Scottsdale Progress 02-12-2023

Bond committee resists runaway Scottsdale project

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

Scottsdale’s Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee members individually and collectively pushed back on a proposed Fire Department training facility project, refusing to recommend that City Council use General Fund money to cover a $10 million cost overrun.

“I feel like a pawn,” Andrew Armstrong said at one point while Janice Eng later complained to city staff, “What you're ask-

ing us to do is rubber stamp this.”

Those two and board members Mary Jane McCart, Brian Neeley and Laraine Rodgers squared off against some of the city’s highest-echelon staff, including City Engineer Alison Tymkiw, Fire Chief Tom Shannon (present but silent), Senior Assistant City Attorney Kimberly Campbell, Budget Director Judy Doyle, Finance Director Gina Kirklin and Public Works Director Dan Worth. Worth’s job has become explaining to the bond committee – and, to the coun-

City seems to duck Rio Verde Foothills black eye

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

With apologies to Ray Romano, if producers made a TV show here, they could fairly call it “Everybody Loves Scottsdale.”

But even as awards, accolades and honors continue to pour on the city sporting a “LOVE” sculpture, will a looming controversy damage Scottsdale’s once-pristine image?

When Scottsdale ceased providing water to around 700 homes and ranches of

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Rio Valley Foothills, just outside northeast Scottsdale, it shocked the Valley – and, briefly, the country.

“Arizona city cuts off a neighborhood’s water supply amid drought,” read a Jan. 16 Washington Post headline.

“The Water Wars of the West have begun,” blared a Feb. 4 Colorado City Gazette

cil – how inflation has negatively impacted most of the projects that citizens approved in 2019.

Three years ago, Scottsdale voters approved a $319 million bond package with combined 58 projects.

Though price surges have moderated in recent months, a series of construction-related price hikes has sent Worth to center stage repeatedly as he explains why many projects have sprinted past their original,

They loved the parade

Folklorico dancers from the Ollin Yoliztli Dance Academy were among dozens of entries that joined the 69th annual Parada del Sol Parade in Scottsdale Feb. 4. For a look at some of the other entries, see page 22.

(David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Scottsdale lawmaker’s bill keeps cash in businesses

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The way a Scottsdale lawmaker sees it, the words are written on every bill and should be obeyed.

No, not "In God We Trust.''

It's the language that says "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.'' And Republican Rep. Joseph Chaplik wants to be sure that Arizonans don't get turned away from businesses in the state because they want to use that "legal tender'' to pay.

His HB 2555, awaiting action by the full House, would spell out in law that any business with a physical location in Arizona "must accept cash as a payment for goods and services.'' And it also spells out that consumers with cash cannot be charged a penalty.

The measure even comes with teeth. Customers whose cash is refused can

seek civil damages of $1,000 a day from the errant merchant.

There have been moves away from cash since the pandemic, with some merchants loath to accept folding money and the viruses they fear they might carry. Chaplik scoffed at that logic, saying there's no more chance of transmission of disease from cash as there is from pressing the buttons on a device that accepts credit and debit cards for payment, or even at an automated teller machine.

Chaplik noted that about 6 million people are "unbanked,'' with no relationship at all with a financial institution.

"This helps those individuals that live paycheck-to-paycheck and cash their checks,'' he said. And Chaplik said that includes 11% of Blacks and 9% of Hispanics.

Purchases made with cash are more private, with no credit card or other record to show where someone has spent his or her money.

The lone person to testify against the measure in the House Commerce Committee was Mike Huckins, lobbyist for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, who called the measure an unacceptable mandate on business.

"While we understand that some people prefer to use cash, it's our position that businesses should be free to take the form of payment that best suits their individual business model and/or needs,'' Huckins said.

"There are many reasons why businesses may choose not to accept cash payment, including operational efficiencies, less risk of robbery or accepting counterfeit bills,'' he said. And Huckins said a requirement to accept cash could have outside impacts on small businesses that may not have the time or staff to make it to the bank on a daily basis.

The Federal Reserve -- the folks who print out all those bills with the "legal tender'' verbiage -- says there is no fed-

eral law mandating that any person, private business or organization must accept their currency or even coins from the U.S. Mint.

Some states already do, including Massachusetts, Colorado and Delaware. And some cities, like San Francisco, New York and Philadelphia have adopted similar local ordinances.

That didn't impress Huckins, who said they are "all great cities but would not like their regulatory burdens put on us here in Arizona.''

But lawmakers on the panel from both parties were not convinced.

Cesar Aguilar, D-Phoenix, recalled as a "broke college kid'' not being able to pay cash for his rent. In fact, he said, the only way to pay the rent was to log into a web portal which charged an additional fee to use a credit or debit card.

"I am in strong support of this bill and think it's a pretty good bill,'' Aguilar said.

Rep. Justin Heap, R-Mesa, spoke of his time working in construction along with Hispanics.

"I don't know how those people function in a cashless society,'' Heap said. "And I don't feel there should be any burden on them to go to banks and get debit cards if they don't want to when, as Mr. Chaplik pointed out, the cash states on it that it is for every debt, both private and public.''

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Menzel rips those who ‘tear apart” community

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

The Feb. 7 Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board meeting was attended by about 75 teachers, union representatives, staff, administration, the five board members – and an invisible but looming elephant in the room.

While SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Menzel’s role in board meetings is a non-voting, observatory function, he did give opening comments – beginning with a roundup of district news and concluding with a forceful statement.

“We will not be distracted by those who would seek to tear apart our community,” Menzel said, garnering applause.

Menzel was alluding to the metaphoric elephant: On Feb. 1, three Scottsdale state legislators emailed an “open letter” to the board and media, demanding his “immediate removal” for comments he made more than three years ago.

State Reps. Joseph Chaplik and Alexander Kolodin and Sen. John Kavanagh, all Republicans representing the district that covers Scottsdale, expressed outrage toward Menzel for “offensive and hateful comments he made in a 2019 interview.”

They cited a recent Fox News story, which in turn dug up an interview Menzel did while in Michigan.

“The statements Superintendent Scott Menzel made in an interview about ‘white people’ being ‘problematic’ has made national news, and parents in our districts were shocked that it wasn’t followed with an immediate apology from Menzel or a response from the governing board,” the letter said.

Menzel gave a detailed response to the Progress last week, stating the attack was politically motivated and that anyone who read the full interview “would know I didn’t say anything ‘hateful’ about any group of people.”

Those who came to the Feb. 7 meeting to echo attacks on Menzel were likely disappointed: like other SUSD “special meetings,” this one did not allow public comments. The next SUSD gathering is a Feb. 21 “regular meeting,” at which public comment will be permitted.

Early in the meeting, during an agen-

da item on union updates, Becky Williams, president of the Scottsdale Education Association, which represents teachers, counselors, nurses and other salaried educators, used her time to defend and praise Menzel.

“He has brought more stability to the district in the last three years than most educators, students and families have experienced in Scottsdale in the last decade and SUSD. He has been transparent and laid out his vision for a district that leads through its values of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Williams said.

She demanded the board do its best to stop “the disruption caused by all of these baseless accusations…As our elected leaders you must take a stand against these attacks.”

Her comments were greeted by loud applause and a smattering of boos.

Two who hissed Williams were sitting in the front row, one an auburn-haired grandmother in a red T-shirt, the other a blonde mother of five in a leather jacket.

After the two-hour meeting, both shared their views with the Progress.

Susan Winder, the grandmother of an SUSD student, said she is “very unhappy” with Menzel, stating, “Obviously, he’s a ‘woke’ person.”

Patricia Pellett, the mother of three SUSD students and the leader last year of an unsuccessful effort to recall four board members, said the support for Menzel during the meeting “was staged.”

“What these people were saying tonight is a lie,” she said.

Pellett said she followed Menzel’s advice and read the entire 2019 interview – and that she found it “worse” than the excerpts.

“I’m offended when Dr. Menzel makes it all about color,” said Pellett, who is white.

“I’ve been called ‘privileged’ by my kids’ room mom,” she said, adding she particularly resents this as “my grandfather was a Russian Jew immigrant and my mother illiterate.”

During the meeting, the board heard several presentations before voting on three matters.

SUSD is currently self-insured, but the board followed a district recommendation and unanimously approved the Governing Board approved medical and pharmacy coverage of SUSD employees by Kairos Health Arizona – at an estimated $18 million cost – beginning in the 2023-24 school year.

Shannon Crosier, the district’s chief financial officer, told the board she led a study of how other districts offer medical insurance coverage and that the last two years of SUSD selfinsurance “haven’t been good. We’ve paid a lot more for our medical insurance.”

The board also unanimously approved spending $156,000 to “modernize” the elevator at Redfield Elementary School for $156,000.

During his introductory comments, Menzel noted SUSD is celebrating Black History Month.

“Although we believe Black history is American history and is embedded in our curriculum,” he said, “this is the time where we can celebrate Black Americans’ contributions.”

After the meeting, the Progress asked Menzel to quantify his mention of emails sent recently to his office.

“Since the first Fox News digital story I have seen about 310 emails with 234 expressing support and 76 calling for my termination or resignation,” Menzel said, noting that translates to 75% positive and 25% negative.

About 100 people attended the Feb. 7 SUSD Governing Board meeting. (Tom Scanlon/Staff)

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voter-approved price tags.

Looking at the big picture, Armstrong did some quick math and stated the combined projects have run up “a $94 million shortfall – roughly just about a third (of the total). How does a shortfall like that get accommodated?”

Doyle said that although the council ultimately makes decisions, “We might have to result to delaying projects… nothing is off the table.”

Committee members complained both of not being given enough information and of being trapped into doing something beyond their power.

It didn’t help when the city attorney told them they were in “uncharted territory.”

The bond committee was baffled, and at times temporarily stumped, by two of the 58 voter-approved projects: Replace WestWorld Arena Lights to Reduce Operating Costs, Project 47; and Build a New Fire Department Training Facility, Project 38.

While it’s not much of an exaggeration to call the latter “a runaway proj-

ect,” the former bucks the trend, coming in at nearly half its original $1.3 million budget.

Yet even that “good news” became sticky, as city staff strongly urged the committee to transfer the $607,000

saved on the WestWorld lights project to renovating the horse barns “to increase rentable space.” That project has gone so far over budget that the original plan to fix 10 barns is down to four. Transferring the $607,000 would get one more barn, Worth told the bond committee.

“If we can't afford to build 10 barns,” McCart wondered, “what happens?”

“If you don't have the money, you either build fewer or you find money,” Worth answered, hinting that this would be one of the projects he would ask City Council to support with General Fund money.

Several of the watchdogs wanted to know why they couldn’t transfer the under-budget money to another project?

But Worth and the financial staff stressed the barn project is the only one that would fit criteria (within the group of the 20 Community Spaces and Infrastructure projects) for a transfer.

After an awkward silence, Armstrong expressed frustration: “We have accountability to our constituents,” the six-year board member said, telling

Worth, “Your predecessor used to go through exhaustive detail – 10 hours. You're giving us 10 minutes.”

sEE BOND PAGE 7

Andrew Armstrong, a six-year member of the citizens bond committee, complained of being used as a “pawn.” (City of Scottsdale)

Janice Eng, chair of the citizens bond committee, said she didn’t want to “rubber stamp” a $10 million increase. (City of Scottsdale)

After more questions, with gray answers, about what would happen if they didn’t transfer the money, the committee ultimately voted unanimously to cycle the $607,000 into the rentable space project.

Board members were puzzled by the fire training facility project, down to its location: Tempe.

Why the training facility is in another city was never addressed, as the focus quickly shifted to money.

Voters gave the green light to the Fire Department training facility for $18 million.

Two years later, a new estimate came in for building the facility near McClintock Road and the Red Mountain Loop 202: $23 million. Council approved shifting $5 million from the General Fund to the project in mid2022.

A new price tag emerged in 2022: $33 million – a whopping 45% over the original budget.

According to the meeting’s agenda, reasons for the increase include “construction cost inflation” – but also that “scope changes” that have nearly tripled the training facility’s size from 10,000 square feet to 27,000 and the conference room expanded from 100 seats to 171.

Committee members began to question why this was needed and then wondered what exactly was going on, since they have no power to release the extra $10 million needed for the project.

Indeed, the agenda merely states the committee was to have a “presentation, discussion, and possible recommendation to council to add funding to Project 38.”

Three words sum the board members' response: Not our job.

“I'm struggling a little bit,” Armstrong said. “…I feel severely unqualified…I feel like a pawn.”

Armstrong said that in the job he does for a living, he has to make tough choices on budgets and wondered what the committee was being asked.

“In order to complete this project, we need to add another $10 million –that's in General Fund money,” Worth said. “We're asking you to make a de -

cision on if this should be completed.”

“In our estimation,” the Public Works director added, “we can afford it.”

That didn’t soothe Eng, the board chair, who said, “I am very uncomfortable with it.”

Rodgers, the vice chair, and others raised the idea of delaying a vote after receiving more information: “I hope we've done our job as citizens watch dogs…We all want to do the right thing.”

Worth then turned up the pressure, saying there are "a whole lot of pending retirements" in the Fire Department and that new recruits will need a training facility to keep the city safe.

“Delaying this doesn't allow us to meet the goal,” Worth said.

This didn’t land well with Eng.

“What you're asking us to do is rubber-stamp this,” Eng said, her voice rising. “Without having correct information…I feel like I'm in a no-win situation.”

Worth allowed, “We're in new territory.” He said that when he gave a similar presentation at a previous study session, “the direction we got from council Nov. 21 is to ask the bond committee” for its recommendation.

Neeley, like Armstrong is in his sixth

Public Works Director Dan Worth explained how inflation spiked costs of many voterapproved projects. (City of Scottsdale)

Scottsdale Boy Scout Troop 201 gets big award

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

South Scottsdale Troop 201 is well on its way toward marking the 60th anniversary of its founding next year in impressive fashion.

Earlier this month, the Grand Canyon Council and Central District named it Troop of the Year.

Not only has the troop – led by Scoutmaster Bob Humphrey – earned Scouting’s Journey to Excellence Gold Award for their planning, performance, service, participation and achievements in Scouting for many consecutive years, but many of its members have earned Eagle rank as well.

“The troop has mentored hundreds of scouts to various ranks with more than 102 earning the coveted rank of Eagle Scout,” troop secretary Diana Kaminski said. “There are eight more preparing to achieve this rank within the next year. “

As a Scout-led Troop, the boys plan and execute weekly meetings and monthly

outings such as backpacking, day hiking, mountain biking, skiing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, camping and visiting national monuments, state parks and various museums and summer camps.

They participate annually in Urban Ad-

venture, an inter-city competition using multi-modal transportation (bus, light rail, bike, walk, canoe) to answer questions about destinations given by clues and requiring map and compass to find.

They are scored on practice of the Scout law, safety, use of orienteering skills, providing the correct answers and

be found in city parks and non-profit organizations,” Kaminski said, adding its non-perishable food drive “provides an average of one ton of food collected to serve Vista Del Camino Food Pantry.”

Scouts have participated in Feed my Starving Children, St. Mary’s Food Bank, St. Vincent De Paul, and the Copperstate Four Wheelers and Four Peaks Brewery Annual Superstition Mountain trash clean up and burn site revegetation.

Troop 201 logged over 300 volunteer service hours so far this year and collected 962 pounds of non-perishable food and $158 in donations for Vista Del Camino Food Bank.

“The scouts are always interested in opportunities to serve in the community,” Kaminski said.

The troop’s adult leaders also have garnered awards – including Kaminski, Treasurer Sean Bridges, and assistant Scoutmasters Joshua Friedman and Bruce Weber.

Humphrey is receiving the Scouter of the Year award.

Troop 201 is “a relatively small but highly engaged,” Kaminski said.

The troop also is forming Troop 3201 for girls.

“The scouts lead by patrol method and mentor each other, with adults supporting them in their personal growth and development to become prepared for adulthood,” Kaminski said.

The troop also participates in many service projects around the Valley.

“Eagle projects from Troop 201 can

The troop meets at Camelback Church of Christ, 5225 E. Camelback Road, at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and has a monthly outing on the third weekend of every month.

Families with kids ages 12 to 17 who are interested in learning more can go to aztroop201.org. People who would like to be a guest speaker at a troop meeting can email bhumphrey1@ ymail.com for more information.

Scottsdale City Council meets Tuesday

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Scottsdale City Council’s next scheduled meeting is at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The meeting will also be televised on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search “live stream”).

Sixteen items are listed on the consent agenda, meaning they will not

be discussed individually and only presented for a collective vote, including liquor licenses for Sauce Pizza, the Pony Express Cafe and La Fonda del Sol Mexican restaurant and a bingo license for American Legion Post 44. Also on the consent agenda:

• A Scottsdale Police request for

Displaying some of the awards earned by Troop 201 in Scottsdale are, from left: Cameron Friedman accepting award on behalf of Treasurer Sean Bridges; Scoutmaster Bob Humphrey with the Troop of the Year and Scouter of the Year awards; Assistant Scoutmaster Josh Friedman, Secretary Diana Kaminski and Ian Humphrey accepting an award on behalf of Assistant Scoutmaster Bruce Weber. Both Cameron and Ian were recognized for helping a fellow scout with a broken ankle down a difficult trail on a recent outing. (Courtesy Troop 201)

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School spending cap waiver OK’d despite local opposition

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

With just weeks to go, the state Legislature lasted week agreed to allow school districts across Arizona to spend the money this academic year that they already have. But two Scottsdale lawmakers weren’t among the House majority in the 46-14 vote as Republicans Joseph Chaplik and Alexander Kolodin voted against the waiver. However, in the divided Senate vote that lifted the cap, Scottsdale Sen. John Kavanagh voted for the waiver. Had the limit not been waived, Scottsdale Unified School District would have been forced to make nearly $28.5 million in spending adjustments in the last two months of the current school year. It would have been unable to spend that amount even though it already has it in the bank.

Chaplik said he believes that schools aren't using the money they have to pay teachers and fund classroom needs.

"I watch K through 12 funding as a broken system,'' he said. "And we're repeating that broken system. The districts are not budgeting responsibly.''

One change he wants is to alter the

system of paying superintendents, saying their salaries are "guaranteed even if they fail.''

Kolodin said that Arizona spends "more per pupil than most other countries in the world, with vastly superior results,'' though he did not mention multiple studies that show Arizona is at or near the bottom in spending per student among all the states.

Kolodin said he believes that money is still being wasted.

"Where does the money go?'' he asked. "Before we just keep throwing more money at this problem we need systemic reforms in terms of transparency and accountability to make sure that the money that we are intending to put into the classroom and give to teachers and students to facilitate education ... actually gets there.''

State Auditor General Lindsey Perry said that does not paint the whole picture of spending effectively going into the classroom.

She said student support, consisting

of counselors, audiologists, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers and attendance services at up another 9.1% of every dollar.

There also was 5.8% for instructional support, defined as librarians, teacher training, curriculum development and instruction-related technology services. That brought what Perry considers total classroom spending up to 70.2% for the most recent year, versus 69.3% for the prior year.

Rep. Rachel Jones, R-Tucson, who called it “a mismanagement issue,” did not dispute that the measure authorizes schools to use the nearly $1.4 billion that was appropriated to them last legislative session.

"I wasn't part of the Legislature last year who promised that money,'' Jones said, saying she's "not comfortable'' with that decision.

That logic drew a rebuke from Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, who has championed the waiver vote.

"We all took an oath at the beginning of this session to uphold the Constitution,'' he said. And Cook said approving a budget is "the No. 1 constitutional duty'' of the Legislature.

"This money was in that budget,'' he said.

Approval of the spending cap waiver does only takes care of current spending. Schools could find themselves in the

REP. JOSEPH CHAPLIK

REP. ALEXANDER KOLODIN

From toilet to tee: greens use reclaimed water

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

When the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler prepped in their hotels on mornings before hitting TPC Golf Course, they could say to their commodes, “See you later, water.” TPC is part of what could be called Scottsdale’s “toilet-to-tee” program to water lush golfing lawns.

These Scottsdale greens are truly “green,” avoiding the use of valuable drinking water.

According to Valerie Schneider of the Scottsdale Water Department, TPC and 22 other northern Scottsdale golf courses “take a unique approach to irrigation and water conservation.

“These courses utilize reclaimed water – not valuable, potable water – produced at the Reclaimed Water Distribu-

“turned off the tap on the unincorporated suburb of Rio Valley Foothills.”

tion System, which was funded by the courses.” Water “reclaimed” from the city

sewage system is flushed to Scottsdale’s Advanced Water Treatment Facility, “where water is processed and treated to A+ standards,” Schneider said.

And, believe it or not, some of that toilet water ends up as potential drinking water.

“When the golf courses do not utilize their full allotment of water, the city further treats this water to safe, bottled-water quality water and injects it into the city’s aquifer. This reserve acts as the city’s water savings account that can be utilized at a further date,” according to Schneider.

She stressed that the treated water is not generally available for

headline; the story stated Scottsdale

Some editorials and casual observers

viewed this as heartless, especially after Mayor David Ortega’s “There is no Santa Claus” statement.

Yet, among the whooping crowds

sunny Scottsdale.

“It’s very nice,” said Randy Thooft.

“It’s awesome,” added his wife, Laureen.

“Everybody Loves Scottsdale” could have been the theme last week on Main Street, where happy crowds of visitors gathered to be part of ESPN’s live coverage. Several tourists told the Progress the Rio Valley Foothills water controversy doesn’t negatively impact their positive views of Scottsdale. (Tom Scanlon/Staff)

gathered on Main Street in Old Town Scottsdale last week, you would have a hard time finding Scottsdale haters.

On Feb. 8, with ESPN lights and cameras nearby for the sports network’s set-in-Scottsdale live coverage, a middle-aged couple from Minnesota told the Progress they were happy to be in

They’ve been staying in Tempe just outside Scottsdale for a few weeks, and had heard of the water controversy.

Yet, this didn’t make them think less of Scottsdale.

“If you don’t have water to give

BLACKEYE from PAGE 1

Those lush greens at TPC Scottsdale where the world’s best golfers are competing? They are nurtured by “reclaimed water,” which starts in the city’s sewage system, then is treated at a high-tech facility. (City of Scottsdale/TPC)

Super Bowl gambling poised for history this year

BY JAMES DALPINO Cronkite News

For bettors, the Super Bowl is the holy grail of sports betting, as it is the biggest sporting event in the United States.

In 2022, a record 31.4 million Americans wagered a record $7.61 billion on Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles, according to the American Gaming Association.

The 2023 Super Bowl differentiates itself from any other when it comes to the betting world. This year marks the first time where the big game is hosted in a state where sports gambling is legal. Arizona is expected to bring in a historic amount of money on Super Bowl Sunday.

What makes the Super Bowl special in the eyes of sports bettors are the various prop bets that are only available during the game. This includes an over/under on the length of the national anthem, bets on heads or tails on the coin toss, and even what celebrities will be shown during specific advertisements.

The variety of bets during the Super Bowl keeps a gambling audience engaged throughout the entire game.

“The Super Bowl is the major wagering event of the year for sportsbooks in the U.S.,” said Geoff Zochodne, a sports betting reporter for Covers, a company that provides information analysis and statistics about sports betting. “Bettors just want to wager on everything that has to do with the game for entertainment purposes, and so you have those Super Bowlspecific markets that get a lot of attention.”

One of the biggest beneficiaries of legalized gambling in the Super Bowl is BetMGM, which opened its on-site location at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, where Super Bowl 57 will be played.

Fans who attend the game will be able to bet on-site, something that can only happen in a state where sports betting is legal. According to the Arizona Department of Gaming, the venue produced $2 million in revenue during October.

BetMGM opened a sportsbook at State Farm Stadium in September, the first one to open in an NFL stadium. The venue, which brought in $2 million in revenue in October, expects record numbers for the upcoming Super Bowl. (Austin Ford/Cronkite News)

“The fact that it’s in Arizona means you’re probably going to see more interest in betting at some of these inperson facilities,” Zochodne said. “It’s those in-person venues that are going to have tourists coming through that might see an uptick in the amount of handle for the game.”

Since Arizona’s legalization of sports betting in 2021, the number of sports bettors in the state per month has consistently increased. According to Arizona’s Department of Gaming, bettors in November of 2022 wagered nearly $617 million. Compared to the numbers in November 2021, this represents a 32.2% increase.

However, big numbers in the gambling industry came from last February, which included money generated from Super Bowl 56.

“We, in February, actually had $491 million wagered in the state during the month of February, which would encompass the Super Bowl last year,” said Max Hartgraves, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Gaming, “And I will say generally speaking, we’ve seen continued growth going into this year.”

With a combination of a growing sports betting community in Arizona along with the state hosting the big game, Arizona could be set to shatter betting revenue records for the weekend.

On top of that, the state hosts its annual Waste Management Open at TPC Scottsdale, another major sporting

event that takes place in the Valley during Super Bowl weekend. Sportsbooks across Maricopa County are hoping that these two big events will generate huge revenue throughout the entire weekend.

Since the legalization of sports betting, Arizona has already seen a large impact in its economy, receiving millions of dollars in revenue for the state. However, the opportunities for revenue in the state are even bigger throughout Super Bowl weekend.

From the events leading up to the Super Bowl along with the flock of tourists coming to the game, this year’s Super Bowl could be recordbreaking. With that increase in betting, the state is expected to also benefit from unprecedented revenue.

“It’s brought in millions of dollars to the state, and patrons are now able to enjoy it legally and have consumer protections,” Hartgraves said.“So I’m excited to see how the Super Bowl does impact our February figures here in the state.”

Generally, the NFL normally picks warm weather cities to host the Super Bowl. The last three Super Bowl cities – Miami, Tampa Bay, and Los Angeles –all fall into this category.

In 2024, the Super Bowl will move to Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world. As the NFL decides host cities

Scottsdale woman finds help in transportation ordeal

BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

At 79, Vicky Parker struggles with a variety of medical conditions: diverticulitis, degenerative spinal disc disease, a hiatal hernia a nodule on her right lung, gallstones and, just recently, chest pain.

The Scottsdale woman said the list of her problems is so extensive that “I should be going to the doctor probably two to three times per week,” bur instead she she can do is visit a chiropractor once a week for her back pain. That’s because that’s all she can get transportation to.

Her insurance company, United Health Care, only pays for 36 one-way trips per year.

She can’t to pain management doctors and said, “I’m missing going to the pulmonary specialist that I need. I’m missing sometimes getting CAT scans or MRIs done.”

On top of that, cab or ride-service

drivers are often late or no-shows.

For eight years, her only way home from a doctor’s appointments about 20% to 30% of the time was to stand in the parking lot and hitch a ride.

She stopped seeing doctors because she couldn’t get the proper transportation. “Nobody should be forced to be subject themselves to that,” she said.

She fought with her insurance company and with Medicaid. She contacted lawmakers like state Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Scottsdale and then former Gov. Doug Ducey’s office.

Everybody simply refered her to someone else, like the Area Agency on Aging or a law firm. They in turn referred her to someone else.

“I think they were hoping I would get tired, give up and go away,” Parker said.

For a while, she secured ride coverage through United Health Care but eventually that ended.

That’s when Parker turned to the nonprofit Duet – Partners in Health and Aging.

Volunteer drivers take her to and from her doctor’s appointments, but there’s a hitch.

Duet’s drivers can’t come in and wait for her during procedures involving anesthesia.

And Duet’s not alone in this restriction. Other local agencies can’t do it, said Duet Executive Director Ann Wheat.

That’s a problem when some of Parker’s procedures, like endoscopies and colonoscopies, require anesthesia. When anesthesia is administered, doctors generally require a patient be accompanied by someone who can drive.

“We get calls quite often from home bound people who need to have a procedure done, might be outpatient but anesthesia is involved and that’s where we have always had to say, ‘No we cannot provide that,’” Wheat said

The problem involves insurance liability. Volunteer drivers would have to sign a waiver saying they are taking personal responsibility for the client and that’s not acceptable, Wheat said.

“They are helping out of the kindness of their hearts to assist home bound neighbors,” she said. “This has always been a sticking point for us.”

Kavanagh, who did not return multiple calls for this story, promised to write legislation that would exempt the driver and the non-profit from any liability except under gross negligence, accoding to Parker. But he told Wheat that state law was clear on the matter and couldn’t be changed.

Parker then suggested adding a good Samaritan clause so that a client would just need to sign a waiver to absolve the drivers and nonprofits from any liability.

Kavanagh’s staff told Parker that they would look in to that.

In the meantime, Parker wants to raise awareness about homebound people needing rides to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores or other important destinations and encourage people to consider becoming volunteer drivers for a nonprofit like Duet.

Without these volunteers, lives are shortened or filled with pain, she said.

“I feel it’s already a serious issue for great numb of people who have no close friends or family members to assist them,” Parker said. “It’s only going to get worse as the baby boomers age and the homeless population increases.”

Vicky Parker of Scottsdale has encountered untold difficulty finding volunteer drivers to take her to medical appointments. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

them,” Randy Thooft said, with a shrug.

While Laureen sympathized with Rio Verde homeowners, Randy said, “If they had forewarning and didn’t prepare for it–that’s on them.”

Sitting at a table in the middle of the closed-off block, a group of four snowbirds from Nebraska shared that view.

“I feel bad for that community,” Shauna, who declined the use of her last name, said of Rio Verde. Yet she said the fault was not with Scottsdale, but rather that residents “got shafted by the developer.”

“Why would they build without knowing they had water?” wondered Steve, who also did not provide his last name.

Christy Jackman and other Rio Verde Foothills residents have an answer for that, saying they have come up with “three alternatives that won’t cost Scottsdale anything.”

Earlier in the week, Jackman, Cody Heim and others were rallying their neighbors for big protests at the ESPN event and outside the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament, which is also drawing crowds and national cameras to Scottsdale.

The RVF leaders planned to show the country how terribly they were being treated.

In a Feb. 5 announcement on the “RV water page” on Facebook, Heim shouted out to his neighbors:

“Any residents that are preparing to protest Mayor David Damian Ortega and his treatment toward our people, then listen up: If you are going to protest at the Protest for Water for Rio Verde Foothills at the WM Phoenix Open Scottsdale and the Protest For Rio Verde Foothills Water at Old Town Scottsdale ESPN Super Bowl Hub…

“We need to keep in mind, The City of Scottsdale is our friend and this problem was instituted by one man, that is Mayor David Ortega.

“Any signs that are being made need to state that ‘We love Scottsdale’ ‘We need Water’ ‘Mayor Ortega won’t allow us Water to our Homes.’”

And so, even the community it stopped providing water still loves Scottsdale.

Heim stressed the need “to stay cordial and polite. Do not say anything demeaning Mayor Ortega personally, we

can only opine on his actions toward us in Rio Verde Foothills.”

A few days later, those protests were abruptly canceled.

“As a community,” said Jackman, who with Heim was listed as a co-organizer of the planned protests, “we made the decision ‘don’t hate Scottsdale’ and we don’t want to interfere with the city’s reputation.

“We made the decision we’ll take the higher ground.”

Just as important, Jackman told the Progress, she and her neighbors were concentrating on getting help at the state level, with RVF-friendly bills in motion.

Indeed, Heim (who did not return calls for this story) gushingly posted on Facebook Feb. 8:

“Thank you to all who showed up today at the House hearing on HB2561! We’ve got another one in the Senate now! We need the mirror bill SB1093 to pass its committee, this will speed the process in getting water to us here in RVF.”

During the Arizona Senate committee meeting on a bill that would essentially require Scottsdale to resume providing water to Rio Verde Foothills, according to Jackman, “The attorney or lobbyist who spoke against (the proposed bill) stated Scottsdale is very close to a solution and possibly could have something this week. None of us had any idea what he was talking about.”

With options for other cities to provide them water being shot down, Jackman said any state political solution is desperately needed: “We’re on the precipice of major shortages.”

In his State of the City address three weeks ago, Ortega warned:

“Scottsdale Water is the most sophisticated integrated water resource and delivery system in all Arizona and some legislators are attempting to hijack our facilities to benefit out-of-jurisdiction wildcat subdivisions.”

The Progress reached out to Ortega several times for this story. David Simmons, the mayor’s chief of staff, said that as Scottsdale is a Superbowl Host committee city, the mayor “is extraordinarily busy this week” and could not grant an interview.

Simmons’ view on how the RVF water crisis will impact the city’s reputation:

“The mayor and council’s constituencies have sent in a plethora of letters of support. Therefore, the lasting impact will surely be a positive one.”

Social media posts show some agree with Simmons’ take. Others, not so much.

“I heard about Rio Verde's water issues when I first moved out here and looked for a house in 2009,” Marilyn Ostrow posted on Facebook. “It's been known to be problematic for 20 years. I don't get how people who live there seem to not have known about it.”

Doug Peterson agreed with Ostrow’s view, adding, “This is on their backs, not the City of Scottsdale.”

When a Progress story on the mayor's state of the city, in which he discussed water, was posted on Facebook, Tim Pearson blasted Ortega:

"He knows full well Rio Verde Foothills is only asking Scottsdale to process the water that they purchase elsewhere. It's a net zero effect on Scottsdale's water consumption, and a net profit to Scottsdale. What a jackass.”

Honors roll in

Meanwhile, Scottsdale’s deliriouslybusy, Super Bowl-meets-Super Golf week was highlighted by more accolades, falling like monsoon rain (if only) on the parched city.

Last week, Scottsdale landed at No.

GOLFWATER from PAGE 12

drinking, though those who want to visit the treatment facility can sample it.

The Scottsdale links are not alone in their “green-ness.”

According to an Environmental Protection story, “Nearly 13 percent of

26 on Tourism Sentiment Index’s “The 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World.”

To come up with the rankings, the Tourism Sentiment Index says it “reviewed more than 1.6 billion online conversations and content pieces publicly available about 21,330 global destinations.”

Scottsdale’s press release quoted Ben Vadasz of Tourism Sentiment Index, who said Scottsdale made the list “based on delivering on their brand promise, managing visitor expectations and delivering a quality visitor experience.”

At No. 26, Scottsdale was sandwiched between Hunter Valley (New South Wales, Australia) and Queenstown (Otago, New Zealand). The only American city ranked higher was Palm Springs, No. 22. The only other Arizona city to make the “most-loved destinations” top 100 list was Sedona, No. 36.

On top of that, Scottsdale landed near the top of the 2023 U.S. News & World Report list of the best hotels in America, with the Canyon Suites at The Phoenician coming in at second.

Other Scottsdale luxury lodgings landing on the top 100 list: the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North and Mountain Shadows Resort and Boulders Resort & Spa.

greenskeepers use reclaimed water to maintain golf courses.”

But, via its “More Golf Courses Need to Use Recycled Water” headline, the story said this isn’t enough.

“In warm, dry climates,” the Environmental Protection story noted, “one golf course can use a million gallons of water each day.”

FESTIVAL OF FINE ART FESTIVAL OF FINE ART

Scottsdale celebrates Black History Month

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

This month, Scottsdale’s air is accented by the happy jangle of Chuck Berry’s guitar riffs and the powerful poetry of Langston Hughes, both part of citywide celebrations of Black History Month that kicked off last weekend.

On Feb. 4, Greg McAlister, a professor in the Ethnic Studies Program at Northern Arizona University, discussed slavery and the social and economic realities of racism at Bahá’í Faith Community Center of Scottsdale.

Community Center, Vinnie Bruno gave a Feb. 4 presentation on guitar great Berry, with a focus on how the St. Louis native “invented” rock and roll, influencing countless American and British rockers.

SCC hosts Dr. Ron McCurdy at noon Monday, Feb. 13, for a multimedia concert performance of Langston Hughes’ jazz poem, “Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz.” Hughes scored the piece with music including blues, Gospel, boogie-woogie, bebop, West Indian calypso and African drumming.

The center has free Black History Month events each weekend this month, mixing discussions and film screenings.

Today, Feb. 12, the movie “Selma” was to be screened at 2 p.m., with Dr. Karin Hardin, president of the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP, leading discussions.

The Jackie Robinson biopic “42” will be screened at the center at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, followed by Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19.

At Scottsdale’s Mustang Library, just around the corner from Bahá’í Faith

McCurdy is a professor of music at the Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California. The event is free and open to the community. To view it online, visit bit.ly/langstonhughes-s23.

Another SCC Black History Month event is exclusively online: “The Underground & Overground Railroad,” a multimedia presentation by Dr. Tamika Sanders at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Sanders will explain how the Underground Railroad helped an estimated 100,000 Black Americans escape slavery for freedom. Later, the “Overground Railroad” helped Blacks to travel, live and work, navigating Jim Crow laws. To watch the free event, visit bit.ly/

sanders-railroad.

Dr. Ronald C. McCurdy

Dr. Tamika Sanders

300 E. WIGWAM BLVD • LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ

VERMILLION PROMOTIONS PRESENTS

Rain” by Kim Seyesnem Obrzut

Featuring 125 accomplished fine artists and craftsmen from around the nation, the three-day event guarantees its patrons an unparalleled cultural experience. Amenities include daily music, performance art, and trendy food, wine and beer concessions. The resort also offers upscale restaurants and patio dining.

Held on the majestic grounds of the Wigwam Resort, a short drive from the Phoenix Metro area. The festival is a life-size picture postcard framed by towering palms, lush green lawns, and flowering gardens—creating a stunning outdoor gallery.

Alzheimer’s Association offers free conference in EV

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will launch its 2023 Educating America Tour in the East Valley this week.

At 10 a.m. Thursday. Feb. 16, the association will present a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference at the Ahwatukee Event Center, 4700 E. Warner Road,Ahwatukee.

The free conference, which is open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, and caregiving. Attendees can register at alzfdn.org/tour.

“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said association President/CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.

“Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that

can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about,” he added, noting this conference is for anyone who is somehow affected by the disease either as a family member, or caregiver or are generally interested in brain health.

The topics include “Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease: From Cradle-toGrave: with Dr. Jeremy Pruzin, MD, providing an overview of the disease and discussing two important areas in prevention: modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle choices and vascular risk factors.

He also will discuss promising, presymptomatic, pharmacological strategies that are currently being tested in clinical trials. There is currently no proven cure for Alzheimer’s.

Pruzin is an associate professor of neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and a behavioral neurologist with the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix.

Also being presented is “Aging in

Place Along the Alzheimer’s Spectrum” by Dana Kennedy, state director of AARP Arizona.

She will discuss options for care and the criteria that should be considered when making the decision to transition from a home to a professional care setting.

Belinda Ordonez, a board-certified nurse practitioner in the dementia care program at the Dementia Care and Education Campus in Phoenix and co-director for the Hospice of the Valley Dementia Fellowship, will discuss, “What Happens Next? Best Practices in Palliative Dementia Care.”

Ordonez will talk about the conversations and advanced planning that need to be made in order to navigate common challenges and end-of-life decisions in ways that honor and uphold what matters most to each person.

Palliative care can include education, symptom management, advanced care planning and links to community resources.

There will also be a special presentation, “Highlights of a Baseball Reminiscence Program,” an initiative designed to promote socialization and improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, by the Phoenix-based Society for American Baseball Research.

Free, confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.

Those who cannot participate in the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s national toll-free helpline by calling 866-232-8484 or web chatting at www. alzfdn.org

Old Town gallery owner apologizes for taunts

The owner of an Old Town Scottsdale art gallery has apologized afetr police filed three misdmeanor charges against him for taunting Native American dancers in front of his shop.

“This is what we deal with as Native performers when filming a Super Bowl special for ESPN,” states the narration on the Neon Nativez Facebook page, which posted a video showing Gilbert Ortega, owner of Native American Galleries, appearing to taunt the performers in front of his gallery at 7155 E 5th Ave.

Mayor David Ortega – who is not related to the gallery owner – issued a statement condemning Gilbert Ortega Jr.’as “despicable language and rage directed to Native performers is reprehensible and inexcusable.

The gallery owner's statement said: "I have watched the video and I am both embarrassed and ashamed by my actions. I see that I came off as incredibly insensitive toward the Native

American community and that was not my intention. I deeply apologize for this.

"My family has traded with the Native Americans for over 5 generations, and I continue to do so to this day. I grew up with the Navajo and Zuni cultures in Gallup, NM. So, I have always had the deepest respect and admiration for Native Americans and their ingenuity. Again, I apologize for my actions, and if I could go back and change my words and behavior, I certainly would.”

Another video was originally posted on TikTok, then widely shared on Facebook. It shows that, after being challenged by an unseen person to “step into the street,” Gilbert Ortega says, “you sure backed up, you (expletive) Indian.”

The mayor's statement also said: This ugly incident must be a reminder that our commitment to upholding respect, dignity and anti-discrimination must be steadfast and never wane. Scottsdale history is intertwined with Native peoples living respectfully on Mother Earth, under Father Sky. Together, we are one."

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Neuropathy or Poor Circulation? Diagnosing the Difference

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that involves damage to the nerves in your feet. Symptoms include muscle cramping, difficulty walking, burning, tingling, numbness, and pain. In many cases, it’s caused by diabetes, but poor circulation can also cause these symptoms or make them worse. Poor circulation or PAD (peripheral artery disease) is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries, limiting the amount of blood that

passes through them. “Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your legs and feet which they need to stay healthy,” explains Dr. Shahram Askari of CiC Foot & Ankle. “If you have cramping, leg pain, or non-healing sores, you could have PAD.”

The good news is specialists are able to treat PAD with a minimally invasive procedure in an office setting. Using x-ray imaging, Dr. Joel Rainwater, an interventional radiologist at Com-

prehensive Integrated Care, is able to go into the bloodstream through a tiny nick in the skin to see if there is any plaque buildup.

“We’re able to see if there is a blockage and then remove it with special instruments,” explains Dr. Rainwater. “Once the plaque is removed, blood flow improves.” Patients are home within hours and back to everyday activities with almost no downtime and no stitches. Medi-

care as well as most insurance plans cover treatment.

If you’re just realizing that you may be suffering from neuropathy or poor circulation, make an appointment to see a doctor. Or, if you’re not finding relief from medication or treatment, a second opinion may be helpful to determine the cause of the tingling, cramping, pain, or numbness in your feet.

Dr. Askari and Dr. Rainwater can be reached at 602-954-0777.

BOND from PAGE 7

year on the bond committee, said this had never happened before: “We're specifically being asked about nonbond funds.”

The city attorney said, “This is a very complicated issue. And definitely uncharted territory.”

The committee spent around 15 minutes refining the wording of what tit wanted to vote on, then voted unanimously on: “The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee is not adequately informed to make a recommendation on the use of non-bond funding at this time on Project 38.”

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, City Council is scheduled to vote on funding Project 38–but, as of this newspaper’s deadline, it was listed as one of 15 items on the “consent agenda,” meaning it would not be presented for discussion.

At any time before the meeting, it may be taken off the consent agenda for a presentation and discussion.

SPENDING from PAGE 10

same position for the next academic year.

At the root of the issue is a 1980 voter-approved constitutional measure which capped K-12 spending at current levels, with annual adjustments based on student growth and inflation.

The measure does allow lawmakers to approve a one-year override with a two-thirds vote. And that has occurred without incident in prior years.

What happened this school year is a convergence of two factors.

First, state lawmakers made a massive investment of new dollars, includ-

$152,496, to be used for victim notification technology.

• A Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show request for $60,000 (from the portion of the Tourism Development Fund).

• A $2 million request for “citywide mechanical and plumbing construction services” with three contractors ( Midstate Mechanical, McCarthy Building Companies and Summa Mechanical

GAMBLING from PAGE 13

for future Super Bowls, could the legalization of sports gambling become a major factor in choosing which city hosts the Super Bowl?

“It really is just another indication that the NFL has gotten very comfortable with the legal gambling industry that it sees it not as part of the game, but it’s part of the culture around the game,” Zochodne said.

“Depending on how things go in Las Vegas the following year, it could

ing making up for years during the last recession when schools did not get all the funds to which they were entitled.

Second, the COVID outbreak resulted in a departure of some children from school in prior years.

The result is that schools were authorized to spend nearly $7.8 billion this current academic year. But the constitutional spending cap sits at $6.4 billion.

Complicating matters is that former Gov. Doug Ducey, to get Democrat votes for his budget last year, promised to call a special session to waive the cap.

That never materialized before Ducey left office at the end of the year. And

Contractors).

• An agreement with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County to share costs on a $17 million Pima Road Regional Drainage Channel, on Pima Road from Pinnacle Peak Road to Happy Valley Road in North Scottsdale.

• A $10 million transfer–in addition to a previously allocated $22 million–to “build a new Fire Department Training Facility” near McClintock Drive and the Loop 202 in Tempe.

just be consideration of legal sports, it just isn’t considered at all anymore, that it’s just become something that is sort of secondary to the venue itself.”

The Super Bowl could possibly return to Arizona sooner than later. The last time State Farm Stadium hosted the Super Bowl was in 2015, only eight years ago, showing the NFL has strong connections and preferences to Arizona and the Valley.

If the Super Bowls in Arizona and

the constitution says if the cap isn't waived by March 1, schools need to cut an estimated 17% of their annual budgets -- and do it in just the four months remaining in this academic year.

State schools chief Tom Horne, a Republican, warned that would force many schools to close. And Rep. Matt Gress, RPhoenix, called that unacceptable.

"This effort is aimed at making sure that schools stay open and that students are prioritized,'' he said. "We believe that kids need to be in the classroom, not locked out of it.''

Rep. Justin Heap, R-Mesa, said student funding has nearly doubled in the last decade.

"So the question needs to be asked: What has Arizona received for its investment in education?'' he asked. "And what we've received is failing schools where less than a third of our students are proficient in math and reading.''

Rep. Lydia Hernandez, D-Phoenix, who has served on the school board of the Cartwright Elementary School District, said she agrees with some of the Republicans that there needs to be "systemic reform'' of education funding.

"I, for one, am not supportive of continuing to throw millions of dollars at an issue without fixing it,'' she said. But

Items on the regular agenda include:

• A request by an Oak Street owner of a home listed as a “historic property” for conversion of an existing carport to a garage and a new carport addition.

• The formation of a Street Light Improvement District “for the purpose of purchasing energy and the use of lighting facilities for the Palo Viento subdivision” in the McCormick Ranch area.

Las Vegas bring in greater revenue for the NFL, sports betting could become a major deciding factor in determining future host cities.

“I think the fact that Arizona has legal sports betting gives the NFL more comfort and having the games in a legal wagering jurisdiction,” Zochodne said. “I think if anything, it probably will depend on how it goes and maybe deliver more support, perhaps for (a) return to Arizona and in future years if everything goes smoothly.”

Hernandez said simply denying needed funds to schools in the middle of the academic year, as the failure of this measure would do, is not the answer.

"Until we fully invest and do our due diligence -- and I'm talking about real investment, critical analysis in fixing this problem -- we're not going to find that solution,'' she said. "Closing schools is not the answer.''

And Rep. Consuelo Hernandez, DTucson, questioned why some lawmakers would try, in the middle of the academic year, to force schools to make cuts she said would harm students.

"At this point we're playing games with their lives as well as everyone in education across Arizona,'' said Hernandez who is a member of the Sunnyside school board.

"This is a no-brainer,'' she said. "If we don't have teachers, if we don't have bus drivers, if we're not able to pay our bills just like any of you in this room, guess what? The lights turn off.''

There is an alternative to lawmakers having to vote on waivers of the education expenditure limit every year: rescind or at least sharply alter the 1980 cap. But that would require voter approval, with the next general election not until November 2024.

You’re invited to join The Arizona Pet Project celebrating local animal heroes at The 20th Annual HERO Awards on March 4, 2023, at the Omni Montelucia Resort & Spa! This highly anticipated fundraising event brings together the Valley’s most passionate animal lovers for a night of celebration to raise life-saving funds for people and pets in need. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit https://azpetproject.org/hero/

Celebrating sunshine and Scottsdale for 69 years

Continuing a tradition that began in 1954, the Parada del Sol stepped off along Scottsdale Road on Feb. 4 wih hundreds of entries marching to the delight of thousands of spectators. 1) As flag riders pranced and, 2) Apache Crown Dancers performed, 3) the Chaparral High School Firebird Marching Band played on. 4) Scooters decorated like cacti and monsters made for smile. 5) Dogs and owners from Arizona Golden Rescue march while 6) a young spectator tried to get close to a miniature horse pulling a cart. 7) Coronado High School R.C. Car Club members “drove” their vehicles and drive their remote-ontrolled machines as 8 )the Daughters of the American Revolution marched in colonial attire.

PHOTOS BY DAVID MINTON/Progress Staff Photographer

Childhelp gala honors big names, hopes for big funds

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

For the past 19 years, benefactors and beneficiaries of the Scottsdale-based nonprofit Childhelp have assembled under one roof to applaud the efforts of philanthropic celebrities, raise millions of dollars and celebrate the good work accomplished in the past year.

Although this year will have the same fanfare, the Drive the Dream Gala on Saturday, Feb. 18 at The Phoenician Hotel, will deviate from the traditional black-tie gala with “Boots and Bling,” encouraging attendees to don their best boots, jeans and 10-gallon

hats.

Clint Black will headline the event with openers Red Steagall, Nate Nathan & The Mac Daddy-O’s, Roosevelt Rawls and Steve Amerson. And legendary Reba McEntire will receive the Childhelp Woman of the World Award.

“With Reba coming, it's the perfect theme, as she's the queen of country,” said Childhelp spokesperson Daphne Young.

Although McEntire has been a friend of Childhelp for well over a decade, Young said the award celebrates her commitment to philanthropy.

“We were amazed to discover all the

Historical Museum reopens after 3-year closure

BY OLIVIA WILLIAMS Progress Contributor

After a three-year closure caused by the pandemic and renovations, the Scottsdale Historical Museum in Old Town has reopened.

The historic building, also known as "The Little Red Schoolhouse," offers free admission and features exhibits that give a glimpse of the city’s rich history.

The museum’s reopening is something of a miracle.

“We had no source of income and knew we were going to be closed for a while, but we as a board decided to begin renovations as soon as possible with what we did have, we stepped out in faith and put a dollar on it,” said Eleanor Brierley, treasurer of the Scottsdale Historical Society.

During a reopening celebration several weeks ago, visitors were thrilled with the its newest additions

and soaked up the history displayed through photographs, vintage belongings and written works.

The service-dog-friendly museum also found strong support from the City of Scottsdale, said Historical So -

ciety President Jason Song, who was grateful for it.

He noted that as Scottsdale's only museum of its kind, the museum reflects the pride generations of residents have taken in the city.

The museum has been visited by schools in the past, but most schools these days lack funding for field trips, Song said.

So, to to share the history with more students in local schools, Song has a personal goal of establishing programs to facilitate field trips.

“Scottsdale has been around for a long time, amazingly, so we want to make sure that the kids who grow up here know that there is more than just what they see now,” Song said.

Brierley, a second-generation native of Scottsdale, spends the majority of her free time volunteering at the museum.

“The information displayed was a result of many hours of hard work done by the committee here,” she said.

To maintain interest and appeal to visitors, the committee plans to switch out some of the clothing and other ex-

The Drive the Dream Gala donations will fund Childhelp, the largest, longest-running national nonprofit that’s dedicated to the intervention, the treatment and the prevention of child abuse. (Courtesy of Childhelp) see CHILDHELP page 24

The Scottsdale Historical Museum’s exhibits provide a glimpse into the city’s rich history. (Olivia Williams/Progress Contributor)

Sister Cities launches new student golf exchange

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

The Scottsdale Sister Cities Association is launching a new kind of student exchange built around golf.

Calling the sport “vitally important” to both Scottsdale and Killarney, Ireland, Scottsdale’s sister city since 2020, association President Sandra Zally said the exchange is a logical step in further forging its already close relationship with the Emerald Isle city.

“Golf will be a universal language allowing each student to gain valuable global awareness,” said Zally.

The association has partnered with the Killarney Town Twinning Association with support from Killarney Golf and Fishing Club “to educate world-

MUSEUM from page 23

hibit items every six months.

class ambassadors through golf,” she said.

Student golfers will play three matches at local courses and stay in the homes of student hosts.

The Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, founded in 1863 and home to four Irish Opens, will host the student matches in Ireland.

Killarney is located in southwest Ireland’s Country Kerry. The town of 15,000 people is a gateway to the Killarney National Park and, like Scottsdale, is a popular tourist destination.

Youth ambassadors will have many opportunities for cultural excursions and to volunteer with a charitable organization while in each host city.

Scottsdale students will experience an overnight in Dublin, Ireland, and travel around the Gap of Dunloe and

One visitor, Cathy Kent Croom, a recent graduate of Arizona State University’s master’s program in landscape architecture was impressed with the exhibit.

“The exhibit looks very nice and fabulously organized, and rotating exhibits are a good idea since they give people a reason to return,” she said.

“Since my last visit a few years ago,

CHILDHELP

great stuff she's done,” Young said, noting McEntire has “worked with Special Olympics, Children's Villages, Project Smile and all these kinds of cool charities for kids.

“The Childhelp Woman of the World Award is designed to celebrate people who are not just Childhelp supporters, but people who support kids throughout their careers and throughout communities globally,” she added. “So, we just felt that she was a great person to celebrate that way.”

Pastor Tommy Barnett will be honored as Childhelp Man of the World.

“I think it's good for the community to see that there are heroes who we need to strive to be like,” said Young. “There are people that do so much in so many ways for these

the Dingle Peninsula, famous for scenic countryside, mountains, and castles.

When Killarney student golfers visit Scottsdale, they’ll see the Grand Canyon, experience Native American cultures and volunteer for Project C.U.R.E Visits to local artisans and schools are also built into both itineraries.

The association is accepting applications from Scottsdale high school student golfers who will travel to Killarney June 17-26. Killarney student golfers will visit Scottsdale Oct. 26-Nov. 4.

Applications are due March 1 and and more information can be found at scottsdalesistercities.org/studentsprograms

A charity Irish Golf Scramble is to be held May 12 at Silverado Golf Club to benefit the Student Golf Exchange and

I noticed that the new plan has definitely made the space more open for people coming to town that maybe don’t know this area that well.”

At noon Feb. 24, the museum will celebrate Founder's Day. There will be brief tributes paid to Scottsdale's founder and namesake, Chaplain Winfield Scott as well as by Mayor David Ortega, Arizona's State

little guys, so let's be more like Reba and let's be more like Pastor Tommy and create things that are sustainable for kids.”

The event is also a fundraiser. The nonprofit has collected up to $6 million at its galas and hopes to surpass that this year.

That covers funding for the Children's Center of Arizona in Downtown Phoenix, which reaches tens of thousands of Arizona children and families each year dealing with domestic violence, Young said.

During the event, there will be a major auction as well as a paddle raise where benefactors can sponsor a child in need.

Young is conscious of the value of a dollar, so she appreciates any donation.

“There are so many families struggling and there are so many people

the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire, which organizes the Arizona Colleen and Rose programs.

“We welcome people of all ages and golf skill levels to join the fun at this inaugural event,” said JoAnn Garner, chair of SSCA’s Killarney Committee. Foursomes, singles and sponsors can register beginning March 1.

Scottsdale Sister Cities Association’s mission is to build bridges of international understanding and goodwill through educational, cultural and economic development events, programs and exchanges. During 2023, SSCA plans student exchanges with three other sister cities: Alamos, Mexico; Kingston, Canada; and Interlaken, Switzerland.

Information about the golf exchange: joanngarner038@gmail.com.

Historian Marshall Trimble and Scottsdale's historian Joan Fudala.

The free event will take place in front of the museum and feature old-fashioned picnic refreshments.

The museum’s little gift shop includes some vintage collectibles, a wide variety of books, postcards, ornaments and other special pieces of history. Information: scottsdalehistory.org.

going through tough times,” Young said.

“If you do have any extra resources, we so appreciate it on behalf of the brave survivors that we serve and for those who are in a position to give and to give greatly, now is the time to open those wallets like you've never done before and make sure that you know that there's not just a recovery for these children, but a brighter path forward.”

If You Go:

Childhelp Drive The Dream Gala

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18

Where: The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale

Cost: Tickets start at $1,000

Info: childhelp.org

from page 23

2 Old Town fan bars ready for the big game

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

Although the Super Bowl has historically been played at a neutral site, two Scottsdale establishments have provided the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles fans with a slice of home-field advantage for nearly a decade.

In South Scottsdale, Pub Rock has established itself as a kingdom for Chiefs fans and has hosted the Arizona Chiefs Kingdom fan club mean in Old Town, Rockbar Inc. is home for the Eagles West Fan club.

These two establishments expect to become destinations today when the two teams square off in Super Bowl LVII today at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

Pub Rock

Hotchy Kiene grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and one of his earliest memories is attending a Chiefs game in the 1981-82 season.

He was enthralled by the vibrant ruckus in the stands at famed Arrowhead Stadium and craved the feeling he got each time he stepped inside the 75,000-seat stadium.

However, when Kiene relocated to attend Arizona State University in 1994, he spent the majority of the next two decades searching for anything that gave him the same chills he felt at Arrowhead.

“When I moved out here, there was no centralized place for Chiefs fans,” Kiene recalled. “There had always been Steelers bars and there were always Packers bars, but we didn’t have a Chiefs bar.

“I would have to go to a sports bar and beg to get the game on even a tiny little TV.”

That all changed in 2014, when Kiene and 10 other Chiefs fans descended upon Pub Rock – an intimate rock club that hosts concerts year-round and doubles as a quaint sports bar off Hayden Road and Roosevelt Street – to catch a game.

The bar was now under the ownership of Nancy Stevens, a die-hard Chiefs fan who purchased the Sunday Ticket Package just so she and other customers could watch their favorite team.

Soon, team souvenirs began lining the walls of the bar side of the establishment.

“When Nancy bought the bar, some little Chiefs stuff started popping up everywhere,” recalled Pub Rock operations manager Sean Cobb.

Eventually, Cobb introduced Stevens to a friend who sells autographs for a living and helped the bar get signed memorabilia from team legends like

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, who played for the Chiefs from 1993 to 1994.

As the bar grew richer with Chiefs memorabilia, the Arizona Chiefs Kingdom’s ranks exploded.

Then came star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who gave longtime Chiefs fans more to cheer for. “When Mahomes got signed, it went to a whole other level,” Kiene said.

Another level was reached with the team's heroic march to the Super Bowl in 2021, when it captured its second Vince Lombardi Trophy.

“That day, we blocked off part of the parking lot for that first Super Bowl against the 49ers and the door guys clicked about 2,000 people in and out of the space,” Cobb recalled.

Today, Pub Rock expects to see even more fans taking in the game in a miniature Arrowhead. The Arizona Chiefs Kingdom currently boasts nearly 2,500 members, nearly 2,000 of

Hotchy Kiene, founder of the Arizona Chiefs Kingdom and Sean Cobb, operations manager of Pub Rock, home of the AZ Chiefs Kingdom, expect to be joined by over 2,000 rowdy fans today. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Rockbar owner Alex Mundy, left, and Eagles West Fan Club owner Ray “Philly Ray” Poserina have packed the Old Town bar for the past several seasons and will be cheering their Eagles today with a sold-out party. (Alex Gallagher/ Progress Staff Photographer) see BARS page 28

whom are actively involved, according to Kiene.

Pub Rock has expanded its premises into its parking lot, where food trucks and games will be positioned to create a tailgate atmosphere.

Inside, Kiene will be seen decked head to toe in Chiefs regalia wielding a microphone to call out the action and rally the crowd.

Although the fans inside of Pub Rock will be hoping to see their team hoist the third Lombardi Trophy in its history, Kiene says he maintains respect for the opposition's fans and is excited about the game.

“I just want to see great football. I'm excited that we're playing the Eagles because there are multiple storylines,” Kiene said, “Even though Eagles fans have a somewhat bad reputation in their own stadium, I think as people and as fans of football they're really good people and so I think it's going to be a really great environment here in Arizona.”

Rockbar Inc.

Northward in Old Town, Rockbar Inc. boasts a similar story.

Ray “Philly Ray” Poserina, owner of the Eagles West Fan Club, had been watching his Eagles play on televisions at bars around Old Town but when his favorite haunt began to take a nosedive, he parked at the bar of Rockbar Inc.

That was when he realized the rowdy sports bar – with a rooftop bar, outdoor and indoor seating and a stage for live music – made for the perfect place to recapture the gameday environment of a corner bar in Philadelphia.

“Our vision was to create an atmosphere where people could feel if they closed their eyes, they would feel like they walked into a corner bar in South Philly all decked out in their Eagles gear and forget about the world while they enjoy the time with a lot of Eagles fans, even though you're at Rockbar Inc. in Scottsdale,” Poserina said.

After two years of catching the occasional game at Rockbar Inc., Poserina relocated to Scottsdale and has

made the bar the home base for his fan club.

Gamedays at the bar have borrowed the familiar fanfare shared in Philadelphia on game day. The bar typically plays music synonymous with the city like the Rocky theme song, Elton John’s tune “Philadelphia Freedom” and, of course, the team’s fight song.

“Anything you would associate with Philly gets played through here on game day,” Poserina said.

But the club has done much more than root for the Eagles.

“We’ve raised money for charity and we have a great charity with a pet adoption place called Lovepup – based out of Arcadia – that we've raised quite a bit of money for,” said Rockbar Inc. owner Alex Mundy.

“We include that and we do giveaways, but more than anything, it creates a community so many of these people become friends and family that hang out together on a regular basis.”

Rockbar Inc. expects a large crowd of nearly 1,000 fans today after opening pre-sales on its tables ahead of the

game.

“We put tables on sale at noon on Wednesday and we were sold out by 3:30 p.m. that day with a huge waiting list of 100 to 200 people right now,” Mundy said.

Mundy has also extended his premises into the street to allow food trucks to vend and give his patrons more room.

However, he attributes the popularity of his gameday atmosphere to Poserina.

“At the end of the day, what we've done with our partnership with Ray and Eagles West Fan Club is to create something where we're at capacity every day,” Mundy said.

Pub Rock

8005 E. Roosevelt Street Scottsdale pubrocklive.com, 480-945-4985

Rockbar Inc.

4245 N. Craftsman Court Scottsdale 480-331-9190, rockbarscottsdale.com

Teachers group head defends Menzel from lawmakers’ attacks

Iam Becky Williams and serve as the elected president of the Scottsdale Education Association. We are the representative body for certified staff in Scottsdale Unified School District, and the local affiliate of the Arizona Education Association. I am writing in response to the open letter from the three legislators calling for the resignation or termination of SUSD’s Superintendent, Dr. Scott Menzel.

I saw and read the Fox article prior to learning of the letter, which I read upon hearing of it. I immediately found it necessary to go back and read the full 2019 interview in an effort to gain a more accurate understanding of the context.

It is disappointing that legislators would utilize quotes from an interview from four years ago, unrelated to Dr. Menzel's tenure in Arizona, and share his words out of context. Their reaction leads us to believe that rather than trying to understand, they are only interested in causing disruption, not solving issues important to their constituents.

As an educator working in SUSD, my colleagues and I would have preferred that our legislators take action on what can be done to provide the tools, staff,

Letters To The Editor

and resources our students need to be successful.

We believe that all children should have the freedom to an education that prepares them for the future. That is what educators want to provide for our students. That is what parents want for their children, and what the voters and tax-payers want for their schools.

Dr. Menzel has kept his focus on student learning, educator support, and parent/community involvement. He has brought more stability to the District in the last three years than most educators have experienced in the last decade in Scottsdale.

He has been transparent in laying out his vision for a district that leads through its values of diversity, equity and inclusion. Educators in Scottsdale applaud Dr. Menzel's leadership and share a common goal: to make this a place where students of every race, background, and zip code have the freedom to learn and pursue their dreams.

Rather than manufacturing outrage and creating controversy over nonissues, our legislators should be focusing on educator retention, smaller class sizes, and more staff to support the whole student. Perhaps they can be more proactive so Arizona is not ranked in the bottom five nationally for education funding.

THESE are the issues that are the most pressing for educators to be able to educate and empower all of our students.

-Becky Williams

Iwas 13 when the pandemic started on March 11, 2020. There is a video of me from that time making a kind of “COVID survival plan.” I laugh as I hold up a whiteboard with the words “rations” and “water supply” on it.

“It's like World War 3,” I say still giggling. All of my Hunger Games and Maze Runner dreams were coming true! Maybe it was my age, maybe the sheltered nature of my homeschool education, but whatever it was I was not taking this seriously. It was a novelty, another news story that would cause panic for a week before fading from our collective consciousness.

I still remember when the first case reached America. I think that's when it became real for me, as it did for most. But even then, it was something other people had to deal with. Something that people who didn't wash their hands after using the bathroom would have to handle.

I have never really been sick. Of course, I got the few and far between colds, I’d had my share of mysterious sicknesses, surgeries, and split chins by the time the pandemic came along but I’d never really been sick, so it made sense that I thought our family was invincible from this new strain of the “flu.”

And then the news stories started becoming louder and more frequent. And then schools gave kids two weeks off. “Okay, that seems like an overreaction,” I thought.

But being homeschooled that still didn't affect me directly. Then my figure skating performance was canceled a week before the show. This virus had officially hit home; and I was officially not having fun anymore.

The pictures of me from the months that followed are of an ant farm I started in a Mason jar, renovating our (new-

ly purchased) RV as a family, learning to watercolor, and finally being able to touch my toes and do the splits. We were living the quarantine dream.

I remember when masks were first mandated inside our local grocery store. My parents started leaving me and my sister at home from grocery runs.

I remember watching CBS Sunday Morning and hearing about the difficulties people had because of COVID, a word I had recently learned. I felt fortunate that my daily routines had not been rocked to the core and that I still felt secure in my home. That's a lot more than most could say.

The videos of nurses dressed like what I could only describe as astronauts were impactful. The lines outside food banks and the children not being able to say goodbye to dying parents have a weird effect on a child. I understand this was only three years ago and I was not directly affected by these tragedies but one has to wonder what those images do to a young developing mind.

The 13-year-old me thought I was old enough to understand, but it's hard to look back at her with older eyes and not see a child—a child whose world was shaped by a global shutdown that would change her future permanently.

As we move forward in this world that is so eager to forget the last three years, I don't think I yet understand the different landscape I’ll be entering. When I go to the grocery store I don't see much of a change from pre-COVID but it seems impossible that such a global event could have been wiped away that quickly.

I don't know if I will look back on 16-year-old me and think me even more naive than I was at the beginning of the pandemic. I am about to enter a world of unknown challenges that even the adults in my life don't know how to navigate. Whether COVID will become a strange blip in my childhood that fascinates my grandchildren

COVID has left an enduring mark on my generations

Schweikert does not represent majority on abortion

Just before what should have been the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which recognized the legal right to abortion, U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) joined his Republican colleagues and passed two attacks on abortion that are wildly out of touch with the values of the nine in 10 Arizonans who believe each of us should have the freedom to decide how and when we start or grow a family, without interference from politicians.

These two bills show exactly where their priorities are. In one of their first acts since narrowly securing power, they worked to roll back our rights and put the health and well-being of Arizonans and all Americans on the line.

It won’t stop there. Some Republicans are already pushing even further in hopes of a national abortion ban.

According to a survey of midterm voters by AP VoteCast, 61% of all voters said they are in favor of a law guaranteeing access to abortion nationwide. This makes what the House Republicans are trying to do even more abhorrent.

ROBBINS from PAGE 30

or a pivotal event that shapes the direction of my life, only time will tell.

All I know is that COVID has left an

Schweikert barely won his congressional seat, and by supporting these attacks on reproductive freedom, he has shown he is totally out of touch with a large segment of his constituents.

The midterms last year showed us that we can make big wins for reproductive freedom by holding antichoice candidates to account. Advocates like myself will be holding them accountable to ensure voters don’t forget when they next have an opportunity to vote for leadership that truly represents them.

Here’s the bottom line: When you come for our rights, we come for your seats.

Schweikert and his cohorts in the Republican-led House are merely aiming to please their far-right base of anti-choice extremists. The midterm elections in November showed that voters throughout the nation and in Arizona’s First Congressional District do not support bans on abortion.

He may have his own personal beliefs about abortion, but those beliefs should not interfere with his constituents’ reproductive health care decisions.

Schweikert does not represent me, does not represent my family, and does not represent the majority of people in his district who support a person’s freedom to make their own decisions about their reproductive health care and what's best for themselves and their families.

-Carol Mills-Lewis

enduring mark on me and the next generation of adults in this country, for better or for worse.

-Eden Robbins

Top-seeded Notre Dame falls in championship

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

As if the Arizona High School Hockey Association Division 1 state championship was not enough to aspire contestants, adding to the ante was the 22-yearold league’s decision to hold it the even Feb. 4 at Mullett Arena in Tempe — the home of the Arizona Coyotes and Arizona State University’s NCAA Division I men's hockey program.

Because of this, Notre Dame Prep entered the season with ferocity to return to the state championship game for the third time in as many years, bent on vengeance after losing the championship last year to Pinnacle High.

The team soared during the regular season, clinching the top seed with a 16-1-3 record.

Bolstering the team was Senior Forward Tyler Posch, who led the league in goals, netting 22 in 20 games during

the regular season, and Junior goaltender Matthew Gahan, who posted a .930 save percentage, 2.00 goals-against average and leading the division in shutouts with two.

Gahan carried his stellar play into the playoffs rocking a 1.47 goals against average and a .950 save percentage heading into Saturday night's affair, which has made him a key player in the team's tight matchups during the postseason.

The hot stick on the team has since been passed to senior forward Connor Purdue who has been near the top of the league in goals and points this postseason with two goals and an assist.

Seeking its sixth title in its history, Notre Dane off its playoffs with a 4-1 routing of Peoria’s Centennial High School, The team's playoff run was almost stymied by the combined program of Basha and Perry High Schools, Basha-Perry, in the semifinals.

Notre Dame Prep was down 2-0 with

three minutes and 30 seconds to go in the third period when forward Justin Kaplan broke through and forward Drew Jazwin followed less than two minutes later. Notre Dame punched its ticket to its third state championship in as many years.

The players were given a simple message by head coach Charles Miscio that echoed throughout their playoff run.

“He gave us a good little speech and told us that as much as it was a thrilling game and we did a good job battling back, that effort is not going to do it the next week and we haven't won anything yet,” said senior forward and co-captain Evan Kobley.

The last mission was squaring off with Ahwatukee’s Desert Vista, which was riding a nine-game win streak heading into Saturday.

Notre Dame matched the Thunder’s star power by placing senior forwards Tyler Posch and Connor Perdue on the

top line.

After Desert Vissta scored the first goal, Notre Dame responded when senior forward Tyler Posch buried a wrap-around goal to knot the game at one goal apiece.

In the second period, Notre Dame came out with the same intensity. Junior forward Reed Gramlich received a partial breakaway, which he buried with a backhand shot blocker side.

Notre Dame then buried its fourth goal when freshman forward Tate Mickey netted his first postseason point to extend the Saints' lead to three.

But the Thunder struck twice, sending the game to a 4-4, 15-minute overtime period.

Notre Dame came out with the early momentum but senior forward Marcello Lane ultimately buried his second goal of the playoffs to capture Desert Vista’s first state championship in nearly 20 years by a final score of 5-4.

Both Desert Vista and Nortre Dame Prep were priemd for a shot at the state crown in the Arizona High School Hockey Association Division 1 state championship. (JJ Digos/ Progress contributor)

Notre Dame managed to pepper the Desert Vista net early on with shots from players like senior defenseman and co-captain Connor White. (JJ Digos/ Progress contributor)

Worldwide Women’s Film Fest offering 45 flicks

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

For just over half a decade, the Worldwide Women’s Film festival has taken pride in empowering female filmmakers.

This year will be no different as the three-day festival beginning Friday, Feb. 17, offers 45 films across genres ranging from sci-fi to comedy to documentary to music videos tackling myriad subjects.

“We want to empower the filmmakers to tell the stories that are important for the rest of the world to hear and also specifically to give women's voices a chance to be heard,” said festival president Kim Heunecke.

Heunecke says this is equally impor-

The Worldwide Women’s Film Festival is set to return to Harkins 14 Shea Theatre beginning Friday, Feb. 17, with 45 films across the three-day festival. Festival president Kim Heunecke is especially excited to welcome film buffs and aspiring filmmakers. (Facebook/ Worldwide Women’s Film Festival)

tant as it was in 2018 when the film festival first began.

“Even though Hollywood is getting better about hiring women directors, it's still far behind,” she said. “Women filmmakers bring a unique eye to film and I think that's really important that we show that.”

Huenecke said women filmmakers are also tackling subjects that have yet to receive mainstream attention.

“They’re telling stories that may not get coverage,” she said.

One festival entry that stood out was a documentary film titled “Las Abogadas: Attorneys on the Front Lines of Migrant Crisis” which follows four migrant attorneys fighting to navigate

Arabian Horse Show gallops into 68th year

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Progress Staff Writer

From chestnuts, to bays, to roans, hundreds of Arabian horses will be in the spotlight for the 68th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

The largest Arabian horse show in the world, the prestigious event attracts the best of the best owners, trainers and breeders from around the globe vying to snatch the blue ribbon in a wide variety of competitions with top Arabians.

Hosted by the nonprofit Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, the show will start at 8 a.m. each day running from Thursday, Feb. 16, to Sunday, Feb. 26, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

“Scottsdale is the mecca for Arabian horses and each year we’re thrilled to have unique, beautiful horses from

around the world come here for this event,” said Taryl O’Shea, executive director of the AHAA.

“The Arabian horse community helped shape what Scottsdale is today and has had tremendous impact both economically, culturally, and socially over the past six-plus decades. We’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome back the horse community, newcomers and enthusiasts this February.”

In 11 days, the 2023 show will feature more than 2,000 horses and over 1,000 riders, some as young as 5 years old, competing for more than $3 million in prize money.

The Arabian breed’s beauty, versatility and elegance will be showcased in several hundred classes each day, ranging from dressage, horsemanship, side saddle, to English and Western pleasure.

This is also the first year that the Scottsdale show will include ranch

horse classes, which test the Arabians’ ability to perform ranch tasks and demonstrate their adaptability for pleasure riding, working and agility.

Every discipline and age division will have normal classes pinned by place, in addition to larger classes having elimination rounds before the final championships.

Molly Schwanz, a 21-year-old competitor and Scottsdale resident, said she believes that the finals nights on the weekends are the best time to experience the show. The first weekend mostly consists of youth competitions, while the last features many championship events.

“They have the Liberty (class), where they let the horses go and

The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show begins at 8 a.m. each day and will run from Thursday, Feb. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 26, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. (Evolve PR and Marketing) see HORSE page 36

3/9 Stravinsky Firebird & Mahler 4

3/10 & 11 US Naval Academy Glee Club with the Festival Orchestra

3/7 Williams, Mendelssohn & Tchaikovsky

3/19 Zukerman Trio

3/21 Kelli O’Hara

3/5 Michael Feinstein & Jean-Yves Thibaudet

3/31 Tito Puente Jr.

4/3 Chris Botti

3/27 Rosanne Cash

SOLD

Holland Center slates Navajo rug, craft sale

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Over 200 handwoven traditional Navajo rugs as well as an array of jewelry and craft items will be on display and for sale at the Holland Community Center’s first event of its kind next weekend.

From Feb. 17-19, the Scottsdale nonprofit’s show-sale is raising money to support

FILM from page 34

through tough immigration policies for four years beginning in 2018.

Other interesting features include a feature film titled “Muse” which follows a successful painter under the pseudonym Maya Madley who struggles to find inspiration for her latest painting. Desperate to uphold her reputation, she finds herself spiraling out of control as her relationships with her muses take a dark turn.

Another entry, a documentary titled “Bella: A Documentary,” is a featurelength film about the life, work, influence and impact of California-based choreographer/Arts Activist Bella Lewitzky. Described as "one of the greatest American dancers of our age."

These films are part of 45 movies selected to the festival from a pool of over 130 submissions, a process Heunecke admits was tough to adjudicate at times.

“We have a lot of returning judges who've been doing this for us for a while and they have certain criteria that they judge a film on originality, can you hear the film, what's the videography like, but then it goes more into the depth of the story and it gets pretty detailed,” Heunecke said.

Although it was hard for the judges to whittle down the submissions to a pool of films, it will likely be even harder to decide which entry walks away with the $60,000 Panavision package. It includes a one-year rental of Panavision’s top-of-the-line equipment and is awarded to the film with the best cinematography.

“Since we started back in 2018, all films have been good but they've just gone to a new level of good,” Heunecke

the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, which aims to reduce the extreme poverty and hardship facing traditional elders on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and Utah.

A VIP preview event 5-7 p.m. Friday offers attendees an early chance to purchase items. The sale and show also will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and noon-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St.

said. “I know it's hard for (the judges). However, we always have at least three judges watch every single film and then we take the combined total of the three judges.”

Although most filmmakers are vying for the best cinematography prize, some are just happy to show their films in a North American theater.

“I know the 45 filmmakers are very happy to be in the film festival and I know that they're very excited,” said Heunecke.

“I personally take showing the film very seriously because this may be the first time that this film is actually shown in the United States, which is why we do our best with the film festival to make it very inclusive and to have a diversified panel.”

Film blocks will not be the only thing for fans to partake in as the festival will also have panels each day–— including its famous Sunday morning Filmmakers Breakfast, which will be hosted at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 — as well as after-parties on Friday and Saturday night at Il Capo Pizzeria that are open to the public.

Because of this, Heunecke says there is something for everyone and is looking forward to another year of festivities.

If You Go:

Worldwide Women’s Film Festival

When: Feb. 17-19

Where: Harkins Shea 14 Theatre, 7354 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale

Cost: Tickets start at $15 for individual films

Info: wwfilmfestival.org

“We are honored to be able to introduce the beautiful artwork of the Navajo Elders to our community,” said Holland Center Executive Director Jennifer Rosvall. “We’re excited for our new relationship with Adopt-A-NativeElder, and hope to sponsor many more of the program’s shows in the future.”

Adopt-A-Native-Elder has used an integrated approach that goes beyond

HORSE from page 34

they let them run around, and then they have the jumping — that’s something that we’re not really known for,” Schwanz said.

“But it’s really cool to watch them jump the arena, and then it’s all the really amazing, exciting classes for people to watch that really show off the Arabian breed.”

Adding to the experience of watching the top equines and riders in the Arabian world perform, event goers can explore a shopping expo adjacent to the main arena.

There are expected to be over 300 artisans and entrepreneurs selling oneof-a-kind goods, products and services, including fine art, crafts, clothing and jewelry.

Returning this year is an immersive experience hosted by Phoenix-based organization HoofbeatZ USA, which offers event goers the opportunity to ride, interact with and learn about equines. The experience is included in the event ticket and introduces newcomers to the horse world.

Interacting with the horses on such a personal level is something that Schwanz said attendees don’t expect.

“I feel like every horse you meet impacts your life in some way that you have no idea about. They are such emotional, sensitive animals and they can really feel how you feel,” Schwanz said. “I just think that when these spectators come, they get to meet these horses and get to watch them perform, I feel like it’s such an incredible feeling that gets people excited.”

The AHAA will also celebrate the second National Arabian Horse Day on February 19, complete with special events and activities at the show.

Proceeds from the 2023 Scottsdale

charity to help the tribal elders, who often reside in hogans, without running water or electricity.

The nonprofit focuses on delivering food, medical supplies, firewood and other forms of support, building relationships that honor and serve the elders. The program was founded by CNN Hero Linsee RUGS page 37

show will benefit several charities, including the Arabian Horse Promotional Fund, Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, Friends of Vail Foundation, Healing Hearts Animal Rescue and Refuge, Horses Help TRC, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), March of Dimes, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Rotary and Youth for Troops.

The Arabian horse show has been held at WestWorld of Scottsdale since 1989. Since then, it has expanded from 50 horses to over a few thousand.

The Scottsdale show was the first horse show that Schwanz competed in over 10 years ago, and she looks forward to it every year.

“It’s just something that you have to go and be there (the show) for to experience. You see it and it’s like, ‘wow, this is so incredible that all the hard work that these trainers and these riders put in throughout the year gets shown off here,’” Schwanz said.

“It really is just an amazing show, an amazing stay, an amazing city. WestWorld is such a beautiful venue to be at for this horse show and it’s just a great area. Overall, so many people come for it, it’s just incredible.”

If You Go:

Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show

When: Beginning at 8 a.m. each Feb. 16-26.

Where: WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road in Scottsdale

Cost: $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors, children aged 10 and under are free. Military personnel and their families are free February 21.

Info: scottsdaleshow.com

RUGS from page 36

da Myers, who still serves as director and will speak at the show each day.

Tickets for Friday night’s VIP event are $40 at the door or online at hollandcenter.org.

Admission fee includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win a handwoven rug that evening. The event will also feature a presentation by Navajo Master Weaver Rena Robertson, followed by talks by other weavers about their rugs. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees will be able to browse and shop from the vast selection of rugs and jewelry for sale and speak to the weaver or artisan who created it.

At 2 p.m. each day the weavers will share some of their stories, followed by weaving demonstrations and cultural teachings. The Show will conclude by 4 p.m. on Sunday with the raffle of another Navajo rug.

To learn more about Adopt-A-NativeElder: anelder.org.

Over 200 handwoven Navajo rugs will be on sale next weekend at the Holland Community Center in Scottsdale. (Special to the Progress)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on February 28, 2023, at 5:00 P.M in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, for the purpose of hearing all persons who wish to comment on the following:

108-ZN-1984#2 (Desert Cove Internalized Self Storage) Request by owner for approval of a zoning district map amendment to modify the stipulations of previously adopted Ordinance No. 1812 via case 108-ZN-1984, including changes to land uses and property development standards, for a +/- 1.8-acre site with Industrial Park (I-1) zoning located at 8888 East Desert Cove Avenue. Staff contact person is Jeff Barnes, 480-312-2376. Applicant contact person is Mike Leary, 480-991-1111.

12-ZN-2021 (Valero Gas Redevelopment) Request by owner for a zoning district map amendment from Planned Community District with comparable General Commercial (PCD C-4) zoning to Planned Community District with comparable Central Business (PCD C-2) zoning with an amendment to the development plan to allow additional commercial uses on a +/- .47-acre site located at 9550 N. 90th Street. Staff contact person is Meredith Tessier, 480-312-4211. Applicant contact person is Clint Jameson, 602-538-3637.

For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov search “Scottsdale Planning Case Files” or in your URL search bar you can type in https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/Cases/

A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND ANY MEETING LOCATION UPDATES, IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING:

Online at: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/council/meeting-information/agendas-minutes

CHAIRMAN

Attest

LORRAINE CASTRO

Planning Specialist

PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY MAY REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION BY CONTACTING THE CLERK’S OFFICE AT (480-312-7767). REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME TO ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION. FOR TTY USERS, THE ARIZONA RELAY SERVICE (1-800-367-8939) MAY CONTACT THE CLERK’S OFFICE AT (480-312-7767).

EMPLOYMENT-GENERAL

41st Parameter, Inc. in Scottsdale, AZ is seeking to fill the position of Software Development Engineer

Senior to create deployment automation plans for high-throughput and low response time software applications Role incl a comprehensive benefits pkg including hlth, life and disability insurance, PTO incl 12 paid holidays & parental & family care leave, employee stock purchase plan and 401(k) plan w/ company match Send resumes and salary inquiries

to Amy Harmon, HR, via email at Amy Harmon@experian

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