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What a year for us / P. 12

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

SUSD fraud case fizzles with plea deal

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Adios

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

NEIGHBORS ............. 14 Coronado High principal honored.

BUSINESS ................... 16 One of Scottsdale's best-kept secrets.

NEIGHBORS ..........................................14 BUSINESS ............................................... 15 OPINION ................................................. 17 ARTS .........................................................18 FOOD .......................................................20 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................22

he case against of former Scottsdale Unified School District CFO Laura Smith ended with a whimper, not a bang. After nearly three years in court, Smith, who was facing 12 felony charges, pleaded guilty Dec. 18 to two counts of conflict of

see SMITH page 8

Come Jan. 1, keep your hands on the wheel BY JIM WALSH Progress Staff Writer

fter a long delay, it’s time for drivers to finally put down their cell phones – unless they want to see red and blue flashing lights in their rear-view mirror. Arizona’s distracted driving law becomes effective on Jan. 1 and police officers

see DISTRACTED page 10

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The end of an era draws near in Scottsdale as termed-out Mayor Jim Lane, seen here in this year's Parada del Sol celebration, prepares to ride off into the sunset. His reﬂections on his 12 years as mayor appear on page 4. (Progress file photo)

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CITY NEWS

An edition of the East Valley Tribune Scottsdale Progress is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Scottsdale. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of Scottsdale Progress, please visit www.Scottsdale.org. CONTACT INFORMATION Main number 480-898-6500 | Advertising 480-898-5624 Circulation service 480-898-5641 Scottsdale Progress 4301 N 75th St., Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Publisher Steve T. Strickbine Vice President Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@scottsdale.org TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@scottsdale.org Advertising Office Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@scottsdale.org Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@scottsdale.org NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@scottsdale.org Managing Editor Wayne Schutsky | 480-898-6533 | wschutsky@scottsdale.org Staff Writers Kristine Cannon | 480-898-9657 | kcannon@scottsdale.org Jim Walsh | 480-898-5639 | jwalsh@scottsdale.org Photographers Pablo Robles | Probles@scottsdale.org Design Veronica Thurman | vthurman@scottsdale.org Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 | production@scottsdale.org Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@scottsdale.org Scottsdale Progress is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

Homeless aid critical in pandemic BY ANDREA VILLALOBOS Progress Contributor

mid the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Scottsdale is providing more relief than ever to residents in need, including the homeless population. The Vista del Camino Community Center has been serving members of the community throughout the year, offering emergency assistance for rent and mortgage payments as well as utility assistance. The food bank on site also provides one box of food and supplemental items per month to Scottsdale residents in need. “We’ve received a great deal of CARES Act funding, and most of our programs have expanded, in some cases, dramatically,” said Kevin McKee, manager of the Vista del Camino Community Center. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed in late March provided the city’s Human Services Department with money to fund that expansion. According to the city, $3 million of the city’s $29.6-million CARES Act allocation was reserved to provide care to the city’s most vulnerable citizens. From July 1 through Oct. 2, the city provided 197 households $565,615 in rent and mortgage assistance. In the same time frame, the city provided nearly $202,000 in utility assistance. “Since the pandemic hit, we’ve seen a huge influx in community involvement,” McKee said, noting donations received since COVID-19 struck are up by 91 percent over last year. Vista del Camino provided 420 food boxes from July through September. “We’ve essentially served as many folks between July 1 and the end of September as we served the entire last fiscal year. We’re lucky to be in that position, to be able to provide that type of assistance to this level. We certainly haven’t seen this for a while and I don’t know that we’ll see it again,” McKee said. City staff is also doing more outreach to local individuals experiencing homelessness. “We have a fairly new team, the Scott-

The City of Scottsdale reserved $3 million of the city’s $29.6-million CARES Act allocation to fund service’s for the city’s most vulnerable citizens, including programs to provide food for residents in need. (Progress file photo)

sdale homeless navigation team, that has really taken on a bulk of that work throughout the community making contact and connection with those folks experiencing homelessness,” McKee said. According to the Scottsdale Human Services Center, programs are in the works with five social services organizations and “each nonprofit agency that the city partners with is committed to making homelessness brief, rare and non-recurring,” Bestgen said. Bestgen said his department’s programs strive to “meet clients where they are at in the moment” and provide immediate response to basic physical, medical and emotional needs while also coordinating strategies to find them stable shelter or housing. In September, the city used about $395,000 in CARES Act money to launch a temporary “hotel” shelter program with non-profits Community Bridges Inc. and Phoenix Rescue Mission to shelter homeless members of the community who are vulnerable to COVID-19. The shelter has provided housing for over 25 people since September, according to the city. “This program is the silver lining to a very tough year,” Bestgen said. “Togeth-

er, we have been able to help more people experiencing homelessness through CARES Act funding and support from city leaders.” The purpose of the program is to help keep those experiencing homelessness safe and healthy and aid them in their transitions to more permanent housing and employment solutions. Community Bridges provides staff at the shelter and Phoenix Rescue Mission meets with individuals on the street to assess their situation and need for shelter. The city partnered with Phoenix Rescue Mission in August as a part of the street outreach program that helps individuals find the resources that they need to find housing stability. Phoenix Rescue Mission is operating one of the Valley’s only teams that can assess those who are experiencing homelessness and help them find more permanent supportive housing solutions or re-housing vouchers through a mobile team. This fall, the city launched the Scottsdale Works program in collaboration with PRM to provide minimum wage employment opportunities for homeless individuals with Scottsdale Human Services’ Brick-By-Brick program.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

Lane reflects on his tenure as he leaves office BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

hen Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane exits City Hall next month, he will leave as the longesttenured mayor in the city’s history not named Drinkwater. Lane, who served 12 years as mayor after a four-year stint on City Council, is second in longevity to the late Mayor Herb Drinkwater, who served 16 years before voters approved a three-term limit for future mayors. Lane’s tenure is marked by two notso-neat bookends – the Great Recession and the coronavirus pandemic – but those unprecedented crises only account for a fraction of what occurred in Scottsdale during his time in office. The city, already in the midst of population boom, continued to add residents. From 2010 to 2019, the city’s population grew 19 percent from 217,000 to 258,000. The city also grew its economy with continued growth surrounding the Scottsdale Airpark and a focus on the burgeoning bio-science and healthcarecentric “Cure Corridor.” Tourism, always the city’s bread and butter, also saw consistent growth during Lane’s tenure, though the pandemic has since severely slowed down activity at area hotels, resorts and entertainment venues. When asked what his legacy will be, Lane first hesitated. “Being in office, as long as I’ve been, a lot of people really don’t have an idea of what even happened 12 years ago,” he said. Ultimately, he said he believes he will be remembered for early charter reforms aimed at improving the city’s fiscal responsibility and transparency. Lane also pointed to successful efforts to secure state funding to expand the borders of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and efforts to reform and increase transparency on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission. Like any politician with nearly two decades in office, Lane’s legacy cannot be neatly defined by a list of bullet points. He also has drawn detractors who

Outgoing Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane leaves office as the second-longesttenured mayor in the city’s history.

Lane met with protestors leading a peaceful march in downtown Scottsdale against police brutality and the unequal treatment of African Americans in June 2020. (Progress file photo)

(Progress file photo)

have argued that growth during his tenure was too often dictated by developers instead of residents and came at the expense of the city’s charm and character. Despite his now-obvious staying power, Lane, a Republican with a libertarian streak, was hardly a sure thing when he ran against incumbent Mayor Mary Manross in 2008. Lane positioned himself as the reform candidate, promising to increase transparency and fiscal accountability. That proved a winning message – just barely. Lane defeated Manross by just 590 votes in the 2008 runoff. Attorney Tim LaSota, Lane’s first chief of staff, said his message of fiscal responsibility resonated with voters as the city faced declining revenues due to the recession. “I think the public had seen that we had to get our hands around the financial situation, especially with that bad recession that was looming,” he said. When Lane took office, he did not have the power to enact his reforms quickly due to Scottsdale’s manager system of government. Even with limited power, Lane showed the ability early on to marshal political

support for his agenda. That is perhaps best exemplified by the slate of seven reforms to the City Charter that went before voters in 2010, less than two years after Lane became mayor. Six reforms received voter approval, including limitations on the city’s ability to provide subsidies and condemn private property. The anti-subsidy measure is more stringent than the state Constitution’s gift clause forbidding public funds to private individuals or businesses. “There were a lot of people that were a bit frightened by the prospect” of more transparency and accountability, Lane said. Another reform designated the city’s treasurer as its chief financial officer with direct reporting to City Council rather than the city manager. But Lane said up till then, staff would frequently keep the public and even Council in the dark on important issues. “And the thing that I always try to tell everybody is it’s council who was going to be more accountable,” Lane said. LaSota said Lane “staked his reputation on the fiscal good government things they embodied and he won.” “A lot of politicians get into office and

they don’t want to do anything because they don’t want to take chances. But I think that was a big chance he took early in his tenure as mayor and it paid off,” he added. Political consultant Jason Rose, who ran Lane’s reelection campaign, agreed. Rose said the curbs on subsidies to developers was questioned by those who thought businesses would flee Scottsdale for other cities that looked at subsidies as a way to encourage growth postrecession. Lane believed Scottsdale could attract businesses without giving away money, he said. “You can make an argument for or against whether that was smart or not but he seems to have been right,” Rose said. But Lane later was criticized by political opponents, who said he strayed from the principles exemplified by that early reform effort. John Washington, a longtime community activist, and Bob Littlefield, a former three-term councilman, ran against Lane in subsequent mayoral elections, arguing he continued to support subsidies for big business and that debt and

see LANE page 6

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

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CITY NEWS

LANE �� page 4

overdevelopment ran rampant under his watch. Over the years, Lane’s critics argued that City Council during his tenure has been too willing to acquiesce to the demands of developers and big business at the expense of taxpayers and residents. “Skipping ahead to 2020, we’ve seen greater increases in height and density under Lane than any other mayor,” Washington said. Lane has been at the head of a four-vote block – with Council members Suzanne Klapp, Virginia Korte and Linda Milhaven – that have approved a number of 150foot developments in downtown Scottsdale. Critics also cite the tumultuous relationship between residents and the downtown bar district – which Lane has long supported – as well as incentives given to developers and special events. The mayor’s defenders said those critics ignore the growth the city has seen under Lane’s leadership and the realities of holding office. They say the sustained growth of the city’s tourism and events industries, the

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continued growth of the Scottsdale Airpark and the emergence of the Cure Corridor have positively impacted the city. “Opposing is easy because you don’t really have to do anything,” LaSota said, adding: “It’s just that governing is much messier than critiquing.” Despite Lane’s charter reforms, Washington argued the city has been too willing to hand out subsidies in recent years to big businesses and events like the PGA Tour. More recently, the city has agreed to deals with Nationwide and Axon to reimburse both businesses millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements connected to new headquarters they are building in northern Scottsdale. But Lane defended the Council’s record – and his own votes in recent years – arguing he only supported incentives when the city received “value for value.” “In some people’s eyes, those are subsidies; I don’t see it that way, and I’m comfortable with that,” Lane said. Even with those critics, Lane won reelection twice by significant margins and if he did not enter the mayor’s office with a mandate, he entered his third term with

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public. For perhaps the first time in his tenure, Lane wielded true executive powers when he became one of the first mayor’s in the state to issue a mask requirement in June after Governor Doug Ducey allowed cities to adopt their own mandates. Lane eventually cancelled the mandate in September, citing Maricopa County’s overarching mask mandate. The decision exemplified Lane’s libertarian streak and aversion to big government, but drew criticism from public health experts who said the city’s mandate, though duplicative with the county order, still carried symbolic significance. Lane said he never ran for office to “rule by proclamation” but acknowledged the mandate was necessary early on. He said he ended it because he had no interest in “duplicating other efforts just for symbolism.” As Lane prepares to leave office, the pandemic continues to impact Scottsdale but now he will navigate those challenges as a private citizen. Just like in 2008, the city will again rely on a first-term mayor to navigate the local impacts of a global crisis. And it does not look like he will be back in the public eye anytime soon: The outgoing mayor made no mention of future political aspirations when asked what his future holds. “My future plans right now are probably between retiring or at least taking some time off, but there’s also two private sector situations I’m entertaining,” Lane said. Whatever path he chooses, Lane is not going far. “I love this city,” Lane said. “I’ve been going on 48 years living here… I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

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something close to one. In 2016, Lane defeated Littlefield with 64 percent of the vote. Rose said that election “became a fault line between pro-business and antibusiness and the mayor did a very good job of raising money and offering that argument.” Supporters and Lane himself count the city’s recovery from the recession as one of his successes. “I do think the reforms led to a great remedy for the downturn in the economy and thus the regeneration of our economy and then some,” Lane said. Information presented to Council earlier this year showed the city has consistently outperformed revenue and spending projections. But Lane’s critics said budget figures can be misleading and hide financial issues that persist at the city, including substantial debt. According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, Scottsdale has $922,350,000 in total outstanding bond debt – the third highest total in the state behind only Phoenix and Mesa. Scottsdale has the seventh-highest per capita bonded indebtedness among Arizona cities at $3,720, according to ADOR. But Lane said the city was in a strong financial position prior to the pandemic and that “our financial position is second to none.” He acknowledged the city’s tourismdependent economy has been hit hard by the pandemic but is optimistic that a slow recovery is underway. “It’ll take a little while, but we have been blessed with some very strong years,” he said. The mayor’s handling of the pandemic has received a mixed response from the

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

County defies legislator’s vote data subpoena BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

aricopa County supervisors voted Friday to refuse to comply with subpoenas issued by the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The 4-1 vote followed a nearly threehour executive session with attorneys amid concerns that at least some of what is being demanded by Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, would expose private information about voters. There also were questions about whether the county even has the legal right to 19.11 MIS79170 PRM Tax Credit AD - SanTan Sun News 10 x 6. 6 give that information to outsiders. Instead, board members supporting 19.11 MIS79170 MIS79170 PRM PRM Tax Tax Credit Credit AD AD -- SanTan SanTan Sun Sun News News 10 10 xx 6. 6. 6 6 the motion – three Republicans and 19.11 one Democrat – voted to file suit and have a judge determine whether the subpoenas are legally valid. Among the majority was Republican Jack Sellers, whose district YES, I want to help feed homeless and hungry men, women, and children covers Ahwatukee. throughout Maricopa County and qualify for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. Attorney Steve Tully, a former legislator Enclosed gift:feed homeless and hungry men, women, and children wantisto tomy help II want help feed homeless and hungry men, women, and children YES, hired by the county, said legislative panthroughout Maricopa County and and qualify qualify for for the the Arizona Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. Credit. Every $1 you give throughout Charitable Tax m $800 Maricopa m $400 County m $100 els can subpoena people to testify. FarnEnclosed is my gift: Enclosed is my gift: saves $1 on your taxes! m $50 m to $25 YES, I want help feed homeless and hungry men, women, and children throughout sworth’s seeks actual materials. EveryTax $1Credit. you give m $800 $800 m $400 m $100 $100 m $________ to help as muchfor as the possible. m m $400 m Maricopa County and qualify Arizona Charitable More significant, Tully said the subpoesaves $1 on your taxes! m $50 $50 m m $25 $25 m nas “serve no valid legislative purpose.’’ Enclosed is my gift: $ _________ My check is enclosed m I’d like to pay by credit card m $800 ________ to help as asmmuch much as possible. possible. “There is no legislative authority to aum $$Amount ________ to help as $400 $100 $50 $25 $______ to help as much as possible. Card type _________ Card number ___________________________________ dit election results,’’ he said. Nor is there Amount _________Mym m My check check is enclosed enclosed m___________________________ I’d like like to to pay pay by by credit credit card card authority to examine ballots or conduct Exp.$$________ phone number ( ______ ) m Amount _________ My is I’d Thank you! forensic audits of election equipment. 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CITY NEWS

SMITH ��

interest and will serve three months of unsupervised probation. Superior Court Judge Frank W. Moskowitz also imposed a $15 fine. The deal, part of a plea agreement between Smith and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, wraps up litigation that began in May 2018, when Smith was indicted on fraud and conflict of interest charges. The agreement does not require Smith to testify against former SUSD Superintendent Denise Birdwell, who was fired by the Governing Board a few months after Smith resigned in 2018 over allegations that she violated district policies and accepted payments from an architect who later was awarded district contracts. Prior to the plea, Smith faced felony charges carrying the possibility of years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. However, she pleaded guilty to two charges that were downgraded to misdemeanors. The state Attorney General’s Office did not reply to requests for comment. Smith admitted that in March and April 2017 she approved district purchases from Professional Group Public Consulting, or PGPC, a consulting firm owned by her sister Caroline Brackley. Prior to coming to SUSD, Smith was PGPC’s president and she maintained a 17 percent stake in the company while working for the school district, Assistant Attorney General Mary Harriss said. In court, defense attorney Richard Gaxiola acknowledged Smith violated state law by failing to adequately disclose her

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

relationship with the company, but argued SUSD higher-ups knew about Smith and Brackley’s relationship. Gaxiola said the lengthy investigation by the Attorney General’s Office showed no evidence that Smith mishandled funds at SUSD or financially benefited from the work awarded to PGPC. “At the time of the filing of these charges, Laura had nearly half a billion dollars under her control as the CFO of the Scottsdale Unified School District and not one penny was misspent, misappropriated or misused in any manner whatsoever,” Gaxiola said. “This was verified by the SUSD’s auditors who found no wrongdoing or any misappropriation of monies.” In court, Harriss acknowledged that PGPC performed all the work it was paid for and investigators found no evidence Smith received direct payments for that work. Gaxiola said Smith saw no profits from the company during that time. “There has never been any shred of evidence to support the state’s argument that Laura financially benefited from any contract with PGPC and the SUSD,” he said. Harriss asked the court to impose a fine of up to $1,200 and up to one year of probation. However, Moskowitz gave Smith less than that, citing the impact of the case on her life. Gaxiola told the court that Smith is now virtually unemployable and that “her reputation is so bad that no district in the State of Arizona would touch her.” Gaxiola also said the Arizona Department of Education was terminating Smith’s

teaching license. Moskowitz said Smith has “kind of been on probation” for two to three years as the case played out and had no run-ins with the law. “So that’s why I just figured three months because I don’t know what much longer is going to do and I didn’t impose any additional fines and fees because it sounds like you’ve been through enough,” Moskowitz told Smith. Smith was hired by Birdwell in February 2017 and resigned less than a year later during a district investigation into her activities. The grand jury indicted her months later and then indicted her again in January 2019 after the judge sent the original charges back to the panel over concerns prosecutors did not present evidence that could have exonerated her. The case moved slowly through the court system since the first indictment in 2018, and most delays appeared connected to plea negotiations between Smith and the Attorney General’s Office. Over the past three years, there were whispers in the community that Smith may be able to provide evidence against Birdwell in exchange for leniency. But it appears that is not the case. Gaxiola said the plea includes “no agreement of any kind.” In court, Gaxiola seemed to suggest Birdwell actually influenced the investigation into Smith to defer attention away from herself. “The reason this began to be investigated was because at a seminal point of other

investigations, the sitting person at the time who was running the district diverted the investigation onto Laura to divert her efforts,” Gaxiola said. “That is accurate,” Harriss responded. “This is part of a larger investigation…the initial investigation was done internally by Scottsdale Unified School District. This is a part of that investigation.” Since Birdwell’s firing, Smith is the only member of her cabinet charged with a crime despite evidence of wider misconduct. A statement of charges used to justify Birdwell’s firing alleged that Hunt & Caraway Architects paid $30,000 to Birdwell or a joint account she had access to. The district later awarded contracts to the company for projects related to a $229-million bond passed in 2016. In 2018, the Attorney General’s office sued SUSD, Hunt & Caraway and company president Brian Robichaux alleging that under Birdwell’s leadership the district violated state procurement laws in selecting construction contractors for rebuilds of Hohokam Elementary and Cheyenne Traditional schools. The district settled, agreeing to a $5,000 fine and ongoing procurement training and evaluations. Hunt & Caraway settled in 2019, agreeing to cancel $105,000 in outstanding fee claims against the district, refund $16,000 for work on the central kitchen project and cooperate with ongoing attorney general investigations. Robichaux settled with the AG’s office in May 2019 and died in January 2020.

2020 in Scottsdale = politics, projects, pandemic BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

hile COVID-19 dominated nearly every facet of life in the city this year, 2020 in Scottsdale also saw game-changer elections, an unprecedented riot and several major development projects that broke ground – and one that did not. Like cities around the country, Scottsdale was forced to grapple with the economic and health realities of the pandemic as schools were forced to close campuses and bars, hotels, restaurants and other businesses were shut down. Once some bars and hotels were allowed

Scottsdale Mayor-elect David Ortega, left, and resident Tim Horn delivered Southbridge Two referendum petitions days after the year began. (Progress file photo)

to reopen in May, the city was criticized for not doing enough to curtail partying after photos showing maskless patrons packed into the Entertainment District over the Memorial Day weekend. Scottsdale was one of the first cities in the state to issue a mask mandate in June and Maricopa County eventually issued its own mandate for all cities and towns. That mandate quickly became a political football. Outgoing Councilman Guy Phillips, running for re-election, hosted an anti-mask rally at City Hall and his comments eventually overshadowed the protest. Phillips uttered “I can’t breathe” – the fi-

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Pandemic fuels record firearms sales in Arizona BY CALAH SCHLABACH Cronkite News

ASHINGTON – Background checks for gun purchases in Arizona hit their highest level ever in 2020, driven by an unprecedented convergence of a pandemic, a summer of national unrest and a presidential election, experts said. With a month left to go in the year, 610,911 background checks had been performed in the state through November, well over the 372,912 done in all of 2019, according to FBI data. The Arizona spike is part of a nationwide increase, said Kelly Drane, research director at Giffords Law Center, a gun control advocacy group. She estimated that there was a nearly 90 percent increase in gun sales nationally from March to October this year compared to last year, with early data indicating “a substantial number of these purchases were made by new gun owners.”

Veerachart Murphy said that is what he has seen at Ammo AZ, the Phoenix gun store he owns, where there has been a “huge uptick in first-time buyers.” “Between the election and COVID and shutdowns and riots – it was enough to get them off the couch and come in and actually make their first purchase,” Murphy said of “people that were kind of maybe on the fence” about buying a gun. He said his biggest spike in sales came early this year as COVID-19 began dominating the news, with a 400 percent increase in sales from January to February. He attributes it to anxiety about a possible pandemic-related lockdown. Sales remained relatively high, he said, until another spike in the summer, when clashes between police and protesters were in the headlines. That experience tracks the FBI’s data, which shows that Arizona had the highest number of background checks in March, with nearly 83,000, followed by June and July, which had 74,000 and

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60,000 background checks, respectively. Murphy said he has seen similar spikes since he got into the gun business in 2013, usually after active-shooter incidents or mass shootings – and before the 2016 presidential election when sales jumped in anticipation of a win by Democrat Hillary Clinton. Sales tailed off then after gun-friendly President Donald Trump took office. Sales through November 2020 were already 47% higher than in all of 2016, which had been the record for the state. “It’s almost like the stock market, where something doesn’t actually have to happen to set off this market. It’s the threat of something, or the potential that something happens that will trigger this market,” Murphy said. With President-elect Joe Biden set to be sworn in on Jan. 20, Murphy expects gun sales to stay high and to double last year’s net sales. “I think this is going to be it for the foreseeable future with Biden in office. We saw kind of the same thing with

DISTRACTED ��

throughout the East Valley and beyond are planning to write citations right away, trying to break motorists’ dangerous habits of texting or checking emails behind the wheel. The law originally was passed in 2019 after a driver struck and killed a Salt River-Pima Maricopa tribal officer along the Loop 101, but it included an 18-month educational window during which officers could only issue warnings. While officers will still have discretion to issue warnings after Jan. 1, their advice is simple: don’t count on it. The new law makes it illegal to touch a cell phone while driving – or even to rest it on your lap, another habit police have noted – with a call to 911 one notable exception. Drivers are still allowed to use handsfree devices, such as Bluetooth, that are commonly built into the dashboards of most modern cars and trucks. The penalties are civil fines ranging from $75-$149 for the first offense, and $150-$250 for the second or subsequent offenses.

Obama in office,” said Murphy, who posted then-President Barack Obama’s picture in his store as Employee of the Month. “That should give you kind of an idea of, of how everybody reacts to … a Democratic-controlled presidency.” During past gun-sale spikes, however, people were buying up AR-15s, thinking they would get taken away after mass shootings or by Democratic administrations. Now, Murphy said, “people are buying everything.” “It doesn’t matter – whatever you can get your hands on. People are literally buying everything, handguns, rifles, shotguns,” he said. “Everything is going.” It’s a “hoarding mentality” he compared to stocking up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But guns are not toilet paper. Drane said increased gun sales have coincided with increased gun violence in U.S. cities and more calls to domestic violence and

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And a violation is considered a “primary offense” – meaning that police can stop drivers for talking on the phone alone and do not need any additional violations to pull them over. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has issued 15,000 warnings, as directed by Gov. Doug Ducey, who signed the bill into law, said Bart Graves, a DPS spokesman. “The whole reason for the law is to keep people safe on our roads. The best thing we can do is keep them from being distracted,’’ he said. Traffic safety advocates say that distracted driving causes the same level of danger as an impaired driver with a .08 percent alcohol level, the minimum level at which Arizona drivers are presumed to be impaired under state law. Police in Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler all say they have been issuing warnings. “In recent months, our officers have given verbal warnings reference this violation as part of the departments commitment to traffic safety. We are not

see DISTRACTED page 11

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planning any directed-enforcement details or social media campaigns at this time,’’ said Officer Kevin Watts, a Scottsdale Police spokesman. Watts said Scottsdale officers will start writing tickets for violations of the new distracted driving law on Jan. 1, enforcing it in the same manner as other traffic laws as part of their routine duties. Gilbert took a somewhat different approach, designating a series of six “hands free duty’’ days in which officers made traffic stops and issued warnings to drivers holding a cell phone in their hands, said Brenda Carrasco, a Gilbert Police spokeswoman. The last of these warning events is planned for this week. Carrasco said activity on the department’s social media pages indicates that some residents are irritated by distracted drivers and look forward to enforcement of the hands-free law. “I think it will depend upon the circumstances,’’ whether some are cited or warned for violations noted in the new year, she said. After issuing a long series of warnings, Mesa police traffic Officer Mike Kuntz is looking forward to issuing citations, saying that they tend to make a longer-lasting impact on the behavior of drivers. “I educate a lot of people. Every time I drive past a car and they are on the phone, I make them put down the phone,’’ he said. Kuntz said drivers have been backsliding into their old habits during the educational campaign rather than improving their safety by putting down their phones. “A year ago, a lot of news agencies reported it. I would say that initially, it improved,’’ he said. But Kuntz said authorities now need to regain the momentum lost during the long delay in enforcing the law. “You drive down the road, we all see there are so many people on their phones. It’s ridiculous,’’ Kuntz said. “There will be no more warnings from me. There will only be citations. I have been waiting for 1 ½ years to give citations. “I need to gain compliance from you,’’ Kuntz said, adding he’s not buying excuses. “Just put it down. If you can’t put it down, put it in the trunk,’’ he said.

When he signed the driving-while-texting ban, Gov. Doug Ducey invited relatives of people killed by texting drivers. (Capitol Media Services)

Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said he is planning a public service campaign to remind drivers that the state law takes effect on Jan. 1. Chandler and Gilbert police said they also are planning to post safety videos about the new law’s requirements on the social media as another method of reminding the public that it is becoming effective. “No one likes to be pulled over. Being pulled over is the best message for people who are driving distracted,’’ Gutier said. “I think the momentum will come right back.’’ Gutier said he believes the new law will save lives and that it represents a direct opportunity to improve public safety. “Even though we had more than a year of warnings, now it’s the real thing,’’ he said. “People need to put their phone down.’’ Sgt. Jason McClimans, a Chandler police spokesman, said it’s not realistic to think all drivers will suddenly put down their phones and pay attention to their driving on Jan. 1. “It’s going to continue to happen. It’s so ingrained in people’s heads,’’ McClimans said. The public needs to understand that driving is a complicated act requiring their full attention and that the vast ma-

jority of texts and messages can wait until they are parked, he said. “We believe the number of distracted driving citations will increase dramatically,’’ McClimans said, adding that he thinks there are circumstances where a warning will suffice in changing someone’s behavior. “There are certain people out there who understand warnings. We feel they won’t do it again,’’ he said. Marc Lamber, a personal injury attorney, said he has represented many clients who have lost a loved one or have suffered serious injuries from distracted driving. He recalled a time when there was more tolerance for impaired driving before extensive public education campaigns changed people’s attitudes. Because almost any hazard can pop up suddenly while driving, “you need to have full attention with your hands and cognition with your brain,’’ Lamber said. “I see more and more accidents involving someone who is on the phone and distracted. Ninety-three percent of accidents are caused by human error,’’ he said. He also said that the law taking effect and Bluetooth being widely available, when it comes to motorists keeping your hands off their phone behind the wheel, “I hope it will become as automatic as wearing a seatbelt.”

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nal words of George Floyd, the black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer in May. Phillips denied allegations he was making a joke of the tragedy but apologized to Floyd’s family amid mounting criticism from his council colleagues to Gov. Doug Ducey to people living on the other side of the country. Phillips rejected calls for his resignation, stating “I was elected twice by the voters of Scottsdale and will most likely be reelected again.” Phillips lost, placing fifth out of six candidates in the November election. The pandemic devastated Scottsdale’s tourism industry particularly resorts, hotels and even short-term rentals and while the industry has shown signs of life in recent months, it is still nowhere near recovering to pre-pandemic levels. In anticipation of the pandemic’s impact, City Council cut the city budget by $30 to $40 million heading into the current fiscal year. Recently, city staff has said the city is

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

outperforming budgeted projections and it is “cautiously optimistic” the positive trend will continue. According to a staff report, city revenues were $101.6 million through the end of October – well above the $85.7 million projected in the budget adopted but still below pre-pandemic projections. Education has also reeled under the pandemic as Scottsdale Unified and other districts were under pressure to improve distance learning models while simultaneously implementing virus-mitigation strategies so classrooms could reopen. Scottsdale Unified School District first started bringing students back into classrooms in September and has struggled with shortages of teachers and substitutes at times. The district eventually closed three of its five high schools – Chaparral, Arcadia and Desert Mountain – for the remainder of the year due to staffing shortages and some students’ and parents’ disregard for public health mitigation strategies. Scottsdale also became an unlikely site for public unrest when a massive all-night riot broke out around Scottsdale Fashion

Square Mall May 30, resulting in millions of dollars in damage and thefts but no deaths or serious injuries. The riot took place as protests broke out nationwide demanding social justice and an end to police brutality in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. But the event at Scottsdale Fashion Square included little protest as it quickly devolved into a riot with hundreds of people, including local high schoolers, looting the mall and nearby stores. The riot stood in stark contrast to a peaceful protest that took place the next week that saw over 1,000 demonstrators march through downtown Scottsdale with signs and chanting against police brutality and for the end to unequal treatment of African Americans. “I think it was time for us to have one out here, but it was also just to show Doug (Ducey) that what happened at Fashion Square and all of that was not – we weren’t a part of that…” said William Reed, a leader of the protest. The May 30 riot started around 10 p.m. and did not end until early the next morn-

ing. Scottsdale Police received criticism from some residents and local business owners who said not enough was done to stop the pillaging. Department officials defended their response, noting the riot did not expand past the immediate mall area. The department acknowledged it underestimated the size of the gathering in the hours before it occurred, leading to a smaller than necessary response. The department got help from various law enforcement agencies and a report by now-retired Police Chief Alan Rodbell noted that officers focused on protecting nearby occupied homes while avoiding potentially deadly clashes with rioters, some of whom were armed. In the following months, the department made 55 arrests in connection crimes committed during the riot and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise. Despite the pandemic, meanwhile, development dominated the Scottsdale economy and city politics in numerous

Bistro & Gallery at The Summit; MIXT and Culinary Dropout at Scottsdale Quarter; Texas Roadhouse on Via de Ventura; Stratta Kitchen at The Village at Hayden; Blue Zone and Bei Express on Hayden; Gatsby’s in the Pinnacle Peak area; The Mick in McCormick Ranch; Black Rock Coffee on Bell Road; Gabriella’s Contemporary American Cuisine on Via Linda; Snooze an AM Eatery at Pima Crossing; Broth & Bao at SkySong Center; Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea on 87th Street. Tourism/recreation: Canopy by Hilton Hotel on Marshall Way and its restaurants Cobre Kitchen + Cocktails and Outrider Rooftop Lounge; ADERO Resort and its Cielo restaurant on East Shea/Fountain Hills (site of former Copperwynd Resort); drive-in concerts at WestWorld; Set Jet flights from Scottsdale Airport to Cabo San Lucas; Waste Management Phoenix Open unveiled a new logo; renovated/expanded Charro Lodge at Scottsdale Stadium. Retail: Chase Bank on Pima Road; Amazon Books and Candle Chemistry at Scottsdale Quarter; Creative Leather on Indian School Road; iSmoke at Grayhawk Plaza;

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop on Greenway; W Mart Asian grocery on Thomas. Business: thredUP’s corporate office expanded to Scottsdale Financial Center on Indian School Road; Connie Health insurance navigation service; New Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce podcast that highlights businesses and retail. Arts/culture: Scottsdale’s first Juneteenth celebration at El Dorado Park; new public art installations: “Sunburst” at ASU SkySong Innovation Center and a Christine Lee art installation at Fire Station 603; “Ziggy’s Sister” sculpture by Al Beadle installed at Scottsdale Artists’ School; USS Arizona Memorial Gardens opened in the Talking Stick Entertainment District.

The Mint Ultra Lounge on Camelback. Retail: Pier One and Steinmart stores at Pima Crossing and The Promenade; Tuesday Morning at Scottsdale/Shea (other location open); Paris store at Scottsdale/ Frank Lloyd Wright. Entertainment: iPic movie theater at Scottsdale Quarter City: fines for overdue materials at Scottsdale libraries were abolished. We’ll always remember: Business/civic leader Cora Messinger; architect Kamal Amin; homebuilder Geoffrey Edmunds; former Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce office manager Leslie Nyquist; author Clive Cussler; journalist Don Dedera; Restauranteur Jack Song; historian/author Bob Mason; former Gov. Jane D. Hull; auto dealer Tex Earnhardt; bank executive/ Fiesta Bowl founding director George Isbell; former Dial CEO Herb Baum; art patron Gil Waldman; golf course designer Dick Bailey; national broadcasting legend Hugh Downs; Civic leader Lou Lagomarsino Jr.; former councilman George Zraket; former airpark computer business owner/football legend Gayle Sayers; artist John Henry Waddell.

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Scottsdale flashback: what came, what went BY JOAN FUDALA Progress Contributor

ow, what a year! Here are just a few things in Scottsdale that arrived in 2020 – and some that faded into history.

NEW Restaurants: Copper Mule, Senor Taco, Matt’s Big Breakfast, OEB Breakfast Company, Dessert in the Desert, Rift Wine Bar & Taphouse and The Americano on Scottsdale Road; Teriyaki Madness on Pima Road; The Craftsman at Hayden Peak Crossing; Moe’s Roadhouse at DC Ranch Crossing; Wine Girl, Pizzeria Virtu, Cold Beers & Pizza, Benjamin’s Upstairs, J Town, The Dash Inn, and Frasher’s Steakhouse in Old Town; Nobu Scottsdale, Zinque, Capital One Cafe and Francine at Scottsdale Fashion Square; Pretty Please Lounge on Saddlebag Trail; Kitchen United Mix at Scottsdale/Shea; Lure Fish House at Shops at Gainey Ranch; Gabriella’s Contemporary American Cuisine in Scottsdale Ranch; Twist

GONE Restaurants: Sweet Tomatoes (everywhere); Four Peaks Brewing at Hayden and Frank Lloyd Wright; BRIO Tuscan Grille at Scottsdale Quarter; Charleston’s at Frank Lloyd Wright/Scottsdale; Kale & Clover at Hayden Peak Crossing; Which Wich at Grayhawk Plaza; Scottsdale Beer Company on Shea; YC’s Mongolian Grill;

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GUN SALES �� page 10

suicide hotlines. Such correlations are well known from previous research, she said, but may be more dangerous during the pandemic – which is expected to worsen this winter. “The risks posed by these new firearm purchases may be particularly severe when coupled with the risks for gun violence exacerbated by the pandemic,

COUNTY �� page 7

all the questions from panel members. That, he said, included queries about the machinery and the software. Supervisor Steve Chucri cast the lone dissenting vote. But Chucri said it wasn’t that he believes the information should be surrendered. Instead, he wanted the refusal to be tied to an immediate vote by his colleagues to conduct their own audit. Hickman said there will be such a review but not until all the three outstanding lawsuits challenging the election are resolved. One subpoena seeks copies of all mailin and absentee ballots in multiple digital formats along with various reports and logs and tapes of the ballot scanning and tabulation equipment. The other demands that the county give

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ways this year. The stage for the first big battle had been set in December 2019 when City Council approved Southbridge Two, a massive redevelopment that would have replaced some low-scale buildings in the 5th Avenue shopping district with taller hotels, offices and ground-floor retail and restaurants, had elicited a mixed reaction from residents and low property owners. Following that was a rushed referendum campaign in late December and early January that sought to give voters the final say on the project. But voters never actually got the chance to vote on the project. Developer Carter Unger challenged the validity of referendum and its signatures in Superior Court. But after a judge ruled in favor of project opponents, Unger pulled the plug on his plan and Council nullified its earlier approval. The project – 20 years in the making by

such as economic uncertainty, unemployment, and social isolation,” Drane said. “These conditions have historically been associated with increased suicide attempts and deaths.” Drane said 90 percent of suicide attempts with a firearm end in death, and domestic violence victims are five times more likely to be killed when their abuser has a gun. With more people stuck at home, she said, domestic violence

victims may not have access to supportive services, and with more children at home, there is a greater risk of unintentional shootings with improperly stored guns. “While the gun lobby uses fear to promote the panic-buying of guns, all Americans should be aware of the risks of having a gun in the home,” Drane said. But Murphy said gun-buying he has seen has been a nonpartisan exercise,

with liberals in his store for the first time. He said his neighbor in Scottsdale – who he called an “uber-liberal huge Biden supporter” – bought his first gun after the unrest there this summer. Drane said the bottom line is, “if you do decide to purchase a gun, we encourage you to learn about and practice safe gun storage, which is a foundational part of being a responsible gun owner.”

some accounts – was dead. The referendum battle resulted in an ugly several months in Scottsdale and eventually helped set the stage for a major theme in the city election campaigns. COVID-19 slowed development on several other high-profile projects already approved by Council, including the Marquee office building next to the Galleria Corporate Centre and the Museum Square project next to Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Other projects pushed on. The Canopy by Hilton hotel opened across from the Museum Square site, making it the first new hotel downtown in over a decade. A few miles away, progress was made this year on another new hotel on land that used to house the iconic Don & Charlie’s restaurant. In northern Scottsdale, Nationwide made significant progress on the first phase of its Cavasson development. That development, located on 134 acres

north of Loop 101, will eventually include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 1,600 multifamily residences and a hotel along with retail and restaurants. On the south side, the Papago Plaza redevelopment also made strides in 2020. Development was only one of a number of issues that drew Scottsdale voters out in droves for some of the most packed political races in recent memory. The results of those elections significantly changed the makeup of Council and the school board. The surprising primary saw incumbent council members Suzanne Klapp and Virginia Korte go down to defeat along with former Councilman Bob Littlefield in a five-way race for mayor. Voters instead sent former council members Lisa Borowsky and David Ortega to the November runoff. Both candidates had kept relatively low profiles since exiting office years ago but managed to beat opponents with more name recognition.

Ortega won a narrow victory over Borowsky despite being out-fundraised by a nearly two-to-one margin. In the City Council race, voters elected newcomers Betty Janik, Tammy Caputi and Tom Durham. The election of Ortega, Janik, Caputi and Durham – along with the departure of Lane, Klapp, Korte and Phillips – means four of the seven seats on the Council will change hands in 2021. There will be similar turnover on the Scottsdale Unified Governing Board. That election had six candidates in contention for three open seats and none of the three incumbents running for re-election. In the end, voters elected retired teacher Julie Cieniawski along with Dr. Libby HartWells and Zach Lindsay, both of whom have children in the district. They will be working with the other new major addition to Scottsdale Unified: Dr. David Menzel was hired as the district’s new superintendent.

access to a yet-to-be-chosen analyst to the ballot tabulation equipment from both the individual voting centers and the central counting system as well as the software used. Farnsworth also wants a report on rejected ballots, audit trail logs, usernames and passwords of anyone who has access to the system and anyone from Dominion Voting Systems who could get into the system. And then there is a command for the county to turn over daily and cumulative voter records which include the name, address and date of birth of each voter, where and when they voted, their party affiliation and any information about when they requested an early ballot, when it was sent, when it was voted and, if applicable, when it was canceled. All that angered Supervisor Bill Gates.

“Let’s be clear: These subpoenas that have been issued and are before this body are truly extraordinary in the breadth of information that they’re looking for,’’ he said. “As a conservative, I feel strongly about individual private information, of individuals, of voters,’’ Gates said. “I’m going to fight to protect that information before we turn it over.’’ But that, he said, is only part of his concern about surrendering all sorts of information to Farnsworth and his committee. “I don’t know what they’re going to do with it,’’ Gates said. Farnsworth told Capitol Media Services none of this information will be made public but is simply part of providing what an outside auditor needs to verify the results. “So, this isn’t something that’s going to be handed out and put out on YouTube or

out on any social media sites,’’ he said. “I mean, that’s just an absurdity.’’ Tully is arguing the subpoenas’ purpose is “to provide the information for counsel for the losing candidate so that he might attempt to use it to overturn the election results.’’ Farnsworth denied that. “This has nothing to do with the Trump campaign,’’ he said. “This has to do with the concern by the Legislature that there are enough allegations of inappropriateness or not being able to engage in the process or anomalies that exist.’’ “I don’t know why that’s so difficult for people to understand,’’ he said. Supervisor Steve Gallardo, who called the subpoenas “a sideshow coming from the Legislature’’ and a “circus.’’ The lone Democrat on the county board, he said the county conducted in a bipartisan manner.

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Coronado principal earns leadership kudos BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

obs for America’s Graduates has named Coronado High School Principal Amy Palatucci the recipient of its 2020 National Educational Leadership Award. “It feels amazing. Really, I’m honored,” Palatucci said. “We have such a great team here, and it just feels great to be a part of the JAG family — and then to be honored for that at work as well.” Coronado has offered the JAG program for 40 years, helping young people succeed in school and in the workplace through individualized post-graduation plans to succeed. The program helps students through campus visits and scholarships to secure jobs after high school and receive a full year of follow-up services after graduation. “I really believe in what our program does here and what our JAG program does here,” Palatucci said. “The JAG program has done nothing but make my job easier when it comes to supporting the kids.” JAG Arizona nominated Palatucci. “Ms. Palatucci has been instrumental in making sure the Coronado High School program continues to thrive,” said JAG Arizona President Graciela Garcia Candia. “She is a powerful advocate for her JAG Coordinator and students, working to give them every opportunity to succeed.” Palatucci isn’t the only Coronado High staff member to receive an award from JAG. During JAG’s national training seminar in Florida this summer, Coronado JAG Coordinator Wendy Paez Gonzales was named one of 50 high performers in the U.S. and one of just three in Arizona. Recognized for securing nearly $1 million in scholarships for her seniors, Paez

Jobs for America’s Graduates has named Coronado High School Principal Amy Palatucci the recipient of its 2020 National Educational Leadership Award. (SUSD) Gonzales was also awarded the “5 of 5” Award in 2019 for implementing projectbased learning in her classroom. “It’s a huge honor anytime you get recognized for your hard work,” she said. “JAG is a labor of love. I’ve shed a lot of tears for that program. But we don’t do this for awards. It’s not the reason we do our job. We do this job because we feel that it’s not just a passion, that it’s a mission... to help kids.” This year marks Paez Gonzales’ 10th year of being the JAG coordinator at Coronado and her 11th year at the southern Scottsdale high school. Thanks to JAG, Paez Gonzales said she’s received the extra resources and tools to be a better teacher. “It’s hard enough being a teacher,” she said. “We have sometimes limited resourc-

es, limited networking abilities, but this program really gives me all the tools that I have in order to help my students.” In 1980, Coronado High School was one of Arizona’s �irst high schools to create a JAG program. And since Palatucci became principal last summer, she has taken a vested interest in the JAG program. “She has worked to understand the role JAG can play on her campus and goes above and beyond in understanding how she can best support the successful implementation of the program,” Garcia Candia said. “The connections that JAG makes with them are life-changing and immeasurable,” Palatucci added. Coronado students meet with local busi-

ness leaders to explore career options and tour college campuses as they receive guidance with college and career planning. “It’s very much a hands-on program, close contact, and can be a very emotional type of program where there’s a lot of physical contact and a lot of collaborative work,” Paez Gonzales said. This one-on-one nature has made the pandemic particularly dif�icult for Paez Gonzales and her JAG students. Because they were unable to go on college �ield trips and invite guest speakers into the classroom, Paez Gonzales hosted breakout session calls, invited guest speakers via Zoom and worked with Arizona State University on virtual tours for the students. “We’re �inding our ways around it,” Paez Gonzales said. “But yeah, the social distance is very dif�icult for students because we’re very much a family.” Palatucci said what makes JAG so successful is the individualized attention and care to each student’s skills. “I really believe in that kid-by-kid, skillby-skill mentality, and I think that is the backbone of JAG,” Palatucci said. “The program really looks at their individual needs, their strengths, their challenges, and gives them more of that individualized attention and care to their skills that we wouldn’t be able to offer without the JAG program.” Paez Gonzales added that the JAG program “starts creating the leaders of tomorrow today,” and that her goal for 2021 is to enroll more students into the program. “A perfect program is 40-plus,” Paez Gonzales said. Currently, 30 students belong to the Coronado JAG program. “We are working to try to �ind another 10 students that we can help in the second semester, and hopefully we can continue growing our program,” Paez Gonzales said. Information: jagaz.org

BUSINESS

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Sphinx Date Ranch’s roots run deep here Seitz, who owns Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry with her daughter, Rebecca Seitz. early 100 years ago, Roy FrankSeitz was born in New Jersey and lin discovered a tree sprouting in spent much of her early years moving a Phoenix yard and knew it was around everywhere from Montreal to something special. St. Louis. The tree was producing black sphinx In college, she studied economics, dates, which are smaller and sweeter which led to a successful career in the than Medjool Dates with a bit thinner finance and government fields, includskin. Still only known to grow in Arizona, ing working for the state of Illinois in these dates helped plant the seed for one the governor’s budget office, owning of Scottsdale’s most beloved businesses: her own business and working for AmSphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry. trak in Washington, D.C. “If you would have told me that Her first brush with Scottsdale was dates—and even Scottsdale—would be when she and her daughters moved in the cards for me even 10 years ago, I there in 1977, but she had to depart may not have believed you,” said Sharyn soon for Chicago (and eventually Indianapolis), where her thenhusband had been hired for a job. She made her way back a second time in 1982. During her second time around, while raising her family, Sharyn Seitz made a name for herself, including holding positions with the Arizona Legislature, city of Phoenix and private companies in the Valley. “During my first stint in the area, I was a proud member of the secondever graduating class of Scottsdale Leadership back in 1994, and eventually served as its president. I was also appointed by Mayor Drinkwater to work on the mayor’s budget review committee in 1994, and the Scottsdale Mother-daughter team of Sharyn Seitz, right, and citizens bond oversight Rebecca Seitz run Scottsdale’s Sphinx Date Co. committee from 1989 to Palm & Pantry. (Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry) 1994,” she said. BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ Progress Contributor

Holiday gifts abound at Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry. (Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry) She also served on the local chamber board from 1989 to 1994, including work as its treasurer from 1991-1993. Family and eventually a new career opportunity called her away from Scottsdale again in the early 2000s – first in Kansas City to help family and then in D.C. after Amtrak came calling. When she retired from the company in 2012 as assistant vice president of finance for budget and grant administration, Seitz wasted no time in coming back. “The third time is the charm for me and Scottsdale. It is my forever home,” Sharyn said. But what to do this third time around? “By this time, my daughter Rebecca was grown and working in digital marketing,” she said, noting her daughter is a graduate of Scottsdale Leadership as

well. “If you remember back to the early 2010s, much of that industry was struggling – like most industries – as a result of the Great Recession.” Together, the two discussed combining their skills to start a business. “At the time, Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry was operating as Southwest Gourmet Market,” Rebecca said. “The business was looking for a buyer, and in researching it we learned about Arizona’s rich date history.” Inspired to update the market as a showplace for not only dates but a bevy of artisanal products from Arizona, the mother-daughter team bought the business and rebranded as Sphinx Date Company in 2012.

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BUSINESS

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Airpark business is Arizona’s best-kept secret BY HOLLY MORGAN Progress Contributor

ary Hampton’s Scottsdale Airpark office of Hook & Hunt is unassuming. It sits smack dab in the middle of a connected row with several other businesses at 15955 N. Dial Boulevard. Double glass doors are surrounded by large windows and a cinderblock frame that sits 50 feet tall. From the outside looking in, the office space looks unsuspecting and almost identical to the others. However, the warehouse is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. Hook & Hunt is an online eCommerce store that sells name brand merchandise at a 50 percent discount. It’s a cross between eBay and Amazon. Items are listed at a low price, similar to a low bid on eBay, and once customers secure the deal, the shipping process is comparable to Amazon. “I guess you could say we are a bit unsuspecting from the outside looking in, but our 5,000-square-foot warehouse is truly astonishing and it’s like a completely different world back there,” Hampton said. “I haven’t had one person come through who isn’t astonished by what they see.” Ironclad shelves line the east wall, rows of cardboard bins are centered down the middle and more than 12 pallets of merchandise sit stacked against the west side of the warehouse, appearing more like a highly secured vault. “It’s safe to say that we pretty much have one of everything,” Hampton said. “You name it, we’ve got it.” Merchandise sold on Hook & Hunt includes electronics, technology, camping gear, lawn equipment, kid and adult clothing, sunglasses, hiking necessities, home essentials, top of the line baby products,

DATES �� page 15

“My mom’s operation and financial knowledge combined with my abilities in digital marketing and e-sales was a perfect fit,” Rebecca said. “The only challenge we faced was from the initial name.” As Sphinx Date Company, many assumed they were a date farm versus a market with locally sourced gifts of all types ranging from honey and salsa to

Through Hook & Hunt, Mary Hampton sells high-end items at a 50 percent discount. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer) tennis shoes, bicycles, helmets, gaming consoles, toys and designer purses. “The initial idea for Hook & Hunt was to create a place where customers could come in and shop, then the pandemic hit,” Hampton said. “I had to make a decision when Arizona went on lockdown in March and instead of opening a store, I moved everything to a strictly online model. The world came to a stop, but instead of putting my dreams on hold, I decided to pivot.” Hampton’s decision to become a shipping-based business and allow local customers the option of contactless pick up, is the key to her success. “In the beginning, it was just me and my kids filling anywhere between 15 and

wine and beer. “We rebranded as Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry and rebuilt our brickand-mortar space to better reflect what we offer locally as well as online to anyone in the world,” Rebecca said. Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry offers gifts from a wide range of Arizona vendors including Hayden Flour Mills, Ramona Farms, Arizona Cactus Ranch, Arizona Spice Co., Kettle Heroes, Iconic Cocktail Co., GoodyTwos Toffee Compa-

20 orders a week,” Hampton said. “Now I have a full team of staff who is responsible for logging inventory, uploading items to the website and making sure all of the merchandise is boxed and shipped within 48 hours of an order being placed.” Hampton runs a tight ship and is a savvy businesswoman. Her already well-established custom closet company, Hampton Design & Closets, wasn’t put on the backburner while launching this new endeavor. Hook & Hunt didn’t stop Hampton from launching a new nonprofit this year either. Through Rare Ambition, Hampton and her two adult children were able to provide Thanksgiving dinner to 30 local families struggling financially. Hampton has always believed in putting

ny, Native Seeds and Rango Honey. They are also big supporters of the local wineries and breweries, offering gifts from more than 20 Arizona vendors, including Tombstone Brewery, Superstition Meadery, Pillsbury, Grand Canyon Winery, Four Monkeys Wines and Kief-Joshua. “Of course, we also have a wide array of dates, too, from gift baskets to cooking dates to those you can grab and go for a personal treat,” Sharyn adds.

families first, her own and those of strangers. That’s actually where the idea of Hook & Hunt started. As the sole provider for daughter Cambria, 19, and son Hunter, 18, Hampton has always strived to give them the best of the best. “But nice things always come with a ridiculously hefty price tag,” Hampton said. “As a single mom, it wasn’t always easy in the beginning to buy the biggest TV or the newest gaming console.” So, when Hampton, had the opportunity to start buying high-end merchandise in bulk, she went for it in hopes of helping families attain the finer things in life at a discounted price. “What could’ve been the most challenging time to start a business and the easiest time to make excuses and stop everything, she decided to make it work,” said Hunter Hatch, Hampton’s son who also runs the warehouse. “My mom never made a plan B because she was that determined to make Hook & Hunt a success.” The future looks bright for Hook & Hunt. As inventory sells, Hampton is quick to purchase more items in bulk but they are rarely the same. “I’m always mixing things up and it’s helping me determine what people are really after,” said Hampton. “It’s also been a lot of fun getting calls from customers who are overly excited to find such good deals, they think there’s a catch.” There isn’t. Now at the top of Hampton’s list is sharing Arizona’s best-kept secret with anyone who’ll listen. Hook & Hunt 15955 N. Dial Blvd., Scottsdale 602-423-0009, hookandhunt.com

As with many businesses, Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry is serious about customer safety amid the pandemic and is following all CDC guidelines at its brick-and-mortar location as well as ramping up its online store for the holidays. “This business is a legacy in Arizona, and for our family, one we hope to continue for years to come,” Sharyn said. Information: sphinxdateranch.com.

OPINION

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Restaurateur recalls the challenges of opening here BY LAURENT HALASZ Progress Guest Writer

pening a new restaurant under normal circumstances can be a challenge. And in this age of COVID, it may seem insurmountable. My name is Laurent Halasz and I am the founder and owner of Francine, a new French inspired Mediterranean �ine dining restaurant in the Luxury Wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square. I have opened and have assisted in the opening of a number of restaurants over the years. To say these are trying times for the restaurant industry would be an understatement. Thanks to our customers and staff, we had a successful grand opening.

Our talented Executive Chef Brian Archibald was essential to that success. Chef Archibald is a Valley native with nearly three decades of culinary leadership experience. He oversaw the launch of Francine using that wealth of knowledge and his network of vendors and staff. We were lucky. My heart breaks for other businesses that have not been as fortunate. When I envisioned this restaurant, no one had heard of COVID. Then the world changed and it became apparent our intended April grand opening would have to wait. Before our doors opened, we closely monitored state and federal regulations and made sure that we could offer a �ine dining experience in a safe, socially distanced setting. We didn’t lose hope. And then Scottsdale Fashion Square was hit by looters. While our restaurant was undamaged, others weren’t as fortunate. Fash-

ion Square remained closed until July. While the aftermath of the riots did cause extreme additional delays, we remained undeterred. When we did open in mid-August, the reception we received from the community was beyond our expectations. It was also beyond the normal buzz that accompanies the opening of an upscale restaurant. People were thankful. They were grateful. In many ways, opening a restaurant in these times is an act of faith. A belief that we can all get beyond these trying times. We believed in the community. And the community, since our opening, has believed in us. Thank you. Our dedicated staff continues to learn, grow, and adapt as circumstances change during COVID. And that process will continue beyond the pandemic. I pray that other small business owners will �ind their own ways to succeed.

These entrepreneurs are our best hope for re-starting our economy, for getting more people back to work, for getting our society back to normal. Preparing French inspired Mediterranean cuisine is both a science and an art. So is opening a business in these times. You must follow the science to make sure you operate in a safe, socially distanced, and responsible manner. You must also follow your heart and hope that hard work and dedication will triumph over adversity. We want to thank everyone who helped Francine get off the ground. And we hope for the best as so many others �ight to stay in business or launch a new enterprise. Not everyone will succeed but we salute all those who try. As French novelist George Sand once said, “Masterpieces are never anything else but happy attempts.”

cept for New Hampshire has a mandatory seat belt law. These state mandates have saved lives. For the period between 1960 and 2012, the National Highway Traf�ic Safety Administration estimates that 330,715 people walked away from crashes because they used their seat belts. Local mandates, together with national campaigns – such as the “Buckle-up for Safety” jingle or the “Don’t Be a Dummy – Buckle-up” television commercial – all worked together to in�luence behavior. The federal government also played a role in nudging states to strengthen enforcement. Congress offered states highway safety grants starting in 2005 if they’d upgrade from secondary enforcement laws to primary ones. Under primary laws, police can stop you for not wearing a seat belt vs. a secondary law, where you must commit some other offense �irst. As COVID-19 resurges, I’m seeing a simi-

lar state-led pattern play out in face mask mandates. As of late November, 37 states have some kind of mask mandate. But unlike seat belts, we can’t wait decades for people to make face masking a habit. COVID-19 so far has killed more than 10 times the Americans that have died in car crashes this year. That’s why I think President-elect Joe Biden is taking a more direct and personal approach by asking people to wear masks for 100 days. A national campaign to civic duty, if done correctly, could be the fastest way to curb the virus. Congress can reinforce Biden’s appeal with �inancial incentives to states that have yet to adopt mask mandates. While the debates over seat belts and face masks do have many similarities, it’s important to note one key difference: The average person can see the devastating effect of what happens when an unbelted person is in a car crash. But for most of us, thankfully, the effects

of COVID-19 are still invisible. It’s easier to have a “it won’t happen to me” attitude with face masking, especially if you’re young, healthy, and need to earn a paycheck. There’s always going to be a small part of the population that has to learn their lesson – whether it’s wearing seat belts or face masks – the hard way. The problem right now is that those decisions impact us all. That’s why I like that our leaders are starting to pursue a multi-level approach. Appeal to people’s sense of civic duty. Put local mandates in place. And if the federal government must step in, use what they already know works, money. Let’s not make this ride longer than it has to be. -Arizona State University engineering professor emeritus Norma Hubele is the inventor of TheAutoProfessor.com, a website that helps families make safer car choices. She is working on a book, “Car Safety: Where the Numbers Help and Where They Don’t.”

Face masks and seat belts: how to change habits BY NORMA HUBELE Progress Guest Writer

“

They’re uncomfortable to wear.” “There’s no real evidence they work.” “The government has no right to make me wear one.” These arguments against wearing face masks are nothing new – they were used in the 1980s by those who opposed government mandates on wearing seat belts. As a car safety expert, I think the history of seat belt adoption can teach us a lot about how we can change people’s habits and save more lives in the COVID-19 era. Seat belts became standard equipment in passenger cars in the 1960s. But having the equipment and using the equipment are two different things. It would be another two decades until the �irst state, New York, mandated their use. Today, every state ex-

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Movie house still feeling pandemic pain BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

rom private auditorium rentals and lowering ticket prices to outdoor showings, Scottsdale movie theaters are finding new ways to attract film lovers this holiday season despite the pandemiccreated lack of end-of-year blockbusters. Roadhouse Cinemas in Scottsdale was among movie houses that saw a huge audience plummet amid the pandemic. Their $6 Tuesdays on average used to attract 1,000 moviegoers “and now we’re doing, like, 50 people a day,” said General Manager Azra Bajraktarevic. In the weeks leading to Christmas holidays – normally one of the busiest times of the year for movie theaters – Roadhouse made a few changes, adjusting their hours of operation for an opening at 4 p.m. instead of 1 p.m. “But that also has a huge impact with our staff and cutting hours for the staff, which has been really hard,” Bajraktarevic said. “Before COVID, we had over 120 employees and now we have less than 40 employees.” Like Harkins and AMC, Roadhouse also offered private auditorium rentals. Unlike Harkins and AMC, however, Roadhouse started hosting outdoor showings in December. Set up in Roadhouse’s walkway with artificial grass, lawn furniture and heaters, the “open air cinema” can hold about 48 socially distanced guests. “Drive-ins are really popular right now but we listened to our guests and our audience and a lot of people are like, ‘I don’t want to sit in a car with my kids two hours.’ So, why not do something outside?” Bajraktarevic said. It was slow-going at first, attracting just seven moviegoers to their first outdoor showing on Dec. 4 of the popular

Roadhouse Cinemas kicked off outdoor showings the first weekend of December. The “open air cinema” is located next to Roadhouse’s patio in the walkway with artificial grass, lawn furniture and heaters. It can hold about 48 socially distanced guests. (Azra Bajraktarevic)

With social distancing and mask requirements, the Roadhouse Cinema won't be looking like this scene for a while. (Special to the Progress)

holiday film “Elf.” The following day, however, saw nearly four times the number of patrons – “which was really cool for us because we didn’t do much advertising,” Bajraktarevic said. “When you do something new, you never know how it’s going to turn out. So, for the first week, I think we’re all very proud,” she continued. Tickets are $2 and, according to Bajraktarevic, Roadhouse didn’t consider raising the price because the owners are showing older films. “We just don’t see the point of charging people for a movie that you can watch at home already,” she said. “All we’re trying to do at Roadhouse is just bring some holiday cheer to people by doing these movies out on our patio.” December is historically the most important month of the year for movie theater owners. The eight days between Dec. 24-31 can account for as much as 5 percent of the year’s total box office receipts, according to data from Comscore. On average, the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve generates between $400 million and $600 million in ticket sales. Last year on Dec. 22, the U.S. box office saw $10.83 billion in ticket sales. Because few stores are open Christmas Day, movie theaters are a popular place for families – in turn making it an appealing time for studios to release big blockbusters. Without these blockbusters and with health experts warning that going to a movie theater is a high-risk activity, movie theaters are floundering – so much so that box office revenue is predicted to plummet more than 65 percent to an estimated $15.5 billion, the worst

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in decades, “Variety” reports. Nor is the audience plummet impacting theaters alone. It impacts surrounding restaurants, too, which thrive on foot traffic from people heading to or leaving a movie. The Pita Jungle next to Harkins Shea, for example, is experiencing a dip in foot traffic. “The movie theatre had a lot of capacity and attracted a lot of people. The lack of blockbusters, therefore, has definitely affected Pita Jungle, but also all the other tenants in this plaza,” said Bassel Osmani, Pita Jungle co-founder. According to Osmani, Pita Jungle historically had an uptick in business in the evenings and over the weekends during the holidays because moviegoers would leave Harkins and walk over to Pita Jungle to have dinner. “This is always a welcome event when you are in the restaurant business,” Osmani said. “These sporadic mini rushes have not been seen since the pandemic started.” To partially make up for the loss in postmoviegoing business, Pita Jungle ramped

up its to-go business, including their thirdparty delivery partners. “Obviously the numbers are not comparable to last year’s, but we are hanging in there,” Osmani said. While five new films are slated to release on Christmas Day, including “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Pinocchio,” movie theaters continue to face new obstacles that threaten the movie theater industry. The newest threat is Warner Bros.’s partnership with HBO Max. Warner Bros. announced earlier this month that 17 of the studio’s films, including “Wonder Woman 1984,” will arrive in theaters and on its sibling streaming service HBO Max simultaneously. “It’s been a tough year for everyone, not just Roadhouse but every business, including studios. They’re just trying to figure out a way to make money at the same time, [but] it does impact movie theaters,” Bajraktarevic said. “For years, studios depended on movie theaters to make money with ticket sales. So, for me, I just wish the industry would take a step back and figure out a way to help movie theaters.” Like concert venues and Broadway theaters, movie theaters are lobbying Con-

gress to enact Save Our Stages, a stimulus package that includes $15 billion in relief for independent entertainment venues. In the meantime, theaters continue to hustle to make money and stay afloat. Harkins, AMC, Cinemark, and Roadhouse launched private watch parties, allowing customers to rent an auditorium for anywhere from 10 to 20 guests to watch older movies. And it’s been a popular option for moviegoers: AMC received 110,000 inquiries about theater rentals, more than four times than 2019; Cinemark sold 50,000 private screenings; and Roadhouse has sold one rental “almost every day” since they launched it in early December. “Renting out our screening rooms has helped us. I wouldn’t say a lot because we just started two weeks ago, but we have noticed people renting out those theaters,” Bajraktarevic said. Roadhouse also lowered their ticket prices to $5 before 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, “no matter the movie, whether it’s a blockbuster movie or an older movie.” While Roadhouse has had “a huge decline in business,” Bajraktarevic attributes their longevity to their loyal customers and management’s “positive mindset.”

“Our owners have been very positive, and I think that’s what’s getting all of us through this,” Bajraktarevic said. “We’re not looking to shut our doors, but we’re trying to do everything we can to just keep going.” And with the Pfizer vaccine authorized by the FDA, Bajraktarevic is even more hopeful for things to go back to “normal.” “We know this will end eventually,” she said, “[and] that things will go back to how they were, not any time soon, but eventually.” In the meantime, they’ll continue hosting outdoor movies. Their most recent showing was “The Polar Express” on Dec. 19. The next will be announced on Roadhouse Cinemas’ Facebook page at @RoadHouseCinemasScottsdale. “I hope it continues doing well for us, especially for people who are not comfortable sitting inside,” Bajraktarevic said.

If You Go

RoadHouse Cinemas 9090 E. Indian Bend Road 480-750-7295 roadhousecinemas.com

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Scottsdale eateries ready to ring in 2021

BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

cottsdale restaurants and resorts offer a variety of experiences to help you ring in 2021— and wave goodbye to the long, dumpster fire of a year that was 2020. Among the restaurants quickly booking up is one of Scottsdale’s newest restaurants on the block, The Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen. For New Year’s Eve, the Craftsman is offering a four-course, prix-fixe menu that features a gougère amuse bouche, The Craftsman Surf and Turf, Craftsman Coffee Mocha “Candy Bar” and a special happy hour menu. “We are really looking forward to our first major holiday dining experience,” said Steve Morin, managing partner of The Craftsman. “So far, our reservations for New Year’s Eve are going fast.” Requiring reservations with a 50 percent deposit, Morin encourages diners to call so they can explain the menu in detail and inform them of their COVID-19 safety guidelines. The Craftsman has a full patio complete with heaters, as well as a full to-go menu option. “I personally love that our executive chef, Chris Nicosia, was able to make a menu that embraces The Craftsman’s classic flavors, but is also festive and really unique,” Morin said. “Also, between 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. that night, we are treating our guests to a New Year’s Eve toast with free champagne and hors d’oeuvres at midnight.” Also offering a New Year’s Eve meal for the first time in Scottsdale is The Americano, which is offering a three-course menu, including braised wagyu beef cheeks, saffron halibut, and more by Scott Conant and his team. Paride Guerra, director of operations and

For New Year's Eve, Weft and Warp’s three-course prix-fixe menu features Tartare de Boeuf, Wagyu New York strip, cured pinesmoked salmon and deconstructed apple cobbler. (Weft and Warp)

operating partner, describes The Americano’s New Year’s Eve experience as “fun, upbeat and very welcoming, warm and delicious.” “We want to keep it inherently ‘Americano’ but safe and engaging at the same time,” Guerra said. “In the words of Chef Scott Conant, it will be hip and humble.” And as for the menu, Guerra describes it as “approachable, yet sophisticated cuisine.” The Americano is already close to a full house, too. Guerra said he had more than 120 reservations the week of Dec. 14, and is expecting a max of 150 to 160 guests over a fourhour period. “We pride ourselves on a warm and intimate service for our guests, however, we will be limiting our capacity due to CDC guidelines and for the safety and betterment of our community this year,” Guerra said. All booked is Prado at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.

Weft and Warp at Andaz Scottsdale, located just three miles down Lincoln Drive, however, has availability. Similar to last year, Weft and Warp’s New Year’s Eve event includes a four-course meal but this year boasts new and exciting items from Executive Chef Nate Larsen. “We have an amazing beef tartar and a 12 oz. Australian Wagyu with bone marrow, brush and lush salad, and a dessert with some flair,” Larsen said. Scottsdale resort ADERO Scottsdale offers not one but two New Year’s Eve dining experiences. Its on-site restaurant CIELO will serve a three-course meal that features lobster bisque and carved roast tenderloin. CIELO is also hosting a New Year’s Day champagne brunch, including crab meat and asparagus omelette, spinach and goat cheese frittata and more. The Village at ADERO offers dining within four specially themed globes. Reservations are available from 6 to 9

p.m. and are limited to 90-minute seatings with a minimum of two guests and max of four. “We wanted to activate what is simply stellar views and an escape setting that also allows privacy and feels like your own personal escape to a holiday village,” said General Manager Dieter Schmitz. “The globes are positioned on our famous event lawns, overlooking the Valley and offer the perfect vantage point to take in ADERO’s incredible view of the stars, and we’ve teamed up with local designer Robyn Halperin of Robyn’s Nest, a local women-owned small business, to ensure our globes offer a truly curated, special experience,” Schmitz added.

The Americano

When: 5-9 p.m. Where: 17797 N. Scottsdale Road Cost: $115/adult, $55/child under 12, free

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under 2 Call: 480-573-0001 Website: theamericanorestaurant.com. CIELO at ADERO Scottsdale

When: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. brunch, 4-9 p.m. dinner Where: 13225 N. Eagle Ridge Drive Cost: $89/person Call: 480-333-1880 Website: cieloscottsdale.com. The Craftsman Cocktails and Kitchen

When: 6-10 p.m. Where: 20469 N. Hayden Road Cost: $100/person Call: 480-401-1102

elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain

When and Cost: 5:30-7:30 p.m. $225/person, 8-10:30 p.m. $275/person; $45/child under 12, free under 5 Where: 5700 E. McDonald Drive Reservations: 480-948-2100 Website: sanctuaryaz.com

Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

When: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Where: 5445 E. Lincoln Drive Cost: $139 first seating, $169 second seating Reservations: 855-458-3385 Website: mountainshadows.com LON’s at the Hermosa

When: 5-10 p.m. Where: 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road Cost: $150/person Call: 602-955-7878 Website: hermosainn.com Maple & Ash

When: 4:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Where: 7135 E. Camelback Road, #130 Cost: $95 Call: 480-400-8888 Website: mapleandash.com Marcellino Ristorante

When: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Where: 7114 E. Stetson Drive Cost: Varies Call: 480-990-9500 Website: marcellinoristorante.com Mastro’s Ocean Club, Mastro’s Steakhouse

Where: 15045 N. Kierland Blvd., 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, 6991 E. Camelback Road Cost: $250/person Call: 480-443-8555, 480585-9500, 480-941-4700 Website: mastrosrestaurants.com Prado at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

When: Jan. 1, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: 4949 E. Lincoln Drive Cost: $65/adult, $35/child under 12, 5 and under free Reservations: 480-6273200 Website: omnihotels.com Roaring Fork

What: Steak & Lobster Craftsman Executive Chef Chris Nicosia "was able to promo make a menu that embraces The Craftsman’s classic ﬂavors, but is also festive and really unique," said man- When: 4-10 p.m. Where: 4800 N. Scottsdale aging partner Steve Morin. (Special to the Progress) Road

The Craftsman Cocktails and Kitchen’s New Year's Eve dinner includes hand-crafted cocktails, like the Santa Gria cocktail pictured, and a special menu. (The Craftsman)

Cost: $62 Call: 480-947-0795 Website: roaringfork.com Sel Restaurant

When: 5-9 p.m. Where: 7044 E. Main St. Cost: $110-$180 Reservations: 480-949-6296 Website: selrestaurant.com

T. Cook’s at Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Where: 5200 E. Camelback Road Cost: $165/person Reservations: 602-283-1234 Website: royalpalmshotel.com Voilà French Bistro

When: 4:30-9 p.m. Price: $89/guest with $50 deposit/

person Where: 10135 E. Vía Linda Call: 480-614-5600 Website: voilafrenchbistro.com

Weft and Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

When: 6-10:30 p.m. Where: 6114 N. Scottsdale Road Call: 480-214-4622 Cost: $85/person Website: andazscottsdale.com ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho

Where: 6850 E. Main St. Cost: $400 (table for two)-$1,000 (table for eight) Reservations: 480-421-7997 Website: hotelvalleyho.com

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

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$100 VISA® Reward Debit Card: $100 Visa® reward debit card requires service activation. You will receive a claim voucher via email within 24 hours and the voucher must be returned within 60 days. Your $100 Visa® reward debit card will arrive in approximately 6-8 weeks. Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply. BASIC SYSTEM: $99 Installation. 36-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($1,007.64). 24-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($671.76) for California. Offer applies to homeowners only. Offer valid for new ADT Authorized Premier Provider customers only and not on purchases from ADT LLC. Cannot be combined with any other offer. The $27.99 Offer does not include Quality Service Plan (QSP), ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. ADT Command: ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services (“ADT Pulse”), which help you manage your home environment and family lifestyle, require the purchase and/or activation of an ADT alarm system with monitored burglary service and a compatible computer, cell phone or PDA with Internet and email access. These ADT Pulse services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Pulse equipment. All ADT Pulse services are not available with the various levels of ADT Pulse. All ADT Pulse services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the ADT Pulse features you desire. ADT VIDEO LITE: ADT Video Lite installation is an additional $299. 36-month monitoring contract required from ADT Video Lite: $59.99 per month, ($2,159.64), including Quality Service Plan (QSP). Indoor camera may not be available in all areas. GENERAL: For all offers, the form of payment must be by credit card or electronic charge to your checking or savings account, satisfactory credit history is required and termination fee applies. Certain packages require approved landline phone. Local permit fees may be required. Certain restrictions may apply. Additional monitoring fees required for some services. For example, Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Emergency Alert monitoring requires purchase and/or activation of an ADT security system with monitored Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Emergency Alert devices and are an additional charge. Additional equipment may be purchased for an additional charge. Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Prices subject to change. Prices may vary by market. Some insurance companies offer discounts on Homeowner’s Insurance. Please consult your insurance company. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect the exact product/service actually provided. Licenses: AL-21-001104, AR-CMPY.0001725, AZ-ROC217517, CA-ACO6320, CT-ELC.0193944-L5, DC-EMS902653, DC-602516000016, DE-07-212, FL-EC13003427, GA-LVA205395, IA-AS-0206, ID-ELE-SJ-39131, IL-127.001042, IN-C.P.D. Reg. No. – 19-08088, City of Indianapolis: LAC-000156, KY-City of Louisville: 483, LA-F1914, LAF1915, LA-F1082, MA-1355C, MD-107-1626, ME-LM50017382, MI-3601205773, MN-TS01807, MO-City of St. Louis: CC#354, St. Louis County: 100194, MS-15007958, MT-PSP-ELS-LIC-247, NC-25310-SP-FA/LV, NC-1622-CSA, NE-14451, NJ Burglar Alarm Lic. # -NJ-34BF00021800, NM-353366, NV-0068518, City of Las Vegas: 3000008296, NY-Licensed by the N.Y.S. Department of State UID#12000317691, NYS #12000286451, OH-53891446, City of Cincinnati: AC86, OK-AC1048, OR-170997, Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number: PA022999, RI-3582, RI-7508, SC-BAC5630, SD- 1025-7001-ET, TN-1520, TX-B13734, ACR-3492, UT-6422596-6501, VA-115120, VT-ES-2382(7C), WA-602588694/ECPROTEYH934RS, WICity of Milwaukee: PAS-0002966, WV-WV042433, WY-LV-G-21499. 3750 Priority Way South Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46240 ©2020 DEFENDERS, Inc. dba Protect Your Home DF-CD-NP-Q420

NOTICE TO READERS: Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law. Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers. What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) www.azleg.gov/ars/ 32/01165.htm is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement. Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company. Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception. Reference: http://www.azroc.g ov/invest/licensed_ by_law.html As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC s t a t u s a t :

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on January 13, 2021, at 5:00 P.M in Scottsdale, Arizona. Until further notice, Planning Commission meetings will be held electronically. While physical facilities are not open to the public, Planning Commission meetings are televised on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search “live stream”) to allow the public to listen/view the meeting in progress. Instructions on how to provide Public Comments will be provided on the posted agenda. 12-UP-2015#2 (Verizon PHO Poinsettia AZ01-020) Request by owner for renewal of a Conditional Use Permit for an existing Type 4 Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) located on a 60-foot tall artificial pine tree, located at 12000 N. 90th St. with Multiple-family Residential (R-5) zoning. Staff contact person is Keith Niederer, 480-312-2953. Applicant contact person is Dino Pergola, (480) 773-4853. 5-GP-2020 (Hawkins - CSOK) Request by property owner for a non-major General Plan amendment from Minor Office to Neighborhood Commercial land use designation on the northern +/- 1.97 acres of an approximately +/- 5.01 gross acre site, for a retail and office development located at the southwest corner of N. 114th Street and E. Shea Boulevard. Staff contact person is Bryan Cluff, 480-312-2258. Applicant contact person is Britnee Elliott, 208-908-5637. 8-ZN-2020 (Hawkins - CSOK) Request by property owner for a zoning district map amendment from Commercial Office (C-O) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) on +/- 1.97 acres, from Single-family Residential Planned Residential Development (R1-18 PRD) to Service Residential (S-R) on +/- 0.67 acres, and from Commercial Office (C-O) to Service Residential (S-R) on +/- 0.89 acres, all representing portions of an overall +/- 5.01 gross acre site, for a 2-lot residential subdivision and a retail/office development with approximately 15,000 square feet of floor area. Staff contact person is Bryan Cluff, 480-312-2258. Applicant contact person is Britnee Elliott, 208-908-5637. 9-UP-2015#3 (Level Up Scottsdale Retail Hours Extension) Request by owner for a renewal and amendment of an existing Conditional Use Permit for a medical marijuana use (dispensary) with a new five (5) year term, including revision to hours of operation from 9am - 7pm to 6am - 10pm, in a 3,770 square foot suite located at 14980 N. 78th Way, Suite 204 & 207, with Industrial Park (I-1) zoning. Staff contact person is Bryan Cluff, 480-312-2258. Applicant contact person is Bradley L Gault, (314) 322-2642. For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov search “Scottsdale Planning Case Files” or in your URL search bar you can type in https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/Cases/ A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING Online at: http://www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Boards/planning-commission CHAIRMAN Attest BRONTE IBSEN Planning Specialist For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY MAY REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION BY CONTACTING THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT (480-312-7767). REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME TO ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION. FOR TTY USERS, THE ARIZONA RELAY SERVICE (1-800-367-8939) MAY CONTACT THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT (480-312-7767). Published: Scottsdale Progress, Dec 27, 2020 / 35184

C lassifieds

CLASSIFIEDS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 27, 2020

Public Notices NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on January 12, 2021, at 5:00 P.M. Until further notice, City Council meetings will be held electronically. While physical facilities are not open to the public, City Council meetings are televised on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search "live stream") to allow the public to listen/view the meeting in progress. 11-AB-2018 (Morning Vista Abandonment) Request by multiple owners to abandon the portions of East Morning Vista Road, located between N. 114th Street and N. 116th Street, with the Singlefamily Residential District, Environmentally Sensitive Lands (R1-190/ESL) zoning district. These portions of East Morning Vista Road include dedicated fee-simple rights-of-way and roadway and public utility easements. Staff contact person is Jesus Murillo, 480-312-7849. Applicant contact person is David Gulino, 602330-5252. For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov search "Scottsdale Planning Case Files" or in your URL search bar you can type in https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/Cases/ A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND ANY MEETING LOCATION UPDATES, IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING: Online at: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/council/ meeting-information/agendas-minutes CHAIRMAN Attest Chad Sharrard

Service Directory

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Glass/Mirror

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Community Care Health Network, Inc. d/b/a Matrix Medical Network seeks Senior Developers for Scottsdale, AZ to design & develop complex sw apps. Master’s in Comp Sci/Comp Eng/any Eng field+2yrs exp OR Bachelor’s in Comp Sci/Comp Eng/any Eng field+5yrs exp req’d. Req’d skills: Java, C, C++, DB2, SQL Server, MySQL, Spring, Hibernate, JSP, Java Script, J2EE, AJAX, JQuery, REST, SOAP, JBoss, Apache Tomcat. B a c k g r o u n d check&drug test req’d. Job ID: KMDM Send resume to J. Meland 9201 E. Mountain View Rd., Suite 220, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

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For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY MAY REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION BY CONTACTING THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT (480-312-7620). REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME TO ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION. FOR TTY USERS, THE ARIZONA RELAY SERVICE (1-800-367-8939) MAY CONTACT THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT (480-3127620). Published: Scottsdale Progress, Dec 27, 2020 / 35212

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1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@scottsdale.org

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