By Don Henninger You may know it as the story of a junior high school teacher who assigns his class to come up with an idea to change the world and then go do it. One of his students creates a way of “paying forward” favors that helps a single mother. But more. It creates a wave of human kindness … Read More
Scottsdale Should Look at Conservative Arizona Supreme Court’s Ruling Affirming Medical Marijuana as It Considers Southern Scottsdale’s First and Only Dispensary
The conservative Arizona Supreme Court just sent a resounding message on medical marijuana — listen to the will of voters and let patients determine what’s best for their own health. The ruling shouldn’t be lost in Scottsdale as the city looks at a proposal for the first and only medical marijuana dispensary between Via de Ventura and Tempe. The Arizona … Read More
Guest Editorial: An Axe to Grind in Downtown Phoenix’s Warehouse District
By Recker McDowell — Urban Axes — a bar concept that combines socializing with axe throwing — is opening a new location in downtown Phoenix’s Warehouse District. The business model is a somewhat akin to Top Golf just substitute axe throwing for hitting golf balls. Urban Axes already has locations in Austin, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Houston, Cincinnati and Durham, North … Read More
Guest Editorial: Seeing the Artistic Forest Through the Instagram Trees; How Important the Intersection of Art & Social Media Is For Tourism, Economic Development
By Jessica Troy — Instagram is full of millions of selfies. It’s what is behind those selfies and Instagram posts that is becoming more and more important to tourism, economic development and the experiences of visitors and locals. An abstract mural or unique sculpture or desert visuals in Scottsdale or other parts of metro Phoenix can be economic and tourism … Read More
Guest Editorial: How Seven Navajo Kids Upset the Politics & Narratives Around School Choice
By Recker McDowell — Those opposed to ‘school choice’ try to frame the issue around Betsy DeVos or the Koch Brothers trying to benefit private and charter schools at the expense of public schools and public school teachers. The term ‘school choice’ itself is a rallying cry for progressives, #Red4Ed activists and the media pushing for better teacher pay and … Read More
Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Endorses Scottsdale Bond Measures, Joins Diverse Group of Backers
The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed three Scottsdale bond measures on the November 2019 ballot and will become one of the leading supporters of Questions, 1, 2 and 3. Those three bond measures fund needed infrastructure projects, improvements for public safety, parks and recreation as well as senior centers. Scottsdale voters have not approved a major bond package … Read More
Guest Editorial: Advice To Developers – Be Cool, Be Nice
By Recker McDowell — Lorenzo Perez has some advice for developers and others wanting to bring new and renovated real estate projects. Be nice and be cool. That’s not always easy for some developers and business types. But it is what gets support from neighbors and projects approved by cities. Perez is an architect and principal with Venue Projects. The … Read More
Who Will Stand Up For Scottsdale ?
Many of our posts can be verbose. Not this one. The concept is simple. Scottsdale is a great city. And many people and companies ask a lot of it. In their times of needs, wants or complaints their hand is out and requests not inconsequential. Now Scottsdale has needs. After 19 years since the last comprehensive bond package … Read More
Guest Editorial: Arizona Out of the Fray (This Time) as Texas, Others Take Turns in Religious Freedom Fights, Culture Wars
By Recker McDowell — Texas is taking a turn in the battle over ‘religious freedom’ and LGBTQ rights. That rings familiar in Arizona where Senate Bill 1062 prompted religious liberties versus discrimination debates in 2014. Arizona often competes with Texas for technology, manufacturing and other jobs. Business, technology and tourism interests oppose two Texas religious freedom bills proposed in Austin … Read More
The Arizona Legislature Might Do What? For Who? Why The State Legislature Shouldn’t Send The State Down A Nationally Unprecedented Regulatory Path & Enter A Private Contract Dispute For A Failed Gambling Group That Backed David Stringer
The owners of the reopening Arizona Downs outside Prescott and their pay-for-play, dark money backers at the “Public Integrity Alliance” are asking the Arizona Legislature to take an unprecedented leap into a private, contractual dispute. A last-minute striker to House Bill 2547 would tell private businesses who they are forced to work and transact with. Arizona Downs and its unsavory … Read More