Friday, October 12, 2018
On this edition of Zona Politics: Crystal Kasnoff of the Just Fix The Roads Committee stops by to explain why voters should support Pima County's Prop 463, which would generate $430 million to fix Pima County's troubled roads; Bruce Burke of the Yes on 407 campaign, which would generate $225 million to improve Tucson parks; and Tom Collins, the executive director of the Arizona Clean Elections Commission.
Tune into Zona Politics Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m. on the Creative Tucson network, Cox Channel 20 and Comcast Channel 74. Listen to a radio version of the show at 5 p.m. Sundays on Community Radio KXCI, 91.3 FM. Or watch online here!
Thursday, October 11, 2018
That’s coming directly from eegee’s CEO C. Ron Petty, who spoke with Tucson Local Media after news broke of the company’s sale to a partnership of 39 North Capital and restaurant investor Kitchen Fund.
According to Petty, 39 North presented the best bid for the company, the shares of which has been held in-trust since 2012. 39 North Capital operates in the U.S. out of New York which focuses “on family and founder-owned businesses,” according to a company press release regarding the purchase.
“eegee’s has established itself as a restaurant leader in the Tucson community and has built a loyal customer base of true brand enthusiasts,” said Jacob Roffman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 39 North, in a release. “We are thrilled to partner with Ron and the broader eegee’s team to provide operational and financial resources to support the continued growth of an already iconic brand.”
So, what does that mean for the droves of diehard eegee’s fans? Expect more of what you love, it seems, in the form of six to eight more locations in the Tucson Metro Area.
“Over the next 24 months, our focus is to grow that Tucson market and make sure that we have eegee's everywhere,” Petty said. “We need to deliver the convenience factor to the customer.”
After that, Petty said sights are set on expanding to the Phoenix market.
“We already have a store in Casa Grande that's been there for five years,” Petty said. “And it's a very successful store. So, our next move, once we finish out the Tucson market, would be to go to Phoenix, which would be the logical place to go.”
eegee's will continue its fundraising operations to benefit local charities, Petty added, maintain a focus on environmentally-conscience initiatives, and keep its current management team in place.
And, don’t worry: You can still find eegee’s at all the University of Arizona games.
The purchase price is as-of-now confidential, though Kitchen Fund is a known partner in the transaction. Kitchen Fund is an investment firm based out of New York City.
Contributions to this story were made by Christopher Boan and Logan Burtch-Buus.
Tags: eegee's , new owners , CEO , subs , food , lunch , ranch fries , Image
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Fast food stalwart eegee's was purchased by a partnership of 39 North Capital and restaurant investor Kitchen Fund, according to a press release via Business Wire.
The sale, the terms of which were not released, was announced on Oct. 10. The chain has 24 locations in the Tucson region, and was put up for sale earlier this year, according to CEO C. Ron Petty.
Petty, in a statement, expressed his excitement at the infusion of capital that 39 North, a New York Firm, will bring for the local chain, allowing them to reach new markets and expand their reach into other parts of the country.
"The partnership with 39 North Capital is extremely exciting for eegee's and our loyal employees," Petty said, in a release. "39 North's investment will enable us to supercharge our growth, expand our footprint, remodel the restaurant exteriors and invest in new technology. Just as important, 39 North will continue the family-owned-and-operated tradition on which eegee's was founded."
The chain, which was founded in 1971, was previously sold in 2006 by CEO Foods from original owners, Ed Irving and Bob Greenberg.
Greg Golkin, who serves as a managing partner of Kitchen Fund, said he's excited to see how far the eegee's brand-known for its frozen fruit drinks, French fries with homemade ranch dressing and fresh sandwiches-can go with the financial boost.
"We look at restaurant brands across the country and rarely have we seen a brand that has built such an authentic and longstanding relationship with its guests," Golkin said in a release. "We have known the 39 North team for a while and have long admired their patient investment approach. We are thrilled to work on this opportunity with them."
This is a developing story. For more information, check back on The Range.
Tags: eegee's , sub shop , national firm , expansion , breaking news , Image
NextGen, a nonprofit political-action organization, has registered 21,051 new voters between the ages of 18-35 ahead of the registration deadline in Arizona.
Since its founding in 2013, NextGen has worked to raise support for political issues such as immigrant rights, affordable healthcare, equal rights and battling climate change.
Jalakoi Solomon, NextGen Arizona State Youth Director, said that young people are the largest voting block and may be the deciding factor in the upcoming November election.
"Young Arizonans hold incredible potential and power and are ready for political change," said Solomon. "Now is the time to flex our muscle and show Trump and his Republican allies, like Martha McSally, that their time is up."
The youth organization in Arizona has employed more than 50 organizers and has recruited nearly 2,437 volunteers across 23 campuses to politically empower young people.
The Our Lives, Our Vote program is a joint initiative between NextGen, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and Everytown, which is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. The nationwide initiative was created in order to register young voters and start a conversation about gun reform before the 2018 midterm election. The program has since registered 3,442 high school students to vote in Arizona.
For more information about NextGen's initiatives, click here.
Tags: vote , young people , NextGen , election , politics , registration , Image
Monday, October 8, 2018
The grand opening, starting at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, is expected to be a busy day for the new Tucson location, but the company is prepared.
Dutch Bros has partnered with a traffic management company to make sure that everyone gets their coffee without a side of road rage.
Traffic control cones will direct drivers around the building and into an overflow parking lot behind LA Fitness.
“The Tucson community has already been so welcoming,” said Jordan Gonsalves, operator of Dutch Bros Tucson. “Since our soft opening a few days ago, thousands of people have already come through to enjoy a drink and say hi.”
The new location is expected to be very busy tomorrow, and customers are encouraged to try to come either early or late to avoid the morning rush.
The new Dutch Bros is located at 120 S. Wilmot St.
Tags: coffee , drive thru , grand opening , Dutch Bros , drinks , smoothies , traffic , lines , Image
Friday, October 5, 2018
On the latest edition of Zona Politics: Arizona Daily Star reporter Hank Stephenson and Tucson Weekly Associate Editor Danyelle Khmara talk about the latest in Congressional Districts 1 and 2, the U.S. Senate, state Rep. Todd Clodfelter's recent Ashley Madison scandal, the battle over the voucher-expanding Prop 305 and more. Catch it at 6:30 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. Sundays on the Creative Tucson Network, Cox Channel 20 and Comcast/Xfinity Channel 74, listen at 5 p.m. Sundays on KXCI, 91.3 FM or watch online above.
Tags: Zona Politics , congressional district 2 , congressional district 1 , Lea Marquez Peterson , Ann Kirkpatrick , Martha McSally , Sinema , Tom O'Halleran , Wendy Rogers , Tucson news , Arizona news , Prop 305
That’s the trek you have to tackle if you walk from Cananea to the town of Magdalena de Kino, both located in Sonora, Mexico. But Daniel Alejandro Martinez Miranda isn’t deterred by days of walking beneath the sun, or by the seemingly permanent blisters that speckle his feet. After all, he’s been doing this for years.
Martinez Miranda is one of thousands who flock to Magdalena each autumn to honor the city’s patron St. Francis Xavier. Each year, as October 4th approaches, the narrow streets fill with peregrinos — pilgrims, and families camp out in tents in the shade of the city’s plaza. Vendors line the streets, selling rosaries, sweet blocks of quince paste, and, oddly enough, a variety football memorabilia.
Some have traveled even farther than Martinez Miranda — from Guaymas, Nogales, and the San Xavier reservation just south of Tucson. And the usually-sleepy town of Magdalena pulsates with life.
Check out these photos from the trek this year:
Tags: slideshow , Cananea , Madgalena de Kino , pilgrimage , trek , Slideshow , Image
In Arizona, 92,000 children have young adult parents (ages 18-24), and seven out of 10 of those children are in low-income families, according to a recent policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Children's Action Alliance, which works to improve children's health, education and security, says the Arizona legislature has left nearly $56 million in child care funds unused and state budget cuts have lowered funding for initiatives that help young and low-income families.
The report, called "Opening Doors for Young Parent" also recommends ways that young parents can receive help in work and higher education, so they may find other ways to provide for their children.
“It’s time for candidates and elected leaders to make families a top priority,”said Dana Wolfe Naimark, President and CEO of Children's Action Alliance.
Tags: healthy families , childcare , education , Image
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
The proposal will put two hotels on the property that will carry Marriott’s Element and Moxy hotel brands.
It will be built across the street from from the AC Hotel by Marriott that opened last year.
The new property is expected to attract a younger generation of travelers, according to project partner Rudy Dabdoub, who is a manager with 5 North 5th LLC, which is helping to develop the project.
“The dual concept hotel allows us to serve both younger travelers seeking entertainment, as well as guests in need of an extended stay experience,” Dabdoub said in a press release. "With the addition of the AC hotel last year and now the Moxy and Element, we’re excited to serve a wider array of Tucson visitors.”
Dabdoub is working with developer Scott Stiteler on the project. In addition to his work on the AC Marriott, Stiteler has also redeveloped several properties along Congress Street, including the Rialto Building that is home to Connect Coworking, Diablo Burger and Good Oak Bar, and the block between Fifth Avenue and Arizona Avenue, which is home to Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery and Playground.
The boutique-style hotel will combine the Moxy Hotel brand of Marriott, which is geared toward millennial travelers, with the Element hotel concept that launched under Starwood Hotels brand Westin, which Marriott acquired earlier this year.
Tags: new hotel , downtown Tucson , Moxy Hotel , Marriott , Rialto Theatre , AC Marriott , development , Broadway , Image
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
It's been the number one issue in the state for years. It's on everyone's minds and most candidates' lips. The decision voters make, whether to continue with the Republican-majority status quo or shift more power to Democrats, will be a major factor in deciding our children's present and future.
If you have patience enough and time, by all means look beyond education when you choose who to vote for. The more you know when you cast your ballot, the better. But after you take a deep dive into the candidates' positions, you're likely to find their approach to education is a reliable a indicator of where they stand on other important issues. Vote their positions on education, and you won't go far wrong.
Candidates who support a robust, fully funded system of public education are making a statement of principle which goes beyond schooling. "Public" is the key word. They want to provide a quality education for all the state's children, the whole K-through-college public, and probably pre-K as well, to give them the best shot at a bright future.
"Public" is also the key word when it comes to the same candidates' approach to the rest of government. They want state government to contribute to the well being of the general public, in the present and into the future. That means, among other things, supporting a well funded social services system, building and maintaining infrastructure and tending to the environment.
Candidates who are OK with education funding at levels low enough that the courts say they're unconstitutional aren't so keen on public education. Lots of them like to use the term "government schools" (FYI, that's supposed to be a bad thing) along with "failing schools" and "failing teachers" to describe our public education system. They heap praise on charter and private schools which educate 20 percent of the school-aged population and treat the schools educating 80 percent of children as an afterthought.
Candidates who disparage "government schools" think of the rest of government the same way, as a public irritant, not a public good. They want government to get out of the way so the free market can do what as it pleases. The less taxes, the less spending, the less meddling by the government in Arizona's affairs, the better.
Tags: Elections , Public education , Charter schools , Vouchers , Image
