It’s time for the annual review of all that’s happened in the past 12 months, and what’s to come in ever-evolving Scottsdale. With the state of the economy, the list of closings and changes is bigger than in past years…but plenty of new things have opened, too. Read this, and you’ll be a great host for winter guests, or you can attend your next chamber mixer armed with plenty of small talk. This is only a representative sample of all that’s changed in and around our town…

What’s new:
Restaurants: Eddie’s House, Saddle Ranch Chop House, Estate House, DIGESTIF, Stax, Posh, The Mission, Geisha A Go Go, Lyte Lounge & Bistro, Scratch Pastries, Daily Dose and Pure Sushi around downtown Scottsdale; J. Alexander’s and Blanco Tacos + Tequila at The Borgata; Humble Pie in Hilton Village; J&G Steakhouse and Il Terrazzo at The Phoenician; Cézar’s at Hotel Scottsdale; SWB Southwestern Bistro and Alto Ristorante E Bar at the Scottsdale Hyatt; BLT (that stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel) Steak and Rita’s Kitchen at the Camelback Inn; Bourbon Steak and Stone Rose Lounge at the Fairmont Scottsdale; edge outdoor bar at the Sanctuary; Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort; Sushi Roku, Living Room, Shade and sunset.beach at the W hotel; Asada Desert Grille and Orange Iguana at the Xona Resort Suites; Prado, Crave Café and Kasbah at the Montelucia; Roka Akor at Artesia on Scottsdale Road; McCormick & Schmick’s at the Shops at Gainey Ranch; Sutra Sushi, Javino’s and Tossed in the Scottsdale Airpark; Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill on Shea; Fired Up wine bar/restaurant on Shea at Scottsdale Road; Red House on Via Linda at 90th Street; Amarone on Via Linda; Scores Pizza Pub on Frank Lloyd Wright; Sweet Republic ice cream shop at Shea and 92nd Street; South Beach Restaurant and Lounge on Shea near 92nd Street; CafePino at Scottsdale 101; The Herb Box at DC Ranch Market Street; Cafe Bink in the Carefree Court Shopping Center; Grazie Pizzeria Winebar at DC Ranch’s Canyon Village; Bar NoRTH at Kierland Commons; New York’s Best Italian Bistro reopened in the Airpark

Tourism: the W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences on Camelback Road; the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa at Lincoln and Tatum (former site of La Posada); the first Arizona Restaurant Week was held in September; Callaway Golf’s high-tech fitting and teaching facility at Troon North Golf Course; the Scottsdale CVB has added a new blog and social networking outlets to its mix of promotional tools

Retail: Sprinkles Cupcakes in downtown Scottsdale; Metropark, Puma and A/X Armani Exchange, FitChix, MyStudio, Day-by-Day Calendar at Scottsdale Fashion Square; Best Buy on 90th Street south of Shea; Whole Foods, PetSmart, Container Store and more at the Shops at Chauncey Ranch on Mayo Boulevard; AJ’s Fine Foods and other shops at the new DC Ranch Crossing center on Pima Road; the first phase of CityNorth, City Center, featuring High Street shops and restaurants; Airpark Design Center; Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets Scottsdale and Shea and Frank Lloyd Wright and Shea; Kohler Interiors at the Airpark Design Center; more stores and services at Scottsdale North Marketplace at Lone Mountain and Scottsdale Roads; the Center for Modern Design on Greenway Road in the Airpark; Classic Car Spa on Scottsdale Road at Adobe; Fan 4 Ever sports memorabilia dealer in the Scottsdale Airpark; Car Beyond Store in the Scottsdale Airpark

Business and Development: Scottsdale-based Lucky Jets began charter service; custom garage design company GarageMahals opened; Safari Drive condominium project welcomed its first residents; Sparkplug, Inc., a broadband services provider, moved here from Chicago; SkySong, the innovation center affiliated with ASU at the former Los Arcos Mall site, has its first tenants in its first building; Honest-1 Auto Care opened its headquarters and service center in the Airpark

City: Implemented Arizona’s first flashing yellow arrow turn signals and first Left-Turn Photo Enforcement program; built a new fire station on Indian School Road west of Miller; opened Camelback Park, where the former Villa Monterey Golf Course was in the Indian Bend Wash; added HOV lanes to the Loop 101; was so successful with its innovative Loop 101 photo radar safety system that it’s been implemented at strategic locations throughout the entire freeway system in Arizona; the Scottsdale Police Department is posting road closure, crime and safety alerts on Twitter.com; your Scottsdale Public Library card has a new look, featuring a quill; the city’s primary election moved from spring to September and general election to November; built new public restrooms adjacent to the Scottsdale Historical Museum; major improvements to Indian Bend Road between Hayden and Scottsdale Roads are nearly complete

Art/Culture: Hashknife Pony Express public art sculpture, ”Passing the Legacy”; Bell’e Art, a series of changing exhibits at the bell tower adjacent to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts; Windsong, a new David Hovey sculpture at Optima Camelview Village

More new stuff: AMOMI Pregnancy Wellness Spa; Fit City Scottsdale, a program to help us all get into shape and healthier; Arizona finally got a quarter with a state design on it – the Grand Canyon; Tesseract School opened at Shea and 40th Street

New around the Valley: A light rail system will link downtown Phoenix to Tempe beginning in late December; The Children’s Museum of Phoenix opened on 7th Street; StageCoach Village shopping center opened in Cave Creek, including Pages, an independent book store

What’s different:
Tourism: Resort Suites Scottsdale is now Xona Resort Suites; the Renaissance Scottsdale is now the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort (bringing back its former name); the Fairmont Scottsdale resort dropped Princess from its name; the Papago Municipal Golf Course has been completely renovated; Camelback Inn has just completed a multimillion dollar makeover; The Phoenician has completed a major redo; Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North also completed a renovation this year; the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch also completed a major transformation

Businesses: WaMu is now part of Chase bank; Merrill Lynch is now part of Bank of America; Wild Oats in Northsight is now a Whole Foods; First National Bank was taken over by Mutual of Omaha; 60-year-old Russ Lyon Realty Co. is now Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

Restaurants/Nightclubs: Foodbar at Southbridge is now Metro; LeccaBaffi is now Voce Ristorante & Lounge on Hayden; Anderson’s Fifth Estate is now Forbidden; Pischke’s Blue Ribbon is now First Street Ice House (operated by Robert McGrath and Aaron May); the Silver Spur Saloon replaced the Satisfied Frog in Cave Creek (but the Frog may return in a new location); San Felipe’s Cantina moved from DC Ranch Market Street to Desert Ridge; Café Ted moved from the Citadel to Canyon Village in DC Ranch

City: Vista Del Camino neighborhood center moved back into its renovated facility on Roosevelt, vacating the former Civic Center Senior Center; Mustang Library is finishing up a major renovation; the City helped relocate/replant downtown Scottsdale’s public rose garden adjacent to the Scottsdale Artists’ School on Marshall Way; Scottsdale’s police officers now wear blue instead of khaki uniforms

Other: The US Postal Service moved out of its Osborn Road facility and into the former Breuner’s Furniture Store on Scottsdale Road just north of McDowell; Chaparral, Coronado and Arcadia High Schools have been renovated/updated

What’s gone:
Businesses: Linens & Things stores; Mervyn’s stores; Showcase Home Entertainment stores; Circuit City stores; Bill Heard Chevrolet on McDowell Road’s Motor Mile; Shoe Pavilion at Northsight; the Scottsdale Tribune will stop print publication by the end of this year (it dates back to May 1948 as the Scottsdale Progress); the Basha’s store at Saddle Mountain Plaza has closed

Restaurants: Bear Creek Café; Dish; T.G.I. Friday’s at The Promenade; the Islands at Northsight; Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician; Tango Grill on Frank Lloyd Wright; Taneko Japanese Tavern at The Borgata

Moved on to other places: SUSD Superintendent John Baracy has retired; Cave Creek Unified School District Superintendent Tacy Ashby left her position; longtime Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Center Director Kathy Hotchner left her position; longtime City Economic Vitality Director Dave Roderique left for a new role in Downtown Phoenix; Jan Dolan left as Scottsdale’s City Manager; Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Director Susan Crane moved to another museum in California; Scottsdale/PV area resident Barbara Barrett was appointed US Ambassador to Finland; Coronado High School alumna D. Kathleen Stephens was appointed US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Sadly, several key figures in Scottsdale passed away this year: Former Mayor Bill Jenkins, pianist Dayton Grafman, hotelier Ray Silverman, musician/real estate executive Al Overend, Scottsdale Councilwoman Billie Gentry, former City Councilman Herb Caywood, sculptress George-Ann Tognoni, White Hogan owner Jon Bonnell, and former Scottsdale Police Chief Michael Gannon

What’s coming:
Retail: Scottsdale Quarter (a transformation of the former Dial R&D building on Scottsdale Road); Barney’s and other retailers and restaurants to a renovated east wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square (where Goldwater’s/Robinsons-May used to be)

Restaurants: Convection and Samurai Cowboy in downtown Scottsdale; Fogo de Chao on Scottsdale south of Lincoln; Bing Crosby and other restaurants to Scottsdale Quarter; Modern Steak at Scottsdale Fashion Square’s Barney’s wing; Avalon at the 3 Palms on McDowell Road

Business: Dial is set to move into its new headquarters at One Scottsdale

Tourism: A Ritz-Carlton in Paradise Valley (just approved by PV voters); Scottsdale Edition, a new Marriott concept, next to the proposed Ritz-Carlton; Casino Arizona Resort & Spa on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (due for completion in 2010); Best Western Sun Dial on Camelback Road east of Scottsdale Road; the historic Hermosa Inn is undergoing a major renovation; the proposed Desert Discovery Center will be a gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve; a 45,000 square-foot Scottsdale Museum of the West will arise downtown; a Paolo Soleri-designed pedestrian bridge in downtown Scottsdale will cross the Arizona Canal; The Musical Instrument Museum is in the works near Tatum and Mayo Boulevards

Developments: Three new retirement communities, Arte, Maravilla and Classic Residence at Silverstone; SouthBridge Canal Walk Custom Residences; a planned Solis development in downtown Scottsdale (pending approval); further development of One Scottsdale; stay tuned for economy-driven changes….

City: The Appaloosa Library at Silverstone (former Rawhide site on Scottsdale Road at Pinnacle Peak) should open next year; Phase I of Grayhawk Community Park is underway; the lagoons in front of City Hall are drained and undergoing renovation; due to the state of the economy, many city projects will be under review and may be re-prioritized

Other stuff on the horizon: The 33-year-old Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is undergoing a major re-do this year, sending productions to other venues around town; The Village at Mayo Clinic (Hospital) will be an expanded version of the Arizona Transplant House at BruSally Ranch; Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School plans to move to a new facility on the the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale; possible school closures and consolidations within the Scottsdale Unified School District are contemplated

Predicted trends for 2009: Potluck dinners with Scottsdale style; carpooling in the new HOV lanes; more lease-to-own options; anything organic; more consignment of clothes and furniture – and boasting about buying at consignment stores; lower golf greens fees or lots of coupon deals for residents; emulating whatever the new First Family, the Obamas, says, wears and does

Milestones: Built in 1909, the Little Red Schoolhouse will be 100 in 2009; Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2009 and so will the Heard Museum; the Desert Botanical Garden will turn 70 in 2009; Messinger Mortuary on Indian School will turn 50 years old in 2009, so will Papago Plaza, and Pima, Supai and Arcadia High School; Alamos, Sonora, Mexico will have been Scottsdale’s Sister City for 40 years in 2009; Scottsdale Healthcare-Shea hospital will be 25 years old in January (then-First Lady Nancy Reagan was the VIP guest at its opening); SMoCA, or the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will be 10 in 2009.

Hey! The voters of America have spoken – we want change…and Scottsdale’s got it! See?

As of Oct. 28 2008, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index™ had declined to an all-time low. After weeks of media onslaught regarding bank failures, stock plummets, and foreclosures, national retailers braced for a disappointing holiday season. Scottsdale, home to the affluent and super-affluent (HHI of $250,000 or higher), enjoys some insulation from national trends. However, successful regional retailers cite the need to think outside the box in 2008.

Pamela Danziger, the consumer analyst whose media credits include “CBS News Sunday Morning” and CNN’s “In the Money,” notes that the super affluent will shop differently this season. The wealthy are researching buys in advance and seeking more value. Danziger also states, “Slightly less than 50 percent of the super affluent said that to curtail spending and increase their savings, they are staying out of the stores altogether.”

Danziger continues that retailers may overcome “shopping avoidance” by driving foot traffic and – better yet – repeat foot traffic. In-store entertainment, lectures, and added value redeemable only at specific retailers all appeal to shoppers. Neiman Marcus (with a Scottsdale locale at Fashion Square), for example, offers a rebate card that functions like a rewards program.

At the regional level, events and entertainment can serve as magnets.

Phoenix-based developer Pederson Group specializes in upscale retail projects Valley-wide. Seasonal draws at The Promenade’s Nordstrom Rack range from old fashioned carriage rides to Dickens carolers to visits with Santa. Pederson also promotes the free, non-shopping events through direct mailings and colorful marketing.

Says Margaret Lloyd, Pederson’s Vice President of Leasing & Development, “We have found that our tenants appreciate the landlord’s participation in these types of events that help build traffic within the centers, while shoppers respond favorably to ‘value-added’ contests, drawings, or special promotions that give them another reason to visit our centers during the busy holiday season.”

Alain Helling, General Sales Manager at Chico’s in Kierland Commons, says, “Holiday 2008 will be an interesting and challenging one. Consumers, more than ever, will be looking for value, discounts, and product selection.”

Helling continues that consumer incentives at Chico’s include an emphasis on the women’s clothing store’s 25-year history, a VIP customer event in December, gifts with purchases, and charity promotions – just to name a few. Helling also cites the importance of enthusiasm, value, and sensitivity to shopper response. Adds Helling, “(We) are very in-tune to the macro economic environment this holiday season and will be reacting quickly to performance throughout the holiday season.”

At DC Ranch’s Market Street, outdoor open air events draw crowds and cross promote tenants. DMB Representative Lynneh Hudson comments, “We are hosting our Farmers Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the Saturday after Thanksgiving featuring a ‘market’ within a market offering great Holiday gifts.”

And what is a day of shopping without a luxurious lunch? Yes, the restaurant industry will feel the pinch, too.

Food and beverage promotions in the market include a casual dining retailer like Wildflower Bread Company’s “Bread of the Year” card, its seasonal menu with comfort foods like Peppermint Hot Chocolate and the Turkey & Cranberry Walnut Stuffing sandwiches, gift cards, and affordable presents (at price points under $11) for quick “teacher” and “co-worker” buys.

At the restaurant level, Fox Restaurant Concepts is borrowing a page from the Neiman Marcus “rebate” model. Specifically, for all holiday gift cards purchased at the $100 price point, the buyer gets a $15 bonus for use at FRC restaurants. With Scottsdale brands like NoRTH, The Greene House, and Sauce situated adjacent to retailer destinations in the market, the $15 may draw consumers in. However, the Chardonnay and seasonal California salads may get them to stay and spend more.

Sums up Danziger, “You have got to get people into the store and then they will shop, but shopping cannot be the reason – so you need to come up with other reasons why they will want to come by.”

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Check out some of the holiday events, parties, and promotions to help you celebrate this season.

Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding
This annual event hosted by Cooper features comedy, dance, and musical performances from talent and personalities throughout the US. This year’s Pudding takes place on Sat. Dec. 13 at the Dodge Theatre beginning at 7 pm. Proceeds benefit Solid Rock, the nonprofit organization founded by Cooper benefiting Valley youth. For more information, visit www.alicepudding.com or call (888) 97-ALICE.

Christmas Day Feast at The 4th Floor Grille at Chaparral Suites Resort
From 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 pm., the family-owned resort sets out a spread that would do all of the Who’s in Whoville proud, complete with hand carved turkey and traditional trimmings, Atlantic salmon with Ancho sauce, and more. You can also tame your inner Grinch with a dessert buffet. For more information, visit www.chaparralsuites.com or call (800) 528-1456.

Spice Up Your Holidays at Arriba
Arriba Mexican Grill® is open on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The local favorite in the Airpark on N. Pima Road offers its regular menu with the addition of a “Holiday Burrito,” a large flour tortilla stuffed with the restaurant’s chili Colorado and chile verde covered with red and green enchilada sauce served with rice and a selection of beans. For more information, visit www.arribamexicangrill.com.

NYE 2009 at Eddie V’s at DC Ranch
This DC Ranch fine dining restaurant clinks in the New Year in style. Say goodbye to ’08 and hello to ’09 with live jazz in Eddie V’s signature “V” lounge from performer Michael Reed, a champagne toast at midnight, and appetizer and entrée specials throughout the evening. The restaurant also provides party hats, blowers, and noisemakers to guests. For more information, visit www.eddiev.com or call (480) 538-8468.

Fete the Season at Carefree Resort and Villas
The Carefree Resort Community Business Christmas Party takes place on Dec. 12 at the historic property just a few miles outside of Scottsdale. A festive opportunity for local small businesses to treat employees to a complete holiday party at a minimal cost, $35 per person includes a holiday buffet luncheon, champagne toast, entertainment, door prizes and more. Guests can buy only a few seats or reserve their own table. Call the resort directly at (480) 488-5300.

Resolve to Relax at The Boulders/Golden Door Spa
Restore your chi with The Boulders’ New Year’s Champagne Toast package that features an indulgent 50-minute facial and 80-minute body treatment from Dec. 1-Jan. 31. For details, visit www.theboulders.com.

Festive Prescott Calls Visitors North

Known as Arizona’s “Christmas City,” Prescott, Ariz. (pronounced “press-kit”) awaits just 95 miles north.

With cooler temperatures and surrounding topography that features one of the largest ponderosa pine forests in the US, Prescott has all of the elements of a holiday getaway – including, occasionally, snow. During the height of the season, the city pulls out the stops for visitors seeking cheer. With caroling, tree lighting, a gingerbread village, and live music, Prescott is a winter wonderland set against a backdrop of historic buildings that recall the Old West.

This former stomping ground to Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp kicks off the fun with its 20th Annual JS Acker Musical Showcase mid-month. Shops and galleries in downtown Prescott open their doors to an incredible array of musical talent—everything from blues, big band, folk, and steel drum bands to Celtic, pop, and more. Make a getaway weekend of it for this event on Friday, Dec. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

More than 100 acts at 95 venues will showcase their music in the businesses around Courthouse Plaza.

Other draws in the city include 108 holes of golf, boutiques, art galleries, hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals.

For more information, visit www.ackershowcase.com or www.visitprescott.com.



The Equestrian’s Tucson

With great dining, golf, tennis, and art galleries, Tucson and Scottsdale are known for a similar palate of activities – although Tucson’s is set against a hillier backdrop.

For a seasonal getaway that’s easy on the wallet, Scottsdale residents seeking new scenery may want a one- to two-day Tucson equestrian adventure. The “Old Pueblo” offers up views of the classic West and a one-time pioneer terrain surrounded by hills of pine trees. Different scenic Sonoran trails await the seasoned Scottsdale rider.

Suggested trails for Scottsdale riding enthusiasts include the wine country of Sonoita (just south of the city) or the challenging steep trails of Coronado National Forest. Closer to Tucson proper, equestrians can check out Pusch Ridge Stables for an early breakfast trail ride, an overnight ride into the mountains, or a sunset steak ride through the rolling hills of town.

After a long day on the trails, you can always pitch a tent. However, some of nation’s premier resorts, spas, hotels, B & Bs, and guest ranches await. After all, who said that roughing it in the great outdoors was incompatible with room service and a quick shiatsu massage?

Says Tucson Visitors Bureau Communication Director Kimberly Schmitz of Scottsdale’s Southern neighbor, “Tucson is the perfect weekend getaway for Scottsdale residents. There’s something for every taste, from sushi to steak to outdoor adventure.”

Schmitz adds that Scottsdale visitors can seek Arizona resident discounts and promotions via the city’s visitors’ website at www.visittucson.org.



Historic Resort Takes Guests Back in Time

There was a time when Scottsdale and the term “hustle and bustle” were incongruous. However, with thousands of employees, cars, and businesses in the Airpark alone, the pace is faster today. Drive just 20 miles or so outside of the city and the comparable calm of Carefree awaits.

Carefree Resort and Villas, a onetime oasis for Bob Hope, Dick Van Dyke, and Lucille Ball frequently welcomes locals as overnight guests. Built in the 1960s, the resort has been renovated and expanded, but still retains its heritage and celebrates Arizona lore. Originally known as “Carefree Inn,” these days the property boasts a spa, tennis club, serene vistas, and accommodations ranging from standard resort rooms to 2,240 square foot villas.

Dining on the property includes the Mesquite Room, the Lariat Café, and the “Red Horse Saloon,” a full replica of a turn-of-the-century watering hole. If that’s not enough, break out your ten-gallon hat and enjoy some tunes from Pioneer Pepper and the Sunset Pioneers. These singing cowboys frequent the resort, offering up humor, “cowboy poetry,” and classic Old West favorites like “Back in the Saddle Again” to guests.

For more information, visit www.carefree-resort.com or the City of Carefree’s website at www.carefree.org.



Rancho De Los Caballeros, a Destination in Itself

Need some wide open spaces this holiday season? Travel up to Wickenburg where you can “stretch” on the 20,000 acres at Rancho De Los Caballeros.

An historic Arizona dude ranch, the destination offers rugged trails, 100 horses on which to explore them, a spa, and even 18 holes honored recently by Golf Magazine. Also popular with visitors is the Caballeros Kids’ Program (established in 1947) for guests aged five to 12 years old with activities designed for each age group. Fun for children, the program also allows parents some time to golf and unwind.

During the holidays, according to Rancho De Los Cabarellos G.M. Rui Pereira, the destination attracts more guests than at any other time of year, including a special visitor from the North Pole. Says Pereira, “Every year, the guests gather in the great room to enjoy hot apple cider, eggnog, and cookies. For Christmas, children leave their boots on the fireplace mantle for Santa to fill with candy. It’s a 61-year tradition. In these tough economic times, everyone needs a break. With plane tickets sky-high, we are seeing more guests from Scottsdale looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city.”

For more information, visit www.sunc.com or the City of Wickenburg’s website at www.ci.wickenburg.az.us.

His career started in front of the camera as a model walking runways in Paris, Milan, Monte Carlo, and the US. It was there that Jean-Louis Husson, an Airpark business owner, honed a passion for photography that ultimately took him to the Sonoran desert. Watching the action behind the scenes and assisting photographers on occasion, Husson built up his craft.

Today, Husson owns and operates Jean-Louis Photography Gallery and Studio on N. Greenway-Hayden Loop. The Arizona transplant (originally from France) has Valley clients ranging from magazines to real estate companies. Regardless of his workload or the season, Husson finds time for Scottsdale Airpark News by way of his Black Chair series. Originally launched with former Editor Sarah Laidlaw as a photographic feature profiling business and civic leaders, in 2007 Husson shifted direction. With Laidlaw and incoming Editor Elizabeth Hughes, Husson decided to put the focus on nonprofit organizations and charities.

Husson says, “(The Black Chair) arose from the desire to create as an artist, but also to show what people were all about in their own environment.”

Husson speaks of the new philanthropic focus, saying, “I want to make people who read Scottsdale Airpark News aware of the fact that, yes, a full page of any magazine is valuable…but, in this business, we all can get together to create a philanthropic page that gives thanks for what we receive.”

Building green has been around for a long time. Think igloos, cliff dwellings, yurts, or adobe houses. Even today, the best environmentally responsible results come from combining proven age-old concepts with new state-of-the-art technology.

This is certainly true in Scottsdale, where we encounter the challenges of building on the Sonoran Desert.

Green building first became a focus at the City in 1998 when Scottsdale established a voluntary Green Building program to encourage good practices in residential building. Five years later, Scottsdale adopted the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, and the International Energy Conservation Code. The resulting local green building rating checklist is sensitive to regional environmental conditions.

In the meantime, the US Green Building Council introduced guidelines for certification of buildings under its tiered Leadership in Energy and Environment Design or LEED ratings of certified, silver, gold and platinum. Research suggests that meeting LEED standards, the green building industry’s benchmark, can result in energy savings of 30 to 50 percent a year. The standards also address water consumption, alternative energy sources, and managing construction waste.

In 2005, the Scottsdale City Council embraced the benefits of the US Green Building Council’s guidelines and passed a resolution requiring that all new, occupied city buildings be designed and built to achieve LEED Gold certification. This made Scottsdale the first city in the nation to adopt a LEED gold policy.

These energy-efficient processes require that everyone – the architect, the developer, the builder, the landscape architect – works together to make a building the best it can be, according to Anthony Floyd, green building program manager for the City of Scottsdale. He qualifies green building projects for the City and serves as coordinator for the design and construction of LEED Gold-certified City facilities.

“LEED Gold certification wasn’t new to us,” Floyd says. “It was another step above what we already were doing.” He emphasizes the need to look at both active and passive systems, considering the site, how the building is oriented, overhangs and landscaping. He points out that the City offers incentives to green building projects, including expedited plan review and permits issued in half the time.

While the idea passes the common sense test, here are many practical financial benefits to building green. Studies show that a healthier work environment with good air and natural light makes employees happier and easier to recruit. LEED-certified buildings attract tenants, have lower vacancy rates, and, of course, there is the savings in utilities and the benefits of other environmentally-friendly practices.

Where do you find our city’s green buildings? Examples are steadily growing of buildings that have been reviewed and inspected under Scottsdale’s Green Building Program and/or registered and certified under the U S Green Building Council’s LEED rating program.

The first LEED project in Scottsdale was the 123,340 square-foot office building designed and completed for the Vanguard Group at the 101 Freeway and Raintree Drive in 2006. This LEED Silver level building incorporates active solar electric power generation using photovoltaic cells with passive-solar shading techniques. Special care was taken to design a healthy interior using resource-efficient materials and recycled graywater flushing toilets.

The Vanguard Appraisal Group completed in 2007 features a metal “V” shaped roof which collects rain water to be used on the desert-friendly landscaping. Reclaimed wood roof beams, clerestory windows to capture daylight, and overhangs shading the glass curtain wall at the entry were added to help make this building both energy- and water- efficient.

Salt River Project EarthWise Energy partnered with the City on the integrated solar electric system on the Granite Reef Senior Center, completed in 2006 as the first green City facility under Scottsdale’s Green Building Policy and the first LEED Gold-certified building in the Valley. Seniors appreciate the energy efficiency of this 37,500 square-foot structure at 1700 North Granite Reef near the corner of McDowell Road, a showcase of sustainable design for the Sonoran Desert urban environment.

The Scottsdale Fire Department has a goal of arriving on the scene of an emergency within four minutes or less, 80 percent of the time. Its first green fire station, completed this year at 8401 E. Indian School Rd., is just as impressive. It was designed to achieve Gold LEED certification by incorporating a long list of green features, including passive solar heating, summer shading, solar water heating, high-efficiency heating/cooling systems, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, graywater recycling and rain water harvesting. Solar electric power is generated for the fire station by photovoltaics harvesting the sun’s power, and high-performance windows and overhangs shade the building. Natural materials were used, including locally-manufactured ground face concrete masonry, Arizona sandstone, glass and weathering steel, and 31 percent of the building materials were recycled, reducing the amount of materials sent to landfills.

Arizona’s first green mixed-use/condominium development, Optima Camelview Village, occupies 13.3 acres on Scottsdale Road just north of Scottsdale Fashion Square. With Camelback Mountain to the northeast, it includes 750 residential units in 11 interconnected and bridge-linked buildings, plus 38,000 square feet of retail space. Incorporating local character and history with the desert environment and contemporary life, this development is awaiting LEED certification for its eco-friendly passive design, water-efficient technologies and renewable energy, including photovoltaic panels on the roof. Optima CamelView has been selected for one of this year’s Valley Forward first-place Environmental Excellence Awards co-sponsored by Salt River Project, which focus exclusively on sustainability initiatives.

The building at the Lost Dog Trailhead at the north end of 124th Street is constructed with rammed earth walls that recycled materials excavated during construction of the foundation. It also generates its own electricity with photovoltaics for use in the building and for site lighting. Rainwater is harvested and graywater from bathroom sinks and the water fountain are recycled for landscape irrigation. The Lost Dog Wash Trailhead serves as a staging area for hiking, cycling and horseback riding on a network of more than 17 miles of trails within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. More than 500 cacti were salvaged and used for revegetation of the site, as well as at scarred areas throughout the surrounding area.

The list is longer and growing. There are 33 LEED-certified properties in Arizona, most of which are public buildings or offices built for specific businesses. In the words of Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being green.” It takes extra effort, planning, and determination, but it’s getting easier and more attractive every day.

In 2008, headlines hit home.

The failure of key financial institutions, a down stock market, bailouts, wobbly consumer confidence, and a decrease in home prices (Scottsdale’s median dropped from $542,500 in Aug. ’07 to $442,000 during the same period in ‘08), impacted the Airpark. Here, thought leaders discuss 2008 and look into the crystal ball for good news in the long run.

THE ECONOMY
Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Kidder says, “Scottsdale is not immune in the housing and credit markets, and while we are better insulated from the downturn than many communities because of the diversity of our economy and the relative lack of speculative building, we have been affected.”

Kidder continues that Scottsdale’s still-strong commerce base now must make adjustments in their business plans.

ASU Director of Realty Studies Dr. Jay Q. Butler adds, “The big news event - of course - is the bursting of the housing bubble that has spread not only in Phoenix, but around the world. It has had a dramatic impact on this market - and Scottsdale, included - ranging from declining home values to foreclosures.”

Butler, whose research makes news itself in Phoenix, clarifies that the roughly $100,000 median price decline reflects the “two Scottsdales.”

Says Butler, “You have the North Scottsdale market, which is heavily custom homes, so there is a lot of play in that situation. South Scottsdale is generally older housing and there is typically a little less play there.”

Butler further cites an impact on construction-related jobs, which according to the Arizona Department of Commerce had more losses than any sector.

Comments Butler, “When we think about construction jobs, we typically think about that person that swings the hammer. Those people can typically find other jobs quickly. Really who got laid off were designers, walk-through supervisors, and others with good wages. Now if they can find replacement jobs, they are at a lower wage level.”

With the slowdown and job losses comes another headline: weakened consumer confidence.

Fred Unger, CEO of Spring Creek Development whose SouthBridge MXD opened throughout late ’07 and early ’08, says consumers are there, but are more conservative. Unger observes, “Fewer book trips to our area now and people who were eating out two or three times a week, might only eat out once a week.”

ANY GOOD NEWS?
One positive effect of the downturn for Airpark financial firms is a decline in brokerless trading. As reported in The Financial Times this October, investors are moving away from “high tech” in favor of “high touch” due to the markets’ volatility. Confirms Dillan Micus, Executive Vice President and Manager of the Scottsdale regional office of AXA Equitable, “The need for face-to-face interaction with a financial advisor has never been more important, or desired. As a result, our advisors have been experiencing an increase in requests for meetings.”

Also good, retailers are innovating. Stores continue to advertise and stay connected to buyers. Retailers also offer everything from rebates to added value, resulting in enhanced consumer experiences and lower prices.

At Unger’s tony Estate House Restaurant, new menu items - referred to by Unger as “more diner-friendly” - attract patrons. At SouthBridge’s FOODBAR, Unger and his team changed the concept to cost-effective metro, which is doing well.

Unger also says that this city’s traditionally-rosy approach helps. Loyal patrons who already knew his brands from better times return, although they may not order the most expensive bottle of wine. Unger adds, “You’d rather be in Scottsdale right now than in the rustbelt.”

As to good news, Kidder says, “There is some good that comes out of every economy, although this one may force one to look a little more deeply. Lest I be accused of being the optimistic little boy who claimed that ‘there must be a pony here someplace…,’ I do believe that this economy will produce some good things. For younger people, many of whom have never seen times like these, there are important lessons. Members of generations more likely to feel entitled are now reassessing that perspective in favor of meeting expectations in the workplace. Recessions realign values and remind us all that success is neither easy, nor can it be taken for granted.”

Butler notes as positive that the real estate market is functioning with possible improvements on the horizon in 2010.

He adds, “Although not performing at the levels that we might want it to, (the market) is performing and it is performing about where you would expect it to be. So, in a sense, the market is working. Now, as long as the structure is there and the platform and ‘foundation’ are there – that could carry through to some better years.”

Back in 2004, the City unveiled an $80 million plan for updating WestWorld. The plan was designed to position the facility as a competitor for events with global appeal, above and beyond what was originally envisioned at the venue’s inception. It was to provide for a permanent home for the Barrett-Jackson Auction, additional parking, and upgrades to existing structures. The plan was ambitious, extensive, and considered by many to be a necessary step.

After four years, how are we doing? The answer is just fine, thanks, according to Brian Dygert, General Manager for WestWorld.

Says Dygert, “It (the plan) is a working document, and we’re pecking away at it.” The master plan has incurred no major changes. As it is, the plan enhances Scottsdale’s position within a special category, according to Dygert. To complete it “…requires…prioritizing what remains to be done.”

There are notable indications of success. The City purchased 52 acres adjacent to WestWorld and 80 acres on the north side of Bell Road. Work on 260 stalls in six barns is more than 50 percent completed. Three new offices, new restrooms, utilities, and other infrastructure are also halfway to completion. All of this is part of a $4 million capital project.

Also notable to passersby, there is a new “skin” replacing the controversial American flag depiction covering for the large tent, new RV pedestals, and upgraded detail work. This is all arguably solid progress for one of the crown jewels of the Greater Airpark.

The land acquisition also enables WestWorld to have a direct connection to the McDowell Mountain Preserve, the ambitious land acquisition plan that has set Scottsdale apart from other communities.

“With a lot left to be done, there’s a point in time where you manage and groom the details,” says Dygert.

“We don’t want to inhibit our future,” says Dygert. “Now what follows is the plan’s layout and the part where you say, ‘how do you do it?’ We see WestWorld in Scottsdale’s future as bigger than ever. There are other special events that are opportunities to complement what we already have.”

And what about our famous summer heat and its impact on marketing WestWorld? Dygert sees it as functional. “Air conditioning enhances our ability to compete…it must truly be utilized year-round.”

The master plan also includes a permanent stage and seating area for future events such as concerts and similar activities. It will front the existing polo field and allow for large crowds. With nothing similar to what is proposed, the addition of a concert/special events venue would afford the city an opportunity to maximize tax revenues from ticket sales.

For more information, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/WestWorld.

As you enter a holiday season loaded with gifts, family, and parties, you just may find yourself called upon to make a speech or presentation in the form of a toast. A toast is not necessarily a long speech or presentation, but you still must prepare for this speaking situation and execute flawlessly.

Keep it brief. Regardless of the occasion, a long-winded toast is never a good idea. Attempting to embellish an entire relationship or a significant experience into one toast is probably not going to justice to that relationship. Focus on the most important emotions and elements of the day. Ask yourself: When my presentation (toast) is over, how do I want a specific individual or the group as a whole to feel? How do I want them to react? And did I really make the point I wanted to make? By asking yourself these three questions, you focus on the real objective of your toast.

Preparation for delivering a toast is just like preparation for a speech. Once you have determined your objective, design your final sentence in order to maximize the impact of your message. After all, this is a speech and you want to make sure that you end on a high note. Finish your design by crafting the real message of your toast.

After you write your toast, read it out loud to see how long it takes. If you think it’s too long, it probably is. And people listening to your toast will probably think it is even longer. For your toast to be successful, it should be read aloud or delivered from memory. Sometimes words that look good on paper don’t always roll easily off your tongue. Another reason to read your toast out loud is to see if you have written things that are too difficult to verbalize or simply may not make any sense. You may have written a wonderful sentimental toast, but find that it doesn’t sound so great when you read it aloud.

The custom of toasting goes back almost as far as history itself. Ancient warriors, Greeks, and Romans drank to their pagan gods, while Norsemen drank to each other. Almost every culture practiced toasting in some form or another. The custom evolved over the years into today’s toasts which recognize love, friendship, health, wealth, and happiness.

At holiday gatherings and New Year’s celebrations, glasses will be raised on more than one occasion. Here are some frequently asked questions about toasting:

Who goes first?
At an occasion such as a dinner party, the host or hostess typically offers the first toast. Around the dinner table a guest can, if they wish, propose the first toast to honor the host and thank them for bringing everyone together. If you’re the senior person at a company function, then of course you should be the first one to propose a toast.

Should I sit or stand?
Regardless of the occasion, you should always stand. Everyone else remains seated during the toast, including the person of honor, unless you ask that person to rise and raise their glass.

What if I get nervous?
Whether you plan to read it or wing it, you should practice your toast out loud. You will develop greater confidence if you practice while raising a glass in your hand. The closer your practice session replicates the actual toast, the more successful you will be.

What if I don’t drink alcohol?
No problem, you can still raise your glass whether it is filled with champagne, wine, fruit juice, or just plain old tap water.

Here are a few sample holiday toasts:
May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch to your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of this holiday season.

May you live as long as you wish and have all you wish for as long as you live. This is my Holiday Wish for you. May you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten. Here’s to a great Holiday Season.

The most important thing to remember is that a toast is nothing more than a festive mini-speech or presentation. Prepare just like you would for an address to the Board of Directors and you will be just fine.

David W. Richardson, CSP provides speech coaching and presentation skills workshops throughout the world and has recently published an easy-to-use and entertaining book titled The Presenter’s Guide to Being Prepared. You can purchase the book online at www.richspeaking.com or call his office at (480) 451-8808 for a personally autographed copy.

Movies in theaters are alive and well as Hollywood continues to release some very exciting films.

For the weekend of Dec. 5, it is Cadillac Records, starring Adrien Brody, Beyonce Knowles, Jeffrey Wright (W.), Mos Def (Be Kind Rewind), and Norman Reedus (American Gangster), directed by Darnell Martin (“Law & Order”). Genre: Musical Drama, Rated R. The Plot: A tale of sex, race, violence, and rock-‘n’-roll at a 1950s Chicago recording company. Mixed in are the exciting but turbulent lives of musical legends like Etta James (Knowles), Muddy Waters (Wright), Leonard Chess (Brody), and Chuck Berry (Def). Also Dec. 5: Frost/Nixon, Nobel Son, and Punisher: War Zone.

For the weekend of Dec. 12, and the Scottsdale Airpark News Movie of the Month, it is The Day the Earth Stood Still, starring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”), and Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness), directed by Scott Derrickson. Genre: Science Fiction Drama, Rated PG-13. The Plot: A contemporary remake of the 1951 classic film. Klaatu (Reeves) is an alien whose arrival on Earth triggers global upheaval. As governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind the visitor’s appearance, a woman (Connelly) and her young stepson (Smith) get caught up in his mission to understand the ramifications of his being a “friend to the Earth.” Also Dec. 12: Delgo, Doubt, Nothing Like the Holidays, The Class, The Reader, and Wendy and Lucy.

For the weekend of Dec. 19, it is Gran Torino, starring Clint Eastwood and Bee Vang. Genre: Action Drama, Not Yet Rated. The Plot: A disgruntled and iron-willed Korean War veteran living in a changing world is forced by his immigrant neighbors to confront his own prejudices. In the process, he sets out to reform his teenager neighbor who nearly stole his prized possession – a 1972 Gran Torino. Also Dec. 19: Nothing But the Truth, Seven Pounds, The Brothers Bloom, The Tale of Despereaux, The Wrestler, and Yes Man.

For the weekend of Dec. 26, it is a tie. The first is the controversial Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise, Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton), and Terence Stamp (Get Smart), directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men 2). Genre: World War II Suspense Drama, Rated PG-13. The Plot: Based on actual events, a group of German high-ranking officers headed by a colonel (Cruise) hatch a scheme to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the height of WWII and seize power of the military command in order to end the war.

The second is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton (Burn After Reading), Julia Ormond (Kit Kittredge: An American Girl), and Elias Koteas (Shooter), directed by David Fincher. Genre: Fantasy Romantic Drama, Rated PG-13. The Plot: Adapted from the 1920s short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about an elderly man (Pitt) who ages backwards. Born in his eighties at the end of World War I in New Orleans, Button’s age regresses. As it does, he falls in love with a much younger woman and then must come to terms with the relationship as they literally grow in opposite directions. Also Dec. 26: Bedtime Stories, Last Chance Harvey, Marley & Me, Revolutionary Road, The Spirit, and Waltz with Bashir.

These are expected to play at the multiplexes in the Airpark area, including:
• Harkins Scottsdale 101 at 7000 E. Mayo Blvd. (480) 538-1707
• AMC Desert Ridge 18 at 21000 N. Tatum Blvd. (480) 606-0806
• United Artists (Regal) Sonora Village 10 at 15512 N. Pima Rd. (480) 998-1300
• Farrelli’s Cinema Supper Club at 14202 N. Scottsdale Rd. (480) 905-7200

Furthermore, going to the movies still gives you the most entertainment “bang for the buck” when compared to a similar two-hour venture at any professional sporting event, play, or music performance.

See you at the movies!

Ken Kaplan owns Entertainment Scene. Look it up online at www.entertainmentscene.com.

Note: While the release dates and ratings for these movies were correct at the time of printing, studios sometimes make last-minute changes. If this happens, we apologize for the inconvenience.