Scottsdale Airpark News - March

Electrifying New Brand

Tom Londen Memorial Golf Classic

ATTORNEY and ENTREPRENEUR

Lawyer launches green transportation company

UNiTEC CONTRACTING GROUP

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VICE PRESIDENT

Michael Hiatt mhiatt@timeslocalmedia.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timeslocalmedia.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

David Minton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alison Bailin Batz, Joan Fudala, Alex Gallagher, Weiss Kelly, Jimmy Magahern, Luke Netzley

DESIGNER

Veronica Thurman vthurman@timeslocalmedia.com

ADMINISTRATION

Shannon Mead smead@timeslocalmedia.com

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AIRPARK BusinessNews

Compiled by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Airport handles high volume for Super Bowl

Scottsdale Airport managed 490 corporate jet operations, mostly departures, in less than 24 hours during Super Bowl weekend. While the airport is used to handling a higher volume of operations during its special events season, the influx of jet departures in such a short period was challenging for the team.

“We are thrilled to have facilitated a seamless Super Bowl experience for all our corporate jet operations,” aviation director Gary P. Mascaro says.

“It was an exciting experience for aviation and corporate jet afi cionados to see all these private jets utilizing Scottsdale Airport. All operations came together seamlessly and effi ciently — and without any delays.”

Scottsdale Airport’s ramps were lined with 911 aircraft parked overnight between Thursday and Monday. Of that fi gure, 780 were transient or visiting corporate jets, which lined the airport ramps from end to end.

“I am so proud of the entire team. I wholeheartedly appreciate the hard work from aviation staff , as well as the FAA Air Traffi c and the fi xed-base operators, which provide fuel and ground handling services for the aircraft, for their amazing eff orts in making sure we were prepared and successful for this incredibly busy time,” Mascaro says.

“With everyone’s support and dedication, we pulled off a game-winning performance.”

The airport’s infrastructure was prepped and ready, too. This was due to the FAA Airports Division Offi ce, which supported the airport in securing approximately $4.8 million in grant funding to make vital capacity upgrades and improvements that allowed the airport to handle the volume of aircraft in an effi cient manner.

The three fi xed-base operators — Atlantic Aviation, Signature Flight Support and Jet Aviation — strategically parked and positioned aircraft, and to manage the reservations for their facility. Their work contributed to ensuring aircraft were positioned and ready to go for smooth departures.

Info: scottsdaleaz.gov/airport

Gainey elects Beau Lane to board of directors

Beau Lane is a native Arizonan and serves as the executive chairman of LaneTerralever LLC, one of the largest marketing and advertising agencies in the region.

After building E.B. Lane for nearly 20 years, in 2013 Lane led a successful merger with a leading national digital marketing firm Terralever to form LaneTerralever LLC, going on to be named “2013 Ad Person of the Year” by Phoenix Ad Club. Under his direction, the agency has received local and national recognition for years of award-winning work.

Lane lends his leadership skills to support the vitality and economic future of Arizona through extensive service on community boards and committees including but not limited to Greater Phoenix Leadership, Phoenix Community Alliance, GCU Colangelo School of Business, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism, and Gainey Business Bank. In 2022, he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Arizona Secretary of State and continues to remain dedicated to the advancement of Arizona.

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AIRPARK BusinessNews

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“We are extremely pleased to have Beau join our board with his extensive business leadership, marketing experience and commitment to our Arizona community,” says Jim Unruh, chairman of Gainey Business Bank. “This is a valuable addition and complement to the experienced backgrounds of our existing board members.”

Joe Stewart, president and chief executive officer of Gainey Business Bank, comments, “Beau Lane is a welcome addition to our already outstanding board of directors. He brings a tremendous background in something that is very important to Gainey Business Bank and any community bank, deep local market knowledge and long-standing business relations.”

Lane adds, “I am excited to join Gainey Business Bank’s board and look forward to bringing my knowledge of the Valley to the Bank’s team. Providing a local banking option to address the needs of our growing Arizona business community is something I strongly believe in.”

Info: gaineybusinessbank.com

Integrity Capital LLC promotes Dan Zlaket

Scottsdale commercial loan brokerage Integrity Capital LLC recently promoted Dan Zlaket to vice president of sales.

He’s responsible for hiring and training new salespeople to increase the national presence of an Arizona company that has helped commercial real estate investors obtain over $1 billion in financing.

Integrity Capital Principal Dave Kotter says Zlaket is the perfect person for this senior position and his work will be essential to the future growth of the firm.

“Dan is one of the most dynamic leaders that I have ever worked with. He is hardworking, honest, and excels at catering to our client’s needs,” Kotter says. “Dan’s contributions at his new position are instrumental because he is now tasked with expanding our organization’s sales team throughout

the country.”

Zlaket says he is thrilled to continue to help Integrity Capital grow.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this growing team, and my success here would not be possible without the mentorship of Dave Kotter,” Zlaket says. “I am proud to continue to help our clients and our company.”

Integrity Capital is looking to help its clients capitalize on emerging commercial real estate markets such as Dallas, Utah and Idaho while continuing to help the commercial market in their home state of Arizona flourish.

“We are excited to expand, but we still pride ourselves on being a local Arizona company,” Zlaket says.

Info: integrity-capital.com

The Scottsdale Bar Association will host a CLE luncheon program on Thursday, March 16, Gainey Ranch Golf Club. Judge David Gass of the Arizona Court of Appeals will present “Dignity, Equity and Inclusion.” Sponsored by Kutak Rock, the

luncheon begins with check-in at 11:45 a.m., with the programming running from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Gainey Ranch Golf Club is located at 7600 Gainey Club Drive, Scottsdale. To register, visit scottsdalebar.org.

Avanti completes $41.6M sale of Dwell Apartments

Avanti Residential, which has an office in the Airpark, has sold the 193-unit Dwell Apartment Homes for $41.6 million to Chicago-based 29th Street Capital. The sale allows Avanti to realize its investment objective for the property and continue to reallocate the firm’s 9,000-unit apartment portfolio toward newer core-plus properties nationwide.

The authentic midcentury project is located near the intersection of Scottsdale and McDowell roads and benefits from Scottsdale’s high-end employment, retail, dining and entertainment offerings.

“Avanti acquired Dwell in 2016 with the expectation that the McDowell Road corridor to the south was ideally positioned for transformational improvements,” says Christian Garner, president of Avanti Residential. “We are very pleased with the performance of this investment to date, especially given the impressive rental rate growth in the greater Phoenix area over the past few years.”

Judge Gass to lead CLE luncheon WE WANT YOUR NEWS!

The transaction is accretive to the new owner as well, with 78% of the apartments poised to benefit from planned interior upgrades that will further position the property as an attractive option amid a challenging affordability gap in Scottsdale’s new apartment inventory.

“Transacting in the current market environment is no small challenge,” Garner adds. “Both sides saw this as a win-win proposition given the yields we have achieved thus far and the value-add opportunity that remains ahead.”

Steve Gebing and Cliff David with Institutional Property Advisors represented Avanti in the transaction, while the buyer represented itself.

Dwell was built in two phases in 1963 and 1975, with a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and a colorful retro appeal. The complex features three swimming pools, a fitness facility and clubhouse, and courtyard with a barbecue area.

Info: avantiresidential.com

Tbird2 adds to its advisory board

Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Inc. has added two new members to its advisory board.

Dr. Randall S. Prust earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering from ASU and his Doctor of Philosophy, core curriculum, and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Colorado.

After graduating from ASU, he was recruited by the national company Johns Manville as a research engineer. He authored one book and 11 articles published in engineering and medical journals, and lectured at national speaking engagements in both fields.

Prust’s medical background includes positions as associate professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UA; president, founder and physician of Dr. Randall S. Prust, P.C. Rincon Pain and Spine; and currently president and founder of Mount Vista LLC and president and founder of Prust Medical Consulting LLC.

He holds licenses with the Arizona Medical Board, the American Board of Anesthesiology along with continuous certification in pain management.

Prust’s legal and consulting endeavors include being a principal investigator of FDA Phase III Trials for multiple companies as well as serving as an expert witness for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Superior Courts in Arizona, Industrial Commission of Arizona, and providing independent medical evaluations, plaintiff and defense.

“It is a privilege to accept this appointment to the Tbird2 Advisory Board, and I look forward to working with Chairman Rudy R. Miller and the esteemed members of this important board,” Prust says.

Karen Longo earned her Masters of International Management from Thunderbird, School of Global Management, and earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian from the UA.

She began her professional career at Phar-

maceutical Card Systems, Government Division, and shortly thereafter founded and was president of Medical Administration Inc., a management service organization for medical professionals, for over 11 years.

Longo is the founder and president of Management Affiliates International Inc., a consulting firm involved in business analysis, real estate and professional development. She is also a managing partner of Gregory McGee Company LLC, a family-owned commercial real estate business.

Longo serves as honorary commander for the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Luke Air Force Base and is a lifetime member of the Arizona Elk Society – Heroes Rising Outdoors wounded veterans program.

“I am very honored to join the Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Advisory Board and look forward to playing a bigger role,” Longo says.

Miller, advisory board and scholarship committee, says, “I have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Randy Prust and with Karen Longo. They are both extraordinary professionals and have exceptional academic credentials, business/finance/analytical experience, president and CEO skills, advisory and board member expertise, and are ardent regarding community service involvement.

“Randy is a 40-year resident of Tucson, and Karen is a resident of Scottsdale and has lived in Arizona since 1974. Over the past few years, these two individuals have been important Tbird2 supporters of our statewide mission objectives. We are very appreciative that they have both agreed to become a member of the Tbird2 Advisory Board.”

Tbird2 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of aviation in Scottsdale, honoring all military veterans, creating unique educational opportunities (scholarships) for Arizona students studying all aspects of aviation, and supporting Dogs4Vets.

Ability360 raises $177K at golf tourney

Ability360 and the JAAM Foundation raised more than $177,000 at their annual golf tournament on January 20 at TPC Scottsdale. Over 100 golfers participated in the tourney and helped raise funds to support adaptive sports in Arizona by providing access to sports programming and equipment grants to youth with disabilities.

“We’re thrilled with the results and appreciate all the supporters and donors who made this event such a success,” Ability360 CEO Christopher Rodriguez says. “The funds raised will enable us to reach even more

youth with disabilities by increasing access to programs and equipment so they can participate and benefit from adaptive sports on so many levels.”

The day included 18 holes of golf, lunch and an awards reception and program featuring two Ability360 and JAAM alumnus.

The presenting sponsor for the event was Nothing But NET and “Fore the Kids sponsors” were Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Lovitt & Touché.

Info: ability360.org

CHANGE A CHILD’S

Donors have until April 17, 2023 to contribute to a Qualifying Charitable Organization for it to count as a credit on their 2022 taxes. Donations received after April 17, 2023 may be applied to their 2023 taxes.

Taxpayers can receive a dollar-fordollar credit, up to $400 for individuals and $800 for joint filers for the Qualifying Charitable Organization Tax Credit.

Please don’t wait. Make your Arizona tax credit gift to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale TODAY. Help kids who need us most right here in our community.

Scholarships, mentorship available to aviation students

Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Inc. has been offering scholarships and mentorship to aviation students in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU since 2019.

“We want to make sure students have the ability to focus on their discipline and get the support they need so they can find their place in the aviation industry,” says Rudy R. Miller, chairman of Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Inc., or Tbird2, advisory board and scholarship committee.

McKinley Ritchie is the most recent ASU recipient of the scholarship. He is a fourthyear aeronautical management technology student concentrating in unmanned aerial systems. Ritchie says that this scholarship enabled him to redirect some of his college savings into earning his private pilot’s license.

Along with funding, Miller and Ziomek offer their personal mentorship to scholarship recipients.

“It’s a very moving and personal opportunity for us,” Miller says.

Ritchie says that “while the monetary value attached to the scholarship was much appreciated, the true value is the

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McKinley Richie, middle, a fourth-year aeronautical management technology student, receives the 2022-23 Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Scholarship, or Tbird2 Scholarship, from Steve Ziomek, left, chairman and president of Tbird2 and Rudy R. Miller, chairman of the Tbird2 advisory board and scholarship committee. (Thunderbird Field II/Submitted)

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connections and knowledge that Steve and Rudy provide.”

He will take the knowledge and skills he has learned from his degree and the mentorship and support he has received from his professors as well as Miller and Ziomek as he embarks on the next phase of his education and career: earning his private pilot’s license and applying to become a pilot in the Air National Guard.

“The ASU aviation program is proud to announce that McKinley Ritchie is the 2022–23 recipient of the Tbird2 Scholarship,” says Marc O’Brien, program chair and associate teaching professor in ASU’s aviation program. “McKinley is an excellent student who holds an outstanding 4.0 GPA on what matters most: my studies and my air traffic control training.”

Shantz’s long-term goal is to be an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Based on research by the Federal Aviation Administration and Aviation Business Association, this country will be more than 50,000 pilots short over the next 10 years,” Ziomek says. “But this scholarship isn’t just for pilots; it’s for mechanics, air traffic controllers, avionics technicians, individuals advancing drone technology and any aspect that is tied to aviation. It’s for all aviation students, and we are proud of that fact.”

In January 2023, the TBird2 board of directors decided to increase Tbird2 Scholarship funding, furthering its commitment to aviation students and the future success of the aviation industry.

Info: tbird2.org

NotMYkid hires new chief development officer

Amanda Schmidt joined the nonprofit notMYkid as chief development officer. She has more than 15 years of experience in fund development and nonprofit advancement.

Schmidt was previously director of development for strategic initiatives at NAU. During her time at NAU, she created an innovative approach for annual giving and worked to advance the most critical initiatives outlined by the institution. Additional experience includes early in her career she helped to relaunch the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and rebranded the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission as a leader in sports-related tourism. She also managed events for Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, where she helped facilitate event revenue growth of 500% over five years.

“Amanda has a rich history with elevating local nonprofits and a proven track record in rebuilding and reimagining sustainable growth,” says Kristen Polin, CEO of notMYkid.

“Our board and entire team welcome her like-minded passion and commitment to helping youth and families as we expand prevention and behavioral health programs statewide.”

As chief development officer for notMYkid, Schmidt will lead fundraising efforts to help expand access to youth mental health and launch notMYkid’s integrated capital campaign. She will work collaboratively with the CEO and board of directors on strategic solutions to help advance the organization’s mission during a time of critical growth.

Schmidt earned her undergraduate degree in nonprofit leadership and management from ASU and is finishing her master’s in organizational leadership from NAU.

Info: notmykid.org 

Celebrating JOEY MAGGIORE

Italian foundation hosts its regional Arizona gala

By Scottsdale Airpark News Staff

The National Italian American Foundation hosted its regional Arizona gala at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel on January 28 to benefit the organization’s scholarship and education programs. The event also supported Childhelp, a nonprofit working to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. Foundation saluted Airparkbased chef Joey Maggiore and the Maggiore family, as well as The Founders, a group of

Italian American businessmen supporting the Italian American heritage in Phoenix.

During the event, the Maggiore family unveiled the Tomaso Maggiore Culinary Excellence Award, which will honor chefs who not only share Tomaso’s culinary passion but who also strive to extend the beauty of cooking. Sicilian-born chef and restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore died in 2021 after battling cancer.

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone presented the 2023 NIAF award to chef Joey and Cristina Maggiore. Joey is the executive chef and entrepreneur behind The Maggiore Group, an Italian American family-owned company. He and Cristina are behind Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker and The Mexicano.

The gala was co-chaired by NIAF’s

Southwest Regional Vice President Pete Melucci, Southwest Region Area Coordinator Massimo Sommacampagna, and Area Coordinator for Phoenix Michael Farrar. Internationally acclaimed award-winning media personality Dame Clarissa Burt was the master of ceremonies. 

All photos courtesy of Rudy Ramirez, unless otherwise noted.

Chef Joey Maggiore greets his mother, Patricia Maggiore.

The ballroom was filled with guests during the gala dinner.

Chef Joey Maggiore and his wife, Cristina.

The gala’s second dish included a mixed-grill Sicilian spiedini, grilled Sicilian sausage, and chicken scarpariello. (Brittany Ha-Nguyen/Contributor)

The cocktail reception was a hit.

For Lease

For Lease

For Lease

Sheriff Paul Penzone and chef Joey Maggiore.

NIAF Chairman Robert E. Carlucci with one of The Founders, Austin Potenza, receiving the Al Carfora Italian Heritage Award and NIAF President Robert Allegrini.

The primo dish was curated by chef Joey Maggiore. It featured three-meat ragu fazzoletti ricotta, pink sauce and shaved grana. (Brittany Ha-Nguyen/Contributor)

Attorney and Entrepreneur

Lawyer launches green transportation company

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

February is one of the busiest months in the Valley, especially in Scottsdale and Jason Pritchett.

As an active Thunderbird, Pritchett and his fellow members are hosting the WM Phoenix Open Monday, February 6, to Sunday, February 12, at TPC Scottsdale.

Recognized as the largest zero-waste

sporting event in the world, the WM Phoenix Open leads operational efforts to divert 100% of waste from the landfill through recycling, composting, donation and energy conversion. In addition, throughout the year, the Thunderbirds work with WM’s Sustainability Services team and the Tournament Operations team to assure that the tournament generates an effective and powerful environmental impact.

To give an idea of this scope, through this program they have restored more than 320 million gallons of water to Verde River Valley in recent years and offset tournament greenhouse gas emissions the Crow Lake

In addition to launching GEST Carts this year and working as a Thunderbird, Jason Pritchett, right, is also president of Radix Law Firm, seen here with managing partner Andy Kvesic. (Radix Law Firm/Submitted)

Wind project, the largest wind power project owned solely by a cooperative in the United States.

As dedicated to the community as the environment, the WM Phoenix Open also raised critical funds for impactful projects statewide.

“Through the WM Phoenix Open, we have helped create literacy programs; fund domestic violence shelters; provide school clothes for low-income families; and even furnish safe places to live for recently homeless, veterans in need, and youth aging out of the foster care system,” says Pritchett, noting the organization’s total giving even

prior to the tournament this year exceeds $175 million. “We are blazing impactful trails that will support hundreds of thousands of members of our community for years to come.”

Beyond this, Pritchett continues to lead Radix Law Firm, which is the first multilawyer traditional law firm in to be approved as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) in the United States, as president.

And, on top of it all, Pritchett is ushering in a new era of sustainable transportation in Arizona with the launch of GEST Carts as well.

In late January, GEST Carts — which stands for Green, Easy, Safe Transportation — debuted in Scottsdale.

The 100% electric carts operate similar to car transportation services like Uber or Lyft, but at a local (and locally owned), micro level. Scottsdale riders can “call” a cart through the mobile app — downloadable through the Apple Store and Google Play Store — that tracks driver locations and estimated arrival times. The vehicles can drive on main roads, keeping with the flow of traffic — but in a much more sustainable and enjoyable way than traditional transportation.

“I learned of the business model thanks to my brother — and now business partner — Japheth, who saw the Black-owned brand explode on the scene in other markets,” Pritchett says.

“Since 2018 alone, GEST Carts debuted across Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Denver and Las Vegas. Given our thriving nightlife and event schedule, together we knew the Valley was ready for something like this, too.”

Like GEST Scottsdale, GEST Chicago, GEST Detroit, GEST Denver, GEST Charlotte, and GEST Vegas Strip are all Blackowned, with GEST Denver being LGBTQ and veteran owned.

When researching the business, beyond the obvious environmental benefits, the Pritchett brothers loved that though open air, each GEST Cart offers seat belts, air conditioning and even heat for guests,

MEET YourAirparkNeighbor

something lacking as it relates to alternative transportation in south Scottsdale’s popular Entertainment District. In addition, rides on GEST Carts are 100% free to riders.”

According to Pritchett, rides are free thanks to partnerships with businesses and events who advertise on the GEST Carts.

There are six GEST Carts in operation. GEST Carts may travel up to 35 miles per hour, and are cruising from Hayden Road to the east, 58th Street to the west, Chapparal Road to the north, and Osborn Road to the south. Pritchett launched the business with this early 2023 knowing it would be particularly popular to those who live or are staying at hotels or rentals in the area and traveling to the ample entertainment options in the region, as well as those enjoying events around the Super Bowl, Barrett-Jackson, Spring Training and the WM Phoenix Open.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This means that GEST Carts will eliminate nearly 30 metric tons of carbon dioxide in its first year alone, likely more as the business expands. By year’s end, Pritchett expects to expand further into Scottsdale and into Tempe, to partner with major events on safe transportation options, and eyes Downtown Phoenix and other

cities in the East Valley in his growth plans as well. And he plans to make all of this happen while running his business, taking care of his family, and serving as an active Thunderbird as well.

“In addition to being both cheaper and greener than ride share and safer and more comfortable than golf carts, we think GEST Carts can also lower the incidence of drunken driving, especially among those who incorrectly assume they ‘are fine’ to drive after a few beers,” Pritchett says.

While statistics are not yet available for 2022, the Arizona Department of Transportation most recent Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report noted that alcohol was a factor in 5,620 crashes, which was the highest number since 2009, when there were 5,905 alcohol-related collisions. Alcoholrelated traffic deaths were up as well, by 6.5%, the report said, rising from 228 in 2020 to 243 in 2021.

“We hope to make a positive impact on the environment while helping folks get home safely for years to come,” Pritchett says. 

A look at the first of six Scottsdale GEST Carts as it was en route to Arizona, arriving in late January.

Electrifying New Brand

Resla brings Teslas to the rental car industry

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Resla is disrupting the rental car industry by offering only high-end Teslas with cutting-edge design, safety and technology to visitors and residents.

With a temporary location in the Airpark, the Columbia, Missouri-based Resla will soon find its Scottsdale home at Doubletree and 92nd Street, according to Ryan Irwin, Resla general manager.

“Right now, we’re a super beta startup,” Irwin says.

“We have a website, a solid team in Arizona and Columbia, and we’re bringing on other employees. We have 45 Model 3 and 40 Model Y in Arizona, and an additional 25 Model X, and Model S, Model 3 and Model Y in Missouri. We have a total fleet between 105 and 115 cars.”

The cars are easy to drive, with the supercharging network continually expanding. Teslas feature over-the-air updates, as they’re connected to satellite or cellular service.

“The cars are continually updated. If you buy a 2018 car by another brand, as the vehicle progresses, the software stays the same. With Tesla, the 2018 body style will be the same, but you’ll have 2023 software inside the vehicle.

“It’s more than just driving a car, even though it’s just driving a car. It’s super simple, and we’re all familiar with touch screens.”

Renting is just as easy. It is contactless, seamless and friction free, according to Irwin. Pickup is available 24/7.

“We have our web-based app,” he says. “You book the car and choose a pickup location. If it’s after hours, they choose a pickup location that we’re going to have designated across the city.

“Once they confirm their reservation, they pay for the time they’re expecting to use it. They get a code on their phone, and it gives them access to vehicles. The

contract will be done digitally. There’s 24-hour-a-day support.”

Going forward, Resla’s staff hopes to branch out to Texas, Chicago, California, Seattle and Denver. So far, the response has been positive to Resla’s service.

“I think it comes down to it’s more than just a vehicle,” he says. “It’s a tool.

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Ryan Irwin, Resla general manager, can vouch for Teslas, as he drives one himself. (James Patrick/Contributor)

TWO-STORY SINGLE-TENANT OFFICE/WAREHOUSE BUILDING

It makes driving so much easier. It’s comfortable and safer, based on statistics and awards they won. The Y and 3 are the safest. Tesla has three of the top five safest cars.”

Irwin says Resla is laden with op -

portunities. The company is hoping to get into the fleet management side of the auto rental industry. They would like to work with small- to medium-size businesses with mini fleets, or have a Tesla on-site for out-of-town guests.

Irwin can speak for the Tesla brand. “I drive one on the daily,” he says. “If

I’m going to be an advocate for the brand and the company, I have to be familiar with it.” 

DESERT

Lomas Verdes Estates aims for a modernist cul-de-sac

CONTEMPORARY

By Jimmy Magahern

ason Kush and his family have a nice house in the Tatum Enclave community in Cave Creek, but Kush is not especially fond of the predominant architectural style of the homes in his area, which he calls the “land of Tuscan homes.”

All those terracotta roof tiles, wrought iron gates and faux travertine sidings have been overdone in North Scottsdale, says the homebuilder, who grew up in the Arcadia district and prefers the midcentury modern style of the homes in that area and their contemporary offspring. But Kush says that style wouldn’t work in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains, where he was planning to build a new subdivision.

“I couldn’t take a contemporary home that you would see in Arcadia or Biltmore, where you see most of the contemporary architecture in this town, and just put it up here in the desert,” he says. “It would look ridiculous! It just doesn’t go with the environment.”

So, Kush — a third-generation homebuilder whose grandfather was a cousin of ASU coaching legend Frank Kush and whose father, Larry Kush, remains a leader in the local construction industry — decided to go for a contemporary look that was “very natural and organic, so that it looked like it

belonged in the desert.”

Taking inspiration from the contemporary architecture coming out of South America, and particularly Chile and Argentina, where native wood and stone is combined with sleek steel framing to create modern

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View of a home from the backyard. (The Ranch/Artist Rendering)

Great room of a home facing out on the backyard pool.

(The Ranch/Artist Rendering)

dwellings that blend harmoniously with the landscape, Kush set out to find some architects in Phoenix who could create a similarly environmentally engaged enclave in North Scottsdale.

He settled on Cavin and Claire Costello of The Ranch Mine, a husband-and-wife team named HGTV’s Designers of the Year in 2019 and heralded as “the future of architecture” by the American Institute of Architects in 2015.

Kush says the Costellos understood his vision, and the Ranch Mine’s artists set about creating renderings of the six homes on East Lomas Verdes Drive and 64th Street that J.P. Kush Construction christened Lomas Verdes Estates — despite the dusty desert plot’s noticeable lack of “green hills” that the Spanish name translates to. “When the McDowells get a lot of rain, they do turn green!” Kush insists, with a laugh.

Those renderings alone managed to sell five of the six $2 million-plus properties, which are still in various stages of construction just north of Jomax Road.

“These have all been purchased off of pictures, which is amazing in itself,” Kush says. “And I think that speaks to the originality of the project.”

Oleg Bortman, the Realtor selling the

were still being done remotely. Instead of offering discounts, Bortman says buyer interest has been so great that most have ended up selling for between $2.2 to 2.4 million.

“We’ve actually increased the price after every few homes that have gone up and we were still selling through on them,” he says. “That’s pretty remarkable.”

Walking through the one 4,006-square-foot home that’s closest to completion, it’s easy to see the appeal of the designs. The entry leads into a spacious great room with a high ceiling and giant 10-by-20-foot opening pocket doors that “completely close in and blur the lines between the outside and the inside,” in Kush’s words. “I wanted houses that had open courtyards that you could open up and have little retreat areas that you could go get away by yourself in and enjoy nature, or come back into the fold.”

The centerpiece room, with its huge glass doors facing east and west, mirror the traditions of the Indigenous Mapuche tribes of south-central Chile, who prize opening their doors to the rising sun (in this design, the Arizona sunsets also get an equal showcase).

that if you wanna add solar power, you can, and we build with light reflecting value and energy efficient insulation, things of that nature.

“That house you saw is set north-south,” he continues. “But I’ve spent a lot of time in that main living area, and it’s very interesting that in the morning, you get a little bit of sun in that main living area and then the afternoon you get a little bit of sun, but the overhangs over the patios shield a lot of the heat. They’re designed to block that out. Then you’ve got the dual pane windows, too, which help keep some of that out.”

The homes are classified as semi-custom, meaning buyers have different sets of options to choose from, including the landscaping. “I wanted them to be able to pick what they want as far as their landscaping goes,” Kush says. “Like if you have some tree that you love that uses a little bit more water than that designation allows, I think you should be able to have that if you want.”

One thing the homes won’t have is high cinderblock walls. “They were designed so that you don’t necessarily fence in your whole backyard like you would a tract home,” Kush says. “About a third of the eight-plus acres of the property is what’s called NIOS, which stands for natural area open space. So it’s literally natural desert that you, as a homeowner, pay taxes on, but you can’t touch it. You can’t fence it in. You can’t go add plants to it or landscape it. It has to remain natural and open, so it automatically creates a nice natural barrier between you and your neighbor.

homes through The Brokery in Phoenix, agrees. “When you’re selling out small enclaves of 12 or less homes, it’s actually pretty incredible to be able to sell them without even a model home,” he says. “We’ve been selling them on just plans, dirt, and belief in the builder’s vision.”

Originally priced from $1.7 million, sales began in the fall of 2020, when most meetings

But Kush insists that, despite all that glass, the homes won’t be as costly as a shopping mall to air condition in Valley summers.

“Every house design is already Energy Star certified,” he says. “Additionally, the city of Scottsdale has a green designation that takes that to even a higher level. They actually have two levels of green designations. The higher level that we do not only increases energy efficiency, but we also pre-wire so

“It creates a natural sense of community with a modern vibe and a minimalistic flare between houses so the neighbors can interact with one another,” he adds. “It’s really going to be unique.” 

Front view of the first home in the subdivision nearest completion. (The Brokery/Submitted)

View facing the courtyard of the first home in the subdivision nearest completion. (The Brokery/Submitted)

Live/Work

Soho Scottsdale prepares 2nd phase of development

By Luke Netzley

efore the COVID-19 pandemic changed the widespread routine of commuting to work, sending tens of millions of employees onto remote schedules, Catclar Investments principal Irene Clary had a dream of building a community that provided a work-life balance.

In 2015, Clary traveled to Downtown Los Angeles and toured the Barker Block apartment complex, an old factory that had been retrofitted and renovated into a series of live/work lofts. She felt inspired to create a new project that balanced work and leisure spaces back home in Arizona, and Soho Scottsdale was born.

“The word ‘Soho’ means ‘small office, home office’ in Chinese,” Clary explains. “We have out-of-the-box kind of developments that incorporate lofts and live/work spaces … a very eclectic mix of development types. You’ll have industrial, you’ll have commercial, you’ll have residential smack dab in the middle. It was all incorporated.”

In the dramatic shadow of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Clary built the first phase of Soho Scottsdale with architects Bing Hu and Fitzgerald Associates by the intersection of the Loop 101 and Bell Road. The develop-

ment has 18 townhomes and 10 lofts with five retail spaces above an underground parking garage connected by elevators. For the site’s two penthouse units, the elevators travel directly from the garage into the private residence.

“People just loved that concept,” Clary says. “The nice thing about the townhomes is that they have loading doors and they open into your exterior space. … It may be your office on that main level … and we know we have great weather in Arizona. You can put up your door and work with the elements and the flowers and the trees.”

Alongside the warm weather, Clary said

that another benefit of the project’s location on North 92nd Street is its proximity to local points of interest as well as the Scottsdale Airport.

“We have everything up here,” Clary explains. “WestWorld is five minutes walking distance to the south. And just to northwest is the TPC, the Phoenix Open, and then all the activities that go on around this North Scottsdale hub. … I think we’re one of the closest communities that can really have a complete view of the mountains, and they’re very beautiful.”

On the property, Soho Scottsdale is …continues on page 24

A rendering of the penthouse living room. (Soho Scottsdale/Submitted)

A view of the phase one rooftop deck. (Soho Scottsdale/Submitted)

A view of the phase one townhome kitchen. (Soho Scottsdale/Submitted)

IT’S A FOUR-PEAT

Avery Lane Named Best Consignment Store

Four Years in a Row! A MUST-SEE SHOWROOM

30,000 sq. ft. of fabulous designer treasures.

At cocktail parties, on the tee box and amongst the ladies who lunch, there’s a subtle whisper about an unusual design mecca—Consignment. 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 30,000 sq. ft. of 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

Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Sunday 15613 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop 480.991.0700

* Not to be combined with other in-store promotions, expires May 30, 2022

February 28, 2023

Art Consignments

FONT Edwardian Script and Charlemagne

Darlene Richert Proprietor

Continued from page 22

dual-zoned for business and residential, allowing residents to run their own businesses from their house. The first phase of the development has already become the home of doctors, engineers, and a hair stylist who runs her salon from the lower level of her townhome.

Clary describes the group of tenants as “eclectic” and one that comes together like its own small-town community. There are 12 townhouse units whose loading doors open into a shared courtyard space, where residents can socialize and host events.

“They’ll do July the 4th weekend; they’ll do Halloween parties,” Clary says. “There’re different things that they will do because the way we’ve created spaces here. And because of the limited number of people, they’re able to really feel like they’re on a cul-de-sac.”

Community members will also come together to enjoy amenities like the fitness and physical therapy studios, a restaurant and tearoom currently being built, and an art studio that gives lessons to children.

“We have a couple of artists that live here,” Clary describes. “We display their art either in the foyers or the other levels in the loft building. It’s just become a very nice

niche of people that are here, and they’ve become friends, which is really nice to see.”

Though all the units in Phase I are sold out, Catclar Investments is ready to begin construction on Phase II, which will include a six-story loft building with podium parking and 22 units, including four 6,000-square-foot penthouse suites with views of the McDowell Mountains. There will also be four new three and four-story townhomes, each with the option of adding an elevator between floors, which have already been sold.

In regard to the timeline for Phase II, Clary explained that it will depend on finding the “right general contractor to build,” as the

N. 76th Street, Suite B Scottsdale, AZ 85260

A view of the phase one exterior. (Soho Scottsdale/Submitted)

success of any project depends on assembling the right team.

“It is so important when you design a project and you design specifications that you take the time to propose really qualitydriven items,” she says. “You want to make sure that your construction team rocks. It is a solid, very knowledgeable team that you assemble to take the project through the process.

“Here’s the most important thing: You have relationships with your subcontractors

and have good ones where they’ll take care of you. They’ll take care of your homeowners because you’ve taken the time to build that rapport and that relationship with the people who are actually building it.”

Clary describes the current labor market of general contractors and subcontractors as spread thin by the pandemic and waning economy. She said that because Soho Scottsdale is selling for-sale products that are investments for many tenants, unlike rental properties, it is crucial that even the most

minute details are perfect.

“It’s taken me a while to get the next phase off the ground because that surety of the right team and the right approach has to be spot on,” Clary says. “The city of Scottsdale has been wonderful to work with. They are collaborators. They work with us to resolve issues or create an even better product. And it’s nice to have that relationship with a municipality that is responsible for approving your plans and making sure that they get built correctly.”

Looking to the future, Clary is excited for the completion of Phase II and the start of Phase III, which will bring in several new amenity spaces. She expressed hope that the project will be seen as a source of pride and that it will leave a lasting imprint on North Scottsdale.

“We’re looking at getting even more people to come here,” Clary says. “It was a project that was out of the box, very new thinking in the state of Arizona. … It’s important that when you put your name to a product, you’re proud of it, and you want to make sure that it withstands the test of time.”

Phase one of the townhomes balances work and leisure. (Soho Scottsdale/Submitted)

FOR CHARITY Chipping

Tom Londen tourney returns to benefit Arizona Cancer

By Alex Gallagher

Seven years ago, beloved Scottsdale philanthropist and Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance president Tom Londen died at age 59 after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Although the news was initially devastating, his spirit lived on for what has become an event that has raised nearly $750,000 since its conception.

A year following his death, the Tom Londen Memorial Golf Classic was launched, thanks to an idea from his longtime employee Loren McKenzie.

“(Tom) got into golf late in life, and he began to love it. Then one of our longtime associates, Loren McKenzie, came up with the idea of a golf tournament, which we stole and made bigger,” says Tom’s son,

After hosting its tournament for about two years and donating the funds to cancer research charities, Matt says he realized he was only contributing a small portion to a large fund. He says he felt the funds from the tournament could be used toward smaller causes.

“We were first donating to cancer research places like the Cancer Research Institute then we realized that we were a small fish in a big pond because its annual budget is millions and millions of dollars,” Matt says.

“We also realized that we were contributing to preventing future cancer — which is great — but we realized that my father would have helped people today, which is why we decided that we should find a way to help families of people who actually have cancer right now.”

Matt, with a laugh.

Son of Tom Londen, Matt Londen, left, is flanked by his good friend, Charles Masón, who will honor Tom at a memorial golf tourney.

(Tom London Memorial Golf Classic/Submitted)

Proceeds from the Tom Londen Memorial Golf Classic will be used toward programs like the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children’s canine therapy. (Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children/Submitted)

Matt’s search for smaller organizations led him to the Airpark-based Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. After a conversation with the nonprofit’s founder, Chrisie Funari, he was sold on a new organization to support.

In the past five years, the tournament has raised just over $500,000 for the nonprofit and this year it hopes to top over $120,000, which will be raised through golf tickets on Saturday and a charity auction and raffles held on the Friday night reception.

The funds will help the Arizona Cancer

Foundation for Children’s mission to provide social, emotional and financial support directly to families managing the health and well-being of a loved one with pediatric cancer.

“It will support families in the Valley with any sort of financial expense that is related to their cancer treatment,” says Meg Dufour, Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children director of events.

“The financial aid that we provide goes towards those bills that pile up due to medical expenses or due to a parent having to leave their jobs because they need to spend all their time getting their child to and from medical appointments and chemo treatments.

“We also provide quarterly financial grants to these families as well as emotional and social support through services like canine therapy and counseling services.”

More than 140 golfers will contribute to the cause, while competing for the grand prize, an all-expense paid trip to the Florida Keys.

Because of this, Matt admits that there tends to be some friendly competition between the golfers.

“People take it pretty seriously and there are some people who are really good that

often finish in the top one or two groups of four, so it’s pretty competitive, but it’s also really fun,” Matt says.

Though several groups will be shooting for the top prize, others are typically there to have a good time, like Matt.

“Then we have people like me who are terrible at golf, but we just go out there to have fun and that’s fine,” he says with a laugh.

Still, the event serves as an ode to the enduring spirit of Londen.

“He was a very charitable person who would have loved an event like this,” Matt says.

“So, this is a perfect fit for my dad to be doing something for a charity like this seems to resonate with the people I work with and the people I socialize with.” 

Tom Londen Memorial Golf Classic

WHEN: Reception at Talking Stick Resort, 6 p.m. Friday, March 31;

Scramble Golf Tournament at Talking Stick Golf Club, 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1

WHERE: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, and Talking Stick Golf Club at 9998 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale

COST: Free for reception; golf tournament starts at $285

INFO: azcancerfoundation.org

Returning for its eighth year, the Tom London Memorial Golf Classic aims to raise over $120,000 for the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. (Tom London Memorial Golf Classic/Submitted)

Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children director of events Meg Dufour and founder Chrisie Funari will attend banquet held the night prior to the golf tournament. They talk about the nonprofit’s mission. (Tom Londen Memorial Golf Classic/Submitted)

PASSING GO

Scottsdale is the latest city to receive Monopoly edition

By Alex Gallagher

Monopoly: Scottsdale hit retail shelves in midJanuary, with 28 of its 40 spaces featuring the city’s top attractions, events and nonprofits.

Among the highlighted entities are Tom’s Thumb Trailhead and Gateway Trailhead, Pinnacle Peak Park, McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Old Town.

“Of course, Monopoly had to have a Scottsdale version, right?” Scottsdale

Mayor David Ortega says during the game’s unveiling inside OdySea Aquarium at Arizona Boardwalk.

“What I like to talk about really is the different kinds of therapies in Scottsdale,” Ortega says. “We have hiking therapy at the McDowell Mountain Preserve, which has 30,000-plus acres to enjoy and find out about; we have art therapy in that we have 100 art galleries in every kind of taste, but we also have the Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of the West and SMoCA.

“Of course, we have golf therapy. We’ve got 52 golf courses, and at the same time we have sports therapy with our equine events, Spring Training baseball and then we have all of these amazing sports fields for families to enjoy.”

These “therapies” helped guide the game board’s layout, according to Katie Hubbard of Top Trumps USA, who developed the game.

“Each color set is themed and for every

city,” Hubbard says. “It’s different based on what’s important to that city.”

On the board, players first travel to two brown squares where they can purchase either the Bob Parks Bronze Horse Fountain or the sculpture titled “Impulsion” before moving on to monuments reflecting the heritage of Scottsdale like Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Old Adobe Mission.

From there, the board hits events such as the Parada Del Sol and Canal Convergence.

It then transitions from events to fun venues like OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland and Scottsdale Stadium.

After passing free parking, the board turns to local haunts like the Old Town Farmers Market, Marshall Way Bridge and the Scottsdale Air Tour before transitioning to frequent tourism destinations like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The

…continues on page 30

Scottsdale is the latest city to receive its own Monopoly game, joining cities like San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Brooklyn.

(Top Trumps USA/Submitted)

The board is divided into the various therapies offered in Scottsdale from outdoors to golf to attractions to local haunts. (Top Trumps USA/Submitted)

Continued from page 28

Rounding out the board are

outdoor venues like the Civic Center, Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt and Pinnacle Peak Park before finishing with two icons of Scottsdale: the McDowell Sonoran

Preserve and Old Town.

Hubbard says whittling down Scottsdale’s various sights and scenes to 28 spaces was sometime overwhelming. She made sure to have countless conversations with some of Scottsdale’s brightest minds and reach out to representatives from some of its hottest attractions.

was sometime overwhelming. She made

“With any city that I go to, I have to get feedback from the public,” Hubbard says. “I spoke with Karen Churchard, the city’s tourism and events director, and she was really helpful.

“A lot of these conversations I’ve had with everyone were really helpful in determining what’s important to Scottsdale in terms of what the locals love but, of course, what the tourists love as well. It was really important to navigate that balance and make sure that this is representative for everyone since this is such a major tourist destination.”

Among other organizations that Hubbard reached out to were Arizona Boardwalk and Scottsdale Arts.

Arizona Boardwalk managing partner. “There are a lot of really well-recognized places here in Scottsdale, which are on the board, and we were so

“They had reached out to us as they were really looking at the different spaces to fill,” says Ran Knishinsky, Arizona Boardwalk managing partner. “There are a lot of really well-recognized places here in Scottsdale, which are on the board, and we were so pleased that we were invited to participate.”

Knishinsky’s cousin, Adi Knishinsky, also a managing partner at Arizona Boardwalk, echoes the sentiment.

“Monopoly represents what we represent, which is family-friendly experiences that create memories for a lifetime.”

Representatives of other destinations pleaded with Top Trmps USA for inclusion on the board.

“(Top Trumps) reached out to us about half a year ago and they talked to us about a couple of different options,” Scottsdale Arts spokesman Brian Passey says.

“However, because we are a nonprofit, it really wasn’t in our budget to do a large investment for Monopoly, but we argued that we are important public institutions, operating out of buildings owned by the city that are culturally important to Scottsdale.

“SMoCA’s really an icon of Scottsdale in that way and Canal Convergence is, obviously, one of the largest events that happens in Scottsdale, being a free 10-night event, drawing more than 100,000 people each year, and it’s something that we felt was important. We were grateful that Top Trumps thought that it was important to feature it on the board as well.” Other entities like Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West also pitched their attraction to Top

important. We were grateful important

Museum of the West also pitched their attraction to Top Trumps.

“There was an announcement in one of the newsletters I got that says that they were talking about a Scottsdale Monopoly game,” museum spokesman

“There was an announcement in one of the newsletters I got that says that they were talking about a Scottsdale David Scholefield says.

“I’ve been involved in other Monopoly games before at a hotel chain I worked for and also in Canada, so I quickly tracked them down and I chatted with Katie and

then they interviewed me.

“They wanted to make sure that it was an appropriate representation of Scottsdale. Then we shared information in terms of costs, location and things of that nature, and they were very helpful.”

was an appropriate representation of to

included in a game that will likely be fea-

Though there was a bargaining process to get these locations on the board, there was a shared sense of gratitude to be included in a game that will likely be featured at game nights across the city soon.

“I’m always excited when I see an ad come to fruition, whether it’s an ad in a magazine, or a newspaper, or radio or TV, so we’re excited by it,” Scholefield says. “Now, the next step is for us to find out when we can actually have the games (to sell).”

Monopoly: Scottsdale will be available in stores, including Barnes & Noble Scottsdale, Kactus Jock, Scottsdale Southwest, Southwestern Reflections and The Poisoned Pen, and online at retail partners, including Amazon. 

Monopoly: Scottsdale

Price: $49.95

toptrumps.us

A New HOME

Moon Valley Nurseries plants HQ in Airpark

By Alex Gallagher

Moon Valley Nurseries has cut the ribbon on its new 25,000-square-foot corporate office in Scottsdale Airpark.

Its new office, located off the Loop 101 and Pima Road in the Pima Northgate offi ce building, will comfortably house members of its corporate operations teams in departments like marketing and customer service call auditing — and will

Tom Durham; Tom Ducey, director of operations and membership for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Scottsdale Councilmember Tammy Caputi; and Moon Valley CFO Deborah Keeley. (Moon Valley Nurseries/Submitted)

likely make a strong impression on visiting investors.

“One of the important things to us about the space that we were in previously, most of our employees had offices and we wanted to continue to have offices where possible for employees,” Moon Valley CFO Deborah Keeley says. “One of the big selling points was we could design it ourselves and we could build our offices.”

Moon Valley Nurseries had previously housed its corporate headquarters less than 15 miles east of the new office at a space off of Seventh street and the Loop 101.

But after seeing large growth over the past four years, CEO Brian Flood felt the company

had outgrown its former home base.

“Over the last three or four years, we went from a 1,000-person company to nearly a 2,000-person company … so really it became a need to expand,” Flood says.

“We needed to continue growing the size of the personnel and have enough space where we could have an open space and not just use cubicles everywhere.”

Not only has the company doubled the number of its employees over the past halfdecade, but Moon Valley Nurseries has also expanded into more Southwestern markets including California, Nevada and Texas.

“We went into new states and new areas and hired new agents, we expanded

Attending the ribbon cutting for Moon Valley Nurseries’ new corporate headquarters were, from left, Bill Serva, company chief technology officer; Cheryl Koury, executive director, Arizona Nurseries Association; state Rep. Matt Gress; Scottsdale Councilmember Betty Janik; Sal Bracale, Moon Valley Nurseries vice president of operations; Moon Valley CEO Brian Flood; Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega; Scottsdale Vice Mayor

into Austin and Dallas, and now we’re expanding into multiple locations throughout Dallas and all through California — where we have just about 2,000 acres of a growing facility and have had a presence since 2014,” Flood says.

When asked what he would attribute his company’s rapid growth too, Flood cited his biggest seller: trees.

“People once underestimated the importance of a tree and the importance of how nice it is to be in their yard,” Flood says.

However, Flood says that when stay-at-home orders were enacted, people began understanding the value trees bring to yards around the Valley and our ecosystem.

“During that time, when everyone was at home, looking at their yard and had the time to take care of the yard, they realized how important it is to be outside,” he says.

Because of this, Moon Valley Nurseries touts itself as being “the largest tree grower in the United States” with tree farms in Texas, California and Tonopah.

Moon Valley Nurseries can, with its new home, continue to vertically integrate.

“We have a lot of nurseries in this world. We have a lot of farms, have a lot of landscapers, and we’ve married the three to vertically integrate our company,” Flood says.

Amid the growth, Keeley admits that North Scottsdale was an obvious choice for Moon Valley Nurseries.

“We knew that we wanted to be in North Scottsdale. However, we weren’t exactly sure where,” Keeley recalls. “(We) looked at a lot of different spaces,

and then once we saw this space, that was it.

“We loved the location of being right off the freeway and we love that it’s close to restaurants — which is good for our employees — and we thought that the building is a beautiful building with the bonus that we could build it all out to our specifications and make it open and modern.”

With the facility opened after a three-month renovation and move-in, Moon Valley Nurseries is shifting its focus to adding 10 new locations this year. One will open in Scottsdale this spring and two others around the Valley later this year.

“We are set right now to open 10 stores this year throughout the Southwest in Texas, throughout California and Arizona, and we’ll continue to expand,” Flood says.

Flood says that the coming years

Moon Valley Nurseries’ expansive new corporate office includes several workspaces and workstations as well as a rosy conference room that will likely see large use.

could also see Moon Valley Nurseries branch out of the Southwest.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to be able to grow the company, and our goal is to open up to 10 new locations per year,” he says.

“What we plan to do is kind of fi ll in the states that were already in — so that’s Arizona, California and Nevada, Texas — and then once we’ve filled in those states, then we would expand outside of those four states.” 

moonvalleynurseries.com

(Moon Valley Nurseries/Submitted)

Among the amenities at Moon Valley Nurseries’ new corporate office is a pingpong table, which will likely have lively matches, especially when CEO Brian Flood, pictured, is in town. (Moon Valley Nurseries/Submitted)

BALLER BITES

FOOD & WINE

NV’s top dining destinations delight with these dishes

By Alison Bailin Batz

The North Valley’s finest restaurants are always innovating new ways to tantalize guests’ tastebuds. Here are some of the hottest high-end menu items right now across the best menus in town.

Truffle burger at Toca Madera

This decadent take on the classic burger starts with Santa Carota beef, which has been grass-raised and finished with carrots. It is a double patty topped with sharp Tillamook white cheddar and a proprietary blend of shimeji, portobello, cremini, oyster and maitake mushrooms, all cooked in white truffle oil. The fluffy brioche bun is toasted with truffle butter

and then brushed with a truffle sauce. Once constructed, it is finished with fresh Italian truffle slices and served alongside French fries with truffle hot sauce. $48

Hay-smoked tomahawk at Bourbon Steak at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

This impeccably 32-ounce marbled cut arrives tableside atop a pile of hay. Said hay is set ablaze in front of diners’ eyes so it may lightly smoke the crust of the meat. Once the fire is put out, the meat is butter-bathed with a rosemary sprig, sliced, and served with a variety of grilled vegetable kabobs. $185

Cresto Di Gallo Norcina at The Italian Daughter

This creamy pasta is a love letter to the Umbrian town of Norcia, which is famous for its pork and truffles. Each comes together in perfect harmony here through the sauce, a combination of wild mushrooms, Norcia-style sausage, tomatoes and truffle cream sauce. Married with the pasta on

the plate, additional studded mushrooms and sausage are added on top for good measure. $25

Sashimi chef’s selection at Roka

Akor

When guests choose the sashimi chef’s selection, they are treated to a selection of exceptional fish sourced from across the globe, each deboned and fileted by hand. A single order includes two pieces of five types of fish, often yellowtail, tuna, halibut and a selection of whatever is freshest. The fish are arranged atop crushed ice with floral garnishes, resulting in a headturning presentation. Larger platters, including the addition of nigiri, available for an added charge. $38-$250

Two Wash Ranch chicken roulade at Hearth ‘61

Chicken is the star of this savory dish. It features sausage made from thigh meat and surrounded by chicken breast with the skin still attached. The entire roulade

Bourbon Steak serves this hay-smoked tomahawk. (Submitted)

is poached, bathed in ice, deep-fried, and served with leeks, roasted cauliflower and cauliflower sauce. The chicken is sourced locally from Two Wash Ranch in New River, where farmer Dave Jordan raises chickens, ducks, geese and pea fowl in a cage-free environment, free of hormones and antibiotics. He delivers his poultry fresh to local restaurant partners, resulting in a more sustainable operation and betterquality food. $37

Truffle steak and egg at STK Steakhouse

While most extravagant dishes are served at dinner, every weekend STK Steakhouse offers a sophisticated brunch that is self-indulgent in the best way possible. Among its most impressive offerings it this eight-ounce Wagyu cooked over a flat iron grill. It is topped with a fried egg and crispy potatoes before a generous portion of truffles are shaved all over the dish. It is served with brioche bathed in truffle-infused butter as well. $52

Toro carpaccio at Sushi Roku

Only the highest-grade fatty belly of sustainably sourced tuna — a piece called the toro of the tuna — makes it to the plate on this dish. It is served raw, cut ever-sothin, lined up on the plate atop soy sauce infused with truffles and then garnished with rich Oscietra caviar, among the most prized and expensive caviars, second only to Beluga. A pop of color, courtesy of dollops of Kizami wasabi, which may only be made from plants indigenous to Japan, completes the angular dish. $46

Kvarøy Norwegian salmon belly crudo Santé

Offering a “beyond organic” menu is part of Santé’s credo, and not just with the crudo. The restaurant partners with multiple regenerative organic farms around the world and locally, including RhibaFarms and McClendon Farms. The salmon here is sourced from Kvarøy Arctic, a company that champions for sustainable salmon farming in Norway. Meeting official standards and their own stringent ones, the company farms for 16 months then allows the water to be undisturbed for up to eight months, a choice that goes beyond the standards. The gluten-free Kvarøy Norwegian Salmon Belly Crudo features tropical slaw, citrus ponzu and black sesame seeds. $18

Pan-seared swordfish at Talavera at Four Seasons Scottsdale Troon North

The chef hand-selects each cut of the

swordfish for this dish daily, simply searing it with herbs and spices and then enhancing it with bilbaina sauce, a classic Spanish salsa made by frying chilies and garlic in olive oil and adding vinegar for balance. Talavera also adds capers for added bite. Piquillo pepper puree, made by sweating onions, peppers and white wine, as well as blanched haricot verte tossed with frisee lettuce, cress leaves and lemon oil complete the dish. $56

Egg in an egg in an egg at Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion

A dish made to honor Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s famous egg caviar (itself an homage to Vongerichten’s mentor Louis Outhier) that has graced New York’s famed Jean-Georges menu since 1978, this dish is meant to delight and surprise. Served as part of Christopher’s award-winning eight-course (plus surprises) tasting menu, the dish comes under a large ceramic egg-shaped cloche and is revealed tableside to be a hollow eggshell filled with creamy scrambled eggs topped with Osetra caviar and an edible golf leaf. $275 (tasting menu cost)

Pluma Iberico de Bellota at Fat Ox

This top-tier cut of pork is sourced from Iberico pigs in Spain that are fed specialty acorn their entire lives resulting in flawless marbling that naturally tenderizes the meat. Simply seasoned and seared to golden-brown perfection

over a wood-fired grill, Fat Ox uses a mix of both pecan and mesquite woods for that perfectly smoky, savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. $70

Veal chop parmigiana at The Americano

This 14-ounce, bone-in cut is thinly pounded and lightly breaded in an herbed-Parmesan panko crust. The chop is quickly pan-fried and basted with brown butter to give it its beautiful golden color. Over the veal chop is chef Scott Conant’s signature pomodoro sauce, reduced with melted baby tomatoes to give a sweet but tangy note to the dish. To finish, four ounces of burrata and fresh basil are placed atop the chop to add an herbaceous creaminess. $65

Wagyu New York Strip with Foie Gras and Tableside Flambé at Bourbon & Bones

Among the most popular preparations of the 12-ounce strip, this cut is equal parts dinner and a show. Once cooked to order, the Wagyu is rubbed with B&B butter, which is Wagyu beef renderings deglazed with bourbon and herbs. It is paired with rich, creamy foie gras and once tableside topped with the restaurant’s proprietary blend of Knob Creek whiskey, which are individually selected by general manager Christopher Marshburn after aging up to 14 years. The whiskey is lit on fire to enhance the flavor profile and served with a selection of sauces. $133 

Toca Madera features this truffle burger. (TJ Perez/Submitted)

Primo vino to enjoy with the one you love

By Alison Bailin Batz

Seeking a little something special to sip with your sweetie this spring? Consider a selection from this list of seductive wines, each guaranteed to ramp up the romance all month long.

This winery dared to open during the pandemic, hence why this light pink bottle is cheekily labeled as “Flying by the Seat of Our Pants.” Flying by the seat of their pants or not, these winemakers have a hit in this crisp and bright beauty with clear notes of orange blossom, ruby red grapefruit and melon. $32

You are reading this correctly; this is a white Pinot Noir. A true rarity, this 2021 bottle offers a symphony of orange blos-

soms and lemon on the nose before stone fruit joins the aromatic party. Those flavors continue to the taste, complemented by a splash of grapefruit and a surprise of blood orange. $34

2020

Enjoy this one chilled, on ice or even as a spritzer or sangria. The notes of strawberry and rose petal practically leap out of the glass, and the acidity will cut through even the hottest day to refresh offering crisp flavors of guava and melon in every taste. $34

This beauty has great bright acidity, yet still elements that soften it on the palate making it perfect by the pool. Adding to the delight are the notes of sour cherry candy, black fruit and a small note of pomegranate to the sip. $36

This winery, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, helped put northern Sonoma on the map. Known worldwide for its award-winning Chardonnays – which regularly break sales records nationwide – the 2020 vintage will not disappoint. That crisp apple fans know and love is there as well as everso-welcome hints of pear, lemon, acidity and French oak. $40

A limited-production blend, the PMZ is unique in that it marries the full-bodied burst of smokiness and dark fruit from Petit Sirah with the jammy, black-fruit and hint of spice from Zinfandel. Then it goes even deeper by adding in Merlot to give it that signature smooth, velvety mouthfeel. The result: a PMZ that is OMG. $42

Bricoleur 2021 Rosé of Grenache

DeLoach Estate Pinot Noir Blanc

Roth Reserve Rosé of Malbec

Harvest Moon 2019 Barbera

Jordan 2020 Chardonnay

Optima 2020 PMZ Blend

Gary

The aromas of red currant and strawberry are so sublime here, tempered just slightly by hints of tobacco as the glass comes toward your lips. On the palate, expect to be similarly impressed with flavors of cola, jasmine, honeysuckle, fresh cherries and sweet baking spices. $45

J Vineyards Demi-Sec NV

Ever crave just a hint of sweetness in your wine? If so, this bottle will be your new best friend. Elegant and bright, each sip of this lovely libation also offers sweet notes thanks to hints of dried peaches and honeysuckle. It is a perfect refreshing without having to go the way of a full-on dessert wine. $45

2019 Rombauer Napa Valley Merlot

Though its butter Chardonnay sets the standard for the region, do not sleep on this velvety smooth Merlot. Its dizzyingly delightful combination of pipe black plum, black tea, freshly baked pie crust, and vanilla and spice makes it the perfect bottle for Thanksgiving dinner — plan now. $48

Trattore Farms 2019 Stone Soup

A perfect food wine, especially with anything from the grill, Stone Soup is the winemaker’s secret blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Grenache. The result has a little something for everyone, including oak and toasted vanilla, chocolate earthiness and even a blast of juicy berry fruit flavor. $58

Amista Sparkling Grenache NV

This effervescent dream benefits from being made using the Méthode Champenoise, which is the process used to make fine French Champagne. If for nothing else, try this one for its nose, which is bursting with tangerine, grapefruit, and Meyer lemon. The flavor upon sipping still has some of that citrus from the nose, yet also boasts the essence of farm-fresh strawberries straight from the vine. $58

2019 Cakebread Napa Valley Merlot

This recently released Merlot boasts familiar flavors of blackberry and plum, showcasing the richness and elegance treasured in the varietal. It pairs beautifully with the season’s most loved dishes, including meatloaf, filet mignon, cheese and all the carbs. $60

Smith-Madrone Winery 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Spring Mountain appellation has done it again with this winning California Cabernet. A palate pleaser of the highest order, expect both red and black fruit to the taste as well as cinnamon, nutmeg and structure, thanks to hints of graphite. $65

2019 Notre Vue GSM

Expect heavenly wave after wave of jammy bright fruit – especially cherry and wild strawberries – followed by pepper and spicy herbs in every sip of this winning Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. $69

Williamson Bliss Sparkling Shiraz

Williamson, owned by an outrageous Australian transplant, made a California sparkling Shiraz. Unique to the eye, nose and taste, it bursts with bubbles and is packed with plum and black currant in each sip. Note: enjoy in a champagne flute versus a wine glass and do not swirl unless you want a big, red mess of bubbles all over your clothes. $69

Lynmar 2018 Adam’s Vineyard Pinot Noir

Lush and smooth, this 94-point Pinot opens with raspberry on the nose quickly followed juicy plum, baking spice and even a touch of what smells like hot chocolate powder. On the tips, get ready for big, ripe

cherries followed by a perfectly balanced bit of spice. $71

Russian River Vineyards Balistreri Pinot Noir

This new release and 2017 vintage is so utterly complex that it will not be in stock long. It starts with that ripe dark fruit balanced by a touch of herbs. There is absolutely spice in every sip but tempered perfectly by big dark cherries and blackberries as well as a hint of tea. $80

2017 Chalk Hill Estate Red

Expect a scrumptious blend of the best lots of the vineyard’s awardwinning Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot here. This means the nose will be bold with anise, tobacco and dark fruits and then to the taste there will be an explosion of vanilla, blackberry, blueberry, maybe a touch of plum and some nuanced spice before smoothing out and preparing the palate for another taste. $85

2016 Palmaz Cabernet Sauvignon

This Napa winery’s founder, Julio Palmaz, invented the coronary heart stent. As such, it is said that every grape at this vineyard symbolizes one life saved as a result. As precise in winemaking as medical innovations, this Cab is a game changer. It warms the soul with vanilla, offers creamy notes of crème brulée and caramel, and then finishes with ripe boysenberry during a dreamy finish. $205 

Farrell 2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

REMEMBER When Yee-haw!

Rodeos keep Scottsdale’s Western spirit alive

By Joan Fudala

As the popular saying goes, “this ain’t our first rodeo.” In fact, the Scottsdale/Parada del Sol Rodeo at WestWorld Thursday, March 9, to Sunday, March 12, will be the most recent in The West’s Most Western Town’s rodeo history that dates back at least 100 years. Hold your horses for these local rodeo remembrances:

• According to blurbs in the 1920s Arizona Republican newspaper, the farming/ranching town of Scottsdale hosted rodeos as far back as the 1920s. From the February 19, 1921, edition: “There will be a rodeo

The Scottsdale Jaycees added a rodeo to the Parada del Sol activities and built a rodeo grounds where Scottsdale Fashion Square stands today. (Scottsdale Historical Society/Submitted)

in Scottsdale on the afternoon of Feb. 22. Mr. Bennett, who is superintendent of the Fort McDowell Indian reservation, has spent considerable time and effort in training the Indians for the event, which will be staged in the vacant lots directly behind the home of Vice President Marshall.” (on Indian School just west of Scottsdale Road, current location of Panera)

• An ad the Arizona Republican promoting the Sunday, August 18, 1929, event, 3 miles north of Scottsdale, promised calf and bronco tying, wild riding, cow milking, a maverick race and steer riding.

• After the World War II pilot training base at Thunderbird Airfield No. 2 (now the site of Scottsdale Airport and the Seventh Day Adventists’ Thunderbird Academy) closed in late 1944, the facilities were taken over by Arizona State College in 1947 for use as a technical trade school. The ASC Aggie Club built a rodeo arena there and hosted an Intercollegiate Rodeo in February 1950. Collegiate rodeo contestants from 14 Western states met for a two-day ASC Aggie Club-hosted rodeo, which, according to the February 16, 1950, Scottsdale Progress, ASC President Dr. Grady Gammage attended to dedicate the arena. Bill Schrader, a 20-year-old Arizona State student and Scottsdale High graduate, was trampled by a bull while participating in the rodeo, breaking his collarbone. Dusting himself off, Schrader went on to be Scottsdale’s third mayor (1962 to 1964) and long-time SRP president.

• Scottsdale grew as a popular tourist destination after World War …continues on page 40

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 4 TO 6 P.M.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center | Scottsdale and McDowell

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong is a free, two-day festival of creativity that includes performances and exhibitions by Scottsdale Unified School District students, family friendly arts activities by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Alli Ortega Empty Bowls fundraiser, interactive demonstrations from City of Scottsdale departments, and culinary delights from local food trucks throughout the SkySong campus.

For more information on the event, visit www.skysong.com/artsfest

A Partnership Between

REMEMBER When

...Continued from page 38

II, and became a desirable place to raise a family or start a business. However, there were few events for residents and visitors to enjoy. The then-new Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce staged a horse rodeo during a February weekend in 1949 and 1950. Held at the old Loveland Polo Field on Camelback and Invergordon (just east of the Jokake Inn), it starred Scottsdale-based and nationally acclaimed rodeo trick rider Dick Griffin. News photos show Griffin jumping over a large convertible while astride two horses. The rodeo was proceeded by a parade and included a barbecue.

• Over Labor Day weekend, members of Native American communities throughout Arizona participated in an Indian Rodeo held at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community rodeo arena. The September 1, 1953, Arizona Republic reported that the event would feature “attempts to ride the notorious Black Widow bucking horse. Other events will include team tying, calf roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and wild cow milking. In addition to the many rodeo events, the program will include dances by Hopi, Apache, Pima and Navajo tribesmen. Native food will be served by women of the reservation.” The rodeo benefitted a college scholarship fund for Native American children and helped provide recreational facilities.

• The Scottsdale Jaycees organized in 1953, and took over sponsorship of Scottsdale’s annual Sunshine Festival, renaming it

the Parada del Sol. The group decided to add a rodeo to Parada events in 1956, combining it with the traditional parade, barbecue and street dance. Undaunted by his earlier rodeo mishap, Bill Schrader, a founding member of the Jaycees, helped organize the rodeo with his fellow Jaycees, who hand-built a rodeo arena for the first Parada del Sol Rodeo on the northwest corner of Scottsdale and Camelback roads. Property owner Harry Lenart leased his land to the Jaycees for $1 a year. The ASU Aggie Club held an Intercollegiate Rodeo at the Jaycees arena in mid-April 1956. By 1959, the Lenart site was pegged for construction of Scottsdale Fashion Square,

so the Jaycees moved their rodeo to Osborn Road.

• The Scottsdale Jaycees got a long-term lease on land that was part of the city’s community center on 75th Street/Osborn Road, east of the Scottsdale Ballpark (built in 1955 for Orioles’ Spring Training) and north of the Boys Club. Again, the Jaycees hand-built a PRCA-competitive rodeo arena through dedication and sweat equity. Between 1959 and 1962, a cattle drive down Scottsdale Road was part of the Parada del Sol Rodeo, but it got too wild and wooly. A former Jaycee recalled that one year the bulls and cattle got loose in the neighborhood where City Hall and Civic Center now stand, enroute to the rodeo arena. Livestock horns pulled laundry off backyard lines and the near stampede frightened the residents.

• For many years, the Lazy J’s, the ladies and wives auxiliary of the Jaycees, organized Parada Rodeo street dance adjacent to the rodeo grounds on 75th Street, then in a larger space when the rodeo moved to Rawhide.

• During its 26-year run at the Old Town Scottsdale arena, the Parada del Sol rodeo featured appearances by the AnheuserBusch Clydesdales, chariot races, rodeo clowns and plenty of rodeo action by professional rodeo circuit riders and ropers. As Downtown Scottsdale grew, parking became scarce on rodeo days. Meanwhile, Jim Paul had opened Rawhide Western Town on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Pinnacle Peak roads in the early 1970s, and Rawhide added a rodeo arena in the early 1980s. The Parada rodeo was once again on the move, to then farnorth Scottsdale. This was disappointing to

The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses were a popular sight at Parada del Sol rodeos at the former arena on Osborn/75th Street. (Scottsdale Historical Society/Submitted)

Pre-Parada Rodeo cattle drives took place down Scottsdale Road, 1959-62 until the livestock got loose and terrorized nearby neighborhoods. (Scottsdale Historical Society/Submitted)

many K-12 students, who looked forward to having Friday afternoon off to attend the downtown Scottsdale rodeo.

• Rawhide hosted its first Parada Rodeo in 1985, with plenty of parking for attendees. It was a perfect location for The West’s Most Western Town’s historic rodeo, but things didn’t always go as planned. It rained so hard on one of the 1990 rodeo days that only 12 people sat in the stands, but they got a show nonetheless; the Jaycees dubbed another the “Snowdeo” for its unusual weather.

• When Rawhide moved from its Scottsdale location in October 2005 (by then surrounded by luxury homes and upscale shopping and golf courses), the Parada del Sol Rodeo moved to WestWorld’s Equidome in 2006, where it continues to be an annual signature event. The City of Scottsdale made substantial upgrades to the former open-sided Equidome Arena; spectators and participants enjoy rodeos in an enclosed facility with many “creature comforts.”

REMEMBER When

• The Scottsdale Jaycees disbanded in 2009, and a nonprofit group of volunteers, Parada del Sol Inc., formed to carry on the tradition. Following the lead established by the Scottsdale Jaycees, proceeds from the Parada rodeo benefit a range of charitable and community programs, especially for underserved Scottsdale-area residents.

• Celebrity sightings have also been common at the Parada del Sol rodeo — actor Walter Brennan (who partied hearty with the Jaycees at Lulu Belle’s), the reigning Queen-for-aDay from the 1950s television show, actor James Caan, country singer Buck Owens and a whole host of roping and riding stars, including trick rider Dick Griffith, who lived in Scottsdale. Lex Connelly served as rodeo announcer for many years.

• In recent years, Scottsdale venues have hosted a variety of special rodeos: the Valley of the Sun All Women’s Rodeo at Horseman’s Park (now WestWorld); the Wrangler Jeans Rodeo Showdown in 1989 (at Horseworld, featuring a rodeo concert with Lee Greenwood and Tanya Tucker) and 1990 (at Rawhide, featuring Canadian and USA teams); a summer rodeo series at WestWorld, 1994-96; the Road Runner Regional Rodeo – one of the International Gay Rodeo Association’s premier events, held at Rawhide in January 2002; and the Arizona Black Rodeo, most recently held at WestWorld in August 2022.

• Can’t get enough of Parada del Sol nostalgia? Visit the Scottsdale Heritage Connection Messinger Family Research Room at Scottsdale Civic Center Library to find a collection of Parada programs (access by request only) and find dozens of Parada photos and videos in the library/historical society digital collection at scottsdalelibrary.org

• Visit the Rodeo Museum at Brown and Second Street in Old Town (check for open hours).

Roping, bull-riding and other PRCA-sanction events highlighted the annual Parada del Sol rodeo at the former Old Town Scottsdale arena, 1959-85. (Scottsdale Historical Society/Submitted)

The Jaycees moved the Parada del Sol Rodeo from Old Town to Rawhide Western Town at Scottsdale and Pinnacle Peak roads in 1985. (Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce/Submitted)

Crowds delighted in the annual Parada del Sol Rodeo, staged by the Scottsdale Jaycees, 1956 to 2009. (Scottsdale Historical Society/Submitted)

Ads and programs of Scottsdale-based rodeos, 1921 to modern times. (Joan Fudala/Submitted)

ADVICE fromWeiss

MARCH 2023 Business Horoscopes

By Weiss Kelly, PMAFA

ARIES 3/21-4/20

The Ides of March’s tension is this month’s theme. A new spring season starts on March 21. The lucky planet, Jupiter, is in your sign all month. Now is the right time to address goals and follow through on them. The new moon in your sign on March 21 symbolizes new beginnings. Don’t let opportunities pass you by. You may regret it come May.

Personal power days: March 22 and March 23

TAURUS 4/21-5/20

The world is unpredictable — weather, stock market, supply chains. You won’t feel secure until you make a financial decision the second half of the month. Circle the new moon on March 21, when you’ll start recharging.

Personal power days: March 24 and March 25

GEMINI 5/21-6/20

Mars comes in like an anxious lion, expecting to act. In other words, you are successful when you’re motivated. March 6 (the full moon) is decisive for you. Good news will arrive with spring’s new moon, albeit challenging, on March 21. Drop what no longer serves you.

Personal power days: March 26 and March 27

CANCER 6/21-7/22

The Pisces sun, until March 21, suggests you reflect about your job or industry. It is important you trust your intuitions. Release any restrictive issues and start anew with the spring equinox on March 21. The new moon brings a new energy, which can bring immediate results. Universal and national crises require creative planning. You can relate more effectively once Mars enters your sign on March 25.

Personal power days: March 1, March 2, March 3, March 28, March 29 and March 30

LEO 7/23-8/21

March is an active and progressive month, but you may not see results until the third week. If approvals don’t happen within the first 10 days of the month, drop it. Once the sun enters Aries on March 20, you’ll feel more assertive and ready to expand your horizons. The happenings of the “outer world” will bring perspective and a new sense of values.

Personal power days: March 4, March 5 and March 31

VIRGO 8/22-9/23

Virgo is associated with the health and service industries. World health is a concern this month. Your personal and professional relationships may be challenged March 1 to March 20. Underline March as “we” time not “me” time. Last 10 days are more progressive. Good news arrives by midmonth. Major shifts in personal and professional lives happen when the sun enters Aries (March 21).

Personal power days: March 6, March 7 and March 8

LIBRA 9/24-10/23

You may have to work overtime the first 10 days of the month, so you can complete pending assignments by the full moon on March 6. The world’s events require diplomacy March 21 to March 30. Network as the new moon brings a promise of renewal and new directions in the next two months.

Personal power days: March 9 and March 10

SCORPIO 10/24-11/22

The planets in direct motion give you a sense of control this month. The spring equinox brings you the energy to change careers. The stock market is unreliable until late spring. It’s a world in flux and requires flexibility.

Personal powder days: March 11 and March 12

SAGITTARIUS 11/23-12/21

The sun remains in the quiet water sign of Pisces, March 1 to March 20. You’re not one to be complacent. Pluto is all about transformation. Keep that in mind when it enters around March 23. The new moon sparks your creative and romantic juices. Confidence returns with a new moon on the March 21. Finances, travel and climate issues are concerns.

Personal power days: March 13, March 14 and March 15

CAPRICORN 12/22-1/19

Take time off early in the month. With Saturn exiting your sign at the end of March, you’ll be able to re-evaluate your goals. Midmonth you’re busy with your career. Network with meetings, lunches and work-related events. Underline March 1.

Personal power days: March 16 and March 17

AQUARIUS 1/20-2/18

March’s super new moon late in the month brings its rewards. Saturn’s restrictions are lifted, lessons are learned and you’ll get a preview of coming attractions for the next couple of months. Settle debts. Develop a better routine of self-care, health, exercise and diet. You’ll continue to be healthy into the new year as we enter the true Age of Aquarius on March 23.

Personal power days: March 18 and March 19

PISCES 2/19-3/20

Don’t allow drama to interfere with any goals or ambitions. Focus on your own needs. Follow through on goals with the sun’s and Neptune’s support through March 20. Expect scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Personal power days: March 20 and March 21 

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