Scottsdale Airpark News - August 2017

Office Spaces

August 2017 contents

FEATURES

20 | Team Effort

Larry Fitzgerald and friends raise money for charity at Dominick's.

22 | Desert Rendering

Innovative architecture projects spring up around the Airpark.

25 | Office Spaces

CEOs from around the Airpark show us their stuff.

31 | Airport Revival

Demolition starts on terminal to make way for renovation.

38 | To Catch a Pollock

Josh Levine's been on a long journey to verify a rare piece of art.

SPOTLIGHT

18 | 5 O'Clock in the Airpark Polar Play Ice Bar is the spot to beat oppressive August temps.

33 | Caught You Looking Good

El Panzon y Frida grand opening celebration

34 | Six-String Diversity

Guitarist Ana Popovic finds musical freedom.

36 | Artist's Playground

Couple strives to incorporate fine art into everyday life.

42 | Remember When Scottsdale publications chronicled history.

48 | Dining Destinations

Char Kitchen & Bar, The Mission Kierland, Phoenix Cooks!, and Rusconi's American Kitchen

COLUMNS

57 | What’s Cooking Cobbler cake in a jar

58 | Legal Perspectives

Minimum wage and paid sick leave: new Arizona statues

60 | Tourism Talk "Scottsdale Stories" give insider tips.

62 | Commercial Real Estate and You

Nine strategies for negotiating favorable lease terms

63 | Gold & Silver

Market bubbles and signals

4 |

On the cover: Christopher H. Volk, CEO of STORE Capital. Photo by Kimberly Carrillo.

Bobbleheads and Tales

You can tell a lot about a person by the things they keep on their desk. Walmart founder Sam Walton had a voice recorder surrounded by a few neat, small stacks of folders. Walt Disney’s desk displayed toy rockets. Albert Einstein – whose workspace was strewn with stacks of scattered papers, piles of open books, and mountains of miscellanea – famously said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”

(Photo

These days, it might just be a sign somebody needs a bobblehead. The nodding toy caricatures have become ubiquitous in offices. Cheech and Chong, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a zombie wearing an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey, Charlie Brown, scientist Nikola Tesla and Donald Trump are among the characters wobbling around offices near me. Each one corresponds to some part of the personality or interests of its owner, or has a story behind how it came to be where it is (the D-Backs zombie was a giveaway at a game in the spring of 2014; Charlie Brown could have been found in the basement of an abandoned home; maybe Trump was a white elephant party gag in the ‘90s, etc.).

Niki D'Andrea Executive Editor

Strangely, there were no plastic figures with nodding noggins on the desks of the Airparkarea CEOs we photographed for this month’s Office Spaces feature. But there were plenty of other interesting things from which to gather insight, including drumsticks, a Tiffany Studios desk set, a dog crate, and a baseball bat signed by Pete Rose. Find more telling objects and meet the CEOs behind the desks starting on page 25.

Also telling is the architecture coming to life around the Airpark – expansive, innovative projects that integrate technology with striking design and mixed-use development – which speaks of the business proliferation in and growing residential appeal of the area. In our story Desert Renderings (page 22), freelance writer Mike Butler pulls the blueprints and picks the brains of the architects behind three of the biggest projects in the Airpark: modern residential high-rise Optima Kierland, the new Vig McDowell Mountain, and the $27 million remodel of Scottsdale Airport itself.

Two more signs of the Airpark’s ongoing growth in this issue: our robust news briefs and Dining Destinations section. Our culinary coverage is the fattest it's ever been at nearly nine pages (beginning on page 48), while business news fills almost four total pages (starting on page 6). There’s so much going on, from the completion of multi-million-dollar renovations at Desert Ridge Marketplace and the breaking ground on the 70,000-square-foot The Block at Pima Center to multiple local execs earning various national awards and the opening of Star Wars-themed Saber Knights Academy.

I bet their CEO has a Yoda bobblehead on his desk.

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

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Niki D’Andrea ndandrea@timespublications.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Becky Bracken bbracken@timespublications.com

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Hailey Mensik, Leah Gilchrist

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kimberly Carrillo

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mike Butler, Stephen Cross, Jan D'Atri, Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Joan Fudala, Marilyn Hawkes, Tracy Heck, Weiss Kelly, Sharon Moyer, Lara Piu, Michael K. Rowlands, Caroline Stoeckel

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cheryl Haselhorst, Tim Sealy

DESIGNER

Veronica Thurman vthurman@timespublications.com

AD DESIGN

Christy Byerly - cbyerly@timespublications.com

Michael Schieffer - mschieffer@timespublications.com

ADMINISTRATION

Courtney Oldham production@timespublications.com

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

by Cassandra Tomei)

±1,102-1,716 SF 6635 N Glen Harbor, Glendale

±3,600 SF 2745 N Green eld, Falcon Field #124

±3,600 SF 2745 N Green eld, Falcon Field #111

±8,623 SF 1825 W Knudsen, Deer Valley Airport

±5,000-25,800 SF 5615 S Sossaman Dr. O/H LAND FOR SALE/LEASE

±1.20 acres 15902 N 80th Street

±1.97 acres 15080 N 78th Way

±2-16 acres Casa Grande Municipal Airport

±20 acres Cooper & Queen Creek, Chandler

Business Briefs By Hailey Mensik

WE WANT YOUR NEWS!

Send your Greater Airpark/North Scottsdale business news to editor@scottsdaleairpark.com.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North to host #GirlBoss

dinner

As part of a special “Unwind, Revive & Ignite” weekend August 11 through 13, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North will host a #GirlBoss pairing dinner at Talavera. The August 11 event brings together Talavera chef Samantha Sanz and Rochelle Daniel, executive chef at The Fat Ox restaurant, for a five-course meal. A portion of proceeds from the dinner ($85; wine pairings available for an additional $40) benefits the Girls Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. Sanz, who sharpened her culinary chops in the kitchens at Virtú Honest Craft and elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort before joining the Talavera team in 2016, says it’s an “inspiring time to be a female chef in the Valley.”

“There are so many women taking leadership roles in the kitchen,” Sanz says. “Rochelle and I have partnered together in the past, and I look forward to presenting a collaborative menu combining our respective talents and passions.”

In addition to the kickoff dinner, the weekend includes Friday night yoga, art and health and wellness seminars on Saturday and a morning power walk followed by a brunch buffet at Proof on Sunday. For more information about the “Unwind, Revive & Ignite” weekend at Four Seasons, contact the resort’s food and beverage coordinator, Hilary Meyers, at 480-513-5029 or hilary.meyers@fourseasons.com.

…continues on page 10

(Photo courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)

Talavera chef Samantha Sanz will partner with Fat Ox chef Rochelle Daniel for the #GirlBoss dinner.

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equipped

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• Electronic cruise control

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…continued from page 6

Newly updated Desert Ridge Marketplace holding events to promote new look

Desert Ridge Marketplace has undergone a $15 million transformation over the last four months, with enhancements including more than 57,000 square feet of eco-friendly turf, 75,000 square feet of dark recycled wood paneling, an update to the District stage, new bocce ball courts, a new children’s play area, Earth-conscious EV charging stations, free Wi-Fi and soft, new seating.

Two massive, state-of-the-art LED screens will also arrive in August, including a 50-by-14 foot installation at the District stage, perfect to keep the fun going after a meal at soon-to-debut, chef-driven concepts like Barrio Queen and MidiCi restaurants or favorite nightlife spots like Sandbar, Majerle’s and Yard House. In late summer and early fall, Desert Ridge will host yoga in the District, art festivals, ice cream socials and a jazz concert series.

Meritage Homes introduces smart features and high-tech amenities

Meritage Homes introduced in July a suite of newly constructed houses in Scottsdale that include Wi-Fi-enabled features which allow residents to control lighting, temperature and other key components of their homes from their smartphones. Some features include Wi-Fi-enabled doorbells, allowing homeowners to “answer” the door while away via video chat or capture unexpected motion on camera. Smart door locks allow residents to lock and unlock doors while away. Advanced weather-sensing irrigation responds to local weather data, reducing water waste and allowing for smarter programming to keep landscaping healthier throughout the seasons. “As automation continues to advance and become more affordable, Meritage Homes is innovating to meet growing demands and allow buyers to stay connected to their homes,” C.R. Herro, vice president of environmental affairs for Meritage Homes, says. “We are proud to make wireless technology accessible to buyers at all price points with a home automation system in our new builds.”

MainSpring Capital breaks ground on The Block at Pima Center

MainSpring Capital is currently developing The Block at Pima Center – over 70,000 square feet of freestanding pad and retail shop space off the Loop 101, and the biggest retail center to be constructed in Scottsdale in five years. “This is the largest retail mixed-use center built in Scottsdale since the (Scottsdale) Quarter,” MainSpring Capital Group spokesman Curtis Brown says. “The enthusiasm from tenants has been remarkable and our space is already 50 percent committed. With limited retail space still available, our team is confident the remainder of the project will quickly lease up.”

Pima Center already has 1.4 million square feet developed, and the retail center will occupy approximately 22 acres of the park on the northwest corner of 101 and Via De Ventura, next to the freeway. “We are still targeting a few categories, specifically an iconic, locally owned restaurant or brewery who can utilize the main patio dining opportunities on the hard corner,” Brown says. “These end caps will have unmatched visibility and access and tenants will be able to utilize some of the best outdoor patios spaces in town. Imagine the traffic on game days.”

YAM Capital hires new senior underwriter

YAM Capital, a Scottsdale-based, private real estate bridge lender, hired Shari Stults as senior underwriter. She will evaluate commercial real estate analytics and assist with research, financial modeling and business development for lending opportunities.

Stults brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm with past involvement in several banks and agencies as a loan originator and commercial mortgage banker. Most recently, Stults helped clients exceed financial and operational goals as a senior investment analyst and commercial mortgage banker for GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation and NorthMarq Capital. “I look forward to helping this organization continue to accomplish its goal of providing unique, dependable and efficient lending solutions to clients,” Stults says.

Stults is an active member of the community and serves on numerous professional boards and nonprofit groups, such as the board of Arizona Commercial Real Estate Women (AZCREW), the Mortgage Bankers Association, Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP) and Arizona Commercial Mortgage Lenders Association (ACMLA).

Kirk G. Karpelian honored as top financial advisor by 'Barron’s' magazine

Barron’s magazine named Kirk G. Karpelian, a private wealth advisor with Scottsdale-based Ameriprise Financial, to its list of “America’s Top 1,200 Advisors: State-by State.”

The annual list highlights outstanding financial advisors who represent the highest levels of ethical standards, professionalism

and success in the business, and is based on data from over 4,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Kaperlian is part of Vertex Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial that provides financial advice anchored in one-on-one relationships with their clients.

(Courtesy of Evolve Public Relations & Marketing)

An updated fountain entrance at Desert Ridge Marketplace is now operational.

(Photo courtesy YAM Capital)

Shari Stults brings more than 25 years of experience to YAM Capital.

Ammo Inc. appoints two senior executives to board of directors

Ammo Inc., an ammunitions developer, manufacturer and distributor, has appointed two senior business executives to its board of directors: retired NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace Jr. and James C. Czirr, an entrepreneur and corporate development executive. Wallace currently serves as lead analyst for MRN (Motor Racing Network) Radio, and is also the principal stakeholder in the Rusty Wallace Automotive Group, a collection of eight automotive dealerships in eastern Tennessee. “Rusty is a NASCAR Hall of Famer who brings important, deep industry relationships and insight into the true American sportsman and sportswoman consumer marketplace – our primary target audience,” says Fred W. Wagenhals, Ammo CEO.

Czirr brings over 40 years of experience and currently serves as president of Sterling Pacific NW, a financial advisory firm, and sits on the board of directors of True Nature Holding Inc.

“Jim has an exceptionally distinguished and prolific career in corporate finance and capital markets,” Wagenhals says, “working with developmental stage companies to build them into listed, highly successful public companies.”

2017 Spirit of Scottsdale award winners showcase their community

The 2017 Spirit of Scottsdale awards were given to both individuals and groups in June for representing the community through preserving and improving Scottsdale neighborhoods. “The awards are about how a place looks and feels… its community contributions both aesthetically and socially,” says Christy Hill, commission staff liaison. Resident Chuck La Benz received one of two awards in the “Spirit of Scottsdale” category for a campout he coordinated for residents to gather over games and movies, while Chris Birkett received the other award for his renowned holiday lights display. Residents of Camelview Greens, 7494 E. Joshua Tree Lane, received the residential category award for their xeriscape garden. The Sugar Bowl Restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale received an award for its nostalgic theme and for being featured in several of cartoonist Bil Keane’s Family Circus comics.

Scottsdale Business Center sells for $7.3 million in potential redevelopment opportunity

The 56,439-square-foot Scottsdale Business Center in the Scottsdale Airpark sold for $7.3 million in June. The 4.27-acre property at 13402 N. Scottsdale Road is a redevelopment opportunity for buyer Dunbar SBC. The Finchman Dempsey Team at Lee and Associates, led by principals Jan Finchman, Patrick Dempsey, Mark Linsalata and associate Andrew Lundahl, facilitated the sale between the seller, Arizona SBC, and the buyer. “Scottsdale Business Center is attractive to investors because of its strategic location in the Scottsdale Airpark and its close proximity to restaurants, shopping and entertainment at Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter one mile to the north,” Finchman says. “Additionally, the property enjoys attractive demographics, with over 194,000 residents within a five-mile radius and 178,000 daytime employees with 15,000 businesses.”

…continued from page 12

ASU will host NCAA golf championships at Grayhawk starting in 2020

Starting in May 2020, ASU will host the NCAA golf championship for men and women for three consecutive years. The tournaments will take place at Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor course in Scottsdale and will mark the first time the championships are held at the same site for three consecutive years. “We are fortunate enough to live in one of the most prestigious golf destinations in the country, so what better place to host the NCAA golf championships than Scottsdale,” Ray Anderson, ASU vice president for athletics, says. “We intend to illustrate why Arizona is the perfect place for the NCAA golf championships.”

ASU previously hosted the 1992 NCAA championships for women at Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, and in 1971, the championships for men were held in Tucson.

The event will be televised on The Golf Channel.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty agent closes $6.1 million sale

Debbie Sinagoga, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s agent and luxury real estate expert, closed a $6.1 million sale on a 11,682-square-foot home in Scottsdale – her second sale exceeding $6 million in the past eight months. The seven-bedroom, 10-bathroom Spanish Colonial mansion at 10340 E. Mountain Spring Road is located on the 3rd hole fairway and 11th tee box on the Silverleaf golf course. Designed and built in 2015 by Mooney Design Group and RS Homes, the estate features high-end amenities such as a library, five-car garage, wine room, resort pool and outdoor kitchen with pizza oven. “The seller designed the home around the needs of their family – that included three young children who play several sports and are very active,” Sinagoga says. “A home like this with an exceptional lot, magnificent views and this much privacy is hard to find – even in Silverleaf.”

…continues on page 16

Office Space for LEASE

Sky Peak is a 2-story full-service executive office building on 7320 E Butherus Dr, one block east of Scottsdale Road, Accross the street from the Scottsdale Quarter and the Kierland Commons business/shopping area. It has 15 suites, from approximately 892 to 4300 S.F. +/-, with a state-of-the-art monitored building security and heating/cooling system, a central elevator, an exterior stairway, and a restroom facility on each floor. 35 covered and 88 uncovered parking spaces surround the complex plus 4 handicapped spaces.

• Suites from 1144 sf to 4,224 sf +/-

• 3 Covered airplane parking spaces

• Digital thermostat

• Security door

• 2 Story Free standing office building

• 35,934 SF +/-, on 144,449 SF +/- lot

• Adjacent to Kierland Gardens & Scottsdale Quarter in major Scottsdale Airpark area

• Shopping, dining and other amenities within close walking distance

• Total of 128 parking spaces

• 5 min drive from 101 freeway

(Courtesy of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s)

The home was built in 2015 and is located on the 3rd hole fairway and 11th tee box on the Silverleaf golf course.

airpark business news

…continued from page 15

Airpark Jedi get local training facility

Saber Knights Academy, a unique concept incorporating light sabers and martial arts to create Star Warsthemed parties and training lessons, is now open at Scottsdale Airpark. Entrepreneur and Scottsdale Star Wars fan Brandon Estrella, along with Alan Venable (who has over 17 years of experience in martial arts) are partners in the venture.

Estrella took his love for the space adventure and made it a reality for all ages at the new store. “It’s a mix of fitness and fandom for the whole family,” he says.

Saber Knights Academy is located at Northsight Village III, near the southwest corner of Northsight Boulevard and Butherus Drive. “Saber Knights Academy represents the best of new retail concepts,” Lacey Eyman and Judi Butterworth

of ORION Investment Real Estate, who facilitated the lease, wrote. “They add a new element of fun to North Scottsdale.”

10 to 1 PR hires account executive Sierra Oshrin

10 to 1 Public Relations, a Scottsdale-based marketing firm, hired Sierra Oshrin, a former television reporter, as an account executive. Oshrin most recently served as lead STEM reporter for KBOI-TV, the CBS affiliate in Boise, Idaho, and has also worked for Phoenix-based radio and television stations and national news outlets such as USA Today. “As a former TV journalist, Sierra brings a true understanding of what reporters need to tell an interesting story and how best to position clients in the public eye,” Josh Weiss, president of 10 to 1 Public Relations, says. “She’s a talented storyteller and brings an excellent Rolodex of media contacts with her

from across the United States.” Oshrin graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and is excited to return home to Arizona, where she also grew up. “Over the years, I’ve worked with many public relations companies and I know what makes certain pitches stand out,” Oshrin says. “I’m excited to join the 10 to 1 Public Relations team because I believe in its philosophy of building up good will for its clients to create a bank of positive awareness. The firm’s client list also excited me and I’m thrilled to work with them and help share their stories.”

Whitestone REIT CEO wins entrepreneur of the year

Whitestone REIT announced that chairman and CEO Jim Mastandrea was awarded the 2017 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Gulf Coast-Texas region in the category for Transformational CEOs. The award celebrates entrepreneurs globally who demonstrate achievement in innovation, financial performance and commitment to their business and communities. Mastandrea manages 21 shopping centers across Arizona, ranging from DC Ranch in Scottsdale to Village Square at Dana Park in Mesa.

“Whitestone is focused on developing and operating neighborhood and commu-

nity shopping centers in fast-growing cities in business-friendly states to create values for our shareholders and other stakeholders,” Mastandrea says. “We are proud that Whitestone anticipated and prepared for today’s rapidly evolving retail environment, uniquely positioning the company for growth and valuecreation,” he adds. “As such, this award is a tribute to everyone at Whitestone, including the board of trustees, the management team and the hardworking employees of the company who have been instrumental in developing and executing our successful e-commerce-resistant business model.”

(Courtesy of ORION Investment Real Estate)

Saber Knights Academy incorporates light sabers and martial arts to create fun Star Wars-themed parties and training lessons.

Axon gives Accelerate attendees first look at new police record management system

Axon, a leader in law enforcement technologies, recently previewed Axon Records at the second annual Accelerate user conference in Scottsdale. The groundbreaking record management system (RMS) is designed to streamline online processes and put officers back to work on the streets. Today’s police officers spend two-thirds of a given shift performing administrative tasks, according to Axon – a problem the company’s new system aims to solve.

Current RMS options make integration with other technologies, such as computer-aided dispatch systems (CAD) and Axon’s cloud-based evidence management solution, Evidence.com, difficult, and offer little support to easy access of information on crime and incident trends.

Axon Records, a user-friendly alternative available in 2018, will offer easily searchable data and tools for paperwork automation, effortless information sharing and digital evidence integration. “We’ve all seen how technology has helped accelerate certain aspects of our lives,” Sayce Falk, director of RMS, says. “In the 20th century, we used to read game highlights in a newspaper the day after. Today, we get immersive highlight reels as the game ends. Our vision for RMS is similar in that we’re focused on delivering an integrative, multimedia platform that saves time and puts insights and the right information at every officer’s fingertips.”

GPS Insight awarded NJPA national contract for fleet management

The National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) has awarded GPS Insight, a Scottsdale-based technology provider of telematics solutions, a contract to provide its services to them.

“We are very proud to have been awarded the NJPA contract for Fleet Management,” Jason Walker, VP of sales at GPS Insight, says. “This is a testament to the quality of the people, products and solutions at GPS insight. We look forward to working with NJPA to provide the technology and level of service that government fleets expect,” he said.

GPS Insight helps government fleets reduce costs, risks and frustration for agencies with vehicles and other mobile assets by tailoring solutions to their clients’ needs. 

• Suites from 1,144 sf to 4,224 sf +/-

• T-shade parking for airplanes

• Adjacent to Scottsdale Quarter

• Suites from 18,000 +/rentable sf

• 1,400 - 5,000 sf +/-

• Private Courtyard

• Covered parking

• Shopping, dining and other amenities within walking distance

Single Suites

• From 1,518 sf +/- to 1,748 sf +/Double Suites or more

• 100% Air Conditioned

• Wide loading and unloading space

• 10' Overhead door

• 14' Ceilings height

• Scottsdale Rd. frontage

• Near Kierland Commons

• 24,511 SF office/ warehouse space

• Units from 1,70019,500 sf +/-

• 100% air conditioned

• Wide loading and unloading space

• 10’ Overhead door

• 14’ Ceilings height

• Adjacent to taxiway

IN THE AIRPARK

Heat Hack

By Becky Bracken

Photos courtesy of Bridges Media

Group

Up until 7 p.m., Polar Play is kidfriendly, but after 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays it becomes a 21-and-older destination.

Cloud Creations

Dancesport & Costume Couture By Gazelle

• Dancesport Apparel

• Belly Dance Costumes

• Hand Painted Silks

• Vintage Clothing

• Vintage Wedding Gowns

• Theater and Dance Attire

• All Occasion Costume Rentals

Chafed, chapped, sunburned and parched, Scottsdale residents tend to lose their sense of humor around August. In May and June, it’s fun to put in some pool time. July is for celebrations, barbecues and summer escapes to cooler climes – the beach, the mountains, pretty much anywhere that isn’t the desert. But August is a beast.

Look around and you’ll see it, too: women in messy topknots with melting makeup and men sporting short-sleeved dress shirts, trying anything to maintain their cool. There’s no longer the collective Scottsdale sense that style rules. Instead, August calls for wet bandanas and Sharper Image personal cooling systems around the neck, flip-flops and wide-brimmed lifeguard hats – fashion be damned. The blast-furnace-hot air that hits you in the face when you open the door to the outdoors no longer comes as a shock but as a deeply hurtful reminder that there are many weeks of triple-digit heat left to go.

If only, for just a moment, you could cool off and bring down your core temperature to something more reasonable – then you could face tomorrow’s fresh, hot hell with a smile.

Here’s the cure: happy hour at Polar Play at OdySea. It’s the most refreshing place in the Valley and there’s no better spot to celebrate the end of the long, sweaty day than

Once you’ve got a drink to sip, step over to the shuffleboard, checkerboard or cornhole game made entirely of ice.

surrounded by ice sculptures, wrapped in a parka and clutching a cool drink. Once you enter the frozen wonderland, it only takes a matter of minutes for you to forget the endless weeks of oppressive heat and recall a time, not so long ago, when the air didn’t burn your skin.

Here’s how it works. It’s $15 per hour for adults and $10 per hour for kids to step inside the Polar Play area. That’s also when you can buy drink tickets to use inside at the Polar Ice Bar, which are also $10 a piece. There’s also a full alcohol and coffee bar,

and a sub and slushie menu in the lobby, which is outfitted to replicate a ski lodge, complete with family-friendly games, like Jenga and Uno, and several tables for lingering.

The Polar Play area is, in fact, a gigantic walk-in freezer. Before you go inside, the staff outfits you in a parka and gloves. Now at this point, you’ll think, “I don’t need that, I want to be cold.” Yes, you do. Take the coat.

Once you’re inside, there are ice sculptures everywhere. The Polar Bar is made entirely out of ice. There are flashing lights and upbeat music. Drinks at the Polar Bar include a limited menu of specialty mixed cocktails named after Super Mario characters like the “Princess Peach” with peach Eddy vodka and cherry KoolAid, the Luigi with Malibu rum, pineapple

IN THE AIRPARK

juice and blue Curacao, and the Yoshi with grapefruit vodka, Mello Yellow and Midori.

Once you’ve got a drink to sip, step over to the shuffleboard, checkerboard or cornhole game made entirely of ice. There’s even a Polar Play app to help guide you around the frozen playground. Snap selfies with penguin and bear ice sculptures. The entire experience is like stepping into an igloo and every moment is chilly and glorious. If you’re getting too cold, just take a break in the lobby lodge to thaw out, maybe sip a warm cup of coffee.

Up until 7 p.m., Polar Play is kid-friendly, but after 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays it becomes a 21-and-older destination.

So the next time you’re on your way home from work, instead of sitting in parked traffic on the 101 and baking in the blistering sun, take the exit to OdySea and wait out the afternoon heat in an actual freezer with a drink. It’s the smartest way to take a time out from oven-like August temps. Hang in there. October is just around the corner. 

For more information, visit polarplay.com.

The Polar Play area is, in fact, a gigantic walk-in freezer.

Team

Effort

Larry Fitzgerald and friends raise money for charity at Dominick’s

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver

Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t take his celebrity status for granted. He’s respectful of fans and, as a result, the Red Sea adores him.

One way the 6-foot-3 athlete uses his stardom to give back to the community: raising money for breast cancer and childrelated causes.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will present “The Grand Illusion, the ninth annual Fitz’s Supper Club – Celebrities at Your Service” on Monday, August 28, at Dominick’s Steakhouse. It benefits the Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund.

Illusions will take center stage, as guests enjoy a four-course dinner and spirits served by Fitzgerald’s teammates and other celebrity friends. A magician will perform tricks throughout Dominick’s.

“Every year we try to introduce innovative ideas to keep people interested and willing to come back,” Fitzgerald says via telephone from Minnesota, where he was hosting a kids’ camp.

“It’s difficult to keep people’s attention in today’s world with instant gratification. By changing up the themes and making it

(Photo by Tim Sealy) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hosts Fitz’s Supper Club at Dominick’s to raise funds for charity.

fun and exciting, it will generate some much-needed revenue for our foundation.”

Fitz’s Supper Club will allow guests to experience Dominick’s Steakhouse like never before. The servers will be Hall of Fame NFL players, Phoenix Suns, current and former Arizona Diamondbacks and a cadre of Cardinals. It has become one of the premier social, philanthropic and entertaining evenings in Scottsdale.

“We are huge fans of everything Larry Fitzgerald does both on and off the field,” says Jeff Mastro, co-owner of Dominick’s Steakhouse and Steak 44. “That’s why we are proud to underwrite the entire evening and help Larry raise a record amount of fun for his First Down Fund.”

For a decade now, the Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund has supported kids and their families with significant gifts of time, money and special resources through numerous associations across the country. Despite the achievement, Fitzgerald is quick to deflect the attention from him and the work he’s done.

“It’s been a team effort,” he says. “There are a lot of people involved who have done a lot of hard work to make it go the way it’s been going. I’ve had some dedication from my teammates and all the donors who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to make the foundation go out there and address the needs of the people in the communities.”

His mother, Carol, taught him the importance of philanthropy. She lost a battle with breast cancer in 2003 and inspired Fitzgerald to raise money for the cause.

“She would say, ‘Let’s go over there and do Circle of Love,’ or ‘Let’s go over there and do the AIDS Walk.’ It was ingrained in us,” Fitzgerald says. “It’s essential for me to do this. If I’m not making a presence in the community, I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

The biggest joy he gets is when he sees his and his team’s work come to fruition. “Like a backpack back-to-school drive or a computer lab initiative, once you see it implemented, that’s what makes it feel really special to me,” he says. “I have people come up to me at random dinner locations and say, ‘Larry, we really appreciate the money you’re raising for breast cancer awareness. Thank you for fighting the battle with us.’”

Fitzgerald is proud to continue his mother’s legacy and was thrilled to share the Walter Payton Man of the Year honor with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

“It was really fun to share that with Eli, somebody I’ve known since 2003,” he says. “I see all the great work he’s been able to accomplish. We were in the same draft class in 2004. We’re just continuing to do what’s right in our respective communities. We strive to be great examples not only for athletes but people in general.”

He doesn’t feel the pressure, however, to be a good role model. It comes naturally.“I don’t put any pressure on myself,” Fitzgerald says. “Nothing changes with me. I do the same things I’ve always done: Live life to the fullest and be respectful.” 

The Grand Illusion, Fitz’s Supper Club – Celebrities at Your Service

7 p.m. Monday, August 28

Dominick’s Steakhouse, 15169 N. Scottsdale Road 416-516-9898, larryfitzgerald.com

Desert

Rendering

Innovative architecture projects spring up around the Airpark

By Mike Butler

This summer, any conversation about the state of architecture in the Airpark is going to be dominated by the $27 million renovation of the Scottsdale Airport itself.

The aviation hub and economic engine is the city’s front door, and no one is more aware of making a good first impression than its lead architect, Mike Braun of DWL Architects + Planners.

But design fans also will excitedly point to other recent innovative projects in North Scottsdale, such as Artie Vigil’s Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired vision for The Vig at McDowell Mountain. And the

way that Optima Inc. is redefining luxury multi-family housing with Optima Kierland.

Buckle Up

Mike Braun says the airport renovation and redesign is all about maximizing Scottsdale’s brand – a world-class community with world-class services and amenities.

A brand-new terminal and modern business center will replace the old terminal and business center. Two new 30,000-squarefoot hangars with 28-foot doors will easily accommodate today’s larger executive jets. The hangars will have direct runway access and their own private fuel operation.

Braun says DWL’s previous work updating Falcon Field in Mesa and parts of Sky Harbor drilled home the importance of designing ways to keep the Scottsdale Airport operational while demolition and new construction take place.

The Zulu Cafe will soar to new heights by transforming into a destination – Volanti – a seven-day-a-week, breakfast/lunch/dinner venue with plenty of room to hold hangar banquets and provide private jet catering.

An expansive glass wall and public patio will capture views of the mountains and runways to the north of the facility, Braun says. Pre-cast concrete walls on the

south and west elevations will moderate the sun’s rays and anchor the project to its desert location.

Braun says he’s also excited to design the Thunderbird Field II Plaza portion of the project. The memorial came late to the planning table, but thanks to the years-long, determined efforts of former airport advisory commissioner Steve Ziomek and his corps of volunteers, it will become a reality.

The park-like plaza will feature a vintage Boeing-Stearman PT-17 and other artifacts, giving Scottsdale families yet another opportunity to engage with the airport and its rich past as a World War II flight training

ground. “It’s more than just an airport,” Braun says. “We’re telling a story about what the airport was and what it’s doing for the community today.”

Keeping Vigil

Architect Artie Vigil isn’t into suburbs or strip malls. He designs spaces that are connected, integrated, walkable. He likes rehabbing old buildings. He doesn’t go gaga over new dirt – usually.

But when his old friends at Genuine Concepts approached him about creating a fifth Vig at McDowell Mountain – less than a mile from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Gateway Trailhead center – Vigil and his team saw the possibilities.

Inspired by Taliesin West, Vigil crafted an organic, prairie-style neighborhood hangout that’s sort of a cross between a hipster cocktail mecca and a hiker outpost.

The 13,000-square-foot venue’s open interior is matched by its generous outdoor gathering spaces and will become a magnet for community gatherings, Vigil says. The Vig at McCormick Ranch didn’t have that luxury of space, he reflects. “We may have overcompensated in this situation.”

Currently on a March-October research sabbatical in London, Lisbon, Budapest,

(Renderings courtesy DWL Architects + Planners)

A rendering of the $27 million renovation of the Scottsdale Airport

Marrakesh and other world design capitals, Vigil will return to the Valley with photos and notebooks jammed with new ideas.

Building on his past work with infill projects in Phoenix and downtown Scottsdale and Gilbert, Vigil says he’ll keep trying to move the needle in suburban Scottsdale. He wants to see seniors living next door to Millennials, interacting at transit stops, sidewalks, parks and nightlife spots – like The Vig.

“Scottsdale is learning,” Vigil says. “It’s a young city. It has a unique environment, pride of place. How do we capitalize on that?”

Going Vertical

After blasting through preliminary sales goals, Optima Inc. is hard at work on construction of Optima Kierland’s first 12-story condominium tower. Tenants have been moving into the 150-unit leasing tower since April. It offers studio to three-bedroom apartments.

Ultimately, there will be four towers situated on the 9.5-acre property at Scottsdale Road and Kierland Boulevard.

The towers have an edgy, geometric design and will feature extensive hanging gardens built into the balconies – similar to highrises Optima has built in Central Scottsdale. Residents of each tower will enjoy a rooftop infinity-style pool and a full-service fitness center, among many other amenities.

The condo tower provides one- to fivebedroom homes starting in the low $300s. It was designed for a maximum of 220 homes,

but there will be fewer because some buyers want to combine two or three units for more space. One client will merge four units into a luxurious 4,111-square-foot home.

Aside from being a $500 million boost

to the economy, Optima Kierland’s true significance might be in the way that it could subtly shift the dynamics of the North Scottsdale housing market.

A number of buyers, according to Optima president David Hovey Jr., are trading their golf course homes and single-family desert estates for the opportunity to be in midst of the bustling North Scottsdale urban core. 

Rooftop view from one of the Optima Kierland towers

(Photo by Mike Butler)

(Photo by Mike Butler)

(Renderings courtesy Artie Vigil)

Rendering of the recently opened Vig McDowell Mountain

Residents of Optima Kierland enjoy many amenities.

Office Spaces{ {

CEOs from around the Airpark show us their stuff

By Becky Bracken and Lara Piu

Chief executive officers are a unique breed – they’re leaders and risk-takers with their own individual approaches to achieving success and singular, dynamic personalities across the board. Perhaps nowhere are the personalities and business philosophies of CEOs more evident than in their offices, where every object around them can be a symbol, a story, or both. We visited some of the top executives around the Airpark to observe them in their natural environments and learn a little bit more about things they surround themselves with every day.

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Christopher H. Volk, STORE Capital

By Becky Bracken / Photo by Kimberly Carrillo

Christopher H. Volk, CEO of STORE Capital, which reportedly recently attracted a nine-figure investment from icon Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway, is a CEO with classic style (see his signature bow tie) who surrounds himself with beautiful things. There’s the 1900s Wooten CEO desk with its countless cubbies and compartments, similar to ones owned by the likes of Queen Victoria, Thomas Edison and John D. Rockefeller. Atop his second ornate Thomas Brooks Victorian antique desk sits an exquisite Tiffany Studios desk set. Asked why he prefers the Victorian aesthetic, he explained the romance of big business around the turn of the century and pointed to the likes of TV show Downton Abbey. “They knew how to live very well,” he says.

Martin Diamond, Vuria

By Lara Piu / Photo by Kimberly Carrillo

Martin Diamond leads Vuria Creative Technology, a web and mobile development and digital marking company established in 2001. During his work hours, he surrounds himself with playful reminders of the world outside the office: a Vuria softball team jersey, a baseball signed by the players on the championship youth team he coached, his trusty drumsticks he calls his “fidget spinner,” family vacation photos and a framed cover of Scottsdale Airpark News featuring Diamond himself.

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Simer S. Mayo, Valor Global

By Lara Piu /

by Cheryl Haselhorst

Team-oriented sports fanatic Simer Mayo founded Valor Global 13 years ago. His team of nearly a thousand local and international employees provides IT services and solutions to businesses. Mayo’s office is filled with sports memorabilia, including photos of Larry Fitzgerald and Pat Tillman, a helmet from Super Bowl XLIX and a bat signed by baseball legend Pete Rose.

Photo

Sharon Bondurant, AZ Tech Finders and HR Finders

By Lara Piu / Photo by Tim Sealy

Sharon Bondurant helms Techfinders and HRfinders, recruiting companies she founded in 1998 and 2012, respectively. They have thrived despite dot.com bombs, corporate downsizes and a major economic recession. Her workspace is filled with items that bring her back to center, no matter the adversity: nerdy black glasses (the company’s tagline is “Talking Nerdy Since 1998”), a photo of her receiving an award, her organizer that reminds her to “hustle” and a feather card. Feathers have a special meaning to Bondurant. “Whenever I see them, I know I’m going in the right direction and doing the right thing,” she says.

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Marianne Guenther, Sneaky Big & The Parsons Agency

By Becky Bracken / Photo by Kimberly Carrillo

Personally tapped by GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons to head his new Sneaky Big Studios and The Parsons Agency, Marianne Guenther is far more Sheryl Sandberg than Don Draper, with her background in both big-time tech and media, and healthcare as a physician assistant. Crafts by her four kids are scattered all around the purple-haired exec’s corner office. Her stand-up desk is a nod to her continued focus on good health. Underneath sits a crate for her beloved dog, Kona, a frequent visitor to the office. Not pictured is the obligatory advertising executive bar cart, which is well stocked and for more than just show, Guenther says with a grin. 

Revival Airport

Demolition starts on terminal to make way for renovation.

By Becky Bracken

It was the last time since it was built in 1969 anyone from the public would likely be in the Scottsdale Airport terminal building. Soon the power would be cut for demolition to begin to make way for a new $27 million aviation business center and hangars.

“This project is cleared for departure,” Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane declared at the ceremonial groundbreaking held at the terminal on July 12, which instead of shovels, featured a “wall-breaking” by sledgehammer-wielding City Council members and Aviation Director Gary P. Mascaro.

The design for the new terminal and adjacent office space will take advantage of the area’s sweeping views and feature a Thunderbird II Veterans Memorial shade plaza, which will include a suspended Stearman PT-17 pre-World War II-era biplane like those pilots used to train at the airport when it was first built 75 years ago.

The new terminal will also feature meeting rooms and a new restaurant, operated by the owner behind long-time Scottsdale Airport staple Zulu Café, but re-branded Volanti to go along the new airport’s image. Volanti will

Scottsdale Airport’s property is too valuable not to utilize it efficiently and wisely. This airport is important to every aspect of the Scottsdale experience.

…continues on page 32

(Photo by Kimberly Carrillo)

From left: Vice Mayor Suzanne Klapp, Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield, Councilman Guy Phillips, Mayor Jim Lane, and Aviation Director Gary P. Mascaro

…continued from page 31

Our Focus Your Success

From financing to improving cash flow, our business banking professionals offer customized financial solutions to fit your strategic goals.

We are committed to long-term relationships built on trust earned through proven financial guidance.

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be located on the second floor of the terminal building, with a patio that extends over the airfield and additional scenery provided courtesy of the McDowell Mountains.

“Scottsdale Airport’s property is too valuable not to utilize it efficiently and wisely,” Mascaro said. “This airport is important to every aspect of the Scottsdale experience.”

Officials, including Lane and Mascaro, said they hoped the airport upgrades will make it a destination for more than just travel.

According to the city, demolition will continue through the summer. The new executive hangars are expected to be completed in the spring of 2018 and the business center in the summer of 2018. All businesses will remain open during the construction, according to the city.

The cost of the remodel will be financed through city-issued bonds, which are expected to be repaid through a combination of lease agreements and business permit fees. The city added that the airport generated $536 million in economic benefits for the area during the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and that during 2016 alone, the airport handled 164,000 landings and departures.

For more information, visit scottsdaleairport.com or call 480-312-8482. 

(Photo by Kimberly Carrillo) Mayor Lane takes a whack at the old terminal wall.

Food. Art. Beauty.

El Panzon y Frida grand opening celebration marks Frida Kahlo’s birthday.

Photos by Kimberly Carrillo

Who knew tacos could be so… stylish?

El Panzon y Frida held a celebration in honor of the new restaurant’s space on July 6, which also fell on the birthday of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, for whom the hip eatery is named. We stopped by to check out the new addition to the Scottsdale food scene and were treated to a feast for the eyes, every bit as much as the palate.

Looming over the action is a beautiful, hand-painted wall mural of Kahlo tailor-made for Instagram. El Panzon is a term of endearment used by Kahlo for her artist husband, Diego Rivera, and means “pot belly.” The menu was created by young up-andcoming Executive Chef Paulina Martinez, who says she is inspired by Kahlo’s journey and life’s work.

James Dye and general manager Joanna Leeds take a quick break to pose for a photo.

Monique Mata and Jose Rivera try some wine and props.

Brian Kohl loves being surrounded by the beautiful ladies.

Brittany Pirulis and Alex Meland enjoy drinks together.

Annalisa Rios and Conrad Pena are excited to try a delicious dinner together.

Frank Beltran has a blast with everyone. Drinks were served for guests at the grand opening.

Tim Blankenship DJs for the grand opening.

Six-String Diversity

Guitarist Ana Popovic finds musical freedom.

By Tracy Heck

Ana Popovic has been referred to as “one of the greatest six-string slingers of our time” and she tries to live up to those expectations with her intense live shows.

“At the end of the day, I play the shows for me and my band first,” says Popovic, who will bring her show to the Musical Instrument Museum on Sunday, September 3.

“We try to have fun with what we do and we try to go deep and forget about everything else. It’s about being one with our instruments and one as a band. Hopefully, that translates over to the audience.”

Calling from a vacation in France, Popovic says she’s flattered when fans return to her shows.

“We try to put out the message that there are different songs on the records and themes that will hopefully inspire people,” she says. “I like when they come back and say 'You make us feel like playing music is the best thing in the world.'”

Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Popovic grew up in a house filled with music. With a diverse collection of influences, Popovic swirls them in her performances and in her recorded tracks.

Last year, Popovic took that diversity to a new level when she released her three-album

collection, Trilogy, which features 23 tracks divided among funk, rock/blues and jazz. She says she was surprised by the enthusiastic response the release received.

“When it came out, it was at the same time as a lot of incredible records and there we were in the Top 10 blues records alongside those albums from high-end record companies,” Popovic says.

“I mean, you could have gotten the new Eric Clapton record for $9 or Trilogy for $20 and people were out there buying it. I guess that proves that people will still go in and buy stuff if they believe it’s good.

“This project was something that I always had a mind to do and I thought it was the right time to do it," she continues. "A lot of people told me that it was just past its time

Serbia-born Popovic grew up in a house full of music. Popovic says she and her band “try to have fun with what we do.”

(Photo by Jack Moutaillier)

and that nobody wants volume anymore. They want a song or a small EP of songs. The fact that it did so well proved to be to the contrary and it’s a wonderful thing.”

Popovic has enjoyed bringing the songs from the release into a live setting, where she also splits the setlist up into sections. Although there are some mainstays, she likes to leave some room open for improvisation. She likes to get a handle on the crowd first.

“Sometimes I will come to a show and look out and say, ‘This is a biker crowd,’ or ‘This is a blues crowd.’ Oftentimes, they surprise you. You would assume fans at a jazz festival want a classic jazz sound, but on the contrary, they are jumping to these blues shuffle tunes and the real rock tunes. It’s wonderful to get that mix of different audiences.” 

Ana Popovic is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, September 3 at Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix. Tickets cost $30-$40. Call 480.478.6000 or visit mim.org.

Popovic plays at the MIM in September.

(Photo by Ruben Tomas)

Artist’s Playground

Couple strives to incorporate fine art into everyday life

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski / Photo by Kimberly Carrillo

As a child, Phillip Payne saw art galleries as his playground. In some ways, he still does.

“I used to play hide-and-go-seek in an art gallery,” Payne says with a laugh. “It probably makes most parents cringe, but that was my world.”

He and his wife, Gabi, now spend their days at their Desert Mountain Fine Art Gallery in Kierland Commons. The duo pride themselves on showcasing a variety of original works, including Western, pop, photography, contemporary and bronze sculptures by the likes of New Mexico artists B.C. Nowlin and Bette Ridgeway.

“It’s a dream come true,” he says. “We

approach it a lot more like a museum than a gallery. We’ve really been enjoying curating different things.”

The Paynes encourage artists to experiment. “If they’re famous for landscape, and they want to try painting jellyfish, we want to show it,” he says. “We want to see what the public thinks and be on the cutting edge of fine art.”

The couple planned the gallery for a year and a half. Phillip previously managed a gallery in Santa Fe. The two moved here to fulfill a desire to be more community-oriented.

“Our vision for a gallery was to be somewhere with a steady stream of local

residents and become part of that community,” he says. “Santa Fe is very much a tourist town. You don’t get the same people coming through. We want to build relationships with local residents for the types of events and classes that we want to do.”

In September, Desert Mountain Fine Art Gallery will donate artwork to “Time to Shine,” a fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s Hospital. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

“Time to Shine contributions directly support innovative treatments for children battling cancer and the completion of the new Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders opening this fall,” says Steve Schnall, senior

Phillip Payne is the son of renowned late bronze sculptor Ken Payne.

vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Payne says he’s honored to participate. “We’re creating artwork specifically for them,” he says. “We’re always looking for something that’s important to the community and important to us. Where the two things meet is that sweet spot where we want to create content.”

Born in Colorado, Payne was raised by his father, late renowned bronze sculptor Ken Payne, and mother, Karen, in Sedona until age 9. Subsequently, they lived in Chinle and New Mexico. His father died in 2012.

“I grew up in an art family,” he says. “I was surrounded by amazingly talented artists who shared tips and talked about what they were doing.”

Payne, who didn’t study art formally, wants to impart his knowledge and love of art to the next generation. Desert Mountain Fine Art Gallery will host “Painting It Forward,” a workshop for young artists, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays August 12 and August 26. Similarly, an adults-only “Sip and Paint” takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. on the same days.

“We are lucky,” Payne says. “We were blessed for being exposed to fine art. I want to share that with the next generation. I really want to stimulate that right side of the brain and teach them something, as opposed to day-caring.”

He calls his father his inspiration. “My dad inspired a lot of people,” he says wistfully. “I’m just one of many. He was my hero. You’ll see a lot of his work here. He’s really well-collected in Arizona… I’m honored to carry on the legacy.”

Like his father, Payne works in bronze but reflects on historical moments. “I’m a painter and sculptor, but oil painting is my cup of tea,” he says. “Sculpture is such a long-distance run in some ways. It’s a long process. The paintings are a really nice complement. You get instant gratification, as opposed to sculpting, where one piece may take two years.

“You’re pouring yourself into the art. When people see it and react, that’s when the emotional energy comes back. Painting balances the two. My dad was working on a piece for seven years. I asked him how he still has the patience to do it. He said, ‘It’s nothing compared to raising kids.’”

Gabi and Payne met through a volunteer program when she was 16 and he was 17. The couple, who married 11 years ago, also played in a garage band – he on guitars, she on drums.

Like her husband, Gabi is an artist. She’s an oil painter who is inspired by flowers. She uses a palette knife, passed down by her father-in-law, and oil paints to create colorful works.

“She’s been really popular here,” Payne says. “People love the look. It looks great, decoratively. They’re colorful, happy and bold.”

Payne hopes art has the same effect on others that it had on him. “We really hope that everybody will come in and feel welcome,” says Payne, while his dog, Max, plays nearby. “We hope that people bring in their kids and expose them to more art. If it’s a quick run-through, or they participate in our classes, our goal is to make art a bigger part of people’s lives.” 

Desert Mountain Fine Art Gallery

Kierland Commons 7012 E. Greenway Parkway, Suite 160 480-483-5663, desertmountainfineart.com

SINGLE, DIVORCED,

To Catch a Pollock

Josh Levine’s been on long journey to verify a rare piece of art.

By Leah Gilchrist

Astroke of luck and a long investigation has left Josh Levine of J. Levine Auction & Appraisal with a story to share for a lifetime.

As he handles the painting he’s now had for over a year and carries it from room to room in his auction house, Levine is careful. The piece isn’t large, but it turns heads. Levine says he has to be careful when moving the painting, not only because of its value, but also for who might see that it is being stored at the Airpark-area appraisal company.

After placing the painting against a wall and shutting the door to a private room, he relaxes and says he can never be too sure who has seen him moving the painting he's kept in a vault for safekeeping and which has consumed him for the last 18 months.

Levine is finally able to say, after a long verification process, he believes the painting is an authentic Jackson Pollock work. His company has auctioned all sorts of items, from jewelry to cars, throughout its time in Scottsdale. Something he never thought would land in his hands: an unsigned Jackson Pollock painting from New York.

After originally going to a Sun City home for an estate appraisal to see if there was any value to a Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers poster, the company left with a stack of art from the Big Apple. All of the paintings in the stack were signed, except for one.

“I’m like, ‘That really looks like it could be a Jackson Pollock,’” Levine says.

The collection, found in the garage of a Sun City home in December 2015, included an original Kenneth Noland, an original Cora Kelley Ward, an original Jules Olitski and an original Louis Siegriest. The signed pieces in the collection were auctioned in early 2016. The unsigned Pollock, which has been unofficially titled “Jenifer’s Jackson Pollock,” remained in Levine’s hands while he worked to verify it.

“It was the only piece that I didn’t know because it wasn’t

(Special to Scottsdale Airpark News)

Josh Levine holds the painting dubbed “Jenifer’s Jackson Pollock.”

signed and it was just, all these pieces – if you look at the artists, they were all in Jackson Pollock’s circle.”

It was an unusual piece to have in a home in Arizona. Levine often sees art with Southwestern characteristics come from the estates he appraises, and to see art from New York in the home was a surprise. After a conversation with the man who lived in the Sun City house, Levine learned the art collection was the man’s late half-sister’s and it had been shipped to his home in New York following her death in 1993.

“When I first saw it, it was literally this: ‘Hey, that looks like a Jackson Pollock. Is it signed? No? Okay,’” Levine says.

Levine has handled art and other items of significant value in the auction and appraisal business, but he never thought he would handle a piece that would need in-depth research to verify its authenticity and value. “It’s so weird. Right now it feels completely surreal. It’s so nerve-wracking,” he says.

The first two months he had the painting, Levine looked for any information he could find on where the painting came from and why it was in a collection of art all dated around the 1940s and 1950s New York art scene.

Many of the pieces in the collection were personally signed to a woman named Jenifer. “I hired a private investigation firm here in Phoenix that did everything they could do online or by request. Then it got to the point where they were like, ‘We need somebody with boots on the ground in New York,” Levine says.

Levine then hired a private investigator in New York to go to the courthouses and look for a birth certificate, death certificate and any marriage licenses that may have ties to a woman named Jenifer Gordon. Gordon had been married several times, causing her name to change throughout Levine’s research.

Gordon was a socialite in the New York City art scene in the 1940s and 1950s. Levine says one of the first items he looked through while searching for verification was Gordon’s own Rolodex. He noticed names of artists with personal phone numbers and the addresses to their summer homes. “She has all these artists in her Rolodex. This isn’t ‘You collect somebody’s art.’ This is ‘You know these people,’” Levine says.

As he started to connect pieces, he realized Gordon was close friends with Peggy Guggenheim. Guggenheim and Gordon exchanged letters with each other and Levine found photographs of the two together.

The supposed Pollock piece is believed to be one of the lost paintings in his catalogue raisonné. It matches the material description and the size description, and the painting was last seen at Guggenheim’s Art of the Century gallery. The painting also has a wood frame, which Levine says is characteristic of a Pollock painting.

“Everyone says it’s a Jackson Pollock,” Levine says. “I know it’s a Jackson Pollock. We know this has been around since then, and who owned it, and she was friends with them, and there’s photographs of them.”

The painting has been damaged from water and smoke, which worked in Levine’s favor as further proof of the painting’s authenticity. It’s difficult to replicate years of damage from smoking around the painting and the water damage from sitting in a garage. The painting needs restorations that could end up costing around $50,000. Levine has left the painting as-is in order to prove its authenticity and to allow a would-be …continues on page 40

…continued from page 39

buyer to make any decisions about the restoration process.

The unsigned painting underwent a forensic examination to test its chemical composition. Chemical evidence suggests the painting is likely authentic to Pollock’s period. The paint contains no materials found in paint in the early 1960s, meaning it would fall in the timeline of Pollock’s work.

“The forensic report came back, and nothing had been done to this painting, no paint, no testing, no alterations post-1955. He died in ‘56. We know it had to have been created during his life,” Levine says.

In 1996, the Pollock-Krasner Authentication Board disbanded after completing Pollock’s catalogue raisonné, making an official authentication of the painting in Levine’s possession impossible. But he says he is certain the painting is the real deal and has all the documentation and research to demonstrate it.

Levine said in all the years he’s worked in auction and appraisal, he’s never had a case as rare as this one. “I know the art world. I don’t know the New York high-end art world. It’s not like anything we’ve ever sold before,” Levine says.

The piece was expected to sell at auction in June for around $15 million. In the weeks prior to the auction, Levine held private viewings of the piece and a preview day on June 19. During the private viewings, Levine says, he had people flying in from all over the world to look at the piece.

On the day of the auction, Levine’s auction house filled with potential bidders and media. Anticipation in the room was high, with the painting on display in a case. Levine took the stage on June 20 to explain how long the painting had been in the

“I

did not invent jewelry... I just made it better”

company’s possession as they tried to verify if it was an actual Pollock painting.

The painting was not auctioned that day, Levine says, due to issues vetting bidders who had placed bids online and “gamesmanship.” The auction was canceled with no plan to reschedule at that time.

“We’ve never represented a piece of this caliber or magnitude,” Levine says. “We’ve had other pieces we’ve had to sell as ‘attributed’ or ‘in the manner of’ because they’ve lacked the provenance. It always comes down to provenance.”

Levine will be hanging on to the painting for a little longer. He says the story behind the painting is as incredible as the painting itself. Levine believes there is room to either make a movie or write a book about Gordon’s life. Her story became so intricate, he found himself diving into so many leads on who she was and where she had been. “The woman, Jenifer, will live on,” Levine says.

He started to look into a photo shoot for Vogue where each model was photographed in front of a Pollock painting. All the models are credited along with the designers and photographers except for one model who bears resemblance to other photos of Gordon. He hasn’t fully investigated the images of the unnamed model, but he believes it ties into Gordon’s life story.

The painting has led him on a journey that Levine says he’s sad to see coming to a close. The story started on the chance that Levine’s company would come across such rare pieces of art, and ends with a painting to talk about for a lifetime. “Because we backed into it not thinking it was what it was,” Levine says, “we never thought it would be what it was.” 

Scottsdale publications chronicled history

By Joan Fudala

Popular pundits predict the precipitous passing of printed publications. While that topic remains up for debate, many of us are gravitating to online news and information sources. It’s a good time to reflect on the role our local publications have played in chronicling our community history.

Consider a few assorted bits from the Scottsdale-area’s publication past:

 The Phoenix metro’s first newspaper

was the Salt River Herald , which began publication in 1878 and was renamed The Phoenix Herald in 1879. After Chaplain Winfield Scott and his wife Helen homesteaded land that became the settlement of Scottsdale, the Herald began running Scottsdale news. In fact, when Chaplain Scott had a bountiful harvest on his ranch, he’d bring a basket of his produce (raisins, peanuts, citrus, melons, etc.) to reporters at the Herald, hoping to garner publicity

for the agricultural opportunities in his namesake town.

 The Arizona Republican began publication in 1890. One of the first issues the newspaper advocated for through its editorials was statehood for the territory. During the Great War (World War I, 1914-1918), the Republican was an important source of war news. It also published lists of “slackers” –those men who had not registered for the mandatory draft. Throughout the 1910s

part-time Scottsdale resident, graced the cover of the June 1914 Arizona – The State Magazine

and 1920s, the Republican ran a regular column of Scottsdale news, reporting on who had bought a new car (big news in the early days of motoring), descriptions of church picnics and desert outings and who had had been sick during the influenza pandemic of 1918. During the 1930s, The Arizona Republic dropped the “an” from its name and has continuously served Scottsdale with local, national and international news and information.

 Arizona – The State Magazine began publication circa 1906 and often featured Scottsdale in articles and advertisements. In 1907, Chaplain Scott penned an article describing the success of his many crops. The cover of the June 1914 issue carried a photo of Mrs. Thomas R. Marshall (née Lois Kimsey), wife of the U.S. Vice President, who, with her husband, was a part-time resident

…continues on page 44

Q: I have a few summer outfits with elastic that need dry cleaning. Is it safe to dry clean them?

A: All elastic “relaxes” during the dry cleaning and washing process, but good quality elastic will last through many cleanings. If the elastic on any garment lasts for a very short time, I would return the item to the store where you purchased it.

- Donn C. Frye, CEO

…continued from page 43

of Scottsdale. Scottsdale’s first luxury resort, the Ingleside Inn, was also the subject of several features and ran ads touting its slogan, “Where Summer Winters.”

 What is believed to be the first newspaper briefly published in Scottsdale was the 1920s-era Scottsdale Bulletin. Playwright and author Roy George, who lived in the historic Adobe House at the time, was its editor and publisher.

 In 1934, the four-page Scottsdale Verde News served the unincorporated town area, but was also short-lived. A. Bert Byron was its editor; Charlot Tamm its society editor.

 During World War II, Southwest Airways, the civilian

Scottsdale Progress published from 1948 through 2008.

the town’s movie theater – selecting “T-Bar-T” as the best name for Malcolm White’s highly anticipated amenity.

 In 1952, Brooks Darlington (brother of Tom) began weekly publication of The Arizonian , a newsmagazine that carried local news of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Its premiere issue updated readers on the soon-to-open Paradise Valley Country Club, resort news, society gatherings, art gallery offerings and business openings. After several changes in ownership, Mae Sue Talley became its final publisher before the paper ceased operation in late 1969.

 Alumni of the former Scottsdale High will remember their student newspaper, The Scottsdale Beaver, and Judson alums will recall their student paper, The Cholla. Newspaper staffers gained valuable experience in writing, layout, ad sales and editorializing on topics of teen interest at the time.

contract operator of the four Thunderbird airfields in the Phoenix metro area (including Thunderbird II, now Scottsdale Airport) published a monthly magazine for its employees and aviation cadets, The Thunderbird. Many issues are available online at azmemory.azlibrary.gov and offer a fascinating glimpse of war on the home front and life at the airfields.

 Scottsdale was booming after World War II, and finally had the critical mass to support its own newspaper. The first issue of the weekly Scottsdale Progress came out on May 6, 1948. Front page headlines told readers that the town’s first movie theater would soon open on Main Street; Post 44 of the American Legion would dedicate its new building on First Street; Scottsdale rancher and businessman Dick Searles was the new president of the Salt River Valley Water Users Association; and Jim Boyd was the editor of the Scottsdale Progress. The paper began daily publication in 1961. Jonathan and Maxine Marshall bought the paper in 1963 and ran it for 25 years; then a succession of new owners operated the paper through 2008 (when it became an online-only publication).

 Anna Roosevelt and her husband John Boettinger (she was the daughter of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt) published The Arizona Times newspaper in the late 1940s in Phoenix. Their paper created two important ties to

Scottsdale. The widowed former First Lady came to visit the publishers in 1946 and 1947. They brought her to see the newly-opened Arizona Craftsmen center in Scottsdale, and Eleanor Roosevelt wrote about the artists and their crafts in her national newspaper column, “My Day,” putting Scottsdale on the map for tourists and art patrons. Second, one of the Times’ key reporters was Scottsdalian Lou Witzeman, who left the paper after a short stint and started a contract fire company, Rural Fire Co., to serve his adopted hometown.

 Cletus Smith, the owner of Land O’ Sun Printing, began publication of the weekly Scottsdale Booster in 1948. Its inaugural issue featured a contest to name

 True West magazine began publishing in 1953. Now in its seventh decade and editorially led by Bob Boze Bell from offices in Cave Creek, it is the world’s oldest, continuously published magazine about the American West.

 Joe Lincoln, son of John C. Lincoln, artist and aviator, published Points West magazine from 1959 to 1966. It carried features and photography of ScottsdaleParadise Valley personalities, artists and points of interest.

 Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, other publications began serving the greater Scottsdale area, its residents, businesses and growing number of tourists. For example, the Carefree Enterprise began in 1963 and the Scottsdale

(Photo special to Scottsdale Airpark News) Southwest Airways, operator of the four Thunderbird airfields during World War II, published a monthly magazine for employees and aviation cadets, The Thunderbird These three covers feature Thunderbird II, now Scottsdale Airport.

★ Now Catering ★

…continued from page 45

Quarterly/Scottsdale Magazine in 1976 (by Bob and Marilyn Rinehart).

 To highlight the accomplishments and plans of the citizendriven Scottsdale Town Enrichment Program (STEP), the City of Scottsdale began issuing a quarterly publication, Scottsdale STEPs Forward, during the 1970s. In the 1980s and 1990s, the city published a magazine for residents, The Scottsdale Citizen. Many issues of both city publications are available to view in the Scottsdale Public Library’s digital collection at scottsdalelibrary.org.

 Hoyt Johnson began publishing The Rancher circa 1981 to serve the McCormick Ranch area. Originally a monthly tabloid, it became Scottsdale Scene in 1983, a full-color magazine full of citywide features. After two changes in publishers and a name change to ScottsdaleLife, it ceased publication in 2003.

 The Scottsdale Airpark News started as a monthly newspaper for the airpark area in January 1981 with a circulation of 250. It grew to the widely circulated magazine it is today after several changes of owners/publishers. Steve and Suzanne Strickbine’s Times Media Group has published the magazine since 2010.

Dozens of other newspapers, newsletters and magazines have informed and entertained us over the years, far too many to mention, but each important in their evolving role of documenting local people, places and events for historians, authors, genealogists and others to access at libraries or via online databases.

Although many local newspapers and magazines have gone online-only to serve the demand of a new generation of e-readers (and to cut the costs of printing, mailing or delivery), the tactile experience of reading a “hard copy” newspaper or magazine is still available to those of us who still enjoy the experience. Hats off to those publishers who continue to research and report on local news… thus giving us a sense of community while documenting Scottsdale-area history for future generations. 

(Photo courtesy Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce) Jonathan and Maxine Marshall (center) were publishers of the Scottsdale Progress and significant civic leaders in Scottsdale.

Secret Recipe

Char Kitchen & Bar is a star on the rise.

By Becky Bracken

If you’re in the mood for sticky themed menus and loud gimmicks, Char Kitchen & Bar isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a refined experience that puts food front-and-center, run, don’t walk, to this gem that’s been under the radar in Scottsdale for too long.

Opened about a year ago, Char Kitchen & Bar has it all: lovely atmosphere; carefully crafted, delicious food; and a father-son duo, Peter and Pal Micakaj, behind the restaurant that lends a tangible warmth to the entire affair.

“I have been in the restaurant business longer than you have been alive,” the elder Micakaj, Peter, teased when asked about his restaurant background. He has decades of experience running restaurants in the Detroit suburbs. Now the Valley is home. In addition to Char, Micakaj’s daughter and son-in-law own and operate North Scottsdale’s Perk Eatery, which was recently featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

The elder Micakaj was cagey as I begged him for just a tiny hint of what ingredients go into his house-made pink goddess dressing. All he would offer was that there were more than 20 in this recipe alone. He’s notoriously protective of his special recipes, not even sharing them with his kitchen staff, particularly his famous lemon, chicken and rice soup, finished with a swirl of paprika oil that is sincerely so delicious it will haunt your

taste buds long after the last clink of the spoon. It’s not on the menu; just ask for it. It’s delicious even during the scorching summer temperatures. Micakaj added that the lemon, chicken and rice soup is available at Perk Eatery as well.

The menu at Char is inspired by

Micakaj’s Albanian roots, with Eastern European and Albanian influences, he says. Kabobs are a mainstay, with steak, chicken and shrimp options served with basmati rice, a trio salad of tomato, cucumber and onion, and a house-made tzatziki so tasty you could eat it with a

The menu is inspired by Micakaj's Albanian roots.

spoon all by itself. Gyros and lamb burgers shake up Char’s burger and sandwich selection, with pitas and wrap options galore. Entrees include lamb chops, tenderloin medallions and garlic & rosemary grilled chicken.

Each and every offering at Char is made with high-quality ingredients you can taste, like grass-fed beef and the freshest vegetables. There’s no dish that shows more clearly just how much ingredients matter than the Abby Lee Tomatoes starter. It’s a simple bowl of heirloom Abby Lee Tomato wedges sprinkled with Maldon Sea Salt, basil and a bit of red wine vinaigrette. It’s so simple, yet so perfectly balanced and flavorful, it will change the way you see humble salted tomatoes forever.

Happy Hour at Char is from 3 to 6 p.m. and features food specials in addition to $3 off wine by the glass, $12 off bottles of wine, $3 off draft beers and $3 off well drinks.

“We serve our neighbors as though you are family” is more than just Char’s slogan. It’s a commitment you can taste in every lovingly prepared bite. 

Char Kitchen & Bar

The fries are crispy and flavorful.

Everything is made with high-quality ingredients you can taste.

The Mediterranean platter

Holy Guacamole

The Mission Kierland carries on Chef Matt Carter’s Latin cuisine crusade.

Story & photos by Niki D’Andrea

Anyone with a proverbial “cross to bear” might be consoled by the literal load The Mission Kierland’s bar carries – a colossal crucifix, composed of amber-orange fiberglass and illuminated from inside, beaming brighter than all the chandeliers hanging from the high, vaulted ceilings.

But the radiant rood isn’t the only thing glowing in this Latin cuisine cathedral. The food’s luminous, too, proffering a fusion of Spanish, Mexican, Central and South American flavors. Chef Matt Carter’s a culinary star with a solar system of superb eateries orbiting his name – Zinc Bistro, House Brasserie, the original Mission in Old Town Scottsdale and most recently, the decadent and jaw-droppingly delicious Fat Ox.

Opened in January 2017, The Mission Kierland shares a menu with the Old Town location (established in 2008), but the décor’s more dramatic, and the vibe a little more modern, at the North Scottsdale spot. During the day, cleverly designed floor-to-ceiling windows flood the restaurant with soft, natural light; at night, the chandeliers and giant cross cast their light across the upscale eatery. Lively conversations and the clanking of silverware fill the air at all hours (the acoustics are indeed cathedral-like, especially from

the second floor, where, by the way, there’s a second bar, sans huge cruciate).

Tortillas, salsas and arepas (a popular breakfast food in Venezuela and Columbia, made from ground maize flour) are made fresh on-site daily, and The Mission’s meats are smoked over mesquite or pecan wood on a flat-top grill to imbue them with rich flavor. The drink menu includes several popular beers including Dos Equis, Modelo, Pacifico and Tecate, and the craft cocktail menu revolves around margaritas (nine kinds), mojitos (four varieties), mules (three choices), and seven house specialties.

The wine menu is extensive. They also offer tequila flights. It’s an awful lot of alcohol for a place that resembles an old Catholic mission, but maybe some kind of instant repentance-setting is the whole idea.

Some starters shine on the food menu, especially the grilled and skewered street corn smothered in butter and cotija and sprinkled with paprika; earthy and subtly spicy shrimp antichucos (kebabs) spiked with oregano and black pepper; and the roasted corn gorditas (stuffed pastry) with zucchini, mushroom and thick huitlacoche crema. The guacamole –

Shrimp antichucos

The cross-bearing bar at The Mission Kierland

Mission’s pumpkin bread pudding – a dense confection spiked with Scotch, smothered in ice cream, and sprinkled with pepitas and pomegranate seeds. Or undo the top button of your pants and dig into the Guatemalan chocolate pastilla made with XO tequila, and a fig and guajillo glaze. The rich dishes are eminently easy to finish and quite filling, so you might feel like you need to be rolled out of The Mission, but that’s a pretty sweet cross to bear.

dining destinations

made tableside with ingredients including chunky avocado, jalapeño, red onion, and chipotle puree – is also divine.

There’s not a taco on the menu that’s not stellar, but carnivores can savor out-of-thisworld pork shoulder (slow-roasted for 12 hours and slathered in a pineapple habanero

glaze) and herbivores can get fired up about Brussels sprouts tacos beautifully balanced with sesame, chile de arbol, apple, ginger and cotija cheese.

Grilled meats get smoked over wood and include superb surf (Florida grouper) and terrific turf (filet mignon, pork shoulder) selections. But the source of the most succulent entrees is the Spanish griddle, where mouthwatering Chilean salmon, flavorful Pacific swordfish, and green chile duck confit begin their journey to your plate.

If there’s room for dessert, fill it with The

Pumpkin bread pudding

Brussels sprouts with grilled street corn

Phoenix Cooks!

Foodies flock to the Airpark to raise money for charity.

By Marilyn Hawkes

If you’re staying in town over Labor Day weekend and looking for a fun way to beat the heat, check out Phoenix Cooks!, a food and drink extravaganza featuring close to 40 restaurants and resorts and a robust sampling of beer, wine and spirits.

Hosted by iHeartMedia, the 13th annual Phoenix Cooks! event takes place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 at Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. Organizers expect about 3,000 people

to attend the culinary event.

Many of the participating restaurants are located in the Scottsdale Airpark area, including Deseo at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, nékter Juice Bar, North Italia, The Greene House, Tanzy Restaurant and Tommy Bahama Restaurant. (See sidebar for more participants.)

Attendees can look forward to sampling chefs’ specialties and sipping on a variety of beverages from Breakthru Beverage, Hensley

Beverage Co., Huss Brewing, Deep Eddy Vodka and others. As in past years, Phoenix Cooks! will offer a designated driver ticket for folks who don’t imbibe alcoholic drinks but still want to enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, food and stage presentations.

Phoenix Cooks! will feature a dueling chefs competition, in which local culinary luminaries will be given a mystery ingredient and then vie to make the best dish. “The friendly cooking competitions are always fun because all the chefs in this town really actually like each other, which is not always the case in most cities,” says Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail's Justin Beckett, who will compete this year. “Any time you can get a group of like-minded people in the same room to celebrate food and the chefs in this town, I’m all in.”

Also on the program: live, interactive cooking demonstrations every half-hour showcasing some of the Valley’s top cooking talent. Christopher Gross of Christopher’s Restaurant & Crush Lounge will be on hand for the festivities.

This year, the annual culinary event benefits Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ).

“Special Olympics Arizona is proud to be part of the Phoenix Cooks! event,” says Tim Martin, SOAZ president and CEO. “The support we receive will help provide inclusive sports, adaptive athletic competitions, health education and screenings, leadership training, youth development, and disability awareness for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.”

iHeartMedia is also happy to lend a hand to Special Olympics. “Special Olympics Arizona is an important organization that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities in creating their own gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy,” says Kelly Manders of iHeartMedia. “We are very proud to be partnering with them for this event.”

For those who want to celebrate the waning days of summer with a staycation, Westin Kierland Resort & Spa offers a Phoenix Cooks! package that includes a two-night stay (Friday and Saturday

Photos courtesy of Phoenix Cooks

Organizers expect about 3,000 guests this year.

nights), all the resort’s amenities and two tickets to Phoenix Cooks! Rates are $319 for single occupancy, $399 for double occupancy; both require a two-night stay. Visit kierlandresort. com/phoenix-cooks-scottsdale-arizonapackage-deal for more details.

Phoenix Cooks! tickets cost $85 in advance and $100 at the door, and include food and beverage sampling and stage demonstrations. Designated driver tickets are $60. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit phxcooks.com. 

Who’s Cooking?

Here’s the Phoenix Cooks! restaurant roster so far:

Alto Ristorante e bar

SWB, a Southwest Bistro at the Scottsdale Hyatt

Bourbon & Bones

Brat Haus

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

Café ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho

Conceptually Social - The Dressing Room

be Coffee + Food + Stuff and Conceptually Social Catering

Even Stevens

Famous 28

Flourish Kitchens

MATCH: Cuisine & Cocktails

The Melting Pot

Modern Market Scottsdale

Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort Rodizio Grill

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

dining destinations

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This year’s event will raise money for Arizona Special Olympics.

Fret-Free Food

Rusconi’s American Kitchen is fine dining, without fuss

By Becky Bracken

Swing open the big, wooden door at Rusconi’s American Kitchen and leave the hustle and bustle of busy Scottsdale life behind as you stride into another world. Rusconi’s is a place where time slows down, almost imperceptibly, and friends and family come together to mingle over exquisitely crafted plates, prepared and served with an undeniable love of great, seasonable, sustainable ingredients. When you’re the real deal like Rusconi’s, there’s no pretense necessary. And the result is delicious.

Restaurant pretense is easy to spot. Check that – it’s something you feel. And despite the fact that Chef Rusconi is creating outstanding dishes that could stand up in the fussiest of dining rooms, the vibe of Rusconi’s American Kitchen is

relaxed, warm and friendly. It seems like an intentional choice. Although the menu and wine list are impressive, it’s presented by Rusconi in a way that makes even the most high-brow of cuisine feel natural.

The restaurant space itself is striking. A skylight hovers over the middle of the action, illuminating not just the dining room during daylight hours with a soft glow, but also the work of local artists hung throughout the restaurant like a gallery and available for sale.

And although the name is Italian, Rusconi’s American Kitchen serves inspired American fare, reimagined for discerning Scottsdale diners.

Chef Rusconi graduated with a culinary degree from New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont and

became a pioneer of the sustainable food movement. Besides earning a few Mobil 4 Star Awards, Rusconi is known locally for overhauling the menu at LON’s at the Hermosa Inn.

His food philosophy is simple and reflected in every bite served at Rusconi’s American Kitchen. “Buy the best ingredients and treat them with love and respect, then apply proper technique,” he

The "kitchen" burger with goat cheese, arugula and caramelized onions

Rusconi's serves inspired American fare.

says. “Only by doing that will you be able to deliver the best quality possible.”

Starters like perfectly creamy mac and cheese get an upgrade of white truffle and goat cheese and grilled peach fondue with bread and mild Fresno chiles will blow any goat cheese lover’s mind.

For lunch, basics like the “kitchen” burger come dressed up all fancy with goat cheese, caramelized onion and arugula. Salad options include a chilled gulf shrimp with arugula, shaved fennel, mangoes, citrus fruit and avocado that’s perfectly refreshing on a hot day. The grilled sustainable salmon with blackberry glaze, small potatoes, roasted corn and baby cabbage is so perfectly moist is practically falls apart, mingling with the sweet glaze and earthy veggies.

Entrée offerings take advantage of the restaurant’s wood-fired oven, like the roasted natural chicken served with roasted corn and herbed farro salad, grape tomatoes, green beans and sherry jus and grilled beef tenderloin medallions, served with a side of the truffle mac and cheese, carrots, green beans and a red wine reduction.

The brunch menu is full of delicious Benedict options like the Arizona, with pork chile verde; pancakes like the bananas foster; and decadent berry- and mascarpone-

stuffed French toast with salted caramel, brioche, lemon-scented mascarpone and strawberries.

Menus are seasonal and updated frequently, so each time you visit, there’s something new to taste.

When it comes to wine, Rusconi’s is not playing around. Their philosophy, “Conserve water… drink wine!” is backed up by a wide range of available varieties.

One of Rusconi’s friends, who is also a waiter at the restaurant, retired a few years ago as the sommelier for the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort’s restaurant, elements, and he was generous with his vast knowledge. He explained he was bored at home, so he asked his friend Rusconi if he could come to the restaurant to hang out and wait tables, which is a stroke of luck for Rusconi’s diners. One of his current favorites from the label The League of Rogues, called The Countess, he says, is the rose being made in Paso Robles by two former ASU students. He’s also a fan of their League of Rogues red, named The Absent-Minded Professor.

“It’s just a beautiful, tasty wine, isn’t it?” he asked with his charming French accent.

Rusconi’s represents the best of all restaurant worlds: impeccable food in an atmosphere that’s fun and inviting. It takes a chef like Rusconi to marry them all to create this universe that’s all his own. We’re just happy to be able to visit whenever we can, sans the uncomfortable pretense. 

FRESH FLAVORFUL

CUSTOM CREATED BOWLS

INSPIRED BY ASIAN STREET FARE

DELIVERY & CATERING FOR ANY SIZE GROUP

Seafood shines at Rusconi's.

Now through August 25th, we are accepting nominations for the 32nd Annual Sterling Awards, which will be held on Friday, November 17th.

As the Chamber’s marquee event, the Sterling Awards embody the spirit of our organization by celebrating the people and companies that make our community a great place to live, work and play. The prestigious Sterling Award is one of the most coveted business awards in the Valley, with a rigorous application, judging, and selection process.

Big Business

Recognizes significant contributions to quality of life and the economic fabric of the community.

Small Business

Recognizes a company that demonstrates success through product or service innovation and professionalism, and has made contributions to community-orientated projects.

Micro Business

Recognizes an entrepreneurship or emerging business exhibiting success through innovation, creativity and collaboration.

Non-Profit Organization

Recognizes the social, cultural, educational and economic impact of an organization on its constituents and/or the broader community.

Don’t miss this celebration of achievement, perseverance and community service.

For Sponsorship Opportunities or more information please contact Cheri Valentino cvalentino@scottsdalechamber.com or (480)355-2708

Submit your applications at www.scottsdalechamber.com/sterling-awards-2017

What’s Cooking

With JAN D’ATRI

Cake in a Jar

Mason and Ball jars are so popular for so many purposes that we sometimes forget they were designed strictly for canning. But these days, they are a favorite in crafting, decorating and, believe it or not, baking a really fun, simple and ultra-transportable cake! Cake in a jar? Yes, that’s right. I said jar.

Half-pint, wide-mouth jars make perfect single-serving cakes that you can bake in the oven, cool down, seal and take to a party or pack in a lunchbox.

I’ll admit I was skeptical about putting Mason jars in the oven until I researched and discovered that the same jars you use for canning are designed to withstand very high heat and are sturdy enough for baking. Then I found out that although the Mason jar has been around since 1858, making cake in a jar is one of the newest baking crazes.

With cake in a jar, there’s no need to make the batter to pour into the jar. Simply spoon the raw ingredients into the jars, add a slice of butter on top and watch the magic happen in the oven. Then serve the tasty treats right from the jar. Here are two variations of my new favorite singleserving sensation. 

Cobbler Cake in a Jar

Ingredients (for 4 half-pint

Mason jars):

3 cups fresh or frozen fruits in season

¾ cup flour

¾ cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons butter

Whipped cream for topping

1 package dried beans

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together fruits of choice equaling 3 cups. Pour equal amounts of the fruit in each of the four jars. In another bowl, mix together flour, sugar and salt until well blended. Pour equal amounts of dry ingredients on top of the fruit. Add one tablespoon of butter on top of dry ingredients. Place the four jars into a square baking dish, a few inches apart. Spread dried beans around the jars to keep them steady while you’re moving them in and out of the oven.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool. When cooled, twist on lids and refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.

Half-Pint One-Pan Éclair

For delicious cakes in a jar that don’t need baking, try the half-pint éclair! Place a graham cracker on the bottom of each jar. Combine one small box of vanilla pudding and one cup of milk, and mix until thickened. Add 1/2 small tub of Cool Whip and mix until well blended. Spoon a dollop on graham cracker. Repeat process until layers are just below the neckline. Melt one container of chocolate fudge frosting in microwave for about 45 seconds. Pour several table- spoons of melted frosting over the top of each jar of graham cracker layers. Refrigerate for 24 hours to soften graham crackers before serving.

IMinimum wage and paid sick leave: new Arizona statutes

By Sharon Moyer

n the November election, Arizona voters approved Proposition 206 (the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Initiative), which raised the minimum wage in Arizona to $10 per hour and requires virtually all employers to provide paid sick leave.

The minimum wage hike went into effect January 1 and gradually increases to $12 per hour by 2020. The paid sick leave portion of the law took effect on July 1.

On March 14, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to Prop 206. The court’s ruling left intact the minimum wage increases and paid sick leave requirements imposed by the new law.

Paid Sick Leave

Passage of Prop 206 makes Arizona one of only seven states to require employers to provide paid sick leave.

Employees of small businesses (those with fewer than 15 employees) are eligible for up to 24 hours of sick leave annually.

Employees of larger companies are eligible for up to 40 hours of leave. Other important provisions include the following:

• All employees, including part-time and temporary employees, must be provided with paid sick leave. The law provides for a minimum “accrual” of leave (1 hour of leave for every 30 hours worked) but allows employers to grant employees a specific amount of leave at the start of the year.

• Employees must be given written notice of their rights under the law (see English and Spanish language notices, downloadable from the Industrial Commission of Arizona website).

• The permitted uses of the leave are broad and include not just the employee’s own illness but also illnesses of the employee’s family members and leave relating to domestic violence.

• Paid sick leave must carry over from year to year, unless the employer pays its employees for unused sick leave at the end of the year and provides a single grant of leave at the start of the year.

• Employers who wish to require employees to provide notice prior to taking foreseeable leave must have a written policy.

• Leave must accrue beginning with the first day of employment, but employers may have a policy restricting employees from using leave within the first 90 days of employment.

• Employers must provide employees with a record of the leave they have been provided and used, and employers must retain those records for four years.

• Unused leave does not need to be paid out at the end of employment.

• Employers may not retaliate against employees for using or requesting paid sick leave.

The new law allows employers to provide the paid sick leave in the form of “paid time off” that can be used for a variety of purposes, as many employers do under existing policies. However, these policies must provide employees with at least the benefits specified under the new statutes. Many employers may need to review existing policies or adopt new policies in order to fully comply with the new law. 

Sharon Moyer is an attorney at Sacks Tierney P.A. Her practice focuses on employment law and trust and estate litigation. Ms. Moyer can be reached at 480-425-2606 or moyer@sackstierney.com.

These materials are designed to provide general information prepared by professionals in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. Although prepared by professionals, these materials should not be utilized as a substitute for professional service in specific situations. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the service of a professional should be sought.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

When

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Looking for Space

they select a broker who works just for them.

Because I work exclusively for commercial tenants and buyers my clients get three things unavailable elsewhere:

INFORMATION: I provide my clients with complete information about every available space and property, including asking prices, and the details of similar transactions I have negotiated. Knowing what others paid and the concessions extracted is invaluable negotiating currency and serves to level the playing field.

INTELLIGENCE: Having over 2,700 commercial transactions under my belt gives me the insight to know which property owners are likely to have the greatest urgency to make below market deals. I know the questions to ask (and which ones not to answer), and how to compose proposals that protect tenants and buyers.

INFLUENCE: I’m well known in the industry for creating an environment where property owners are compelled to compete in order to attract and retain quality tenants. In lease and purchase transactions my clients consistently receive substantial discounts.

What’s the Cost?

Zip. Zero. Nada. Nothing. That’s because most real estate transactions include a commission which is split between the agents that represent each “side” of the transaction. Make certain that you receive full value from your side of the commission by selecting a broker with no inherent conflicts of interest, is experienced in solving your real estate problems, and who has a fiduciary duty to protect your interests above all others.

By Caroline Stoeckel

T‘Scottsdale Stories’ give insider tips

he nearly 9 million domestic tourists who come to Scottsdale each year explore our attractions, dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores – spending a combined $1.2 billion in the community. How do they choose where to invest those dollars once they’re in town?

Think for a moment how you plan your own weekend festivities. If you’re looking for recommendations for restaurants or things to do, you most likely go to the people you trust most for advice – your friends and family members.

Not all Scottsdale visitors have friends and family in the area to turn to for advice. But they still want recommendations from trusted voices. They want to hear from people who are in the know – the people who can point out the mustsee spots to check out during their few days in Scottsdale.

To put it simply, they want to hear from locals.

“Authenticity” and “local” are both buzzwords in travel marketing and promotion these days. According to notable industry publications like Skift, travelers seek out experiences that allow them to live like locals in destinations – to discover the authentic, rather than the tourist traps. More and more hunt for local hangouts to add to their vacation itineraries. But how can such travelers know which spots have earned locals’ stamp of approval?

Experience Scottsdale makes the hunt easier and connects Scottsdale visitors with those trusted voices. We curate articles from local writers and influencers and feature them on our website, social media channels and in our visitor guide.

In our “Scottsdale Stories” series, Experience Scottsdale invites 10 Scottsdalearea residents to write about their fields of expertise: sightseeing, food and nightlife,

outdoor adventure, arts and culture, spa and wellness, and golf.

These insiders go in search of the city’s greatest dive bars, underground eateries

Onyx Bar & Lounge at Four Seasons Resort at Troon North makes a margarita called the Chotacabras.

(Photos courtesy Experience Scottsdale)

The Brown’s Ranch trail is one of many Scottsdale hiking excursions.

La Hacienda at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess serves spirited Latin cuisine.

and late-night hotspots. They share their insider tips for restorative retail therapy, introduce the best places for arts and culture, pinpoint the city’s finest spa treatments and urge visitors to venture out into Scottsdale’s natural playground,

the Sonoran Desert.

In one of our most popular articles, contributor Annemarie Kruse chronicles an “Adventurer’s Complete Weekend in Scottsdale,” from hiking and mountain biking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

to enjoying post-workout recovery drinks at Scottsdale Beer Company and Cartel Coffee Lab. A piece from Christina Barrueta, “Celebrating the Margarita,” highlights some of the top tequila-based libations in the area, including the El Piña Diablo Margarita from La Hacienda at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the La Chotacabras from Onyx Bar & Lounge at Four Seasons Resort at Troon North.

Experience Scottsdale’s website, social media channels and visitor guide highlight all the things to see and do in Scottsdale. But with these articles, which receive hundreds of views from potential visitors each month, Experience Scottsdale showcases the very best of the destination from the people who know it most intimately.

Caroline Stoeckel is the vice president of marketing for Experience Scottsdale, which is responsible for marketing the Scottsdale area as a premier travel and meetings destination to national and international leisure visitors, travel agents, tour operators and meeting planners.

Grayhawk

& Engraving Grayhawk Awards & Engraving

Mountain biking is a popular pastime at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

CNine strategies for negotiating favorable lease terms

By Stephen A. Cross, CCIM

ommercial leases are complex, legally binding contracts. While most are quite lengthy and contain a good amount of seemingly boilerplate language, every term and condition is open to discussion.

Here are the most common variables that have a direct impact on overall occupancy costs, and some of the strategies I use when negotiating the lowest price and most favorable terms for my clients.

Lease Term. The length of the lease is the foundation for all negotiations and ultimately determines the economics of the transaction. Generally, greater incentives and concessions can be expected with a longer lease term and can include free rent, a reduced rental rate and contributions from the landlord to improve the space. Of note, however, is that at some point longer lease terms yield no additional incentives. Strategy: Negotiate the shortest lease term that will enable you to extract the maximum concessions. Accomplish longer lease terms through renewal options, which provide flexibility and the opportunity to negotiate additional concessions as the market changes.

Occupancy Date vs. Commencement Date. The Occupancy Date is the date you can move into the premises. The Commencement Date is the date that rent or any free rent period begins. Both dates are negotiable. Strategy: As

landlords prefer the shortest possible vacancy period, time your occupancy to be as close to the availability date as practical. While some landlords bristle at granting a period of free rent, most will grant an early occupancy period at no charge. If you’re in the space but not paying rent… it’s free.

Free Rent. Free rent serves to effectively reduce the rental rate set forth in the contract. To illustrate, achieving one month of free rent for every year of the lease term lowers the overall rental rate by 8.33 percent. Strategy: Many landlords are willing to grant generous free-rent periods in order to keep the contract rates and occupancy levels high. Also, insist that any operational expenses (commonly known as NNN, or triple net expenses) are waived during the free rent period.

Base Rental Amount. The asking rental rate is based on the landlord’s perception of the highest price a tenant will pay. However, neither the property owner nor its agents and brokers reasonably expect to achieve it. Strategy: Begin negotiations 10 to 15 percent below the asking rate.

Escalations. Negotiate infrequent rental escalations and keep them to a minimum. Strategy: When escalations are absolutely required, try to negotiate a nominal, fixed amount. If possible, place a ceiling on any increases during

option periods.

Tenant Improvements. Office, medical and industrial spaces should be delivered in a turn-key condition with building standard improvements. Strategy: Help the landlord make the decision by agreeing to a configuration that will have good second-generation value – that is, be structurally usable for future tenants.

Fixturization Period. If you are performing your own improvements, keep in mind it generally takes 45-60 days to obtain building permits, plus an additional 45-60 days to build out the space. Strategy: Negotiate a fixturization period of 90-120 days from the date the space is delivered free of base rent and triple net expenses. Completing the build-out before this period expires has the effect of creating additional free rent.

HVAC Warranty. In full-service leases, the landlord maintains and repairs the heating and air conditioning systems. This is not the case in triple net leases, which are common in retail and industrial leases. Request that the landlord warrant the HVAC systems for the entire period of your tenancy, including any exercised option periods. Strategy: If a full-term warranty cannot be achieved, negotiate a cap on the tenant’s outof-pocket expenses to repair or replace each unit ($300 to $500 per year per unit is typical.)

The Negotiation: Tenants should be mindful that even in the smallest of leases, there is a lot of money at stake. As a result, negotiations of this type are adversarial – pitting the well-informed landlord and its agents, who are experts in commercial real estate, against the well-meaning but largely uninformed tenant. Therefore, carefully consider whether you have the knowledge and experience to be an effective negotiator in this arena, or if the task is better handled by an experienced commercial real estate advisor, someone who will be a tenacious advocate and protect your economic interests above all others. 

Stephen A. Cross, CCIM, owns CROSS Commercial Realty Advisors and is a licensed real estate broker. Mr. Cross advocates exclusively for tenants and buyers and, since 1984, has advised over 2,700 business owners, attorneys, physicians, facility executives, investors and corporate decision-makers on ways to lease and purchase property at the lowest cost and most favorable terms. Contact: 480-998-7998 or steve@crossrealty.com.

LMarket bubbles and signals

By Michael K. Rowlands

ast week I was having lunch with a good friend of mine, Tom, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. As we were eating our lunch and catching up, Tom asked me the question I was dreading. I knew it was coming, because it always does.

“When do you think the markets are going to crash?”

I set down my fork and looked in his eyes and said:

“Buddy, it’s like the whole world has lost their minds. Nothing makes any sense. The math does not add up and the laws of economics do not exist anymore. Can we not talk about work? I want to hear how your wife and kids are doing. It’s been so long since I have seen you, and besides, we built your portfolio with balance and diversification. This is why you love me so much. You’re making money, and when the market crashes, your gold and silver will offset losses from your stocks.”

When I got back to my office, I started thinking about Tom’s question. It’s the question I hear the most from my clients, and I wish I knew the answer.

Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t have a crystal ball or any other magic economic predictor. For almost 20 years I have relied on common sense and the rules of economics 101. When you combine these things, it tells me the crash is coming a lot sooner than later. My instinct and nearly 20 years of experience are telling me it could happen as soon as September, but it could be in six months or in two years. Anyone that tells you they can predict the markets to the day, week or month is a liar or trying to sell a newsletter.

Back in 2006 and 2007, there were warning signals all over the place that a large economic crash was looming – none of the math was adding up and everyone had lost their minds over the real estate markets. Back then, it seemed everyone I knew was a real estate investor. Plus, they were all experts screaming from the hilltops, “Get your money in the market or you’re going to miss out!” and the sheeple blindly jumped off the bridge and quickly drowned.

Right now it feels a lot like 2007 and the volatility index (VIX) has the same sense of déjà vu, too. According to the VIX, there is very little risk in the markets, again totally disregarding all the warning signs like the P/E ratio. That’s insane. The P/E Ratio has been over 20 three times in history (1929, 2002 and 2008). What happens every time the P/E ratio heads over 20? There is a huge financial crisis. Currently, the P/E ratio is almost at 30. Simply put, this is a huge warning to start getting your money out of the market. Buy low and sell high is a core fundamental to investing and 98 percent of investors ignore this fundamental because they have a fear of missing out. So they end up missing out on huge profits and end up with even bigger losses.

The stock markets have reached an all-time high and there isn’t anything in particular about an all-time high that signals an impending stock market crash. Markets achieve new highs all the time. However, an overvalued market making new highs is more concerning.

Currently, the stock market is not only

overvalued, but in the midst of a major bubble. This and a number of factors have led me to prepare my portfolio for an impending stock market crash. Your goal as an investor is to purchase as much profit as possible for the lowest possible price. In other words, buy low and sell high. Right now stocks are at all-time highs while gold and silver are at lows.

My buddy Tom learned his lesson in 2008, and this is why he listened to my warning this time and balanced and diversified his portfolio. When you have companies like Snapchat that have never made a profit, done nothing but lose money year after year, have stock valued 300-plus times their earnings and yet investors get in line to pay for their stock, that’s more than a signal to sell. I know the crash is coming; it’s just a matter of time.

Call us to see if your portfolio needs to be rebalanced and get our Investment Guide for free by calling 480-739-1299. 

Michael K. Rowlands is CEO and Senior Wealth Consultant with Scottsdale Gold and Silver.

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COMPUTERS - BUSINESS

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ESTATE PLANNING

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FINGERPRINTING SCOTTSDALE

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Your place to go when you need to be fingerprinted FAST and ACCURATELY! We provide pre-employment and licensing fingerprinting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

FLOORING

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Wszalek: President/Owner Phone: 480-483-0166 Cell: 602-810-4005 15770 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Suite 101 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 www splashaz com 2013-2014 NAWBO President www.nawbophx.org

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AUGUST Business Horoscopes

By Weiss Kelly, PMAFA Professional Member of the American Federation of Astrologers

ARIES 3/21-4/20

July’s patterns may seem tranquil compared to August’s happenings. Drama is the theme. Circle the 7th, when issues with associations or work-related groups may need to be revised or reconsidered. Make no decisions or unnecessary commitments and use caution in any legal matters starting the week of the 14th until the first week in September. Use the end of August to chill out and enjoy time off or a quick getaway.

TAURUS

4/21-5/20

Are you ready for a move, job assignment or relocation? No need to make any definite moves. Those eclipses affecting your business chart put emphasis on social connections essential to accomplish your objectives. Some delays may occur; remain flexible. Use the first week to follow through on plans or complete to-do lists by the full moon (the 7th).

GEMINI 5/21- 6/21

If something work-related has not happened, or been set in motion by or around the week of the 14th, then use this off time to catch up, hone your communication skills or take a quick weekend getaway. For others, August is timely for clearing away loans and taking a realistic look at your cash flow. Emphasis should be placed on who you know, what they know and keeping up with what’s going on in your industry. Leave your checkbook and pen at home from the 12th-31st.

CANCER 6/22-7/22

An eclipse turns your interests to other people’s money, meaning financial obligations, bills, debts, investments or a possible salary increase. Regarding ownership, mortgages and loans, you have the next six months to make adjustments. You can afford to spend fun money, so invest in family activities starting on the 25th.

LEO 7/23-8/22

I can’t put enough emphasis on the two eclipses on the 7th and the 21st. A hellogoodbye pattern occurs, meaning major

decisions and happenings are about to alter your life. Important contracts, agreements and significant relationships dominate. August’s lively, unpredictable shockers will set you in a new direction before the year ends. Dress and act your best as others will notice you. Take your time in personal matters and decide your priorities.

VIRGO

8/23-9/22

Your work and family life may require your attention. You can accomplish more by yourself, or you may have to do some work at home once planets shift toward a backward pattern on the 12th that allows you some free time. Don’t believe everything you hear from the 12th-31st. Media information is not valid and plans are apt to change, so relax and work on your own agenda. That may cost you, but taking from personal funds is okay. Nothing is free.

LIBRA

9/23-10/23

Expect challenges to take you by surprise. There is no need for compromise or having to please others. You have it all. Take advantage this month to connect. The Leo/ Aquarius eclipses are filled with personal and international happenings, including a brief pattern of information that may not be accurate. The new moon on the 21st means you should focus on work and building new alliances.

SCORPIO 10/4-11/21

You are going to do what you know you must do. Expect some serious conflicts between the 5th and 10th. Address issues that have been ignored. Use the next three weeks to reconsider options. Hold off making any rash or untimely decisions. You’ll be able to come up with a better plan when the new moon on the 21st gives you a chance to work things out or put you in a new situation, meaning several work opportunities or maybe even saying goodbye.

SAGITTARIUS 11/22-12/21

August brings the potential for sudden change. Circle circumstances occurring

between the lunar eclipse on the 7th and the solar eclipse on the 21st. Travel plans may have to be put on hold, or you may have to allow for some unexpected interferences due to the backwards sense of energies that occurs. Use this off time to review personal plans or matters you have been ignoring, including your social contacts. Expand new horizons while you can.

CAPRICORN 12/22-1/19

You are going to have to try harder if you want things to run smoothly. The eclipse full moon presents a challenge for some. Better get on the road before things get delayed or canceled. Some of your priorities could be put aside for later. The solar eclipse empowers you to enjoy personal recreational activities or social events away from the office.

AQUARIUS 1/20-2/18

Get ready for some life-altering happenings due to the two eclipses. Underline the 7th and the 21st. This high global energy and transforming time of growth is due to a lunar eclipse in your sign. Hold on and don’t make any rash moves. Expect a move, change of job or partnership. Relax and enjoy while you can, as romance and fun await. Watch your words and take everything you hear or read with a grain of salt. With the sun in your sign until the 22nd, relax, enjoy and address your own needs.

PISCES 2/19-3/20

This month begins by giving you a sense of reality and what to expect from others. Best to keep well-informed, as eclipses can bring to light hidden issues that require our acknowledgement. August is not quiet, but it can be pleasantly socially demanding, which is just what you need to get you out of your comfort zone. World affairs are apt to shake things up a bit. Your sixth house of health and service is being illuminated as your day-to-day routine may become unpredictable. 

For any inquires: email weissastro@aol.com or weisskelly24@gmail.com.