Arizona

Mesa pushes to offer more culinary options

Published

12 months ago

May 20, 2023

Mesa pushes to offer more culinary options

MESA, Ariz. – Arizona Restaurant Week began on May 19 and as places like Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Gilbert fire up their ovens, the city of Mesa is looking to attract more dining options into town.

City Council member Alicia Goforth says she doesn’t know why the city hasn’t yet performed a dining identity like neighboring cities of Gilbert, Tempe, or Scottsdale, but it’s something they’re working to change.

At Zona Cantina + Cocina near McKellips and Alta Mesa Drive, owner Victor Alvarez says, “It’s Friday night here, and in a little bit, you usually see a line out the door.”

Alvarez says his business is as hot as their fusion menu of tacos, burgers, and sushi.

“We have a great following, the community seems to be really supportive.”

Goforth says the crowds prove there is a hunger for restaurants just like it in the city.

“We have a few pockets. The challenge is that we need more.”

She says Mesa still hasn’t quite figured out its culinary identity, leading residents to spend their dollars elsewhere.

Mesa makes push for more culinary options

“We want to keep the residents here. A lot of times our residents are going outside of the city. I do it, too, to get these restaurant experiences, so we want them to come here, and we want our residents to stay here.”

Which she feels will serve residents in more ways than one.

“We don’t have a primary property tax. Our major source of tax revenue is sales tax. So we want to bring people to the city of Mesa, and great restaurants are one way to do it.”

To do that, the city is ordering business consultants, hoping they will dish out strategies to lure more trendy foodie hot spots into town.

“Hopefully with this new initiative to hire some consultants, they can help us tell our story, that we are open for business, we have people and residents that want a great dining experience, and they are getting tired of driving to other cities to get it.”

And in downtown, Alison Brooks with Visit Mesa says there are already incredible experiences for business owners and customers alike.

“We’ll have the most breweries here in the southwest here in downtown Mesa very soon, which is a secret that I’m probably just now letting out.”

With opportunities for young restaurateurs, she says, unlike other cities in town.

“It’s unique and special, and that you won’t find anywhere else.”

We asked Goforth if there’s a plan to create a master plan location like a downtown Gilbert for a food spot in town. She says she’s open to what the consultants say, but with Mesa’s large location and population, she imagines the plan will look different for each district.

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Arizona

2024 Arizona Cardinals’ Draft Trends

Published

41 mins ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Now that the Cardinals 2024 draft is in the books, it’s interesting to connect the dots with a specific regard to Monti Ossenfort’s and Dave Sears’ modus operandi.

Round 1

Round 1 Themes: Size, Athleticism, Playmaking Ability

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. —- 6’4” 218
DI Darious Robinson —- 6’5” 275

Round 2

Round 2 Themes: Length, Speed, Agility, Vertical Jump, Ball Skills

CB Max Melton —- 5’11 193, 4.39, 40.5” V

Round 3

Round 3 Themes: Size, Speed, Brute Strength, Playmaking Ability

RB Trey Benson —- 6’0” 223, 4.39, 23 reps
G Isaiah Adams —- 6’4” 318, 1.8 ten-yd. split, 22 reps
TE Tip Reiman —- 6’5” 268, 4.64, 28. reps
CB Elijah Jones —- 6’2” 183, 4.44, 42.5” V

Round 4

Round 4 Themes: Speed, Flexibility, Versatility, Playmaking Ability, Ball Skills

S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson —- 5’10” 189 4.41, 38” V

Round 5

Round 5 Themes: Speed, Quickness, Strength, Arm Length

ED Xavier Thomas —- 6’2” 247 4.62, 1.67 ten-yd split, 28 reps
T Christian Jones —- 6’5”, 320 5,04, 1.78 ten-yd split, 34.5” arms

Round 6

Round 6 Themes: Size, Athleticism, Strength, Arm length

WR Tejhuan Palmer —- 6’2”, 210 4.45, 35” V, 33.8” arms

Round 7

Round 7 Theme: Baller DB With Rare Burst to the Ball

Jaden Davis —- 5’10, 182 4.44 1.49 ten-yd split, 35.5” V

Summary

After Monti Ossenfort’s and Dave sears’ first two drafts in Arizona, it is clear that they have precise physical coefficients in addition to production and leadership grades for prospects at each position. These eval coefficients help them tailor and taper their draft board.

Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago when Monti was asked by the Arizona media how many players are on his draft board, he declined to answer.

My guess is that their board is somewhere in the vicinity of 120.

In my opinion, a tapered down Big Board is very smart, because it creates greater clarity with each upcoming pick —- and, best of all —- it shows how independent MODS are with regard to so-called “consensus” picks.

Essentially, MODS’ draft goal is to add highly productive and charismatic prospects who possess high caliber physical traits that make the roster bigger, faster and stronger.

ROTB Poll:

Poll

How would you grade MODS’ independently tailored draft approach?

How did you vote and why?

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Arizona

Social media reacts to Jeff Sims transferring to Arizona State

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Social media reacts to Jeff Sims transferring to Arizona State

Former Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims announced his transfer destination on Wednesday afternoon. Sims will transfer to Arizona State for the 2024 season.

The quarterback spent one season in Lincoln after transferring from Georgia Tech. When he arrived at Nebraska, head coach Matt described Sims as an NFL talent.

He’s a triple threat. He can throw it. He can run it. And he can beat you with his mind as well. He can get to the right play. He’s an NFL player. I think he’s under the radar. Not being talked about a lot. Which is probably good, there’s not a ton of expectation on him. I know our entire team is going to go out and fight for him cause because they believe in him. He’s such a great leader. He’s such a great teammate.

However, Sims struggled during his time as a Cornhusker. The quarterback also added 189 rushing yards on 42 carries with one touchdown. He started the first two games of the season before losing the job due to turnovers.

Find social media reactions to the news below.

Had to wait

When QB Jeff Sims left Nebraska, he knew offers wouldn’t be plentiful. So he spent spring taking 21 hours of classes at Georgia Tech and waiting for portal dominoes to fall.
Did Jaden Rashada tip the domino that could lead to Sims’ next opportunity?https://t.co/WdoSS526MI pic.twitter.com/kNUDtsJa0l
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) April 23, 2024

ASU thoughts

ASU is the expected transfer destination of QB Jeff Sims, who struggled last season at Nebraska after being previously well-regarded as a transfer based on earlier play at Georgia Tech, reports @mzenitz and @ChrisKarpman.
Your thoughts? https://t.co/I4ahINKjQ8
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) May 1, 2024
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Ready to enroll

Senior QB transfer Jeff Sims is expected to enroll at ASU to compete with Sam Leavitt and Trenton Bourguet as I posted in the Devils’ Sanctuary this morning. https://t.co/Mqlr0P5evq
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) May 1, 2024

QB Whisperers

ASU has quarterback whisperers on its staff, in HC Kenny Dillingham and OC Marcus Arroyo. Don’t put it past them to revive the career of Nebraska quarterback transfer Jeff Sims. He can provide good competition for Leavitt and Bourguet, and that was the goal of this signing.
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) May 1, 2024

Second player to a Power Five

Of the 14 Nebraska players that have transferred out since December of 2023, Jeff Sims is the second to transfer to a Power 5 school. https://t.co/HQ0vCwsc5w
— Tom Osborne’s Burner (@tosbornburner) May 1, 2024

Arizona Sports

Former Georgia Tech and Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims is reportedly set to join Arizona State to compete for the starting job. https://t.co/sIboqnK92V
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) May 1, 2024

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

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Arizona

Arizona Snowbowl staying open through May as fresh snow blankets the area

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Arizona Snowbowl staying open through May as fresh snow blankets the area

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Snowbowl is staying open indefinitely on weekends after 30 inches of fresh, unexpected snowfall fell at the end of April.

The ski and snowboard area in Flagstaff had already extended its closing date to May 5th after additional snowfall occurred in mid-April.

The mountain received a total of 281 inches of snow this year.

Lift tickets can be purchased on Snowbowl’s website for the weekends of May 4 & 5, May 11 & 12 and May 18 & 19. The mountain will be closed on the weekdays.

According to a post on the Snowbowl website, staff will determine on a weekly basis when the mountain will close for the summer.

(Photo: Arizona Snowbowl)

For the weekend of May 4 & 5, skiers will be able to enjoy four chairlifts, including the Arizona Gondola.

Lift tickets can be purchased for as low as $19.

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