REAL ESTATE
INNOVATION IN TEMPE

LOCAL SERVICES
CREATING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE
REAL ESTATE
HELPING OTHERS












REAL ESTATE
INNOVATION IN TEMPE
LOCAL SERVICES
CREATING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE
REAL ESTATE
HELPING OTHERS
When you hear the word “investment,” you probably immediately think about money. I do! But there are so many things to invest in beyond just financial ventures. You can cheer on someone else, volunteer to help a cause, take classes to further your career, make time for a relationship, and more.
By definition, investment is the act of devoting time, effort, energy, or finances to a particular under taking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.
I am often asked why I became a journalist. That’s easy. It’s because I wanted to share people’s stories. I wanted to help the business owner share news of their startup, tell the story of a child helping someone else, shine a light on organizations helping others, and more. I wanted to be a voice that helped spread the word and fostered community connections. By doing those things, I was investing in my community.
How are you investing?
This month, we share stories about the Novus Innovation Corridor, Tempe Diablos, financial planning, and more.
While investing in ourselves, relationships, community, and finances can look very different from person to person, the effort we put into these areas of our lives is made with the common goal of having a positive impact that yields results. In this issue, we wanted to share some of the ways that we can invest in our community, our finances, and with those who we love.
We hope you enjoy the issue!
Yours,
Last month, the quick-casual Tacos & Craft opened at 4715 S. Rural Road, offering craft-made tacos and brews. Menu highlights include unique selections such as the Chipotle Salmon with hard-seared salmon, fresh apple-cucumber pico, and a drizzle of cilantro-lime crema and the Camarones Fritos with Argentinian red shrimp made crispy and served with pineapple salsa and jalapeño slaw. There’s also an eclectic selection of beers from both locally-owned breweries and breweries across the country. TacosAndCraft.com
Melissa Kay recently opened a location of Prime IV in Tempe. She is the dedicated franchise owner for the locale, which is part of a national franchise. The destination offers IV therapy for boosting immunity, increasing energy, detoxifying the body, and efficient hangover recovery. Kay, who has a passion for helping others and a commitment to well-being, brings a decade of nursing experience to the forefront. She focuses on health and wellness options for holistic happiness. PrimeIVHydration.com
Brie Reed MPH, CHES, health and wellness coach, joined the team at Face The World Direct Primary Care and Medical Spa. Reed combines her expertise in health education and wellness with a passion for holistic well-being to create personalized plans for weight management, increased energy, stress reduction, and more. Through one-on-one sessions, she provides tools, insights, and goals, helping you unlock your full potential for a healthier, happier you. FaceTheWorldMedSpa.com
The Exercise Coach Personal Training Studio in South Tempe recently hired certified personal trainer Heather Mitchell. Mitchell is a certified health coach, and is ready to help clients on their health and fitness journeys. Revolutionize your fitness routine with their science-based technology workout, where just 20 minutes leads you to a stronger, healthier you. Unleash the power of efficiency as cutting-edge science meets sweat, delivering results that speak volumes. Mitchell is offering two free sessions. ExerciseCoach.com
When California-based gastropub Eureka! debuted in mid-February, it was one more puzzle piece in north Tempe’s transformation from a suburban university town into the Valley’s second-largest urban center.
The land is leased to businesses on a 99-year ground lease, which means that 100 years from now, the property will still belong to the university. The city, meanwhile, provides building per-
“WE’LL REALLY COMPLETE THE URBAN CORE AS IT SITS TODAY FOR TEMPE.”
The restaurant is part of Novus Place, the entertainment district epicenter of the Novus Innovation Corridor, a massive mixed-use development that’s a collaboration between Arizona State University and Catellus Development Corp.
Spanning 355 acres adjacent to Arizona State University (ASU)—from University Drive to Tempe Town Lake, A Mountain to McClintock Drive—the Innovation Corridor is one of seven ASU Innovation Zones, partnerships between the university and public and private organizations and businesses designed to support and promote the surrounding communities.
The corridor land, much of which was previously undeveloped, is owned by ASU.
“It’s an amazing piece of property,” says Charley Freericks, senior vice president of Catellus, the master developer of Novus Innovation Corridor. “And our partnership includes a very important relationship with the City of Tempe because we’re not building facilities for ASU to use. We’re building commercial development on university land. It’s an interesting hybrid.”
mits, utilities, and emergency services.
The project, which began in 2014, has a 25-year timeline. When complete, the live-work-play destination will bring to Tempe more than 4,000 market-rate homes; thousands of hotel rooms; 6.5 million feet of commercial space; dining, shopping and entertainment options; and public green spaces. And it is estimated to create more than 40,000 jobs by 2035.
“Hotels, apartments, office, retail: We’re trying to have a mix of uses that are super compatible and all in one spot. Eureka! is our first full-service restaurant. It’s part of our concept—the model for a modern urban city,” Freericks says. “We’ll really complete the urban core as it sits today for Tempe.”
The Innovation Corridor is being developed in phases. Phase I was anchored by Marina Heights, a 2-million-square-foot office campus, with an additional 60,000 square feet of retail space. Five monolithic towers, designed around a central plaza, line the shores of Tempe Town Lake, and their shimmering iridescent blue glass
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facades are instantly identifiable to those driving along Rio Salado Parkway to the south of the waterway or the 202 to the north.
The second phase gave Sun Devil Stadium a $375 million renovation.
Phase III, which currently is under construction, includes the alreadyopen Hyatt House/Hyatt Place hotel; Mullet Arena; an 1,800-space parking garage; and the 777 Tower office building, whose tenants include Infosys, an information technology consultant firm, and Mediterranean Shipping Co., which recently surpassed Maersk as the world’s largest container shipping company.
“When Dr. Crow [president of ASU] describes the Novus Innovation Corridor, it’s a circle of life concept in which his primary goal is to get companies in here that hire ASU students,” Freericks explains. “So [we're] making sure we’re creating a place that companies want to locate to and be able to take advantage of the great volume of highly employable grads coming out of ASU.”
In a press release announcing the corridor’s economic impact, Crow says, “The benefits to our students, faculty, the university, the City of Tempe and the business community are already being felt—and they will only increase as other visionaries construct new buildings and facilities to provide opportunities within Novus’ framework.”
In addition to housing companies that hire local graduates, the 777 Tower is a model of sustainability. It was awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
OF
“ASU is one of the, if not the, most committed of all universities in the country to sustainability. They’re a leader in the pack,” Freericks notes. “As such, sustainability is one of our guiding principles, and all of our buildings are LEEDcertified or better.”
Even the sidewalks in the development are constructed from light-colored pavers that reflect the desert sun’s brutal rays and help reduce urban heat island effects.
Nestled in the core of all this development is Novus Place, the pedestrian-friendly main street shopping district and home to Eureka!, along with bubble tea store The Alley, and fast-casual healthy eatery Nautical Bowls. And outposts of three local chain favorites are in the final stages of construction. Soon, Blanco Cocina + Cantina, North Italia, and Flower Child will be bringing their beloved cuisines to the ASU community.
“A lot of times when you do a big mixeduse district, you might end up with some stuff that you’re not 100% thrilled with. But we’ve been able to attract some good, high-quality businesses right out of the chute,” Freericks says. “We’re dreaming big, and it’s only going to get better from here.”
NovusASU.com
Diablo might be Spanish for “devil,” but the Tempe Diablos are anything but when it comes to their impactful, transformative work within the community.
“In the years since … we evolved into a premier fundraising and philanthropic group in Arizona.”
“We were formed in 1968 when the Tempe Chamber of Commerce put together a team of like-minded business leaders to help attract a Spring Training team to the city,” says Greg Garcia, president of the Tempe Diablos and an active member of the organization since 2008. “Through our founding members, the Tempe Diablos succeeded in attracting the Seattle Pilots—now the Milwaukee Brewers—to town in 1969.”
But, according to Garcia, that was just the beginning.
“In the years since—which has included hosting and volunteer duties in partnership with the Fiesta Bowl when it was in Tempe, as well as a host of other bowl games, and of course, our current work with the Anaheim Angels to host their Spring Training season at Tempe Diablo Stadium—we evolved into a premier fundraising and philanthropic group in Arizona,” says Garcia. “At our core, we focus on providing leadership and resources that create worthwhile opportunities, especially for our youth.”
Today, the organization has 44 active Tempe Diablos. Together, the team volunteers its time and raises funds for good via Spring Training, as well as hosts several signature events in the Southeast Valley, including the Diablos College Tennis Invitational Presented by Dan Treon Law, a three-day tournament in partnership with Arizona State University Men’s Tennis held annually in March; LPGA Ford Championship, also held in March; multiple charity golf tournaments; and Ignite the Night Safari Party, set this year for April 20 at the Phoenix Zoo.
“Ignite the Night is a re-imagined take on our longtime signature spring event, Casino Capers,” says Bill Ottinger, a Tempe Diablo since 2011, past president, and the event co-chair. “At its heart, it is an epic celebration of the work we are able to accomplish and a way to honor our many partners and supporters, as well as a fundraiser in its own right.”
According to Ottinger, by moving the event to the Zoo for the first time ever this year, they are able to have some fun with the theme.
“It will be a roaring good time—literally, if the lion habitat has anything to say about it—with a full safari vibe from the decor to the dress code. Except, no loincloths, please!” says Ottinger. “Guests can delight in amazing food and drink, live music, dancing, and other ‘wild’ surprises.”
The funds from each of the fundraising events collectively benefit the community in myriad ways.
“Thanks to our tireless volunteers, not to mention sponsors including McCarthy Construction, Blue Cross Blue Shield, People’s Mortgage, and more, we were able to donate nearly $500,000 in grants to 70 nonprofits in the past year,” says Ottinger.
Among the organizations that have benefited from the Tempe Diablos in recent years are Ballet Arizona, Lily’s Pad, Amanda’s Hope Rainbow Angels, EMPACT Suicide Prevention, Best Buddies, Village 360, ACCEL, Child Crisis Arizona, Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Raising Special Kids, Save the Family Foundation, the City of Tempe, and more.
“We also provide approximately $240,000 in local college, trade school, and continuing education scholarships. And in May, we will honor the top educators in our community at our annual Excellence in Education Awards, a black-tie affair that rivals any in the Valley,” says Garcia, noting the organization also sets aside funds for active volunteer events, including providing Thanksgiving meals for families in need.
TempeDiablos.org
This month marks 20 years in business for Summit Financial Solutions. Since then, the Tempe company has become entrenched in the city and surrounding areas, helping families in the community to thrive long-term.
A comprehensive, full-service financial planning firm, Summit Financial Solutions offers a unique team approach to financial planning and customized solutions for retirement guidance, investment allocation and selection, asset management, tax reduction strategies, estate planning and administration, and risk management services.
Its three partners—Steve James, the managing director and founder; Nestor Montoya, CFP, ChFC, wealth manager; and Joe Cooper, wealth manager—along with the rest of its staff, work as a team to provide their clients an inclusive approach from various perspectives.
“It’s a great approach to this practice, and it’s something you don’t see at this level,” says James. “We pride ourselves on being able to offer that kind of service to all our clients, no matter how big or small their portfolios are.”
“We’re able to bring personalized services to someone with the support and different perspectives you’d have at a larger firm,” Cooper says.
Everyone works together to get to know the clients—and often their families—to determine the best strategies for their needs.
“You get the team when you get one of us,” James says.
Outside of the office, the team finds ways to give back to the community through volunteer opportunities and supporting local nonprofit organizations. This month, they will be hosting a shredding event for Tempe residents and business owners.
BROOKE BOGART MELDS HER ARCHITECT BACKGROUND AND PASSION FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE HER MARK IN REAL ESTATE
Brooke Bogart moved to Arizona from New York City to attend Arizona State University, earning a bachelor's and a master's in sustainable architectural design. She worked as an architect for many years before discovering her passion for helping people as a Realtor. Ten years later, she says, “There is nothing like the thrill of helping a seller get the best price for their home or helping a buyer to find their perfect home!”
“In my architectural career, I was fortunate enough to design Phoenix Fire Station 50, 54, and Chandler Fire Station 8, amongst others. In my sustainability business, I facilitated the certification of sustainable buildings in our city, and across the country!”
Real estate is the perfect synthesis of my passions for architecture, business, and helping people. Navigating one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives can be stressful and fraught with uncertainty. Having a solid background in business permitted me to better explain and interpret options to assist people with this life-altering decision by clearly presenting information to guide my clients through the process.
I specialize in the East Valley, working with firsttime home buyers and repeat buyers, from condominiums to mansions. Tempe is my home, but I cover the entire Valley! I also have a referral network of great agents I work with all over the world, so no matter where they move to, or move from, I am here to help! For those in a rush, I am both a cash buyer and 72 sold certified.
Set your emotions aside—I know it's easier said than done! And just about anything can be changed in a house, except its location. My architectural background helps my clients visualize how a home can be modified, and our immense network of professionals can turn a napkin sketch into a reality.
My mission statement is to be the conduit of contribution, and I live that with every ounce of my being. I am very proud of my community outreach, winning the Tempe Neighborhood Award in 2022 for an annual community block party, and consistently organizing donations and fundraisers for local nonprofits and groups. I have raised money for Kyrene school PTOs, Corona sports teams, homeless foundations, food banks, and so much more.
Look2Brooke Group at Keller Williams; Look2Brooke.com
Forget about Cinco de Mayo. This year, it’s all about Cinco-De-Putto! On May 5, All About Golf is holding its 3rd Annual Golf Classic. The twoplayer scramble event benefits Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) and features a shotgun start at Toka Sticks Golf Course in Mesa.
“This event is designed to be a fun competitive golf tournament, with proceeds going to Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” says Todd Batt, owner of All About Golf. “The first two years we’ve had over 140 players and have raised roughly $40,000 for PCH. We are registering players now, working with Hole Sponsors, and are always in need of volunteers.”
There is a 7 a.m. check-in, with an 8 a.m. start. Lunch will be served immediately following the tournament.
Payout and prizes include gross and net payout, a 50/50 raffle, closest to the pin holes, prizes for the top winning teams, and team skins game.
All About Golf is a full-service golf shop which offers club fittings in two full simulator hitting bays, club repair, and golf lessons.
IF YOU GO ...
WHAT: All About Golf’s 3rd Annual Golf Classic
WHEN: May 5, 2024
7 a.m. check-in
8 a.m. shotgun start Lunch following play
WHERE: Toka Sticks Golf Club, 6910 E. Williams Field Road, Mesa
COST: $150 per player
REGISTRATION: Call 480.699.7863, email todd@allaboutgolf.com, or view on Instagram: @allaboutgolfaz or Facebook: All About Golf
All About Golf Holds its 3rd Annual Golf Classic
For 40 years, Pediatric Dental Specialists has been serving families in the East Valley.
“We provide an excellent foundation for a lifetime of dental health by treating every patient as we would want our own children treated,” says Kimberly Sherrill, DDS, board-certified pediatric dentist.
Sherrill, along with Charles Clark, DMD, board-certified pediatric dentist, and Brik Nielsen, DDS, board-certified pediatric dentist and orthodontist, treats patients from infancy through the teenage years.
“On occasion, we will have some of our patients with complex medical needs stay on with us through early adulthood,” she says.
The team works to provide specialized services in a safe, caring, and welcoming environment, and to provide the best foundation for a life of great oral healthcare.
And while many Valley practices have corporate owners or investors who are focused on high volume and high turnover, as a doctor-owned and -run practice, Pediatric Dental Specialists is truly able to focus on the needs of each individual patient without constraints and to a higher level of care.
The team is also rigorously trained in sedation dentistry and is credentialed at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which enables them to care for children with more complex needs or anxiety.
To make the little ones feel more comfortable, the office is decorated with a train theme, and an electric train travels through the office on a suspended track.
“Our team of skilled doctors, dental hygienists, assistants, and front office are here to help make your child's experience with the dentist as fun, educational, and rewarding as possible,” says Clark.
ChewChew.net
Wellness isn’t about restricting — it’s really about giving. Giving to yourself and to your body in a way that allows them both to thrive. The cool part? The things that give to your body naturally give to your mind, your hormones, your earth, your relationships, and so on — it’s all beautifully interconnected in that way.
Eat your greens, cook at home, choose local produce and quality meats, don’t be scared of healthy fats — but also support local farmers, move in a way that makes your body and mind feel good, prioritize times of mindfulness and stillness.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 6 oz. filets of wild caught salmon
• 1 Tbsp. avocado oil
• 1 Tbsp. coconut aminos
• Zest and juice from one lemon
• 1 Tbsp. stone ground mustard
• 1 4 oz. container coconut yogurt, unsweetened
• 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced
• 2 Tbsp. capers, drained and minced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Marinate the salmon in the lemon juice, coconut aminos, and stone ground mustard for up to two hours.
2. Drizzle salmon with avocado oil, sprinkle with salt and ground pepper, and broil on high for five to seven minutes, until cooked to desired temperature.
3. Mix coconut cream, lemon zest, dill, capers, and ground pepper together.
4. Top salmon with coconut cream, serve with roasted or sautéed veggies, brown or cauliflower rice, or fresh greens. Enjoy!
APRIL 5TH
Arizona Heritage Center | 6:30 PM
Now in its 18th year, VICINITY is a cherished event attended by 500 prominent citizens and engaged corporate partners who gather to raise funds for and support Tempe Community Action Agency's mission of eliminating poverty and advancing equitable communities. Enjoy food and beverage samples; a message from NY Times best-selling author of The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls; a raffle and live auction; dancing; and more. My.OneCause.com
APRIL 26TH
Summit Financial Solutions, 430 W. Warner Road, Ste. 123 | 12:00 PM
Summit Financial Solutions is holding a document shredding event that is open to the community. Residents are invited to bring any documents they need shredded; no minimum or maximum amounts required. With tax season ending, the company wanted to provide a secure way to dispose of documents that were no longer needed. The event will be held from noon-6 p.m. SummitFinancialSolutions.com
1825 E GUADALUPE RD. STE.106
come #GETPRIMED & PICK AN EASTER EGG FOR A PRIZE