RE/MAX Desert Vibe Summer 2023

If the summer heat makes you want to pack up your kids and move to the Arctic Circle, we want to remind you of some things that made you fall in love with the idea of raising a family in Fountain Hills. Many local non-profits focus on kids, such as our Boys & Girls Club branch, sports groups like the Fountain Hills Soccer Club, and almost daily programs at the Fountain Hills Library. And then there are those unique ones like Tender Little Hearts and their equine literacy program for kids. See pages 14-15.

Paige Productions Youth Theater offers camps, classes, and live performances for kids who want to try stage acting. We chatted with Paige about the opportunities she provides local kids. See pages 26-27.

Regarding academics, Fountain Hills is lucky to have Dr. Cain Jagodzinski at the helm of the school district. Many changes are coming to all the schools this year, from consolidation to refreshed facilities with outdoor learning spaces, to trimesters and internships for high schoolers. Dr. J, as he’s affectionately called, sat down with us to share some of those changes. See pages 12-13.

And if you’ve been telling your kids “no” to getting a dog or a cat, perhaps a desert tortoise would be a good pet for your family. We’ve got some tips for you on pages 22-23.

If you’re young, or young at heart, try a class at the Fountain Hills Artists’ Gallery where you can learn new techniques and try new art mediums. The classes are led by artists from the Art Gallery. See pages 18-19.

But if the weather is still on your mind, we can share a thing or two about Arizona’s unique climate with monsoons, haboobs, and microbursts on pages 30-31.

Be sure to bookmark Desert Vibe’s event calendar at DesertVibe.com so you don’t miss any events. We even keep up on where you can see live music around town each week. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on community events.

Perspectives

ON THE MID-YEAR 2023 HOUSING MARKET

We are moving on from the unusual real estate market of the COVID years and morphing into a strange new cycle dominated by politics. It leaves many people feeling unsettled, waiting for the next shoe to drop. That keeps the recession at the front of people’s minds.

We don’t think the real estate forecast has to feel gloomy.

The American dream of owning a home is still a good thing. Yes, we saw a terrible glitch in the system in 2004-2008. Many people made incredible amounts of money while many lost money – and their homes – in those free-for-all financing days.

The good news is that we tend to learn our lessons. Today, most people are more responsible savers and investors. Loan financing programs are more responsible. The higher interest rates are causing some pain, but we’ve seen much higher interest rates in the past and still grew the American economy. It wasn’t reasonable to believe that 0-3% interest rates were going to last forever.

For once the economists and media are saying the same thing. They’re backing away from the Chicken Little “the sky is falling” narrative. We

A wise investment is carefully thought out from a financial standpoint.

all understand that there will be periods of growth and periods of belt-tightening. But a wise investment is rarely a bad thing.

A wise investment is carefully thought out from a financial standpoint. It’s one that is guided by professionals like mortgage lenders, savvy realtors, and your own belief in your ability to earn, save, and invest in your future.

The big question is, is there ever a “best time” to invest in a home? A place that will house your future dreams, your creative desires, and your family? The short answer is, no.

In real estate, the old sage advice continues to ring true decade after decade: The best time to buy a home is when you need one and can afford it.

The forecast for homeownership is strong today. The S&P/CaseSchiller Home Price Index is the most reliable indicator for this. It has steadily risen since 2012, then experienced a small correction in June 2022 after the heated COVID years waned. It corrected in February 2023 and is heading upwards again. Why? Because of availability.

It’s a simple supply and demand issue. Because homebuilding went dormant from 2009-2020, the United States did not keep up with building new houses or the transition of obsolescent homes out of the market cycle. And corporate owners purchased thousands of Arizona homes and turned them into rentals. Large corporations would like you to line their pockets by paying soaring rents for the homes they purchased at rock bottom prices over the past decade. They’re betting on you.

But maybe it’s time that you bet on you.

The Fountain Hills and Rio Verde markets are relatively strong, despite what you hear in the media when national, state or even county wide numbers are touted. It’s important to get the facts when you’re trying to understand a specific community or neighborhood. It’s even more important to understand the underlying factors behind the numbers. Contact us at RE/MAX Sun Properties to get the real scoop when you’re considering a purchase or sale! 480-837-9801.

Data Provided by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service

About the Absorption Rate, in Months Chart: The Absorption Rate in Months chart shows how long the current inventory continued at a steady pace, the Absorption rate indicates the number of months required to sell all the properties on listings sold per month for the previous months.

Active Listings: The number of active listings is a “snapshot” taken on the 15th of the month. Rather than showing the of listings that were active on one day. However, the number of actives is not static and depends on when the report is

Sold Listings: The total number of listings whose sales contracts were completed, or closed, during the month.

Sold Sale Volume: The total sale price value of all the properties whose sales contracts were completed, or closed, during

-1.61%

Fountain Hills

Y-O-Y Avg Sale Price

-13% Fountain Hills

Y-O-Y Active Listings

2.78% Rio Verde

Y-O-Y Avg Sale Price

120% Rio Verde

Y-O-Y Active Listings

All “Year to Date” figures above are as of June 30 in each respective year. inventory of properties would last at the current rate of sales. If no new properties were added to the market, and sales on the market. Absorption Rate is based on two numbers: the number of active listings, and the average number of

number of all listings that were active at any time during the month, this chart displays a representation of the number run. A trend upward or downward from month to month can be established by using the same day of every month.

during the month or year.

Do Something Fun

SUMMER SPLASH PAD SERIES

FOUNTAIN PARK SPLASH PAD

JULY 25 | 6:00-8:00 PM

Dive into summer fun at the Splash Pad. Enjoy yard games, cornhole, and more by the Splash Pad while cooling off. Don’t worry about dinner - grab a to-go order from nearby restaurants, pack a picnic, or savor a delicious meal from a food truck (subject to availability). Hosted by Fountain Hills Community Services.

ANNIE KIDS

FOUNTAIN HILLS YOUTH THEATER

JULY 27 & 28 | 6:00 PM

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. https://fhtaz.org

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MURDERED!

BATCHELOR’S PAD BBQ & FOUNTAIN HILLS THEATER

JULY 28-30, AUGUST 4-6

Eat, Drink, and be Murdered! Is a fun filled evening of laughs, dinner, and mystery where you can join a motley group of Las Vegas denizens as they try to solve the murder of Blackjack White, the notorious owner of the Pearly Gates Gambling Emporium! Enjoy a delicious 3 course meal and join the fun as patrons get the chance to bribe the suspects for clues, unseat the ‘King of Rock and Roll’, and solve the mystery. Tickets are selling out fast. https://fhtaz.org

STARGAZE LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

FOUNTAIN HILLS LIBRARY

AUGUST 1 | 1:00 PM

Learn how to identify constellations, planets, and other celestial objects with the naked eye. Discover some fun tools to enhance your stargazing experiences. Find out how ancient cultures like the Egyptians, Greeks, Maori, and local Hohokam used the night sky and hear the stories they told of the stars. Presented by Vicky Derksen, host of Night Sky Tourist podcast and president of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association.

https://mcldaz.org/en-US/fountain-hills/

FOUNTAIN HILLS SUMMER

NIGHTS CAR SHOW

PHIL’S FILLING STATION

AUGUST 4 | 6:00-9:00 PM

Check out some incredible vehicles at the summer’s hottest car show. Get raffle tickets for a chance to win a Mongoose bike with all entry fees going to Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. There will be live music and a 50/50 raffle.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ fountainhillssummernights/

FHYC KARAOKE CONTEST

ALAMO SALOON

AUGUST 18 | 6:00-9:00 PM

Sing your heart out and compete for cash prizes in two age categories: Adults (14+) and Children (13 & under). Show off your voice, stage presence, and theatricality while performing your favorite song in just 90 seconds. The contestants will be judged on voice, pitch clarity, pronunciation, stage presence and theatricality.

https://fhchamber.com

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH

FOUR PEAKS PARK

AUGUST 18 | 6:00-8:00 PM

A fun-filled event for the entire community with inflatable water slides, a dunk tank, inflatable games, yard games, food trucks, a DJ, MCSO, Fire Department vehicles, and more!

https://www.fountainhillsaz.gov/619/ Back-to-School-Bash

TOMFOOLERY FOUNTAIN HILLS THEATER

AUGUST 18 – SEPTEMBER 3

VARIOUS TIMES

In concerts, TV appearances and classic recordings, the Harvard-educated math professor Tom Lehrer delighted millions of fans with his dry, cynical, but good-humored, attacks on the A-bomb, racism, pollution, pornography, the military, the Boy Scouts and, of course, mathematics. Nothing is sacred in this hysterical revue that features such Lehrer favorites as “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,”

“When You Are Old and Grey,” “The Masochism Tango,” “The Old Dope Peddler” and “The Vatican Rag.”

https://fhtaz.org

Management Services

In Fountain Hills, there is a great option for professional property management.

RE/MAX Sun Properties has managed over $40 million in residential property management since 2010.

RE/MAX Sun Properties Property Management Services are the perfect fit for clients who wish for their real estate investment to accomplish three goals:

Maximize Income Potential

Minimize Liability and Risk

Manage for Increased Future Value

16824 E Ave of the Fountains #12 Fountain Hills, AZ

Dawn@SunPropertiesAZ.com

*Unlicened Assistant

Elma Bachman Kristy Coup

Cyndi Dunham Pam Ehrlich

Pam Foster Jonathan Ghrist

Toni LePoer Bethany Kohoutek

Peggy Rae Merry Silbaugh

Debbie Stansell

Michelle Campbell Mike Nabers

Suzanne Nann

Bobbi Turks John Weil Denise Weinrich

Dawn Woods

Dori Wittrig

New Year

If you start talking about the Fountain Hills Unified School District with Superintendent Dr. Cain Jagodzinski, you’ll quickly pick up on his passion for education and his love for the students. FHUSD has had some challenging years, but Dr. J, as he’s affectionately called, has embraced the challenges and introduced some exciting changes. P

CONSOLIDATION

After years of shrinking enrollment, Dr. J says that they recently saw their numbers go up and anticipate for them to grow again this fall. Even so, the school district saw many benefits in making significant changes for the new school year.

“I’ve felt the alignment of the schools has always been a problem,” said Dr. J, whose children have also grown up in this school district.

“We’ve grouped them as K-3, 4-8, and 9-12 until now. I think putting Fourth Graders into Middle School pushed a lot of families out. They didn’t feel comfortable sending their Fourth Grader to Middle School.

“I also felt that Fourth and Fifth Graders were losing two years of nurturing time in Elementary School by aligning the grades this way. I’m a big fan of letting kids be kids. So, when the opportunity to change presented itself, I was pleased to do that.”

FALCONS SOAR INTO AN INNOVATIVE

Photo courtesy of The Fountain Hills Times

The new school alignments will turn the current McDowell Mountain Elementary School into Little Fountains Preschool while hibernating the rest of the building for potential use in the future. The current Middle School will be the new McDowell Mountain Elementary School for K-5 students. The Middle School will now comprise Sixth through Eighth Graders who will relocate to the unused buildings on the High School campus, but separated from the older students, and the High School will remain in its usual space.

“Another benefit of this change,” said Dr. J, “is that we’ll have six years with the Elementary School students before the parents have to make a decision for what they want to do next, instead of doing it after Third Grade. This new alignment also changes our busing so we no longer have Eighth Graders riding with Kindergarteners.”

TRIMESTERS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS

Dr. J also brings a new, innovative approach to the High School this year. Rather than the usual 90-day semesters, the school year will divide into 60-day trimesters.

To read about Trimesters for High Schoolers, click here to continue reading.

TENDER

Little Hearts

What could be more precious than seeing a child read a book to a miniature horse or donkey dressed in fun outfits? It would have to be knowing that this simple activity could be a life-altering experience for the child.

When Terry Holmes-Stecyk started Tender Little Hearts in 2018, her goal was to provide emotional therapy and literacy programs with the help of her tiny equine friends.

“I’ve been around horses my whole life,” said Terry. “I’d been volunteering with another mini equine reading program, but the woman who ran it moved away. After she was gone, I saw the hole left and decided to form my own organization.”

Terry has four mini horses and two mini donkeys, and together they visit nursing homes, memory care centers, rehabilitation centers, schools, group foster homes, and libraries.

TRIGGERED MEMORIES FOR SENIORS

“The senior population desperately needs visits, not just for comfort, but also for therapy,” said Terry. “We often work with Occupational Therapists in their rehabilitation efforts.

“One woman had been in a car accident and had a serious brain injury. After our visit, her daughter contacted us to tell us her mother had always wanted to open a horse facility in California. The time she spent with our mini horses brought her so much happiness because it made her feel like she could be close to her dream again.”

For many patients in memory care, being around a horse triggers memories, transforms their demeanor, and brightens their day.

“In one memory care facility,” said Terry, “an elderly woman who used to have a ranch always thought these were her horses when we came in. She’d check them over and ask what we were doing to care for them, so we played along. One day, her grandkids visited, and she gave them grooming lessons with little hair brushes. She had a bonding experience with her grandkids she would never have been able to have otherwise.”

KIDS FALL IN LOVE WITH READING

Terry is passionate about using her horses and donkeys to promote literacy among children. She pays close attention to statistics about reading, such as:

• A child who is a poor reader at the end of First Grade has a 90% chance of being a poor reader at the end of Fourth Grade.

• A child who hasn’t learned to read well by the end of Fourth Grade has a much higher chance of dropping out of High School and is statistically more likely to remain illiterate throughout life.

• Nearly 70% of Fourth Graders in the U.S. read below grade level.

Armed with this information, Terry targets those young age groups with her program by taking her minis to schools, libraries, and group foster homes.

To read about Kids Fall in Love with Reading, click here to continue reading.

Terry is passionate about using her horses and donkeys to promote literacy among children.

Fountain Hills Community Services hosted a Splash Pad series. Kids cooled off in the water, played yard games, and enjoyed a picnic or dinner from a food truck.

Image credit: Fountain Hills Community Services, used by permission

FOUNTAIN HILLS ARTISTS’ GALLERY: ART CULTURE ON THE AVENUE

Fountain Hills Artists’ Gallery celebrates fifteen years as a pillar of art culture on Avenue of the Fountains. In 2008, Judi Yates turned her Gallery into a non-profit artist’s co-op, handing the reins to a board and the artists.

“I love walking in and seeing the distinct styles of each artist,” said Ann, a 25-year Fountain Hills resident. “We have so much artistic talent in this community, and it’s wonderful to see so much of it on display in this one place year-round.”

Margaret Sullivan has been with the Gallery since the beginning and now serves as its manager and Vice President of its board.

“We make sure that our artists have different styles,” said Margaret, “so they’re not competing against each other for sales. It also gives customers more variety, making them more likely to find something that suits their taste.

“We have 28-30 full-time artists at any given time,” she continued. “They not only supply the art sold here but also help run the shop and interact with our customers.”

The Gallery’s membership structure is affordable and ensures that the shop doesn’t have staffing shortages. Artists sign a one-year contract and contribute 3.5% of their sales to the operational fund. For a 4’x8’ space, artists pay $75 a month and work one day a month in the Gallery. For an 8’x8’ space, they pay $135 a month and work two days a week.

“Our contract year begins on June 1,” said Margaret. “We usually have a turnover of about five or so artists yearly, which is good for us because it helps freshen the look of the Gallery and give locals something new to discover.”

The Artists’ Gallery holds a variety of events, and they vary from year to year. They will offer a “Kick Back with the Artists” series this winter. Artists will bring homemade appetizers, and guests can sip on a glass of wine, enjoy their appetizers, and chat with the artists in person.

“In December, we host our annual Christmas Market,” said Margaret. “It’s open the day before Stroll in the Glow and the day of. We put tables on the sidewalk and mark everything 40% off. And we usually give away almost 30 dozen homemade cookies.”

Some artists offer special classes for people who want to make their own art. Some of the classes this summer include painting your pet with Kelly Bowman, making a stackable beaded bracelet with Linda Lawrence, and acrylic knife art with Sandy Gatlin.

Artist Jenny Willigrod has been with the Gallery since its conception. “I like the co-op model because I enjoy working with and meeting all the creative artists. I like that everyone contributes their professional talents to operate a successful business. And interacting with customers and showing them the art is rewarding.

“One of the things you learn quickly about having to sell other people’s art is that customers know what they like and tend to gravitate towards that when they come in. We all study each other’s biographies and know how to sell everyone’s art. Any sale is a good sale. We all need to be profitable for a cooperative to work.

Jenny has visited many cooperatives around the country. “I’m proud to say that this Gallery has quality art at reasonable prices. Fountain Hills is lucky to have such a gem on the Avenue.”

16858 E. Avenue of the Fountains #103 Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

www.fountainhillsartistsgallery.com

Margaret Sullivan, Gallery Manager

...a Tradition of Trust Committed to Providing You Exceptional Service

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance assures owners that they are acquiring clear title. It is designed to eliminate risk or loss caused by defects in title from the past. Title insurance provides coverage only for title problems which were already in existence at the time the policy was issued.

Why Fidelity National Title Agency?

• Named to the Fortune 500 on an annual basis

• The only Fortune 500 company in its industry

• Chosen by Forbes as one of The World’s Best Companies

• Selected by Forbes as one of the Best Managed Companies in America

Named by Forbes to the Platinum 400: America’s Best Big Companies • 150 years of Title & Escrow Experience

The Grand Opening for the new Skate Park was a huge hit for kids on bikes and skateboards. The Skate Park is at Desert Vista Park and is open from 7:00 a.m. until sunset.

Image credit: Fountain Hills Community Services, used by permission

Desert tortoises are nontraditional pets, but they’re fascinating animals.

GETTING A IN ARIZONA

Pet Tortoise

They’re not fluffy, they don’t play fetch, and they certainly don’t roll over. But there is such a thing as a lap tortoise.

Each year the Arizona Game and Fish Department makes hundreds of captive desert tortoises available for adoption. These tortoises cannot be released back into the wild because captive tortoises can transmit diseases that can decimate our wild population. Desert tortoises are nontraditional pets, but they’re fascinating animals. Families can gain an appreciation for desert wildlife by caring for a tortoise and watching its natural behavior.

Moreover, pet tortoises can wag their tails and greet you, and some can recognize their names. The surprising warmth of this ancient coldblooded creature has made them popular pets for retirees and families with pet dander allergies.

In Arizona, the state runs a captive desert tortoise adoption program. The adoption is free but requires an application, including photos and a diagram of the tortoise’s new home. You can spend hours setting up their habitat in our backyard, digging out rocks, fashioning a burrow, and planting tortoise-friendly flowers.

Photo above:

Building the habitat takes time. But the tortoise itself is often a lowmaintenance pet.

Tortoises sleep through the winter, a process known as brumation in the reptile world. They need a cozy den to keep them safe and warm. In the wild, they dig it themselves. You can build a burrow for them out of large PVC pipes, plastic garbage cans, or cinderblocks with WonderBoard as the roof.

TIPS TO CARE FOR TORTOISES

1. Habitat: Create an outdoor enclosure for your tortoise that offers plenty of space to roam and burrow. It should have secure walls and a top to prevent escapes and protect them from predators. Create sunny and shady areas to provide a range of temperatures. Use natural substrates such as soil, sand, or a mixture of both.

2. Temperature: Tortoises require a warm environment to thrive. The natural heat can be beneficial in Arizona, but you should also provide a cooler area for them to retreat when needed. Use natural shade or create shelters using rocks or wooden structures. Ensure that the temperature gradient in their enclosure allows them to regulate their body temperature.

3. Diet: Feed your tortoise a balanced diet of grasses, weeds, and leafy greens. Offer a variety of vegetables, such as dandelion greens, collard greens, and kale. Additionally, provide calcium-rich foods like calcium supplements and cuttlebone to promote healthy shell growth. Avoid feeding them high-protein and high-fat foods, which can lead to health issues.

4. Water: Tortoises always need access to fresh, clean water. Provide a shallow water dish that they can easily access and soak in. Ensure the water is not too deep, as tortoises are not strong swimmers. Soaking also helps with hydration and shell health.

5. Veterinary Care: Find a reptile-savvy veterinarian who can provide regular check-ups and care for your tortoise. Regular vet visits will help monitor their health, detect potential issues early on, and provide appropriate treatment if needed.

Remember, these guidelines are general, and different species of tortoises may have specific care requirements. It’s essential to research the specific needs of your tortoise species and consult with a reptile expert or veterinarian for personalized advice.

For more information: https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/ living-with-wildlife/wildlife-care-center/tortoise-adoption-information/

Families can gain an appreciation for desert wildlife by caring for a tortoise and watching its natural behavior.

Don’t call me a pig! I’m a javelina, also known as a collared peccary. I have long, sharp canine teeth that stick out from my jaws by about an inch. I live with my large family of about a dozen others. We communicate with one another and other herds using smell and sounds. We like to live in the washes around Town.

Even though I have ferocious-looking teeth, I’m actually an herbivore. I eat a variety of native plant foods such as agave, mesquite beans, and prickly pear, as well as roots, tubers, and other green vegetation. But if the opportunity presents itself, I will also eat lizards, dead birds, and rodents.

I don’t have many predators, but humans, coyotes, and bobcats can be dangerous for me. As long as I stay safe, I might live to my 10th birthday. I have a scent gland on the top of my rump covered by long hairs. I like to rub my scent on rocks and tree stumps to mark my territory. I even rub my scent on others to help with identification.

Just don’t call me a pig!

PaigeProductions

YOUTH THEATER

Many new ideas and opportunities appeared through the trying times of the pandemic, and Paige Productions Youth Theater is one of them. In the fall of 2021, Paige Beckman started Paige Productions as a response to the needs of kids stuck at home more than a year after the initial lockdown.

CREATING NEW THEATER OPPORTUNITIES

“I saw theater kids sitting on the sidelines following the pandemic,” said Paige. “Sports and schools were back up, and theaters all over Phoenix stayed closed or canceled youth shows. It was hard on kids to audition repeatedly and have their hopes dashed like that.

“As a voice teacher and a parent, it was hard to watch. Many talented voice students were doing lessons with me via Zoom through the pandemic, and they were not performing anywhere. I felt like we could do something to offer more shows and make up for lost time.”

Paige is no newcomer to theater. She studied musical theater in college and served as the Education Director and instructor at a local theater for over a decade.

“Before I had kids,” she said, “I was a young actress and enjoyed directing shows in college and high schools. I also worked at many large churches putting on theatrical and video productions.”

Paige teaches private voice and acting lessons in her home studio, and her theater company stays busy much of the year. She offers a range

Top Photo: Paige Productions Youth Theater

Inset Photo: Paige Beckman with some of her students.

of opportunities for kids who want to get involved:

•Nine weeks of summer day camps

•Fall, winter, and spring break day camps

•Monday after-school musical theater classes

•The Our Theater for Busy Kids program allows kids to perform in a show with just ten rehearsals and two costumed performances. In the past, they’ve performed shows like Frozen Kids and High School Musical Jr.

•Art classes are coming soon

The target age group is 5-14, but many are getting older and entering high school. Those older kids have become so good that Paige is expanding their opportunities to stay involved.

BENEFITS OF THEATER

Participating in theater has many benefits. Most kids improve in public speaking and learn how to think fast on their feet. Acting and improvisation classes help a lot with this, making kids quicker thinkers. Those skills carry over to job and college interviews. It makes them better at interacting with others, doing sales, and being a good conversationalist.

“I think all kids should try at least one acting class when they’re young,” said Paige. “Sometimes there’s a kid with us for a couple of years who is so shy. We keep plugging away and never force them to get on stage. But they slowly warm up. Then, there’s a day when they get on stage and blow us away. They sing for the first time in front of their peers or surprise us with their acting gift. They were learning and absorbing the teaching that whole time, and then they finally delivered.

“Those are my favorite moments. I love watching the kids come alive. Their parents are usually trying not to cry, and I’m usually tearing up, too.”

THE THEATER ENVIRONOMENT

Paige recommends parents sign up their kids and let them try it out. “We always try to have fun in addition to learning how to sing, dance, and act. We are definitely focused when we are learning or rehearsing, but I also like it when kids can be loud, have fun with their friends, and just be kids.

“We have a playground, a parachute, balls, toys, coloring. Sometimes theater environments are very serious, and the kids must be quiet. I think it’s nice when we can all loosen up a little.”

Since Paige Productions Youth Theater doesn’t have its own facility, Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church provides space for its activities and performances.

“The congregation and staff have been incredibly helpful and supportive of us and the kids,” said Paige. The other day they left a bunch of treats and cookies for our summer campers. It’s a very positive and kid-friendly environment.”

SIGN UP YOUR KIDS

If your kids want to get involved, Paige makes herself available for chats about the best activities for each child, whether a camp, a class, or a performance. She even enjoys hosting grandkids who come to town to visit their grandparents.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN TOWN:

Our event calendar is the most robust and dynamic calendar for events in Fountain Hills.

• Live music at local restaurants

• Theater productions

• Art fairs

• Festivals

• Stargazing activities

• High school sporting events

• And so much more!

Do you want to add your event calendar? Reach out to us at editor@desertvibe.com and let’s chat.

It’s all here, every day of the week! Check in www.DesertVibe.com and keep up to date!

Combine the shift of the wind, the increase in moisture, and soaring daytime temperatures, and the result is the monsoon season.

Arizona

MONSOONS, HABOOBS, AND DOWNBURSTS

Understanding the Sonoran Desert’s Summer Weather

Arizona has unique weather patterns compared to the rest of the country with terminology that is not used in other states. When it comes to summer weather, most year-round residents look forward to the monsoon storms that cool the stifling desert heat. But what causes this unique weather?

MONSOONS

The word monsoon comes from the Arabic word “mausim”, which means “season” or “wind shift”. During the winter, Arizona’s wind comes from the west or northwest. But in the summer, the wind shifts, coming from a southerly or southeasterly direction. This brings moisture up from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California.

Combine the shift of the wind, the increase in moisture, and soaring daytime temperatures, and the result is the monsoon season.

The official start of the monsoon season occurs after three consecutive days or more of dew points of 55°F or higher. For a monsoon storm

to form, the temperatures in Phoenix need to be between 100-108°F. The monsoon season usually runs from July through September.

HABOOBS

The word haboob comes from the Arabic word “habb”, meaning “wind”. These occur in the second stage of thunderstorm development. In the first stage, called the updraft stage, warm, moist air is lifted and condenses to form cumulus-type clouds. There is little to no precipitation in this stage.

The second stage, called the mature stage, has both updrafts and downdrafts. Downdrafts form at the leading edge of a thunderstorm when the air is pulled downward by precipitation. As the air descends, it often hits the ground and is forced out ahead of the storm in a gust. The gust picks up large amounts of dust and sand and creates a wall of dust we call a haboob. With wind velocity over 30 mph, haboobs can rise to heights of more than 3,000 feet.

The third stage is when the storm finally dissipates and leaves us with cooler temperatures for the rest of the day.

DOWNBURSTS

Intense pockets of downdrafts can create severe weather conditions called downbursts. These are bursts of damaging winds that slam into the ground. A large downburst, called a macroburst, can be 2.5 miles long with winds lasting 5-20 minutes. A microburst is smaller with peak winds lasting just 2-5 minutes.

Most smartphones offer severe weather alerts. Check out your phone’s Settings and look under Notifications.

With wind velocity over 30 mph, haboobs can rise to heights of more than 3,000 feet.