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By Wendy RuBicam evans

Photos By stePhanie heymann of

thomPson image PhotogRaPhy

Road to the Top
The newest addition to the CBS 5 Morning Team
is making herself at home in Scottsdale

The 51…The 101…The Beeline…The San Tan…The 17…Durango for awhile and it will always have a piece of my heart.” But this
Curve....The Valley’s newest traffic reporter has a lot to keep hardworking pro had her sights set on the Phoenix news market
straight these days, but CBS 5’s Nadine Toren is happy to be learn- and the prospect of putting down roots in Scottsdale, which
ing the ropes live, on-air, and finding her way around the Valley. reminds her in many ways of the town where she grew up in
The California girl arrived in Scottsdale in early August, and California. “I loved where I grew up in Los Gatos,” she shares.
was on-air just five days after leaving her job as a video jour- “Scottsdale is very parallel to that. The lifestyle here is good,
nalist in San Diego. She says, “San Diego was great–don’t get and it’s solid. I want a lot with my career and I want a lot person-
me wrong, I did stories on the beach in flip flops. It was home ally, and I feel like it’s a really good match up here for both.”

64 So Scottsdale! November 2010

SS_64_67Nadine_Nov10.indd 64 10/11/10 12:28:37 PM

tor, anchor, producer and reporter. “As
a reporter, you shoot, you edit, you
write—so you have all of these skills.
You are expected to do it all these
days,” she explains. She produces her
own traffic segments on KPHO, and is
thankful for the help she has received
from viewers who give her the local
perspective on Valley commuting.
“Trust me, I do study maps, I do
drive around. I get lost on purpose,”
she jokes. “But I’m learning it live.
I produce every day and I need to
make sure my facts are correct, or
you’re going to stumble upon an
accident you weren’t aware of.”
Traffic reporting seems like a
natural fit for a girl who is passionate
about travel. One of the things Toren
loves about living in Scottsdale is the
huge variety of great day trips and
nearby destinations to explore. She’s
hoping to develop a series of on-air
segments partnered with an online
blog for CBS 5 that will reintroduce
Arizona to Arizonans. She wants
to be your go-to girl for day trips,
weekend getaways on a budget, and
unique staycations. “There are gems
everywhere you look, and there’s a
lot to do. There are always things you
might overlook,” she says.
Toren describes her on-air style
as “professional and classy, with edge
and sass” and hopes her true person-
ality shines through to viewers.
“At 4:30 in the morning, when
everything’s still green and you’re
Some of the experiences that shaped her view of all that moving along just fine, I like to have fun with the viewers,” she
Scottsdale has to offer were coming into town for the Waste shares. “So I hope what people get from me is a very positive,
Management Phoenix Open, Spring Training and the Scottsdale upbeat personality that they enjoy waking up to.”
Culinary Festival. It’s no surprise that it seemed like a fabulous She loves being a part of her new morning team and jokingly
place to settle down, and she hasn’t been disappointed in her says that anyone working on a morning show has to be “a certain
decision to leave the sand and surf behind. kind of crazy person.”
“You fear adjusting,” she says. “But it’s been so natural and “I’ve worked every shift there is from morning, day-side
easy, and the community’s been so welcoming, the station’s to night-side and I think a morning show has such a unique
been so supportive, and the viewers have been so kind, so I’ve energy. I get to have fun every day,” she admits.
been lucky.” As she settles into her role on the morning team, she
As a young news professional, Toren has not only a degree reflects on one of her core beliefs, “I believe in forming com-
in Radio and Television Broadcasting, but has worked in almost munity and family wherever you go, and I’m in the process of
every aspect of TV news. She has worked as an assignment edi- doing that here.”

66 So Scottsdale! November 2010


Although friendships in the news profession can be short- SCOTTSDALE BRIEFS
lived due to relocations and job changes, Toren is determined
to maintain the bonds she has made through her work. “I have Dear Ashley:
a lot of people who took me under their wing immediately,” she My boyfriend and I recently broke up,
shares, adding, “You always stay in touch with the people who and he will not stop texting, calling, and
have been good to you.” e-mailing me. I have seen him drive by my
Toren says she has learned volumes from the professionals house a few times as well. How can I get
she’s worked with and is thrilled with the feedback and support him to leave me alone?
she’s already experienced at CBS 5, and wants to continue her
career growth at the station. Arizona law defines “Harassment” as:
The forward-thinking reporter is excited about being a part 1) Contacting, communicating, or causing a
of what she describes as the station’s “technological transition,” communication with another person by verbal,
and she especially enjoys the way social media is allowing her to electronic, mechanical, telegraphic, telephonic,
interact with viewers every day. “We have a very interactive news- or means in a manner that harasses;
cast in the morning. I propose traffic questions and people tweet 2) Continuing to follow another person in a
in at 4:30 in the morning—it’s unbelievable!” she exclaims. public place for no legitimate reason;
She dedicates time every morning to Facebook and 3) Repeatedly committing acts that harass
Twitter, allowing viewers to request information on certain traffic another person; 4) surveilling a person for no
areas and just stay in touch. “It makes the job more enjoyable, legitimate purpose; or 5) Making a false report to
at least for me. And I think it makes it work better. You’re really law enforcement on more than one occasion.
giving the viewers what they want to know in addition to what A person who is being harassed may file a
they need to know,” she explains. Petition with the Scottsdale Justice Court to
She feels that as the news continues to evolve online that have an “Injunction Against Harassment” issued
it will be catering to a younger audience that is an important against the offending party. This injunction,
demographic. Although Toren believes that social media is the among other things, prohibits the harasser from
new trend in news, she says it goes hand-in-hand with televi- contacting the victim. The Petition must include
sion news. a statement of what has occurred, including
“Nothing will ever replace watching the news in bed, or dates and details, and the offender’s name and
waking up and having it on when you’re eating breakfast,” she address. The Court will hold a short hearing and
says, adding with a smile, “I mean, TVs are only getting bigger decide whether a temporary injunction should
and flatter and better.” issue. If one is issued, the Order must be served
Toren describes her off-air personality as fun and out- upon the person against whom the Injunction has
doorsy—she isn’t one to sit around, but would rather be out issued. It is always best, in these situations, to
hiking Camelback or going from a Spring Training game to an have a professional process server get involved.
Old Town hot spot with friends.
Once served, the offender
“It’s fun exploring new areas. They’re becoming like sec-
has a right to a hearing, at
ond nature to me,” she says. “It’s easy to feel at home here.”
which both sides can present
Like any young woman in Scottsdale, Fashion Square is a
evidence. At that time, the
favorite spot, although the practical girl on a budget frequents
Court will decide whether a
designer discount stores for the mainstays of her wardrobe.
permanent injunction will issue.
“Whenever I’m bored I go to Fashion Square, which is probably
These injunctions are only in
the worst place for me to go, because I don’t believe in walking
effect for one year.
through a mall without holding a bag,” she jokes.
The more she sees of Scottsdale, the more she likes. “It’s Ashley D. Adams
well maintained and well taken care of. The people who live
here care about the area. It’s family-oriented but there’s still a
spice about it,” she says.
Toren’s hopes for the future include a balance of career,
love and family, but for now, as she embarks on her new life in 8245 North 85th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Office: (480) 219-1366 Cell: (602) 524-3801
Scottsdale, you can be sure that this dynamic girl will be add-
Facsimile: (480) 219-1451 aadams@ashleyadamsplc.com
ing to that spice. www.ashleyadamsplc.com

November 2010 So Scottsdale! 67


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CBS 5\'s Nadine Toren

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