west valley
Volume 33 Issue 25 Goodyear, AZ
April 6, 2022
Business Briefcase BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
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partments and homes are popping up across Avondale to keep up with the growing population. In addition, businesses are capitalizing on the city’s growth. This week, we’ll take a look at two well-known businesses that are set to open in Avondale. As always, feel free to contact lserrato@timespublications.com with any Business Briefcase inquiries.
Mountainside Fitness to open its 20th location
IN THE BIZ
Mountainside Fitness will soon begin construction on its 20th facility at Park 10 near 100th Avenue and McDowell Road, just west of the Loop 101 and I-10 interchange. Once completed, this will be Mountainside Fitness’ farthest West Valley location. The 40,000-square-foot Avondale facility will offer three group fitness studios, a tiered cardio platform, a strength floor with an outside workout area, a child care area, locker rooms with sauna and steam rooms, and a café. The layout will be similar to Mountainside Fitness’ Cadence and Paradise Valley locations, recently completed in 2020 and 2021. “We are thrilled to kick off construction for our 20th location,” said Craig Cote, CEO of Mountainside Fitness. “The new location comes at a time Public Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2022 West Valley View, Inc.
when growth is exploding in the West Valley, and we are proud to be joining a great lineup of other retailers and entertainment venues at Park 10.” Fitness buffs have plenty of choices, but Cote said Mountainside Fitness is inclusive. “It provides full-service fitness for both young and old, and really at a singu- Locally owned Mountainside Fitness will soon begin construction on its 20th fitness facility in Avondale. (Mountainlar price point,” he said. side Fitness/Submitted) “Every Mountainside membership is allowed 3rd West Valley store multi-club access and includes the After several months of delays, Lam’s majority, if not all, amenities, such as group fitness, free towel service, steam Market — an Asian grocery store that room, sauna, massage chairs. Whereas also features products from the Caribother fitness centers add on to their low- bean, South America and Africa — has end entry point price, Mountainside is opened its third Valley location on the still offering a full-service fitness with southwest corner of Avondale Boulevard and Van Buren Street in Avondale. all the amenities for a singular price.” Lam’s Market serves the needs of the Among the restaurants and amenities at Park 10 are Portillo’s, Barrio Queen Valley’s Asians by providing them with and Main Event. Park 10’s James their hometown flavors. Customers can find produce, meat, Kyung of Parkland Development is developing the property, and AR Mays is seafood and international groceries. For more information, visit lamsmarket.com. the general contractor. Construction is planned to wrap later Have an item for this year. Business Briefcase? Mountainside Fitness will offer new Please email your member specials leading up the Avonbusiness news and tips to dale opening.
Lam’s Market launches (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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Park ranger inspired to write White Tank song BY CARRIE SNIDER
West Valley View Contributing Writer
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here was just something about the desert. When Nancy Elliott passed through the Phoenix area in the 1970s, she knew she’d be back. Having grown up in Ohio, the desert was a very different place — a very good place. “I remember calling my mom at a payphone by this adobe diner gas station, and telling her, ‘I’m coming back.’” As a writer, she is cognizant of details. She remembers visitors bustling in and out of her office, the smell of food and the songs that were playing. She was good on her word and came back in the 1990s permanently. Elliott landed a job with the Maricopa County Parks and later the highway department. She spent her career building trails, taking tickets and giving maps at the gate, working at events, and rehabilitating Goat Camp Trail at White Tank Mountain Regional Park after a fire in 1998. But really, her job was not what Elliott would call “work.” As a single mom with two daughters, she didn’t have a lot of free time, which made her day job such a huge blessing. “This was where I wanted to be anyway,” she said. “It was my release. Everything just melts away when you’re up there.” Watching wild burros walk through the park gates at Lake Pleasant and the chipmunk on Goat Camp Trail who visited for treats are a few of her fond memories. She’d been telling stories through poetry and playing guitar for many years. As she spent time at the White Tanks, the words to “White Tank Mountains” came to her. “The White Tanks kiss the sunset, out where the eagles fly,” as the chorus goes. “And her peaks blush rose in the morning light against a turquoise sky.” The words are set to music she wrote in the genre of “Southwest American style,” as she called it. She recorded the song in 2006, but recently rerecorded it and included it on an album full of songs that pay homage to her visits.
Southwest singer-songwriter Nancy Elliott pays homage to the White Tank Mountains in a song by the same name. (Neal Summerton/Submitted)
Creating a music video
Boulder Creek High School student Stefanie Goldstein is in her fourth year, aka “internship year” of a West-MEC satellite program in media production. Looking for internships, Goldstein was encouraged by her mom to connect with the White Tank Mountains Conservancy, a group of volunteers focused on keeping the area wild. The White Tank Mountains held a special place in Goldstein’s and her mom’s hearts. The elder Goldstein is a conservancy volunteer. “The White Tank Mountains are one of my favorite places to explore and do nature photography. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the Valley,” she said. The conservancy’s social media manager asked Goldstein if she could take Elliott’s song about the White Tank Mountains and create a video. Using photos from local photographers, she got to work. “I listened to the song over and over and searched through the photos looking for the right photos to connect with Nancy’s lyrics and her song,” Goldstein said. “I wanted to create something special that would inspire people to protect the White Tank Mountains.” Her biggest goal is to help expand the conservancy and White Tank Mountains’ audience to teens and young people through videos and graphics on TikTok and Instagram. Many of the photos are from Neal Summerton, an Ohio native who moved
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to Arizona in the 1980s. The Surprise resident is just minutes from White Tank Mountain Regional Park. “The park is 10 minutes away, and you can walk 100 feet from your car and go back 100 years,” he explained. “I get there as much as I can. If I had more time, it would be a cheap gym membership.” He’s always been interested in photography. He didn’t go all-in until 2016, when he bought an expensive camera to escape life’s stressors. “Landscape is much easier. Mountains don’t care about their double chin. Saguaros don’t have wrinkled clothes or are picky on the editing,” Summerton said. “They (the conservancy) have shared my images on their social media sites and have certainly helped my presence on social media that I am happy to share the beauty that is so close to so many of us on the west side of Phoenix.” As for having his images in the music video “White Tank Mountains” by Nancy Elliott? Summerton said that he typically doesn’t listen to that style of music, but he really enjoys it. “The White Tanks song resonates with me because of the words. When I hear it, I envision a campfire with her singing that song, and again, it could be a 100 years ago.”
“White Tank Mountains” https://bit.ly/WhiteTanksSong
APRIL 6, 2022
Babbo eatery supporting pancreatic research BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Executive Editor
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abbo Italian Eatery is supporting pancreatic cancer research while celebrating the official grand opening of its Goodyear location. On Thursday, April 7, it will donate 100% of profits to the Seena Magowitz Foundation. Additionally, the family-owned business will match the donations earned dollar for dollar. Donations will also be matched by Roger Magowitz, founder and chief executive officer of The Seena Magowitz Foundation. “The Seena Magowitz Foundation is an incredible organization that seeks to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer and helps extend the quality of life for those inflicted with this disease by investing in research and amplifying its message,” says Ken Pollack, owner of Babbo Italian Eatery. “Their mission is important to our entire family, and we are very proud to partner with them on April 7 — and beyond.” The work of The Seena Magowitz Foundation is focused on empowering the public with knowledge on how to reduce the risk of contracting pancreatic cancer, as well as raising funds for innovative scientific medical research, with the ultimate hope of eradicating the disease. This Babbo location, the company’s eighth, had a soft opening in November, but April 7 is the grand opening. “We’re a modern take on Italian cui-
Public Notice Notice of Categorical Exclusion For the City of Buckeye Broadway Road Water Campus Project (2022 Scope Change) The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) has received a request for a scope change to an existing loan with the City of Buckeye for the
Babbo Italian Eatery, which has a location in Goodyear, will donate 100% of profits to the Seena Magowitz Foundation on Thursday, April 7. (Babbo/Submitted)
sine,” says Taylor Schultz, a Babbo Italian Eatery spokesperson. “We have traditional recipes but always adding new things to our menu. Over the last four years, we’ve changed a few things, added protein bowls and different menu items.” Other new items include zoodles, a “healthier take on pasta noodle”; the Babbo simple salad with romaine lettuce, red onions, pomodoro tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, croutons and balsamic vinaigrette; and lemon garlic spaghettini with lemon, garlic, garlic butter, basil and red pepper flakes topped with shaved Parmesan and basil. The 6,000-square-foot eatery in Goodyear is located at 15705 W. Mc-
Babbo Italian Eatery
15705 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear babboitalian.com
environment either by itself or in combination with other projects, and the environmental information provided has met statutory intent of the WIFA’s environmental review requirements. DW-020-2020 – Broadway Road Water Campus (2022 Scope Change) 231 N. Apache Road, Buckeye, AZ and 23945 W. Broadway Road Buckeye, AZ Documentation regarding the
addition of one new well (adjacent to an existing well) and the addition of a reverse osmosis treatment system at the Jackie A. Meck Water Campus (formerly the Broadway Road Water Campus). The purpose of this notice is to inform the public. WIFA staff analysis concluded that this project qualifies for a CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION following the requirements of A.A.C. R18-15-106, as amended. The proposed project will not impact the
WEST VALLEY BUSINESS
Dowell Road and accommodates 236 guests. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with an outdoor fireplace with comfortable seating. Inside you see emerald green booths, a mix of intimate and family seating as well as a full bar. Circular light chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the walls are white washed brick and abstract tiles, creating a warm and inviting interior. The restaurant also has a private dining room for parties of 20 to 74 for business events or family gatherings.
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proposed project is avail-able for review at WIFA, 100 N. 7th Avenue, Suite 130, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. WIFA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Alternative formats for the project documentation are available upon request. Please contact Lindsey Jones, Senior Program Administrator, (602) 3641324 for any requests or inquiries. Published: West Valley View, April 6, 2022 / 45737
APRIL 6, 2022
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