Are all developer requests for rezonings good?  Of course not.  But nor are they all bad as Scottsdale’s current and former councilmembers Kathy Littlefield, Bob Littlefield and Guy Phillips often wax ineloquent. Take this article in today’s Scottsdale Republic.  The revitalization of McDowell Road has perplexed city planners and authorities for years.  But progress is finally at hand.  From SkySong … Read More

*The property currently housing The Saguaro Hotel in downtown Scottsdale may be on the market *His new Mission?  Chef extraordinaire Matt Carter is said to be joining forces with Scottsdale restaurant and bar Hall of Famer Mark Drinkwater for a new venture at Scottsdale & Lincoln *Want to live at the new Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley?  The project’s first advertisements debuted … Read More

By nearly all accounts Arizona State Senator Debbie Lesko is an impressive public servant.  She takes on tough issues like pension reform.  And she gets results.  That’s why her peers are rightfully considering her along with Steve Yarbrough and John Kavanagh to succeed Andy Biggs as the next State Senate President. She’s conservative without being crazy.  All this being said … Read More

Every day we go to work to make money or make a difference.  Those who work in our national parks, monuments and forests likely fall into the latter category.  They are there to be the custodians of God’s creativity and grace.  Getting to work at Grand Canyon National Park or the adjoining Kaibab National Forrest is the pinnacle, for many, … Read More

He was so influential and impactful while head of the Scottsdale Cultural Council he was referred to as the “8th councilman.” And judging by this recent article in the Phoenix New Times, Scottsdale needs someone like Frank Jacobson now.  Big time. We’re not as dour as the New Times.  After all, Scottsdale’s public art program remains second to no Valley … Read More

As Mitt Romney laid early plans for a 2008 presidential run he was spending a lot of time in Arizona.  To raise money.  And to pin rival John McCain down in his home state more than he would have liked. Romney sought a key endorsement:  Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  He got it.  Arizona.  Iowa.  Whatever the Romney campaign needed … Read More

Scottsdale is the “West’s Most Western Town” but some neighbors (hardly all) want to stop that notion west of Scottsdale Road, along Cactus. As we have written about before there is the place a renowned businessman and his wife hope to build an equestrian paradise on six acres called Rancho Paraiso. It seems a natural fit for a community that … Read More

Many times we side with neighbors fighting the good and necessary fight against developer overreach. But as we have opined already the bizarre activism by some neighbors against an enrichment of the Cactus Corridor defies common sense.  But we do appreciate their reminding us of pop culture. For across the street of one of the nicest equestrian ranches ever proposed … Read More

*Restaurant and bar impresario Mark Drinkwater is re-entering the business at Scottsdale & Lincoln in a building that used to house a breakfast joint and, after that, a failed Italian concept. *Arizona Governor Doug Ducey raised money last week through the mail for southern Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally.  This week he is doing it for Congressman Trent Franks at a … Read More

As Mayor Jim Lane said in his 2012 re-election campaign Scottsdale is the best city in America.  Hyperbole took him one step further in last week’s State of the City when he called his community “the best city in the world.” But even great cities have changes and challenges.  For “The West’s Most Western Town” it has been to keep … Read More