Cactus Needles

Gilbert’s SanTan Village has debuted, combining Kierland Commons’ faux-downtown architecture with the more accessible store lineup found in regional malls.

Since that lineup includes Victoria’s Secret, everyone has noticed the massive display above the store entrance featuring photos of models wearing the retailer’s signature lingerie, which appears to be the only such oversized display of merchandise. The verdict on the signs’ appropriateness is far from unanimous; some decry them as indecent, while others just see them as a lacier-than-average day at the beach.

SanTan Village is still a work in progress, so it’s possible that eventually similarly outsize photos of bottles of lotion, MP3 players and stylish baby outfits could pop up alongside the girls. But as the only such display there, it does seem out of place, and the store and mall might want to consider taking it down, or at least toning it down.

—

Midweek we swore we heard the chorus of the late ’70s hit “Reunited.” But Peaches and Herb were nowhere to be found, so it must have been because Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio decided to leave their differences in the past and join forces in the immigration enforcement battle.

Pearce is contemplating a run against Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., for his House seat. While we have been critical of the strident stands that Pearce and Arpaio have taken on immigration matters, we must admit that if a Pearce-Flake showdown becomes a one-issue race, having the popular Arpaio in his corner would make Pearce a rather formidable opponent.

—

Scottsdale nightclub owner Tom Anderson should be commended for accepting a reasonable compromise to lift his yearlong ban on transgender customers and designating one of the Anderson’s Fifth Estate restrooms as unisex to address a formal complaint of discrimination.

Equality Arizona, an advocacy group for gays and lesbians, worked out the compromise as an alternative to a showdown between Anderson, Michele deLaFreniere as the person who filed the complaint, and the state Attorney General’s Office. Equality Arizona field organizer Sam Holden rightly pointed out to the Tribune’s Ari Cohen that a government-imposed solution probably wouldn’t satisfy anyone.

DeLaFreniere, chairwoman of the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission, told Cohen said she’s willing to accept being banned from the club, if Anderson apologizes publicly. She shouldn’t hold her breath.