows how to retell the story while staying true to the classical elements. While it is classical in tradition and uses the full score of Tchaikovsky, all the choreography is his, and much is unique to Wozniak’s specific vision. For example, instead of having the Land of the Sweets, his “Nutcracker” features a garden, the Land of Flowers, and the show ends with the waltz of the flowers, rather than the usual finale. “I wanted to show my own vision of ‘The Nutcracker,’” Wozniak says. “Not to get away from things were already, but it is all mine. There is no copying of any steps or any sets or costumes or anything. It’s all mine. “But I’m very attached to tradition and it’s what I admire. There is a deep, deep history behind it. There is so much discipline and dedication and love to it.” Wozniak developed this “Nutcracker” in Poland before he moved to the United States in 2007. The show has taken many years to evolve because he builds all the sets and costumes on his own with the help of volunteers and some sponsors. However, now, in 2019, the show is what he wants it to be. “Now I can say I’m fully satisfied with what I see on-stage,” Wozniak says. “Now I’m doing exactly what my intention was in Poland. Then the company was sponsored by the government and I had an unlimited amount of money necessary to make it possible. It’s a totally

The Phoenix Ballet Nutcracker reflects artistic director Slawomir Wozniak's preferences for a classical approach. (Phoenix Ballet)

“The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” “According to the book and the standard ‘Nutcracker’ story, Drosselmeyer is usually very scary,” Wozniak says. “In my production, he is scary, but he is also very funny. He does magic. He does things that are impressive like making dolls that can dance.” In the first act, Drosselmeyer plays the traditional role of the uncle who entertains and brings toys. However, everyone is a little The Scottsdale-based Phoenix Ballet stages a stunning stage and costume presentation to afraid of him as he is strange accompany the equally stunning dancers in its version of "Nutcracker." (Phoenix Ballet) looking and engages in odd behavior. In the second act, different story here on my own. What I ers in the company has grown from behe plays a much larger role do is based on what I can afford.” tween 40 or 60 to 100 or more. than is traditional. Despite the challenge of funding, WozAnother difference in his Nutcracker He dances on stilts. He brings Clara’s niak does not regret retiring to Arizona is the role of Herr Drosselmeyer. For his bed on-stage, animates the fight scene and starting a ballet company, saying he role, and many of the other elements, between the soldiers and the mice and has far greater freedom here to create Wozniak turned to the original source then becomes the king of the mice with what he wants to create and teach what of the ballet, the story written in 1816 he wants to teach. The number of danc- by Prussian author E.T.A. Hoffmann, see NUTCRACKER page 35

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

NUTCRACKER �� page 34

a big head and an ax. “It’s really unusual for a dancer and actor to put on stilts on-stage and dance like a ballerina,” Wozniak says. “Usually he doesn’t exist in the second act except maybe in the beginning. In mine, he is animating the whole process of the flowers. He is dancing with the Arabians on the flying carpet; he is playing the mandolin in the Russian dance. He is in charge of all those things happening on-stage. “I did everything I wanted to do with the part. I have a great performer who does this. It makes the show really unique as far as I’m concerned.” He feels it also adds coherency to the story as everyone has a greater understanding of who is who and why things are happening. He feels it simultaneously makes things more pleasant and leaves more room for imagination. The Scottsdale Airpark-based Phoenix Ballet dances “The Nutcracker” is a mix of professional adult dancers, students and children. There are also a few adults who are not professionals – parents who participate in the opening party scene. Wozniak says no one should be fooled by the label “student” or “youth” into

thinking the dancers don’t achieve excellency. “There are young dancers who are probably even higher caliber and skills than some of the professionals from other companies in the world,” Wozniak says. “They are still very young and working toward their goals to be professional, but they are winning medals in international competitions throughout the world.” He says the mix of age creates more excitement in his performances and an atmosphere where everyone feels challenged. There are dancers in the show who are as young as 5 years old. They’re learning the ins and outs of ballet and how to behave. “It is a mix of ages and levels of professional, but for sure the quality I can guarantee and sign off on with both hands.” When he started staging “The Nutcracker” in Arizona 11 years ago, they had five shows and a much smaller cast with fewer set-pieces. This year, they will perform 15 shows at the Orpheum and welcome back many repeat visitors. “I have a lot of followers from the past 10 years who come every year and they are even more impressed than people who are seeing it for the first time,” Woz-

niak says. “They see it as it evolves.” Every year it evolves in new ways so the dancers are challenged and the audience is surprised. Some elements Wozniak cites as having been added over the years: • A 17-foot-tall window. • A Christmas tree 25 feet tall and growing. • New costumes every year reflecting new trends in fashion even while based on historical looks. • New advanced steps, some danced by 11-, 12- and 13-year-old young women on point • New dances reflecting the skills of the dancers. • New props. • New effects. • A cannon - once symbolic only but now is able to fire on-stage. “There is a fireball on-stage impressing even the people who work for Cirque du Soleil, because of the way it is done,” Wozniak says. Wozniak, who began performing in Arizona as a dancer in 1989, has long had a love for the state. “I had the privilege of performing in Arizona every year and I was learning about it with every experience,” Wozniak says. “There was no doubt in my head where I was going when I was go-

ing to retire as a dancer.” But retirement for the 53-year-old choreographer doesn’t mean he’s slowed down any. He consistently works 12-hour days for the Phoenix Ballet. He says every day is filled with sweat and tears and hard work, but it is satisfying and the life he wants. “I’m trying to put those worlds together,” Wozniak says. “Where I meet the expectations from nowadays audience while still teaching them to respect the tradition and the classical beauty and to keep up with history. (I want to teach) the next generations to still like what was done in the past even if there is a different take on it.” “Tradition has to be there. There is no house that exists without the foundation. There is no future if you don’t remember what was in the past.”

If You Go

Slawomir Wozniak’s “The Nutcracker” performed by The Phoenix Ballet Various times through Tuesday, Dec. 23 Information: phoenixballet.org

FOOD & DRINK

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

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Loosen that belt, plenty of new eateries coming BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

ince late 2018, Ocean 44 has kept its expansive raw bar and seafood menu as fresh as possible – even flying to Alaska and back in less than three days with fresh fish in hand. In August, Maple & Ash introduced Scottsdale to its take on steak and seafood dishes, including its “secret” menu item: the “pasta back,” an indulgently sinful dish comprising al dente conchigliette pasta bathed in a buttery broth. On New Year’s Eve, Frasher’s Steakhouse will make it's initially unexpected – but now highly anticipated – return to southern Scottsdale four years after it closed. And this isn’t even close to the end of the steak and seafood trend in Scottsdale. “We’ve had a lot of steakhouses come to the Valley, and I think you might even see a few more come our way or some expand,” said Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association, said of Arizona’s 2020 restaurant and food trends. “You’ll see some more seafood options and seafood restaurants come into play,” he added. Chucri credits the popularity and increase in sumptuous, high-end steak-

houses and seafood restaurants in the Valley to the continued increase of residents’ net worth. “As parts of Arizona’s net worth continues to increase, I think you will find people are going to go to the more white-tablecloth-kind of restaurants. And we’ve seen it,” he said. “The Mastro family, I think they’ll continue to grow.” Nobu, international restaurant sensation known for its seafoodbased signature dishes, including its black cod with miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, was expected to open this year just outside Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing, but it is now scheduled to open sometime in 2020. “We look forward to Mora Italian owner Scott Conant’s newest restaurant, bringing guests the Nobu The Americano, is a steakhouse slated to open next signatures they have year in northern Scottsdale near Mayo Blvd. and Scott- come to love, along with sdale Road. (Special to the Progress) some very special dishes

only be available at Nobu Scottsdale,” said Matsuhisa in a statement at the time of announcement. “Chopped” judge and owner of Mora Italian Scott Conant will open The Americano next year in northern Scottsdale near Mayo Boulevard and Scottsdale Road. The Americano is Conant’s take on the traditional steakhouse, where he will complement fine-aged steaks with his famous antipasti, market salads, and house-made pasta. Patrons will also find a raw bar and an assortment of seafood dishes on The Americano’s menu, as well as a wine cellar at the entrance of the restaurant showcasing a selection of up to 200 Italian and American wines. Expanding into Arizona for the first time is California-based Lure Fish House, which will open next spring at The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale. The Scottsdale restaurant is Lure’s first location outside of California, where it runs four locations. “Our whole family really adores Scottsdale’s food scene, and we’ve always wanted to be a part of it,” said Matt Rek, vice president of development at Lure Fish House.

see OPENINGS page 37

Scottsdale lures famed California fish eatery

BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

ure Fish House, a family-owned restaurant serving fresh, sustainable seafood based out of California, will soon open up their fifth location in Arizona, their second home. “We actually have a family home in the area, and we love to gather there for the holidays,” said Matt Rek, vice president of development at Lure Fish House. Lure is owned by David Cortina and his wife Patricia Cortina, and his family’s Arizona home is located in Chandler. Rek said they chose Scottsdale because the “whole family really adores Scottsdale’s food scene” and they’ve “always wanted to be part of it.”

Lure is slated to open next spring at The Shops Gainey Village, on the southeast corner of Doubletree Ranch and Scottsdale Road in northern Scottsdale, occupying more than 6,000-square-foot space once home to restaurants like Naya, Cask 63, and Bloom. Rek said Lure’s expansion was intentionally timed to open following the opening of Lure’s seafood distribution facility this year in Ventura County. Opening next year allows them to “self-deliver the freshest seafood over to Scottsdale daily,” he said. “We always had our sights for Scottsdale, specifically, and we just wanted to make sure we had the freshest seafood

see LURE page 37

Lure Fish House, a family-owned restaurant serving fresh, sustainable seafood based out of California, will expand into Arizona for the first time. The restaurant will open in Scottsdale next spring. (Lure Fish House/Special to the Progress)

FOOD & DRINK

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

OPENINGS �� page 36

Chucri predicts growth in specialty restaurants, as well – smaller restaurants with around a maximum capacity of 60 patrons. “Now, you’ve got Thai restaurants, you’ve got Indian restaurants, you’ve got Chinese restaurants, you’ve got all types of Vietnamese restaurants, you’ve got Middle Eastern restaurants; and I believe you’ll start to see specialized cuisine like this continue to evolve, more so than major brands,” Chucri said. According to the National Restaurant Association, the Arizona restaurant industry’s projected sales for 2019 is $863 billion. The state saw more than 310,000 restaurant and food service jobs this year, as well, making up 11 percent of employment. By 2029, it is projected the number will grow by more than 15 percent, equating to 46,900 additional jobs, for a total of 357,500 jobs. In other words, the restaurant industry will only continue to grow, and patrons both in and out of state will continue to be more than willing to support it.

LURE �� page 36

delivered by us,” Rek added. The Lure team has been hard at work gut-remodeling the space since late last year. “We’re doing ... extensive work on the exterior of the dining room, bar area, kitchen. So, you probably won’t be able to recognize the old space once we’re done with it,” Rek said. “We’re really excited to unveil it.” The interior will mirror the four other Lure locations, boasting a nautical theme accented with large gothic mirrors, industrial light fixtures, wood detailing and wall decor and a variety of textures, from stone and wainscoting to tufting. “We’re sticking with our existing pallet we have with our other Lure restaurants: timeless with a modern twist,” Rek said. In addition to sustainable seafood, Lure uses organically grown produce whenever possible and offers dishes at affordable prices. For example, the Spicy Salmon Burger — a Faroe Islands salmon filet atop a bed of grilled jalapeño slaw and avocado and drizzled with an orange aioli — is a specialty menu item priced at $16.95. Lure’s other signature dishes, including pan-seared scallops, blackened seared Ono, and Sally’s Sand Dabs, a

“We’re still a very resort-minded community and invites people to want to come to our state, especially this time of year,” Chucri said. The following restaurants are slated to open next year in Scottsdale:

Blue Zone What: James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Stratta’s plant-based Mediterranean restaurant When: February/March 2020 Where: 8260 N. Hayden Road, Suite A-100 Nobu What: Robert De Niro- and Nobu Matsuhisa-owned restaurant serving high-end Japanese cuisine When: Early 2020 Where: Scottsdale Fashion Square luxury wing Website: noburestaurants.com

MIXT What: San Francisco-based restaurant serving chef-crafted selection of salads, grain bowls, and market plates When: Spring 2020 Where: Scottsdale Quarter, 15059 N.

Scottsdale Road Website: mixt.com

Herb Box Catering Company What: Third Scottsdale location for the fullservice event planning company offering creative cuisine When: Spring 2020 Where: 7000 E. Shea Blvd., #G Website: theherbbox.com

J Town What: A one-stop shop for authentic Japanese cuisine, including five conceptual themes: Hiro Café, Ramen Row, Izakaya Lounge, Wagyu Den, and its rooftop Terasu Bar When: 2020 Where: 7341 E. 6th Avenue Website: jtownscottsdale.com

Lure Fish House What: Fresh and sustainable seafood When: Spring 2020 Where: The Shops Gainey Village, 8777 N. Scottsdale Road Website: lurefishhouse.com The Americano What: Steakhouse with pasta, raw bar, sea-

Lure Fish House features a raw bar serving a variety of fresh oysters.

(Lure Fish House/

Special to the Progress)

family recipe served with lemon sauce and capers, and New York strip steak served with two sides, range in price from $21.95 to $28.95. As for Lure’s raw bar, the restaurant offers five different oysters, from el chingon to fanny bay oysters — ranging in price from $13.95 to $17.50 for a half dozen. “We have a wide variety; there’s something for everyone,” Rek said. “[Patrons] get the freshest seafood, get organically

grown produce and not have to spend a significant amount on the order.” As an increasing number of seafood restaurants continue to open in the Valley, Rek said what will set Lure apart is not only their prices and their commitment to serving only the freshest ingredients, but also the simplicity of the revolving, seasonally focused menu. “Our bread-and-butter is different than some of the nearby seafood restaurants. It’s basically you go in, you choose

food, and extensive wine menu Where: 17797 N. Scottsdale Road When: 2020 Website: theamericanorestaurant.com

Culinary Dropout What: 15,798-square-foot gastropub located along 73rd Place, across the street from The Quad and Splash Fountain When: Spring 2020 Where: Scottsdale Quarter, 15125 N. Scottsdale Road Website: culinarydropout.com WILD What: Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine owner Brett Vibber’s new concept When: March 2020 Where: Tentatively Old Town

Farmhouse What: “Seed-to-plate” cuisine from Nathan Peitso, second-generation farmer of Kenter Canyon Farms When: 2020 Where: Scottsdale Fashion Square luxury wing Website: farmhousela.com a simply grilled fish on the plancha and you get two sides with it,” he said. Rek added: “The daily offerings change on a daily base basis, depending on what we have in terms of the freshest seafood available. And a lot of the time it can range from a wild Alaskan coho salmon to wild Pacific white sea bass. And our sides rotate as well based on the season.” Additionally, Lure has a full bar with specialty cocktails made with freshly squeezed fruit juices. The Scottsdale location will offer both California- and Arizona-based wines. Lure’s four other restaurants are located in Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, Ventura, and Camarillo, where the concept was founded in 2010. Lure will bring a general manager from California to launch the Scottsdale restaurant. “He’s one of our best GMs,” Rek said. “We’re bringing some help from our other locations to help kickstart things, and we’re going to hire a little bit closer to opening day.” The Scottsdale restaurant may not be Lure’s only restaurant in Arizona. According to Rek, the Lure team is open to expanding further throughout the state. “We are just absolutely in love with Arizona,” he said. “We’re literally there all the time. It makes the most sense for us.” Information: lurefishhouse.com

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ho doesn’t love homemade biscuits piping hot right out of the oven? Who doesn’t love a recipe that turns out perfectly every time – using only four ingredients? This recipe for four-ingredient homemade biscuits is now my go-to for a delicious bread to go with biscuits and gravy, soups, chili or simply with melted butter and jam. The recipe consists of only four everyday ingredients: Bisquick, sour cream, 7-Up and butter. Generally, I prefer a mixer to hand mixing bread dough, but for this recipe, stirring by hand turns out a much better batter. If you mix these ingre-

dients with an electric mixer, the dough gets too wet and sticky, which makes it difﬁcult to punch out the dough with a cookie cutter. Mixing by hand gives you the perfect consistency. Instead of incorporating the butter into the dough, the butter gets melted and poured into a sheet pan or casserole, and the biscuit dough gets laid right on top of the butter. These delicious nuggets of dough are light, ﬂaky and simply divine. If you’re looking to add one more item to your holiday menu or want to surprise family and guests with a real taste of home, you can’t beat comfort food at its best.

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Ingredients: 4 cups Bisquick 1 cup sour cream 1 cup 7-up (do not use diet 7-Up) 1/2 cup melted butter Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9 x 12 inch casserole dish or a sheet pan with a one-inch lip. In a large bowl, combine Bisquick, sour cream and 7 up. Mix with a large wooden spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined. (Do not use electric mixer.) Sprinkle 1 cup

of Bisquick over a cutting board, in one area where you will be putting the dough. Spoon the dough onto the Bisquick and gently fold dough, incorporating the Bisquick from the cutting board into the dough. Gently pat the dough to spread out to about ½ inch thick. Using a square or round 3 inch cookie cutter, punch out dough. Place squares on top of the melted butter. Bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown on top. Serve while still hot. Biscuits are delicious with butter and jelly. Makes 12 biscuits. Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe/ homemade-biscuits.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 15, 2019

ANDREW BLOOM, HOUSING EXPERT CEO A D FOU DER OF THE BVO LU URY GROUP Keller WIlliams Ari4ona Realty, Luxury Division Voted #1 Scottsdale Real Estate Team 201;

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

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

The Fall selling season is always one of the best times to sell. Our population swells with snow birds who have been waiting on the sidelines to purchase. This year we have more demand coming from California buyers who have been aggressively purchasing wellpriced homes. Experts agree that this is the best time since the peak of the 2006 housing bubble to sell a home. Sarah Mikhitarian, senior economist of real estate site Zillow.com, tells us it is a trend she is seeing all over the country. “In my 25 years selling Real Estate in Ari4ona I have never seen a better time to buy or sell,” he said. Q. Is it worth it to remodel a home we’ve owned for 20 years if we are thinking of selling in the near future? A. Homes selling for the highest price are those that are move-in ready. We are seeing many luxury investors come into our market and buy homes as-is and completely renovate them. The average price per square foot to completely renovate a home is approximately $50.00 and the average increase in property value is about $100.00 per square foot. Of course cosmetic updating of paint and carpet is much less expensive and does provide a great benefit to getting market value for older homes. Q. here do I begin? I don’t have any idea what to do to my house! I don’t know who to call! and I don’t know what it will cost. A. Just call our team! We handle it all. For no cost we can get you a complete pro"ect analysis including the improvements that will bring you the best ROI! We have vendors for every pro"ect, big or small. Q. o you recommend staging a home to sell? A. All homes must be staged. Often times the owners decor is enough. We recommend that you read “The 10 Best Kept Secrets For Selling Your Home” guide at https<//www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/10-best-kept-secrets-for-selling-your-home. Q. As the to real estate team in cottsdale! what do you do differently to sell lu ury homes? A. We have a global network of the top real estate agents World wide. We also work closely with Wealth Managers, Sports Agents, Corporate Relocation, Physicians, and Estate Attorneys. Our depth of referrals is very deep and allows us to expose our sellers to many qualified buyers. In addition our Omni-channel marketing approach creates exponential global exposure by repurposing over 35 pages a month of print collateral in a digital world.

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

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