WINTER 2013 ASSOCIATION & COMMUNITY NEWS l SCHOOL NEWS l CULTURE & ARTS l OUR RESOURCES l DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Desert Ridge Lifestyles Winter 2013 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS 9 ASSOCIATION & 30 SCHOOL NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS 31 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Desert Ridge Lifestyles magazine is the official 28 CULTURE & ARTS community magazine of Desert Ridge, brought 35 OUR RESOURCES to you by the Desert Ridge Community Association. It is designed to keep you informed about what’s happening in your community, FEATURES from clubs, activities and community programs 8 15 to school information, special events and more. JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, COMMUNITY AWARENESS photographs or illustrations without written RESORT & SPA CELEBRATES A COMMITTEE permission from the publisher is prohibited by DECADE IN THE DESERT Improving the community lifestyle and law. Trademarks, logos and content provided JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa property values of the residential members of by advertisers, sponsors and partners are commemorated its 10th anniversary this Desert Ridge. owned by their respective companies and past fall. all rights are reserved by them. The views, statements and claims of advertisers or other DRL contributors do not necessarily 9 17 represent those of the publisher, Desert Ridge 2012 - A YEAR OF CHANGE BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY Community Association. AND GROWTH In building a better community and Printed in the USA. ©2011 improving the quality of life, crime Looking back at 2012, it was a busy year Desert Ridge Lifestyles Magazine. prevention plays an important role. with lots of change! All rights reserved. Please recycle. MANAGEMENT TEAM AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Photos by Tina Dickson MANAGEMENT TEAM Proudly Managed by Rossmar & Graham COMMUNITY ASSOCiatiON 5415 E. High St., Suite 220, Bldg. A10 Phoenix, AZ 85054 MANAGEMENT TEAM TERRANCE SMITH CHRIS JENNESS ALYSSIA SAXTON DUSTY watKINS CarmeLLO 480-551-4300 Community Residential Lifestyles Compliance MUSARRA [email protected] General Community Coordinator Coordinator Compliance Manager Manager Coordinator COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT VICE SECretarY TREASURER DIRECTOR DIRECTOR Doug Dickson PRESIDENT Dan Oseran Brad Slager Kathy Crawford Greg Abrams Communications Reginald Younger, Jr. Nominating Finance and Communications Cashman Park Committee Design Review Committee Chair Community Awareness Chair and Cashman Committee Chair Committee Chair and Cashman Park Committee Chair and Park Committee Committee Communications Committee 4 Desert Ridge Lifestyles Winter 2013 FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS create an opportunity to eliminate refunds From the President and permanently reduce fees charged to our Communications members near the end of 2013. Note: we have Happy New Year and not increased fees since they were set 18 years Chair welcome to 2013! As ago in 1994. Isn’t this our time of we move forward into Increase Community the year? Beautiful the new year, we wanted sunny days and cool to communicate some Safety and Awareness We will introduce a new Community nights in the lovely of the major goals and neighborhoods of objectives we’ve set for Awareness Committee (CAC) that focuses on fi ghting crime, reducing graffi ti and Desert Ridge. In Doug Dickson 2013. The Desert Ridge strengthening Block Watch neighborhoods this issue, we are Community Association focusing on the within Desert Ridge. Our Off-duty Offi cer Board will be concentrated on achieving six “happenings” in Patrol Program alone reduced property crime major goals: and around our over 30% last year. You can read more about Kathy Crawford homes. Maintain Budget and this important committee on page 15 of the Fiscal Discipline magazine. We can’t let the holiday season pass Over the past four years, we have focused on without spending a few moments on reducing costs and fi nding creative ways to Continue Reinvestment the fabulous holiday lights that our live within our budget. Those efforts have into our Community neighbors displayed for us. We are paid off with four straight years of balanced In 2012, we reinvested over $1.25 million showing you the winners of our contest budgets, reserves that are funded above 100% of reserve funds into maintenance and and telling you a bit about the judging. and refunds to our membership exceeding enhancement projects within Desert Ridge. We are also mentioning some of the $250,000 in the past two years. We will We will uphold the same high standards for new stores we have in our area and maintenance and repairs throughout 2013. Our continue to stay under budget and expand the letting you know about the move that new offi ce with additional meeting space will services provided to our members. our management company is making become an important asset for our community. over to CityCenter of CityNorth. Reduce Association Fees By the time you read this, we will have With our reserves fully funded, our Board Develop and Implement mailed out the ballots for the Cashman has elected to refund unspent funds back Pet Waste Plan We have received a number of complaints Park renovations. Please do fi ll those to our membership for two years in a row. regarding pet waste in Desert Ridge. A out as your votes will determine the Our continued efforts to reduce costs may fi eld study has confi rmed an issue exists and outcome of this project. indicates that a large-scale solution is needed. And last but foremost; this issue is spot- We will develop and implement a plan to lighting upon our terrifi c neighbors, BOARD MEETING dramatically reduce pet waste. the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort DATES Expand & Spa. We hope you enjoy learning a FEBRUARY 27 n MARCH 27 www.desertridgelifestyles.com bit more about what the JW Marriott Website Desert Ridge Resort & Spa brings to us APRIL 18 The initial development of the www. and the restaurant review will give you (Annual Meeting) desertridgelifestyles.com website has an idea of how well we can dine right LOCATION created an excellent base for communicating here at our resort. 5415 E. High St., Suite 220, Bldg. A10 information to our members. We will continue As usual, we hope you enjoy this issue Phoenix, AZ 85054 to expand and develop this important tool. and please do let us know if there is anything you would like to see Open Session Board Meetings at 6 p.m. We’re thankful for your support and look forward covered in future issue of Desert Ridge Executive session will follow. to accomplishing great things with you. Lifestyles. Best Wishes for a Prosperous 2013! Doug Dickson Kathy Crawford President Communications Committee Chair Desert Ridge Community Association Desert Ridge Community Association Winter 2013 Desert Ridge Lifestyles 5 ASSOCIATION & COMMUNITYCOVER STORYNEWS JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa The fi res are lit. The water is fl owing. The earth is fl owering. The sky is limitless. All of these elements Celebrateshave awakened the senses of visitorsa Decadeat JW Marriott Desert Ridgein Resort the & Spa sinceDesert its opening in November 2002. Ten years and 10 million guests later, it has become one of the most highly-rated and awarded resorts in Arizona. By Richard Romane wildfl ower gardens, swimming Director of Sales and Marketing pools, lakes, waterways and JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa golf course or mountain views. Included in the 950 rooms are JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort four presidential suites, four & Spa commemorated its 10th hospitality suites, 35 luxury anniversary this past fall and suites and 38 executive suites, during the last decade earned offering a variety of options for multiple AAA Four-Diamond groups large and small. Awards, as well as top travel The rejuvenating elements ratings from Condé Nast Traveler, of nature continue to play Travel + Leisure, Meetings & an important role in the Conventions, Zagat and more. architecture of the resort’s Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Along with being Arizona’s exquisite Revive Spa. This largest resort, the JW Marriott 28,000-square-foot, two-level Desert Ridge Resort & Spa by the sounds of splashing Desert Ridge Resort & Spa oasis features 41 elegantly redefi nes the resort experience. fountains under the sun-dappled is also big on luxury. With appointed private treatment The resort features 10 dining 950 guestrooms (including 81 porte-cochere. Stepping into rooms. A diverse spa menu experiences, JW Marriott Desert suites), it is set on 316 acres in the expansive tumbled marble offers every massage imaginable, Ridge Resort & Spa’s fi rst Revive the Sonoran desert and features lobby, guests are dazzled by the as well as facial and body sweeping views of the McDowell Spa – a 28,000-square-foot sight of stunning fl oor-to-ceiling treatments inspired by native Mountains. Conveniently facility – eight tennis courts windows opened wide, spilling desert plants. located in northeast Phoenix and four acres of elaborately out onto sparkling waterways Private balconies are the just 20 minutes north of Phoenix landscaped pools including the and majestic palm-lined perfect setting for rejuvenation, Sky Harbor International Lazy River with serpentine slide, pathways. while relaxation rooms and a Airport with easy access to two championship golf courses The resort’s guest rooms feature and the Wildfi re Golf Club. the Loop 101, the resort is the oversized balconies overlooking continued on page 35 centerpiece of the Valley of the Panoramic views of crimson- Sun’s northeastern corridor. hued mountains, fi ery Arizona sunsets and the picturesque, With 950 guest rooms and cactus-studded Sonoran desert 240,000 square feet of indoor add to the resort’s serene setting. and outdoor meeting space, the resort has been able to attract The elements of nature -- fi re, larger group business to Phoenix water, earth and sky – have for their conventions that could been woven into the resort’s never come before with the prior architectural design to let every hotel landscape.