Scottsdale Airpark News - March 2020

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SNEAKY BIG

slides into sports programming

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Slow RUSH URA Group AZ helps Airpark jetsetters find the slow lane in retirement

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5127 & 5133 E ROADRUNNER DRIVE MESA, AZ Agents: Larry, Aron & Stephanie

±393,000 SF Hangar Development For Pre-Lease | Falcon Field Airport

4400 E MALLORY CIRCLE MESA, AZ Agents: Larry, Aron & Stephanie

1825 W KNUDSEN DRIVE UNIT 3 | PHOENIX, AZ Agents: Aron, Larry & Stephanie

7730 E GREENWAY RD SUITE 203-205 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ Agents: Paige, Stephanie

3 Executive Offices for Lease $600 - $750/Month

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8701 E VISTA BONITA DRIVE SUITE 210 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ Agents: Stephanie, Paige

5655 S SOSSAMAN ROAD UNIT C138 | MESA, AZ Agents: Aron, Larry

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480.535.4800 | WWW.EDGEAZ.COM | SCOTTSDALE AIRPORT 15010 N 78TH WAY, SUITE 107 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260 L ARRY BROW

ARON BROW

De signated B roker mobile: +1 5 05.429.0 039 of f ice: +1 4 80.535. 4 80 0 l a rr y. b row@edgeaz.com

A s sociate B roker mo b i l e: +1 6 02.750. 2157 of f i ce: +1 4 80.535.4 80 0 a ron . brow@edgeaz .com

PAIGE HARPER

ANDRE A LINDEN

Senior A s so ciate mobile: +1 6 02.7 57. 212 3 of f ice: +1 4 80.535. 4 80 0 pa i ge . ha rp er@edgeaz.com

Senior A s so ciate mobile: +1 6 02.699.4 882 of f i ce: +1 4 80.535.4 80 0 andrea . lin den@edgeaz.com

S T E P H A N I E LANMAN, MPA

S ale s & Le asin g Associat e mo b i l e: +1 6 02. 303.1896 o f f i ce: +1 4 80.535.4 80 0 stephanie.lanman@edgeaz.com

ER IC BUT TON

S ale s & Le asin g Associate at e mobile: +1 8 45.55 4 .4533 o f f i ce: +1 4 80.535.4 80 0 eric .bu t ton@edgeaz.com

The information contained herein has been obtained through sources deemed reliable, but cannot be guaranteed as to its accuracy. Any information of special interest should be obtained through independent verification

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Contents March

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slides into sports programming

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Slow RUSH URA Group AZ helps Airpark jetsetters find the slow lane in retirement

Agapi Pita

On the cover:

John Kieber, Roseann Sharp and Steve Mallory photographed by Pablo Robles

24 24 The Slow Rush

Helping Airpark jetsetters find the slow lane in retirement is the specialty of URA Group AZ

28 Going Public Investors Caliber eyes raising $50M

30 ‘Instant Validation’ Sneaky Big is ‘ready to play with the big boys’

33 How Mad is Too Mad? March Madness and gambling in the workplace

40 Coneys for a Cause

Michigan-themed diner to raise funds for St. Vincent de Paul

47 ‘Nothing Separates Us’ Archie Bradley tears down the wall between him and the fans

51 Made with Love

Scottsdale Airpark is enamored with Agapi Pita

51

36 Art Immersion

Scottsdale’s Celebration of Fine Art turns 30 this year

2 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

28 47

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March 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, Arizona 85282 Phone: (480) 348-0343 • Fax: (480) 348-2109 Website: www.scottsdaleairpark.com

PUBLISHER Steve T. Strickbine steve@scottsdaleairpark.com VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt mhiatt@timespublications.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timespublications.com

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STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Mortenson, Pablo Robles CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alison Bailin Batz, Paul Breslau, Kristine Cannon, Jan D’Atri, Sara Edwards, Joan Fudala, Jordan Houston, Sherry Jackson, Weiss Kelly, Jimmy Magahern, Stephanie Quincy, Wayne Schutsky DESIGNER Veronica Thurman vthurman@timespublications.com

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AD DESIGN Christy Byerly - cbyerly@timespublications.com ADMINISTRATION Courtney Oldham production@timespublications.com

15 Boardwalk Empire

OdySea in the Desert changes name and its direction

18 ‘From No Noise to a Lot of Noise’

Scottsdale prepares fight with FAA over flights

20 Play Ball!

Scottsdale at bat again for baseball museum

22 I Hope You Dance

Mimi Jasperson runs award-winning hospitality brand

42 Gotta Have Art

Scottsdale Arts Festival celebrates 50 years

45 Back in the Saddle Rodeo Scottsdale continues for the 67th year

48 Fashionistas Rejoice

Scottsdale Fashion Week returns this March

49 As Seen on TV

Airpark eateries and chefs take small screen by storm

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lou Lagrave lou@scottsdaleairpark.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Maryglenn Boals - MgBoals & Associates Beth Brezinski - Underwriter Beth Cochran - Wired Public Relations Steve Cross - Cross Commercial Realty Advisors John Meyer - Airport Property Specialists Kevin Newell - Hymson Goldstein & Pantiliat

54 One Big Breakfast

Matt Pool brings his fresh eats to North Scottsdale

55 Stratta Lifestyle Kitchen

Restaurant will aim for good health

58 The White Stuff

Finding the best white wine partner

Published monthly since 1981, Scottsdale Airpark News serves the fastest-growing area in Arizona. Scottsdale Airpark News is delivered to businesses in and around the Greater Airpark Area. ©2020 Scottsdale Airpark News.

For calendar and news items, the deadline for submission is the first of the month previous to the month you would like it to run. All submissions are handled on a space-available basis.

Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. Scottsdale Airpark News has made every effort to authenticate all claims and guarantees offered by advertisers in this magazine, however, we cannot assume liability for any products or services advertised herein. Copies delivered by First Class mail: $48.00 per year. The tradename Scottsdale Airpark News is registered. Reproduction of material in Scottsdale Airpark News in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Times Media sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. Scottsdale Airpark News is printed by American Web on recycled paper fibers with inks containing a blend of soy base. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards

6 57 60 65

Business News What’s Cooking?

Remember When Insurance and Benefits

67 69 70 71

Business Directory Advertiser Index Business Horoscopes Scottsdale Airpark Map

4 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

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SCOTTSDALE CAREER FAIR - April 1

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scottsdalecc.edu The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.

The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

AIRPARK BusinessNews

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

TOCA to join Banner Health Premier orthopedic practice Banner Health has purchased The Orthopedic Clinic Association (TOCA), which has an office at 9377 E. Bell Road, Suite 231, Scottsdale.

As a result, 18 orthopedic physicians, nine physician assistants and their clinical and support staff will join Banner Health’s employed medical group this spring.

“This is a very exciting partnership and growth opportunity for Banner,” says Scott Nordlund, Banner ’s chief strategy and growth officer. “TOCA has been a premier orthopedic practice in the Phoenix area for more than 70 years. We are thrilled that they

have placed their trust in Banner to continue this legacy together.”

TOCA’s chief executive officer, John Kinna, says the collaboration is special.

“Banner Health and TOCA share a vision to build and grow a comprehensive orthopedic and sports medicine program that will offer exceptional care and access to patients across the Valley, providing efficiency, quality and best-in-class orthopedic services,” Kinna says.

“It’s something that will be collaborative, unique and very special.”

The group will be renamed TOCA at

Banner Health once the transaction is complete. It will maintain its offices in Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix, and its providers will have privileges at Banner hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers throughout metropolitan Phoenix.

TOCA provides an array of orthopedic services, including: fracture care, joint replacement, sports medicine, bracing and orthotics, physical therapy, hand therapy and imaging. Its physicians are nationally recognized for their innovation, research and advanced clinical capabilities.

Info: 602-277-6211.

RED Development achieves 100% occupancy at The Shops at Hilton Village RED Development achieved 100% occupancy at The Shops at Hilton Village with the addition of the Scottsdale center’s newest tenant, Row House.

Located on the north side of the center near Slanted Rice Vietnamese Bistro, Row House opened its doors on February 8 and is a boutique fitness concept offering group fitness classes that incorporate indoor

rowing, resistance training and stretching.

Founded in New York City in 2014, Row House has since expanded with over 250 locations throughout the United States and Canada, offering six class types that promise to build strength, endurance and confidence in participants.

Last fall, The Shops at Hilton Village welcomed Matty G’s Steakburgers & Spirits,

a family-owned, sports-themed restaurant and bar serving up steakburgers and sandwiches On the corner of Scottsdale and McDonald roads, The Shops at Hilton Village’s 25 retailers include Houston’s, Nekter Juice Bar, Humble Pie, To Be Continued, Chico’s and The Linen Tree.

Info: hiltonvillage.com …continues on page 8

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…continued from page 6

Barrett-Jackson kicks off ‘Road to 50’ Following its record-breaking success in Scottsdale, Barrett-Jackson, the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, kicks off its “Road to 50” with the 18th annual Palm Beach Auction April 16 to April 18 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

This year’s Palm Beach Auction will feature hundreds of the world’s most sought-after collector cars, including a 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition, which will sell at No Reserve. The 2020 Palm Beach Auction will also premier “BarrettJackson Live!” on FYI and History.

“We’re building on the incredible energy we created in Scottsdale during our most successful auction ever with our 18th annual Palm Beach Auction,” says Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson.

“Our largest sale of over 1,900 vehicles with no reserve, including the Paul Walker Collection, revealed key developments in market trends that are helping us deliver more impressive auction dockets for our customers.

We’re honored to share the live auction excitement in Palm Beach on FYI and

History as they join us, for the first time, as our broadcasting partners on our ‘Road to 50.’”

Highlighting this year’s Palm Beach Auction is a 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition with fewer than 15 miles on the odometer. This ’67 Heritage Edition is finished in Race Red with white racing stripes and features the exclusive No. 1 race-number graphics paying homage to the 1967 Le Mans-winning GT40 Mark IV race car driven by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt.

Also crossing the block is a 1963 Chevrolet Custom Corvette SplitWindow built by Jeff Hayes Customs.

Sitting on an Art Morrison chassis, this split-window ’vette is powered by an LS3 Hot Cam Engine producing 540 horsepower. The Palm Beach Auction will also include a stunning 1970 Dodge HEMI Challenger R/T powered by a 426ci HEMI V8 engine paired to a four-speed manual transmission. This Challenger also won Best in Class at the Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance.

Info: Barrett-Jackson.com

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8 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

Dr. Jim Logan joins Plexus Worldwide’s medical advisory board

Plexus Worldwide, a direct-selling health and wellness company focused on health and happiness, added Dr. Jim Logan to its medical advisory board. Logan has decades of experience caring for America’s astronauts and is dedicated to helping people achieve and maintain optimal health.

As a medical advisory board member, Logan will help guide product development using his experience as a medical doctor and his passion for sharing preventative practices.

“Plexus is thrilled to welcome Jim to our team because he is committed to helping people achieve a healthy lifestyle through the art of combining science-backed products with motivational strategies,” says Tarl Robinson, CEO and founder of Plexus. “His insight and passion in helping people live happier, healthier lives is already inspiring our team.”

Logan is board certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and spent 22 years at NASA Space Center, serving as chief of flight medicine and chief of medical operations. His priority was to care for American astronauts and their families for 25 space shuttle missions by optimizing their health and preventing medical issues.

“I am excited to work with the team at Plexus to help people around the world work towards wholebody wellness using a team approach that leverages the power of science to reach maximum health potential,” Logan says. “My personal philosophy of medical care is that prevention is vastly superior—medically, financially and emotionally—to aggressive, long-term and invasive treatments that result from significant medical issues.”

Scottsdale Bar sets two March programs

Zachary Price, a local attorney and sports agent, will discuss “Sports Law: Issues in the Representation of Professional Baseball Players” on Tuesday, March 3, as part of the Scottsdale Bar Association’s “Baseball & CLE” program.

The program will be held at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale.

Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a start time of 11:30 a.m. The game follows at 1:05 p.m.

The following week, Michelle Tran, Matt Connell and Brenda Blunt will discuss “Estate Planning & Business Succession” on Tuesday, March 10, at Gainey Ranch Golf Club, 7600 Gainey Club Drive, Scottsdale. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m.

Info: scottsdalebar.com …continues on page 10

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The valley’s most savvy shoppers and discerning designers are regulars at Avery Lane Fine Consignments and they are rewarded with great deals on one-of-a-kind home décor.

Avery Lane’s design style is “Paris Apartment” which is a curated aesthetic of items collected from a lifetime of international travels, inherited from generations or salvaged when the flat upstairs was vacated. And, the inventory is like a Parisian merry-go-round — constantly changing and revolving. Come check it out … sit for a spell … we’ll pour the champagne. Discover more at AveryLaneHome.com

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AIRPARK BusinessNews …continued from page 8

Real estate agency Jill Cesky joins Platinum Living Realty

Platinum Living Realty, an independent luxury real estate brokerage with five offices in Arizona, added Jill Cesky to its brokerage.

Based in Platinum Living Realty’s DC Ranch office in Scottsdale, Cesky brings eight years of experience to assist those looking to buy or sell a home.

“Cesky is a highly effective Realtor, and we’re pleased to welcome her to Platinum Living Realty,” says Michelle Macklin, co-owner of Platinum Living Realty. “Both buyers and sellers love Cesky’s negotiation skills. She is incredibly successful at helping her clients achieve their goals.”

As an Arizona native with family in the real estate business since the 1980s, Cesky says she has a keen eye for real estate. Before becoming a real estate agent, Cesky graduated with her dual master’s degree, including an MBA, from Walden University and worked as a producer for insurance. Cesky has leveraged her expert negotiating skills to save home buying clients more money and help sell homes for more.

“My thorough marketing plans get homes sold, usually within seven days of being on the market,” Cesky says. “I know Platinum Living Realty will help me continue to grow my real estate business and skills to further help my clients.”

Info: platinumlivingrealty.com.

Hanson named partner at Lang & Klain

Construction attorney James N. Hanson has been named a partner at Lang & Klain PC in Scottdale.

Hanson is a former chief counsel at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and is a member of the Maricopa County Bar Association Construction Section board.

Before joining Lang & Klain in 2012, he served as a judicial clerk to Judge Peter B. Swann of the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Lang & Klain is a 12-attorney commercial litigation and construction law firm.

WE WANT YOUR NEWS! Send your Greater Airpark/North Scottsdale business news to editor@scottsdaleairpark.com.

Real estate industry honors Casago’s Steve Schwab Casago CEO Steve Schwab was honored for his contributions to the vacation rental industry and community. Schwab was selected as a member of the 2020 class of Real Estate Newsmakers in the Inspirations category by RISMedia for leading his company through a year of tremendous growth and also for his efforts in giving back to charitable causes.

“I’m honored to be recognized among other leaders in real estate, but my true honor is delivering satisfaction and peace of mind to so many homeowners who trust their homes to Casago,” Schwab says.

“We’ve seen great success in recent years because of our commitment to honesty, the communities we work in and the employees that are on the ground in those

communities.”

In 2019, Casago opened offices in five new cities, grew by over 1,000 properties and reached over $1 billion in assets managed for vacation rental homeowners.

Schwab says that what he is most proud of, though, is that he still has 88 team members who have been with the company for over 10 years.

Among Schwab’s many charitable efforts, he founded the Mexico Children’s Foundation and regularly organizes an event where he walks the 200 miles from Phoenix to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, to support the cause. He educates his workers, pays them generously and offers paid time off so they can support community causes.

Platinum Living Realty’s Jay Macklin called ‘Trailblazer’ Platinum Living Realty co-founder Jay Macklin has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in the industry.

Macklin was selected as a member of the 2020 class of Real Estate Newsmakers in the Trailblazers category by RISMedia for his leadership in developing Platinum Living Realty as an independent brokerage and creating a different approach to the traditional brokerage model.

“When we realized that there was a way to do things diff erently, and truly help the agents that are part of our firm grow their businesses in a sustainable way, we had to take that chance to go in a new direction,” Macklin says. “It is an honor to be recognized for these efforts with so many other leaders in real estate from across the country.”

In 2018, Macklin and his wife, Michelle, took their growing brokerage independent and separated it from the national brand they had been working with for several years. They developed a customized coaching program highlighting five unique systems as well as a proprietary marketing package for their real estate agents that contains of over 20 marketing tools to help effectively target and grow their businesses. They also offer consistent and individualized coaching to work through challenges and problems that arise as well as abundant opportunities for generating new leads and clients.

10 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

Jay Macklin will be featured at a reception and dinner at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in May. (Photo courtesy Platinum Living Realty)

With this model, PLR has grown to over 160 real estate agents with a vast array of specialties, having recruited more than 80 new agents in 2019.

Macklin was featured, along with all the 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers, in the January issue of Real Estate Magazine and will be honored on stage during RISMedia’s 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers reception and dinner at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in May. …continues on page 12

AIRPARK BusinessNews …continued from page 10

Mountainside Fitness donates $15K to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Mountainside Fitness donated $15,000 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH).

The donation will go to PCH’s Hope Fund, which finances research, technology, recruitment of leading physicians, and the child-friendly programs and services that makes the hospital environment more comfortable for patients and their families.

The Mountainside Fitness donation comes through a silent auction conducted with Charity Benefits Unlimited, a company that partners with local and national charities as well as businesses. Mountainside Fitness partners with Charity Benefits twice a year with auctions involving sports and pop culture memorabilia.

Koren Lane to head North Scottsdale Candeo School Administrative fellow Koren Lane has been appointed head of school for Candeo Schools North Scottsdale.

Lane brings 20 years of experience as a teacher, administrator and executivelevel corporate professional. Candeo Schools North Scottsdale will educate students from kindergarten through eighth grade, bringing its classical education approach and the nationally recognized core knowledge curriculum to broaden, enrich and enliven the student academic experience.

“Ms. Lane was the obvious choice,” says Dr. Stephanie Musser, founder

and CEO of Candeo Schools. “Her vast experience as a highly qualified teacher and seasoned administrator combined with six years of executive-level corporate experience gives her the skills to replicate our program with fidelity and serve the needs of the new community.”

Lane is thrilled about the appointment.

“I am delighted to join the Candeo family and honored to take the reigns as the Candeo North Scottsdale head of school as we carry on our tradition of growing brilliance, while sharing the beauty and rich knowledge of a classical liberal arts education,” Lane says.

WMPO breaks charitable donation record Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Tim Woods says the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open raised more than $14 million for Arizona charities, breaking the single-year charitable donation amount from last year ($13.2 million). This is the ninth-consecutive year breaking the tournament record of charitable dollars raised in a single year.

The Thunderbirds and Waste Management Phoenix Open have raised more than $95 million for local charities since 2010 when Waste Management became title sponsor. In the WM Phoenix Open

history dating back to 1932, the Phoenix Open has raised more than $161 million for local charities.

Players, caddies, volunteers and thousands of fans covered TPC Scottsdale in green for Waste Management’s 10th annual Green Out Day to show support for Waste Management’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The Thunderbirds raised $42,500 each for four environmentally focused charities: Change the Course, Waste Not, the Arizona Recycling Coalition and Arizona Solid Waste Association of North America.

Plexus Worldwide recruits new chief sales officer Plexus Worldwide, a leading direct-selling health and wellness company focused on health and happiness, recently added Ryan Anderson to its executive leadership team.

Anderson now serves as chief sales officer, overseeing all global sales strategy and initiatives.

As CSO, Anderson leads business development efforts and sales growth within existing markets including the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as work in new international markets as the company expands its

global presence into Mexico in 2020.

Anderson has established direct-selling industry experience, having served as the chief executive officer and chief sales officer for the BeneYOU health and wellness company out of Utah. He also served as the executive vice president of Global Sales for XanGo, and held vice president sales positions at Viridian Energy, Vísi Global and BeautiControl. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.

12 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

“We chose Phoenix Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary for our latest auction. We have always been a strong advocate for supporting health and wellness. This donation will help support physicians, patient care and research at Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” says Tom Hatten, CEO and founder of Mountainside Fitness.

Real estate brokerage hires Sechrest

Platinum Living Realty, an independent luxury real estate brokerage with five offices across Arizona, has secured Scottsdale resident Bridgett Sechrest as part of the company. She specializes in varying types of residential property including single-family homes, condos, investment properties and rentals across the greater Phoenix area.

Sechrest brings with her a background in office management and hospitality, and she uses her professional and personable working style to help clients feel at ease throughout the home buying or selling process.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, Sechrest has made Arizona her home for the past 30 years.

She, her husband of 26 years and their two children reside in Scottsdale. Professional career aside, she has volunteered with many nonprofits over the years. She has also spent the past 11 years as a board member for the Cherokee Elementary Association of Parents and Teachers and was involved in her daughter’s Girl Scout troop for eight years.

Scottsdale-based Hypur hires senior marketing director

Hypur Inc., a Scottsdale-based payments, banking and compliance solution technology for cash-intensive industries like cannabis and CBD, hired Adriana Lane as the senior marketing director.

Her strategic leadership will guide the marketing team toward continued success in saturating existing markets and expanding Hypur ’s presence in new markets. She spent four years at Uber, where she worked on regional and national marketing campaigns. With a collaborative mindset and focus on goal setting, Lane will use her vast skillset honed within successful startups to help Hypur achieve ambitious targets. 

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AIRPARK Buzz For guests who’d like to extend their Arizona Boardwalk stay, a Hyatt Place hotel will be built on property. The 155-room hotel is slated to break ground in May. (Photo courtesy Arizona Boardwalk)

Boardwalk Empire OdySea in the Desert changes name and its direction

G

By Kristine Cannon oodbye, OdySea in the Desert; and hello, Arizona Boardwalk.

As of February 13, the premier 35-acre, multilevel entertainment complex located near Scottsdale—off the 101 and East Vía de Ventura— announced not only its name change, but also the addition of an on-site hotel, new attractions and site expansion.

“We called it ‘Arizona Boardwalk’ because a boardwalk is fun,” says Ran Knishinsky, chief marketing officer of Arizona Boardwalk.

“The name ‘Arizona Boardwalk’ is reminiscent of family fun, adventure and excitement—and helps set the stage of what to expect in this type of destination.”

The new name, according to the company, better reflects the diverse offerings of the entertainment destination, which is home to eight marquee attractions, numerous restaurant and shopping options, and outdoor special events.

“The name ‘Arizona Boardwalk’ also eliminates the confusion that OdySea Aquarium is the property’s sole attraction,” Knishinsky says. “We needed a name that puts the emphasis on ‘fun’— and ‘Arizona Boardwalk’ delivers.”

The name change does not, however, affect the aquarium’s name, OdySea Aquarium, which opened 2016.

For guests who’d like to Among the new attractions coming to Arizona Boardwalk extend their Arizona Boardthis year is VR Xtreme, which will open early March. The walk stay, a Hyatt Place hotel 3,000-square-foot attraction will feature 24 virtual reality immersive experiences. (Photo courtesy Arizona Boardwalk) will be built on property.

The 155-room hotel is slated to break ground in May. debuting here soon after the Titanic is set to Other new Arizona Boardwalk features expire in November,” says Adi Knishinsky, include interactive exhibit The Science of chief strategy officer. “We are working on Ripley’s Believe It or Not, which is expected having this last for up to two years and poto open late 2020. tentially longer depending on the demand “This is a new exhibit that we will be that we’re seeing.”

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

15

AIRPARK Buzz

Arizona Boardwalk will soon be home to “the world’s largest inflatable,” one that will span more than 10,000 square feet.

The inflatable park will include giant obstacle courses, pop-ups and mazes.

(Photo courtesy Arizona Boardwalk)

Arizona Boardwalk will also soon be home to “the world’s largest inflatable,” which will span more than 10,000 square feet.

The inflatable park will include giant obstacle courses, pop-ups and mazes.

“I want you to imagine your kid’s bounce house and multiply that by thousands—in this case, nearly 10,000,” Adi says. “The idea behind this is basically doing ‘American Ninja Warrior’ in an environment that is very safe for kids anywhere ranging from the age of 3 all the way up to 90, depending on your knees and joints.”

Also new to Arizona Boardwalk is VR Xtreme, which will open early March.

The 3,000-square-foot attraction will feature 24 virtual reality immersive experiences, including everything from haunted mansions and roller-coaster ride off the top of a skyscraper to popular games such as racing game Project Cars 2 and VR shooting game Raw Data.

The development team will also create a grand entranceway and add activities to the courtyard, like rock climbing walls, play structures, zip lines, more seating and shade.

The grand entranceway, Adi says, will help create a sense of arrival.

“Imagine you’re walking under a giant arch that showcases our name and having a river that you would walk down, which are the entry areas that are landscaped, beautiful shading and opportunities to take photos and look at all of it—all of that is part of the new redesign,” Adi says.

The new redesign also expands the footprint of Arizona Boardwalk by an additional 50 acres.

“We’re very excited about this,” Adi says. “On that 50 acres, we’re looking to do additional family-friendly attractions—nothing that we want to announce at the moment—but we do have quite a bit of interest from third parties as well as our own concepts that we’ve been brewing and we’re working on debuting soon.”

Adi adds it’s likely they’ll add additional office space and office use, as well.

“That’ll help with some of the density that we have here in the center,” he says.

“We’re very excited about what we have

16 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

in the future development for Arizona Boardwalk.”

Arizona’s Boardwalk is the vision of founder and CEO Amram Knishinsky.

The destination’s current attractions include OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Laser + Mirror Maze, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit, Polar Play Ice Bar and Surprise Your Eyes.

Arizona Boardwalk also has seven shopping and activity options and nine food options on site.

“I’m passionate about what we are creating here at Arizona Boardwalk,” Adi says. “We know families are looking for special places to spend precious time together, a place to bring out-of-town guests or somewhere to make an entire day of it. We decided to build just the right place for that.”  Arizona Boardwalk 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale 480-951-2100, arizonaboardwalk.com.

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MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

17

AIRPARK Buzz

The FAA held community outreach meetings in the Valley in April 2019. (Scottsdale Airpark News file photo)

‘From No Noise to

a Lot of Noise’

Y

ears after Phoenix sued to the FAA over noisy flight path changes, Scottsdale continues to battle with the agency on behalf of residents in the northern part of the city.

At issue are flight paths out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modified in 2014 under its NextGen program to increase efficiency.

However, the changes had the unintended result of increasing flight noise overpopulated areas throughout the Valley, including Downtown Phoenix and North Scottsdale—resulting in a successful legal challenge by Phoenix and its historic neighborhoods that resulted in a 2017 settlement reversing some of the changes over that city.

But the problems in Scottsdale remained.

“All of a sudden, I noticed planes every 90 seconds,” Scottsdale resident Bud Kern says. “It was a big change from no noise

to a lot of noise.”

Kern founded the Scottsdale Coalition for Airplane Noise Abatement, or SCANA, which is now asking the city to sue the FAA to reverse the paths over Scottsdale.

Now, Scottsdale officials are taking steps to prepare a challenge of their own, though it is unclear if they will actually take the FAA to court.

On February 18, the Scottsdale City Council gave city staff the permission to file an official appeal of the FAA’s claim.

City Attorney Sherry Scott says that appeal would go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which ruled in favor of Phoenix in the original challenge to the NextGen flight paths.

In addition to authorizing the petition, the council’s February 18 approval gave the city permission to “seek other available legal remedies” to address the flight paths.

“In this case now we want to leave our options open,” Mayor Jim Lane says.

18 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

Scottsdale prepares fight with FAA over flights

By Wayne Schutsky “That’s the most important thing.”

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor says, “We don’t speculate about the possibility of litigation.”

The city stayed away from those “legal remedies” in the past, preferring to appeal directly to the FAA through community outreach outlined in the Phoenix settlement.

Lane says the city initially took that approach to prove to the FAA that the public supported changing the flight paths.

“What we’d seen is there seemed to be responsiveness from the FAA to citizens’ petitions and, frankly, multiple signatures,” Lane says. “We wanted to demonstrate that the community is really with us on this.”

SCANA, the community group, would like to see the city sue to remove to the new flight paths.

Kern says he believes the original court decision required the FAA to return

AIRPARK Buzz all NextGen flight paths to their original routes, not just those affecting the litigants in Phoenix.

“The FAA has not left the city and our communities with any other option but to ask the court to enforce the ruling it made in the Phoenix and Historic Neighborhoods suit that the NextGen process at Sky Harbor Airport was implemented illegally for all flight paths,” he says.

Kern cited language in the 2017 ruling that appears to apply to all routes, not just the western departures over Phoenix.

“For the forgoing reasons, we grant the petitions, vacate the September 18, 2014, order implementing the new flight departure routes at Sky Harbor International Airport,” the order states.

Scottsdale officials have long maintained opposition to the NextGen paths, and even hired a law firm to lobby the FAA for changes.

Scottsdale paid $80,000 to international law firm Covington & Burling over the course of two contracts in 2018 and entered a new $40,000 contract with the firm earlier this year after the FAA’s decision to stand pat.

The city also actively participated in FAA community meetings in April 2019 that were required by the Phoenix

settlement. At those meetings, the agency presented potential flight path changes that would partially address resident complaints in Scottsdale and other parts of the Valley.

An FAA spokesperson cautioned at the time that the proposals were little more than “drawings on the back of a napkin.”

The city hired consultant JDA Aviation Technology Solutions in November 2018 to submit comments to the FAA and propose modifications to the proposals presented by the agency at the community meetings.

The city paid JDA $115,000 to create proposals suggesting paths be rerouted over unpopulated areas like the Salt River.

For a time, it appeared the city and disgruntled residents were making progress.

Lane says the city would “like to continue on the quest from the hearings that we heard, because certainly there was an offering from” the FAA. But on January 10, the FAA announced it would not be making any flight path changes and that is had completed its required actions under the settlement with Phoenix.

“The FAA will not be taking further action under Step Two, and has now completed all of its obligations under the

Implementation Agreement,” it says.

Gregor says the FAA decided not to move forward with the conceptual routes presented at the 2019 meetings.

“As we noted in our January 10 update, even though we have concluded the Implementation Agreement, we intend to continue the dialogue with local stakeholders about issues that are of interest to them, as we do in communities throughout the United States,” Gregor says.

He said the FAA has no meetings or discussions planned with stakeholders.

Lane says the announcement “left us a little high and dry.”

In a report on the meetings, the FAA specifically rejected the city’s recommendations crafted by JDA, citing potential safety concerns for air traffic controllers and aircraft flying in the Valley and that the recommendations would have created conflicts with existing heavily used routes.

Lane challenged that assertion, arguing that “the condition that they’ve developed actually is one that is less safe in terms of the actual routes.”

“The (NextGen) technology obviously is a good thing, but the route changes didn’t necessarily do anything to create a safer environment,” Lane says. 

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

19

AIRPARK Buzz

Play Ball!

Scottsdale at bat again for baseball museum

T

By Wayne Schutsky he city is taking another swing at bringing a baseball-themed tourist attraction to Scottsdale Stadium after a previous attempt in 2019 fell flat.

Last August, the city issued a request for a proposal that sought a partner to lease city land behind the left-field wall at Scottsdale Stadium to build a baseball-themed visitor experience with an eye toward the history of the game in Arizona.

Scottsdale officials sought a partner to fully fund the construction and operation of the new facility and pay rent and portions

of shared revenues back to the city.

The city received only one response to that RFP from HOME: The Baseball Experience, senior assistant city attorney Eric Anderson says in response to a public records request.

HOME: The Baseball Experience is a still developing technology-based baseball project that could incorporate items like virtual reality and focus on the role of analytics in baseball, according to Street & Smith’s Sports Business Daily.

The HOME proposal was considered nonresponsive—meaning it did not meet all city requirements, Assistant City Manager Bill Murphy says.

Murphy did not elaborate on what requirements HOME failed to meet.

Anderson declined to provide the HOME proposal, citing language in the

20 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

original RFP stipulating the proposals would be kept private until the contract was awarded.

Despite that setback, the city still has plans to bring a “baseball experience” venue to Scottsdale Stadium.

On February 7, it issued a request for qualifications once again, seeking a development partner for the land to create “a modern, first-class facility offering a visitor experience celebrating baseball (including the history of professional baseball, the role of baseball in the Valley of the Sun).”

The city has a long list of requirements for a potential suitor, including that whoever leases the land would still be responsible for funding the construction and operation of the new facility.

However, the new request differs from the August 2019 RFP in that respondents

AIRPARK Buzz are required to submit a proposal and proof of financial backing and organizational structure to follow through on their plans.

The city seeks proposals for “a modern, first-class facility offering a visitor experience celebrating baseball” that includes a nod to the sport’s history in Arizona and interactive exhibits for visitors.

Murphy said the city is taking a “turnkey approach”—meaning the eventual developer will be responsible for getting the project up and running.

The project would be located on a piece of city property that sits between the stadium and the Civic Center parking garage along Drinkwater Boulevard.

A building housing the city’s information technology staff is currently there. Murphy says the city will have to relocate that staff if a proposal finally gets approval.

City staff says it is anticipating signing a 25-year lease for the land, similar to the length of the city’s deal with the San Francisco Giants at the stadium.

Scottsdale Public Works Executive Director Dan Worth says the city would look for market-rate rent for the property, citing local and state gift bans, but that it is open to discussions on the lease rate that take into account shared revenues generated by admissions.

The proposed facility could include a retail component and ticket sales. All proposals must present how revenues would be shared with the city.

The city expects to realize money from rent, shared revenues and increased tourism that could result in sales and bed tax boosts.

The city asked respondents to provide projections on how their projects would affect local hotel stays.

The new baseball experience facility would also integrate with Scottsdale Stadium and the city will discuss sharing the costs of maintenance for shared-use areas.

Murphy said the city wants the design of all proposals to match the current upgrades in the city’s Scottsdale Stadium master plan, which was worked on by the city, San Francisco Giants and Scottsdale Charros.

Like the ongoing improvements at the stadium, construction of the new facility would have to work around the Giants’ Cactus League schedule.

According to the RFQ, the stadium and new facility could share restrooms and parking at the Civic Center garage — which could be expanded as part of the deal.

The city also wants the new facility to feature a rooftop seating component.

A city informational session on the new

RFQ on February 7 drew significant interest from construction companies and others with ties to Major League Baseball.

That included Marc Appleman, former CEO of baseball analytics firm SABR, which has close ties with Major League Baseball.

Appleman is CEO of Home: The Baseball Experience, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Appleman declined to speak at length regarding the new RFQ, only stating that he is still interested in the project and is working with a different group than the one that submitted the “nonresponsive” proposal last August.

The meeting also included representatives from a number of regional construction, development and architecture firms, including Marc Taylor Inc., Waltz Construction, DPR Construction and Dig Studio.

One party notably absent from the meeting was The Arizona Spring Training Experience, the Valley’s most prominent existing Spring Training museum.

The Arizona Spring Training Experience is supported by the Mesa Historical Museum and has displayed temporary exhibits at Scottsdale’s Civic Center library in the past and held its Cactus League Hall of Fame inductions in Scottsdale.

Last August, Leon Natker, executive director of Mesa Historical Museum, says his organization had no plans to respond to the Scottsdale’s RFP, because it does not have the financial resources to meet the city’s requirements and previous partnerships had been a financial burden on the Mesa Museum.

Still, at the time, Natker did not rule out working with whichever party the city ultimately partners with.

“If there’s a donor out there or an entity that wants to we’d love to participate,” Natker said.

Scottsdale should know by the end of the summer whether or not any entity is willing to fulfill its lengthy wish list.

An evaluation committee put together by the city will vet all responses to the RFQ. During the RFP process, Murphy says the Giants will work with the city to vet proposals but the Charros will not be involved.

The deadline for the RFQ is March 31, and the city plans to negotiate with the recommended submitter in June and July with the intention of bringing a proposed agreement and lease before the city council by the end of August.

According to a presentation given to prospective respondents, the city expects the facility to be complete by January 1, 2023. 

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By supporting The Boys and Girls of Greater Scottsdale, taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their Arizona State taxes, up to $400 for individuals and $800 for joint filers for the Qualifying Charitable Organization Tax Credit and up to $500 for individuals or $1,000 for joint filers with the Qualifying Foster Care Organizations Tax Credit.

The Credits are independent of one another and the state of Arizona allows you to claim the full amount for both as separate credits.

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MEET YourAirparkNeighbor

I HOPE YOU

Dance

Mimi Jasperson runs award-winning hospitality brand using business instincts and ballet

M

By Alison Bailin Batz

Mimi Jasperson has been with the team at Maya since 2017. (Photo

by Alison Bailin Batz)

22 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

imi Jasperson’s parents enrolled her in ballet and tap classes when she was 4.

There was no turning back for the Chicago native.

“Wow, talk about love at first sight, or more specifically at first toe tap,” says Jasperson, who now lives in Scottsdale.

As a teen, she successfully auditioned and joined Ballet North, an Illinois dance company for young ballet dancers to learn technique and focus on the classical ballets like “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker.”

“At 15, I also began studying what is called post-modern contemporary dance, and then the famed Horton and later Graham techniques, for those who are dance aficionados,” Jasperson says.

It was dance that brought her to the Valley in 2009.

“I was accepted into Arizona State University’s acclaimed fine arts program to study dance performance and choreography,” says Jasperson, who would find her next great loves over those next four years in school.

First, she found Zachary Jasperson.

“Yes, I married my college sweetheart.

And, then there was that final love as well,” Jasperson says.

It happened during her senior year,

MEET YourAirparkNeighbor when she took a job as a cocktail server in Scottsdale for extra money. That “part-time job” changed her life.

“This is going to sound a little odd, but as I moved up the ranks in the hospitality world, I started to make the connection that an efficient bar is not unlike a perfectly choreographed dance,” Jasperson says. “There is a beautiful rhythm to it that captured me within my first few months behind the bar.”

One of her favorite parts of this new “dance” that she was learning: the art and science that goes into mixology.

“Here I am, just credits into graduating and thinking I had my entire life planned out. Then—bam!—a new passion exploded within me,” Jasperson says. “I know they say life happens when you are busy doing other things, but I never thought this would be me.”

So, though she did finish her degree, she doubled down on her passion for hospitality, growing through some of Old Town’s greatest hospitality groups. She earned a position with Maya Day + Night Club in 2017.

“I joke that there I began my master’s degree, because it was the education of a lifetime in all things mixology, management, service and even the psychology of people both in front of and behind the bar top,” Jasperson says.

Jasperson leads the Maya brand—its Day Club, Nightclub and winter Clubhouse at Maya concept—in Scottsdale, helping drive the cocktail, dining and entertainment menu seven days a week.

“Clubhouse has been one of my babies,” says Jasperson, who helped develop the idea with her team over the past 24 months.

For those unfamiliar with the brands, every spring and summer, Maya Day Club is the biggest Vegas-style pool party in Arizona. Then at night, the space transforms into Maya Nightclub, which brings top entertainers and DJs from around the country to the desert.

“Clubhouse is the new kid on the block, really launched in earnest this past fall. It’s come together like a perfectly planned production for us,” Jasperson says. “Imagine the world’s greatest backyard party. Now, imagine it 10 times bigger and better that.”

According to Jasperson, the 14,000-square-foot, dog-friendly space required them to fully (and safely) cover the Olympic-sized pool that usually lives on property, as well as reimagine every detail, ingredient and even artwork and menus at Maya from top to bottom.

It is all fun and games for Jasperson, who leads Maya like a director leads a Broadway play. (Photo

by Alison Bailin Batz)

“In place of the pool, we’ve built a treehouse-themed bar, which specializes in shareable cocktails, beer cocktails and food meant to be enjoyed with friends,” Jasperson says.

But that is only the beginning.

Cozy furniture with a nod to Americana takes over the space. Jasperson and her team also brought in more than two dozen flat-screen televisions so fall sports can be enjoyed by guests at all times. Beyond the flat screens and football-themed activities and specials, there is pop art on nearly every wall, all begging to be the background of a selfie or photo opportunity with friends. Those having a date night will be impressed as well.

“The Lego wall is an early favorite,” Jasperson says.

There is also comic strip room, according to Jasperson, featuring floor-to-ceiling

comics one might see in a newspaper as well as foosball and air hockey. There are also giant-sized Jenga games on picnic tables throughout the venue, and several cornhole games as well as shuffleboard, Ping-Pong and oversized Connect Four.

Finally, there is also a concession area in addition to the traditional menu with cotton candy, popcorn, waffle sticks, hot dogs and street tacos.

Clubhouse at Maya is open seven days a week and offers brunch on weekends through at least the end of March.

“Come see me and my ‘troop’ in our greatest dance yet,” Jasperson says.  Maya Day + Night Club 7333 E Indian Plaza, Scottsdale mayaclubaz.com

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

23

Steve Mallory and John Kieber are co-founders of URA Group AZ. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

24 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

The

A

Slow RUSH

s co-founders of the retirement planning firm URA Group AZ (formerly United Retirement Advisors Group), Steve Mallory and John Kieber like to kick off initial client consultations with a quick run-down of what they call the three stages of retirement: “Go-go, slow-go and no-go.”

“In the ‘go-go’ stage, you spend the money that you’ve accumulated while you still can,” Mallory says. “Travel, if that’s what you want to do, spend it on the grandkids, make a new purchase—whatever.”

In the “slow-go” stage, maybe you’re not as active, you can’t travel as much, but people are living longer. The key to a successful retirement is living the “go-go” stage to the fullest while not sacrificing financial quality of life later in the “no-go” stage.

Operating in the Scottsdale Airpark, Mallory says they see a lot of people in that first stage.

“The majority of our clients are in the Scottsdale/North Phoenix area. But once they retire, we have clients who live on a boat in San Diego; we have clients that live in high-rises in Houston. They’re taking advantage of the ‘go-go’ stage—especially the ones living on a boat in San Diego,” he says with a laugh.

Helping such clients transition from the fast lane to a slower, more deliberate pathway is a challenge that the two SEC Series 65 fiduciaries address each day at their firm. Along with Office Manager Roseann Sharp, they were recently awarded “Best

Helping Airpark jetsetters find the slow lane in retirement is the specialty of URA Group AZ

By Jimmy Magahern

Financial Planning Services” by Scottsdale Progress. It’s a fertile market, particularly for the Airpark’s key demographic: According to the latest research, Baby Boomers are retiring in record numbers—about 10,000 per day.

Yet 45% of that group are entering that stage with no retirement savings, according to the Insured Retirement Institute.

Kieber—like Mallory, a former Midwesterner who settled in the Valley about 20 years ago—says he got into financial advising after he signed up for his first 401(k) at a previous job and discovered he lacked the knowledge he needed to make smart tax and investing decisions.

“That’s why I do this,” he says. “Because nobody got in front of me back then and gave any advisory expertise on basic concepts such as was it best to use a Traditional 401(k) or was it better to use a Roth 401(k) option.

That concept could lead to a lifetime of tax-

free growth in the proper situation. It wasn’t even about what to invest in (although that is important as well). It was more about not getting educated on the effect of the decisions I was making at the time. Nobody really had the capability to provide a complete financial overview of all aspects of my life—not even my financial planner.”

Together with now-retired adviser Garry Madaline, Mallory and Kieber created and developed the C.O.R.E. process, shorthand for “Comprehensive Objective Retirement Engineering.”

It is essentially a comprehensive “retirement blueprint” designed to educate older adults how best to transition from what the team calls “the accumulation to the distribution stage of life.” The process looks at everything retirees may encounter in today’s complex financial world and combines them all in one plan, so all aspects are working together to achieve retirement goals.

Concepts such as tax status of accounts, maximizing available income streams, what order to spend down retirement accounts, and defensive positioning of stock market assets are all considered interdependently of each other.

“Most people, and many advisers, understand all the concepts individually but tend to make decisions in ‘a vacuum’ for each,” Kieber says. “Unfortunately, when meshed together as an overall plan, this approach lacks the synergy essential for a truly efficient plan. We take all of the concepts on in a collaborative manner with each client, so they understand why specific actions are recommended.”

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

25

Steve Mallory, co-founder of URA Group AZ, works from his office. (Photo

by Pablo Robles)

Before the team delves into all that, however, they start with a consultation aimed at understanding the client’s goals and retirement objectives.

“We have a program we use called a retirement analyzer, and we plug everybody’s information into that,” Mallory explains.

“Things like how long you’re planning to work, what your salary is and what kind of monthly expenses you have. Then we arrive at a baseline of what it’s going to cost you when you step away from your job and no longer have that salary coming in.”

From there, the team starts developing an individualized plan for each client.

That’s when the true value of Mallory’s and Kieber’s combined experience really comes into play. Their website notes there are many different strategies on how to take your Social Security payments.

“All kinds of variables that go into making those decisions,” Mallory says.

“But a lot of people don’t understand what financial opportunities are available to them.

Our job is to educate them on what those variables are so that they can make the best decision possible.”

The team also keeps up on the evershifting financial landscape.

“There has been a change in the laws that affect retirees exclusively that just went into effect at the end of December,” Mallory says. “It’s called the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement), and what it did was it moved the age at which an individual must begin

taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 70 1/2 to 72, which is when the government forces you to take out distributions on your tax deferred accounts—your 401(k), your IRAs, your 403(b), your 457.

But in return, they took away what they call the inherited or stretch IRAs, which used to make it possible that if you leave money behind to beneficiaries—kids, anybody other than your spouse—they used to have a lifetime that they would be able to take it out. Now, it has to be done in 10 years.”

Time, as it turns out, really is “the final currency,” as rocker David Crosby wrote in a 1998 song. “Right now, we’ve been running on the longest bull run the market has seen— 12-plus years,” Mallory says.

“Logic tells us that the market can’t continue like this forever. But if the market does correct while you’re in retirement, you don’t have time to wait long periods to recover substantial losses.”

Look how long it took the economy to recover from the financial crisis of 2007–08, he notes. “If you’re 30 or 40 years old and you have a paycheck coming in every two weeks, you can wait until it comes back. It’s a little bit different when you’re 65, 70 years old and need to live off your portfolio, so keeping its value intact is paramount.”

Very simply put, a different approach should most likely be taken when investing in retirement vs. investing while you are working. Accepting this is paramount in beginning to design a retirement plan.

Additionally, retirees face expenses they

26 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

never had earlier in life. “Seventy percent of people in their retirement years will face a long-term care need,” says Mallory, quoting current figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“And right now, the average cost of a semi-private room in a long-term care facility is around $6,800 per month. How are you going to address that cost if you need it?

Even if you don’t, the average retiree spends around $4,300 per year on out-of-pocket health care costs. You have to work things like that into your plan.”

With so many aging boomers in denial about their retirement needs, Mallory and Kieber feel it’s imperative their firm provides a strong educational component—that’s why the company hosts regular educational workshops based around their C.O.R.E. process at the Phoenix Better Business Bureau office. Kieber adds that URA Group’s Airpark location (on Northsight Boulevard and Evans Road, just down the street from the post office) also makes it convenient for their team to lead workshops at Airpark businesses for employees looking to better understand their retirement options.

“We often are asked to come in to simply educate employees on basic concepts for their 401(k) plans that may help to make more informed decisions. Most times it has very little to do with actual investment advice and much more about using the options available to you in the best way tax-wise,” Kieber says. “They tend to turn into live Reddit AMAs (Ask Me Anything).

We just say, ‘Fire away. What are you curious about, what did you read about you’re not sure of, what do you need to know to be more confident about your retirement planning?’”

Mallory adds, “Most of the people we work with are very educated, smart individuals that have done very well for themselves but lack information to make such important decisions, mostly due to the complexities of all the factors that need to be considered. That’s where we can help, providing the most up-to-date information so you can make the best educated decision possible. 

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27

Going Public

Caliber CEO Chris Loeffler, right, addresses the crowd during an announcement of the company’s first public offering.

(Photo courtesy of Caliber)

Investors Caliber eyes raising $50M

By Wayne Schutsky Scottsdale-based real estate investment firm launched its first online public offering in February, capitalizing on years of growth driven by investments in Opportunity Zones throughout Arizona.

On February 5, Caliber hosted a party in Downtown Phoenix to announce a Reg A+ campaign to raise up to $50 million over the next 12 months by offering 12.5 million shares at $4 per share.

Caliber’s announcement was not the kickoff for a traditional IPO, though.

Reg A+ was included in the 2013 federal JOBS Act as a way to make it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to generate investment. The law also made it easier for individuals to invest in these ventures by lowering the financial qualifications required to invest.

Chris Loeffler, Caliber ’s co-founder and CEO, calls the process “a big, wide

platform (with) lots of shareholders—everybody gets to participate in growing the company.”

Typically, investors in new companies must be accredited with yearly income over $200,000 or net worth of at least $1 million and meet high investment minimums dictated by the firms.

Reg A+ significantly lowers that threshold.

“What it allows us to do is raise up to $50 million from almost anybody, “Loeffler says. “They don’t have to be an accredited investor anymore…their limitation, per the SEC’s rules, is they can invest up to 10% of their net worth.”

The minimum investment in Caliber’s Reg A+ offering is $2,500, well below the minimum investment of $35,000 to $250,000 in its funds.

Loeffler views that lower barrier as an asset and says it will allow many of

28 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

the individuals that have followed the company for years—from subcontractors to real estate agents—to invest in the growing company.

According to the SEC, there are some basic requirements companies have to meet before becoming eligible for a Reg A+ offering, including complying with provisions designed to prevent “bad actors” from taking advantage of the system.

Caliber, which is pursuing a Tier 2 offering that allows for up to $50 million, also must provide audited financial statements and file annual and mid-year reports to the SEC. Even with these protections in place, Reg A+ has received significant criticism since the SEC finalized rules in 2015 due to relative lack of success associated with the fundraising model.

Even companies once held up as Reg A+ success stories have taken hits in recent years.

Just weeks ago, the SEC announced it had reached a $400,000 settlement with Venkata Meenavalli, CEO of Longfin Corp., over allegations that the fintech company lied about being based in the United States.

Over the course of its investigation, the SEC recovered $26 million in “ill-gotten gains” from Longfin, once considered one of the most successful Reg A+ companies.

Loeffler, though, says Caliber is something of an outlier when it comes to Reg A+ offerings, because it is not a startup and has a decade-long proven track record.

“We’re one of the few companies that has lots of assets and has lots of momentum and that has 12 years of operating history that is allowing people to invest via this vehicle,” Loeffler says.

According to Caliber ’s SEC filing, the company has $172,726,013 in total assets versus $165,642,447 in total liabilities.

The Barron’s report backs up Loeffler’s argument.

According to Barron’s, the over 300 Reg A+ offerings it analyzed, which included everything from cannabis We’re one paraphernalia and flying cars to a UFO venture by of the few Blink-182 guitarist companies that former Tom DeLonge, were short on has lots of assets proven concepts.

“Proven ideas like this and has lots of are rare among microcaps,” momentum and Barron’s notes, referencthat has 12 years ing BrewDog, a successful Scottland-based brewpub of operating chain that used Reg A+ to expand to the United States. history that is Based on its proven track allowing people record, Caliber appears to to invest via this have more in common with BrewDog than the other busivehicle. nesses that have used Reg A+ in the past.

Loeffler says the next step for the company will be listing on an exchange and pursuing a more traditional IPO, though he declined to comment on a timeline for those moves, citing industry rules.

Caliber leadership made the decision back to jump on opportunity zones early, while many others were waiting for more guidance from the federal government.

In 2019, Rodney Riley, Caliber’s director of acquisitions and development, told the Scottsdale Airpark News that the decision tied directly into its early talks about going public.

The company was building up its accounting and legal teams as it explored the possibility of going public, which also gave the company the resources and people it needed to get a head start on the considerable compliance requirements associated with opportunity zones when talk about the potential legislation began to heat up.

Loeffler “saw that as opportunity to take advantage of what we were already building,” Riley says.

Loeffler is bullish on the company’s ability to sustain its growth through this latest fundraising effort.

According to the company, the Reg A+ offering will allow the company to scale its operating, reduce debt, invest in its funds and improve infrastructure and operating and control systems. 

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29

Scottsdale's Sneaky Big Studios, a multi-dimensional production studio, is teaming up with Five Films to prioritize esports programming. (Photo

by Chris Mortenson)

‘Instant Validation’ Sneaky Big is ‘ready to play with the big boys’

By Jordan Houston

W

hether it’s considered a “sport” or not, competitive videogaming is taking the entertainment industry by storm—and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.

In the last decade, Esports has become the fastest-growing and most profitable form of entertainment, amassing revenues exceeding $1 billion and audiences of 443 million people worldwide, according to research by Green Man Gaming.

Stadium-filling competitions, like the Fortnite World Championship, are garnering millions of viewers online through streaming services like Twitch—and a Scottsdale Airpark

production company wants a piece.

Sneaky Big Studios is teaming up with Five Films, a New York-based full-service film and TV production company, to home in on esports programming.

Under the terms of the deal, the Emmy Award-winning production company— known for its premium programs like “PBC: Fight Camp” (Fox Sports), “The Boardroom with Kevin Durant” (ESPN+) and “The Circus” on Showtime—will create original esports, sports and military projects to be co-produced with the independent studio.

The niche programs will be disseminated throughout the country and the globe.

“I’m thrilled and honored to work with these guys,” says Sneaky Big Studios Director of Business Development Ben Grafchik.

“These guys have done nothing but deliver top-notch quality to high-level end users.

“That gives us the instant validation

Sneaky Big Studios has worked as the live production partner for big names like The Alliance of American Football and Do Not Peek Entertainment. (Photo by Chris Mortenson)

30 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

that we’re absolutely ready to play with the big boys.”

Sneaky Big Studios is redefining the traditional role of production studios.

The more than 15,000-square-foot facility offers a wide roster of capabilities, spanning from original programming, video production, live broadcasting, virtual and augmented reality, custom animations and post-production.

Founded by businessman and philanthropist Bob Parsons, the studio features a setting for live remote TV productions, commercial shots, rehearsals and recording sessions, web and media productions, press conferences, corporate training videos, music videos, post-production and video editing, color correction, photography and events.

“We’re not just one thing. We’re not just a studio,” Grafchik says. “We have all of it under one roof.”

With a key focus on live broadcasting, the Scottsdale studio can connect with any network in the country for high-definition live shot and webcasting, press conferences and junket live streaming, the director says.

Its “At Home” productions enable live, centralized broadcasts via remote broadcast teams that are fully scalable to service multiple events at once, he continues.

As a live production partner, Sneaky Big has already worked with big names like The Alliance of American Football, Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team and esports company Do Not Peek Entertainment.

“I’m an adrenaline junkie in the sense that there’s nothing like being on a live

Ben Grafchik, director of business development for Sneaky Big Studios, says the studio is ready to "play with the big boys." (Photo by Chris Mortenson)

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

31

show,” Grafchik expresses. “Being part of a big team executing at a high level across multiple things—to see all that come together motivates me.

“And this is the perfect launching pad for that,” he adds.

Sneaky Big also offers post-production suites armed with the latest equipment for graphics, editing and color correction.

For original programming, the studio can create, develop and execute content for any platform, including unscripted reality, documentaries, scripted content, game shows and others.

A 4,000-square-foot soundstage and 450-square-foot recording studio comprise the canvas, while four editing suites and a DaVinci Resolve color suite provide the finishing touches.

“We try to take different pieces of technology used for different things and meld them together to build this ‘Frankenstein’ of a content generation machine,” Grafchik says.

“You can kind of satisfy any element you would need.”

It’s this flexibility and capability that captivated Five Films.

The production company, led by veteran producers and showrunners Scott Boggins and Craig Jenest, specializes in dynamic sports and political entertainment programming, as well as documentary features.

With over two decades of television

>

experience, the co-founders built a reputation on popularizing “athlete-follow” and “teamfollow” formats in sports television.

“Connecting with the audience and telling meaningful stories that provide deeper understandings and greater appreciations are the pillars of Five Films,” the co-founders write in a joint statement.

Adding, “Our partnership with Sneaky Big allows us to continue our passion of creating unique content for all to enjoy, while also providing the unequaled opportunity to directly tap into the exciting and exploding space of esports.”

The alliance will seek to take viewers behind the scenes of potentially one of the most financially lucrative markets on the planet.

Through a boots-on-the-ground approach, Sneaky Big and Five Films will touch on the industry’s stratospheric rise to success and what it means for users, viewers and brands.

“It’s going to really take you behind the veil as to what this is and why it’s growing this way,” Grafchik says.

“It’s going to give you a unique perspective from real industry veterans,” he continues. “Not just people who are coming in and seeing the instantaneous value.”

Esports is projected to reach $3.2 billion in global revenue by 2022—possibly surpassing the UEFA Champions League

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in annual gross revenue.

Unlike traditional sports, esports offers a more inclusive platform for camaraderie and teamwork, the business director explains.

Accessibility and relatability are the nuts and bolts behind the market’s bandwagon popularity, he continues.

“For some of the kids that don’t necessarily get to try and be like Lebron, this is a group they can relate to,” Grafchik says. “And the barrier to entry is much smaller.”

Contrary to popular belief, esports consumers aren’t just introverted teens living in their parents’ basements either.

They’re actually the opposite.

“This is the 18- to 35-year-old market and it’s the most coveted demographic,” Grafchik states. “These are young professionals who have a little bit of money to spend—it’s an easy demographic to sell to.”

The fans are passionate, social and highly engaged across various platforms, he continues, making them more likely to spend on their passion.

Discussions for potential programming ideas are already in the works, Grafchik shares.

But for now, the tech expert is looking forward to continuing to learn within the rapidly changing landscape.

“No day is the same,” he says. “I am thoroughly passionate about pushing the envelop—and we can do that here.” 

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Is this a teamwork huddle on a project or college basketball bracket debate?

(Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash)

How Mad is Too Mad?

March Madness and gambling in the workplace

By Stephanie Quincy, Quarles & Brady LLP

M

arch Madness is one of the most exciting sports events of the year.

During this time, however, the basketball court isn’t the only place where madness can occur.

The hysteria of March Madness often finds its way into the workplace, creating potential problems for business owners and their human resources teams.

Because March Madness is one of the few huge sporting events that takes place during normal 9-5 work hours, it creates unique challenges.

Millions of employees participate in office pools and watch the games, sometimes at work. One study estimates that during the tournament, each employee spends six work hours per week engaged in March Madnessrelated activities. The same study estimated employers suffer a $13.2

Does your office allow March Madness pools and brackets?

(Photo by Todd Greene on Unsplash)

billion loss in productivity during the tournament.

March Madness also raises illegal gambling concerns for employers.

Office pools often require a buy-in, with the winner getting a cash payout.

Although a few states have legalized gambling, it remains illegal in most and is illegal under at least three federal laws. Participation in unsanctioned gambling can also run afoul of workplace policies and lead employees to the exit doors.

If a company has a policy against gambling at work, participating in a March Madness pool with a cash buy-in violates not only the law, but obviously the policy. It is never too late to issue a statement that “gambling is against company policy and won’t be tolerated,” or simply eliminating the policy if there is not an intention to abide by it (or at least stating that

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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March Madness pools are OK if certain rules are followed).

Computer use and cybersecurity are also issues during March Madness. Employees often use their company computers to watch games and monitor their brackets. Additionally, some employees may access gambling websites to place wagers, which may subject the system to malware.

IT departments can utilize software which blocks these websites.

March Madness brings out the best—and sometimes the worst—in fans. Although there is nothing wrong with some good-natured banter between employees cheering for opposing schools, the triumph (or heartbreak) of March Madness can escalate these comments to the level of bullying and harassment, which may subject an employer to potential liability.

Inevitably, employees may call out sick so they can attend or watch March Madness. Although a diminished workforce may frustrate the employer, some state laws prevent employers from asking employees for verification for absences of only a few days. In Arizona, having the “ASU flu” (or, for some the UArizona flu) may be beyond an employer’s reach to question.

Final food for thought: Employers need to review their policies.

An employer should review its anti-gambling, attendance and harassment policies and make sure they are applied consistently to all employees. Selectively enforcing a policy will subject an employer to potential discrimination claims and also create ill will among employees, a real foul.

It is fine to allow betting on March Madness, but again, the policy should reflect this and should be applied consistently. The company should require that any monetary pool distributes all entry fees to the winners, so that there is no “cut” taken by the organizer, which would kick the pool into an entirely different legal category, as it is no longer “social” gambling, which many states allow including Arizona, but no third party can take a cut of the money.

Employers need to remind employees of their computer use policies.

Employers should specifically tell employees they have no expectation of privacy in their use of company equipment. Employers should also consider installing software that blocks gambling sites.

Employers need to ensure employees do not feel pressured to participate.

Employees may not participate on religious or moral grounds and employers need to make sure that choice is respected and that other employees do not ostracize the employee. An employer may consider offering a free, office-sponsored event that does not offer cash prizes and can even host watch parties to allow everyone who wants to openly watch and develop comradery.

Stephanie Quincy is the Chair of Quarles & Brady LLP’s Labor & Employment Practice Group in Phoenix. For more information, visit quarles.com or contact Quincy directly at stephanie.quincy@ quarles.com. 

34 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

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Ar t

IMMERSION Scottsdale’s Celebration of Fine Art turns 30 this year

A

By Sherry Jackson

love of art and a vision to bring an immersive experience to patrons in Scottdale led show founders Tom and Ann Morrow to create the Celebration of Fine Art, now celebrating its 30th year.

The show runs through Sunday, March 29, under its signature “big white tents” at Hayden Road and the Loop 101. It’s Arizona’s longest-running art show.

Inspired by the Laguna Beach Festival of Art in California, the Morrows wanted to give Valley art lovers an alternative way to experience art and to interact with artists. Together, the husband-and-wife team launched the Celebration of Fine Art in 1990 with approximately 100 fine-art artists displaying and creating their works. In 2004, Tom’s daughter, Susan Morrow Potje, and her husband, Jake, took over to carry on the family tradition.

“Dad was a serial entrepreneur and wanted to bring artists together in a completely different way for people to experience and buy art,” says Morrow Potje, who serves as the co-owner and show director. “In …continues on page 38

36 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

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37

1989, (when the idea was first discussed), it was a very foreign idea for Scottsdale.”

The 10-week show is considered one of the premier art shows in the West, giving visitors access to watch the more than 100 artists work on their craft as well as view their creations. It’s part gallery, part working studio and part art show—all set in an upscale and interactive environment.

“We’ve grown from being locally known to being known worldwide now in the art world,” Morrow Potje says. “We just keep plugging along and building our reputation for quality art.”

The white tents encompass 40,000 square feet of art surrounded by an acre of landscaped sculpture garden featuring outdoor art. Guests can also see woodturning, welding, kiln firings and bronze pouring demonstrations weekly.

“At first, the big white tent was for rain shelter and it was the largest tent west of the Mississippi,” Morrow Potje says. “Now, it provides an intimate setting for visitors to be absorbed by the art surrounding them.”

Artists come from all over the country, and the show features a variety of styles and mediums. Festival organizers provide a basic studio shell and then artists can customize their own studio space.

“You really feel the difference as you go from studio to studio,” Morrow Potje says.

In recent years, there’s been a trend toward more contemporary and abstract

art, but Western and traditional art are still going strong, she says. Several artists have been with the show since the beginning, and artists who get juried are invited to come back the following year. About 15% to 20% of the artists are new to the show.

“It’s a beautiful mix of high-quality art with artists in the top percentile,” Morrow Potje says. “The dynamics and camaraderie of the artists create a rich community that’s supportive and happy for each other.”

Artists are encouraged to create their art in their makeshift studios throughout

the event, providing visitors a close look at how they create their art. Pieces range from canvas art to jewelry, to glass blowing and more. At a previous year’s show, a sculptor brought a large, clay monumental warrior he was working on. It graced the show’s entryway the following year and was later sold to the CEO and founder of Bass Pro Shops for installation at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri.

Special exhibitions and events are held throughout the 10-week Fine Art show, and a cafe is open daily for artists and visitors.

CELEBRATION OF FINE ART BY THE NUMBERS

1.5

million — the number of people from around the world who have attended the Celebration’s recognizable “big white tents” over the past 30 years

40,000 the square footage of the massive, white tents the artists’ work is displayed under during the event

38 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

100

the number of juried artists who converge in Scottsdale to set up their working studio and display their works of art

Attendance has grown dramatically in the past 30 years, with an average annual attendance of more than 50,000 visitors.

According to a recent survey, most out-oftown visitors stay 16 days, more than twice the median stay of the average Scottsdale visitor.

Celebration of Fine Art is also a strong partner in the community, with local fundraisers supporting free arts for abused children.

An Art After Dark event and closing party is held the last Friday of the show. On Fridays during the show, an art discovery

30

the number of years the Celebration of Fine Art has been successful in creating a space for artists and art lovers to connect

series delves more in-depth into a different art topic each week.

“It makes for a lively discussion,” Morrow Potje says. “It’s taking different topics and art and elevating the discussion.”

The Celebration of Fine Art show is geared toward not just art collectors, but those interested in art and even first timers.

“We’re just trying to make it the best ever,” Morrow Potje says. “We want people to walk away energized and enlightened and to experience something that they don’t get to every day.” 

CELEBRATION OF FINE ART 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to Sunday, March 29 Under the white tents at Hayden Road and Loop 101 in Scottsdale $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, children younger than 12 are admitted at no charge. The Celebration of Fine Art ticket is an all-event pass that is good for all 10 weeks celebrateart.com

10

1

the number of weeks the show spans, from January 18 to March 29

the number of art shows in Arizona that provide people from all walks of life the rare opportunity to watch art develop and interact with the artists

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

39

CONEYS for a

Cause

Michigan-themed diner to raise funds for St. Vincent de Paul

D

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

etroit Coney Grill and St. Vincent de Paul are teaming up to raise much-needed funds for the nonprofit.

Dr. Merle Stromer and his wife, Eva, who co-own the restaurant with David Najor, will donate all revenue to St. Vincent de Paul on Thursday, March 12.

“They approached me about two months ago and shared with me they had opened this new restaurant, Detroit Coney Grill,” says Steve Zabilski, St. Vincent de Paul’s executive director.

“They wanted to do a special event for St. Vincent de Paul. When people do these events, they say if you go in and say

St. Vincent de Paul, they’ll give us 10% or 15%. That isn’t the case. They said anyone who comes into Detroit Coney Grill and orders food, all of the revenue will go to St. Vincent de Paul. It’s remarkable that they would do this.”

Zabilski says he hopes “thousands” of people show up that day. After all, he enjoys the coney dogs, hamburgers and tots at the Michigan-themed restaurant.

“The food is delicious,” he says. “The service is terrific. It’s a wonderful place.

We’re promoting it with our volunteers in the community for people to come on out on March 12 and enjoy some great food.”

The Stromers are long-time support-

Detroit Coney Grill recently opened in North Scottsdale with a cadre of Michigan products.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

40 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

ers of St. Vincent de Paul, according to Zabilski.

“We’ve known Dr. Merle Stromer for quite a few years,” Zabilski says. “He and Eva have been wonderful supporters and the largest donors to Turkey Tuesday with Bashas’ around Thanksgiving.

“They come down to our different facilities and volunteer their time. They recently purchased several vehicles for us to use.

They’re wonderful people who want to make the community a better place.”

Stromer says if the fundraiser goes well, he’s going to host another event.

Zabilski has been with St. Vincent de Paul for 23 years. He calls it a “wonderful place” because he gets to meet folks like the Stromers.

On March 12, KTAR will broadcast live from Detroit Coney Grill, and guests can meet the radio personalities.

“It’s going to be a fun day,” Zabilski says.

He is encouraging Detroit Coney Grill guests to bring a can of food, a pair of shoes, clothing or food to donate to St. Vincent de Paul, as its truck will be there.

“We will make sure it gets to people in need,” Zabilski says. “It’s not only an opportunity to have a terrific meal, it’s an opportunity to give back to the community and be supportive of St. Vincent de Paul’s efforts.” 

Detroit Coney Grill 6953 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale 480-597-4300, detroitconeygrill.com

David Najor says his faith in God assures he’ll be successful—and he has with Detroit Coney Grill, which recently opened in Scottsdale. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

ARTS intheAirpark

Scottsdale Arts Festival’s featured artists are local husband-and-wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston. Known as HarmstonArts, Stephen and Bonnie’s art studio is located in the garage of the Chandler home they purchased 34 years ago. (Photo by Chris Mortenson)

Gotta Have

Art

Scottsdale Arts Festival celebrates 50 years

By Kristine Cannon

E

very spring in Scottsdale, the flowers bloom, the Spring Training games are in full swing, and the Scottsdale Arts Festival opens to the public for three days with local art, family-friendly activities and nonstop live music.

This year is particularly special for the festival, which happens Friday, March 13,

42 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

to Sunday, March 15, at the newly renovated 20-acre Scottsdale Civic Center Park.

It’s the Scottsdale Arts Festival’s 50th anniversary.

And to celebrate and commemorate its milestone year, Scottsdale Arts Festival has commissioned longtime attendees and local husband-and-wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston, known collectively as HarmstonArts, to create an original piece of art.

“When they came to us and said, ‘It’s the 50th anniversary, and we want you,’ it really does mean a lot to us because we have a real strong history with this show,” Bonnie says. “Of all the shows we do all across the country over the years, there’s a few shows that we have a real tender spot for, that we always get very excited to go.”

This year’s festival will showcase more

ARTS intheAirpark than 180 jury-selected artists from around the world.

Attendees can experience and purchase works ranging from paintings, sculptures and ceramics to jewelry and photography.

Hands-on family-friendly activities include banana screen printing, a scavenger hunt, all-level yoga sessions, upcycled journal decorating and storytelling with the Scottsdale Public Library.

Festivalgoers can also enjoy live music and other entertainment on two stages by local and regional bands, including jazzbased collective House of Stairs on March 13; Southern California yacht rock band Yachty by Nature, short performances by teen dance groups from local Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale branches, and a silence disco on March 14; and the

Vets Rock Band on March 15.

Other lineup highlights include the Sugar Thieves, Jovert and the Salt River String Band.

“The Scottsdale Arts Festival has been a part of Scottsdale’s DNA for five decades and has continued to bring the best in visual, cultural, performing and culinary arts nestled throughout the beautiful park,” says Jamie Prins, Scottsdale Arts Festival director.

“The festival is Scottsdale’s oldest continuous arts festival and attracts a broad audience, from families and young professionals to retirees and discriminating art buyers,” Prins adds.

The Harmstons have nearly as long a history together as partners and as an artist duo as the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

Scottsdale Arts Festival commissioned HarmstonArts to create an original commissioned artwork celebrating 50 years of the annual southern Scottsdale event. (Photo courtesy HarmstonArts/ Scottsdale Arts Festival)

Bonnie and Stephen met more than 40 years ago at Utah State University; they then purchased and moved into their Chandler home 34 years ago.

“There were six houses out here and nothing but farmland,” Bonnie recalls.

Stephen and Bonnie didn’t stay in the East Valley long, though, moving to Flagstaff and then to Seattle; but they always kept the house, and eventually moved back to Chandler.

“It was probably in ’96 when we officially became HarmstonArts,” Stephen says, adding that this is when he transitioned into a full-time printmaker and they began taking on more art shows.

Now, they do about 20 shows each year.

“We do shows pretty much nonstop, and then we stay home in the winter,” Bonnie says.

The first time the Harmstons attended the Scottsdale Arts Festival was sometime in the early ‘90s. Since, they’ve been featured artists a few times.

“We have a real love for this show,” Bonnie says. “We don’t do very many shows in Arizona, period.”

Stephen adds: “A lot of people do well. It’s just this is not our market, oddly enough. It’s still to us is the best show in the whole state, period. It’s got the best quality of any show in the whole state.”

HarmstonArts also won Best in Show at last year’s Scottsdale Arts Festival, which Bonnie said was “huge” for them.

“We won printmaking awards there in the past, but never in all the years we’ve done the show have we ever won that big of an award there,” she adds.

HarmstonArts is known for its aspensand clouds-focused pieces; the commissioned piece for Scottsdale Arts Festival showcases the latter.

“They wanted the building in it. It was our idea to put the boosts in there,” Stephen says.

Guests can bid on HarmstonArts’ original piece, as well as other items donated by participating exhibiting artists, in the festival’s silent auction from 5 p.m. Friday, March 13, to noon Sunday, March 16.

In addition to the commissioned artwork, the festival and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation has curated a retrospective exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

The retrospective exhibition, located in the ArtReach Space inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, features

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

43

ARTS intheAirpark previous festival items, from photos, merchandise and posters to magazines and newspaper articles.

Other local artists include Roy Wasson Valle and Koryn Woodward Wasson, who will present their “Camp Dreamtree” at the festival for the first time.

Presented by Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, “Camp Dreamtree” is an all-inclusive, interactive installation comprised of three main parts: a visitor center, a fire pit, and four stations/houses with self-guided and artist-led projects to take home.

“Our goal is to continue to offer unique, experiential opportunities that will not only engage and inspire attendees, but (also) encourage a future generation of art buyers and collectors,” Prins says.

As far as food and drinks are concerned, the festival will have plenty of it.

Vendors include popular food trucks and eateries, including 2 Fat Guys Grilled Cheese Truck, Be Crepeful, Biscuit Bombers, Dilla Libre, Eur Haus, Hibachibot, Mustache Pretzels, Paletas Betty, Short Leash Hotdogs, The Maine Lobster Lady and The Pizza Sloth.

Fine wines, beers, cocktails and other beverages, including Milagro Tequila, Boochcraft Hard Kombucha and other featured Hensley Beverage products, will be available for purchase at three bars.

Attendees can also bring their own reusable water bottles and use the city of Scottsdale’s water trailer for refills to stay hydrated.

“The city of Scottsdale has built a reputation as a community that values and supports the arts, and I am very proud that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Arts Festival,” Mayor Jim Lane says.

“As one of our most popular and long-standing events, the Arts Festival showcases some of the most talented artist from across the nation. Our worldclass community appreciates arts and culture, as evidenced by this event’s 50 years of success, and we look forward to further growth under the Scottsdale Arts leadership.”

Throughout the weekend, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) will offer free admission where its new spring exhibitions “Murmuration,” “Design Transfigured/Waste Reimag-

44 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

ined,” and “Unapologetic: All Women, All Year” will be on display.

And on display at Center Space inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is “i hear what you’re seeing.”

The festival attracts nearly 20,000 loyal visitors annually and is a major fundraiser for Scottsdale Arts. Proceeds support the performances, exhibitions, installations and arts education and outreach programs presented by Scottsdale Arts.

“We are proud to continue this legacy for Scottsdale and the surrounding communities. We hope the community will get involved in celebrating the 50th anniversary with us,” Prins says. 

Scottsdale Arts Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15 Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale $12 scottsdaleartsfestival.org

AIRPARK Events

Rodeo Scottsdale general manager Dave Alford says rodeo has a bright future because younger kids are getting into it.

(Photo courtesy Knoodle)

Back in the Saddle Rodeo Scottsdale continues for the 67th year

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

R

odeo is in Dave Alford’s blood. He rode in the late ’60s and early ’70s, until he fell into rodeo production.

Four decades later, he’s producing the Rodeo Scottsdale, which has bucked its way through town for 67 years. This year’s event is Thursday, March 5, to Sunday, March 8, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

“We look forward to the rodeo each year, adding more talent and creating a buckin’ fun weekend for all ages that you won’t forget,” says Alford, Rodeo Scottsdale’s general manager. “Over the past six decades,

the only thing that has changed about the rodeo is the location. We sustain the roots and tradition to keep the rodeo spirit alive.”

Beginning Thursday, March 5, Rodeo Scottsdale’s professional all-bull riding event jumps out of the chute with roping, riding, thrills and spills. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event showcases more than 50 top bull riders competing for their 8 seconds of glory of trying to stay on top of the most highly ranked bulls.

More than 20,000 fans from all over the country will witness more …continues on page 46 MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

45

AIRPARK Events

Rodeo Scottsdale general manager Dave Alford says rodeo is a good American tradition. With hard work and practice, you get results. (Photo courtesy Knoodle)

than 500 contestants competing Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoon for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money. The full, traditional rodeo will have seven events, including roping, barrel racing, bronc and bull riding.

“It’s the rodeo you would have seen in the ’50s and ’60s,” Alford says. “There are not a lot of fireworks and explosions. It’s a good, clean, wholesome, traditional rodeo.”

Other events include the lively Coors Hoedown, which takes place after the rodeo on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and features popular country music for kids of all ages. Country music band Jason Boland and the Stragglers highlights the music scene with a performance on Saturday.

Thursday will feature 50 bull riders, while Friday and Saturday there will be traditional seven events. This is Alford’s 37th year with the rodeo.

“I grew up in Scottsdale,” he says. “I’m one of those rare natives. As a young kid going into it, when I was a teenager, I competed in rodeo.

“My father was on the original committee that started the rodeo in 1953. It’s pretty much in my blood.”

The tradition of rodeo is what keeps him motivated and inspired.

“Rodeo is a good American tradition,” he says. “With hard work and practice, you get results. My kids are all involved. I have five kids and they’re very involved in putting on the rodeo, and now my grandkids are, too.”

He remembers the days when Scottsdale schools excused kids from school early to attend the rodeo.

“When I was a kid in the ’50s and ’60s, they let us out of school early on Fridays to go to the rodeo,” he says. “My sisters and all the girls in school loved it. It was the only day they could wear jeans because

46 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

there was a dress code. It’s changed. There aren’t many people raised in the agricultural world or the rodeo world.”

Nevertheless, the event sells out on Saturday night because the interest is there.

“I see a lot of the younger kids getting into rodeo,” he says. “Some make money at it. They work hard and stay healthy and practice. The future of rodeo is bright.” 

Rodeo Scottsdale Various times Thursday, March 5, to Sunday, March 8 WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale $18 general admission, $5 for children 12 and younger, $45 reserved box seats 480-648-4369, paradadelsol.net

AIRPARK Events Archie Bradley says the city and the Arizona Diamondbacks helped him mature.

(Photo by Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks)

‘Nothing Separates Us’ Archie Bradley tears down the wall between him and the fans

A

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski rizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley doesn’t like this assumed barrier between fans and celebrities.

“The Beard,” as he’s called, would rather mingle.

To give fans the chance to meet him, teammates and other athletes and celebri-

Archie Bradley held his last Archiepalooza at LumberJaxes. (Photo courtesy Archie Bradley)

ties, Bradley is hosting ArchiePalooza 2.0 on Sunday, March 15, in the courtyard of Arizona Boardwalk, formerly known as OdySea in the Desert.

“I understand I’m a pro athlete, but anyone should be able to talk to me and shake my hand,” Bradley says. “I want to be accessible. Nothing separates us. I understand the platform I have. People pay money to come watch us play. You and I both have jobs to do. I just get paid a little more.

“I’m in a position where I have the ability to give back. I realize how blessed I am, and how fortunate and lucky I am.”

Partial proceeds go to the OdySea Aquarium Foundation to help kids visit on field trips.

The other half will be saved for “activations” throughout the year, he says.

“We really try to spread the love,” Bradley says. “Kids are important to me. I want to be a dad one day. We have the ability to improve lives just a little.”

The event is dubbed a “street carnival,” with Bradley’s favorite games and visits by athletes and

celebrities who are in town for Spring Training. In honor of the first ArchiePalooza at LumberJaxes, the competitions will include axe throwing, archery, putt-putt, pop-shot and cornhole. Kids are admitted free.

“Last year’s ArchiePalooza was a great start; an unbelievable event,” he says. “To be able to roll it back to 2.0 is humbling. It’s exciting to give back.”

Often met by chants of “Arch-ie” when he comes in as a reliever, Bradley is aware of the effect he has on the Valley.

“It’s flattering,” he says. “I consider myself very lucky and blessed. My parents helped me grow into the person I am today.

This state helped me grow into the person I am today. I came to this state at 22 years old. I was drafted at 18. I’m talking to you at 27. For almost 10 years, I’ve been a Diamondback. This city, this state, this team contributed in helping me grow up.” 

ArchiePalooza 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 15 Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard, formerly OdySea in the Desert Courtyard, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale $10-$100 archiepalooza.com

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

47

AIRPARK Events

FASHIONISTAS Scottsdale Fashion Week returns this March

Rejoice

By Sara Edwards

S

cottsdale Fashion Week takes over the city with fabrics, designs and high fashion, but it wasn’t always as luxurious.

Before the event was bought out in 2014, Scottsdale Fashion Week was dormant and not quite what it was built up to be.

“It was an event that we felt needed to be resurrected because the name is sexy.

People love fashion in Scottsdale,” says Jamie LeVine of LeVine Entertainment and public relations and CCO for Scottsdale Fashion Week.

To bring back fashion week, LeVine Entertainment paired with Ford/Robert Black Modeling Agency and J Group Media to “bring it back to the forefront and make a big name for itself,” according to LeVine.

“We decided to come together, and with our background of event planning and production, this would be a really amazing event to bring back to the Valley,” she says.

The plan called for transforming it from a traditional runway event in one location to a variety of venues around Scottsdale.

This year it takes place from Thursday, March 26, to Sunday, March 29.

The opening night runway event is at Mercedes Benz of Scottsdale, with Saks 5th Ave showing off its best collections and designs.

It then moves to the W Scottsdale’s Wet Deck, showing off the designs of Akosha Swim from Miami, and Avery Rose Lingerie from L.A. Both will have pop-up shops where guests can buy the looks right off the runway.

The third night’s location will be announced soon. LeVine says it will be at a private residence in Paradise Valley.

Scottsdale Fashion Week concentrates on fashions by household names.

(Photo courtesy Scottsdale Fashion Week)

Previous years, the homes have turned into “a whimsical, backyard runway party.”

“The theme has been different, but we always get a very high-end designer,” she says. “Last year we had Michael Costello, and he actually came out and did a pop-up shop and showed his new collection and it was just incredible.”

The final night takes place in the luxury wing near Dillard’s of Scottsdale Fashion Square with brunch and mimosas for the Crystal Court Brunch Show.

Designers for the final two nights are still being determined, but previous designers include Pena Lush swim, Brie and Nikki Bella’s Birdiebee activewear and alice + olivia. The entertainment part will be announced closer to the start of Fashion Week.

“We incorporate a lot of live entertain-

48 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

ment into our shows because you’re coming for an experience,” LeVine says.

“There’s always something different and exciting and new that keeps the night moving along at a great pace.”

Scottsdale Fashion Week is a little different than the Valley’s other fashion week, as it highlights big-name brands.

“Scottsdale Fashion Week is a different level of designers and fashion shows because it is those household names,” LeVine says. “It’s not your traditional fashion week. It’s very different.” 

Scottsdale Fashion Week Various locations and times Thursday, March 26, to Sunday, March 29 scottsdalefashionweek.com

N O N E AS SE

TV

FOOD & WINE

conscious nutrition can go hand in hand.

For those who may not know, the nowmassive brand was actually founded by Dr. Andrew Weil as a means to give people the chance to eat food that makes them feel good and well. Its menu is developed using ingredients known for not only their antioxidants but for their antiinflammatory properties. Yet, somehow, every dish is bursting with flavor, and—in some cases—even decadence. truefoodkitchen.com

Samantha Sanz

Last year was a big one for Sanz, chef de cuisine at Talavera at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North, as she was nominated for the James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year Award, one of the culinary world’s most prestigious

Airpark eateries and chefs take small screen by storm

R

By Alison Bailin Batz

ecently, Food Network correspondent Dave Tyda feted the local restaurant scene with a glowing guide to the best venues across Scottsdale. Among them were the Airpark’s Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, Postino, Zinc Bistro, The Mission and Hush Public House.

In addition to this most recent acclaim, chefs and restaurants across the Airpark

have been getting featured more on the small screen. Here’s a look at just some of the local culinary creators and extraordinary eateries that have been showcased in recent years:

True Food Kitchen

Kierland’s titan of clean eating has become a media darling in the past five years, appearing on “Extra,” CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and “Power Lunch,” “NBC National News” and even on Cheddar TV. That’s in addition to their print acclaim v i a F a s t C o m p a n y, Forbes and Delish, among others. True At True Food, the dishes Food Kitchen believes taste as good as they delicious dining and look—and they look this

Samantha Sanz not only appeared on “Chopped,” but was recognized by the James Beard Foundation for her work at Talavera. (Photo courtesy Four Seasons)

honors. But even before that, Sanz put her skills to the test in front of the judges at “Chopped” on the Food Network in 2018. Her passion for food began as a child in her native Mexico, where she ran through the kitchen of her family’s restaurant, tasting along the way. After culinary school, she worked her way up with positions at Elements and Virtu. At only 27 in 2015, Sanz took the helm at Talavera with an eye to bring contemporary Spanish flavors to the masses. Her menus, featuring paella, dry-aged steak, jamón ibérico and a flavorful selection of tapas,

good. (Photo courtesy True Food Kitchen)

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

49

FOOD & WINE

Forget Arby’s, because Liberty Station really “has the meats.”

(Photo by Joanie Simon)

are quickly becoming the stuff of legend. talaverarestaurant.com

Liberty Station Tavern

On the Food Network’s “Piggin’ Out on Pork,” each episode featured pit masters from across the United States to talk all things pork. In episode three of the first season, they visited North Scottsdale’s Liberty Station to taste the pulled-pork bucatini, tavern burger and other entrees. The venue is a special one, as it boasts a custom-made, 500-gallon Camelback Smoker, one of a select few in the region. On it, Texas-style brisket, prime rib, chicken wings, Carolina pork shoulder and St. Louis spare ribs are slow-smoked and served daily with traditional barbecue sides like honey butter cornbread, Boston baked beans, coleslaw, and green chile mac and cheese. libertystationtavern.com

petitions. Perhaps the only show with more gravitas is “Top Chef Masters,” a competition similar to the Emmy-winning original show, but with worldRichard Sandoval’s La Hacienda has helped establish the renowned chefs competFairmont Scottsdale Princess as among the pre-eminent dining destinations in the Southwest. (Photo by La Hacienda) ing on behalf of charitable causes instead of up-andcoming chefs looking to who would not otherwise have the make a global name for themselves. On opportunity for careers in the hospitalseason five, Richard Sandoval competed ity industry. In the Airpark, Sandoval on the show to raise awareness and funds founded the award-winning La Hacienda for the Careers Through Culinary Arts at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and Program, which helps prepare students recent Food Network darling Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar. scottsdaleprincess.com

Matt Carter

Sweet Republic

Those who know food know the name Alton Brown. Not only did he create one of the shows that put the Food Network on the map, “Good Eats,” but in the years since, he has lent his talents to “Iron Chef America,” “Worst Chefs in America,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “The Next Food Network Star” and “The Layover with Anthony Bourdain.” And in all of those years, eating all over the world, when he appeared on season five of the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” he chose Scottsdale’s Sweet Republic as his choice for the singular best ice cream.

His favorite was the Toffee Banofi Sundae. sweetrepublic.com

Richard Sandoval

Bravo’s critically acclaimed “Top Chef” is widely considered the gold standard when it comes to cooking com-

Matt Carter’s Zinc Bistro and The Mission have been featured on multiple television shows over the past decade. (Photo by Mike Mertz)

50 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

We list Chef Matt Carter here rather than his venues—which include Zinc Bistro, The Mission and Fat Ox—because all of them have been featured by the Food Network! Our favorite was when his French onion soup at Zinc Bistro was profiled on season two of “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” by fellow local chef Beau McMillian.

A Scottsdale native who trained in France, Carter’s goal has been to put the Valley on the culinary map since 1992, when he took his first professional cooking position locally under chef Christopher Gross. And though Zinc’s French, The Mission’s Latin and Fat Ox’s Italian menus seem opposite, Carter’s approach to each—simple, locally sourced ingredients, expertly prepared and artistically plated—has helped him achieve his culinary map dream, with TV appearances littered in along the way. chefmattcarter.com 

Love

FOOD & WINE

Made with

Ashur and Nikki Zai co-founded Agapi Pita Mediterranean Grill in the Scottsdale Airpark.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

Scottsdale Airpark is enamored with Agapi Pita

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

A

shur Zai’s dream was to open a restaurant.

So, when he married his wife, Nikki, in May 2018, the two embarked on a culinary journey with Agapi The chicken shawarma ($10.50) comes Pita Mediterranean with marinated dark and white chicken, Grill in Scottsdale. served with rice, pita bread, tomatoes, “We love this kind of food and onions and Tzatziki sauce. Steak can be we hope others do as well,” Nikki added for $3.50. (Photo by Pablo Robles) says. “Ashur always wants to add gyros. The chicken shawarma more to the menu. I have to tell ($10.50) comes with marinated him to slow down. He has so many dark and white chicken, served recipes. He does it out of love. He with rice, pita bread, tomatoes, loves to cook.” onions and Tzatziki sauce. Steak “Love” is the operative word The salmon Greek salad is a healthy can be added for $3.50. here, as “agapi” is Greek for “love.” alternative. (Photo by Pablo Robles) The steak plate is marinated “When you do it from love, beef, broiled on a vertical everything turns out good,” she skewer, thinly sliced and served with rice, says. “I think it’s the energy. Every pita bread, tomatoes, onions and Tzatziki sauce for $10.75. day we’re getting return customers.”

The Glendale couple have won over the Scottsdale Airpark Chicken can be added for $3.50.

Gyros, pork, salmon, steak and hummus, and chicken and businesses with their steak and chicken shawarma and their MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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FOOD & WINE

The cozy confines of Agapi Pita Mediterranean Grill are part of its charm.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

The vegetarian platter ($10.25) comes with two pitas. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

The steak and chicken plate is one of the most popular dishes at Agapi Pita Mediterranean Grill.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

hummus plates are available, too, for $10.50 to $12.75.

Nikki hails from Chicago, while Ashur, who is Syrian, moved here from Sweden. Nikki’s Windy City influence comes through via pizza puffs ($7 for two). The pastries are filled with pork sausage, mozzarella and pizza sauce.

Ashur puts a Mexican spin on hummus by adding cilantro and jalapeno ($5.25, includes two pitas). The hummus is house-blended chickpeas, tahini olive oil, fresh garlic and lemon juice.

Traditional hummus is available, too, as is baba ghanouj (eggplant). Lentil soup ($3.50), dolmas ($5.50), vegetarian platter

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($10.25) and falafel and hummus ($9.75) round out the appetizers.

Salads—Greek, Mediterranean and Caesar—are available with or without protein. Unsure about Mediterranean food? There are chicken tenders, fish and chips and hamburgers on the menu, too.

Ashur makes everything from scratch with natural ingredients without MSG or chemicals. He keeps a keen eye on what customers order and what they toss because, perhaps, they didn’t care for the dish.

“I try to find what’s going on,” he says.

“I’m very observant with customers.”

Food has a heavy hand in both of their

Ashur Zai enjoys talking to his customers, as it helps improve his English.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

lives. Ashur ’s family cooked together, while Nikki’s brother owns restaurants around the Valley, including Olive Mediterranean in Phoenix and Pita Heaven in Chandler. He helped the couple start Agapi Pita Mediterranean Grill.

“He helped us with the back-end stuff,” says Nikki, whose father cooked in

private residences in his home country of Iraq. “All the recipes are my husband’s, though.”

The Scottsdale Airpark location was perfect for them, as Nikki’s sister has a salon in the same shopping center. The location is a former hot dog restaurant.

Agapi Pita Mediterranean Grill has

Catholic Community Foundation ring Featu artin is M Curt OCUS of F ries t Minis

FOOD & WINE

proven the couple can be successful, but there’s another benefit.

“It helps with his English,” Nikki says with a smile. “He speaks pretty good for only moving here in 2016.”

Ashur adds, “When I moved here, it was very hard for me. I wanted to find a good wife and family. It’s hard to move to a new country and start with zero. I was very, very upset with my life when I moved here—then I met Nikki.”

The Zais help each other accomplish their dreams.

“His dream was to open a restaurant, and when we moved in, we couldn’t believe it was ours,” Nikki says. “It was so surreal. I wanted him to just pinch me. He was very excited, and for both of us it’s been a new adventure.” 

Agapi Pita Mediterranean Grill 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 130, Scottsdale 480-626-9224, agapipita.com, agapifood@gmail.com

32nd Annual

Join Event Chairs

Jill & Brian O’Sullivan

on SATURDAY, APRIL 25th 2020 Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch

For ticket and sponsorship information, please visit ccfphx.org/crozier-gala or contact Chrissy Pate at 480.651.8806 or cpate@ccfphx.org

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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FOOD & WINE

One Big Breakfast Matt Pool brings his fresh eats to North Scottsdale

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By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski att Pool has always had his hand in the restaurant business. He worked his way through ASU by delivering room service at the Phoenix Airport Hilton.

Naturally, he met his wife, Erenia, at a restaurant. But when he and Erenia were working opposite shifts, they bet on Pool’s whim—opening his own place in a red brick building he happened to drive by in Downtown Phoenix.

“When our child (Christopher) was 2, we thought we needed to get a new career,” Pool

Matt Pool opened Matt’s Big Breakfast so he and his wife could spend more time together. (Photo by Andrew Cebulka)

recalls. “I was working nights and she was working days. It wasn’t conducive to family life. I missed his first two Halloweens.”

Matt’s Big Breakfast has been a breakfast, lunch and brunch staple since 2004, when Pool set up shop in Phoenix. He has since expanded his operation to additional cities and states. He owes his success to his opposition to microwaves and freezers.

“I tell people I think we have great food, great ingredients and we make everything from scratch,” Pool says. “People come to breakfast for different reasons—our service, we’re friendly. We built our business by word of mouth. For the most part, we built our customer base one customer at a time.”

Recently, Pool opened a location near the Scottsdale Airpark at 13610 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 1.

“We’ve been open for more than 15 years,” he says. “We’ve had people come to our other restaurants from Carefree and Cave Creek, and they always asked us to someday open a North Scottsdale restaurant.

We don’t really grow that fast, but we had it in the back of our heads.

“We just needed the right space and the right neighborhood. We like that area because it’s nice to be next to commercial areas. That area has tons of neighborhoods, 360 degrees. We’re a family business. So far, it’s worked out.”

Like Pool’s other locations, guests flock to Matt’s Big Breakfast for its bacon, which he purchases from The Pork Shop

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The Chop & Chick features two eggs and a skillet-seared Iowa pork rib chop and served with toast and a choice of potatoes. (Photo courtesy Matt’s Big Breakfast)

in San Tan Valley.

“They make amazing bacon,” says Pool, 51. “That’s been our staple item. Next we’re known for our griddle cakes or waffles.

We make them from scratch. We don’t use a mixer or mix. It’s a simple recipe—flour, real butter, milk and sugar and we whisk it by hand.”

Next up are stores at 75th Avenue and Rose Garden Lane in Glendale, and in a year and a half Matt’s Big Breakfast will open its doors in Epicenter, Joe Johnston’s latest endeavor at Higley and Ray roads in Gilbert.

“We’re really excited about that,” Pool says. “It’s an underserved market. There are so many people who live out there. There are more restaurants than there used to be, but it can’t catch up.”

Pool is grateful to have spent the last 18 years with his son on his terms. They have plenty of time to catch up.

“It was really nice to be in control of our own schedule throughout our child’s life,” he says. “We were busier when we were smaller because we had less help. We never missed a thing, though—anything school related or extracurricular related. It was perfect.” 

Matt’s Big Breakfast 13610 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 1, Scottsdale 480-590-0096, mattsbigbreakfast.com

FOOD & WINE

James Beard Award-winning chef and northern Scottsdale resident Alex Stratta will open his new restaurant in mid-April in Scottsdale near Hayden Road and Via de Ventura.

(Photo by Debby Wolvos)

Stratta Lifestyle Kitchen New restaurant will aim for good health

L

By Kristine Cannon ocal chef Alex Stratta may be a James Beard Award-winning chef with two Michelin Stars and have a resume boasting experience at top-tier restaurants in Las Vegas and Arizona like Renoir at The Mirage and The Phoenician Resort, respectively—but it’s his new restaurant, Stratta Lifestyle Kitchen, that he considers his most personal feat.

Slated to open in mid-April, the restaurant embraces the necessary lifestyle change that helped Stratta not only lose more than 100 pounds but also overcome colon cancer.

“I call it Strata Lifestyle Kitchen because it’s the lifestyle change that needed to happen, not only the diet, but just about taking care of yourself,” says Stratta, a North Scottsdale resident of four years.

While living in Las Vegas for 15 years, Stratta maintained an unhealthy lifestyle.

In 2009, when his children were born, he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

“Luckily, I had it all removed very

quickly, but I was about almost 300 pounds at the time. I was just unhealthy, and I didn’t feel good about anything,” Stratta recalls. “So, I started by taking care of myself by starting to curb all of my bad lifestyle habits.”

Located near Hayden Road and Via de Ventura, Stratta Lifestyle Kitchen is described as a “fast-casual healthy wholefood dining” spot with a vibrant menu boasting natural and fresh ingredients.

The Mediterranean-focused restaurant’s menu is largely inspired by the foods Stratta himself ate to get his health back.

“The way I cook, which is inherently Mediterranean, is just a natural healthy way to eat,” Stratta says.

“It has a lot of benefits, so that kind of transmuted into a restaurant concept that I felt was very strong and very much to my heart and very relevant in the sense of people trying to find that magic bullet of a special diet.”

In short, the Mediterranean diet is a primarily plant-based plan that empha-

sizes healthy fats, like olive oil, as well as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and other legumes, nuts, herbs and spices.

Foods with animal proteins—preferably fish—are eaten in smaller quantities at least twice weekly.

Research shows that the Mediterranean diet is effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

For instance, a study published by JAMA Network Open in 2018 showed that nearly 26,000 women who followed the Mediterranean diet had 25% less risk of developing cardiovascular disease over 12 years.

Other benefits include reduced risk of stroke in people with diabetes or other risk factors for heart disease and weight loss, among others.

The Stratta menu is composed of six sections: shareable plates, grains, greens, “the goods” or protein, sauces and sweets.

“We’re trying to make it more customized to the guests,” Stratta says, describing the menu as “well-curated, thoughtful and healthy.”

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FOOD & WINE

The customizable menu allows patrons to mix and match the proteins and sauces in their grain- or greens-based dish.

“When you get your order of the greens or the grains, we’re going to toss them lightly in very high-quality olive oil. And then you get to choose whatever sauce, and it’s up to you to see how much you want to put on there. Most of the caloric intake is going to probably be in that dressing,” Stratta says.

The selection of sauces allows patrons to choose their own flavor experience.

“It’s about how you want to carry the flavors of your dish,” Stratta says.

“For example, you could have a bowl of romaine lettuce and you could put every one of these sauces on it and you’re going to get a different experience, whether it’s a spicy experience or a sweet or a tangy or sharp experience.

“Harissa and pesto chimichurri look the same, but one transports you to Italy and the other one transports you to Mexico.”

Stratta stresses, however, that all of the sauces are oil based.

Prices range from $6.50 for sweets, like goat cheese panna cotta with berries, to $11.50 for a grains-based bowl with an added $7 to $11 for guests’ optional choice of protein, which include strip steak, salmon, mushrooms and more.

“They’re not huge portions,” Stratta says, “but they’re really nice portions of meat or fish. We’re going to give you a nice 4-ounce portion of protein, which is essentially what is suggested—4 ounces of whatever protein per meal.”

He said he’s serving high-end food for reasonable prices.

“I’m trying to pare down my experience to just the quality of the ingredients and the execution of the food and making it a very seamless, no-bells-and-whistles approach to having a great bowl of food or having a great plate of food,” he says.

“I’ve taken away all those superfluous parts that make fine dining.”

Stratta describes the restaurant as more fast casual—one that fits people who live a more on-the-go lifestyle.

“Most people no longer have an extended amount of time to sit there and eat a full meal—especially for dinner, and definitely for lunch,” Stratta says.

Stratta had the idea for the restaurant for years but didn’t pull the trigger until October.

The restaurant, which Stratta describes as “light, airy and open,” will replace The Melting Pot’s Scottsdale location, which closed after 22 years last September.

Stratta will participate in a dinner event June 28 called Too Many Cooks alongside

other notable local chefs, including Chris Bianco, Charleen Badman, Matt Carter, Tracy Dempsey, Beau MacMillan and others.

The dinner, which features 16 local chefs and will take place at Mountain Shadows, is a tribute to Barbara Fenzl, the mentee of Julia Child and owner of Les Gourmettes Cooking School, and will benefit the Jacques Pépin Foundation.

The Rhode Island-based foundation offers those who were previously incarcerated or homeless or struggled with substance abuse free culinary and life skills training through community-based organizations.

“I’ve worked with Barbara Fenzl for a long time. I did a lot of her classes when I first moved out here back in like ‘89 and ‘90. She invited me, and I’ve been doing them ever since, even when I was in Vegas,” Stratta says. “She’s a dear friend of mine, so anything I can do to help.”

More information will be announced at a later date.

“Everybody’s done her classes at least two or three times, everybody from Vincent (Guerithault) to Christopher (Gross). It’s really a great honor to be part of it because she deserves every bit of it.”

Information: strattalifestylekitchen. com 

A TABLE FOR TWO?

Phind it 56 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

FOOD & WINE

What’s Cooking?

with JAN D’ATRI

Soft Cinnamon Roll Cookies

S

imply irresistible. That’s about the only way to describe this cookie. It’s kind of like the favorite cousin to the cinnamon roll. In fact, these soft cinnamon roll cookies have all of the same flavors, but a lot less dough.

Try them with either the simple glaze or cream cheese frosting! 

Soft Cinnamon Roll Cookies For the cookie dough Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons butter-flavored Crisco shortening 1 large egg 1/4 cup buttermilk (*See note in directions to make homemade buttermilk) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon salt For the cinnamon sugar Ingredients: 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons butter, melted For the cream cheese frosting Ingredients: 2 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 to 3 teaspoons milk, or more for thinner consistency

For the alternate glaze Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 to 3 tablespoons milk (may need more to thin out glaze enough to drizzle) Directions: For the cookie dough, cream together sugar, butter and shortening.

Add egg, buttermilk and vanilla, mixing well to combine.

Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, mixing well until soft dough forms. Place dough in a plastic bag, flatten and freeze for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Set aside.

When dough is firm, combine 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.

Generously flour a work surface. (If you don’t have powdered sugar, just use flour.) Working quickly, remove dough from bag and roll out into a 12-by-9 rectangle about 1/4-inch thick with a floured rolling pin. Brush the surface of dough with melted butter.

Sprinkle brown sugar cinnamon mixture over dough and press down slightly. Flour your hands and then quickly roll dough lengthwise into a tight log.

Wrap log up in plastic wrap; twist the edges to seal and place on a tray.

Freeze for 30 minutes or until the roll is firm enough to cut into pinwheel slices 1/2-inch thick.

Place cookies on parchment paper or silicone mat about 2 inches apart. Return to fridge for 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Cookies should be slightly underdone. While cookies are baking, make the cream cheese frosting or the sugar glaze.

For the cream cheese frosting, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk.

For the glaze, mix together powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency is achieved. When cookies are done and still warm, spread either the cream cheese frosting over cookies or drizzle with glaze.

Place cookies in an airtight container to store.

Note: * To make homemade buttermilk, combine 1/3 cup milk and 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice.

Stir for 10 seconds then let sit for 15 minutes.

Watch my how-to video for soft cinnamon roll cookies here: http://jandatri.com/jans-recipe/one-minutekitchen/softcinnamonrollcookies

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FOOD & WINE

The White Stuff Finding the best white wine partner

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By Alison Bailin Batz ust as we tend to describe ourselves as either “cat people” or “dog people,” we tend to describe ourselves as “white wine people” or “red wine people.” Red wine drinkers seem adverse to trying white wines, likely due to sipping on a super-sweet wine cooler or too-buttery, cheap chardonnay in college.

But, this spring—perhaps while enjoying spring’s perfect patio weather—why not give a few white varietals a chance?

Or, if already a “white wine person,” why not give a new type a chance? Here is a guide to some of most popular white wines.

Pinot grigio

Light, crisp and vibrant on the palate, pinot grigio is an easydrinking wine that some find hints of apple and even lemon upon tasting.

The winemaking process here derived from Italy, where they still make it with a little more acid than in the United States. Stateside, expect more fruit flavor and less acidity, but certainly not full-on sweetness. For the best of both worlds in a pinot grigio, don’t miss the 2018 Prophecy Italian Pinot Grigio ($14). It has delightful aromas of white flowers and almond before giving way to layered notes of fresh-picked apricot and that pinot-perfect green apple flavor.

Technically, pinot gris is pinot grigio. Well, sort of. Despite the slightly different names, pinot grigio and pinot gris are the same grape, with pinot grigio being what it is called in Italy, and pinot gris is what the French dub it. In the United States, the name is often used interchangeably, though there are subtle differences, including a richer and bit more tropical flavor to pinor gris. Try the 2018 J Vineyards California Pinot Gris ($20) if looking to taste it right. Ripe apricot, stone fruit and white peach are the stars here, before giving way to a touch of honeysuckle on the finish.

Sauvignon blanc

Known for its distinct and delightful acidic bite, depending on where it is from, sauvignon blanc generally tastes of zest and minerals (especially in the Old World) or grassy and with tropical notes (New World). The 2018 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc ($14) from the New World region of New Zealand (arguably the top region of sauvignon blanc today) can make a fan of almost any wine drinker with its smooth grapefruit, lemongrass and pear flavors.

If spring came in a glass, it would be this wine.

Chardonnay

People generally really love or really hate chardonnay.

And people who love it are generally talking about what you’ve likely heard described as buttery—or oaky—chardonnay. But, chardonnay actually falls into two general classes. Certainly, there is the buttery one, which is a result of something called malolactic fermentation and/ or being aged in oak barrels.

And there are several heavenly options—the creamy, dreamy 2017 Chalk Hill Chardonnay Felta ($75) comes to mind—if you want to go this way. But, there is also “the other” kind of chardonnay, which can have little to no oak or butter. The 2017 Talbott Vineyards Kali Hart Chardonnay ($26), for example, is fruit forward and luscious with vanilla followed

by pear, pineapple, tangerine and ripe melon on the palate.

S i m i l a r l y, G re g N o r m a n Estates Santa Barbara Chardonnay ($13.99) is refreshing and crisp, with a citrus aroma punctuated by lemon zest and followed up with flavors of guava, pear and nectarine.

FOOD & WINE

Pinot gris

Viognier

L i k e c h a rd o n n a y, t h e viognier grape can be either full-bodied or light depending on the vineyard and winemaking process. Both types have the signature of viognier, however—the aroma. Truly one of the most aromatic wines of any type, viognier smells of a bouquet of fresh flowers, almost to the point where you will think it’s fake. Rest assured, the fragrant blossoms are a natural byproduct of this often-underappreciated varietal. Many, like the 2018 Starlite Sonoma County Viognier ($50), follow the floral notes with orange blossoms, honeysuckle and even peaches before finishing perfectly crisp.

Riesling

Wait, before you skip past this section: Not all Rieslings are sweet! The fragrant, floral Riesling grape is sometimes made into a sweet, almostdessert wine. However, many winemakers also use the grape to develop bright, light, crisp white wine as well. Case in point: the 2017 DeLoach Marin Reisling, which is aged in a concrete vessel to bring out minerality along with white peach and a hint of lime in every sip.

I f s e e k i n g e v e n m o re daring—and less common— whites, look into chenin blanc, fume blanc, pinot blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, albariño or even gewürztraminer.  MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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REMEMBER When The Baltimore Orioles were big news in 1956, as they inaugurated Scottsdale’s Spring Training tradition at the then-new Scottsdale Ballpark. (Photo courtesy Scottsdale Progress)

65

REASONS TO LOVE Scottsdale Stadium history

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magine a group of men enjoying lunch at the Pink Pony in spring 1955. Bar room bantering, they challenged Baltimore Orioles manager Paul Richards to bring his team to Scottsdale for Cactus League Spring Training. He challenged them right back, saying, “If you build a ballpark, I’ll think about it.” Within weeks the Scottsdale Baseball Club formed, presales of then-nonexistent seats began and a site was selected.

The ballpark was finished for a November exhibition game featuring Major League Baseball stars. And, true to his word, Richards brought the Orioles here in 1956 for the inaugural Spring Training season in Scottsdale.

The rest, as they say, is Scottsdale Stadium history!

By Joan Fudala

As Spring Training baseball in Scottsdale marks its 65th season, and Scottsdale Stadium unveils major upgrades, here are just 65 reasons to love our ballpark’s history: 1. Ground was broken for the 3,000-seat Scottsdale ballpark on June 20, 1955. Construction cost was $72,000, paid by preselling seats, negotiating contractor dispensations, a donation from the Civic Coordinating Council and personal loans by members of the Scottsdale Baseball Club.

2. The Baltimore Orioles became the first team to hold Spring Training in Scottsdale.

Arizona Gov. Ernest McFarland threw out the first pitch at opening day, March 9, 1956, and the Orioles beat the Chicago Cubs.

Scottsdale High School’s Beaver Builders

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club served as ushers; local banks furnished ticket sellers; the all-volunteer Scottsdale Baseball Club were the overall coordinators.

The Mutual Network radio broadcast the game to Baltimore and Chicago, interviewing Orioles manager Paul Richards, Orioles announcer Ernie Harwell and Scottsdale Baseball Club President Bill Weirich. The Scottsdale VFW Post 3515 presented a flag for the new ballpark.

3. In 1956, box seats were $2.50, reserved seats $1.75 and general admission $1, with children and students admitted for 50 cents.

4. After Spring Training, the ballpark was used by the Scottsdale Blues men’s baseball team. Arizona’s Official Historian Marshall Trimble often speaks of his time as a member

REMEMBER When

The Boston Red Sox held Spring Training at Scottsdale’s ballpark from 1959 through 1965, featuring the “Splendid Splinter” Ted Williams, far right. (Photo courtesy Scottsdale Historical Society)

of the Glendale Grays team, playing against the Blues in the then-new Scottsdale ballpark, and proud to play on the same turf as the Orioles.

5. During the 1950s and 1960s, Post 44 of the American Legion or the Scottsdale Jaycees hosted Fourth of July fireworks at the ballpark.

6. The Orioles returned to Scottsdale for their 1957 and 1958 seasons before moving back to Florida’s Grapefruit League. The local Orioles Booster Club hosted players and staff at a

buffet supper at the ballpark prior to the first game; Dizzy Dean threw out the first ball at the home opener, according to headlines in the March 8, 1957, Scottsdale Progress.

7. Brooks Robinson began his 23-year tenure with the Orioles here. George Zuverink was also a popular player.

8. The complex was aptly named Oriole Apartments.

9. Team members often stayed at the Safari Hotel or Hotel Valley Ho. 10. The Boston Red Sox replaced the Orioles

The Chicago Cubs were the Scottsdale ballpark’s resident spring team between 1967 and 1978. (Photo courtesy Scottsdale Historical Society)

as Scottsdale’s Spring Training team in 1959, staying through the 1965 spring season. Ted Williams played his last two seasons here, and Carl Yastrzemski debuted. The Cactus League was comprised at the time of only four teams: the BoSox, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.

11. In 1960, the town of Scottsdale entered into a lease/purchase agreement on the nonprofit Civic Coordinating Council’s 27 acres of land where the ballpark was located, and entered into an agreement with the Scottsdale Baseball Club. The town, and later the city, made the ballpark bond payments until 1970, and maintained the ballpark’s grounds and facilities.

12. From 1960 until the 1980s, the municipal swimming pool was located just north of the ballpark; the Scottsdale Jaycees rodeo ground (1959-1984) was northwest of the field.

13. While the BoSox were the resident spring team, a rising star was pitching for nearby Scottsdale High School—Jim Palmer. Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles after his SHS graduation in 1963, Palmer earned three Cy Young Awards and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

14. At the urging of the aging members of the Baseball Club, a new, younger group of businessmen formed in 1961 to support and promote sports in Scottsdale: the Scottsdale Charros. One of their first hands-on ballpark projects was to paint the entire facility one

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REMEMBER When Linda Smith-Maughan, CPM®, Designated Broker Linda@LosArcosRealty.net

SCOTTSDALE OFFICE FOR LEASE

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The Oakland A’s called Scottsdale Stadium home, 1979-1981. (Photo courtesy Scottsdale Historical Society)

Saturday in February 1962.

15. The Charros formally assumed responsibility for hosting Spring Training in late 1964, signing a contract with the city of Scottsdale, which now owned the ballpark.

16. During the first decade of Spring Training at Scottsdale’s ballpark, the teams and their families were big-time celebrities as soon as they arrived. Scottsdale Charros met the team as they landed at Sky Harbor Airport and feted them throughout their stay. Local ladies hosted team wives for fashion shows and shopping trips. Locals even babysat children of visiting team members.

17. In October 1964, the Los Angeles Angels used the ballpark for a fall instructional league.

18. December 1964 was a low period for Scottsdale’s ballpark. First, the Boston Red Sox announced they were moving their spring games to Florida after the 1965 season, then there were several fires blamed on vandalism at the ballpark.

19. While the Scottsdale Charros and the city were scouting a new Spring Training team, the 1966 spring season came and went without a Major League team in residence. The University of Michigan baseball team, however, held its Spring Training at the Scottsdale ballpark, and the Chicago Cubs held fall instructional league play in Scottsdale.

20. Scottsdale and the Charros welcomed the Chicago Cubs as the ballpark’s new spring residents in March 1967. California Gov. Ronald Reagan attended a game that year, as did his mother-in-law Edith Davis. Cubs manager Leo Durocher and players like Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams drew big crowds to the expanded 4,200-seat ballpark.

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21. In addition to Scottsdale’s ballpark, the Cubs used an auxiliary facility at Eldorado Park until 1978, when a practice facility at Indian School Park was built.

22. The Charros operated out of a mobile home-style trailer on the ballpark grounds, where they counted the cash from game-day ticket sales. Teams had a rule that they had to be paid their percentage of ticket sales by the fourth inning or the game would not proceed.

Before high-tech communications, hand signals were used to confirm that payment had been received—from team secretary at the trailer, up to a team rep in the press box, then down to the team manager on the field.

Play ball!

23. During the Cubs’ inaugural season at Scottsdale’s ballpark, members of the Baptist Hospital of Scottsdale—located across Ballpark Plaza (now Drinkwater Boulevard)— began parking cars at games. Donations from parkers helped the auxiliary pay for hospital equipment and patient amenities. The auxiliary—now part of HonorHealth—has continued a long and productive relationship with the Charros, Scottsdale Stadium and baseball fans.

24. Classic car buffs Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson staged the “Fiesta de los Auto Elegantes” vintage car show at the Scottsdale ballpark in 1967 to raise money to buy books for the new Scottsdale Civic Center Library (under construction) and art for a planned arts center. The two families continued to host the charity show for several years, which was the beginning of the now world-renowned Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.

25. When the featured speaker for the annual Scottsdale Baseball Lunch hadn’t shown up,

REMEMBER When former Mayor and Scottsdale Charro Bill Schrader had to fetch Cubs manager Leo Durocher from the ballpark, where he was preoccupied with a team workout.

Durocher arrived at the Safari Resort lunch as he was, cleats and all.

26. By the 1970s, the wooden ballpark was deteriorating, and the Cubs complained about its condition. There was talk about relocating the ballpark; a site in Paradise Valley that was part of McCormick Park on Scottsdale Road was one suggestion. It was decided that the original, downtown location was best, and improvements would be made to the existing structure and grounds, partially funded by a voter approved “bed tax” enacted in 1977.

27. Despite the pending ballpark improvements, the Cubs opted to move to Mesa after their 1978 spring season.

Charlie Finley’s Oakland A’s quickly stepped in as a spring replacement in 1979, staying for three March seasons.

28. The San Francisco Giants and the Scottsdale Charros announced in spring 1979 that the Giants would move to Scottsdale, beginning in March 1982.

29. Just a few of the favorite Giants here over the years: Willie Mays, Dusty Baker, Matt Williams, Barry Bonds, Tim Lincecum, Jake Peavy and new D-back Madison Bumgarner.

30. Spring Training 1989 at Scottsdale’s ballpark launched a winning season for the Giants that culminated in a Bay Area World Series, pitting the Giants against the Oakland

The San Francisco Giants have been Scottsdale Stadium’s home team since 1982, giving fans three World Series teams and a great view of Camelback Mountain. (Photo by Joan Fudala)

The Scottsdale Scorpions of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Fall League began its run at Scottsdale Stadium in 1993; this photo shows the 2015 Fall League Championship game.

(Photo by Joan Fudala)

A’s. During game three at Candlestick Park, the San Francisco area was rocked by the Loma Prieta earthquake.

31. The Giants loved Scottsdale, but not the aging ballpark. The mayor’s baseball committee and the Charros recommended a complete rebuild. Bond funding for a new $8.4 million multipurpose stadium was placed before Scottsdale voters in November 1989. One of 12 bond proposition on the ballot, the stadium issue passed with a 70% approval.

32. During the 1991 Giants’ spring season, many commemorative events celebrated the final season of the 1955-vintage ballpark, including an old-timers game featuring stars of the five Major League Baseball times who had played Spring Training here, and an

auction of ballpark memorabilia benefiting charities.

33. After the final 1991 spring game, the ballpark was demolished, and a state-of-the-art, 10,000-seat, brick multiuse stadium rose in its historic place. Scottsdale Stadium opened February 29, 1992, with a public open house and San Francisco Giants Spring Training. For the first time, lights were added so that teams could finally play night games in Scottsdale.

34. In conjunction with the complete redo of the stadium, the additional practice fields at Club SAR/Indian School Park were renovated.

35. The Pacific Coast League’s Phoenix Firebirds moved from Phoenix Municipal Stadium to Scottsdale’s new stadium in April 1992, playing throughout the summer season. The team moved to Fresno in 1998 and became the Fresno Grizzlies. Their Firebird mascot was popular at civic events; the team organist, Bobby Freeman, became the organist for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

36. Major League Baseball’s Arizona Fall League’s Scottsdale Scorpions began play in October 1993 at Scottsdale Stadium.

Basketball great Michael Jordan, trying his hand at playing baseball for the Birmingham Barons, played for the Scottsdale Scorpions in 1995 Fall League games. Next time you’re at the stadium, stop by the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame display in the concourse and marvel at all of the All-Stars who have played in the Fall League.

37. Among the nonbaseball events at the stadium during the 1990s: dance performances during the 1993 America-Japan Week, Scottsdale Symphony concerts, and

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REMEMBER When delivery of the mail and a Super Bowl XXX game ball by the Hashknife Pony Express in January 1996.

38. One particularly poignant event took place at Scottsdale Stadium on September 13, 2001: a communitywide candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

39. To keep pace with the times, and a much larger Cactus League that was comprised of 15 major league teams by 2011, Scottsdale Stadium underwent a $23 million renovation in 2006. A practice field was co-located just east of the stadium. The Charro Lodge entertainment deck was added beyond the outfield.

40. The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2012 and 2014, bringing world championship baseball games to Scottsdale Spring Training fans.

41. Nonbaseball events held at the stadium during the 2000s included meetings and seminars in the spacious press box, an Arizona Town Hall to discuss Downtown Scottsdale issues, weddings, a salsa challenge, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate rallies, walks benefiting ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and the three-day Komen breast cancer event, the Cardboard City campout, Date Night and more.

42. During a 2014 exchange program, a Taiwanese Little League team played in the stadium.

Many Little League and Scottsdale-area high school baseball teams have played here.

43. The Senior’s Softball World Series has often played here.

44. The World Baseball Classic played here in 2006 and 2013.

45. The Charros have hosted thousands of students at the Youth Baseball Luncheon and Clinic during Spring Training.

46. In 2011, Scottsdale Stadium gained a neighboring Spring Training complex when Salt River Fields opened on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. It is the Spring Training home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

47. In early August 2015, more than 800 eligible Scottsdale students received clothing, supplies and health checks at a community back-to-school event at the stadium. The city’s back-to-school event took place at the stadium again in 2016-18.

48. Experience Scottsdale, formerly known as the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been giving Bay-area fans a taste of Scottsdale to entice them to visit for Spring Training by advertising in mass transit stations and hosting events at the Giants home field during the regular season.

49. Arizona United held its professional soccer games at Scottsdale Stadium in 2015.

Lights added night games to Scottsdale Stadium during its redo in 1992; the Charro Lodge debuted in 2006.

(Photo by Joan Fudala)

The Mercedes Benz of Scottsdale’s Rugby Bowl played here in Spring 2015.

50. College football star Tim Tebow created a buzz when he played baseball for the Arizona Fall League’s Scottsdale Scorpions in 2016.

51. Since 2014, the annual Giant Race AZ, held during San Francisco Giants Spring Training, attracts runners from Arizona as well as the Bay area, runs a course through Scottsdale and benefits charities.

52. In 2014, the left-field concourse area was expanded, adding a picnic area and other amenities.

53. An LED scoreboard was installed in 2016.

54. During spring 2017, the Giants set an attendance record of 182,518 at its home games here.

55. Scottsdale Stadium, its history and Spring Training are often celebrated with exhibits and programs at the Scottsdale Historical Museum, the Civic Center Library and festivals on Civic Center Mall.

56. Scottsdale baseball nostalgists will always remember their two favorite pre- and postgame sports bar hangouts—Charlie Briley’s Pink Pony on Scottsdale Road and Don Carson’s Don & Charlie’s on Camelback Road (closed in April 2019).

57. Many baseball broadcast greats have called games from Scottsdale: Harry Caray, Steve Stone, Marty Brenneman, Joe Garagiola, Joe Morgan, Curt Gowdy, Lou Boudreau, Harmon Killebrew, Reggie Jackson and other vivacious voices.

58. As in previous years, several 2020 inductees into the Cactus League Hall of

64 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

Fame have ties to Scottsdale and its stadium: former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has a winter home here; former Cubbie Billy Williams played here; former pitcher for the A’s, Giants and Royals Vida Blue played here; and broadcaster Vin Scully called games here. Scottsdale Charro Jeff Meyer has been president of the Cactus League for the past several years.

59. Today’s Scottsdale Stadium is loved by fans and downtown merchants alike for its walkability to restaurants, bars and shopping.

60. The view of Camelback Mountain from the first-base side and Charro Lodge seats is awesome.

61. Kids love queuing for autographs near the first base line and running the bases following afternoon games.

62. Catching a game at Scottsdale Stadium is the best reason to take an afternoon off work during March.

63. The stadium continues to host all kinds of nonbaseball events, from beer festivals, to yoga classes, high school graduations, corporate events and city staff meetings.

64. Revenue generated by the Scottsdale Charros through its hosting of Spring Training games has been donated to countless local nonprofits, particularly those benefiting youth, education and civic activities. The Charros also provide scholarships to teachers and future teachers. What a stadium “win-win!”

65. Want current Scottsdale Stadium info? See scottsdaleaz.gov/scottsdale-stadium.

See you at Scottsdale Stadium! 

INSURANCE andBenefits

Solving our health care conundrum

By Paul Breslau, Breslau Insurance & Benefits Inc. Conundrum—a confusing or difficult problem or question.

F

or 20 years, annual premium rate increases for health insurance have been in the range of 10%.

Benefit reductions including higher deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket limits prevented the increases from being larger.

People and businesses cannot stay on this trend.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) altered the dynamics in positive and negative ways. However, not staying the course is causing a backward drift.

“The ACA is becoming a high-risk pool for individual, family and small-business health insurance.” according to Mark Stiles, national sales director, Coterie Advisors.

Nationally we are missing bipartisan leadership on health care. Therefore, it is up to each individual, family or business to navigate to the most innovative solution appropriate to their situation.

Individual and family solutions Here is a menu of options that we present to people referred to us.  ACA plans can be purchased direct from the insurance company or by using healthcare.gov for a potential premium tax subsidy. These health plans are guaranteed issue and cover pre-existing conditions.  Cost-sharing plans through ministries are affordable yet unregulated and have other limitations.  Short-term health plans from UnitedHealth, National General, IHC and others are extremely low in cost. These plans can run for up to three years. They are medically underwritten and do not cover pre-existing conditions.  COBRA is now available to all departing employees in Arizona who leave a job with health insurance. Any combination of insured family members can take the COBRA coverage. Pre-existing conditions are covered.  EverydayCARE is direct primary care

with extra services and guidance and is available from Redirect Health.  Indemnity insurance includes accident, critical illness, cancer care and hospital plans at a low cost. These plans are underwritten and will exclude pre-existing conditions.  A small-business plan can be formed with two enrolled employees although not a husband and wife. These plans are guaranteed issue and cover pre-existing conditions.

I often joke—move to Canada. The best solution for an individual or family is contingent on health history and income.

Business solutions The range of health insurance options for businesses matches the wide array of needs.

Large, prosperous companies are typically self-funded with administration by one of the major insurance companies. Small businesses with healthier and younger employees are being cherry picked into a derivative of self-funding called level funding.

Level-funded plans are medically underwritten and offer a refund of premiums if claims run well for the year. Conversely, if claims do not run well, there is a resulting large annual rate increase. At this point the business has the option of going back to a guarantee issue ACA plan, hence the highrisk pool trend. ACA plans are appropriate for very small businesses, those with older employees and those with serious medical conditions among the employees.

cost and can be paired with EverydayCARE. Sedera phases in coverage for pre-existing conditions over a three-year period.  Coterie Advisory Group offers affordable basic benefits that are guaranteed issue. This is good for employer groups struggling to afford major medical plans or unable to meet participation requirements.  Customized level-funded plans are now offered through many insurance companies.

Some are sponsored by organizations like the East Valley Chamber Alliance and the Arizona Foundation for Medical Care.

Again, these plans are medically underwritten although they cover pre-existing conditions.  Ancillary and worksite insurance plans include critical illness, cancer care, hospital indemnity, disability and accident plans.

Due to a lower cost, these plans are increasingly popular. AFLAC and Colonial are two of the better-known insurance company providers.

We have combined solutions to help a wide range of business clients. For whitecollar clients, we combined EverydayCARE with a high-deductible PPO to create affordable platinum-style plans. For restaurant and auto-wash chains, we put together a menu of the above alternatives. Then, in small group or one-on-one meetings, each employee chooses what is most appropriate and affordable to them.

Please discuss with your benefits agent or call me for more information. 

Alternative solutions for businesses The tight labor market has intensified the competition for good employees. In Arizona, several alternatives are now available.  EverydayCARE from Redirect Health is a National Direct Primary Care program with many additional services focusing on eliminating unnecessary spending. EverydayCARE fits well as the interface in front of most cost-share and insurance plans.  Sedera Health is a cost-sharing plan for the employees of a business. Sedera is lower

I am now partnering with leading local experts in all lines of insurance and business services. Please reach out to me at 602 692-6832 or paul@hraz.com for an initial conversation, evaluation or referral.

Paul Breslau—registered health underwriter (RHU), registered employee benefit consultant (REBC), chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered adviser for senior living (CASL)—is president of Breslau Insurance & Benefits Inc. Contact: 602-692-6832; hraz.com; paul@hraz.com.

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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NEW YORK BAGELS N’ BIALYS GRAND OPENING!

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SkySong 1455 N Scottsdale Rd #110 Scottsdale, AZ 85257 480-664-4200 Everyday: 6:30 AM - 3 PM

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66 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

Find out who the best businesses and people are in the areas of dining, medical, entertainment, education and professional services!

The Best of North Valley 2020 winners and Reader Recommended choices will be revealed in the April/May 2020 issue of North Valley Magazine and at NorthValleyMagazine.com

BUSINESS Directory

For information regarding business directory placement call 480-898-6309 or email advertising@scottsdaleairpark.com for more details.

ARTIST STUDIOS

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

Working Artists Studio

480-241-1719 | workingartistsstudio.com Day & Evening Classes | Beginning to Advanced Bill Lundquist | Artist & Instructor 7745 E Gelding Dr., Ste. B103, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

COMPUTER & ELECTRONIC RECYCLING

Feature Marketing, Inc. Refurbished Tier 1 Business Quality Computers & Laptops.

Dell - Lenovo - HP. All equipment comes with warranty. We also stock monitors, mice and more.

Call and save hundreds of dollars. We do any size order from single PC to outfitting an entire call center or office.

We work hard to give you the best quality, service and price.

Call 480-947-9912 or go to featuremarketing.com 7464 E Tierra Buena Ln Ste. #107, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

8245 E. Butherus Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-951-4054 www.raycocarserviceaz.net AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

COMPUTER & ELECTRONIC RECYCLING

Feature Marketing, Inc. Since 1992 Located in the Scottsdale Airpark.

Don't let your excess computers sit around getting old and going to waste. Sell them to us.

We will immediately inspect and put cash in your hand.

Call Tom 480-947-9912 tomp@featuremarketing.com 7464 E Tierra Buena Ln Ste. #107, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

7595 E Gray Rd #1, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone #: (480) 605-4749 Services offered: Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing

Scottsdale Auto Group 16001 N Greenway Hayden Loop Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 656-6660

ATTORNEYS/FAMILY LAW

COMPUTER & ELECTRONIC RECYCLING

DENTAL/ENDODONTICS

Feature Marketing, Inc. best law firm Divorce, Custody, Family Law 14300 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 204 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-219-2433 www.bestlawaz.com

Donate and Turn your used computers into cash for our Valley Children's Charities.

All donations are tax deductible. You can help a child with that old computer equipment that's taking up space.

Call or email for more information.

We can arrange the pickup.

Call 480-947-9912 email donations@featuremarketing.com 7464 E Tierra Buena Ln Ste. #107, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Thomas V. McClammy, DMD, MS, PLC & Associates 8765 E. Bell Rd., Suite 213 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-731-3636 � Fax: 480-731-3637 www.nsendodontics.com

MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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BUSINESS Directory

EVENT VENUES

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Okky Oei, MD - Founder 480-659-5470 Info@hopecliniccare.com 15030 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 www.HopeClinicCare.com

16410 N. 91st St., Suite 112 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-443-3992 www.shellcommercial.com

NETWORKING ORGANIZATIONS

REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPERS

SCOTTSDALE HANGAR ONE Bethanni Gomez Work: 480-624-9000 Mobile: 623-238-9454 bethannig@sdlh1.com

FINGERPRINTING

FINGERPRINTING SCOTTSDALE 15560 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Suite B Scottsdale, AZ. 85260 Call 480.860.8446 for Appointment Times www.FingerPrintingScottsdale.com

JoAnn Holland, President & CEO P.O. Box 1754 Scottsdale, AZ 85252 Phone: 480-809-3779 www.womenofscottsdale.org

Your place to go when you need to be fingerprinted FAST and ACCURATELY! We provide pre-employment and licensing fingerprinting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

JEWELRY

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

15010 N. 78th Way, Suite 107 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480-535-4800 EdgeAZ.com PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Industrial | Office | Medical | Retail Land | Multi-Family Corporate Services | Building Services Property Management

Desert Village 23233 N. Pima Rd., Suite 109, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Phone: 480-515-1200 Ahwatukee Town Center 4843 E. Ray Rd., Ahwatukee, AZ 85044 Phone: 480-598-0306 LOCKSMITHS

Realty & Management Commercial Real Estate Linda Smith Maughan, CPM, Designated Broker 14415 N. 73rd St., Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-443-8287 linda@losarcosrealty.net www.losarcosrealty.net

8777 N Gainey Center Dr, Ste 245 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Phone: 480-966-2301 Fax: 480-348-1601 www.cpiaz.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

CPI's Management portfolio consists of over 197 properties totaling more than 12.8 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space.

7755 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 300 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-596-9700 www.pinnaclelock.com

2323 West University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone: 480-966-2301 Fax: 480-966-2307 www.cpiaz.com

68 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / MARCH 2020

�

Our Vision: To always be the best choice for our clients.

�

16410 N. 91st St., Suite 112 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-443-3992 www.shellcommercial.com

SHREDDING

advertiserindex AC by J ..............................................................................67 Arizona Color Vehicle Wrap Pros .....................................44 Assisted Living of Mesa/Scottsdale................................17 Avery Lane ..........................................................................9 Behmer Roofing & Sheet Metal Company .................27,69 Best Law Firm .............................................................27,67

Cutler Commercial

2150 E. Highland, Suite 207 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Phone: 602-955-3500 � Fax: 602-955-2828 www.cutlercommercial.com PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

15560 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Suite B Scottsdale, AZ. 85260 Call 480.860.8446 for Appointment Times www.ShredddingScottsdale.com

Brick Street Development ..................................................1 Capriottis Sandwich Shop ...............................................29 Colliers International .......................................................32 Commerce Bank of Arizona ..............................................35 Commercial Properties Inc ...............................................68

SPACE AVAILABLE

BUSINESS Directory

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Crown King Chamber of Commerce.................................34 Cutler Commercial .........................................................6,69 Dickinson Wright Marlene A. Pontrelli ...........................29 Feature Marketing ............................................................67 First International Bank & Trust ......................................14 Flyers Direct .....................................................................34 Grayhawk Awards ............................................................17

Realty & Management Commercial Real Estate Linda Smith Maughan, CPM, Designated Broker 14415 N. 73rd St., Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-443-8287 linda@losarcosrealty.net www.losarcosrealty.net

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Hope Clinic of Integrative Medicine ............................8,68 Leading Edge Real Estate .................. InsideFrontCover,68 Los Arcos ...............................................................62,68,69 Michael's Creative Jewelry .........................Back Cover,68 New York Bagels N Bialys ...............................................66 Pinnacle Lock & Safe .......................................................68 PostalMax ...................................................................68,69

RESTAURANTS

Prestige Cleaners..............................................................21 Private Client Group - Russ Lyon Sothebys .....InsideBackCover Ray's Pizza-Scottsdale......................................................69 Rayco Car Service .......................................................14,67 Scottsdale Auto Group ....................................................67 Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce ..................................27 Scottsdale Community College .........................................5

Home of the Famous New York Style Slices.

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RaysPizzaAz.com | 480-368-0610 15577 N Hayden Rd Ste. A2, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Shell Commercial Investment ....................................13,68

Scottsdale Printing ...........................................................37 Shade n' Net of Arizona ...................................................11 Sonoran Classic Restorations ..........................................17 Southwest Spas & Pools ...................................................3

ROOFING

Storage West .....................................................................7 Switch Consignment .......................................................14 The Stir Coffee Bar ..........................................................17 Times Media Group ..........................................................53 Times Media Group ..........................................................66 Toy Barn - Wesley Development Corporation .................37 URA Group AZ .............................................Cover, 24,25,26

Re-Roofing | New Construction Repairs | Maintenance | Sheet Metal | Gutters Since 1984 480-445-9240 7641 E Gray Rd, Suite F, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 andrea@behmerindustries.com behmerroofingscottsdale.com

Weiss Kelly ......................................................................62 Western Alliance Bancorp ...............................................72 Women of Scottsdale.......................................................68 Working Artists Studio .....................................................67 MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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ADVICE fromWeiss MARCH 2020 Business Horoscopes

By Weiss Kelly, PMAFA Professional Member of the American Federation of Astrologers ARIES 3/21-4/20 Spring arrives on March 20 (The Equinox), the same date as the beginning of the “Astrological New Year.” March is the month to set personal goals and take action. The economic clock will start ticking with most powerful new moon of 2020 on March 24 and the primary elections on March 3. Expect some confusion about work or business.

Personal Power Days are March 24, March 25 and March 26.

TAURUS 4/21-5/20 Keep an eye on politics the first week of the month. You won’t feel secure until mid-month, when the full moon hits March 9 to March 19. Circle the super new moon on March 24, as it starts a period of

review. You should prepare for April the last week of March.

Personal Power Days are March 1, March 27 and March 28.

GEMINI 5/21-6/20 March comes in like an anxious Lion, as you’re expecting approval. It won’t happen until mercury goes direct on March 9. Until then, expect home matters, plans and schedules to be delayed. Good news arrives by the third week (the super new moon), when your focus is on making new contacts. Drop what no longer serves you.

Personal Power Days: March 2, March 3, March 29 and March 30.

CANCER 6/21-7/22 You’ll be challenged the latter part of March, especially where relationships and partnerships are concerned. The spring equinox and the year ’s super moon on March 24 requires quick action that can bring immediate results.

Personal Power Days: March 4 and March 5.

LEO 7/23-8/21 March is one of your more active and progressive months, although a retrograde planet may bring misunderstandings March 9 to March 16. Once the sun enters Aries on March 20, you will be more assertive and ready to expand your mind. Improve your people skills the week of March 23 and the months ahead.

Personal Power Days: March 6 and March 7.

VIRGO 8/22-9/23 You’ll be open to new ideas, thanks to 2020’s super moon. Make sure everything is done correctly. Mercury is in retrograde through March 9 and that’ll create disorder, legal mix-ups, miscalculations and delays. Take time to recharge. Good news arrives by mid-month. You’ll be rewarded for personal and business matters when the sun enters Aries on March 20.

Personal Power Days: March 8 and March 9.

LIBRA 9/24-10/23 You may need to work overtime the first two weeks. Complete any pending assignments by the full moon, March 9.

Resolve any long-standing issues once the sun enters Aries. Your patience will be tested around March 24. The super new moon will steer you in a new direction these next two months.

Personal Power Days: March 10 and March 11.

SCORPIO 10/24-11/22 You’ll be busy but disciplined March 10 to March 16. In the middle of the

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month, your life is full of ideas and conversations, thanks to networking. The spring equinox will give you the energy to change careers. Finances need your attention.

Personal Power Days: March 12 and March 13.

SAGITTARIUS 11/23-12/21 Moderation isn’t your thing. It’ll be a controversial month. Once Saturn enters another sign, around March 22, and the new moon enters, your creative juices will flow. Your confidence returns. Put a tight rein on your money.

Personal Power Days: March 14, March 15 and March 16.

CAPRICORN 12/22-1/19 Re-evaluate your goals. Do your research the first half of the month. In the middle of the month your work life gets busy. You’ll receive needed information, thanks to meetings or lunches. Underline March 24.

Personal Power Days: March 17 and March 19.

AQUARIUS 1/20-2/18 You’ll learn a few lessons, thanks to March’s super new moon. You’ll get a preview of what’s ahead for the next two to three years. The first two weeks of March you’ll need to settle debts. Be conservative and let the unnecessary go. Develop a better social life through self-care, health, exercise and diet.

Personal Power Days: March 19, March 20 and March 21.

PISCES 2/19-3/20 You’ll start the month energetically.

Do it or drop it before the full moon on March 9. If you alter your personal and professional goals, you’ll get a new job.

The equinox (March 24) is a time for new beginnings. Jump off that mountain; there’s a net below. 

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MARCH 2020 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS /

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