The Upper Westsider, April 2021

YOUR HYPERLOCAL NEWS SOURCE

April 2021

Vol. 2 • No. 5

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In This Issue City News.................................................... 4-15 Education....................................................16-17 Kids’ Corner..................................................... 19 Community................................................ 20-21

Family......................................................... 22-23 Sudoku............................................................ 24 Crossword....................................................... 26 Real Estate.................................................28-29

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Business Directory.................................... 30-31 Getaway.......................................................... 33 Must Watch..................................................... 34 Bites................................................................ 35

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For compassionate care, safety, and security, trust Memory Support at Sun Health: n Onsite primary care physician services n Secure environment with card-access doors n Spacious and comforting ground-level suites n Chef-prepared meals and nutritious snacks n Personalized call pendants and 24/7 emergency call systems n Housekeeping and personal laundry n Salon/barbershop n Low resident-to-staff ratios and sensory-based programming help to reduce anxiety and promote cognitive functioning.

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623-223-1093 UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 3

City News

The City of Peoria Announces Winners for Utility Box Art Contest Local residents express themselves while enhancing city streets THE WINNERS FOR THE UTILITY BOX ART WRAP COMPETITION IN OCTOBER 2020 HAVE BEEN SELECTED. Their artwork has been printed on vinyl wraps and installed on utility boxes at street corners in 10 different locations throughout the city.

“Taking something as functional as a utility box and turning it into an expression of the unique character of our community immediately adds vibrant energy to the street,” says Mayor Cathy Carlat.

“Peoria is home to incredibly talented artists and their contributions to this project cannot be understated.”

After the success of the pilot program that started with four locations and artists, the city of Peoria expanded it to 10 more locations this year for a total of 14. Residents of all ages were asked to submit original artwork drawn or painted with crayons, colored pencils, paint and markers. A panel of professionals and the Peoria Arts Commission judged the entries based on whether the design represented Peoria’s unique qualities, was eye catching, and could effectively be transferred to a three-dimensional box wrap.

THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR ARTWORK WERE SELECTED: • Kesmine Hickman • Julie Larrson • Robert Panzer • Amanda Ratkovich • Maddy Folk • Sophie Gerald • Andrew Gable • Catherine Hoben • Keith Rypkowski • Mikayla Gable • Honorable mentions included Dawn Sutherland, Ricky Ahrenberg, Lindsay Driver, Christine Grant, and Otto Uhrik.

MIKAYLA GABLE

AMANDA RATKOVICH

“Our city leadership strongly supports the arts in our community and this competition created a path for residents to express themselves while enhancing our city streets,” says Peoria Arts and Events Manager Marylou Stephens. “The winners created some beautiful pieces and we’re excited for residents to see them.”

For more information about the competition and the winners, visit peoriaaz.gov/arts or follow Peoria arts and events on Facebook and Instagram @peoriaazarts.

ROBERT PANZER

SOPHIE GERALD CATHERINE HOBEN

KESMINE HICKMAN

KEITH RYPKOWSKI 4 • April 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER

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City News Construction Begins on a New Local Dutch Bros Location DUTCH BROS IS PLANNING A NEW SHOP IN PEORIA NEAR 35TH AVENUE AND HAPPY VALLEY ROAD, A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON RECENTLY CONFIRMED. “As we continue to grow in Peoria, so does our love for this community,” says Caleb Berkey, operator of Dutch Bros Phoenix West Valley. “We can’t wait for the day when we can serve up delicious drinks at our new location. Dutch Bros is stoked to continue to share the ‘Dutch luv’ with the Peoria community through outstanding customer service and coffee.”

Dutch Bros Coffee is the country’s largest privately held drive-thru coffee company, with more than 400 locations and 14,000 employees in 10 states.

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Oregon, where it was founded in 1992 by Dane and Travis Boersma. Dutch Bros serves specialty coffee, smoothies, freezes, teas, a private-label Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink, and nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee.

In addition to its mission of speed, quality and service, Dutch Bros is committed to giving back to the communities it serves, according to the company.

Through its Dutch Bros Foundation and local franchisees, the company donates several million dollars to causes across the country each year.

A Dutch Bros spokesperson says that there is no set opening date for the new location as construction has just begun. To learn more, visit dutchbros.com.

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UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 5

City News

Arizona Balloon Classic Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary April 30-May 2 THE ARIZONA BALLOON CLASSIC BY ARIZONA EVENTS GROUP WILL BE HOSTING ITS 10TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL FRIDAY, APRIL 30 THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 2. Gates are open Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon.

Admission is free on Sunday for all ages.

This socially distanced and outdoor event will feature shows and activities throughout the day and evening for the whole family. The Arizona Balloon Classic will be held at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S Ballpark Way in Goodyear.

“This is our 10th anniversary for the Arizona Balloon Classic, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing community partners,” says Tim Matykiewicz, President and CEO of Arizona Events Group. “We are thankful for our attendees for helping to contribute to our fundraising efforts for Valley of the Sun United Way. One of our favorite parts of the classic is our nighttime balloon events, and we are thankful to be able to make the sky glow for the 10th year with our AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union partnership. We have put a lot of thought into this year’s event to make it not only fun for the family, but also socially distanced.”

THE SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDES: The Arizona Balloon Classic On Saturday, May 1, 2021 and Sunday May 2, from 6:35 to 7:45 a.m., the sky will be filled with brilliant blues, purples, oranges, and reds as the hot-air balloons participate in thrilling “Hare & Hound” races from the grassy fields of the Goodyear Ballpark for a spectacular sight of mass and color. Spectators can walk on the field right next to the balloons and experience the inflation and lift off.

Photo taking is invited.

AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow On Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., come experience a field full of tethered, illuminated, hot air balloons glowing in time to music.

Saturday night will feature a Pilots Parade with a constant burn of purple, green, red and yellow flames from the balloons. A firework show and the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow will follow after the parade.

Additional Activities Throughout the weekend there will also be several different festival-style type activities. A Family Fun Zone will have free and paid activities including hot air balloon rides

and tethered rides, inflatable games, stunt bike shows, fireworks (Saturday only), live entertainment, sampling, and more.

Each day there will be a Street Foodfest with a beer and wine garden and local food trucks, live music stage, and more. A new, daytime exhibit has been added, the Desert Wind Kite Festival by My Wind Stuff. Show kites larger than semi-trucks, windsocks larger than motorhomes, and a 50-foot Mega Fish Kite will be flying high in the sky on both Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. There will also be candy canons, paper rocket making and launching, and parachute racing for all ages. Kites for all ages and abilities will be on hand for sale including single line, dual line sport kites, and quad line stunt kites.

Admission One day general admission tickets purchased online for Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors (ages 55+). Children 12 and under, active duty military, and veterans are free. Admission is free for all ages on Sunday, May 2. Tickets purchased at the gate are $25 for adults and $15 for seniors on Friday and Saturday. Group ticket packages are available. General parking is $5. Tickets are available at abcfest.com.

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City News

TSMC Begins Hiring for North Valley Plant

By Jenna-Lee Neff TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY (TSMC) HAS BEGUN THE HIRING PROCESS, LOOKING TO FILL A NUMBER OF POSITIONS INCLUDING PROCESS INTEGRATION ENGINEERS, EQUIPMENT TECHNICIANS, MANUFACTURING SUPERVISORS, AND FACILITY PROCESS GAS AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERS. The hiring comes as the next step in the multi-billion-dollar project that will eventually see TSMC producing 5-nanometer chips in Arizona. According to TSMC’s website, the size is the most advanced circuitry in today’s products and a fraction of the size of a human hair, which measures between 80,000-100,000 nanometers.

The City of Phoenix approved a $12 billion deal with TSMC late last year.

After the approval, the company bought 1,128 acres of land in north Phoenix that will be home to a new semiconductor fabrication plant and signed a lease for a 46,735-square-foot office located at the Canyon Corporate Plaza office campus.

“The semiconductor industry set up shop in Arizona back in 1949, long before Silicon Valley became a thing,” the TSMC website states. “This means the ecosystem for a fab is already in place when it comes to work force, supply chain and public policies.”

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According to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, the project is expected to create approximately 1,900 high-tech jobs and foster thousands more related jobs in the semiconductor supply chain ecosystem.

TSMC plans to attract a workforce from in and out of state, explaining on the website that, “Because the Arizona fab will ultimately employ well over 1,000 engineers, we need to go beyond tapping the existing Arizona workforce.”

TSMC’s careers website cites a low cost of living, outdoor activities, professional sports and an average of 299 sunny days a year as assets that will help the company attract college graduates and engineers early in their careers to putting down roots in the Valley.

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The anticipated schedule for the project puts design completion and the beginning of construction later this year, according to the City of Phoenix website.

The plant is expected to be in production by 2024.

For more information on careers with TSMC, visit tsmccareers.com/tsmcarizona.

Jenna-Lee Neff is a freelance journalist, digital audience analyst, and nonprofit public relations professional. Learn more about her work at jennaleeneff.com.

UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 7

City News

Peoria’s Party for the Planet CHECK OUT THE FUN ACTIVITIES AND CLASSES BEING OFFERED THIS MONTH BY THE CITY OF PEORIA TO EXTEND THE CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY AND ARBOR DAY ALL SPRING LONG! JOIN THE PLANT A TREE CHALLENGE FOR THE ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION The city is calling on its residents to help our community forest and shade coverage by encouraging desert tree planting until Arbor Day on April 30. If you plant a tree during our the challenge, upload your before and after tree planting picture to the city’s DropBox account found at peoriaaz.gov. The Plant a Tree Challenge ends on National Arbor Day, April 30.

The city will announce how many trees were planted and contact winners of the prizes by May 5.

WATER AWARENESS MONTH April is Water Awareness Month! New Water Conservation Kits are available. Request a home water conservation kit at PeoriaAZ.gov to get items to help you save water, energy and money.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) DISPOSAL Improper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) can cause fire in our solid waste vehicles, contaminate our water system, and endanger our environment. Let the city dispose of HHW responsibly; they will pick-up hazardous waste from your home.

Beginning April 12, you may schedule an HHW appointment at peoriaaz.gov/HHW. DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT It is time to recycle your old documents! In celebration of Earth Day, the city will be hosting a Shred-A-Thon on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To learn more about this event, visit peoriaaz.gov/recycle.

BLUE LID PILOT PROGRAM RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE! Peoria will be chang-

8 • April 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER

ing the lids on the recycle bin from brown to blue in two areas of the city. The new lids will have a list of acceptable items and will help improve our recycling rate while reducing the contamination. To learn more about this project visit peoriaaz.gov/recycle.

GREEN VIRTUAL CLASSES All of these eco-friendly virtual classes can be viewed at youtube.com/digitalpeoria.

• April 10: Wildlife Friendly Landscapes Class, goes live at 9 a.m.

• April 17: Worm Composting Class. Join the city on Saturday, April 17 to celebrate Earth Day and learn more about composting with “red wiggler” worms. The first 50 registrants will receive a worm composting starter kit and in-kitchen compost-collecting bin. (Note: To qualify for the free starter kit and in-kitchen composting collecting bin, participant must have an active Solid Waste Account with the City of Peoria). Register online at peoriaaz.gov/recycle. This class is funded in part by a grant from The Arizona Recycling Coalition.

• April 24: Resilient Landscapes Class, goes live at 9 a.m.

All of these events are hosted by the city of Peoria. More info can be found at peoriaaz.gov or by following the city on Facebook @CityofPeoriaAZ.

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City News A Small Business Makes a Big Impact in Keeping the Community Clean

By Jenna-Lee Neff A TRIP DOWN ANY HIGHWAY IN ARIZONA MAKES ONE THING OBVIOUS: LITTER IN THE STATE IS BECOMING A MAJOR ELEMENT OF THE SCENERY. In fact, the Arizona Department of Transportation says that it cost taxpayers more than $4 million each year just to clean up discarded trash along the highways. But one local business takes trash removal seriously, and they have put out a call-to-action to the community to step up and keep Arizona beautiful.

North Valley Custom Hauling is a family-owned junk removal service located in Desert Hills. When Dustin Holm and his team noticed the increasing litter, they did what no one else was doing—they picked it up.

“We started picking up mattresses and debris we saw on the side of the road during our workday as a way to pay back the community,” Holm says. He adds that what started as giving back to the community grew into a volunteer-led effort now known as Don’t Dump in Our Desert.

“We had the equipment to haul away stuff, but not the manpower to do large cleanups,” he shares. “We created events and took to social media.”

Now, the initiative has grown into a group of local business owners and residents who set aside one Saturday a month to take on cleanup projects.

According to Holm, the cleanups

average between 30 and 50 volunteers, depending on the size.

Since the North Valley Custom Hauling team took to social to spread the word, Holm says they have done five larger cleanups and dozens of smaller ones.

In the past year, he estimates that they have been able to remove 25,00035,000 pounds of trash from the desert.

They show no signs of slowing down.

According to a Facebook post by the group, a recent cleanup broke the record for the amount of trash they removed in a single cleanup, picking up and hauling away 6,380 pounds.

Those interested in getting involved with Don’t Dump in Our Desert can join the group on Facebook at “Don’t Dump in Our Desert – North Valley” or through groups in the Nextdoor app in the Vistancia neighborhood.

According to Holm, they plan to continue doing at least one clean up per month as long as the weather permits. “Anybody that has a few hours on a Saturday morning can get involved,” he says.

Want to help spread the word? Get involved in the next event or share your own clean up hike on social media with the hashtag #dontdumpinourdesert.

Visit dontdumpinourdesert.com for more info.

Jenna-Lee Neff is a freelance journalist, digital audience analyst, and nonprofit public relations professional. Learn more about her work at jennaleeneff.com.

Custom Designed Pools and Spas IN BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE Desert Tropics Custom Pools has been designing and building custom pools since 2001. We spent our early years concentrated on high-end projects throughout the valley and with this background, there are few design features we haven’t constructed. We build our pools with the finest materials, skilled workers, highest quality equipment, and components we have never cut corners when it comes to quality. We are mindful of the customer placing them first throughout the process assuring that what we complete is an extension of their initial vision.

Unlike many pool companies, we are not here to lecture you on what is good or bad in pool design we listen carefully and educate our customers on every aspect of a pool empowering them to make great decisions regarding their project.

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UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 9

City News Peoria City Council Approves Contract Amendment to Expand Reclaimed Water Pipeline

By Jenna-Lee Neff Graphic Courtesy of the City of Peoria AS PART OF A PLAN TO EXPAND RECLAIMED WATER PIPELINES AND USE IN THE CITY, THE PEORIA CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY APPROVED A CONTRACT AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.1 MILLION WITH MULTINATIONAL FIRM GHD. The expansion will include building more than seven miles of pipeline from the Beardsley Water Reclamation Facility, with construction being completed in four stages to minimize actual construction time while bringing reclaimed water services to the northern part of the city as swiftly as possible, according to officials.

Final designs are expected to be approved this fall and construction should begin shortly after; completion of the project is expected in 2023. Potential users of the pipeline include Paloma Park, Westwing Park, Alta Vista Park, local elementary schools, and Ventana Lakes.

Peoria’s first direct reuse water system was in the Vistancia development. The city treats reclaimed water to A+ standards, the safest and highest quality standard for reclaimed water, according to the city’s website. While

the reclaimed water is considered high quality, it is not designed to meet all of the same standards required for drinking water. As with drinking water, the quality of reclaimed water is regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Maricopa Country Environmental Services Department.

According to the FY 2020-2029 Capital Improvement Program, installation of new reclaimed waterlines allows reclaimed water to be used for landscape irrigation in parks, schools, and the city right-of-way. By providing reclaimed water for these customers, the program states that the city helps preserve valuable drinking water resources.

Peoria currently works with new and existing large water customers, including golf courses, parks, schools, cemeteries, industrial and multi-family complexes to provide water service by the city’s reclaimed water distribution system. For more information about water services in the city of Peoria, visit peoriaaz.gov/government/departments/water-services.

Jenna-Lee Neff is a freelance journalist, digital audience analyst, and nonprofit public relations professional. Learn more about her work at jennaleeneff.com.

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City News

You Dream. We Build.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Opens for 2021 Season

Design Assistance Available

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Kitchen & Bath Specialists SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR, LOCATED AT 4243 W. PINNACLE PEAK ROAD IN GLENDALE, JUST OPENED BACK UP FOR THE 2021 SUMMER SEASON. Last year, the popular Valley attraction had closed down due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The park’s reopening plan, which the company developed with its epidemiologist consultants, meets or exceeds federal, state and local guidelines for sanitization, hygiene and social distancing protocols, according to the park.

“We are excited to welcome guests back to Hurricane Harbor. The health and safety of our guests and team members remains our top priority and we appreciate the support of Governor Ducey as we’ve worked to create a fun and safe environment for everyone,” says Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix General Manager Donald Spiller.

“We have developed a comprehensive reopening safety plan that includes best practices from theme park and waterpark industry experts, along with top destination parks from around the world, which will allow guests to experience our parks in the safest possible way. This ’new normal’ will be very different, but we believe these additional measures are appropriate in the current environment,” says Six Flags President and CEO Mike Spanos.

The park employs an online reservation system to manage attendance, schedule guests for entry by day, and stagger arrival times to minimize proximity exposure. Other new technologies include: • State-of-the-art thermal imaging for temperature checks; • Advanced security screening technology for touchless bag checks and • Expanded mobile food ordering.

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UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 11

City News

Road Construction Updates for the Upper Westside Graphic Courtesy of ADOT

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THE UPPER WESTSIDE CONTINUES TO GROW AND EVOLVE, AND WITH THAT, CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO OUR ROADWAYS. HERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT UPDATES. JOMAX PARKWAY PROJECT Construction has begun on the Jomax Parkway Project and is expected to be complete in January 2022.

Project improvements include construction of a new four-lane segment of Jomax Road with a landscaped median, from the Loop 303/Jomax traffic interchange currently under construction

by ADOT to a new signalized intersection at Vistancia Boulevard.

Construction also includes new curb and gutter, landscaped medians, sidewalk, and drainage improvements. Work on Vistancia Boulevard includes installing a traffic signal and widening at the future Jomax Parkway intersection to provide for a left turn movement, a

dedicated right turn lane northbound at the intersection, and dual left turns for southbound Vistancia accessing Jomax Parkway.

During construction two lanes will be maintained in each direction on Vistancia Boulevard during daytime hours and lanes may be reduced to one lane in each direction at night.

For more information about the project, call 602-532-6250.

LOOP 303 CONSTRUCTION Wonder what’s been up with all of the construction on Loop 303? Recent improvements to Loop 303 between Happy Valley and Lake Pleasant Parkways include: • Constructing a third general-purpose lane in each direction by widening in the median.

• Constructing new bridges over the Beardsley Canal and Jomax Parkway for the new section of the Loop 303 freeway mainline.

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN DRIVER EDUCATION IS NOW OPEN IN THE NORTHWEST VALLEY! DrivingMBA has been in Scottsdale for over 15 years. One thing we learned early on is that standard driver training isn’t enough.

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City News “Keep Our Planet Neat, Recycle Your Car Seat” Event Takes In Used Car Seats Until April 16 NARPRO (NETWORK OF AUTO REPAIR PROFESSIONALS) IS COLLECTING OLD, EXPIRED, AND DAMAGED CAR SEATS THAT VOLUNTEERS WILL TAKE APART FOR PROPER RECYCLING. Do you have an old or damaged child car seat? NARPRO wants to help recycle it! Anyone can drop off car seats that need to be recycled at one of the participating Network of Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals shops until April 16. Find a participating NARPRO location at NARPRO.com/find-a-shop.

Car seats don’t last forever, and over time their components will break down, especially in the hot Arizona sun. Older car seats or those that have been involved in an accident may not have visible damage, but

they should not be used. This annual event helps those with older, expired, or damaged car seats get rid of them in an environmentally friendly way, by keeping them out of vehicles and landfills.

On April 17, Peoria Police, NARPRO shop owners and volunteers will be dismantling the old car seats. They will recycle the plastic, metal and fabric components separately. For example, elements of the fabric, padding, and straps can be used in animal shelters.

Quilted fabric becomes bedding or chew toys for the animals. Long straps make free leashes. Clean Polystyrene foam (rigid foam) from seats can be recycled into an Earth Friendly Block.

This yearly recycling project will take place at S & S Tire Shop and Auto Repair in Peoria.

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City News Free Virtual Job Fair Offers Hundreds of Jobs Across Arizona UNMET JOBS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY (ACA), IS HOSTING A VIRTUAL HIRING EVENT FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS ACROSS THE STATE. The event, which is free for both the companies and job seekers, goes until April 15. The goal of this first-time event is to maximize the hiring experience for all attendees by providing a personalized, yet virtual, networking experience for job seekers and recruiters amid COVID-19.

“Job hunting has never been easy and COVID-19 has made it even more difficult to find employment,” says Emily Ahrens, chief marketing officer of UNMET Jobs. “During UNMET Jobs Arizona 2021, jobseekers will have access to hundreds of employers and thousands of local job postings. Companies will have the opportunity to review resumes from candidates that have recently graduated as well as more seasoned professionals.”

According to Ahrens, the platform is inclusive to all levels of experience and features internships, entry level and mid/senior level positions. UNMET Jobs is powered by Largely©, which is a job matchmaking platform focused on improving the job search

experience. Largely humanizes the hiring process by combining the traditional resume with personal videos, highlighting human traits that a resume can never provide: a job seeker’s personality, energy, and uniqueness.

HOW UNMET JOBS WORKS: • Job seekers will upload video introductions and answer a questionnaire that explores their personal and professional attributes, together acting as a virtual resume.

• Employers are then able to filter from the pool of applicants by selecting various criteria while also being able to browse through recommended lists of applicants.

• Employers may then use the platform to contact job seekers directly and set up virtual interviews and invite them to webinars or info sessions.

The platform also offers advice, tools and insight on developing an online resume, virtual interview hacks, and answers to frequently asked questions for both employers and job seekers.

“Arizona’s educational institutions are producing the workforce of the future, and we’re proud to

partner with UNMET Jobs to highlight our state’s impressive talent pool through this virtual event,” says Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO. “By leveraging technology, we’re able to facilitate a greater number of meaningful connections between Arizona job seekers and job creators.”

To sign up for free, visit unmetjobs.com.

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City News Peoria Police Chief Confirms The Department Is Fully Staffed AT A RECENT PEORIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING, PEORIA POLICE CHIEF ART MILLER SHARED THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS FULLY STAFFED AND THAT HE FEELS CONFIDENT IN THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION THAT PEORIA PD IS PROVIDING THE CITY.

minutes a few years ago, cites Peoria PD. This improvement was brought on by a variety of changes, including: giving officers equal work loads, decreasing the number of geographical beats, redistrict-

ing the department’s beat map, and allowing officers to respond more effectively to calls, according to the department.

on the ground during peak times, and increased supervisor oversight in the office, according to recent reports.

Other changes included a new midshift for officers (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), increasing the amount of police officers

To learn more about the Peoria Police Department, visit peoriaaz.gov/ government/departments/police.

When he began his tenure as Police Chief in 2018, the department’s roster of sworn police officers were down nearly 20 percent and the dispatch team was down by 30 percent.

Currently, Chief Miller confirms there are about 203 sworn officers in the department, with new hires in the works for officer roles and other positions, including a public information officer.

Pertinent to North Peoria residents, the department confirms that police response time to the Vistancia area is below the national average, which, according to recent reports, is about 10 minutes. This is down from 12

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Education The Peoria Education Foundation Honors PUSD Seniors with Thousands in Scholarships

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he Peoria Education Foundation awarded more than $45,000 in scholarships to Peoria Unified high school seniors this year. Many scholarship recipients were from Upper Westside schools.

The Peoria Education Foundation awards various scholarships for high school seniors in the following categories: The Against All Odds Scholarship recognizes Peoria Unified high school seniors who have overcome adversity and tremendous obstacles to successfully complete their graduation requirements and plan to continue their education.

The Community Service Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a strong commitment to the community and excel academically. Each student who has been awarded this scholarship completed more than 100 hours of community service. The Joseph McCord Memorial Scholarship is designed to honor high school students with a passion for history who plan to continue their postsecondary education. The Dr. Santarelli Leadership Scholarship honors the achievements of graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated excellence in leadership throughout their high school career.

AGAINST ALL ODDS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: • Alisa Rikert, Raymond S. Kellis High School • Fatima Hamed, Cactus High School

• Francesca Maglalang, Ironwood High School • Julian Esber, Sunrise Mountain High School • Kira Freid, Sunrise Mountain High School • Leighann Fraley, Raymond S. Kellis High School • Logan Cambron, Liberty High School • Nicholas Zientek, Sunrise Mountain High School • Rachel Hill, Liberty High School • Rylee Hanel, Liberty High School • Sally Idrees, Peoria High School • Savannah Chartrand, Centennial High School • Trinity Rude, Peoria High School • Victoria Allen, Liberty High School

DR. SANTARELLI LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: • Braedon Nuttall, Liberty High School • Jillianne Freid, Sunrise Mountain High School • Larisa Andreyeva, Peoria High School • Liam Beltram, Liberty High School Scholarship recipients were recognized at a March 10 scholarship ceremony. To learn more about the Peoria Education Foundation, visit peoriaedfoundation.org.

COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIPS RECIPIENTS: • Alexis Young, Liberty High School • Elena Andreyeva, Peoria High School • Francesca Maglalang, Ironwood High School • Jillianne Freid, Sunrise Mountain High School • Larisa Andreyeva, Peoria High School • Mehrail Lawendy, Peoria High School • Sean Weston, Sunrise Mountain High School • Suzanne Bigelow, Peoria High School • Wyatt Serafin, Cactus High School JOSEPH MCCORD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: • Angel Noriega, Raymond S. Kellis High School • Kira Freid, Sunrise Mountain High School • Leighann Fraley, Raymond S. Kellis High School • Liam Beltram, Liberty High School

West-MEC announces new Nursing Services Program

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estern Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) - a public career technical education district - is excited to announce its new Nursing Services Program for the fall of the 2021-22 school year.

The Nursing Services one-year program prepares students with the necessary clinical and administrative knowledge to become entry-level nursing assistants. Students will receive hands-on training and learn how to properly administer basic nursing care, understand bodily systems and vital signs, practice clientcentered care and critical thinking, work on patient advocacy, teamwork and professionalism, practice patient 16 • April 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER

hygiene care, collect basic specimens, and maintain patient records and proper ethics.

local learners, our future healthcare leaders,” says instructor and program coordinator Tamara Greaball.

Students will be eligible for a muchneeded career path, as well as the professional and personal skills necessary to traverse a career in healthcare at any level. Many of those who complete the program will have the chance to work while attending school or other training.

Furthermore, Nursing Services is just one of many programs West-MEC is preparing local students for fulfilling careers, healthcare and otherwise.

“The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving. After completing our rigorous and authentic program, graduates will have the knowledge and skills necessary for diverse healthcare pathways. Our program bolsters the career progression outlook for

“We are so proud to offer yet another opportunity for our students to pursue a career they are passionate about. West-MEC is committed to offering a great education with our fine instructors and our partnerships with business and industry,” says Superintendent Greg Donovan.

West-MEC is a career technical education public school district that

focuses solely on innovative career and technical education (CTE) programs that prepare students to enter the workforce and pursue continuing education, according to the district.

West-MEC CTE programs provide students opportunities to earn college credit and industry credentials.

West-MEC serves more than 37,000 students from 48 high schools, across 3,600 square miles in the northern and western cities of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. West-MEC now also offers adult education programs.

Visit west-mec.edu for more information about West-MEC’s careerdriven education opportunities. myhyperlocalnews.com

Education Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Helps Make Music Possible for Upper Westside School

By Noah Flack

E

mily Hendricks, an early elementary music teacher at Archway Classical Academy, recently had her wish granted as part of the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program. Every year Fiesta Bowl Charities awards grants to teachers across Arizona to help with classroom supplies, new lesson plans and technology. This year, it was more critical than ever.

“I may be biased, but my students are the best around.

They love to learn through making, listening to, and reading about music, and they are filled with joy and excitement while doing so,” Hendricks says.

Hendricks used her $2,500 grant to retool her students’ music learning experience. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her students haven’t been able to sing in class.

Instead, she has turned to instruments that don’t require facial contact. The grant went to purchase a classroom set of Boomwhackers, ukuleles and a digital keyboard.

The students have already been using the new Boomwhackers, which are lightweight hollow percussion instruments, and she is looking forward to creating a ukulele club with smaller groups.

“When I pull out the Boomwhackers, the students are all excited and say ‘Oh my gosh!’ and they point at them and ask if we get to play with them,” Hendricks says.

Making an even greater impact, the instruments are used by other teachers and students throughout the school, making it a gift for all.

“I am blessed to get to teach students who look out for each other, making sure each student has an equal opportunity to learn,” Hendricks says. “With the granting of this wish, students will experience music in a different way, which will help enhance their development in reading, writing and arithmetic.”

The music class grant is just one of many grants donated to schools in the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl

Charities Wishes for Teachers program. In the past five years, the Fiesta Bowl has donated $3.7 million to nearly 850 teachers across Arizona. Wishes are varied and span across many different subjects and age groups including literacy, sensory and technology upgrades.

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Kids’ Corner HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUR KID

By Jill “Mamabug” Frier

T

he summer months are coming soon and local parents are looking for ways to keep their kids busy or provide weekly childcare while they are out of school. One solution many parents take advantage of is summer camp. Here are some tips for finding the right summer camp, either in person or virtual, for your kids this year.

WHY SUMMER CAMP IS IMPORTANT In person camp is a place where kids can safely roam and play in a way they often aren’t allowed to in their own neighborhoods. In a virtual environment, summer camp can provide kids with entertainment, learning, and stimulation outside of their normal routine.

Whether they are at day camp all summer, specialty camp for a week or two, online camp, or overnight camp, kids can let loose and have fun with other kids outside of a school or home environment. Not only are summer camps a great way for your kids to have fun and stay active during the months they are out of school, they also teach kids important life lessons like how to make new friends and gain independence.

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT CAMP FOR YOUR KID There are a lot of options for parents and kids to choose from when deciding which type of camp to pick. You can choose anything from traditional overnight camp, to science camp where kids go daily to conduct experiments and learn about different STEM-related topics, to soccer, art, gymnastics, theater, karate, basketball, and more.

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING ON THE RIGHT CAMP: • Know Your Goal: Do you need ongoing care for your child every day, or do you just want to get them out of the house for a while to have fun with other kids? Do you want them to get plenty of exercise? Learn a new skill? Grow academically? Improve their musical or artistic abilities? Pick a camp that meets the goals you have for your child.

• Know Your Child’s Interests: Discuss the different camps available with your child and see what things interest them. Understand the age range suggested by the camp and any skill sets they may be required to have. You can broaden their horizons by letting them try new things, but be aware of their limitations and the things they don’t like.

• Know Your Budget: Summer camp can cost a lot of money, especially if you send your kid to a specialized place. Be sure that you consider all of the expenses involved, including equipment, meals and extras. There are also a variety of options that you can make work to fit your budget. Look for nonprofit organizations, public parks and recreation venues, community centers and libraries, and online offerings for lower cost options for summer camp.

• Be Aware of Time Constraints and Locations: Summer camp can be a big help to working parents who need a place for their kids during the summer break, but note the drop off and pick up times to make sure they work with your schedule. Also be sure to plan around any known vacation or time off you have.

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• Start the Search Now: The time to start doing homework for the right camp for your kid is now, before camp schedules get booked up and vacation time is planned. Do your research, read the fine print, talk to your child, and make sure that the camp or camps you pick work best for everyone in your family.

COVID-19 SAFETY FACTORS No doubt about it, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to know which summer camp options are best for your camper. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides some guidelines and suggestions for limiting exposure to COVID-19 in onsite summer camp environments; you can see the full list at CDC. gov. The main takeaways are similar to procedures that children may already be familiar with: wear properly fitted masks, be sure to social distance, and always wash hands. Consider packing your camper multiple masks and their own hand sanitizer.

Some factors you should consider when looking for an in person camp for your child are: encouraging behaviors that reduce the spread of the virus, maintaining a healthy environment and hygienic facilities operations, and having the right procedures in place to deal with an individual who becomes sick. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

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To see a list of camps across the Valley, visit epickidsaz.com/camps.

Be sure to check LadyBugsBlog.com for more ideas for having fun outside and out of the house this summer in Arizona.

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UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 19

Community Childhelp Hosts 14th Annual Wings Fashion Show in Virtual Format April 15

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hildhelp will virtually host its 14th Annual Childhelp Wings Fashion Show on Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will support the lifesaving services provided to abused and neglected children in Arizona through the Childhelp Children’s Advocacy Center of Arizona dedicated to Linda Pope (CCCAZ).

LISA BARNES

Headquartered locally, Childhelp is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to helping abused, neglected and at-risk youth.

The event will include special appearances and social media support from notable celebrities like Cheryl Ladd, Kathie Lee Gifford, John Stamos, Kurt Warner, Johnjay Van Es (of the Johnjay and Rich Show), and more.

Local families will strut the runway wearing the latest fashion trends courtesy of local boutiques Mae & Marie and Garage, as well as Dillard’s.

Event chairs Lisa Barnes and Ashlyn Rowe, in partnership with the Founding Mother of Wings, Carol Hebets, each bring their passion for philanthropy and love of fashion to create one of the Valley’s premier family-friendly events. This year’s theme for the one-hour event is “A Night in Havana.” Viewers will have the opportunity to text to donate,

as well as participate in the live and silent auction and raffle prize. Tara Hitchcock, TV personality and former host of Good Morning Arizona, will be hosting the fashion show.

Child abuse remains a silent epidemic in America and Arizona. Nationally, nearly five children die every day from abuse and neglect. Throughout the pandemic, calls to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline have increased in double digits, with recent months peaking 43 percent higher than average. The CCCAZ serves more than 600 children in the Valley per month.

The Childhelp Arizona Wings Chapter helps to educate youth about issues surrounding child abuse and neglect through service projects and fundraisers. Originally created to celebrate the relationship between mother and daughter while instilling the value of serving others, it has

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Community Want to Help Local Seniors? Benevilla Now Recruiting for Summer Volunteers

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enevilla is a 40-year-old senior and family services nonprofit agency that offers free essential home services for older adults who may need extra help in maintaining their independence at home. The local nonprofit is now recruiting for volunteers as the summer months approach. Benevilla is especially in need of transportation and grocery shopping volunteers.

many of our loyal volunteers leave their winter homes in the area for a break from the summer heat. No special skills are required to become a volunteer, and Benevilla offers a variety of ways for volunteers to contribute. Our need is greatest in providing free home services,” says Paula Barron, Benevilla Volunteer Coordinator.

“The more volunteers we have, the more people we can serve.”

The Benevilla free “Home Services Program” is driven by volunteers who provide grocery shopping assistance, assisted transportation to medical appointments, and light handyperson services to West Valley and Northwest Valley residents.

These services help ease the burden on family members caring for loved ones and ensure that older adults with no family support are not left isolated and alone.

Some volunteers give several hours each week, while others provide a few hours each month.

“The need for volunteers is urgent as the pandemic continues to force seniors into isolation. This is especially true as we enter the summer months when

“We appreciate every minute of their time, and so do those they are helping,” says Joanne Thomson, President and CEO of Benevilla. “Together with our dedicated staff members, volunteers help Benevilla serve thousands of seniors in our West Valley communities every year.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Benevilla, visit benevilla.org or call 623-584-4999.

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Deer Valley “Supermom” Shares Her Secrets for Success in Debut Book

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eventy two percent of moms surveyed for the newly released book “Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!” reported time and balance as their biggest struggles. Amid career requirements, video meetings, homeschooling, non-stop meal prep, and keeping the house afloat, working moms are more strapped for time than ever. Without clear strategies to manage these competing priorities, many are simply drowning.

“I wrote my book during the pandemic while working full time and homeschooling three of my four kids,” says Phoenix native and first-time author Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling. “I felt prompted to share these strategies now because I know that moms are more overwhelmed and burned-out than ever.”

Oberbroeckling surveyed nearly 200 moms in preparation for the book. She asked where they struggled as well as where they excelled. Her new book provides short chapters and quick tips to teach how extraordinary moms succeed in their careers and with their family.

The book includes actionable exercises, inspiring stories, and fast, how-to steps. Each chapter covers a secret that supermoms know with strategies to apply it, be it the secret of confidence, happiness, or productivity. At the end of each chapter is a one-page wrap-up, so even those with the most limited time can benefit from the book.

“Secrets of Supermom” explains why perfect balance is simply a lie.

Additionally, the book covers the four secrets every working mom must know, how to prioritize the mind and body for the highest energy leading to top performance, and the critical skills to create a life to love both at work and home.

“I believe, with the right tools, moms can have extraordinary careers while at the same time have extraordinary home lives–without sacrificing either,” Oberbroeckling says.

To learn more about Secrets of Supermom, follow @secretsofsupermom on Instagram or visit secretsofsupermom.com. myhyperlocalnews.com

Family

Local Programs Support Parents as Their Child’s First Teacher

By Emily Singleton

P

arenting a baby or toddler can be challenging and many parents don’t know where to turn for a little help. Parent Partners Plus is collaborative network of early childhood home visiting programs in Maricopa County who partner with families to support their child’s growth and development.

Funded by First Things First, programs are designed to be offered one-on-one in the family’s home, but have also been offered virtually during the pandemic.

The home visiting programs in the Parent Partners Plus network support parents with all of the challenges they will encounter as they raise their new baby. For many parents, sleep—both for themselves and for their baby—is the biggest struggle those first few months. It can be a big adjustment for parents who go from getting a full night’s sleep to waking up with a baby every few hours. The programs in the Parent Partners Plus network offer encouragement and tips for helping everyone get a good night’s sleep.

Parent Partners Plus programs are not just for families with new babies, but also cover topics for expecting parents and parents with toddlers. Some

other areas they support families are breastfeeding information and guidance, potty training, bedtime routines, and much more. With all of these topics, the advice provided to the family is individualized to their situation since all kids and families are different and what works for one family might not work for another.

Literacy is another important feature of early childhood home visiting programs. It is never too early to start reading with young children and parents can even start during pregnancy. All home visiting programs want to help families develop solid routines around reading to their children—many even provide books to families to help them get started.

The biggest area that home visitation programs help families is with child development and making sure children meet their developmental milestones.

Many families have concerns about their child’s development, but don’t know what is considered normal and where to go for help. Home visitation programs can help by providing developmental screenings to give parents an idea of how their child is developing so they can speak further with their pediatrician and get appropriate referrals if needed.

All families with young children deserve help and support. These programs in the community make sure new parents get that support early on so they feel confident they are doing all they can to help their young children succeed. Learn more at ParentPartnersPlus.com.

Emily Singleton is the Parent Partners Plus senior program manager at Southwest Human Development.

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America Gets a Green New Deal

COVID relief law provides additional tax credits to homeowners to pay for solar

By Michael O’Donnell

J

oe Biden is now the president of the United States and the Democrats now have a majority in both houses of Congress. Giving Americans a Green New Deal was front and center in the platform that the president and Democratic congressional candidates ran on to get elected, and they and the president’s administration are wasting no time in delivering on that promise.

In terms of ambition, the president’s call to address climate change is nothing short of JFK’s “moonshot,” his declaration that America would put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.The call to end the use of fossil fuels in the next 15 to 25 years is on par with that goal and perhaps more urgent to humanity.

Immediately following the inauguration, the president recommitted the United States to the Paris Climate Accord, a treaty meant to limit global warming by holding countries mutually responsible for drastically reducing their share of greenhouse-gas emissions. America’s participation in this global effort very likely will add significant costs to oil, gas, and coal. In addition, the Keystone XL Pipeline, a conduit meant to transport oil from Canada, was canceled.These measures will probably increase the price Americans pay for gasoline at the pump and for electricity in their homes.

The government’s plan to transition American homeowners from heating and cooling their homes with fossil fuels to doing so with renewable energy incorporates both carrots and sticks. The new COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress in early January has significantly increased the federal tax credit that offsets the cost of home solar systems. Without that act of Congress, the federal subsidy for an average size home in the Phoenix area would have been thousands of dollars less this year and zero next year.

The provisions of the law will increase the tax credit homeowners get for solar by thousands of dollars. Most homes in APS’ territory that convert from fossil fuels to solar may receive between $7,000 and $18,000, depending on the size of the home and energy usage. The systems can be designed to reduce APS customers’ annual bill to $0 or even a negative total. The larger the system, the larger the federal government’s subsidy. Hence, the larger the system, the lower the APS bill (or the higher the payment to the homeowner).

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The stick is, obviously, the ever increasing cost of fossil-fuel-generated electricity, which will make solar power for homes more and more compelling.

It is basically the same strategy the government used to reduce the number of American tobacco smokers.While the warning label got people’s attention, it was the increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes, from 80 cents to $8 a pack, that really drove people to quit.

A no-money-down, financed home solar system typically incurs a monthly payment that’s $50 to $100 per month less than the amount they’re currently paying the utility company for the same electricity.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenson signed up for solar in early February.“We were very happy to see that the cost of the solar system and the monthly payment in the proposal we received in February were significantly lower than in the proposal we received in December before the COVID relief bill,” they say. “With the U.S. government making renewable energy a big priority, we know our utility costs will increase faster in the near future than it has in the past.We’re excited to use the incentives to lock in and lower our electricity costs and have our family be part of the solution to climate change.”

You may be surprised at the current cost of a solar system. The cost of solar panels have come down 70 percent in the last 10 years while electricity prices have continue to climb. When you add in the additional incentives provided in the COVID-19 relief legislation, you will experience a lower annual cost and see a profit in many cases of between $50,000 and $100,000 in the next 25 years by switching to solar. And this does not include the profit you will realize when you sell your house for a higher price because of the $0 electric bill, as compared to the price you would get if you had to sell it with a bill costing thousands of dollars per year and increasing annually If you would like to receive a free solar design customized to your house and your family’s usage,just call 623-562-9004 or visit greendeal.sunsolarsolutions.com.

Michael O’Donnell is vice president of sales and a partner at SunSolar Solutions, which is a local Arizona contractor and one of the largest solar sales and installation companies with over 7,000 customers.

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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD - THEME: HEAD TO TOE ACROSS 1. *A or O, to blood 5. Catch a wink 8. “Don’t know what to say” sound 11. Eon, alt. sp.

12. Severe blow 13. *Blood ____, type of blood test 15. Eastern ____, 1947-1991 16. *Respiratory rattling 17. Enormous ones 18. *Annual exam 20. Largest city of Norway 21. Like a romantic movie?

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45. Handrail’s main supports 47. Caribou kin 48. Relating to a lobe 50. Saint’s topper 52. *L in ACL 55. Bad-tempered 56. Affirm with confidence 57. Stain on Santa 59. Work the dough 60. Tiger Woods’ pegs 61. Ruptured 62. “____ my party, and I’ll cry if I want too...”

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27. Having two parts 28. Beatles: “He’s ____ ____ nowhere man” (2 words) 29. Plural of #26 Down 32. *12 pairs of these 33. Rip off 36. *a.k.a. kneecap 38. Mr. T’s team 40. Comic book cry 41. Unlocks the gate 44. Andrew Webber’s middle name 46. Forcefully grabs 48. *Blood filter 49. S-shaped moldings 50. “The ____ for Red October” 51. Greek god of war 52. Strip of wood 53. Breakfast spot?

54. Spelling or Kelly 55. Biathlon equipment 58. One less than jack

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Business

The Entrepreneurs of Escena

By Nicole McTheny

S

mall businesses are the backbone of the economy.

Stroll through Escena, and this tiny slice of WestWing Mountain’s 85383 boasts an irregularly large concentration of entrepreneurs, some of their businesses are anything but small.

“We relocated from California to Arizona.” Barron and Stacy Barler own and operate Commercial Case and Panel, Inc. Shop any refrigerated item at any Costco, among others, and you’re benefitting from their hard work.

“For years we worked for someone else. We eventually decided it was time to double down on our capabilities and connections and venture out on our own. We turned our skillsets and passions into a little business.

Now, our not-so-small company does work across the country, impacting millions of consumers,” Barron says.

The Barlers’ secret to success: believe in your capabilities and follow your passion.

“We absolutely love the Arizona outdoors.” Samantha and Travis Heitz’s passion is recreation. They recently opened State 48 Powersport Rentals, renting ATVs to avid adventurers. Social distancing, coupled with their desire to help others experience Arizona’s beauty, inspired their idea. Travis adds, “Fresh air can certainly feed the soul. Enjoying the outdoors has been a muchneeded respite for our family, so we want to offer others the same sense of freedom at a time when life can feel anything but free.”

“People are searching for natural ways to be healthier.”

Drs. Chris and Diane Koch, husband and wife chiropractors who live a few doors down, own Arizona Chiropractic Center. They’ve been helping community members find individualized health solutions for 25 years, but never quite like this. “Patient care couldn’t stop just because the pandemic started,” Dr. Chris adds.

“People want real solutions in making their own bodies stronger and healthier. Being truly healthy and feeling great is more vital now than ever.”

“In times like these, the key to small business sustainability is flexibility,” Dr. Diane says. “Remaining innovative with procedures and technology has always been our passion, and now it helps us better serve our patients.”

And business is flourishing for Melanie and Kyle Kropf, neighbors just two houses away. A while ago Melanie started a little side hustle, capitalizing on her creativity.

Her Etsy store is now also an Instagram phenom: HandcraftedBrunette. She creates hand-lettered signs, 3D word cutouts and wooden banners. “We’ve become so busy, we transformed our garage into a dedicated woodworking shop,” Kyle adds.

Any given day, Kyle will be cutting what Melanie envisions. Together, they’re creating custom treasures for creatives all across the country, brightening homes and hearts.

Melanie says, “With so many of us working on home improvements and enhancements, we’ve experienced a demand resulting in a significant boost in business. And it feels great knowing we’re brightening homes and lives during such tough times.”

“It’s inspiring to live and work around such an incredible concentration of innovation,” Stacy says. “We have a front-row seat to both the creation and sustainment of small businesses.”

Samantha adds, “We also have an extreme sense of pride knowing, as neighbors and friends, we’re doing all we can to support the small business economic backbone at a time when so many have taken a hit.”

To learn more, visit drkoch.com, state48powersportrentals.com on the web or on Facebook, handcraftedbrunette.com on the web or @handcraftedbrunette on Etsy and Instagram.

Nicole McTheny specializes in public relations, content creation and storytelling. A former journalist, she recently launched her firm, McTheny PR & Communications, and is also among the entrepreneurs of Escena.

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UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 27

Real Estate

Peoria is the Place: Peoria Honored as Best City in Arizona Photos Courtesy of the City of Peoria

A

Z Big Media names the city of Peoria as the 2021 Best Place to Live, Work and Play in its annual publication, Ranking Arizona. Peoria jumped up two spots from third place in last year’s publication.

“When you think of a city that draws you, compels you to be your most creative, unique and exceptional self, it is the city of Peoria,” says Mayor Cathy Carlat.

“What does a family want? What does a business need? Every decision and policy

is designed to answer those questions.

We are proud to have developed an exceptional city, where when you ask the right questions, you get the right results.”

The city of Peoria is known locally and nationally for its high quality of life, beautiful desert vistas, safe neighborhoods, and award-winning recreation services. Peoria supports a strong business community and entrepreneurial ecosystem, has sustainable, future-ready economic development practices, and manages growth smartly. The city has a reputation for maintaining a solid fiscal position and providing essential services while emphasizing the importance of arts, recreation and open space preservation.

Because of these characteristics, the city of Peoria has already been honored by Money Magazine, Forbes, Wallethub, USA Today and more for its livability and thriving economy.

“Peoria is more than just a place to visit.

28 • April 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER

It’s a thriving, dynamic community of entrepreneurs, creators, innovators, teachers, leaders, students and families,” says Peoria City Manager Jeff Tyne. “It is such an honor to be recognized by Ranking Arizona as the 2021 Best Place to Live, Work and Play.”

Ranking Arizona, according to AZ Big Media, is “Arizona’s largest business

opinion poll that annually ranks companies and cities based on those with whom voters want to do business.”

Residents are encouraged to vote on Arizona cities and towns as well as more than 20,000 businesses in more than 250 different business and leisure subcategories. To learn more about the publication and Peoria’s ranking, visit azbigmedia.com/vote-ranking-arizona.

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Real Estate

Interest Rates On The Rise: What Does This Mean For You?

By Frank May, Realtor

T

here has been discussion for months that interest rates won’t stay at the all-time lows we have seen the past six months. We have watched the interest rates creep up to just over 3.02% in the last few weeks, the first time since this past July.

According to FreddieMac, this wasn’t a surprise and won’t affect the real estate market as you would think: “The rise in mortgage rates over the next couple of months is likely to be more muted in comparison to the last few weeks, and we expect a strong spring sales season.”

Any rise in interest rates isn’t what a buyer is looking for when obtaining a loan as home prices continue to rise. But let’s put the interest rates in comparison to years past. Here is how interest rates have changed over the years: • 2020: 3.11% • 2019: 3.94% • 2018: 4.54% • 2017: 3.99% • 2016: 3.65%

CAN YOU STILL AFFORD A MORTGAGE? You bet you can! Let’s take a look at mortgage rates over the past 50 years.

• 1970s: 8.86% • 1980s: 12.7% • 1990s: 8.12% • 2000s: 6.29% • 2010s: 4.09% • 2020s: 3.11% As you can see from the 50+ years of interest rates, we are still at recordbreaking lows. Even during the boom in the early 2000’s we didn’t see the push for lower interest rates like we have now.

Although it’s a little more challenging to obtain a loan than it was then, the payments are significantly lower.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU AS A SELLER? An interest rate spike by even a whole point won’t be enough to flip the market to a buyers’ market. There is a big enough gap in the inventory available that it will be a bit before this even levels out.

As I am writing this on March 17, the inventory of single-family homes in all of 85383 is a mere 54 homes available

to purchase. It isn’t counting any under contract or accepting backups. (I went back into the MLS to refresh my screen while writing this, and it dropped to 53!)

85383 is one of the fastest-growing zip codes to date in Arizona, with people moving into the area at a rate that surpasses the supply, and by a lot! It is correct for the Valley as a whole, but if you look at the included chart from The Cromford Report, it shows we are averaging nine days of inventory from 85383.

What this means is that if we were not going to get any more listings as active, we would run out of the supply of homes for sale in nine days. Looking back to two years ago today, we were at 100 days of inventory. A little over three months supply in 2019 has shifted to less than a third of a month’s supply—a notch over a week. There has never been a better time to sell your home than now. If you have been thinking about selling, but something is holding you back, I’d love

to hear the reason and see if we can help.

We have programs that can offer cash for your home, programs that can help you fix up your home to sell and pay at closing, and traditional selling methods to get you more money in less time and less stress than you might think.

Not sure where you can go after you sell your home? We have some ways to get you the home of your dreams and make top dollar for the home you are selling.

Call us today at 623-203-1800.

Frank May grew up in the Valley, graduating from Northwest Christian School and NAU. He is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty and has been helping both buyers and sellers for 18 years. Frank May is also a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider.

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ENJOY HISTORIC CHARM & MODERN AMENITIES AT THIS WEST VALLEY RESORT

A TRIO OF GREAT TASTES Enjoy one of The Wigwam’s on-property restaurants from Red’s Bar & Grill, known for famous burgers, rotating beer taps and endless golf course views, to Wigwam Bar, the social hub of the resort, perfect for both early morning lattes and late-night craft cocktails. Or savor your favorite seasonal flavors at Litchfield’s, The Wigwam signature farm-to-table restaurant. Not staying at the resort? No problem! The restaurants are open to locals.

CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF The Wigwam’s 18-hole championship golf courses offer an unmatched diversity. Three 18-hole courses: The Gold Course, recognized as one of Arizona’s most challenging and respected golf courses; The Blue Course, a combination of character and contradiction, sporty and subtle, aggravating and invigorating; and the Red Course, the favorite among locals and club members. Each offers a unique challenge for golf enthusiasts to keep the game exciting.

LEMOND’S AVEDA SALON – SPA Rediscover wellness with healing and balancing treatments, complemented by relaxing amenities at LeMonds Aveda Salon – Spa. The spa’s skincare and body treatments incorporate natural elements from the earth and sea and are the result of comprehensive scientific research.

WIGWAM WELLNESS For hundreds of years, people have looked to the earth’s great deserts as a bountiful source of energy, vitality, and quiet contemplation. The Wigwam invites you to experience these renowned healing properties for yourself. The rejuvenating Wigwam Wellness program was designed to enhance your wellbeing while fueling a deeper connection with body, mind, and spirit, right here in the beautiful sun-soaked Sonoran Desert.

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A SPECIAL DEAL JUST FOR LOCALS! Treat yourself to a well-earned getaway, with The Wigwam’s special offer for Arizona and California residents, where you can get 20 percent off your stay. Stay close to home and experience an unforgettable staycation at The Wigwam.

SAFETY FIRST With the health and well being of every guest and staff member as the resort’s number one priority, The Wigwam remains committed to upholding the highest standards of cleanliness across the entire resort. Enjoy the freedom to wander the sprawling property, where social distancing is a breeze, and fun is always in season.

The Wigwam’s SWAT (Sanitation and Wellness Awareness Team) will provide peace of mind during your stay.

The Wigwam is located at 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard in Litchfield Park. To learn more, visit wigwamarizona.com.

UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 33

Entertainment

Must-Watch Streaming Movies & Shows NETFLIX

HULU

HBO MAX Made For Love Sometimes love doesn’t work out and people grow apart. Unfortunately for Hazel, life and love are not that simple. Her ex-husband has taken his “love” too far and will not take no for an answer. Hazel unknowing has a a tracking device implanted in her and now her ex is searching for her. Starring Cristin Milioti and Billy Magnussen. Now on HBO Max.

Mare Of Easttown A local murder is tearing apart a small town. The detective assigned to the case is dealing with a slew of her own personal issues and unfortunate personality clashes with several of the townsfolk. This makes her job to solve the murder more difficult. This dark boilerplate thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. On HBO Max April 18.

Dad Stop Embarrassing Me Jamie Foxx returns to television (well, streaming TV) in a new series inspired by his relationship with his daughter. He plays an owner of a cosmetics store whose daughter suddenly moves in with him. On top of his business, he now has a renewed sense of fatherhood—one that his daughter may not be ready for.

On Netflix April 14.

Shadow and Bone In a world destroyed by war, a ray of light may have been found with Alina Starkov. A power that she finds and must control to train a new group of soldiers is her only chance of keeping the country she calls home safe.

The forces that seek to destroy her may be closer than she anticipated. On Netflix April 24.

34 • April 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER

Sasquatch Thirty years ago, three men were found dead in the Redwood forests in Northern California. Each had been viciously torn apart. To many of the locals, this was the work of the Bigfoot. David Holthouse, a journalist, documents his search for the truth, only to find it’s more horrifying than anyone imagined. On Hulu April 20.

myhyperlocalnews.com

CANTINA GUEROS

HAYMAKER

ADDRESS: 24762 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria PHONE: 623-566-1515 CUISINE TYPE: Breakfast and Burgers Our family has been serving up the best burgers and breakfast since 2013! We use only the best, freshest 100% Angus chuck and don’t forget about our house BBQ sauce, slow cooked ribs, Mama’s meatloaf and the most tender pulled pork around. For breakfast we have traditional favorites but also specialties like our Haymaker Benedict and Pulled Pork Skillet. Home recipes and quality are what we pride ourselves on.

www.HaymakerAZ.com

JOJO’S PIZZA & FAMILY RESTAURANT

ADDRESS: 23425 N. 39th Dr., Glendale PHONE: 623-516-7770 CUISINE TYPE: Pizza For over 15 years, JoJo’s Pizza and Family Restaurant has been committed to making delicious Italian food. Our pizza starts with homemade pizza dough, made fresh daily. We then add our homemade pizza sauce, highquality mozzarella cheese, and your choice of over 20 fresh cut toppings, resulting in a tasty New York style pizza.

www.JoJos-Pizza.com

IHOP

ADDRESS: 9976 W. Happy Valley Rd, Peoria PHONE: 623-362-8002 ADDRESS: 10603 W. Olive Ave., Peoria PHONE: 623-977-0599 CUISINE TYPE: American IHOPPY Hour*: The Longest, Happiest Hour is here! Every day from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. choose from a wide variety of popular menu items including entrees for $5 and Snacks & Sides for $3.

Kids Eat Free!*: Every day in April from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. kids 12 and under can enjoy one free meal with the purchase of each adult entrée. *Dine-in only. These two locations only.

www.IHOP.com myhyperlocalnews.com

www.LakesideBarAndGrillAZ.com

THE LINKS NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL

ADDRESS: 18823 Country Club Pkwy., Peoria PHONE: 623-561-1681 CUISINE TYPE: American With change all around us, The Links is truly your neighborhood grill and we are offering takeout.

We have changed our menu slightly due to product availability... So, welcome to the AntiVirus Menu! We are still serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have a hankering for small plates?

Our appetizers are the best in the business. Call or order online. We will have it ready when you get here! We are also available for catering.

www.TheLinksGrill.com

Your Guide to Local Dining

www.CantinaGueros.com

LAKESIDE BAR & GRILL

ADDRESS: 9980 W. Happy Valley Pkwy., Ste. #1101, Peoria PHONE: 623-566-1470 CUISINE TYPE: American & Southwest Lakeside Bar & Grill has been a NW Valley favorite for 13 years with the best in burgers, brews, American and Southwest favorites. We have two dog-friendly patios to enjoy our daily Happy Hour outdoors, wall-to-wall TVs with all the big games and daily specials including our All-You-Can-Eat Friday Fish Fry. We offer growlers to go, and our food menu can be ordered for carry out at lakesidebarandgrillaz.com or delivered with DoorDash and Postmates.

Bites

ADDRESS: 25315 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria PHONE: 623-440-3680 CUISINE TYPE: Mexican Peoria’s newest full service Mexican concept for Westside Concepts. Enjoy the same fantastic service and food you’re used to from us in a new, exciting environment. We take Abuela’s traditional recipes and give them a modern twist! We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That’s why we source our fresh ingredients locally. No matter what time of year, you can be sure you’re eating the best of the season.

SALA THAI RESTAURANT

ADDRESS: 8278 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., #105, Peoria PHONE: 623-476-5877 CUISINE TYPE: Thai Sala Thai Restaurant brings Thailand to you. With our infusion of the sweet and savory, you’re sure to find a dish that you’ll love. We start with only the freshest ingredients to stir fry delicious melodies of tastes and colors that are sure to delight the senses.

Now open 7 days a week!

www.SalaThaiAZ.com

THE SOCIAL ON 83RD

ADDRESS: 8350 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria PHONE: 623-486-4343 CUISINE TYPE: American Great food. Great drinks. Great people. When you are looking for a fun, friendly night out on the town, you go to The Social. Whether it’s our amazing patio and backyard, the best cocktails in P83, or even our seasonal fresh menu, The Social is the place to see and be seen in Peoria!

www.TheSocialAZ.us UPPER WESTSIDER • April 2021 • 35

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