By Bedouin Bourdain The Mountains Remembering Silver Park City wears its past on its sleeve and its present in its powder. A mining town that struck it rich twice, first in silver, then in snow. Summer here surprised me. No crowds fighting for chairlifts. Just trails, light, and a town that knows exactly what it is. Old West, New Pour … Read More
Jim Thompson Comes Home, and Scottsdale Should Be Glad
A Career Built on Getting Things Done Jim Thompson spent nearly four decades in public administration, and a good chunk of the most consequential years happened right here in Scottsdale. He steered the city as manager from 2017 through 2024, guiding it through growth, infrastructure fights and the kind of complicated municipal decisions that rarely make headlines but shape a … Read More
Guest Editorial: Axon Front Group Endorses Council Candidates
By Councilman Barry Graham
Sam Fox Just Proved He Can Do More Than Cook
From Kitchen Table to Reader’s Choice Sam Fox spent decades building a reputation as one of the country’s most respected restaurateurs. Now he can add hotelier to the resume. His Global Ambassador in Phoenix just landed the No. 1 spot on Travel and Leisure’s 2026 list of Arizona’s best resort hotels. The ranking came straight from reader votes, not critics … Read More
A Birthday Post That Reminded Us What Grace Looks Like
By Alexander Lomax George W. Bush turned 80 this week. Bill Clinton, the man who denied his father a second term in 1992, wrote him a birthday message that said more about American politics than most speeches. Clinton called their friendship one of the great gifts of his life. He said it reminded him that long before politicians take sides, … Read More
Guest Editorial: How an Arizona Teacher Sparked My Entrepreneurial Journey
By Michelle Watson After attending a graduation ceremony recently, I found myself thinking not just about the graduates and their futures, but about the teachers who helped get them there. At a time when there is an ever-changing landscape in education that dominates the headlines, it’s worth remembering something simpler and far more personal: teachers change lives every single day … Read More
Guest Editorial: Has This Election Now Become the Nastiest in Scottsdale History?
By Bob Littlefield Dear Friends, During the last 20+ years I have waged eight campaigns for City Council and Mayor for Kathy and me. Each of them had some level of lying and personal attacks directed against us. Even Councilwoman Kathy, whose record re-election victory in 2022 showed how popular she is with the voters, was subjected to lies and … Read More
Scottsdale Loses an Architectural Giant: Vern Swaback Dead at 87
Scottsdale said goodbye this week to one of its defining architectural voices. Vernon “Vern” Swaback, founder of SWABACK Architects + Planners, died July 5 at age 87. He was one of the last living apprentices of Frank Lloyd Wright. His firm helped shape decades of Scottsdale’s built landscape, and his civic fingerprints run through some of the city’s most consequential … Read More
Guest Editorial: Just Say No to Barry Graham
By Steve Tyrrell Dear Editor: I previously voted for Barry Graham for City Council but will not be doing so this time. Like many other Scottsdale residents I have grown tired of Mr. Graham’s attempt to portray himself as putting taxpayers first when in fact he does the opposite. His “Taxpayer First” slogan is just that: A slogan that is … Read More