City News

CIGNA VOLUNTEERS DONATE HANDMADE HATS TO PATIENTS AT IRONWOOD CANCER & RESEARCH CENTERS

A GROUP OF CIGNA VOLUNTEERS KNOWN AS “A COMMON THREAD” MADE AND donated 1,105 crocheted caps for patients at the Ironwood Cancer & Research Center in Glendale.

The group has made and donated nearly 13,000 caps to cancer patients and babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) throughout the state in just the last fi ve years.

“As a global health service company with a mission of helping to improve the health, wellbeing and sense of security of the people we serve, Cigna encourages employees to positively impact the health of their local communities,” said Theresa Richards, Cigna employee and A Common Thread volunteer. “Making the caps together with other employees is one way that we with each other over a common passion.”

A total of 26 ladies volunteer to make the caps. Twenty-four of them are Cigna employees who work at the North Phoenix Cigna offi ce at 25500 N. Norterra Dr. and the other two volunteers are friends and family members. The employees get together once a week on their lunch break to crochet, knit and loom the caps, and they work on them at home as well. Each of the adult size caps takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to make. The baby caps take about 30 to 60 minutes to make. All of the caps have their own unique design and color. Some have a scarf attached, others are colors of popular sports teams and universities and some are holiday themed.

“This was the second year Cigna donated knitted caps for our patients receiving chemotherapy. This year we received 1,105 lovely, unique hats. We are so grateful to partner with Cigna and for can give back locally to those in need and connect

their donation to our patients,” said Kelly B. Huey, director of Integrative Services & Social Work for Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers. “The hats were disseminated among our 12 offi ces throughout the Phoenix area for all of our patients to enjoy. Our Chandler offi ce made a ‘hat tree’ in our lobby for the patients to take the hats for the holidays.”

A Common Thread started the community service project as a result of Cigna’s national partnership with the March of Dimes. The caps provide warmth for babies facing serious health challenges. Since the group started, more than 18,000 baby hats have been donated to NICUs throughout the country and more than 9,500 have been donated in Arizona. Most recently in May 2018, 1,000 caps were donated to Maricopa Integrated Health System’s Level III NICU at Maricopa Medical Center. Shortly after starting to crochet the caps for babies in NICU’s the group decided to make caps for patients going through cancer treatment and have donated more than 4,000 so far.

“It is so awesome for Cigna to have such wonderful caring employees who donate their time and materials to make the hats for those in need,” said Huey.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: TERESA CALDWELL, THERESA RICHARDS, NICOLE MCCALLISTER, CAROL BEYER AND KELLY HUEY

I-17 IMPROVEMENTS COMING, BUT SAFETY DEPENDS ON DRIVER BEHAVIOR ADOT WORKING ON DESIGN STUDY FOR ANTHEM TO SUNSET POINT AREA

AS THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ADVANCES PROJECTS THAT WILL add capacity to Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix area, drivers can help improve safety and reduce delays today by avoiding speeding, aggressive driving, distraction from things like cellphones and other behaviors that lead to crashes.

The longest backups stemming from crashes occur most often on weekends, when many drivers take I-17 to and from Arizona’s high country.

“New lanes will play a role in improved safety, but driver behavior remains the key,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The reality is that a reduction in speeding, sudden lane changes and impaired driving would reduce crashes, closures and frustrating traffi c backups along this corridor.”

ADOT is conducting an environmental and design concept study scheduled for completion by summer 2019. Initial construction of a third southbound I-17 lane between Black Canyon City and Anthem is planned in 2020.

The Maricopa Association of Governments, the Phoenix area’s metropolitan planning organization, has committed $50 million in its Regional Transportation plan in 2019 and 2020 for design work and the start of construction of the third I-17 lane extending south from Black Canyon City.

ADOT’s statewide construction program includes more than $100 million starting in 2021 to build I-17 “fl ex lanes” between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. Construction is expected to take two years.

Flex lanes will operate as a separate two-lane system next to the existing I-17 southbound lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. Separated by barrier wall, the fl ex lanes will carry vehicles in one direction depending on traffi c needs.

These new lanes will provide fl exibility and additional traffi c capacity at times when I-17 traffi c is heaviest in one direction, including northbound on a Friday or southbound on a Sunday. The fl ex lanes, with gates or movable barriers at each end, also will help keep traffi c moving if a crash or other incident has occurred on the steep, winding section of I-17 north of Black Canyon City.

Driver behavior is the leading factor in crashes along I-17 in the Black Canyon City region. An ADOT analysis conducted for a recent safety project showed that “speed too fast for conditions” was cited by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers in more than 40 percent of I-17 crashes in that area.

CONSTRUCTION OF UNION PARK AT NORTERRA PHASE I NEARS COMPLETION UNION PARK AT NORTERRA, pre-sales by appointment on four, from 2,332 to 3,864 square feet. areas, a great room, catering kitchen NORTH PHOENIX’S NEWEST two-story fl oorplans ranging from Starting in the $400s, David Weekley and an event/conference room. Three MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITY 1,803 to 2,472 square feet. The Homes’ collection includes 3-5 community parks are also included in at the northwest corner of 19th single-family homes are priced bedrooms, 2-4 baths and, 2-3 car and Phase I. Avenue and Happy Valley Road, from the high $200s and feature 3-car tandem garages. is nearing completion of its fi rst 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2-car, Master developer, Sunbelt Holdings phase, which includes seven models rear-loaded garages. Upon opening, At the heart of Union Park and land owner, USAA Real Estate, by builders Ashton Woods, Cachet Ashton Woods will offer two models at Norterra is The Post, the are jointly creating the Union Park at Homes and David Weekley Homes. for preview. Cachet Homes began community’s 5,800-square-foot, Norterra mixed-use community that The 400-acre community is planned pre-sales activity late November resort-styled recreation center is planned to include a diverse mix to open this month. and features three models and a inspired by the traditional designs of of single-family homes, multi-family distinctive selection of fi ve one- and historical farmhouses. Architectural residential, hotel, offi ce and a unique Ashton Woods recently began two-story fl oor plans ranging from elements include timber trusses and retail corridor upon completion. 2,831 to 4,115 square beams, decorative steel, barn doors, feet. Priced from the low outdoor shutters and a covered porch. Set among the picturesque Union Peak $500s, Cachet Homes’ Sonoran Preserve, The Union Park plans at Union Park offer Envisioned to serve as a hub for at Norterra master plan is focused on 3-5 bedrooms, 3.5-4.5 resident activity, The Post features creating a one-of-a-kind community – baths and 3-car garages. a pool with cabanas, a children’s in which to live, work and play – that David Weekley Homes play pool, an event lawn with shade embraces the vibrancy of in-town living will feature two models ramadas, a playground, outdoor mixed with a casual and charming and seven one- and two- barbecues, basketball and pickleball culture. For more information, visit story fl oor plans ranging courts, indoor/outdoor gathering unionparkatnorterra.com.

THE SHOPS AT NORTERRA JOINING THE POKE BOWL CRAZE WITH OPENING OF KOI POKE By Lauren Strait quality and freshest “boat to bowl” fi sh available, delicious organic toppings and chef-prepared, glutenPOKE, A HAWAIIAN DISH CONSISTING OF free sauces that can create dozens of unique dishes to DICED RAW FISH MIXED WITH FLAVORED come back and enjoy again and again. SAUCES, HAVE LATELY BEEN trending all over the Unites States, including sunny Arizona. One of the You can also pair your unique dish with one of Koi most important aspects of this dish is the quality of the Poke’s totally RAD juices like Kale Me Maybe or fi sh, and for anyone who enjoys fi sh, it’s really about Turmicacle, to keep up with the healthy theme. To top the freshness. off your experience, indulge in their mochi ice cream that ranges from traditional chocolate or vanilla fl avors The great news is, Koi Poke is rating high here in to wild blood orange or green tea fl avors for more Arizona after being ranked Best of the Valley by daring taste buds. Phoenix Magazine in 2017. What’s even better is that Koi Poke is expanding its concept and coming soon to Koi Poke currently has four locations, four locations The Shops of Norterra! coming soon, and four additional locations in development. For store hours and more information, This build-your-own bowl concept features the highest visit koipoke.com.

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THE GROUNDBREAKING OF FIRE STATION 55 By Jennifer Marshall City of Phoenix, this state-of-the-art neighbors banded together to express Once completed, Station 55 will fi rehouse is scheduled to open in the their needs. As a result, the City of reduce response time by half. This WE DEPEND ON OUR FIRST spring of 2019. Phoenix authorized a temporary fi re faster response time will mean more RESPONDERS FOR OUR station to operate out of an extended lives will be saved and more property SAFETY, OUR HEALTH AND OUR The need for a fi re station in this stay hotel that could serve both sides spared from the ravages of fi re. GENERAL WELL-BEING. When we area dates back to 2001; that’s of I-17 going north and south. need them, they’re always there for when a general obligation bond was Station 55 will be the fi rst fi rehouse us, so we need to be there for them, approved to buy the property. In While this fi re company was the City of Phoenix has built in 10 too. 2006, construction was scheduled a welcome addition to the years. At 11,000 square feet, this to begin, but when the economy neighborhood and residents were brand new facility will accommodate On a sunny Monday morning took a downward turn, the project thankful for this new service, the 10 fi refi ghters. This modern fi rehouse October 29, the residents of was shelved. Thankfully, prosperity average response time, which was will contain energy effi cient North Phoenix celebrated the returned, and as a result, this area of anywhere from 13 to 14 minutes, materials like a heavily insulated Groundbreaking of Fire Station 55 North Phoenix experienced a huge was still longer than what everyone roof. And since fi refi ghters deal with at the northeast corner of I-17 and growth spurt. wanted. Residents advocated for all types of emergencies, including Jomax Road. The construction of the building of Station 55, which handling toxic substances, the new this new station has been a long time Burgeoning neighborhoods meant a is located approximately one mile station will have built-in features to coming, and thanks to the tireless greater need for community services from their base of operation at the protect and keep those serving us efforts of local residents and the such as fi re and rescue. That’s when extended stay. safe and healthy.

Nine people participated in the Groundbreaking Shovel Ceremony including such dignitaries as: Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams, City Manager Ed Zuercher, Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner, Principal Architect Gerrald Adams of Perlman architects of Arizona and Esteemed Retired Firefi ghter Benny Ashley.

“I truly appreciate the partnership that we have with the community, you folks coming forward has allowed us to move forward with this fi re station. We can’t be successful without the support of the community,” said Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner.

WOW WOW LEMONADE BRINGING HAWAIIAN VIBES TO HAPPY VALLEY! By Lauren Strait in Hawaii and stopped in to a WOW in the famer’s markets of California. honey. Lastly, there are “life” WOW to quench their thirst. They Their success led them to expand, lemonades, which seem to offer WOW WOW HAWAIIAN knew they needed to spring the where they decided to call Maui health benefi ts with additions like LEMONADE – COMING SOON spirit of Aloha back to AZ! This home. cayenne, turmeric, and charcoal. TO HAPPY VALLEY AND 39TH location will be the fourth one in AVE., IS BRINGING THE TASTE Arizona and will heavily rely on Wow Wow has more than two Iced teas, cold brew coffee, and OF HAWAII TO OUR OWN local farmers for fresh produce to dozen different fl avors of raw, cold- rotating kombuchas on tap are also BACKYARD! FROM THE ISLAND carry on the sense of community pressed lemonades and limeades available. Guests have the option vibe complete with decorative that WOW WOW prides itself on. ranging from $4-$9. They also to order any drink in a $5 mason colors, surf boards and surf videos, offer classic options like all-lemon, jar that they can take home and get the shop offers waves of lemonades, WOW WOW was born in Maui by a strawberry mint and watermelon refi lled at a 50-cent discount. Filling acai bowls and avocado toast that couple in San Diego, who lost their basil which can be served either a growler costs $15 to $18. will truly make you say WOW! son at the age of three and decided iced or frozen. Then there are to embark on pursuing their passion sparkling varieties, including the Wow Wow may not fully transport This delicious franchise came to the rather than the busy life of corporate crisp and sugary mojito limeade, you to Hawaii, but it is an ideal Valley about after owners Beth and America. They started a handcrafted made with coconut water and place to chill and binge on healthyRyan Glaeser were honeymooning lemonade and street waffl e business sweetened with agave or local ish treats with friends or family.