By Recker McDowell — COVID-19 has decimated nonprofit and charity events and fundraising. Here is one chance to help one of the region’s leading performing arts groups. Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) will hold an 8-hour virtual telethon on Saturday, August 22nd. The event replaces the theatre’s annual fundraising gala. The virtual effort will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and at … Read More

By Recker McDowell — A new venture from the renowned Pace Gallery in New York and Laurene Powell Jobs will bring new immersive art experiences to Miami. The Superblue experiences will bring new contemporary and interactive installations to a Miami neighborhood near the Rubell Museum in December.  Powell Jobs is the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs. The effort could … Read More

By Recker McDowell — We are not sure when schools across Arizona and the country will fully reopen. But as schools and workplaces eventually get back to some sense of normalcy it will be as important as ever to support programs that help students with their academic and career paths. Some of those notable efforts are through Jobs for Arizona … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Nancy Grant has volunteered at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale the past 8 years. “I’m involved in animal care and releasing animals back into the wild,” Grant said. The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center rescues, rehabilitates, and cares for wild animals including wolves, coyotes, foxes, bears, mountain lions, raccoons and javelinas. Grant said she volunteers … Read More

By Lincoln Shea — For many in the horseracing industry, travelling from city to city is part of the business. Finding a church while on the move is not easy. That is why Turf Paradise provides an on-site chapel and a chaplain for its jockeys, trainers, and extended family of those who work in the horseracing industry. Reverend John Shumaker … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Sports is known for its dynasties. The New York Yankees, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and UCONN women’s basketball all come to mind. In Scottsdale, there has also been a family sports dynasty when it comes to soccer. And that dynasty also shows the lesson of investing in our community and our young people. The Struckman … Read More

By Recker McDowell — An interesting video is circulating on Facebook and YouTube on the races for Scottsdale City Council and Scottsdale Mayor. The video examines financial support from Sunbrella Properties to two mayoral candidates (David Ortega and Bob Littlefield) and three City Council candidates (Guy Phillips, Tom Durham and Betty Janik). Scottsdale’s primary election for Mayor and Council is … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The New York Times and Atlanta Journal-Constitution today published an essay penned by U.S. Rep. John Lewis shortly before the civil rights icon died earlier this month. Lewis’ farewell essay focuses on the current state of race, class, and democracy in America in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter … Read More

By Recker McDowell — We all know planning is not easy during this time of COVID-19. School districts, universities, workplaces, and small businesses are all navigating the moving targets of COVID cases and how to protect public health. It can be a day-to-day exercise — just ask the Miami Marlins or local school districts across the country. Still, we need … Read More

By Recker McDowell — COVID-19 has upturned so many aspects of daily life. Public health, jobs, and activities we have taken for granted such as travel, going to the movies or a sporting event or church have all been changed. We are still figuring out when many things will return to some resemblance of normal. Volunteering and community work have … Read More