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City News
Scottsdale Police Publish Policies Online
THE SCOTTSDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT (PD) RECENTLY CREATED A NEW TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WEBPAGE THAT PROVIDES OPEN ACCESS TO ITS POLICY MANUAL.
The new page can be accessed at scottsdaleaz.gov/ police/transparency-and-accountability.
These are the most current policies, which are con“We are excited to be underway with the construction of the Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This trailhead is the last of the major trailheads to be constructed, and represents the coming to fruition of the community’s vision to preserve the Sonoran Desert,” says Scott Hamilton, natural resources manager with the City of Scottsdale. “The trailhead will provide access to the Preserve for the citizens of Scottsdale who twice voted to tax themselves to not only protect the policy management, and the Strategic Plan for the
tinuously reviewed and updated through an extensive a rigorous review of departmental policies and
revision process, according to the department.
While most policies are available online, not every policy is available through the website to preserve tactical, officer safety, and other security concerns. Under the Arizona Public Records laws, such release or withholding must be evaluated pursuant to the Carlson balancing test. If a community member would PD.
like a policy listed in the Table of Contents that is not available on the website, one can make a public records request to see if a redacted version can be released.
numerous department wide programs to foster public accountability and provide transparency,” according to Scottsdale PD. “This includes Uniformed Crime Reporting, International Accreditation, data analytics, Scottsdale Police Department.”
Every year, Scottsdale PD voluntarily submits to procedures that address compliance with over 460 standards, according to Scottsdale PD. A departmentwide assessment, including interviews with city leadership and the community, is completed every four years by external assessment teams.
The accreditation process ensures accountability within the department in meeting or exceeding the gold standard expectations of policing, cites Scottsdale
For more information about police accreditation, call 480-312-1971.
RECENTLY, SCOTTSDALE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED IMPROVEMENTS TO PIMA DYNAMITE TRAILHEAD, LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF MCDOWELL SONORAN PRESERVE, ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF PIMA ROAD AND DYNAMITE BOULEVARD.
land, but to also provide recreational and educational opportunities for this generation, and for those to come.”
“The Scottsdale Police Department participates in $5.6 million to Path Construction Inc. Funding comes from the voterapproved 2004 Preserve Sales Tax, according to the city’s website.
On its website, the city answers some basic questions about the project:
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TRAILHEAD?
The trailhead will provide parking and support amenities for public recreational access to the extensive network of trails in the northern region of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Between 2010 and 2015, the city acquired roughly 15,000 acres of land in this area from the Arizona State Land Department. This land will be permanently protected as part of the Preserve. In 2016, the city purchased 400 additional acres of state land on the northeast corner of Pima Road and Dynamite Boulevard for the location of the Trailhead.
The improvements were approved for
The first phase of the trailhead will include the following amenities, according to the city: • Parking for 200 or more passenger vehicles • Parking for at least 12 horse trailers • Restrooms • Hitching rails and water trough • Covered ramada and small educational amphitheater • Interpretive, directional, and regulatory signage • Limited site lighting • Small office/storage space with storage yard • Drinking fountains for hikers and dogs • Entry roads with automatic access control gates
Construction on the trailhead will start soon with the goal of being completed in summer 2021, Hamilton notes.
The city is looking for community feedback on the project. Interested community members can provide feedback via a public comment form on its website at scottsdaleaz. gov/construction/project-list/pimadynamite-trailhead. The same website is the place to visit for continuous project updates.
City News Mask Up In Style
ON A SUNNY DAY EARLY IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALISON HANDEL AND HER TEENAGE DAUGHTERS WATCHED CANCER PATIENTS ENTER A CHEMOTHERAPY INFUSION
CENTER. They entered alone due to policies necessary to try to keep the patients and their loved ones safe and, seeing this, the Handels said to each other, “We need to do something.” And so, the brainstorming that led to House of Luxury Masks began.
Through Alison’s position as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Arizona Chapter Board of Trustees, the Handels had long been supporters of LLS’ mission to invest in life-saving new treatments and provide support to patients and their families. A long-time resident of DC Ranch, Alison has personally raised thousands of dollars over a decade of involvement with LLS and daughters Ava (14) and Chloe (12) are often at her side, helping in whatever way that they can.
In the summer of 2020 that help has emerged through an innovative initiative the Handels have named House of Luxury Masks — a project born from the Handels’ interest in fundraising, fashion and a new sustainability concept known as “upcycling.”
“We were already committed to raising funds for LLS just as wearing masks was becoming a necessity — and we thought, ‘Why not mask up in style?’”
The concept was to create masks from discarded dust covers for shoes and clothing, boxes, gift wrap ribbons, and any material that would reflect luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. They researched the best pattern for the masks themselves, produced a few initial prototypes and then worked on a business plan to gather donations for LLS in return for masks that reflected the styles of fashion’s top brands. By using materials that would have eventually found their way to a landfill, they were also able to employ the concept of upcycling, or taking something that would be thrown out and elevating it into a practical yet stylish new use.
Ava, a freshman at Notre Dame Preparatory, created a website to display the different masks available. Chloe, a seventh grader at St. John XXIII, devised the packaging concepts and provided creative direction, while the girls’ cousin, Liv, a junior at Indiana University studying marketing and business management, devised a marketing and social media strategy. And Alison got to work sourcing from friends and neighbors the materials needed to produce the masks.
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Not long after launching the website in late June and starting the marketing and social media campaign, they received a $1,000 donation for a personalized mask and haven’t slowed down since, with orders coming in from across the United States and Canada. In midAugust, they passed the $8,000 mark for funds raised, well on their way to reaching their initial $10,000 goal by November. They’ve also added dog bandanas and scrunchies to their product mix based on requests from donors.
“The whole experience has been remarkable, and the support of the community has truly been a blessing,” Alison says. They’ve begun receiving donations of materials from complete strangers who have heard about their efforts and not only want to donate money to receive a mask, but also make sure House of Luxury Masks can continue to fill more orders.
Aside from raising thousands of dollars to help cancer patients, experiencing the creation of a new “business,” and logging hundreds of service hours, there has also been an unanticipated additional benefit for Ava and Chloe.
“We learned how to use the steam setting on our iron,” Ava says with a wide smile.
For more information, or to place an order, visit houseofluxurymasks.weebly.com. Be sure to also check out their Instagram and Facebook @ houseofluxurymasks.
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City News
The Annual Tour de Scottsdale Switches Gears, Registration Now Open
THE ANNUAL TOUR DE SCOTTSDALE BENEFITTING THE MCDOWELL SONORAN CONSERVANCY WILL SWITCH GEARS THIS YEAR TO NAVIGATE THE EVOLVING CORONAVIRUS
PANDEMIC. After careful consideration for public health and safety, DC Ranch made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person event on Market Street. A virtual event, held October 12-18, will allow hundreds of road warriors to keep the cycling spirit alive, stay active and healthy, while still supporting the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.
Riders will have several registration options to complete ride miles on their own. Participants can ride the official Tour de Scottsdale courses, log miles around their city, or even in their home on a trainer. In addition to the traditional 30 and 70-mile rides, the virtual event will introduce a new 15mile course and 5-mile fit family ride.
The event beneficiary is the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation organization that protects and promotes the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in North Scottsdale. With over 30,500 acres and 200 miles of trails, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the largest urban preserve in North America and the fourth largest urban preserve in the world. The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is dedicated to preserving the Sonoran Desert and mountains. The nonprofit protects this living treasure and offers events and activities in the Preserve so that everyone can enjoy a family-friendly, natural experience, according to the Conservancy.
Now in its 17th year, the Tour de
Scottsdale donates 100 percent of sponsorship proceeds and a portion of registration fees to the Conservancy and has raised over $600,000 to date. Those who register and complete any of the distances will receive a commemorative, distance-unique medal, a virtual goodie bag and perks—along with all the bragging rights. Registration is now open. Visit TourdeScottsdale.net for details.
Scottsdale FD Invites Community to Participate in Virtual 9/11 Commemorative Event
ANNUALLY, THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT (SFD) COORDINATES A SPECIAL EVENT TO COMMEMORATE THE ATTACKS OF 9/11.
an in-person event, SFD is celebrating the National Day of Service with an idea sparked by the organization 911Day.org and using social media to tap into the human spirit. Fire Chief Tom Shannon. “With this campaign, we hope that everyone takes even just a moment to share in that mission and remember our brothers and sisters who gave their lives that day.”
On the fifth and tenth anniversaries, a pop-up museum showcased larger-than-life displays in the Scottsdale Center of the Performing Arts. On the other years, a small ceremony in the police and fire headquarters lobby featured the reading of the names of the public safety members who died that day.
This year, because of COVID-19 restrictions, the fire department knew it had to be creative to continue to honor the day and those lives lost. Instead of
In 2012, 911Day.org launched the #IWill campaign to encourage everyone to do something good in their community. This could being there for someone who needs it, making a charitable donation, or packing meals for local food banks.
Scottsdale Fire is capitalizing on this do-good campaign and bringing it to the local community.
“Our mission is ‘We Care for You,’” says Scottsdale
Participating is easy. Individuals or groups simply take a photo holding a piece of paper with a personal pledge to honor those lost on 9/11 by doing something good. Photos can be posted on their individual social media accounts using the hashtags #IWill and #WeCare (tagging @ScottsdaleFire). The photos can also be emailed to Fire@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. Photos of completing the pledge are encouraged, too. The department will begin sharing the photos during the week of 9/11 starting Monday, September 7.
City News
Honoring America’s Veterans Names First Executive Director
By Jenna-Lee Neff
Local nonprofit Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV) recently appointed Navy veteran Paula Pedene to the position of executive director. The move comes as the organization develops virtual recognition events in place of their annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.
“As a Navy veteran and one who is a strong advocate for veterans and their needs, I have personally witnessed for decades the impact honor and recognition events offer in helping our veterans heal,” says Pedene. “Those personal stories of healing I have heard since 1997 make this a fulfilling role for me.”
Founded in 2012, Honoring America’s Veterans did not have an executive director before this point. Instead, the organization focused on growing and working with the board of directors to build out the position so they could easily identify the perfect candidate when the time came.
“It’s an honor for me to serve as the first executive director of Honoring America’s Veterans,” Pedene says, explaining the process the board took to establish what the organization needed from a leader. “Fortunately, the board knew I would be retiring from federal service, and due to my efforts in founding the parade, helping to create HAV, my operations and public relations expertise fit what they needed.”
Honoring America’s Veterans keeps the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade alive after Veterans Affairs moved away from the annual event, which began in 1997. With more than 500,000 veterans in Maricopa County, the organization now hosts the state’s largest Veterans Day event in order to pay tribute to those who have served and show them support in the healing process.
“Our veterans tell us that by remembering them on Veterans Day, we help them heal,” Pedene shares.
Recently, Honoring America’s Veterans decided to cancel the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade and transition to a virtual event instead. The decision came after the organization considered the risks and restrictions put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the celebration will be called U.S.A., A Beacon of Liberty and will feature “Honor Our Heroes” honorees. It will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube for all to virtually attend and enjoy.
Eligible honoree essays are chosen from veterans who served between 1941-2011 that demonstrate honor, respect and gratitude. The essays will focus on individual veterans’ military and community service. Once selected, honorees will be interviewed in order to tell their stories for the event.
Alongside the “Honor Our Heroes” program, students in grades 9-12 are participating in a creative essay contest on veterans and the impact of military service. Selected essays will be presented in the virtual event.
“Although we won’t have an in-person event, we’re working on creating a fabulous online event,” Pedene says. “We intend to interview the winners of these campaigns as part of our event.”
To learn more, visit honoringamericasveterans.org.
Now May Be the Time for A Financial Reassessment
By Renee A. Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor Affi nity Wealth Advisory Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
We’re experiencing a period of upheaval in the world today, which has also had an impact on the economy and markets. Given the spike in volatility and uncertainty we’re seeing in the broader economy, it may be time to step back and carefully review your fi nancial life.
Take some time to assess where you stand and whether it may be appropriate to make any adjustments in your strategy. Here are four key questions to ask about your current fi nancial circumstances.
#3 DO YOU HAVE A SOLID
PROTECTION STRATEGY IN PLACE?
This is an opportune time to make sure that you and your family are adequately insured. Health insurance is a good place to start, particularly if your work situation has changed in recent months. The importance of adequate life insurance is more evident in times like these to protect the wellbeing of your family. Look at other protection options too, such as disability income insurance and long-term care coverage to meet specialized care needs, especially as you grow older.
#4 IS YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN
STILL ON TRACK?
#1 DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH CASH Finally, take a careful look at your overall
TO MEET SHORT-TERM NEEDS? fi nancial plan. Are you still on track to achieve A healthy cash reserve is important in the key goals you initially established? Does times like these. A general rule of thumb is your plan require adjustments based on to have enough cash on hand (held in readily circumstances that have changed? Given all accessible accounts) to meet three to six of the events of recent months, this is the right months’ worth of expenses. But given today’s time to review your plan to make sure you are economic uncertainties, it may make sense to still heading in the right direction. set aside up to nine months’ worth of cash. Be sure to connect with your fi nancial advisor to #2 ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH explore these questions in more detail and keep
THE LEVEL OF RISK IN YOUR your fi nancial life in order.
PORTFOLIO?
Renee A. Hanson, CFP®, ChFC®, CEP®, CDFATM, CFS®,
Investment markets have been volatile since BFA®, APMA®, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Affi nity Wealth Advisory the start of 2020 and may continue to be for the Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. She specializes in fee-based fi nancial planning coming months and maybe years. Unsettled and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 29 years. markets can be a real test of whether you are To contact her visit www.affi nitywealthadvisor.com or call (602) 923-9800. Her offi ce is located at 7010 E. Chauncey Lane, Suite #200, Phoenix, comfortable with your investment strategy or if AZ 85054-3115.
Putting the needs of clients first is the approach I believe in. I’ll work with you to find the level of risk in your portfolio is keeping you up at night. Given the disruption that’s been Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. the right financial solutions to help you plan for your unique goals. And together, we’ll occurring, a portfolio review makes sense. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. track your progress over time, adjusting your plan along the way to help get you where you want to go.
Renee A. Hanson CFP®, CEP®, CDFA®, CFS®, ChFC®, APMA®
Private Wealth Advisor
Affinity Wealth Advisory Group
A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
602.923.9800
7010 E. Chauncey Ln Ste 200 Phoenix, AZ 85054 renee.a.hanson@ampf.com affinitywealthadvisor.com
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
