38 JULY 2021 By Molly Delgado Arizona restaurateur Sam Fox is expanding his reach into the hospitality industry with a new luxury hotel called The Global Ambassador. The nearly 18-acre site at 44th St. and Camelback, now known as The Grove, will eventually boast residences, dining/ retail and Fox’s first-ever hotel, expected to open in 2023. Fox said that the project is part of the “natural evolution of his passion for creating memorable hospitality experiences.” The Global Ambassador showcases 141 rooms and amenities specially designed by Fox. “Throughout my travels over the years, I’ve experienced incredible parts of the world with unbelievable food and hospitality,” he said. “As the creator, co-developer, manager and operator of the hotel, every detail will be curated from those experiences in order to deliver a memorable guest experience from start to finish.” According to Fox, five original dining venues, with cuisine influenced by flavors found all over the world, are placed within the hotel. The lobby level includes a European market and café that is inspired by the street-side Parisian cafes. The hotel’s signature restaurant, a Parisian steakhouse, features a menu with French influences. Next, a poolside restaurant influenced by Mexican and Peruvian fare, and an 18,000 square-foot rooftop restaurant that overlooks Camelback Mountain. A member’s club and wellness center with fitness and spa options complete the resort experience. “With The Global Ambassador, we are evolving luxury hospitality at every level and from every perspective in order to deliver something truly remarkable for the well- traveled set…” Fox said. Fox is developing the hotel with Brian Frakes of Common Bond Development Group as well as partnering with Nelsen Partners Architects, Berghoff Design Group and Judi Testani of Testani Design Troupe. Fox is an 11-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Restaurateur of the Year, a best-selling cookbook author and was named one of the 50 most influential people in the restaurant industry by Nation’s Restaurant News for five consecutive years. He has opened over 100 restaurants during his career, and his Fox Restaurant Group (now owned by The Cheesecake Factory) operates Culinary Dropout, The Henry, Doughbird, Zinburger and seven other eateries across 13 states. globalambassadorhotel.com Travel experiences impetus for design of Fox’s new luxury hotel ART COURTESY OF JAN BRACAMONTE By Mallory Gleich Arizona natives Josh Katz and Sheldon Wiley, along with their partner Moe Murillo, have taken the concept of the seedy, underground Prohibition-era speakeasy and upgraded it with their latest project called 36 Below. The modern cocktail lounge is located at 36th St. and Indian School below Sip Coffee and Beer Garage. The idea for the speakeasy began months ago when the team was researching ideas for the space formerly known as Undertow, which moved next door and is housed inside Century Grand. They wanted something martini-inspired, and that appealed to women. Initially, there was a cave-inspired pitch with stalagmites, but that quickly went away after speaking to their brand manager, who suggested another idea – something that had to do with a sign of the times. They stumbled upon the word walipini , which means “place of warmth” in the Aymara Indian language. They are underground greenhouses. “The idea was to give people the feeling that they’re outside, or looking outside,” Katz said. The name for the lounge came from both the location and a biblical passage. “Verse 36 of the Book of Genesis talks about the creation of man and how no trees or shrubs could sprout because two key elements were missing – water and someone to nurture the garden. So as people come down into the space, they’ll see green walls, air plants, moss, and in the actual space will be the greenhouse, where we’ll be ‘nurturing’ the garden,” Katz said. Construction for the lounge started in January, but the trio ran into some setbacks – permits, spacing issues and materials. They had to redesign elements of the space but said everything is moving smoothly for a grand opening in July. Guests will find five virtual reality screens that will show images of Flagstaff’s four seasons, which is Katz’s favorite place to visit and where he attended school. The images will eventually show seasons from different locations and weather elements, like thunderstorms. “We’re going for a very immersive experience. We want people to feel like they’re captivated and forget about whatever else they have going on,” Katz said. “Initially, I was nervous with this new concept, but it looks amazing, and now I feel really good.” 36 Below will offer nine specialty cocktails created by mixologists and industry veterans Sheldon Wiley and Toby Moniz. Each is designed to awaken the senses. “We want our drinks to invoke a memory – perhaps of that time you went camping with your dad, you know? We want people’s minds to be blown,” Wiley said. Wiley, who has been called the “fastest bartender in the world” and who holds three Guinness World Records for most drinks made in one minute and in one hour, said he and his team are most excited to see the guests’ reactions and to experience the concept along with them. 36belowaz.com A secret garden: new immersive concept to open soon PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER ADLER Rendering of the reimagined bar area at 36 Below, which plans on opening underneath Sip in July. Rendering of The Global Ambassador. Reach 50,000 potential patients or clients... A Directory of local providers A Directory of local providers The Arcadia News Health & Wellness Guide is the perfect way to promote your practice or business to the affluent, educated and health-minded readers of the Arcadia News . Contact Roni@Arcadianews.com today to find out how you can save up to 46% on your ad investment! SEPTEMBER 2021 DEADLINE: FRIDAY 8/20 NOVEMBER 2021 DEADLINE: FRIDAY 10/15

39 JULY 2021 By Rachael Bouley Xavier Prep softball finished the spring season in high spirits as they brought home the school’s first softball state championship with a 10-0 win over Red Mountain in the 6A conference. The Gators went 19-2 this season in a competitive schedule that led them all the way to state, where they secured their shutout victory in five innings. Overall, the team outscored their opponents 40-3 throughout the state tournament. Head Coach Bradley Bledsoe Downes said it was exciting to see the team’s hard work pay off. “The team played well at the right time as the playoffs were in a single elimination format this year,” Downes said. “The players took control of team leadership and worked toward their goal, always seeking to be better.” There were notable players in the line- up with nine teammates hitting home runs throughout the season. According to Downes, pitcher Riley Flynn, Lauren Putz and Bridget Donahey were stellar players and regional/conference leaders who propelled the team forward, particularly with four challenging games in the playoffs. Flynn was named to the All Arizona Softball Team of 2021, and Bridget Donahey and Macy Lee were named as honorable mentions. Downes said that having a well-rounded team with solid pitching, defense and offense turned the tide in their favor. “Every game was a challenge, which helped prepare the players for the postseason run,” Downes said. “The success of the team was a direct result of their control.” Senior leadership was honored at an end- of-season banquet for players and families, with the team looking forward to returning and competing at a high level next year. Downes said one player the team will miss in the 2022 season is Macy Lee. The graduating senior was unstoppable at the plate, hitting .625 in the playoffs while going 3-for-4 in the championship game with two doubles, a home run and 7 RBIs. Lee credits Coach Downes with leading a well-rounded program that made her last year as a Gator extra special. “I believe we were able to succeed this season thanks to our team chemistry. We trusted and played for each other,” Lee said. “There is no other group of girls I would rather spend my last year with. Every player wanted to have fun and compete daily.” Xavier Prep softball celebrates state championship The Gators outscored their opponents 40-3 in the state tournament. Lauren Putz up to bat against Basha High School. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SR. LYNN WINDSOR By Mallory Gleich A quiet spring night in May was suddenly interrupted by the yells, whoops and cheers of Arcadia’s Little League teams as they took to the baseball field at Ingleside Middle School for the last hurrah of the season, otherwise known as the Home Run Derby. Young athletes from ALL’s majors’ division were nominated by managers to compete in the fourth annual competition. A maximum of four players per team were split into two groups made up of 12 and 13-year-olds. “Little League organizations have the opportunity to bring this highly competitive event to their ball fields. This year, we allowed the winner of our event to move on to compete with others in their age group,” ALL President Cheri Pierce said. The competition works like this: A pitching machine delivers baseballs to the batter, who has 90 seconds to hit as many home runs as possible over the 200-foot temporary fence. This year, the player with the most home runs received a trophy. Cooper Fitzgerald was the winner of the 12-year-old group, with 13 home runs, and Braxton Tate was the winner of the 13-year-old group with 23. Good Morning Arizona Sports Anchor Mark McClune was the emcee at this year’s event. There was also live DJ music. “So many kids had the opportunity to hit home runs. It was a lot of fun to be part of this,” teammate Harrison Ladner said. “I ended my Arcadia Little League career with a ‘bang,’” teammate Bentley Elrod said. “ALL is at the center of our neighborhood all spring. It was a perfect ending to close out my career competing with my buddies one last time.” While the regular season ended in May, the older division competed in playoff games at the end of the month. A few lucky athletes represented ALL in the District 6 Tournament on June 14 and did well, with Arcadia advancing to the state tournament in mid-July. Planning has already started for the upcoming season. The league is in the process of helping a local elementary school rebuild its baseball diamond. “Having more fields only benefits our youth and not only in the sport of baseball/ softball. Our neighborhood is established, and we do not have the room to add a playground or field for our children to play on. If we can give them a safe place to be kids, we will,” Pierce said. The organization is also looking to rebuild the concession stand at Camelback Christian Church. “We are not just about baseball/softball,” Pierce said. “Arcadia Little League prides itself in the ability to provide the youth of our community with an environment in which they can learn and develop athletic skills, as well as life skills.” arcadialittleleague.com Arcadia Little League’s Home Run Derby brings the heat Major division managers Jason Elrod and Geoff Jenkins with this year’s competitors. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERI PIERCE