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SCOTTSDALE BEGINS TRACKING INTERNATIONAL VISITOR NUMBERS, ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 1.7 MILLION IN 2018 SCOTTSDALE REMAINS A TOUR- es to track those trends and have that According to the 2019 report, Scott- On the topic of safety, 97 percent IST DESTINATION OF CHOICE – A valuable data available.” sdale’s bed tax revenue totaled responded that they felt extremely, very FACT CONFIRMED IN A RECENTLY- $20,367,185 in 2018, up seven percent or pretty safe. RELEASED TOURISM STUDY CON- In 2018, visitors spent an estimated from 2017. In addition, bed tax generDUCTED BY THE CITY’S TOURISM $2.1 billion in Scottsdale, compared to ated more than $146 million in revenue Downtown Scottsdale was the top atAND EVENTS DEPARTMENT. Ac- $1.6 billion in 2017. Their direct spend- for the city and annual occupancy was traction with 61 percent visitation. cording to the 2019 Scottsdale Tourism ing created an annual economic impact 70 percent, a 1.7 percent increase from Study Visitor Statistics Report, the city of $3.1 billion in revenue to local busi- 2017. Top 10 activities for Scottsdale visitors saw an increase in visitors over the nesses, an increase from $2.4 billion in in 2018: prior year, hosting about 200,000 more 2017. The Scottsdale Tourism Study draws 1. Shopping overnight and day trip visitors in 2018, from multiple traveling reporting agen- 2. Upscale dining totaling 9.1 million, compared to 8.9 In conjunction with the Visitor Statis- cies that track and benchmark tour- 3. Night Clubs million in 2017. tics Report, Scottsdale studies lodg- ism data to track economic and social 4. Visiting historic sites and landmarks ing trends using bed tax collection impact. 5. Swimming This was also the first study to include figures, which are consistently tracked 6. Visiting state parks international overnight visitors -- esti- and readily available. The Scottsdale Longwoods International, a leader in 7. Museums mated to be about 1.7 million in 2018. Tourism Study Lodging Report looks tourism market research, conducted 8. Casinos specifically at trends in bed tax col- a survey of 450 visitors. Travelers 9. Hiking “It’s a very important group of travelers lection, room inventory, average room were asked about their experience 10. Golf to consider. Data shows us international rates, occupancy rates and other factors in Scottsdale and the results were all travelers typically stay longer based on related to lodging trends. It includes tax very positive. More than 90 percent of For activities and experiences, the No. where they traveled from and tend to receipt figures that reflect actual sales visitors were satisfied with their trip to 1 category was shopping at 40 percent, spend more,” said Karen Churchard, tax and bed tax collections during the Scottsdale, 83 percent planned to visit compared to the U.S. average of 30 Scottsdale’s tourism and events direc- previous month and data that’s based again, and 95 percent stated they would percent. For more information on Scotttor. “We’ve now created a baseline in primarily on properties located within recommend Scottsdale to someone dale’s Tourism and Events, visit Scottsthis report that will give us the resourc- Scottsdale. else. daleAZ.gov and search “tourism.”

OEB BREAKFAST OPENS FIRST U.S. LOCATION IN SCOTTSDALE OEB BREAKFAST CO. OPENED ITS FIRST U.S. “Breakfast means so much more to me than just It was there that he embarked on his career as an LOCATION IN SCOTTSDALE THIS NOVEMBER. the first meal of the day,” said Martina, owner and executive chef when he was just 21 years-old. The breakfast concept is the creation of celebrated founder of OEB. “It’s about elevating the whole Throughout his career, he has worked at Michelin Italian-Canadian Chef Mauro Martina. The dishes breakfast experience. That’s what OEB is all about.” Star restaurants alongside some of the best chefs at OEB are a creative and upscale spin on tried in the industry. Martina quickly climbed the ranks and true classics, bringing forth the artistry and The 2,900-square-foot restaurant opened on the in Canada, and in 2009 he opened his first OEB passion that Chef Martina brings to the table. southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Chauncey location. The chef believes in exceptional products While this is the first in the States, the concept Lane at 103-17757 N. Scottsdale Road. The space and ingredients sourced straight from farmers. has found award-winning success in Canada with seats 84 inside with 18 seats on the patio. The interimultiple locations. or includes an open kitchen concept and full service “We care about where the food comes from and what bar that will serve hand-crafted cocktails, local beer happens to it before it hits the table,” said Martina. and Frizzante on tap. Venetian plaster walls line one side of the restaurant interior with wood beams The eclectic menu at OEB takes guests on a culithroughout and a Terrazzo bar as a focal piece. The nary experience. Guests can sink their teeth into ambiance inside is contemporary and clean with items like the Holy Crab Eggs Benny made wild colors of light blue and yellow adorning the walls. blue crab, fresh dill, Dijon mustard on a butter croissant served with duck fat fried herb potatoes. Classically trained, Martina has cultivated a Or the Nutella® French Toast served on Brioche culture that prioritizes connection and genuine with hazelnut gianduja, torched marshmallows and food integrity while supporting local vendors and cocoa. The ingredients chosen for each dish sum farmers that care about quality, detail and ethics. up Martina’s and OEB’s mission – to democratize Martina spent his childhood in Italy, where he was fine cuisine by elevating the breakfast experience. exposed to fresh, rich ingredients at local markets on a daily basis. This helped feed his passion for For more information visit www.eatoeb.com or good, honest food. With his culinary foundation like them on Facebook at @oebbreakfastco or on built in Europe, Martina moved to Canada in 1992. Instagram at @oeb_breakfast.

SCOTTSDALE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE QUESTIONS 1, 2 AND 3; FIRST MAJOR BOND PROGRAM IN CITY SINCE 2000 SCOTTSDALE VOTERS HAVE AP- Scottsdale voters turned out in Granite Reef and Via Linda Senior systems and first responder training PROVED THE CITY’S FIRST MAJOR impressive numbers for the bond Centers, Paiute Neighborhood Center, facilities. BOND PROGRAM IN 19 YEARS election. There were 47,798 ballots Pinnacle Peak Park, McCormickBY OVERWHELMINGLY BACKING cast in this election putting voter Stillman Railroad Park and other Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and QUESTIONS 1, 2 AND 3. The three turnout at 27.52 percent. In 2015, recreation facilities. the entire Scottsdale City Council Scottsdale questions passed with an voter turnout for a less successful endorsed all three city bond average of 70 percent of the vote, bond election was 25 percent with Question 2 was approved with 68 questions. The Scottsdale Fire according to unofficial results. The 37,761 ballots cast. percent of the vote. Question 2 makes Fighters Association, Scottsdale program invests in 58 projects totaling infrastructure repairs at Civic Center Fraternal Order of Police, Police $319 million. “Scottsdale voters turned out Plaza and the southern end of Indian Officers of Scottsdale Association, strongly in favor of the three bond Bend Wash, repairs horse barns AARP Arizona, Scottsdale Area “We are grateful that Scottsdale questions because they make critical and makes other improvements at Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale residents saw how important Questions investments and infrastructure repairs WestWorld of Scottsdale, renovates Area Association of Realtors, 1, 2 and 3 are for our community’s our community needs. We built a the Stage 2 Theater at the Scottsdale Scottsdale Charros, The Thunderbirds, quality of life and future. The bonds positive campaign led by a diverse Center for the Performing Arts and HonorHealth, Barrett-Jackson Auction invest in public safety, senior centers, coalition of supporters all committed adds public parking and pedestrian Company, Arabian Horse Association parks, youth sports facilities and to investing Scottsdale’s present upgrades in Old Town Scottsdale. of Arizona, Arizona Quarter Horse infrastructure repairs. The results and future,” said Dana Close, co- Association, Scottsdale Fashion show how our community can come chair of the For The Best Scottsdale Voters backed Question 3 with 73 Square, the Coalition of Greater together for the greater good and make campaign. percent of the vote. The measure Scottsdale (COGS), Scottsdale Gallery our great city even greater,” said Mike will build new fire stations, installs Association, Phoenix Rising and the Norton, Co-Chair of the For The Best Question 1 passed with 69 percent of bulletproof glass at police stations Scottsdale Ice Den also endorsed all Scottsdale campaign. the vote. The measure improves the and upgrades Scottsdale’s 911 three questions.

MAKING WRONG-WAY SIGNS MORE NOTICEABLE – IN A BIG WAY By Doug Nintzel / ADOT Communications get the attention of a driver heading the wrong way. left across the median.

EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CRASHES CAUSED BY OFTEN-IMPAIRED WRONGWAY DRIVERS INVOLVE A VARIETY OF COUNTERMEASURES. They include increasing the size and visibility of wrong-way signs at state highway interchanges.

Those upgrades received a major boost in the form first installed along I-17 in Phoenix in 2017 in

of a $2.1 million project to install new larger wrong way signage at more than 140 interchanges, along with other improvements, along several Phoenixarea freeways.

If you drive in the area, you’re much more likely to notice the larger “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs at the top of freeway off-ramps in the Valley. Not only are they bigger, they also represent updated national standards by being located lower to the ground and thus hopefully more in line with a driver’s line of vision. Yes, that’s about making not travel down that off-ramp. The signs along exit ramps are not the only changes that crews, working mostly at night, made as part of this project. They also added many more of the large, white arrows that are located on the pavement of exit ramps. Those arrows point in the “right” direction of travel, as another measure designed to One other upgrade was the installation of dozens of large “Wrong Way” signs, measuring 5 feet by 8 feet, installed above the left lanes of freeways. They’re on the backs of bridges and other overhead structures and you, traveling the right way, may have noticed a few of them if you’ve glanced to the

Those noticeable signs, facing in the wrong direction, are above the freeway left lanes because wrong-way drivers tend to travel in those lanes. More than two dozen of these signs were them easier to see so that a wrong-way driver might

association with ADOT’s first-in-the-nation thermal camera wrong-way vehicle alert system.

ADOT has been installing larger and more visible wrong way signs not only along Phoenix-area freeways but also at highway interchanges across the state over the last several years.

This particular project has focused on sections of interstates 10 and 17, US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in the East Valley, State Route 51 as well as Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) and Loop 303 in the West Valley. It remains important to note that more noticeable signs and other countermeasures we’ve mentioned can’t prevent someone, especially someone who’s impaired, from getting behind the wheel and becoming a wrong-way driver. The signs are big. But stopping impaired driving would make a lifesaving difference in an even bigger way. That’s something to keep in mind as we head into the holiday travel season.

SIP SIP HOORAY! DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE NOW OFFERS SIP & STROLL HOURS ARIZONA AND VESTAR, THE OWNER OF DES- islature. The bill was sponsored by State Representa- allowing the owner or manager of a regional shopERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE IN NORTH PHOENIX tive Jeff Weninger and signed into law by Governor ping center to designate one restaurant or bar with a AS WELL AS TEMPE MARKETPLACE IN TEMPE Doug Ducey several months ago. Larcher added that liquor license to apply for the extended service. So AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER LIFESTYLE CEN- this program will help keep shopping centers relevant that the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and TERS AROUND NOT ONLY ARIZONA BUT THE for people, saying, “Malls need to be destinations, and Control can easily track compliances or potential WEST, HAVE MADE HISTORY BY CHANGING food, beverages, entertainment and art are all part of issues, only one restaurant or bar per mall can offer LEGISLATION TO ALLOW SHOPPERS THE FIRST that.” He notes that since malls such as Desert Ridge the extended service. The legislation allows patrons EVER “SIP AND STROLL” OPPORTUNITY IN THE Marketplace have been allowed to serve alcohol in en- to “consume spiritous liquor throughout a designated STATE. closed areas for special events, he suggested making it pedestrian area,” according to the legislation, which a permanent situation. was sponsored by Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-Chandler) The Vestar owners had the idea for this concept and and passed both legislative chambers by an overtook it to legislature, which recently passed a bill The law allows certain retail properties that qualify whelming majority. The new law allows up to 10 allowing shoppers ages 21 and older the opportunity to grant one of its existing bars or restaurants permis- malls to apply for the extended service. Only larger to purchase beer, wine or cocktails from pop-up bars sion to serve alcohol outside of its establishment to shopping centers with at least 400,000 square feet of located at The District Stage and the Barnes & Noble a customer who then may stroll the grounds with an retail space — the ones with more extensive pedesCourtyard, and stroll throughout the center with the alcoholic beverage in hand. The plan, including se- trian areas — are eligible. beverage in hand. Construction is currently underway curity, must first be approved by the city in which the for a permanent bar/kiosk called the Copper Cantina shopping center is located in, then by Director John While the experience was previously banned in many and will be operated by Copper Blues Live. Cocca of the Arizona Department of Liquor. The City states, Larcher predicts common-area liquor sales of Phoenix and Director Cocca have approved the could spread to other states based on Arizona’s experiCopper Cantina is scheduled to open in January and Desert Ridge Marketplace plan. ence and due to the fact that bringing in another elewill offer extended operating hours. Current hours ment of entertainment and enjoyment will continue to for the sip and stroll are Fridays and Saturdays from Desert Ridge Marketplace will be the first shopping keep up the demand for shopping malls, particularly 4:00 p.m. to 12 midnight (with last call at 11:30 p.m.) center in the state to provide this new shopping expe- since online shopping has become the preferred way and Sunday from noon to 8:00 p.m. (with last call at rience along with Vestar’s Tempe Marketplace, which to shop for many. 7:30 p.m.). Through the end of December, to promote is also in the process of seeking approvals to offer the the Sip and Stroll, guests will receive 10 percent off same amenity. As we head into the season of shopping and celebratwo rides to or from Desert Ridge Marketplace when tion, it seems there is no better time to roll out this using promo code SIPANDSTROLL with rideshare Copper Blues Live will be the only location at Desert new concept, especially since in addition to Sip and company Lyft. Ridge Marketplace where customers can purchase Stroll, Desert Ridge Marketplace offers fun holiday alcohol and then stroll outdoors with the drink while events including nightly snowfall at 7:00 p.m. and To purchase alcoholic beverages, guests must pres- enjoying movies, concerts, and various outdoor 8:00 p.m. as well as holiday shows featuring local ent a valid driver’s license and be 21 years of age or amenities. The popular restaurant, comedy spot and community groups all season long. Check the website older. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted outside entertainment venue says they expect this change in at www.shopdesertridge.com for updates, as well as of designated areas within The District. Once their age the law will help business across the center. amendments to Sip and Stroll hours, and more. has been verified, customers will be given wrist bands state officials including the Arizona Department of Lito verify their eligibility and will be served in spe- “We appreciate Vestar’s cial plastic cups. Extra security is set to be provided, leadership to help make and patrons may enjoy their beverages in designated this change possible. We areas only — they are not allowed to take their drinks think it will be great not offsite or even into the parking lot. only for our business but the eligible shopping cenWhile its centers continue to thrive in the ‘Age of ters seeking to innovate Amazon’, Vestar has understood that energizing with new and different properties is key to their ongoing success; and that’s ways to bring people and just how the idea to permit shoppers to stroll outdoors keep them at their properwith a cocktail, beer or wine in hand came about. ties,” said Eric Bachkoff, While permitted in certain gaming areas like Las Partner of Copper Blues Vegas, the concept has been banned in Arizona and Live. Vestar has long almost every state, until now. “You can get a drink been known as a pioneer at a movie theater and walk around resorts and golf in new retail experiences courses with a cocktail, so why not retail centers?” from the design of the asked Vestar President David Larcher. centers themselves, to the Larcher said the company did its homework, talked to events a year on-site. programming of up to 300 quor, and eventually landed a bill dealing with liquor The HB 2281 calls for a laws during the past session of the Arizona State Leg- three-year pilot program

CITY NEWS CULINARY DROPOUT COMING TO SCOTTSDALE QUARTER

By Molly Cerreta Smith

CALLING ALL SAM FOX FANS! Culinary Dropout, one of Fox Restaurant Concepts’ popular dining establishments with four other locations around the valley, is headed to north Scottsdale! Culinary Dropout is set to bring its vibrantyet-approachable menu, laidback vibe, games and live music to Scottsdale Quarter, where it will be right at home.

Fox Restaurant Concepts first brought the Culinary Dropout gastropub to the valley with the Scottsdale Waterfront location in Old Town in 2010. The restaurant’s menu featuring chef-driven comfort food quickly gained popularity and so other locations around Arizona including Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert and Tucson soon followed. Now it’s north Scottsdale’s turn to get in on the food and fun that Culinary Dropout has to offer.

With few details as far as an official opening date solidified, it’s certain

that the neighborhoods surrounding Scottsdale Quarter will welcome Culinary Dropout with open arms. For one, the menu has something for everyone and every occasion — including light bites and shareables, antipasti and appetizers, salads, and sandwiches, entrees and delicious desserts. The restaurant’s Soft Pretzels and Provolone Fondue is a fan favorite, and diners can easily choose between classics like Hot Wings and Hummus to get things started or take a leap into a more adventurous plates such as Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast, Ahi Tuna Tartare, or Cheddar and Potato Pierogies.

Heartier appetites will be satiated by entrees like the 36-hour Pork Ribs, Braised Short Rib Stroganoff, Spicy Vegan Curry, or the Pesto Shrimp Orecchiette. For those just looking to nosh while they enjoy beer, wine or specialty cocktails, the meats, snacks and cheese portions of the menu giver diners creative license to create their own charcuterie plate. To wash down any order, Culinary Dropout has become known for its array of beer and wine but especially its creative cocktail list featuring classics and specialty beverages unique to the concept. If the restaurant’s other locations are any indicator, the new Culinary Dropout will also offer weekend brunch with specialties like Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuit with sunny side up egg; Smokehouse Hash featuring slow-roasted BBQ pork, Bread Pudding French Toast and more.

The new location is now hiring and according to the website, they are looking to hire “a hardworking group of servers, managers, bartenders, hosts, and chefs” that are dedicated to serving the best food and drink in town. In addition to a fun work vibe, employee perks include dining discounts, flexible schedules and more. Online openings for the new Scottsdale Quarter location include executive sous chef, sous chef and restaurant manager. For more or to apply, visit www.culinarydropout. com.

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• Personal Care • Companionship & Housekeeping • Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care • Respite Care • Safety Solutions

(480)459-2800 Phoenix-669.ComfortKeepers.com

6424 E. Greenway Parkway, Suite 128 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 © 2018 CK Franchising, Inc. An international network, where most offices are independently owned and operated.