Food Banks Need Volunteers as COVID-19 Increases Demand But Restricts Groups

By Recker McDowell — The social and economic impacts of COVID-19 have increased community demand at food banks across the country. St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and other food banks across Arizona are also challenged. Jerry Brown, director of media relations at St. Mary’s, said demand for emergency food boxes and other help tripled when COVID-19 started, and scores … Read More

Great Job Phoenix for a Great Need in the City

By Robert Lyles (President, Greenlight Communities) — Last month, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved an incredibly important new affordable housing initiative. With Phoenix being the nation’s fastest growing city, and housing costs outpacing wages, the need for attainable rental housing has never been more urgent.  The City’s new initiative is a positive step in accommodating the housing needs of … Read More

Andrea Alley — Next Generation Leader in Scottsdale

By Recker McDowell — Andrea Alley is one of Scottsdale’s next generation of leaders and advocates impacting the city’s path on key issues. Alley first got engaged in Scottsdale politics and community affairs during the 2016 vote on the Desert Discovery Center. Alley, who lives in southern Scottsdale, then got involved in the redevelopment of Papago Plaza. She was also … Read More

John Little: Think Cleaner. Think Better. Think Solar

By John Little — Solar energy isn’t just about saving the world. It’s also about saving money, creating living wage jobs, cutting air pollution, and putting a strong public face on the clean and wholesome brand of our city. Over the last 50 years, hundreds of Arizonans have stepped up to advocate strongly for solar energy. Despite their herculean efforts … Read More

The SCOTT Perspective

By Don Henninger — The sounds of silence often can be damaging. That point comes to light after recent events in Scottsdale have presented an image to the national and international media that does not reflect the values embraced by the majority of community and business leaders in the city. Some of those images have harmed the city’s reputation, and … Read More

Lost

It was the landmark ABC show a few years back.  And it clearly describes landlord lobbyist David Ortega’s quinquennial-like standing for Scottsdale Mayor. There are many reasons Ortega will never be Mayor of Scottsdale. But the latest may be our favorite and take the cake. Despite Ortega’s campaign resembling one Rip Van Winkle might have run, he actually did get … Read More

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Recognized on 2020 REAL Trends ‘The Thousand’ Rankings

(SCOTTSDALE)  – Arizona’s leader in luxury real estate, Scottsdale based Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce The Power of 4 – Anne Morrisey, Bee Francis, Karen Baldwin and Kathleen Benoit were recently recognized in the 2020 REAL Trends “The Thousand.” The annual report is a summary of the top 1,000 independent real estate agents and teams in … Read More

Closing Golf Courses Can Be Bogeys For Neighborhoods: But One Ahwatukee Community May Show A Compelling Way Forward

Many golf courses are closing across the country and Arizona, which can be perplexing for neighborhoods. This means that innovation, adaptability, and creativity can’t just be redevelopment buzzwords these days. They are requirements. Fortunately, these ideals appear to be the approach for creating a new community park and greenbelt at the closed down Club West Golf Course in Ahwatukee. If … Read More

Community Heroes: Helping The Homeless

By Recker McDowell — Being homeless in Phoenix is brutal in the summer with the relentless heat. The situation for the homeless and transients is even more dangerous now with COVID-19 and Arizona’s rise in cases. This makes the work of shelters, social services workers, and volunteers even more essential to our communities and our neighbors in need. They are … Read More