Safer Driving in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is at the cutting-edge of improving highway safety, using high-tech cameras, traffic light sensors and education campaigns to save lives. The city recently received approval for a pilot program that will use cameras on Highway 101 to enforce the speed limit as the road winds through Scottsdale. These types of innovative programs should be welcomed. Not only do they make our families safer, they save law enforcement's time and money so they can focus on more pressing matters such as murder, rape, drugs, etc.

Tags: Scottsdale Transportation

ASU Scottsdale Center Groundbreaking

From the city's newsletter:

Groundbreaking for the ASU Scottsdale Center will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 20. The Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved design plans for the first phases of the center, which will be located on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and McDowell roads, on Dec. 13. Construction of the first building could begin in March or April.

The site is leased to the Arizona State University Foundation by Scottsdale. The city approved design plans for more than 300,000 square feet of space. The first phase also includes extensive landscaping along McDowell and Scottsdale roads and throughout the interior of the site. The first phase includes four-story buildings, each with about 157,000 square feet.

This facility is the perfect example of what Scottsdale can be. This is Scottsdale realizing its potential. This is our city understanding its top priorities.

Tags: Scottsdale ASU

Tribune Wrong on North Scottsdale Gas Station

The East Valley Tribune doesn't like pesky residents getting in the way of business desires. The paper's off-the-mark editorial takes Scottsdale residents to task for hesitating to endorse a gas station in their community. The Trib predictably worships at the altar of the "marketplace," yet fails to realize that local residents, activists and officials are the marketplace, and if they don't want a gas station shoved down their throat then those local folks have every right to protest and take their battle to city leaders. The Trib stoops to name-calling, tagging local residents as "NIMBY's" in a weak attempt to invalidate residents' concerns. Sorry, East Valley Tribune, this is our community and we will fight to see our vision of family-friendly, safe neighborhoods realized in Scottsdale. If it was up to the Tribune, Scottsdale would be crowded with gas stations and strip joints on every corner. Needless to say, that is not our vision of what this great city should be.

Tags: Scottsdale News

High Rise on Scottsdale's Horizon

The Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community has voted to build a 15-story hotel casino on the eastern side of Highway 101 near Scottsdale. While this is good news to the Indian community, the impacts on Scottsdale will vary. It will certainly bring more people through our city, but will those folks stop and purchase local products and services, or just continue onto the reservation?

Tags: Scottsdale Gaming

Four Scottsdale Hot Spots Rank High

Four Scottsdale bars - e4, Mickey's Hangover, Six and Fox Sports Grill - have earned a spot on Nightclub and Bar Magazine's list of Top 100 Nightclubs and Bars. The four Scottsdale hangouts are all unique, interesting, fun places serving a wide swath of the population - cool kids, wanna-be celebrities, everyday Joe's and pro sports fans. The highest-ranking Scottsdale club on the list was e4 (picured).

Tags: Scottsdale Nightlife

Increase Your Range of Motion in Scottsdale

The Scottsdale Resort Club is sponsoring a new program from Stacey Vornbrock. The sports fitness expert will teach amateur athletes how to increase their range of motion, and thereby, their performance. Vornbrock uses an interesting twist on traditional acupuncture to increase her clients' flexibility, confidence and, ultimately, enjoyment of their particular sport.

Tags: Scottsdale Sports

Scottsdale = Perfect Winter Vacation

The Associated Press has recognized Scottsdale as one of the best winter vacation spots. The short but sweet article mentions our downtown arts scene (Scottsdale has the most art galleries per capita in the country!), car auctions, Cactus League baseball and golf courses (some of the best in the world) among other local activities. Besides, where else will it be 75 degrees outside on Christmas?

Tags: Scottsdale Travel

Pinnacle Peak Place Comes to Scottsdale

Pinnacle Peak Place, north Scottsdale's newest development, will build 80 homes on a 124-acre parcel near Pima and Happy Valley Roads. The soon-to-be gated community was granted an exemption to local environmental ordinances and development will move ahead with little community resistance or input. It appears that Pinnacle Peak Place's exemptions were appropriately granted, but the development is a surprise to local residents and activists. Traffic woes in the area due to the development certainly will not be a surprise to anyone.

Tags: Scottsdale Real Estate

Searching for Gas in North Scottsdale

The lack of gas stations in Scottsdale has been a long-running joke around town. One of the first things I heard when I moved here was, "Don't run out of gas in Scottsdale." Gas stations in the southern part of town are now just as plentiful as they are anywhere in the Valley. However, the northern part of the city remains a dead zone for petroleum. Local homeowners simply do not want these businesses in their area due to the negative impacts (perceived or real) on the neighborhood, similar to many residents in the southern part of town opposed to nearby strip clubs that negatively impact their neighborhoods.

Tags: Scottsdale News

Scottsdale Valley Ho Opens Tuesday

The classic Valley Ho hotel will re-open on Tuesday. The Valley Ho is a legend, and its return to prominence will be spectacular to experience. The hotel was built nearly 50 years ago, became part of a national chain and eventually lost its luster. The hotel began rising from the ashes in 2004 and re-opens this Tuesday for local and visitors to enjoy. Welcome back, Valley Ho!

Tags: Scottsdale Travel

The Scottsdale Podcast #3

Download The Scottsdale Podcast as an MP3

My Odeo Channel (odeo/cc520e98fc3d13a8)

Links Mentioned:

Del.icio.us Social Bookmarking Service

The Insider's Del.icio.us Scottsdale Links (RSS Feed)

Holiday Miniature Show, Trailside Galleries

City of Scottsdale Events Calendar

Tags: Scottsdale Podcasts

Aniston & Vaughn Pixie Dust Still in Scottsdale

The celebrity magic that Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn spread in Scottsdale after their recent vacation remains here in town. The celebrities' golden touch has fallen upon Scottsdale and local businesses are feeling the positive financial vibes. Visitors want to go where their favorite celebrities go, and Jen and Vince were all over Scottsdale!

Tags: Scottsdale Celebrities

Scottsdale Resident Lou Rawls Battles Cancer

Entertainer Lou Rawls, a Scottsdale resident, is currently undergoing cancer treatment in Los Angeles. Rawls suffers from lung cancer. The 72-year old and his 35-year old wife are seeking an annulment of their marriage in the local court system. Some observers say the annulment is needed to better protect Rawls' assets. The singer has sold more than 40 million albums during his long career.

Tags: Scottsdale Lou Rawls

Scottsdale Getting the Squeeze

The cries of sorrow are getting louder from some corners of Scottsdale regarding the growth of vertical real estate on the city's east and west sides. The Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community will vote next week on construction of a 15-story resort on the edge of Scottsdale. The proposed resort could partially obscure the McDowell Mountains from Scottsdale, and the resort will definitely siphon off locals and tourists seeking entertainment. Growth on the other side of the city's border is one of the biggest challenges facing Scottsdale. Our city leaders need to recognize this now and plan accordingly for tomorrow.

Tags: Scottsdale News

Free Art Returns to Scottsdale

From the city's newsletter:

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents the 17th season of Sunday A'Fair, a free afternoon festival of arts and entertainment held on the beautiful grounds of the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall during selected Sundays from January through April.

A popular favorite among local residents and visitors, Sunday A'Fair features concerts and performances by the Valley's top entertainers, a diverse selection of arts and crafts available for sale, hands-on activities for children and families and free docent-guided tours of the sculptures on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall.

Sunday A'Fair begins Jan. 8 with up-and coming pop-folk artist Sarah Vanell, who will perform from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Additional information on Sunday A'Fair is available from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts box office at 480-994-ARTS (2787).

Tags: Scottsdale Art

Scottsdale Council Campaigns Getting Started

Five candidates will battle for three seats on the Scottsdale City Council. All three incumbents will run for re-election while the two challengers clamor to be heard. Conventional wisdom holds that this will not be a very controversial election season in Scottsdale. There are no major burning issues at the front of voters' minds as their has been in the past few elections. However, all local elections are important and The Insider will feature profiles and interviews of council candidates as the election draws near.

Tags: Scottsdale Politics

The Scottsdale Podcast

The Scottsdale Podcast - Show Notes #2

Length - 5:30 (Click the 'Play' button to listen now)

FBR Open
Windham Hill Winter Solstice Tour
Champagne and Chefs New Years Eve
The Barkery

Scottsdale Hosts NHL Meeting

The National Hockey League owners have been meeting in Scottsdale to discuss their ongoing re-building of the game. This hockey season has been exciting and the game has improved because of the changes made during the stoppage last year. As owners and players get together and actually communicate the game will continue to improve and attract fans back to the ice.

Tags: Scottsdale NHL

The Insider Speaks!

Welcome to the first (trial) edition of The Scottsdale Podcast, the only podcast dedicated to Scottsdale, Arizona. This is a new technology here at the Insider so please bear with me as I get the podcast up-and-running. Just turn on your speakers, click the play button and enjoy!

Blog Jam Art Rocks Scottsdale

A cutting-edge art exhibit featuring live blogging will take place this Saturday, December 17 from 3-5pm at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Along with collaborators in Australia and Colorado, the Scottsdale blog jammer artist will create electronic audio, video files and text, sharing his files with the other artists as they blog a collective piece of art. Sound interesting? See you Saturday at SMOCA.

Tags: Scottsdale Art

Skysong Soars Over Scottsdale

The city council has approved a height exemption for the Skysong shade structure proposed for the ASU Scottsdale Center, allowing the structure to reach as high as 125 feet. Skysong will be an aesthetic treat and serve as a much-needed reprieve from the sweltering Arizona sun.

Tags: Scottsdale Arizona State University

Jenna Jameson Organizes Referendum on Strip Club Laws

Porn star Jenna Jameson, apparently unsure of when a win really is a win, will organize a petition drive to put Scottsdale's new Sexually Oriented Business ordinance on the ballot for local voters to decide. The city council recently watered-down the proposed new rules by removing the provision that bans alcohol, giving Jameson a victory in her strip club battle. Unsatisfied, Jameson will yet again pump up her publicity machine as she continues her battle against the city of Scottsdale.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Jenna Jameson

Recycling Scholarships for Scottsdale Students

Five $1,000 college scholarships are available to local high school students. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is pioneering a groundbreaking program that will assist students with rising college costs while helping the environment. The agency is offering 5 Arizona high school seniors the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 scholarship to be used at the Arizona college or university of the student's choice. Students qualify by submitting a plan to establish a recycling program or any environmental improvement program at their school or in their neighborhood. Scottsdale parents should actively encourage their kids think of innovative approaches to our eco-challenges and participate in the competition. This first-of-its-kind scholarship program is a great way to incentivize exploring new solutions to environmental problems.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Recycling

Celebrate New Years Eve in Scottsdale

The annual Scottsdale New Years Eve celebration is going in a new direction this year. The theme is "Champagne and Chefs." The idea is "upscale." After 2 years of 20-somethings, ticket woes and attendance challenges, party organizers decided on an event better aligned with the city's values. Tickets to Scottsdale's 2005 New Years Eve Party are now available.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: New Years Eve

Jenna Jameson Wins in Scottsdale

Porn star Jenna Jameson scored a last-minute win in Scottsdale tonight when the City Council met to consider tightening restrictions on local sexually oriented businesses. Many strippers, community members and curious onlookers were in attendance, and several dancers could be seen entering and exiting the meeting smoking cigarettes outside city hall as the city waded through 2.5 hours of other discussions before addressing the hot issue before the council.

After over 2 hours of public testimony the council voted 7-0 to approve tougher rules regulating sexually oriented businesses. However, the proposed rules were sufficiently watered down in response to business concerns. The major victory for Jameson was that a proposed ban on alcohol was ultimately stricken from the ordinance, allowing the porn star to continue serving liquor at her establishment. Also, a proposed 6-foot separation rule was shortened to 4-feet, allowing strippers to get a little closer to their patrons.

The new Scottsdale strip club ordinance does 3 things: 1. bans nudity, 2. establishes a four-foot separation between stripper and customer, 3. bans all touching.

Supporters of the tougher restrictions repeatedly mentioned the lewd and immoral behavior that accompanies these businesses. A community member who shares an alley with one of the clubs referred to the "terrible things" she'd seen while taking out the trash. Unfortunately, their needs went unrecognized by city leaders.

Opponents argued that the ordinance would effectively put the strip clubs out of business. John Miller, owner of Papago Brewing asked, "How long is it going to be until they come after my business?" Have no fear, John. The city would never want to offend someone who serves booze.

Opponents of the original tougher restrictions fail to realize that it is not the nature of what happens inside strip clubs that is the problem. Indeed, erotic dancing is a constitutionally-protected action. It is the negative secondary impacts to neighborhoods - rising violent crime, prostitution and drug trafficking - that are sufficient for the city to aggressively restrict activity at these clubs. However, the Scottsdale City Council chose to bend over for the liquor lobbyists, and that means local residents will continue to be caught over a barrel when it comes to strip clubs in their neighborhoods.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Jenna Jameson

Scottsdale's Cameras Explored in Prescott Valley

In an effort to improve highway safety officials in Prescott Valley are considering taking up Scottsdale's good idea to install cameras on state roads that run through their town. State Highway 69, known as "Blood Alley" winds through Yavapai County and has led to a rash of severe auto accidents in and near Prescott Valley. Let's hope folks up there get an opportunity to improve highway safety in their own town.

Scottsdale's safety camera pilot program gets under way soon and results will be be closely monitored to gauge whether the cameras were an effective tool in reducing accidents. Frankly, anything that gets people to slow down on the 101 in Scottsdale should be welcomed as an effective tool.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Transportation

City Council Strip Club Vote Pending

The council meeting has convened and there appear to be several employees in attendance from the 2 south Scottsdale strip clubs that face tighter restrictions at their businesses. This is one council meeting that could get very interesting! Stay tuned.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Jenna Jameson

Back to Work...for Scottsdale

Sure, it's great to live in or visit Scottsdale. But what about working in Scottsdale for Scottsdale? The city offers a diverse list of employment opportunities. Here's a sample:

Recreation Specialist

Water Meter Reader

Fingerprint Technician

Deputy Chief of Police

So take your love of Scottsdale to the next level and get a job with The West's Most Western Town!

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Jobs

Scottsdale Strip Club Vote Tonight

The Scottsdale City Council tonight will vote on whether to strengthen local ordinances regulating sexually-oriented businesses. The vote is an effort to clamp down on illegal activity at two strip clubs in south Scottsdale. Porn star Jenna Jameson is a partial-owner of one of those clubs, and she is expected to address the council meeting tonight. If you can't make it to Kiva by 5 p.m., just watch the Scottsdale City Council meeting online. Stay tuned for developments as they occur this evening.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Jenna Jameson

Crazy Peanut Butter at Scottsdale Fashion Square

P.B. Loco Cafe recently opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square. This is the peanut butter repository's first establishment in Scottsdale. Stop by and pick up some peanut butter cookies, flavored peanut butter or a peanut butter smoothie (which I HIGHLY recommend!). Good luck to the proprietors, Keith and Anthony.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Food

World Baseball Classic Comes to Scottsdale

The World Baseball Classic will make a stop in Scottsdale during the March 2006 competition. Seventeen countries will battle for the championship at six locations around the world. Being a global destination, Scottsdale is on the list.

Schedule of games at Scottsdale Stadium:
March 7 - Canada vs. South Africa
March 8 - Mexico vs. South Africa
March 10 - USA vs. South Africa

Additional games will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix. Tickets for the World Baseball Classic go on sale Monday, December 12. These games will sell out so get your tickets early!

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Baseball

Downtown Scottsdale Trolley

The Scottsdale Trolley is a great transportation resource for downtown Scottsdale. From the City's e-newsletter:

Scottsdale Trolley is a free system linking downtown shopping and arts districts with Scottsdale Fashion Square. The Scottsdale Trolley runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, year 'round and for ArtWalk on Thursday evenings. Simply look for trolley stop signs throughout downtown.

Check out the Scottsdale Trolley route map for specific stops.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Travel

Downtown Scottsdale Guide

The City produces a regularly-updated Downtown Scottsdale guide featuring useful maps, shopping directories and information. Don't go downtown without this guide!

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Travel

Scottsdale Strip Club Violations Piling Up

A sting at 2 local strip clubs netted 81 citations issued to over 20 strippers. The city only recently began enforcing the law at these clubs, and it is clear that these clubs have major issue with simply following the law. As Scottsdale prepares to vote on tightening strip club codes, the abundance of illegal activity and the ensuing drain and burden on law enforcement must be considered. The clubs should not be forced to close but they must operate within the bounds of the law. That's just good business (and common sense).

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: News

Cancer Research in Scottsdale to Increase

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has donated nearly $50 million to fund cancer research at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. The gift will establish a broad-based approach to cancer treatment using technology, databases and patient information. This is great news for cancer victims, the Mayo Clinic and Scottsdale.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Healthcare

Ultra-Rare Cars Up for Sale in Scottsdale

The 2006 Barret-Jackson auto show in Scottsdale will feature a large number of ultra-rare vehicles with the serial number 1, the first vehicle off the production line. The annual event is an institution in Scottsdale, and the recent purchase by the city of additional land near WestWorld solidified the future viability of the event and will result in a higher-quality auto show for sellers, buyers and curious onlookers.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Cars

Jenna Jameson vs. Scottsdale Heating Up

The battle over a south Scottsdale strip club is heating up. City officials are reviewing municipal ordinances with an eye at shutting Babe's Cabaret, the club in which Jenna Jameson is a partial-owner. The porn star issued a statement today taking on local activists' choice of counsel - a laywer from Tennesse known for shutting down strip clubs. Jameson claims that Mayor Manross and city leaders are being misled by a groups of local "moralists" trying to impose their will on the rest of the city. In reality, those local "moralists" are actually just Scottsdale families fed up with the decline of Main Street-values in our otherwise wonderful city.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Jenna Jameson

15-Story Casino Coming to Scottsdale?

Scottsdale's neighboring Indian tribe is considering building a 15-story casino and resort at the edge of Scottsdale. The move from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community will have a major impact on local traffic, revenues and public safety. The major renovation should come as no surprise to Insider readers who learned of tribal plans for bigger resorts earlier this week.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Gaming

Lane & Littlefield Dead Wrong on 101 Cameras

There they go again! Councilmen Jim Lane and Bob Littlefield are dead wrong when it comes to cameras on Highway 101. Both council members originally voted against the plan to make 101 safer, and now they are being obstructionists on this issue as the city prepares to the vote next week to install the cameras. Lane & Littlefield seems obsessed with have an economical discussion on this public safety issue. While it is reasonable to seek a deeper understanding of the city's fiduciary responsibilities on all matters, it is unreasonable to use those financial arguments to stand in the way of making Scottsdale's residents safer. Contact Jim Lane (email) and Bob Littlefield (email) and tell them to stop playing games with public safety.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Transportation

Generous Outpouring from Scottsdale Students

A contest to collect cereal boxes for needy Scottsdale families ended up with nearly 1000 boxes of cereal being donated to Vista del Camino, a local social services organization. Thanks, Mark and Dane, for showing the best of what Scottsdale has to offer.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: News

Governor Answers Questions in Scottsdale

Governor Janet Napolitano visited Scottsdale on Monday to answer questions on local and state issues in preparation for the upcoming legislative session. The Governor stated that she is interested in Scottsdale's effort to install highway cameras on Highway 101 to improve safety. She also took time to outline her 2006 agenda focusing on healthcare, education and immigration.

Tag: Scottsdale
Tag: Politics