By Recker McDowell — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has evolved when it comes to marijuana. Technology start up ALTA is now part of Brnovich’s Fintech Sandbox program. The Arizona effort allows innovative companies to start operating and test out their business models as they gain state licenses. ALTA’s innovation is that it offers digital payment solutions to medical marijuana … Read More
Guest Editorial: Harkins Theatres Moving Headquarters to Salt River & What It Means for Scottsdale
By Recker McDowell — Harkins Theatres is moving its headquarters to a new mixed-use development on the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Harkins will keep its Scottsdale address with the move. But it will be moving from its current home in the city of Scottsdale to the Salt River Community. Harkins expects to move 260 employees into the new … Read More
Guest Editorial: Deep and Diverse Community Support Grows for Scottsdale Bond Campaign
By Recker McDowell — The campaign in favor of three Scottsdale bond questions on the November ballot is seeing diverse support. That support is manifesting itself in different ways from different supporters. The For The Best Scottsdale Campaign: Vote Yes on Questions 1, 2 and 3 has picked up public safety endorsements. The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association and Police Officers … Read More
Guest Editorial: Hope Springs for Arizona Cardinals with Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury Joining Larry Fitzgerald
By Recker McDowell — The Arizona Cardinals are hiding 100 official NFL footballs around the state as part of a promotion for the start of training camp and the 2019 season and the NFL’s 100th anniversary. There is some excitement and even national attention for the Cardinals this season with Heisman Trophy winner and overall first pick Kyler Murray at … Read More
Guest Editorial: Elizabeth Warren’s Trip to Tempe & How Much Democrats Should Bet on Flipping Arizona from Trump in 2020
By Recker McDowell — Elizabeth Warren will be in Tempe for a Thursday ‘town hall’ at the Marquee Theater. It will be first of what could be an ample amount of Democratic presidential candidates landing in Arizona as they look to turn the state blue and against Donald Trump in 2020. Democrats, of course, look to Kyrsten Sinema’s win over … Read More
Guest Editorial: Beyond Beans and Baristas; What Dutch Bros and Coffee Shops Say About Southern Scottsdale, Other Areas
Dutch Bros Coffee will be opening a new location on Scottsdale Road in between Thomas and McDowell Roads. The location will succeed Dutch Bros very popular location at Papago Plaza. The old shopping center at McDowell and Scottsdale roads is being redeveloped. Dutch Bros is being built in an existing parking lot. Those type of parking lot infill projects are … Read More
Guest Editorial: WestWorld In Line to Host Equestrian World Championships & How The Scottsdale Bonds Can Help Venue Attract More Key Events
By Recker McDowell — WestWorld of Scottsdale has been named the only U.S. venue among 10 worldwide locations being considered to host parts of the Federation Equestre Internationale World Championships in 2022. FEI is the international governing body for equestrian events. WestWorld is competing with equestrian and sports venues in the Netherlands, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Ireland and other … Read More
Guest Editorial: Chandler Looks to Grow Downtown, Become Next Restaurant Destination
By Recker McDowell — Downtown Chandler is looking to make its mark by becoming the region’s next culinary destination. That follows on the success of the restaurants and bars at Gilbert’s Heritage District and the popular food and entertainment scene in Old Town Scottsdale. Chandler’s downtown is at Arizona Avenue and Boston Street. It already features some restaurants and has … Read More
Guest Editorial: Phoenix’s Giving Meters Could Be First Step in City, Mayor Gallego Addressing Surge in Homelessness and Its Root Causes
By Recker McDowell — The city of Phoenix and Mayor Kate Gallego will unveil new ‘giving meters’ in downtown. The giving meters are refashioned parking meters that accept cash and credit card donations to help homeless services. The move comes as cities around metro Phoenix and the Western U.S. see disconcerting increases in their homeless populations. The Phoenix effort is … Read More
We Don’t Get It
The expansive Ritz-Carlton project in Paradise Valley passed a couple of years ago on the closest of Town Council votes, 4-3. While the vote of the elected officials was closer than the favorable public opinion that existed for the project there’s no questioning the compelling arguments that existed on both sides. But that should now be over and those that … Read More