There is only one Kentucky Derby Party in Arizona for people who truly appreciate all things equestrian. Watch the Kentucky Derby simulcast on big screen TV’s AND live local horseracing at the Stella Artois Kentucky Derby DayClub May 2nd at Turf Paradise. And do it all in Polo Party Style luxury with live wagering, dancing, and more.

And new this year, wine tasting, a live jazz band, and a cigar lounge.

Reserve Your Space Today

The Ultimate Derby Celebration

There are plenty of great seating options at the tented Sanderson Lincoln Black Label Lounge or the shaded Stella Artois Jazz Pavilion.

Get tables and tickets at www.ThePoloParty.com. Don’t wait. The best tables go almost as fast as the horses.

GET TICKETS OR TABLES

Approvals Clear Path for Four-Home Community Just South of The Ritz-Carlton

Quail Run Manor, represented by Compass, has cleared a key hurdle in Paradise Valley, with the Town Council approving the entitlement of four luxury homesites and recordation of the plat now complete. With the subdivision now officially in place, development can move forward, setting the stage for one of the most exclusive new enclaves in Arizona.

The four-home luxury community will take shape in the heart of Paradise Valley across nearly 10 acres just south of The Ritz-Carlton, placing future owners of the $30-million+ estates within close proximity of one of the region’s most notable resort destinations.

“The approval of the four-lot entitlement and the recordation of the plat provides the foundation needed for this project to move forward,” said Compass’ Nate Waite, noting that all sales within the community will be handled privately by Compass. “Raw land like this just doesn’t exist in Paradise Valley. To get this combination of acreage and views in the heart of PV you would have to tear down an existing home, and even in that case there are very few properties over 2 acres and they won’t be surrounded by other $30M homes.”

Quail Run Manor will come to the market as demand for ultra-luxury homes increases in the East Valley, with Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Arcadia and surrounding areas seeing growing interest from affluent, high-income residents. In addition to easy access to The Ritz-Carlton and its many amenities, Quail Run residents will also live within minutes of multiple high-end restaurants, retailers, resorts and golf courses and enjoy pleasant temperatures, ample sunshine, low humidity levels and expansive views of the surrounding mountains and desert scenery. With limited land availability in the area and just four homes planned in the community, Quail Run Manor presents a rare opportunity to secure an estate in a setting with some of the highest home values in the state.

“We continue to see record-setting sales by exceptional homes in exceptional locations,” Waite said. “Quail Run Manor is the epitome of this within the ultra-luxury market segment.”

New Cigar Lounge, White Wine Tasting Debut as Upgraded Venue Sets the Stage for an Upscale Kentucky Derby Celebration

The Stella Artois Derby DayClub presented by Sanderson Lincoln returns Saturday, May 2, with a refreshed venue, upgraded experiences and brand-new ways to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon at Turf Paradise. From a new cigar lounge to a white wine tasting opportunity, this year’s festivities promise fresh layers of luxury and an action-packed Derby Day celebration sure to raise the bar in all the right ways. Attendees can also participate in an on-site 50/50 raffle benefiting the Tempe Diablos, a Valley nonprofit that supports youth programs, education and community initiatives, during the event.

New elements at this year’s Derby DayClub, slated for 10:45 a.m. (Turf Paradise gates open at 7:15 a.m.) Saturday, May 2 at Turf Paradise (1501 W Bell Road, Phoenix), include the all-new Million Dollar Mingle Cigar Lounge Experience. Available as a $50 add-on, this package includes a premium cigar, a glass of bourbon and a reserved seat in an intimate lounge designed for easy conversation and elevated comfort.

Another new highlight includes a White Wine Tasting add-on available for an additional $30. This all-new experience includes a curated flight of five premium Arizona wines (two-ounce servings), a commemorative glass and professional tasting notes paired alongside each pour.

Live racing kicks off at 11:30 a.m., and live on-site betting is available throughout Derby Day for those looking to turn a strong pick into a payout during the 152^nd Run for the Roses. An on-site DJ and live jazz band ensure a lively, vibrant atmosphere, while the revamped and remodeled Stella Artois Jazz Pavilion promises a covered escape from the Arizona sunshine. Guests can also sneak a peek at some of Sanderson Lincoln’s top luxury models for 2026, which will be on display throughout the venue.

“Derby DayClub always draws a crowd, and this year, there are even more reasons to stick around and spend the whole day,” said Sanderson Lincoln Brand Manager Patrick Heigl. “From the new experiences to the upgraded venue, this is a huge step up from the traditional Derby Day experience.”

General Admission seating and Reserved Tables are available in both the Sanderson Lincoln Black Label Lounge and the Stella Artois Jazz Pavilion, with the Black Label Lounge featuring a Scottsdale Polo Party-style tent, new on-site betting machines  and tellers, live music and plenty of TV screens. Table options include a complimentary bottle of Chandon Champagne and range in price from $450 – $1,250. Black Label Row 2 single reserved seats are also available for $150, while Row 3 and Row 4 reserved seats are $135 and $115, respectively.

The Stella Artois Jazz Pavilion packs even more action into an open-air covered pavilion with prime views of the TVs racetrack and easy access to on-site betting. Revamped since last year’s Derby DayClub celebration, the new jazz lounge features a refurbished pavilion, a first-time jazz band, a bar serving mint juleps, champagne and cocktails and close proximity to food trucks for additional refreshments. Table options include a complimentary bucket of Stella Artois, with pricing for tables ranging from $325 to $450.

Individual tickets without reserved seating are also available, with General Admission tickets available for $50 in advance and $55 at the gate.

For tickets or tables, visit ThePoloParty.com/Derby-DayClub/.

The event is produced by The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, America’s most-attended polo event.

SRPMIC Continues Strategic Growth Through Diverse Economic Development Investments

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and Scottsdale-based Mullin 360 are proud to announce the March 11 approval to build a new Costco at the Loop 101 and Indian School Road. Costco will be located at 4499 N. Pima Rd. in Scottsdale, Arizona and will be built on SRPMIC land just north of the Scottsdale Auto Show at Salt River and Indian School Road at the Loop 101.

Spanning 21.5 acres with a 162,000-square-foot building footprint and approximately 994 parking stalls, the new Costco will offer a spacious shopping experience and a wide range of features designed to serve the growing number of residents and visitors along the Loop 101 corridor.

The store will include an expanded ready-to-eat section with a wide selection of grab-and-go meals. Shoppers can pick up rotisserie chicken dinners, street taco kits, poke bowls, Asian noodle bowls, pasta trays and BBQ meal kits for easy, streamlined family dinners. Staff will also prepare fresh sushi at in-store counters, and Costco’s food court will serve combo calzones, chicken Caesar salad, chocolate chunk cookies, smoothies and cold brew drinks alongside Costco’s signature hot dog and drink combo.

Over the last decade, SRPMIC and Mullin 360 successfully partnered and built the Scottsdale Auto Show at Salt River, which is anchored by the largest automotive consortium, Chapman Automotive Group. The Scottsdale Auto Show at Salt River began and still is the first Master Planned Auto-Park on tribal land in the country.

“We are incredibly proud to begin work on this new Costco location. Costco is one of the most popular and impactful retailers in the last 100 years, and this development is further ratification of the incredible momentum SRPMIC has brought to the Loop 101 Salt River Corridor,” said CEO Jim Mullin.

Known for its beautiful landscapes, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is home to Casino Arizona, Talking Stick Resort, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Talking Stick Golf Club, Butterfly Wonderland, Top Golf and many notable Valley-based business headquarters. This will also be the first Costco on tribal land in the United States.

The critical sales tax boost from the development will enhance the ongoing physical expansion of tribal services such as infrastructure, children’s programs and medical care within the Community. It also continues the economic development momentum the tribe has shepherded up and down the 101 Freeway.

“The continued growth along the Loop 101 corridor reflects the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s long-term commitment to strategic development that benefits our community and the broader Valley. Welcoming a retailer as respected and impactful as Costco is another milestone that will bring jobs, services, and meaningful economic returns that support our tribal members for generations,” said Martin Harvier, President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

The Scottdale Auto Show at Salt River has set new standards in Arizona and across the country for its innovative design and technology. With an estimated 300,000 cars driving through Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community each day, the exposure to this Costco will be second to none.

A formal groundbreaking will be planned for June of 2026. A hotline has been set up for area residents and businesses that may have additional questions. That telephone number is (480) 362-7727 or you may send an email with any inquiries or comments to SRAS@srpmic-nsn.gov.

More than 21,000 guests made their way through the gates of WestWorld of Scottsdale this past weekend as Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari delivered increased crowds for 112 galleries across 123 booths. Ticket sales climbed 133% over its inaugural run, and a Justin BUA painting sold for $1.2 million within the first two hours, setting the tone for an unforgettable four days to follow.

This year’s fair, held Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22, 2026, brought together international galleries representing 19 countries, with thousands of blue-chip, contemporary, modern, Indigenous, Western, European and LatinX works available for viewing and acquisition.

Paintings, sculptures, glass, mixed-media creations and more started at about $3,000 and extended well into the seven figures, offering entry points for both new buyers and serious collectors. 

“We saw strong results across the floor, and they weren’t limited to any one medium or style,” said Scottsdale Art Week Co-Founder Trey Brennen. “That kind of broad activity is exactly what you hope to see at a fair like this.”

Attendance held strong from open to close each day despite unusually warm temperatures across the region, with WestWorld’s expansive and air-conditioned North Hall providing plenty of space for guests to move comfortably and circulate between booths, exhibitions, installations and scheduled programming. Many galleries reported hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales and outlined plans to return for future installments, with upcoming Scottsdale Art Week dates already locked in through 2029. 

“’The Arrival’ captures the last breath of a world before contact,” said Justin BUA, whose work sold for more than $1.2 million at the MRG Fine Art booth during First Look. “Native peoples standing on their land in 1605, unknowingly on the edge of everything about to change forever. I grew up in a neighborhood in New York City surrounded by chaos, economic hardship and uncertainty, so I understand in my bones what it feels like to stand on the edge of an era about to be transformed, and I painted that feeling with everything I had.”

The fair offered no shortage of things to see and do, with five Ferraris, 32 monumental sculptures and works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, David Hockney, Alex Katz and Maynard Dixon appearing alongside those by emerging and mid-career artists. Among the emerging artists was sculptor James Doran-Webb, who had his first U.S. solo exhibition at the Gladwell & Patterson booth and sold eight out of the 12 sculptures he exhibited.

The 2026 Scottsdale Art Week beneficiary was Phoenix Art Museum and a check for $25,000 was proudly presented to Jeremy Mikolajczak, The Sybil Harrington Director & CEO of the museum during Opening Night.

The weekend also included several notable recognitions. Artist Cara Romero earned the Indigenous Artist of the Year honor during the Opening Night Vernissage, joining Phoenix Art Museum Director Emeritus James Ballinger, who received the Scottsdale Art Week Lifetime Achievement Award, and Pivotal Group Founder and CEO Francis Najafi, who secured the Philanthropist of the Year honor.

Cultural Programming was also a major draw, with nearly a dozen panel discussions throughout the fair, featuring museum directors, curators, artists, gallery owners and art experts offering insight into a wide variety of topics in the art market. Entertainment on opening night featured a musical performance by Lunar Calendar and a runway presentation by Galina Mihaleva.

“Our second edition reflected a significant evolution of Scottsdale Art Week, both in the caliber of presentations and the depth of engagement from our audience,” said Fair Director and Co-Owner Amy Gause. “Guests moved through the fair with intention, engaging meaningfully with galleries and artworks alike, resulting in strong sales and a vibrant, continuous rhythm from opening through close. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2027.”

For more about Scottsdale Art Week, visit ScottsdaleArtWeek.com or stay connected via Facebook, Instagram and X.

By Alexander Lomax

Axon’s Apartment Plans

An Unfinished Investigation

By now, most Scottsdale watchers are familiar with the broad strokes of the Lamar Whitmer matter. Whitmer, who served as Mayor Lisa Borowsky’s Chief of Staff, was let go in March following a 65-day city investigation that examined seven categories of alleged misconduct. Five of the seven allegations were substantiated. Two were not.

It is one of those two unsubstantiated allegations that deserves a much closer look… and the scrutiny it deserves is directed less at Whitmer than at Axon.

The Allegation Axon Chose Not to Address

According to the investigative report, Whitmer was accused of demanding a campaign contribution or possibly some other time of quid pro quo of future support in exchange for a favorable vote on the Axon development. The allegation was ultimately deemed unsubstantiated. But here is the critical detail: it was not unsubstantiated because investigators were able to clear anyone with confidence. It was unsubstantiated because Axon’s representatives declined to be interviewed, leaving investigators without the corroborating evidence they needed to reach a conclusion either way.

That is a significant distinction. Unsubstantiated is not the same as disproven.

The Question Axon Still Hasn’t Answered

Which raises a straightforward question that Axon has yet to answer: why would a company with nothing to hide decline to cooperate with a city investigation into an allegation directly involving its own project?

Silence in the face of a serious allegation is not exoneration. Axon’s decision not to participate left a gap in the public record, one that lingers over a development that was already generating considerable community concern. The project, a mega-apartment complex proposed for Axon’s Scottsdale campus, has faced significant opposition from residents regarding its scale. If Axon’s dealings with city officials were entirely above board, saying so on the record would cost them nothing and settle the matter cleanly.

Lamar Whitmer. Photo Credit: Scottsdale Progress

The Compromise That Was Left on the Table

There is also a broader question worth revisiting. At one point during negotiations, a compromise figure of around 600 apartments was reportedly on the table. Given the unresolved questions now surrounding this project: the community opposition, the scale of the proposal, and the unanswered allegation… it is reasonable to ask why that middle ground was set aside. Six hundred units represents meaningful development. It is also a number that may have had a realistic path to community acceptance.

What Needs to Happen Next

Until Axon addresses these questions directly, any joint public appearance between Axon representatives and Mayor Borowsky will carry an unnecessary cloud. That is not good for the Mayor, it is not good for Axon, and it is not good for the community. The straightforward remedy is for Axon to do what they chose not to do during the investigation: participate, answer the questions, and let the record speak for itself.

The city deserves that much. And frankly, so does everyone whose name has been caught up in this.

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is making good on her promise to support the western heritage of ‘The West’s Most Western Town.”

Scottsdale City Council, in a unanimous “yes” vote from all seven members, approved the WestWorld Strategic Plan during its March 24 meeting at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The plan adopts a roadmap designed to solidify the nearly 400‑acre facility’s role as the city’s premier event‑driven economic engine and can be read HERE.

The unanimous approval, delivered through Resolution No. 13587, advances a multi‑year strategy centered on clarity of mission, operational excellence and enhancing WestWorld’s competitiveness in regional and national event markets.

Mayor Lisa Borowsky says the unanimous vote reflects City Council’s commitment to protecting and elevating one of its most valuable public assets.

“WestWorld is not only a signature venue for Scottsdale, but also a vital driver of tourism, business activity and community identity,” Mayor Borowsky said following approval of the strategic plan. “This plan sets the standard for how we will steward the facility, compete for the best events in the country and ensure our residents and visitors continue to benefit from all WestWorld brings to our city.”

A Strategic Path Forward: WestWorld of Scottsdale

The WestWorld Strategic Plan outlines four major priorities to guide the facility from 2026 through 2031:

• Compete for the best — Establish clear event criteria, strengthen producer experience and align programming with Scottsdale’s tourism and economic goals.
• Strengthen and unify the organization — Improve communication, standardize business processes and build a stronger venue‑management culture.
• Engage the city and region — Expand community outreach, improve wayfinding and visibility and deepen regional partnerships.
• Plan for the future — Prioritize capital planning, asset management, risk mitigation and emergency preparedness.

Mayor Lisa Borowsky said the new plan positions Scottsdale to thrive amid growing regional and national competition for major events.

“Scottsdale is rising to meet the moment,” Mayor Lisa Borowsky said. “By adopting this plan, we’re ensuring WestWorld continues to evolve with intention — protecting its equestrian heritage, expanding its economic impact and elevating the quality of experiences we offer to residents, producers and guests from around the world.”

A 2024 study estimated WestWorld produced approximately $164 million in annual regional economic impact and generated about $4.8 million in local transaction privilege tax revenue in the same year. The venue hosts an average of 80 equestrian and special events annually, including the internationally recognized Barrett‑Jackson Collector Car Auction and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

Mayor Borowsky reports city staff will integrate the plan into ongoing operations with measurable benchmarks, annual progress reviews and a scheduled mid‑point update by 2029.

By Betty Janik & Sonnie Kirtley

Photo Source: AZ Big Media

The desert southwest has suffered sustained drought since the mid 1990’s and this condition is expected to continue.  Recent winters experienced record setting heat which intensifies the condition. Water from the Colorado River is hurting and by extension, the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. The CAP delivers water to the most populated regions in Arizona, particularly the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.  About 65% of Scottsdale’s water comes from the CAP.  With Arizona’s CAP water supply having junior priority status, it faces a significant reduction in allocation. A cut of 30% -40% is a real possibility.

The current operating rules for the river expire this year. The negotiations among the seven basin states are extremely contentious. All seven states, 30 Indian tribes, and Mexico must agree on a new framework for sharing a shrinking resource or the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) will make the decision.  The outcome will determine water rights for future generations.

Scottsdale will take a hit, but has some safeguards in place.  We have been storing excess CAP water for years, which gives us a buffer for a couple of years. But what of our future water supply?

Where will new water come from?

1. Conservation

* Status: readily available, stretches current supply

* Cost: savings realized

*Recommendation: reinstate the water and heat guidelines of Sustainability Plan to educate public

* Timeline: available now

2. Harquahala Groundwater Basin

* Stakeholders include two private Scottsdale golf courses (water rights purchased in 2013 @ $10M) and City of Scottsdale (water rights purchased in 2015 @ $3M)

* Finite source (limited duration)

* Status – requires several levels of permitting including National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA), BOR, and delivery system

* Cost: delivery system is extremely expensive

* Recommendation: continue to monitor progress

* Timeline: request to Congress for final authorization in 2028-29, construct pipe line

3. APRW – Advanced Purified Recycled Water

* This Scottsdale project has been ongoing for several years, successful pilot study

* Renewable source

* Arizona established final regulations for potable water in 2026

* Approved in 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2025-30

* Removed from CIP 2026

* Costs: $151 M for 10 million gallons/day (mgd) or $192 M for 20mgd (3/26 feasibility study)

* Recommendation: approval of plan to meet Arizona Department Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requlations for Potable water

* Timeline: 2032 full scale use

4. Bartlett Dam Expansion

* Capture Verde River spillover at Bartlett Dam which occurs about 40% of time

* Both costs and water allocations split equally with 50% for Federal government and 50% for 22 stakeholders

* No additional stakeholders allowed, additional request exceed potential benefit

* Bartlett Reservoir would store enough water for one million households for a year

* Required NEPA review process already initiated by BOR

* Approved in 2024-25 CIP

* Removed in 2026-27 CIP

* Cost: estimates total 1.1 Billion in 2021 to 3.6 B

* Recommendation: continue to fund in CIP as Scottsdale needs a seat at the negotiation table and must continue to set aside funds in CIP to buy capacity

*Timeline: up to 10 years

5. Purchase Additional Water Credits

* Cost: very expensive, may be unavailable

* Recommendation: continue to monitor availability of credits, recent attempt unsuccessful

* Timeline: as available

6. Increase well capacity and upgrade pump station north of Chaparral to move SRP water to north Scottsdale

Keep APRW and Bartlett Dam Projects in CIP

City Manager Caton has proposed removing $377 million in projects from the five-year CIP.  A whopping 76.4% is coming from water management projects. With severe reductions in our water supply on the horizon, now is the time to lean in and pursue additional future water resources. APRW has been part of our water culture for years, time to make it a reality.  The Bartlett Dam expansion is a decade into the future, but we must appropriate funding now to maintain a seat at the table.

Do not trade long term stability for short term financial gains.

Respectfully,

Betty Janik & Sonnie Kirtley

Photo Credit: Arizona Desert Swarm

When Jaden Bradley’s driving layup tied the game at 42 in the second half Saturday night in San Jose, something shifted. Not just the momentum in a tight Elite Eight against Purdue, but something larger, something that coursed through living rooms and sports bars from Tucson to Flagstaff. The University of Arizona was going back to the Final Four for the first time since 2001, and Arizona knew it.

That matters. It matters far more than the casual sports fan might appreciate.

What a Deep Tournament Run Actually Buys a University

Think about what sustained athletic excellence has done for certain programs over the decades. Duke basketball is not simply a sports story. It is a brand story, an enrollment story, an endowment story. When Coach K’s teams were winning championships, applications surged and the school’s national identity sharpened in ways no marketing campaign could manufacture. Michigan football, for all its institutional weight, remains a gateway through which millions of people understand and emotionally connect to that university. And consider Indiana’s recent resurrection of both basketball and football. The Hoosiers’ return to relevance rekindled pride in a state that had grown indifferent, and university leadership credited the renewed athletic profile with generating philanthropic interest and enrollment momentum.

These are not coincidences. They are cause and effect.

Arizona’s Moment and What Leadership Owes It

University presidents who grasp this dynamic serve their institutions well, and they serve their states well. Arizona is not merely a basketball program right now. It is a 36-win juggernaut under fifth-year coach Tommy Lloyd, built on a remarkable foundation of talented freshmen like Koa Peat and Brayden Burries alongside proven senior leadership in Bradley. This team broke the program’s single-season wins record, a mark that had stood since Lute Olson’s 1988 squad. That is not routine. That is legacy-building.

Tucson and the state of Arizona deserve leadership that meets this moment with investment and intention.

Sports as Authentic Value in a Skeptical Age

There is something else worth acknowledging. In an era when artificial intelligence prompts serious questions about the authenticity and value of human endeavor, live sports remain irreducibly real. No algorithm conjured Bradley’s composure in the final minutes. No model predicted that a team ranked 145th nationally in roster experience would dismantle Purdue’s veterans in the second half.

When millions of Arizonans smile at the same moment, as Tommy Lloyd put it before the game, that is the compound effect. That is something worth building on.

Bear down.

Arizona’s Unconstitutional “Axon Bill” Heads To Court April 10 As Voters Defend Their Rights

Lawyers, Lobbyists And Legislators Colluded With Axon To Shield Controversial Zoning Decisions From The Voters. The Voters Are Fighting Back

(Scottsdale, Ariz.)  Senate Bill1543 also known as the “Axon Bill” makes it impossible to challenge certain rezoning decisions at the ballot box. It was approved by the Arizona Legislature, signed by Governor Katie Hobbs after Axon hired legions of lobbyists to undermine the will of the voters. On April 10 at 9:30 a.m., Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Herrod will hear oral arguments challenging this unconstitutional legislation.

The lawsuit centers on the Arizona Constitution’s ban on so-called “special legislation,” like the Axon Bill.

TAAAZE (Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions) is leading this effort. In December 2024 TAAAZE submitted nearly 27 thousand signatures to challenge a previous lame duck council decision to approve Taser manufacturer Axon’s rezoning request to build nearly 1,900 apartments in north Scottsdale. Axon then convinced the Arizona Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign the Axon Bill that prevents some zoning issues, such as Axon’s, from going to the ballot box.Read More

By Ronald Sampson

In May 2023, Tempe voters had a decision to make. On the table was a privately funded, $2.1 billion entertainment district built on 46 acres of city-owned land near Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive. The plan included a 16,000-seat NHL arena, two hotels, a 3,500-person theater, restaurants, retail, and residential units. The project’s rallying cry said it all: “Landfill to Landmark.” All three ballot propositions went down in defeat, with 56 percent of voters saying no.

So. About that landfill.

The Vision That Wasn’t

The Arizona Coyotes had spent years trying to find a permanent home after a messy split with Glendale left them playing in a 5,000-seat arena on the ASU campus that made visiting NHL players wince. The Tempe deal was widely hailed as one of the best privately financed sports and entertainment projects the state had ever seen. At least $1.9 billion of the total cost was to come from private funding. The city’s own mayor called it the best entertainment and arena deal ever put together in Arizona. The NHL commissioner flew in personally to throw his support behind it. Four former Tempe mayors endorsed it.

The voters said no anyway, citing concerns about traffic, public funds, airport noise, and a general sense that something better might come along if they just waited.

What Came Instead

What came instead was nothing. The franchise collapsed. The NHL folded the Coyotes and shipped the franchise to Salt Lake City, where it became the Utah Mammoth. Attempts to find alternate Arizona sites, including a parcel near Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101, also fell apart when the state land auction was canceled. The Kachina jerseys, the franchise history, all of it…gone to Utah. And the 46 acres near Rio Salado Parkway? Still there. Still a landfill. No landmark in sight, no remediation underway, no grand plan announced for the former eyesore that was supposed to become the crown jewel of Tempe’s waterfront.

Photo Credit: Arizona Republic

Perfection Is the Enemy of a Hockey Team

The voters of Tempe chased perfection and got a parking lot with a methane problem. The concerns raised weren’t entirely without merit, but when the alternative is what actually happened, the cost-benefit analysis looks a little different in hindsight. Arizona lost an NHL franchise. A vibrant entertainment district that would have generated thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue never broke ground.

The landfill is still right where they left it. Enjoy the view, Tempe.

Photo Credit: Threads

It was a moment worth savoring. The New York Yankees wrapped up their spring slate last week with an exhibition series against the Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, their first games played in Arizona since 1951, when they briefly called Phoenix home after swapping training locations with the New York Giants. Seventy-five years is a long time between visits, and the symbolism felt almost poetic, a piece of baseball history bookending what has been a wonderful 2026 Cactus League season.

The problem is that it may also be bookending the last one for a while.

A lockout at the end of the 2026 season is widely considered a near-certainty. The current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. on December 1, 2026, and the sides appear to be far apart on fundamental economic issues. The biggest flashpoint is the owners’ push for a salary cap, which the players’ union has consistently and forcefully opposed, calling it bad for players on multiple levels. With both sides already in a public standoff and reports of owners prepared to take an aggressive posture even at the risk of impacting the 2027 season, the informal deadline for potentially losing spring training games falls in early to mid-March 2027. That means the Cactus League could simply not happen.

Photo Credit: ESPN

For Arizona, that prospect is genuinely alarming. The 2025 Cactus League season generated an estimated $764 million in economic impact for the state, according to Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, creating more than 6,000 jobs and nearly $379 million in visitor spending. And two-thirds of out-of-state patrons surveyed said spring training was the sole or primary reason they visited Arizona, meaning this is not tourist money that gets redirected to golf resorts or Sedona day trips. It simply disappears. The 2022 lockout delivered a painful preview. Communities that had invested hundreds of millions in taxpayer-funded ballparks watched the revenues dry up while MLB offered little in the way of recognition or relief.

The Cactus League has had four straight years of attendance increases since those disruptions and was nearly back to pre-pandemic levels heading into this spring. It would be a bitter irony to lose that momentum to another labor fight.

So as the Yankees pack up and head back east, and the Cactus League wraps up another season of sun-soaked baseball, there’s a bittersweet quality to it all. The games were great. The crowds were back. And the hope, for fans, for businesses, and for the communities that have built their springs around this sport, is that the owners and players find enough common ground to make sure 2027 looks the same. Baseball has always found a way back. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take too long this time.

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is convening the inaugural meeting of the Downtown Scottsdale Task Force on Tuesday, April 21 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way.

The kick-off meeting is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, and marks the beginning of a focused community effort to shape the future of Old Town Scottsdale.

Structured as a collaborative effort, the Downtown Scottsdale Task Force is an advisory body charged with guiding discussions, establishing priorities, and forming recommendations addressing the long‑term vibrancy, safety, economic strength, and visual character of Old Town.

“Old Town is one of Scottsdale’s greatest assets, and its future must be shaped by those who know it best — the people who work here, live here, invest here, and care about its character,” Mayor Borowsky said. “This task force will ensure that our community has a strong, informed voice in the decisions that will define Old Town for generations to come.”

Participants selected for the Downtown Scottsdale Task Force will work directly with the mayor’s office to evaluate challenges, refine initiatives, and support solutions designed to maintain and enhance Old Town’s cultural appeal, livability, economic performance, and long-term sustainability.

For additional information on the Downtown Scottsdale Task Force, call the mayor’s office at 480-312-7977 or email her directly at lborowsky@scottsdaleaz.gov

By Bob Littlefield

By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas

As Chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, I have the privilege of working closely with Scottsdale’s Police and Fire Departments. Nothing compares to the thrill of saying “yes” to rare opportunities that let me witness—and even participate in—the rigorous training for our first responders.

Last week, I joined Scottsdale Fire Department recruits for their first live flashover training in the department’s flashover chamber. Several city employees who had done it before warned me: it’s unforgettable, and so intense that they wouldn’t volunteer for it again. That only piqued my curiosity: what exactly is a flashover?

Flashover is one of the deadliest phases of a fire. It’s the near-simultaneous ignition of all exposed combustible materials in an enclosed space, often triggered when superheated gases and smoke reach their ignition point. Temperatures soar to 1,000°F (or more), thick smoke obscures everything, and introducing oxygen (air) can cause flames to erupt across the ceiling in seconds. What looks like harmless smoke can suddenly become a wall of fire. It’s visually dramatic—and utterly lethal.

We arrived at 7 a.m. on March 6, 2026. Chief Shannon and the team exuded calm professionalism from the start. They were clear: safety is non-negotiable.

• Gear fitting: We were fitted for SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) face masks—no air gaps allowed. We tested the mask with movement drills: turning, bending, jogging in place.
• Turnout gear: Pants and jackets are layered for thermal protection but kept “fluffy” and baggy to promote airflow and prevent burns.
• Vitals and hydration: Blood pressure, heart rate, and electrolyte drinks to combat dehydration in extreme heat.
• Walk-through briefing: Chief Shannon guided us through the cold chamber, explaining fire dynamics—fuel location, airflow, smoke layering, ventilation effects (doors and chimney), and flashover triggers.
• Safety briefing: Captain Dutcher gave a safety briefing describing the purpose of the exercise, the safety exits, the duration, and what he expected the training to teach these firefighters.

The final safety briefing was sobering. Captain Sasha Weller emphasized: “If it gets too intense, signal the Chief—we’ll get you out. Never remove your mask, gloves, or any gear. Exposed skin will burn severely in seconds.”

Fully kitted—helmet, mask, 60+ pounds of turnout gear and an oxygen tank—we stepped inside. The chamber is a controlled burn room with hand-held thermal imaging displays showing real-time temperatures.

Chief Shannon and I started at the back, with eight firefighters ahead; they were rotating every few minutes to experience the heat from the fire. Captain Dutcher, the instructor at the front, managed the blaze masterfully, using fuel in a can to demonstrate the stages: temperatures climbing from 200°F to over 1,000°F.

Captain Dutcher taught continuously for 25 minutes—identifying fire behavior, entry tactics, how to avoid triggering flashover, and survival steps if it occurs. His calm commands adjusted ventilation: “Open the chimney,” “Close the door.” When ventilation was restricted, the visible flames died down—but the heat built relentlessly in the smoke layer above.

Then it happened. Smoke swirled thick and dense; I couldn’t see the firefighter next to me. His thermal imager revealed what our eyes couldn’t: fire spreading overhead, hidden in the smoke. The instructor called for the door to open.

Oxygen rushed in. Instantly, orange flames rolled across the ceiling like fingers reaching out—so close, they were within arm’s length. The fire hunted for more fuel, yet the chamber contained it safely. Our gear’s thermal protection was so effective we felt only warmth, not the lethal 1,000°F reality.

This exercise drove home a critical lesson: firefighters can’t rely solely on what they see or feel. They must read conditions—smoke color, heat layering, ventilation—to anticipate dangers invisible to the untrained eye.

Exiting, we were immediately checked for burns or injuries (none, thankfully). Decontamination followed: a thorough water spray to remove carcinogens from gear, which is sanitized before it can be reused. It was a relief to take off the 60 lbs of gear, breathe fresh air, and reflect on the skilled professionalism displayed throughout this extreme training exercise.

Public safety is the foundation of Scottsdale’s success. Our residents rely on us to provide them with a safe home. And we welcome nearly 12 million visitors annually, who generate a $3.7 billion economic impact. Residents and visitors come here because they feel—and are—safe.

Firefighters run toward danger while most of us flee. They risk their lives to save others, training relentlessly in conditions like this to stay one step ahead of fire’s unpredictability.

Experiencing flashover firsthand deepened my respect and gratitude for our incredible Scottsdale Fire Department. They protect us with skill, courage, and unwavering commitment. We owe them our respect, our thanks—and our support.

The Scottsdale Firefighters Association has announced it will host a city council candidate forum this April, and it is worth paying attention to. The firefighters’ association has long been one of the most credible civic voices in Scottsdale, with a track record of endorsements that carry real weight with voters across the political spectrum. When they put candidates in a room together and ask hard questions, people show up, and more importantly, candidates tend to answer.

The obvious expectation is that the forum will focus on public safety: staffing levels, overtime costs, the department’s well-documented succession challenge as veteran firefighters retire in large numbers, and the rollout of Scottsdale’s new ambulance service. All of that matters. But a forum this close to a consequential election, with three council seats on the line, is an opportunity to push candidates on the issues that are defining Scottsdale’s future well beyond the fire station. Here is what we would love to see on the question list.

On water: the Advanced Purified Recycled Water program has effectively been stalled by City Manager Greg Caton, who removed it from the Capital Improvement Plan budget and questioned whether council ever formally approved it. Candidates should be asked directly: do you support moving forward with the “toilets to taps” program, and if so, what specific action will you take in your first year on council to get it back on track?

Photo Credit: Utah State University

On development: North Scottsdale continues to grow at a pace that strains infrastructure and frays the nerves of long-time residents. Candidates should be pressed on where they draw the line on density and height variances, and whether they believe the current General Plan is being honored or quietly eroded.

On the Axon negotiations: the long-running saga over the proposed mega-apartment complex site and what, if anything, gets built there touches on traffic, water use, and the character of the city’s northern corridor. Voters deserve to know where each candidate stands before they cast a ballot, not after.

Axon’s Apartment Plans

On the city manager: without naming names, candidates should be asked whether they believe the city manager serves the council’s policy direction or operates independently of it. The answer will tell you a great deal.

The firefighters’ association has earned its reputation by asking serious questions and holding candidates accountable. This April, the city’s voters are counting on them to do exactly that.

By Ronald Sampson

Photo Credit: Utah State University

Scottsdale has long prided itself on being one of the most forward-thinking cities in the American West when it comes to water policy. For a desert municipality that has watched the Colorado River shrink for decades, that reputation wasn’t just a point of civic pride; it was existential planning. Which is what makes a quiet but consequential development at the city’s Budget Review Commission so troubling.

At two consecutive BRC meetings this year, City Manager Greg Caton presented a Capital Improvement Plan budget with two notable omissions: the Bartlett Dam Modification Feasibility Study and the Advanced Purified Recycled Water program, the latter being Scottsdale’s much-anticipated “toilets to taps” initiative designed to supplement the city’s drinking water supply with treated, recycled wastewater. When commissioners expressed alarm, Caton’s explanation was essentially that he couldn’t put a number in the budget because he didn’t have reliable cost figures yet. “I don’t know the capital expenditure, and I don’t know the operating expenditure,” he said, “so I can’t put it in the budget.”

That is a reasonable position on its face, but it sidesteps a more pointed question: why are years of planning now being characterized as merely “aspirational”? Caton went further, asserting that Advanced Purified Recycled Water “has not been approved by a governing body to move forward,” a claim that drew swift pushback from Councilwoman Solange Whitehead, who has served on council since 2018, and former Councilwoman Linda Milhaven, who called Caton’s move an outright undermining of years of visionary investment in water security. Both point to a council-approved Water Strategic Plan 2025-2030 as clear direction to proceed.

So what is actually going on here? It is worth speculating. Caton may be running political cover for a council that is quietly divided on the issue; Councilman Adam Kwasman made his position plain, vowing to do “everything in my power” to keep recycled wastewater out of the drinking supply. If a faction of the current council is cool on the program, burying it in a budget uncertainty argument is a tidier way to stall it than taking a public vote.

The timing could not be worse. Colorado River allocations are expected to face further cuts, and Scottsdale’s existing recycled water infrastructure for golf courses, while valuable, is not a substitute for a robust residential supply solution. Removing the advanced purification program from the CIP doesn’t just delay a project; it puts the entire policy trajectory at risk at precisely the moment the city can least afford that kind of drift.

Water is not a background issue in Scottsdale. It is the issue. And the residents of this city deserve a straight answer as to whether their long-term water security is being quietly traded away for political convenience.

Photo Credit: CNN

All Candidates Submitting Requisite Number Of Signatures By March 23^rd To Be Invited

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) The candidates for Scottsdale City Council will face each other and the public for the first time at a City Council Candidate forum on Monday, April 13th. The event is hosted by the Scottsdale Firefighters Association and will take place from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library Auditorium, located at 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

This forum offers Scottsdale citizens a unique opportunity to hear directly from candidates running for City Council. The discussion will focus on the candidates’ visions for the city’s future and their positions on critical public safety issues.

The event will be moderated by Sasha Weller, Scottsdale Firefighter Association President.

“Thanks to all the candidates who want to serve our community just as we try our very best to do every day. Our goal is to give candidates a platform to engage with the residents they hope to serve,” said Weller.

Weller said the forum as well as a questionnaire sent to the candidates previously will play a key role in who the Association may endorse in the July and November elections.

Admission to the forum is free and there is no registration required.Read More

By Mary Manross

Do you know Solange Whitehead? I have known her for over 20 years. That is why I am proud to serve as Honorary Chair for her campaign for Scottsdale City Council.

The first question I have for candidates is what do they believe are the most critical issues facing Scottsdale? Secondly, have they ever shown an ability and willingness to fight for what they believe is best for our community? Many folks in political office talk a good game. But when it comes to actually working to create positive change, they cave. It takes serious determination to accomplish worthwhile, long lasting, positive results. As your former Mayor, I know this firsthand.

Solange Whitehead has repeatedly demonstrated that she can deliver on good public policy. Examples – increasing open space requirements in developments, reducing the too high building heights and densities, championing protection for our McDowell Sonoran Preserve and strengthening short term rental regulations.

As a councilwoman, Solange is also leading the fight to ensure that we have adequate water resources far into the future. She stands up for fiscal conservatism, which means low taxes and AAA bond ratings. Another reason I support Solange is because she believes that public safety is the number one function of government.  She helped launch an ambulance service, increased pay for our terrific first responders and initiated a Parks and Preserve Ranger Unit to keep these open spaces safe for all of us. Solange also led our citywide, very successful 490- 491 Propositions campaign. They will allow Scottsdale to reinvest in our older parks and keep our open spaces healthy. Think how important that is to maintaining our wonderful quality of life!

Please support and vote for Solange Whitehead for City Council. We all must do our part to protect and nurture our home.

Mary Manross

Honorary Chair of Solange for Scottsdale

Former Mayor of Scottsdale

By Alexander Lomax

Dillon Brooks. Photo Credit: Scottsdale PD

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was pulled over in Scottsdale around 1 a.m. for a traffic violation and subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The part that has a lot of people raising an eyebrow: he passed a breathalyzer test, and the DUI arrest was marijuana-related.

Body camera footage released by Scottsdale PD shows an officer telling Brooks his vehicle smelled like a marijuana dispensary. Brooks responded that he had not smoked or drunk anything in the last six months. He performed field sobriety tests, was cooperative throughout, and still ended up in handcuffs.

Welcome to the peculiar world of Arizona marijuana DUI law.

Here is where things get genuinely strange. Arizona law charges drivers under two provisions: driving under the influence impaired to the slightest degree, and DUI for drugs and/or metabolites. There is no breath test for marijuana impairment, and there is currently no clear scientific standard for cannabis impairment. So officers rely on field sobriety tests that, as one Phoenix defense attorney noted, “are sort of like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole,” since they were designed for alcohol, not marijuana.

The metabolite issue is where the law gets particularly hard to defend. Arizona has not established a set nanogram level of THC that constitutes impairment, unlike states such as Colorado. Instead, the state relies on the mere presence of THC metabolites as evidence for DUI charges under A.R.S. 28-1381(A)(3), and prosecutors do not require proof of actual impairment. The problem is that carboxy-THC, the primary non-psychoactive metabolite of cannabis, can remain in the body for as many as 28 to 30 days after ingestion, meaning someone who legally consumed marijuana weeks ago and is stone-cold sober could, in theory, still face a DUI charge.

To be fair, the Arizona Supreme Court did rein things in somewhat in 2014, ruling that drivers cannot be convicted of a per se DUI offense based merely on the presence of a non-impairing metabolite reflecting prior marijuana use. But the “impaired to the slightest degree” provision of the law remains, giving prosecutors a wide lane to work with.

Whether Brooks faces formal charges depends on blood lab results and a decision by the Scottsdale City Prosecutor’s Office. He may well be cleared. But his arrest has done something useful: it has put a spotlight on a legal framework that has struggled to keep pace with a recreational marijuana landscape Arizona voters approved back in 2020. When the law cannot distinguish between someone who smoked three weeks ago and someone who smoked three hours ago, that is not good policy. It is just a trap.

Cody Reim. Photo Credit: Arizona Republic

If the name Cody Reim doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. The Rio Verde Foothills small business owner wasn’t exactly a fixture of Scottsdale-area political circles before this week. But as of Tuesday, he’s your state representative.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Reim to fill the Arizona House vacancy in Legislative District 3, created when Joseph Chaplik resigned to run for Congress. The board’s vote was unanimous, 5-0, and Reim was sworn in shortly after.

So who is he? Reim is a political newcomer who lives with his family in Rio Verde Foothills, where water supply issues have been front and center for several years. He became one of the most outspoken advocates for finding a long-term, reliable water source for the community after Scottsdale announced it would shut off trucked water to the unincorporated area at the end of 2022 due to drought concerns, leaving residents scrambling for new sources. That grassroots advocacy, not a political résumé, is what got him here.

Supervisor Thomas Galvin, who nominated Reim, called him “a principled leader who has proven he will stand up and fight for his community” and “a bridge builder and consensus maker.” Water policy figures to be his top priority in the Legislature, as Arizona continues negotiations over Colorado River water allocations, which account for around 36% of the state’s water supply.

The more interesting storyline, though, may be what this appointment sets up for the November election. Both Reim and fellow nominee George Khalaf, a political consultant who actually received the most votes from precinct committeemen, are running for a full term in LD3’s two House seats. Incumbent Rep. Alexander Kolodin is not seeking re-election, as he’s running for Secretary of State, joining Chaplik in leaving his seat in pursuit of higher office. That means the Republican primary will likely feature Reim and Khalaf competing for the same two seats (if not others), with Reim now carrying the incumbent label and all the name recognition and fundraising advantages that come with it. That said, there is room for two.

George Khalaf. Photo Credit: Facebook

Supervisor Galvin said he hopes and expects both Reim and Khalaf to be in the state House in 2027: a collegial sentiment, but the voters will have the final say. For a district that covers much of northeast Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Cave Creek, the district leans red, but in a potential blue wave year this race just got a lot more interesting.

“I was informed by city management today, after a 65-day investigation, that Chief of Staff R. Lamar Whitmer, has been terminated.

To be clear, I do not condone inappropriate workplace conversations, did not witness them and would not tolerate them. Furthermore, I fully believe workplace rules should be followed, public trust should never be abused, and this has been fully communicated to my staff. My hope for the people of Scottsdale is that his replacement will be allowed to fulfill the responsibilities of a chief of staff to a mayor — including speaking with city staff. The people deserve to move past petty politics and move forward in a manner befitting the history and expectations of the city of Scottsdale.  I wish Lamar the best in his future.”

— Lisa Borowsky | Mayor of Scottsdale

Photo Credit: Arizona Republic

Some artists chase charts. Some chase radio. Roger Clyne has spent thirty years chasing something harder to pin down: the soul of a place.

This weekend, the Tempe-born singer and his Peacemakers marked two milestones at once: the release of Hell to Breakfast, his first album in nearly a decade, and the 30th anniversary of Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy, the Refreshments record that started it all. And where did he choose to do it? The parking lot of the Yucca Tap Room, same as he did in 1996. Same corner of Tempe. Same spirit.

That consistency is no accident. Clyne has never left Arizona, and Arizona has never left him. He describes his creative process as literally walking into the Sonoran Desert with a tape recorder, leaving his guitar at the truck, thinking on melody and cadence among the saguaros and the silence. The desert doesn’t just backdrop his music: it authors it.

But what has always set Clyne apart in the broader Arizona story is his instinct that this place doesn’t end at the border. The Sonoran Desert is, after all, a shared landscape; one that stretches deep into Sonora, Mexico, indifferent to the line humans drew across it. Clyne absorbed that truth early and never let it go. His music has long celebrated the cultural confluence he finds here: the history, the pre-history, the characters on both sides living adventurous, complicated, fully human lives.

That spirit lives inside the new album, too. A song like “Yeh Shoobeh” closes Hell to Breakfast with a declaration that feels almost radical in the current moment: I’ll set my finest table, I’m inviting the world to dine. In a time when calling your neighbor an enemy has become disturbingly easy, Clyne is still setting the table and pouring the wine…for everyone.

He told the Arizona Republic he built “a life that was unique.” He did. But more than that, he built a trumpet for this specific stretch of desert and kept playing it, decade after decade, reminding anyone willing to listen that the Sonoran world is richer, stranger, and more connected than the headlines suggest.

We’re lucky he never stopped.

Photo Credit: Michael Duerinckx

The Water Infrastructure Financing Authority of Arizona (WIFA) has approved a $10,436,918 low-cost loan, including $1 million in principal forgiveness, to support major drainage improvements at WestWorld of Scottsdale — a key priority of Mayor Lisa Borowsky’s administration.

The investment marks a major first step forward in delivering long-needed improvements that will enhance WestWorld’s safety, operations, and economic performance, Mayor Borowsky points out.

“I appreciate the input from all of our WestWorld stakeholders, and the efforts of our city management team collectively pushing these much-needed planned improvements forward,” Mayor Borowsky said. “WestWorld is one of Scottsdale’s most important assets — a year-round driver of tourism, economic activity, and international visibility.”

City Treasurer Sonia Andrews, whose team along with city engineering staff led Scottsdale’s financing application, explains the WIFA funding is a low-cost loan and the city was able to secure $1 million in forgivable principle, which translates to the city being required to only payback $9,436,918 of the $10,436,918 loan.

The city will finalize loan terms with WIFA in the coming weeks. Loan documents and formal acceptance are expected to be presented to the Scottsdale City Council for consideration in April or May.

“WestWorld is central to Scottsdale’s identity and its economy,” Mayor Borowsky said. “This project ensures it remains strong, resilient and competitive for decades to come.”

Scottsdale has been quietly staking its claim as one of the Southwest’s premier cultural destinations, and this week offers another piece of evidence. Scottsdale Art Week returns for its sophomore outing starting today and lasting until this Sunday at WestWorld of Scottsdale, and if the buzz surrounding it is any indication, the city’s arts scene is very much arriving on a national stage.

So what should you know before you go?

The art is legitimately world-class. This isn’t a regional craft fair. More than 120 galleries from around the world will be presenting work, and the names on display read like a museum wall. Featured artists include Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, David Hockney, Alex Katz, and Maynard Dixon. Multiple seven-figure pieces will be on offer, including a $1.2 million, 50-million-year-old fossil crocodile and a $1 million sculpture by Gino Miles that the artist spent six years creating.

The cultural programming goes deep. Complementing the gallery presentations is a full slate of programming produced in partnership with major institutions including the Phoenix Art Museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the Denver Art Museum, and Heritage Auctions. Topics range from photography and the Western art market to Indigenous and Latin art; there’s genuine intellectual substance here beyond the gallery floor.

Local art is meaningful. Scottsdale Art Week makes a point of acknowledging the brilliant artists in our own midst, and in that vein this year’s Arizona Artist of the Year is Cara Romero, recognized for her innovative photography. It’s a reminder that some of the most compelling contemporary art can come from your own back yard.

Thursday night is where serious collectors move. The Opening Night Vernissage on Thursday, March 19 runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and benefits the Phoenix Art Museum, offering access to the full fair before the public doors open Friday.

Public days run Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with children 12 and under admitted free. Whether you’re a collector or simply curious, this is one worth showing up for. Head to ScottsdaleArtWeek.com for tickets and the full schedule, and drink in yet another example of Scottsdale’s excellence.

By Mary Manross, Former Scottsdale Mayor and Chairwoman for Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC
and Carla, Preserve Pioneer and Campaign Coordinator for Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC

In most campaigns there are winners and losers. Not when it comes to the passage of Propositions 490 and 491 in Scottsdale which happened on November 5th. We believe everyone in Scottsdale wins.

Proposition 490 will help revitalize and maintain Scottsdale’s parks, beginning with the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, and will provide ongoing care and protection for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  It will provide funding to prevent and fight fires in and around the Preserve, and funds for increased police rangers for the parks and the Preserve.

Almost sixty years ago Scottsdale had the wisdom and foresight to create the Greenbelt and, thirty years ago, to create the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They are two of Scottsdale’s greatest decisions and treasures. That wisdom and foresight are still with us today as evidenced by this vote.

Proposition 490 contains legal safeguards to ensure the money is properly spent. And we think these safeguards, and the benefits of the measure will win over many who voted no and maybe even some critics. Now that the voters of Scottsdale have spoken overwhelmingly in support of Proposition 490, we look forward to working with the new Mayor and Council to see that it is implemented properly and responsibly.Read More

By Carla (Carla), Preserve Pioneer

This year Scottsdale was fortunate when it came to wildfires. Next year we might not be so lucky.

As every summer gets hotter and drier, nature and human caused fires are a fact of life in Scottsdale and our Preserve. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of our Firefighters  – plus a little luck with wind direction  – we have avoided a catastrophic fire this year.

But next year, unless Propositions 490 & 491 pass, we won’t have as many tools to help prevent fires.

Year round our Fire Department does excellent outreach work with developments in Northern Scottsdale to address not planting invasive species and removing fire loads. They also work with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to get grants which provide for wildfire prevention. Specifically invasive plant removal and preventative measures along our Preserve boundary and major roadways.

But Scottsdale did NOT get a grant to fund this work in 2025!

Proposition 490 would add Fire Department funding to provide quicker response times; increased Fire prevention programs; a second Technical Rescue Team; and additional resources to better protect you and your neighborhoods.

Proposition 491 – which is not a tax increase or budget override  – would allow Scottsdale to spend the money it already collects on programs and services that residents want and need. Without its passage, city services will face cutbacks, including in public safety.

Please join the Firefighters, who dedicate their lives to protecting you,  in voting YES-YES on Props 490 and 491. It’s critical to Scottsdale’s safety and future quality of life.

Carla (Carla), Preserve Pioneer

Data Orbital, in conjunction with AZ Free News, is pleased to announce the results of its latest statewide, live caller survey of likely General Election Voters. The survey was conducted from September 7th 2024 – September 9th 2024. The survey measured support for candidates in Arizona’s Presidential contest. This survey was sponsored by AZ Free News.

For President, the Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris trails Republican former President Donald Trump by a slim 46.0% to 46.2% margin. 7.7% reported as being undecided or refused the question.

Speaking with AZ Free News about the Presidential race, George Khalaf, President of Data Orbital, stated “That 7.7% undecided number, I would say, is going to be one of two things: 1.) Either individuals that are saying that they are likely to vote but don’t end up voting or 2.) People that really are truly undecided. But I would be shocked if the true undecided number is in the high single digits”. Khalaf goes on to explain, “I would guess that right now, the true percentage of people that are undecided is maybe one or two percent, if that. This is a high-profile race and so most people have made up their minds. But I think a portion of people that are undecided likely will not end up making a decision on November 5th”.

By Jeanne Beasley
Candidate for Scottsdale School Board

As students return to school this week, let’s consider what we can do to help support and strengthen our local public schools. I am running for a seat on the Scottsdale Unified School Board on November 5, alongside Gretchen Jacobs and Drew Hassler, to serve our community positively.

We are parents, professionals, and community leaders who have had students in our Scottsdale schools and believe that strong communities should have strong public schools. Families shouldn’t have to look elsewhere for the excellent academic opportunities and well-rounded extracurricular experiences they desire for their children.

Our campaign, “Just Be Honest,” will bring a new era of transparency, accountability, and integrity to SUSD. Our mission is to ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students, families, and teachers.Read More

With just five days remaining until Arizona’s 2024 primary election, let’s take a closer look at how Republicans and Democrats are performing across the state.

Focusing first on the Republicans, a total of 1,156,580 GOP ballots have been requested. Of these, 1,089,498 are from registered Republicans and 67,082 from Independents. These numbers surpass the total requests from both 2020 and 2022, which were 1,035,288 and 1,059,348, respectively. Currently, Republicans have a 32.7% ballot return rate, while Independents have a 49.2% return rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 33.7%.

At this stage in the election, GOP ballot returns across the state are ahead of 2022 but are behind 2020. In 2020, returns at this time were 426,571, compared to 375,714 in 2022. So far in 2024, a total of 389,458 GOP ballots have been returned.

Now looking at the Democratic side, total ballot requests stand at 1,063,267, with 1,008,909 from Democrats and 54,358 from Independents. This exceeds the totals from both 2020, which had 1,044,288 requests, and 2022, which had 1,041,271 requests. Democrats are returning their ballots at a 29.4% rate, while Independents are returning at a 48.9% rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 30.4%

At this stage in the cycle, Democratic returns are lagging behind both 2020 and 2022. In 2020, Democratic returns were 439,383, and in 2022 they were 368,745. Both figures are notably higher than the current returns in 2024, which stand at 322,984.