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In This Issue City News.................................................... 4-17 Health......................................................... 18-19 Business..................................................... 22-23 Education................................................... 24-25
Kids’ Corner..................................................... 27 Sudoku............................................................ 28 Real Estate.......................................................31 Business Directory.................................... 32-33
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Getaway.......................................................... 34 Must Watch..................................................... 36 Bites................................................................ 37 Happenings...............................................38-39
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Peoria Begins Phase Two of Paloma Community Park More development for the popular Upper Westside park is in the works THE CITY OF PEORIA WILL SOON BEGIN DEVELOPMENT ON THE SECOND PHASE OF PALOMA COMMUNITY PARK, EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT FROM 85 ACRES TO MORE THAN 120 ACRES. During the month of May, the city conducted an online survey and a series of public meetings to get feedback from residents about park amenities. On June 24, there will be a Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Board presentation covering suggestions from the public at 6:30 p.m. at Copper Hills Church, located at 27035 N. Black Rock Boulevard. A streaming link will be available on the city’s website (peoriaaz.gov/paloma) for residents to watch the presentation online. “Quality parks enrich our community and contribute to the sense of fulfillment and enjoyment that makes our city such a wonderful place to live,” says Mayor Cathy Carlat. “Paloma’s first phase is a direct reflection of what our residents asked for, and as we begin phase two, we are excited to once again have our community involved to ensure this incredible gem serves Peoria families to the fullest and long into our future.”
After the grand opening of the Paloma Community Park, on Oct. 3, 2020, the city began working on the details of phase two. As with the first phase of development, Peoria residents are a vital component of the planning process as they provide important feedback and support during the community engagement period, according to the city. Phase two will include the final development of 40 more acres in the park as well as the connections to surrounding open spaces and trail systems. Paloma Park Community is part of an extensive network of community and neighborhood parks throughout the city, located at Dixileta Drive and Lake Pleasant Parkway, just south of the Loop 303. The 85 acres of initial park development include multipurpose fields, a fishing lake, inclusive playground features and splash pad, dog parks, multipurpose sport fields, and lighted pickleball courts. Paloma also includes numerous hard- and soft-surfaced walking loops. For more information about the next phase of Paloma Community Park, visit peoriaaz.gov/paloma.
NEW AMENITIES According to the city, Phase Two of development is likely to include amenities such as: • Wheeled Trail/Plaza (skate/rollerblade/bike court) • Additional Lighted Ball Field Complex • Walking Trail • Equestrian Trailhead • Interpretive Trails • Multi-Purpose Fields • Drone Zone • Additional Parking Areas and Restrooms
Paloma Community Park Timeline To Date Timeline Courtesy of the City of Peoria
• 2014 - Citizen interest and demand for a new community park north of Bell Road was affirmed through the Community Services Master Plan adopted by Mayor and Council. • 2015 - Initial funding for the park began with a $500,000 Multi-Year CIP Budget. • 2015 - The park study began in the spring of 2015 and was completed in the summer of 2016. • 2017 - Solicitation for Design Build Services attracted a qualified technical and landscape construction team. • 2017 - Name Our Park contest was launched via social media, web, and print communications. • 2017 - The phase one park design and construction drawings began in the spring. • 2018 - City Council approves final name as Paloma Community Park during a public meeting on June 5, 2018 and awards the construction contract. • Late 2018 - Construction on Phase I of the park begins. • October 3, 2020 - Grand opening date of Phase I.
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City News
The 411: Local News You Can Use
The latest news for local residents from the City of Peoria SUMMER IS HERE AND THIS NEWS FROM THE CITY OF PEORIA IS HOT OF THE PRESSES. TAKE A CLASS WITH THE PEORIA INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE If you are interested in taking a class and connecting with others, but prefer to do so from the comfort of your own home, check out the new Peoria Interactive Experience. The city of Peoria has partnered with Televeda, an interactive and live streaming platform, to provide a menu of community engagement experiences. Current classes include cooking, chair yoga, and bingo. For more information, visit peoriaaz.gov. REGISTER FOR SUMMER SWIM LESSONS Registration continues for summer swim lessons at Centennial, Sunrise and Peoria pools. • Centennial Pool: 14388 N. 79th Avenue
• Sunrise Pool: 21321 N. 86th Drive • Peoria Pool: 11200 N. 83rd Avenue Summer lessons run for 30 minutes, Monday through Thursday, for two weeks. Lesson are $25 for residents and $57 for non-residents at Sunrise Pool or $31 at Centennial and Peoria Pools. Weekend and private lessons are also available. For more information, visit peoriaaz.gov/aquatics. CITY TO LAUNCH NEW ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL This summer the city of Peoria will be rolling out a new online system for paying utility bills. The new system, Invoice Cloud, is a one-stop-shop where residents can access and pay all their city bills electronically. Residents can enroll in paperless billing, get text notifications, and opt to pay by phone, text, or online with a credit card, debit card or e-check. When the new, secure system officially launches, more information will be available at peoriaaz.gov.
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UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 5
City News Peoria’s All-American Festival is Back on July 4 at Peoria Sports Complex The city announces that Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers will headline the event PEORIA’S ALL-AMERICAN FESTIVAL IS BACK WITH A BANG THIS YEAR ON SUNDAY, JULY 4, BRINGING SUPER GROUP ROGER CLYNE AND THE PEACEMAKERS, AND THE LARGEST INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS SHOW TO THE VALLEY. “The All-American Festival is a timehonored pastime in our city,” says Peoria Councilmember Bill Patena. “After such a difficult year, I’m proud that P83 will be the place where the community can come together in a safe manner and celebrate Independence Day.” After a successful virtual All-American Festival at Home last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the city of Peoria is moving forward with an outdoor festival at the Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N. 83rd Avenue. To ensure all festival attendees enjoy a safe and healthy event, this year’s All-American Festival will be a free, ticketed event with the most current COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place at the time, which may include social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing recommendations, among others. There will also be several food trucks, waterslides and three
bands performing, most notably, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and a spectacular fireworks finale show. “We are so honored to have such a talented group with a hometown favorite like Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers at our All-American Festival this year,” says Peoria Arts and Events Manager Marylou Stephens. “While we had a wonderful virtual event last year, we’re ready to host our traditional Independence Day celebration and provide a safe and family friendly event in Peoria once again.” THE EVENT’S ENTERTAINMENT Rob West and Mickey and the Motorcars will open for Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers at the All-American Festival. Mickey and Motorcars began 17 years ago and has helped shape Austin’s roots-rock resurgence that has played out over the last two decades. With their anticipated new album “Long Time Comin’,” the Motorcars have cemented their place as elder statesmen of that alt-country scene. Rob West has made a name for himself in Arizona as a former professional golfer and fun-loving country star. From rocking party tunes to emotional ballads, West’s music is an honest reflection of life’s trials and tribulations. In 2019, he released his debut album, “Arizona.” The All-American
Festival will be the third time Rob West has performed for fans in Peoria. Formed from the ashes of the Refreshments, Dead Hot Workshop, and the Gin Blossoms, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers emerged in 1999 as a Southwestern super group specializing in post-grunge, pop Americana. After the Refreshments disbanded, Clyne and drummer P.H. Naffah retreated to Tempe, where the two composed a slew of new songs during a week-long excursion through the Sonoran Desert. Intimate shows at local bars followed, and the pair steadily pieced together a lineup of local veterans that would soon comprise Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. By 1999, Clyne and Naffah were joined by ex-Gin Blossoms guitarist Scott Johnson, ex-Dead Hot Workshop guitarist Steve Larson, and bassist Danny White. That same year they released an independent song “Honky Tonk Union,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s internet sales chart. After 11 albums and many national and
international tours, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers were inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on July 2, 2019. For more information about this year’s All-American Festival, visit peoriaaz.gov/ events.
BEFORE YOU GO... • Gates open at 5 p.m. Parking is free, based on availability. • Seating is on the plush lawn and is first come, first served. • Items allowed to be brought into the complex: blankets, lawn chairs, and food. • Items prohibited to be brought into the complex: all glass containers, pets, canopies, umbrellas, tents, skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, alcohol, fireworks (including sparklers), and grills. EVENT ROAD RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES Residents needing access to their homes from Thunderbird Road, should use either 75th or 79th Avenues. 83rd Avenue north and southbound traffic, between Thunderbird and Bell Road, will be restricted from approximately 9 to 10:30 p.m. Residents needing access from Bell Road should use 75th Avenue or use Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive to get to Paradise Lane to access 75th Avenue. Southbound traffic on 75th Avenue at Bell Road will encounter signage for local traffic only. Westbound access on Paradise Lane can be accessed by 75th Avenue southbound traffic only. Northbound traffic on 75th Avenue will not have access onto Paradise Lane, beginning at 8 p.m. Parking at the Peoria Sports Complex is expected to be at full capacity between 7 and 8 p.m. Visitors may encounter closure signage if the parking lots are full.
6 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
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City News Peoria’s State of the City Available to Watch Anytime Online THE ANNUAL MAYOR’S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MAYOR TO PRESENT THE CITY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS. Recently, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat debuted her State of the City, “Bright Horizons,” in the form of a video series that residents can watch at their own convenience. The State of the City video series celebrating community members, local businesses, and accomplishments throughout the city can be seen at anytime at peoriaaz. gov/stateofthecity. The video series, in order, includes these topics: • Bright Horizons • A Strong and Resilient Community • Peoria’s Exceptional Quality of Life • Peoria’s First Responders • Supporting Local • Strengthening Peoria’s Economy • Looking Forward
“This past year showed us the power of a stable foundation and a connected community,” says Mayor Carlat. “We kept our eyes on the horizon and we have emerged stronger and more resilient than ever. I hope residents will join me on a video journey as we celebrate the state of our city to recognize the great work that we
have been able to achieve over the last year and how we continue to guide our city to achieve our greatest potential.” The videos are also available for viewing on Peoria Channel 11, which is the city’s official television station. For additional information, visit peoriaaz.gov/stateofthecity.
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TheaterWorks Brings Back an Immersive Theater Experience: CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER TOO A New Production in the CURIOUSER Theater World Photos by Josiah Duka Photography NOW THROUGH JULY 25, THEATERWORKS PRESENTS CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER TOO, AN ORIGINAL IMMERSIVE THEATER PRODUCTION. This new theatrical production builds on the world created by TheaterWorks last fall, where audiences experienced an innovative way to experience live theater. CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER TOO takes audiences to the world of Wonderland where a madness has been cast over the realm. As the minds of the residents begin to unravel, “Alice” must decide who is friend and who is foe in order to defeat the Queen before the fearsome Jabberwocky is unleashed. Audiences take on the role of “Alice,” while gathering clues from one room to the next in a 6,500 square foot intimate, multi-sensory theatrical experience. This new production features multi-media design, music, puppetry, dance, theater and visual art, preserving the elements most enjoyed by audiences with an all-new story, new elements, more magic, and even more darkness.
Multiple performances take place Thursdays to Sundays through July 25. Advance ticket purchases are required for this one-of-a-kind adventure. CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER TOO is recommended for ages 16 and older. “With the demand that we saw with the first CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER production, we knew there was a space for this kind of theater production in the Valley. We want to continue to fulfill our mission and provide the community with theatrical experiences until we are ready to go back to the more typical theater model. This immersive theater production will allow us to do that safely,” says TheaterWorks Managing Director Cate Hinkle. “We want people to have the opportunity to try something revolutionary and different.” TheaterWorks devised CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER in the fall of 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This immersive theater production was the first of its kind in Arizona and opened to sold out performances and national attention for its innovative
response to the challenges presented to theaters by the pandemic. In order to create a safe space for both audience members and actors, audience members are required to wear face masks, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, all touch points will be sanitized between groups, and a thorough deep clean will take place each evening, in addition to other safety protocols put in place. This production is supported by the Constance W. McMillin Trust, Thom and Shelley Gyder, FirstBank, GCON, and the West Valley Art Museum. Tickets to CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER range from $36 to $48. Ticket price includes one drink. The production takes place at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (10580 N. 83rd Drive in Peoria) until July 25. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at 623-815-7930 or visit curiousertheater.org.
Curious about TheaterWorks? TheaterWorks at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is in its 35th season of providing exceptional theater to the West Valley. Theater Works is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) theater of the community whose mission is to, “provide opportunities for children, patrons and artists to experience theater that inspires, enriches and enlightens through the experience of the performing arts with programming for every age and ability.” Theater Works acts as the managing tenant for the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, which features more than 200 events a year, including: live theater, music concerts, storytelling, dance, comedy, cultural events, festivals, and more. 8 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
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City News Local Golfers Rejoice: PopStroke to Build Two New Valley Locations POPSTROKE ENTERTAINMENT, COOWNED BY TIGER WOODS AND GREG BARTOLI, RECENTLY ANNOUNCED TWO NEW VALLEY PROPERTY AGREEMENTS. Agreements have been signed with seven properties across three states, including the Pavilions at Talking Stick in Scottsdale and Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale. “These are dynamic, high-growth markets supported by excellent ownership groups,” says Greg Bartoli. “We are very excited to expand our unique golf entertainment experience across the United States, particularly in markets supported by surging population growth and great climates.” “Over the next 12 to 18 months, you will see PopStroke locations opening up across the South and Southwest,” Bartoli adds. “The feedback from our guests has been extraordinary, with great reviews about the golf experience, our technology, and our elevated food and drink offerings. We look forward to introducing the PopStroke brand to these exciting new markets.” Tiger Woods and TGR Design, his award-winning design team, will build two unique 18-hole putting courses for each property. These are synthetic turfs,
incorporating fairways, bunkers, and rough as seen on traditional golf courses. “I am very excited about our expansion plans,” says Tiger Woods. “Putting is a universal part of golf that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It has been rewarding to see the broad and diverse group of guests enjoying their experience at PopStroke, and I look forward to seeing players make those long putts in locations throughout the South and Southwest. Each new location will have a different course design and layout giving players unique putting challenges as they travel across the country.” Founded in 2018, PopStroke is a technology-infused golf-entertainment concept featuring Tiger Woods and his TGR Design team’s 36-hole putting facility, coupled with an outdoor dining area with a full menu, expansive variety of craft beer, wine, signature cocktails, ice cream, outdoor games, and a playground. PopStroke’s customized mobile app allows customers to order drinks and food to be delivered directly to them anywhere on the course, showcase their scores on a digital scoreboard, and save with the PopBucks loyalty rewards program. To learn more, visit popstroke.com.
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City News Maricopa County Fire Ban Now In Effect; Campfires Banned at Lake Pleasant Regional Park THE MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECENTLY INITIATED ITS ANNUAL FIRE BAN. “This season, the department is aligning its annual fire ban with the burn activity regulations enforced by the county’s Air Quality Department. Under these regulations, the use of outdoor recreational fires is prohibited until September 30 within the boundaries of Area A, which includes all of our regional parks,” says R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department director. With 86% of the state experiencing extreme drought conditions, the vegetation in the parks is extremely dry and ideal for wildfire ignition. As temperatures continue to rise, fuel levels such as dried grasses, brush, and fallen leaves will continue to increase.
The implementation of a fire ban is initiated to limit the possibility of starting a brush fire, which could cause serious damage to park resources and park visitor safety. It is also important to note that during this time of year, the National Weather Service often issues red flag warnings across central Arizona to alert land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildfire ignition. Should this occur before the fire ban goes into effect, park supervisors have been authorized to issue temporary fire bans to ensure public safety and protect the park’s resources. When temporary fire bans are issued, the information will be posted on the website, and park visitors will be notified as they enter the park. The parks will also stop selling firewood during this time.
The fire ban includes the use of campfires, fire pits, and charcoal grills; however, it is still acceptable to use gas/ propane grills in designated areas such as the semideveloped and developed camping sites. Campfires along the shoreline at Lake Pleasant Regional Park are prohibited. Those who violate the fire ban may be fined. Smoking in the parks is still permissible, however it is discouraged due to the extremely dry conditions. If you must smoke, please be responsible and ensure that all cigarettes are properly extinguished and placed in trash receptacles. While September 30 has been identified as the fire ban lift date, there is a possibility the fire ban could be extended. Park staff will monitor precipitation levels and vegetation conditions in the parks throughout the summer to determine if an extension is necessary. Contact the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department at 602-506-2930 or visit maricopacountyparks.net/ for additional information.
Wildfire Season Is One More Reason for Drivers to Use Extra Care Don’t let your vehicle be the cause of a wildfire this summer AS WARM, DRY WEATHER SETTLES INTO OUR STATE, THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (ADOT) IS URGING DRIVERS TO USE EXTRA CARE WITH THEIR VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF IGNITING A WILDFIRE.
In some areas, ADOT overhead message boards will carry wildfire safety reminders with some listing AM radio frequencies
that offer more localized wildfire information. For more information on preventing brush fires, visit focusondriving.com.
The Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website wildlandfire.az.gov provides information about active fires.
Motorists should take preventative measures to reduce the risk that a spark from a vehicle or trailer doesn’t result in dry vegetation catching fire. A FEW TIPS INCLUDE: • Dragging chains while something is being towed can cause sparks; check and fasten the chains before starting your trip. • Make sure nothing is hanging under your vehicle or dragging on the pavement. • Check tire pressure before traveling. If a tire is with less air pressure, the tire can cause sparks. • Do not park where there is tall grass since the heat from the bottom of the vehicle can cause a fire. myhyperlocalnews.com
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 11
City News Park West Shopping Center Launches New Kids Club This Summer PARK WEST, LOCATED AT 9744 WEST NORTHERN AVENUE, IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE ITS NEW WEEKLY PARK WEST KIDS CLUB, A FREE SERIES OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE FROM 10 TO 11 A.M. EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE. The Club encourages parents to bring their kids for an hour of fun — including crafts in collaboration with Pinspiration, music, and more to pique their creative interests this summer.
“Park West is very much a familycentric shopping center, so we’re thrilled to expand our offerings for little shoppers with our new Kids Club,” says Kelly Price, Park West’s business development manager. “Each week we will present a different craft designed to keep kids entertained this summer.” THEMED CRAFTS INCLUDE: • 3D Floating Foam Ship Craft: Wednesday, June 9 NaturalDadStone and Quartz Countertops • Dino-Mite Card Craft: Wednesday, June 16 (just in time for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20!) • Mandala Sand Art Pictures: Wednesday, June 23Islands, Bathroom Counters, Countertops, • “My Bug” Jar Craft: Wednesday, June 30 Outdoor Surfaces, Fireplace Surroundings, Events are complimentary and include Tables and Decorative craft materials for kids to make onsite or take home. Parents and caregivers will remain on site during the event. For more about Park West’s new Kids Club, visit shopparkwest.com.
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City News Free Curbside Meals Available to Local Children All Summer THANKS TO THE USDA SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN, THE PEORIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH CURBSIDE FREE TO ANY CHILD THIS SUMMER, AGE 18 AND UNDER.
Meals are available for curbside pick-up by car or walk-up. Children must be present or student identification must be presented. Children do not have to be enrolled in the Peoria Unified School District to participate.
Lunch and breakfast will be served at 12 school sites and a snack and dinner will be available at the Peoria Community Center, located at 8335 W. Jefferson Street.
Meals for those 19 years or older will cost $1.75 for breakfast and $3.75 for lunch and dinner. Meals are not available on July 5 due to the Fourth of July holiday.
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According to Peoria Unified, all breakfast dishes will include a milk, juice, fruit, choice of cereal, or other entrée. For children and adults who are vegetarian, daily vegetarian options include: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, assorted bread plate, a bagel or muffin lunch box, a cheese curd protein plate, and more. Menus are available at peoriaunified.org/ breakfastandlunch.
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 13
City News Benevilla Needs Summer Volunteers to Support Free Local Senior Services BENEVILLA, A SENIOR AND FAMILY SERVICES NONPROFIT AGENCY CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH YEAR IN THE COMMUNITY, OFFERS FREE ESSENTIAL HOME SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS WHO MAY NEED EXTRA HELP IN MAINTAINING THEIR INDEPENDENCE AT HOME. They currently need transportation volunteers for their free Home Services Program, especially in Peoria. The Benevilla free Home Services Program is driven by volunteers who provide grocery shopping assistance and assisted transportation to essential medical appointments. These services help ease the burden on family members caring for loved ones and ensure older adults with no family support are not left isolated and alone. Unfortunately, the need for volunteers becomes critical as the summer months approach and winter visitors return to cooler climates. The need for such services continues
to grow in our community as baby boomers age into retirement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18% of the population in Arizona is over the age of 65 and that number jumps to over 20% in the Northwest Valley. It is obvious the need for home services is critical. Like many nonprofits during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Benevilla has had many volunteers step back to reduce their public exposure and risk of contracting the virus.
Some volunteers give several hours each week, while others provide a few hours each month. “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
To learn more about Benevilla, or to apply for our volunteer opportunities, visit benevilla.org or call 623-584-4999.
“The need for volunteers continues as the pandemic continues to force seniors into isolation. This is especially true as we enter the summer months when 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,” says Paula Barron, Benevilla Volunteer Coordinator. “The more volunteers we have, the more people we can serve.”
LOCAL MYTHS ABOUT HOSPICE Part 1
Hospice Means Giving Up. The Hospice Benefit is set up, and hospices are required, to give patients control and choices for themselves. The hospice team can guide the patient but all decisions are up to the patient and his/her family for aggressive treatment plans or palliative. Hospice is A Place. Hospice services can be provided wherever the patient lives. Many patients are most comfortable in their own homes, with their own families. Our hospice would prefer to come to the patient rather than move them to unfamiliar surroundings. We go wherever “home” is. Bigger is Better. The choice for a hospice should be based upon the patient and family needs and preferences. Bigger isn’t always better. There are many hospices that choose to remain small to ensure that they can provide well-managed care on a more intimate level with smaller ratios, to have quality time for Nurse/CNA visits. There Is Only One Hospice In The Valley. There are many hospices, and all operate as individual, independent businesses in the Valley. They are not of a larger agency. All must be Medicarecertified and follow the same rules and regulations but are NOT one company. Different Hospice, Different Services. Medicare has set the rules and regulations regarding hospice services to beneficiaries. The hospice Medicare Benefit was designed to provide end of life comfort care, based on the patient’s disease qualifications. Hospices must provide and/or
14 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
dedicated staff members, volunteers help Benevilla serve thousands of seniors in our West Valley communities every year.”
make arrangements for all basic Medicare mandated services. However, each company may have specialized programs above and beyond regulations, that they provide at their own discretion and cost. None of these programs should cost families or patients any money. No Choice For Hospice Services. Medicare requires that patients and their families be given a choice when palliative comfort care is being considered. Usually a list of 3 hospices is given to choose from. These are not the only 3 to be considered, and patients should make their decision after researching and asking questions. Patients/Families should hear the same answers from each hospice interviewed, as each must follow the same rules and regulations. The patient and his/her family has the right to choose the hospice service they feel the most comfortable with, without regard to what a hospital or healthcare person has possibly mandated All Hospices Have In-Patient Units (IPU). Most hospices in our Valley do not own the buildings because of the cost to operate one. To be a Medicare Provider Hospice, all are required to have inpatient services available to patients in crisis. Smaller hospices tend to contract with inpatient units owned by another hospice or skilled nursing facilities. The hospice that sends the patient to an inpatient unit (IPU) still maintains service for the client with their own team, and visits the patient at the facility to ensure good transition and continuity of care. Patients Must Go Into An IPU for Their Last Days. Medicare is very specific on the reasons for placement in an IPU facility. It must be a crisis situation based on a patient’s symptoms needing to be managed by licensed medical staff on a constant basis. When the symptoms are stabilized and controlled, most patients return to where they were living. Inpatient/IPU placement is usually for a very short period of time, until the symptoms are managed. It is NOT long-term, it is NOT permanent and it is NOT used to keep patients in bed to prevent falls .In addition, it is NOT to assist with living arrangements, or as a pit stop, until assisted living accommodations are found. Stay “tuned” for part 2 in the next issue!
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City News
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Code:Red Heat Relief Effort In Need of Community Support This Summer PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION IS LAUNCHING ITS 9TH ANNUAL CODE:RED SUMMER HEAT RELIEF CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THE VALLEY’S HOMELESS POPULATION AND AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS AHEAD. Through August 31, the large-scale heat relief initiative and water drive is raising the level of need for this year’s campaign, due to the continuing risks of COVID-19. In addition to water and other heat relief items, the Mission is asking the public to help support the campaign with monetary donations and non-perishable food drives. Monetary donations, which will be essential to meet the increased need during the difficult months ahead, will be matched up to $150,000 – made possible by a grant from several friends of the Phoenix Rescue Mission.
continued to climb while the pandemic limits access to many resources and services.” Several municipalities have joined the effort and will work with the Mission’s Street Outreach staff as they comb Valley streets in a small fleet of Hope Coach vehicles providing water, toiletries, and case management services to those in need. The Mission’s outreach teams will be following the CDC’s COVID-19 safety protocols while providing personalized care that removes the barriers that keep people stuck in a cycle of homelessness.
The Mission also launched a system for individuals and companies to easily set up digital fundraising drives to make socially distanced collections even simpler.
“Anyone can help us save lives this summer, no matter if you’re an individual who wants to make a small donation online, a small business owner who’d like to start a food or water drive, or if you just want to drop off a case of water,” Brissa says. “It’s important to note that we’re not just handing out water and making people feel better. We’re building relationships with those in need and helping to remove the barriers to get them off the streets for good.”
“As we approach the 10th anniversary of Code:Red, the need for public support could never be higher,” Phoenix Rescue Mission CEO Ken Brissa says. “In addition to battling triple-digit temperatures, the number of homeless men and women in our community has
More information about the Code:Red initiative can be found at phoenixrescuemission.org/codered. For more information on what to donate or to start a Code:Red drive, contact Catie Hammann at gikhelp@phxmission.org or 602-346-3347.
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UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 15
City News
Deadline Extended for Arizona Travel ID THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY JUST ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS EXTENDING THE REAL ID FULL ENFORCEMENT DATE FROM OCT. 1, 2021, TO MAY 3, 2023. The Arizona Travel ID is the REAL IDcompliant credential issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.
The Arizona Travel ID is a driver license or ID card, as well as a federally-compliant credential, that can be used for gaining clearance at federal TSA airport checkpoints and other restricted federally secured facilities. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ARIZONANS? Beginning May 3, 2023, the federal REAL ID Act will require anyone passing through TSA checkpoints at airports for domestic flights to use a credential, such as the Arizona Travel ID or a passport, that requires more documentation than a standard driver license. ARE TRAVEL IDS STILL AVAILABLE? Yes. To get your Travel ID, set up an appointment at AZMVDNow.gov. Travel ID applicants must show proof of their identity, proof of Arizona residency and provide their Social Security Number. For a full list of credentials and documents that meet these requirements, visit azdot.gov/TravelID.
HOW IS THE TRAVEL ID DIFFERENT? Arizona is one of 37 states offering residents a choice in their driver license credential: the federally-compliant Travel ID or the non-Travel ID Arizona driver license, which is not federally-compliant and will not allow an
individual to pass through TSA after May 3, 2023. Arizona law requires that MVD provide customers with this choice. For more information about Travel ID, visit azdot.gov/ TravelID.
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VIRTUAL PARTIES: We provide all art materials needed to complete the painting of your choice! We can ship the supplies anywhere and instruct everyone via Zoom. We also offer delivery and curbside pick-up if you are local. NOT FEELING THE GUIDED PAINTING? You want to have a party at your own pace? Make it a DIY party! We offer DIY kits for kids and adults! They come with all supplies needed to complete your own masterpiece. We also give you a picture of the finished painting with tips from the artist.
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City News
Mayor Carlat Announces Sixth Annual Peoria Reads The Mayor’s summer reading program encourages youth to read daily To add to the fun, additional drawing entries are available by attending free events throughout the summer:
PEORIA MAYOR CATHY CARLAT IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE HER SIXTH ANNUAL SUMMER LITERACY PROGRAM: PEORIA READS: TODAY A READER, TOMORROW A LEADER. The free program was created to encourage Peoria’s youth and future workforce to read at least 20 minutes a day over the summer.
Thursday, June 17: You Have the Right to Read Council Chambers Parking Lot, 8401 W. Monroe Street 9 - 10 a.m. Check out the SWAT Mobile Command Unit and learn about police equipment.
“Helping our children acquire a love of reading is a gift that lasts a lifetime and I’m excited to kick off the summer with this valuable reading program,” says Mayor Carlat. “With fun events and several opportunities to win great prizes over the next couple months, I hope families join us on this reading adventure.”
Thursday, July 1: Reading is Hot Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue 9 - 10 a.m. Be a junior firefighter and spray a real firefighter hose.
Residents can sign up and receive a bookmark to track their reading at the Peoria Main Library, located at 8463 W. Monroe Street, or Sunrise Mountain Library, located at 21109 N. 98th Avenue. The completed bookmark can be turned in for a chance to win prizes in mid-program and final program drawings. Prizes includes gift cards, complete book sets, and digital reading tablets donated by the Friends of the Peoria Public Library.
Thursday, July 15: Touch a Truck Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street 9 - 10 a.m. Check out a garbage truck and street sweeper. Participants may also receive extra drawing entries by attending a story time at Pop-Up Peoria in Park West. Visit popuppeoria.com for the program schedule. For more information, visit peoriaaz.gov/library.
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UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 17
Health New Legislation Dramatically Expands Telehealth Across Arizona
G
overnor Doug Ducey recently signed legislation to dramatically expand telemedicine in Arizona and provide greater opportunities for accessible medical services.
patients, ensures doctors receive equal compensation from insurance companies for telemedicine services, and allows out-of-state health care professionals to provide telemedicine in Arizona.
“Ensuring Arizonans have access to safe and reliable medical services is a top priority,” says Governor Ducey. “Telehealth expands access to medical services for low-income families and those living in rural areas, protects vulnerable populations, and allows snowbirds visiting our state to receive telemedicine from their home state. Patients and medical professionals know what’s best for their needs, and we’re working to make sure they have access to those services. I’m grateful to Representative Regina Cobb for sponsoring House Bill 2454, and to the legislators and medical professionals who supported it.”
Under the bill, medical examinations in the worker’s compensation space can also be conducted via telehealth if all parties consent. It also prohibits healthcare boards from enforcing any rule that requires a patient to visit in-person before being prescribed most medications.
House Bill 2454 puts Arizona at the national forefront of telemedicine. It expands access to telemedicine for
“HB 2454 is a win for physicians and patients alike,” says Arizona Medical Association President Dr. Miriam Anand. “Every patient deserves access to the appropriate care needed to treat their medical conditions. HB 2454 will break down unnecessary barriers to telehealth and help facilitate the delivery of highquality care to patients across Arizona.” HB 2454 will make telemedicine services provided to Arizonans through the
Governor’s Executive Order last March permanent. This order required health care insurance companies to expand telemedicine coverage for all services that would normally be covered for an inperson visit, and was instituted to ensure that Arizonans who may be sick or under quarantine could access care from their homes and avoid potentially risky trips to a health care provider. “On behalf of Phoenix Children’s and our patient families, I would like to thank the Governor and Representative Cobb for their leadership on this important piece of legislation to expand telehealth for Arizona’s children,” says Phoenix Children’s Medical Group Physician-inChief and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jared Muenzer. “Telehealth is a proven tool for connecting children with their clinical teams, improving access to medical and behavioral health care, driving quality outcomes, and giving our Phoenix Children’s patients the hope and healing they need, right in their own homes.”
“Telehealth has proven to be an invaluable aspect of delivering behavioral and integrated health service to individuals and families that would not have received those services otherwise during the pandemic,” says Touchstone Health Services CEO Eddy D. Broadway. “We are so excited and pleased that telehealth is now a permanent aspect of the service delivery system and will definitely benefit members that we serve — a real game changer.”
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Health New Village Medical at Walgreens Location Serves Patients in the Upper Westside led, multidisciplinary team to provide patients with a full suite of primary care and pharmacy services at convenient Walgreens neighborhood locations, according a Walgreens spokesperson.
The first markets for expansion include areas of Houston, El Paso and Austin, Texas, the metro Phoenix area, including Peoria, and Orlando, Fla. One of the newest Village Medical at Walgreens locales includes a location at 20266 N. Lake Pleasant Road.
“By combining the expertise of both the physician and pharmacist, patients benefit from improved health outcomes and lowered cost of care,” according to Walgreens. “With Village Medical boardcertified physicians facilitating regular and direct communication between patients and Walgreens pharmacists, the model helps Village Medical at Walgreens patients take the right medications and get the right doses at the right times.”
The expansion is part of the large-scale rollout announced earlier this year to open 500 to 700 Village Medical at Walgreens clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets in the next five years. “Walgreens is proud to partner with VillageMD to offer the most comprehensive and large-scale roll out of physician-led primary care services colocated in a retail pharmacy setting,” says Alex Gourlay co-chief operating officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “Our role as part of patient care teams has never been more critical, and our partnership with VillageMD enables us to provide more wquality, affordable care embedded in their communities.”
“In today’s complex healthcare environment, this integrated model of care is more important than ever. When patients adhere to the appropriate care and medication regime, health outcomes improve,” says Tim Barry, chairman and CEO at VillageMD. “At Village Medical at Walgreens, our experienced physicians and providers work closely with Walgreens pharmacists every day to ensure patients get accessible, personalized and coordinated care when they need it.”
The new Village Medical at Walgreens clinics integrate pharmacists as critical members of VillageMD’s physician-
For more information about Village Medical at Walgreens services, visit VillageMedical.com.
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FIRST 30 DAYS
HAPPY VALLEY RD
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 19
Cover Story
THE FUTURE IS
Bright
Sunsolar Solutions continues to grow and make a positive impact on the Valley By Michelle Talsma Everson
D
uring the COVID-19 pandemic, when many locally-owned companies had to downsize, Sunsolar Solutions was growing. In fact, the North Valley business, which first opened in 2015, has grown from 28 employees to over 100 in the last six months. “We are proud to have brought 100 new green jobs to the Valley,” says Val Berechet, president of Sunsolar Solutions. “We are right here, in your backyard. We are a homegrown company that has been doing business in the Valley—and growing—for six years.” In addition to Berechet, Sunsolar Solutions is also led by Michael O’Donnell and Troy Dinbokowitz, vice presidents of sales and co-owners. Solar energy works by capturing the sun’s energy and turning it into electricity through solar panels— and with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year— the Valley of the Sun is the perfect place for those considering supplementing some of their energy usage with solar power. O’Donnell shares that the company has helped over 7,000 Arizona households
20 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
go solar—taking the power of the sun and turning it into usable electricity to power their homes. “Out of those 7,000 customers, over one third of that business was from referrals,” O’Donnell shares. “We’ve had the largest amount of solar panel sales in Arizona for years.” “Our innovative solar solutions and technology works to power your entire home with clean, renewable energy – all from just the sun,” according to the company. “With each solar panel, you’ll be combatting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing your fossil fuel dependency while saving up to 95 percent on your electricity bill… By investing in a solar system today, you’ll be cultivating a brighter tomorrow.” SOME BENEFITS OF GOING SOLAR WITH SUNSOLAR SOLUTIONS INCLUDE: • Flexible financial solutions – locals can lease, finance or purchase solar panels. • No upfront costs. • Customers can save up to 95% off of their electric bill. • Protection against inflation and energy cost increases from the electric company.
• Increasing the property value. • Earning a great return on your investment. • Going green. • Providing clean, reliable energy. By helping thousands of local households switch to solar energy, Berechet shares how Sunsolar Solutions is making an impressive green impact on the environment, including: • Reducing 6.8 million tons of CO2 emissions; • This reduction is the equivalent of 16.2 million trees planted; • And saving 170.4 million gallons of water! “Doing business right and providing quality customer experience—plus referrals and good online reviews— has paid dividends in how much we’ve grown,” Berechet explains. “It’s led to more customers and, thanks to their business, more employees.” Because of their impressive growth, Sunsolar Solutions is home to a new 19,000 square foot installation center and a 3,000 square foot administration space. So what makes Sunsolar Solutions stand out among other solar companies that locals could work with?
myhyperlocalnews.com
PHOTO COURTESY SUNSOLAR SOLUTIONS
O’Donnell shares that it has to do with how their company provides quality service and honest pricing and results for customers. “Eighty percent of solar companies don’t actually install the solar panels that they sell you,” he explains.
PHOTO BY KIMBERLY CARRILLO
“We do it all—sales and installation. We also always provide the total cost to customers so they know what to expect. And, if we can, we provide multiple design options for them to choose from, so they can pick which one works best for their budget. Of course, our goal is always to get their electric bill down to zero.” Berechet adds that Sunsolar Solutions’ ultimate goal, even if they don’t make a sale, is to educate customers and those interested in solar. They always provide their sales reps with ongoing education and the tools they need to make an honest sale and provide all of the facts when meeting potential solar panel owners. “Compared to other companies, I was impressed by Sunsolar’s sales and design process as they already had an initial design ready when I met with the consultant, and they adjusted on the fly with design and pricing while he was answering my questions,” says Frank, a recent Sunsolar customer.
PHOTO COURTESY SUNSOLAR SOLUTIONS
“I was impressed with how fast everything went. From the call updates to the installation, it has all went pretty quick,” says Keila, a customer who just had solar panels installed. “I was advised we should be up and running by mid-May and I have had the system working since the beginning of May. I am happy to see the progress and, most of all, our bills.”
GO SOLAR URGENT!
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For those who are interested in investing in solar power, Sunsolar Solutions’ team shares that now is the time. “I recommend that locals take action this summer and look into solar now,” O’Donnell says. “On October 1, APS is increasing the cost for new solar customers by reducing the amount they pay homeowners for energy they send back to the grid, but those who have solar before then are grandfathered in.” Both O’Donnell and Berechet point out that there are a lot of tax perks currently available for making the switch to solar as well. “With the Green New Deal, the new administration is serious about climate change,” O’Donnell shares. “Now is the time to go solar and benefit from the tax perks and other benefits of using solar energy.” The team at Sunsolar Solutions is excited for their continued growth and grateful for how far they’ve come. “We’re doing well because we’re doing good for the community and the environment,” Berechet says. “We are excited for today and what the future holds.” To learn more and inquire about a free consultation, visit sunsolarsolutions.com or call 623-562-9009.
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UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 21
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON A PEORIA CHAMBER COMMITTEE? We have 4 wonderful committees for you! Military Affairs Committee Government Affairs Committee
Business Alliance Committee Health & Wellness Committee
Business
The Peoria Chamber of Commerce Launches a New Committee Focused on Health and Wellness By Scot Andrews, President and CEO, Peoria Chamber of Commerce
T
he Peoria Chamber of Commerce is focusing on the health and wellness space, and in partnership with local business expertise, working to improve the mind, body and spirit of Peoria residents and businesses to form a new Health and Wellness Committee. “We are at a moment in history when we have been faced with the reality that true health does not come from a pill bottle, nor from things that are done to us, but rather from our own commitment to our bodies, minds and spirits through our daily habits,” says Sheryl Iszler, owner of Trinity Chiropractic. The pandemic had an immense impact on all of our social norms. Add the mental frustrations of social distancing in the workplace, personal networks and community, and overall health was damaged. The Peoria Chamber of Commerce believes they can aid in this effort, partnering with their members in the health and wellness space to charter the new Health and Wellness Committee. Peoria Chamber member companies such as Sun Health, Trinity Chiropractic, Arrowhead and Lake Pleasant Fit Body Boot Camps, Valleywise Health, and Banner Health, to name a few, have joined together to define an agenda to focus on the most common health conditions
that impact locals. They seek to help the community maintain and improve their quality of life through healthy lifestyle choices. Interested companies are welcome to join, volunteer and contribute to this journey. By focusing on wellness services and support such as education, balance, mobility, nutrition, fitness, mental health, and weight management, a life can be improved. Kelly Sullens, owner of both Arrowhead and Lake Pleasant Fit Body Boot Camps, shares, “To build healthy lifestyle choices for the long run, we have to realize that it’s not just proper eating habits and physical activity that aid in making us healthy. We have to be mentally ready to make a change, too. It’s our mission to help open the minds of our community to be ready to make the simple changes that will lead to living happier, living healthier, and living longer, together.” Kelly will chair the formation of this new Health and Wellness Committee, build a team, and craft the initiatives and milestones that will impact the community to be healthier and more disciplined, one changed life at a time. The Peoria Chamber is always looking for thought leaders to serve on all of their committees to contribute ideas, create community, and business-based events to improve the quality of life in Peoria and surrounding cities. To learn more about the Peoria Chamber of Commerce and its new committee, visit peoriachamber. com or call 623-979-3601.
Greater Phoenix Adds Thousands of Jobs; Close to Pre-Pandemic Levels By Eric Jay Toll
T
he Greater Phoenix metro area gained almost 10,000 jobs in March 2021 over February numbers in the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity latest report. The Phoenix workforce grew to 2.2 million in the 13 months since the coronavirus pandemic started. Year-over-year, the metro area workforce is still more than 50,000 jobs short of March 2020 numbers. The OEO data show the Greater Phoenix workforce about 97.6 percent of last year’s number for March. In February 2021, the metro area was at just over 96 percent of the prior year’s job numbers. In terms of numbers, most new jobs fell within the leisure and hospitality sectors, with 4,100 new hires in March, 2,400 in arts and entertainment alone, and another 1,700 in food services and drinking places sector. Construction hired an additional 2,700 more than Febru-
22 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
ary, healthcare added 2,000, transportation and warehousing filled 1,800 positions, and manufacturing added 1,000 new jobs in March. These four industry sectors added over half the new Greater Phoenix jobs in month-over-month. In year-over-year comparisons, the transportation and warehousing sector added 16,000 new jobs, and healthcare services gained 6,500 jobs over last year. Professional, scientific and technical employment grew by 4,600 in year-over-year, and banking increased new hires by 3,900. Virtually all other industry sectors hired fewer than last year, with leisure and hospitality down by 34,100 workers compared to the previous year. The Phoenix metro’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.1 percent in March, down from 6.7 percent in February. Last year, while the pandemic started its impacts in March, the severe job losses didn’t occur until April. The unemployment rate in March 2020 for Greater Phoenix was 4.6 percent. myhyperlocalnews.com
Business Greater Phoenix Tops Nation in Small Business Wage Gains; Arizona Comes In Third By Eric Jay Toll
P
hoenix topped the nation with a 5.67 percent hourly wage hike, based on one-month annualized wage growth data, in small businesses compared to a year ago, according to the monthly Small Business Employment Watch from Paychex IHS Markit. The average metro area small business is currently paying wages of $28.26 per hour. The U.S. average is $29.09, increasing only 2.84 percent. Arizona ranked third in wage growth, with a 4 percent increase over last year to $27.11. Missouri’s 4.84 percent growth was tops in the nation, and Georgia was second with 4.4 percent. Wages rose more in the Northeast, up 3.7 percent, followed by 2.94 percent in the West. The South lagged behind the other regions reporting a 2.09 percent wage gain for small business workers. Arizona and Phoenix, third among
states and cities respectively, both placed third in the nation for small business job growth, according to Paychex. For Arizona, April 2021 saw small business job growth of 4.9 percent over April 2020. Greater Phoenix clocked similar growth with a 4.6 percent increase during that time.
fewer jobs lost than most metro areas. In months with job increases, Phoenix was among the leaders. The monthly Small Business Employment Watch from Paychex IHS Markit calculates job and wage
gains based on the data generated by businesses using Paychex for payroll and human resource services. Over the past year, Phoenix has shown substantial numbers in both jobs and wage gains, holding a steady ranking among the top tier of metro areas measured by Paychex.
Nationally, job gains in April marked the first month in the last 12 in which all regions of the country showed positive growth rates. The West led the regional list with 4.26 percent in job gains. The Midwest was the lowest with a 3.31 percent job gain. According to Paychex, the national average for job gains is 3.92 percent. Phoenix’s performance has been relatively strong across the last year. After April and May 2020, when jobs plummeted because of the pandemic lockdown, Phoenix was among the top five metro areas for job performance. Over the past year, Greater Phoenix saw
Maricopa County #1; Greater Phoenix #2: Fastest U.S. Metro Growth in 2020 By Eric Jay Toll
W
hen the news gets out that Greater Phoenix is one of the top places in the nation to find a new job opportunity, people start heading to Arizona. Late in 2018 and early in 2019, that news started getting out in ranking after ranking.
Job opportunities await and a new population follows. The jobs available today are filling roles in the expanding knowledge economy, and growing technology, bioscience and manufacturing sectors. The quality of life in the Phoenix metro area is making it easier for companies to recruit from other areas.
As of July 1, 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the metro area population grew by an average of 291 people every day. Maricopa County saw its population climb by 86,820, more than any other U.S. county. Census Bureau population estimates differ from the 2020 Decennial Census in that the estimates are calculated projections for the period from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Jobs and quality of life are the magnets drawing new populations. More than 80 percent of Arizona’s 2020 population increase moved into Greater Phoenix. Normally, between 67 percent and 70 percent of Arizona’s population lives in Greater Phoenix. With more people moving to metro Phoenix, the more companies looking to expand are drawn to the area for its quality workforce. The metro area posted a 2.1 percent population gain, the 16th fastest percentage nationally. Greater Phoenix remains the 10th most populous metro
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area. The three largest metro areas, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, all lost substantial populations in 2020 compared to 2019. The new population in the Phoenix metro was helped by a steady birthrate, 57,251, up from 56,978 in 2019. Bucking the national trend of a declining birth rate, Greater Phoenix held constant, with an average of 57,000 over the last five years. In 2020, Phoenix added 6,590 people who moved here from foreign countries. The global in-migration, however, was down from nearly 8,300 in 2019. The 2020 number is less than half the 15,575 who moved here from an international address in 2015. The remaining population increases came from other states or counties within Arizona. Metro-to-metro and state-tostate migration data are released late in the summer. Decennial census data won’t be released until late 2021. The first official 2020 Census data released, the reapportionment census, pegged the state’s population at 7.2 million. UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 23
Education Peoria Unified Celebrates 24 Students Who Earned State Seal of Arts Proficiency
P
eoria Unified is proud to announce that 24 students across all seven high schools have earned the prestigious Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency this year.
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The arts seal is awarded to high school students who complete arts pathway requirements throughout their high school career by demonstrating artistic literacy and high levels of competency in media arts, visual arts, dance, theatre, or music. Ashleigh Mackay of Liberty High School is the Upper Westside’s stand out student who earned a State Seal of Arts in Visual Art. Peoria Unified’s State Seal of Arts winners include:
Located in the Northwest Valley. Now Scheduling for Summer and Fall.
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We are thrilled to announce that we are now authorized dealers for Backyard Adventures customizable play sets, AlleyOop Trampolines and Goalrilla/Silverback Basketball Goals. Come see what we have to offer in our NEW SHOWROOM!
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602-935-9296 leisureinstalls.com Owners James & Sasha Lewis Local & Family Owned
“We are excited all seven high schools and all art disciplines are represented and are so pleased these students are being recognized for their talents and dedicated work to their art form,” says Robert Panzer, Peoria Unified’s Director of Arts Education. Peoria Unified recently highlighted its Arts Education Department in its podcast, Trending Peoria, which can be streamed on all major streaming platforms. To listen, visit peoriaunified.org/TrendingPeoria. myhyperlocalnews.com
Education PUSD Class of 2021 Earns a Record Amount of Scholarship Dollars Liberty High School seniors earn close to $16 million in scholarship monies
T
he Peoria Unified School District’s graduating class of 2021 acquired over $72 million in scholarships to post-secondary institutions, making this a record year for scholarship recipients. This amount includes scholarships for vocational schools, in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities, meritbased recognitions, private donor, and athletic scholarships. Liberty High School celebrates a record year with their graduates securing close to $16 million in scholarship monies. A breakdown of the Peoria Unified high school scholarship amounts includes: • Cactus: $4,476,417 • Centennial: $15,036,471 • Ironwood: $14,866,334 • Liberty: $15,946,414 • Peoria Flex Academy: $500 • Peoria High: $6,528,536 • Raymond S. Kellis: $5,936,988 • Sunrise Mountain: $9,918,668 Total: $72,710,328
SYLVIA LOPEZ
Sylvia Lopez, who is in the top one percent of graduates from Liberty High School, plans on pursuing industrial engineering at ASU in the fall. “One thing I learned from my engineering class at Liberty High School is that I was smart enough,” she says. “Being in that class helped me gain confidence… I’m so grateful to the people around me, to those at my school, my family…all those who helped me realize I could do it.”
For a detailed list of top scholarship recipients at each high school and interesting facts about Peoria Unified seniors, including prestigious college offers and top destination points for the graduates, visit peoriaunified.org.
TOP GRADUATES FOR LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL Top 1% of Liberty’s graduating class:
Alexis Young • Sylvia Lopez • Trista Ramirez Maressa Kennedy • Jacob Ayars • Melanie Benoit
Scholarships earned by Liberty High’s top seniors: Alexis Younng • Peoria Education Foundation Community Service Scholarship • University of Arizona Wildcat Distinction Scholarship • Arizona State University President’s Scholarship • Peoria Education Foundation Project Unify Scholarship • Elks Lodge Student of the Month Scholarship • Elks Lodge Most Valuable Student Scholarship Sylvia Lopez • Arizona State University President’s Scholarship • Flinn Scholarship Award • Sun City Elks Lodge Student of the Month Scholarship • Sun City Elks Lodge Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Maressa Kennedy • University of Arizona Wildcat Distinction Scholarship • Northern Arizona University President’s Scholarship • Elks Lodge Student of the Month Scholarship Jacob Ayars • University of Arizona National Hispanic Scholar • Elks Lodge Student of the Month Scholarship Melanie Benoit • Arizona State University President’s Scholarship • University of Arizona Wildcat Distinction Scholarship • University of Arizona Dean’s Exemplary Award • University of Utah President’s Scholarship • Elks Lodge Student of the Month Scholarship
John Shinske Trista Ramirez • University of Arizona Wildcat Distinction Scholarship • Northern Arizona University Presidents’ • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Scholarship Presidential Scholarship • University of Arizona National Hispanic Scholar • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University NROTC • Elks Lodge Student of the Month Scholarship Scholarship
PUSD High School Musicians Achieve Top Honors
T
hree Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) high school students from across the city were recently selected to perform with the All-State Concert Band or Orchestra. Michael Cieri, Sunrise Mountain High School senior, earned a spot as the 2nd chair, 1st trumpet. Anthony Jacobs, Centennial High School junior, earned his place on the All-State Band playing the tuba. Jungin Choi, a Sunrise Mountain High School freshman, became the myhyperlocalnews.com
district’s first All-State Band orchestra player.
ANTHONY JACOBS
Being selected as an Arizona All-State musician is a detailed twostep process. Students must first audition for one of the seven regions across the
state in an intense rehearsal process that culminates in a final concert. If they are selected as a Regional musician, they become eligible to audition again as an Arizona All-State musician. Students then work on their performance music before attending a two-day festival working with national clinicians. “The All-State Festival represents the highest level of musicians across the state who go through a rigorous process to be selected as part of the ensembles,”
shares Robert Panzer, PUSD director of Arts Education. “We are incredibly proud of the students selected for this opportunity, as well as the peers, mentors, and directors who helped them get to this prestigious JUNGIN CHOI place.” UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 25
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Teaching Children to Learn with an Uncompromising Spirit of Joy and Adventure!
We recognize that children have a natural curiosity and a predisposition to enjoy the unexpected. Children engage in active exploration and investigation to make sense of their world. We strive to fuel children’s investigative impulses and encourage discovery, promote questioning and challenging of ideas, and formulate connections of experience. 26 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
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Kids’ Corner
Indoor Museums for Cool Summer Fun
Five hot spots for educational activities for the whole family
By Jill Frier Photos Courtesy of Featured Museums
W
ith the summer heat in full effect , it’s a great time to find fun and educational activities for kids to do indoors during summer break. Here are some excellent museums in the Valley that are cool, fun, and educational for kids and their grownups.
the globe. The museum also provides visitors a hands-on experience of playing different instruments, a number of children’s programs, concerts, and other musical adventures for visitors of all ages. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM mim.org
The largest bass in the world, the Octobass, has a home in north Phoenix. Visitors can find the Octobass, and many more instrumental oddities, in the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). The MIM is an unexpected and breathtaking surprise for first time visitors. This two-story, state-of-the-art facility is a showcase of instruments and music from every genre and almost every country in the world. The MIM displays more than 6,500 instruments, so visitors can see and hear music and instruments from around
ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER azscience.org The Arizona Science Center is, in a word, amazing! The fun, larger than life, interactive displays throughout the building provide hours of entertainment for kids and adults, with hands-on science experiments ranging from biology to physics and astronomy to engineering. This venue is a fantastic way to get kids excited about science in their everyday lives and a fun way to spend time with your family in downtown Phoenix. ODYSEA AQUARIUM odyseaaquarium.com
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix, which officially re-opened for indoor play on May 29, provides a fantastic world of creative fun, playtime, and imagination for kids everywhere. Recognized as one of the top three children’s museums in the nation, the Children’s Museum is a perfect place to learn, create and play for kids from birth to about 10 years old. Kids can climb, run, touch, feel and pretend throughout the building, located in the remodeled and historic Monroe School Building in downtown Phoenix. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix also offers a variety of children’s educational programs, ranging from math and science to music and art.
The state-of-the-art OdySea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the southwest. OdySea Aquarium “offers an entertaining, interactive, and educational experience for guests of all ages by combining theme-park-style amusement with highly engaging presentations of aquatic life,” according to the aquarium. Six thousand animals call OdySea Aquarium home, including 300 species, and over 70 exhibits in 200,000 square feet of indoor space.
HEARD MUSEUM heard.org
The Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix is a fascinating, world-class exhibition of Native American art and culture. Recognized internationally for the quality and size of its collections, exhibits, and programs, all Phoenicians should at some point take time to visit this historic and cultural Southwestern icon. The Heard has a variety of educational exhibits specifically designed give children a hands-on understanding of various Native American tribes and cultures. Fun activities for kids include crafts, artwork, and interactive stations for learning. Also be sure to check out the latest events and happenings at the Heard Museum, including art exhibitions and discussions, discounted and free entry days, and one-of-a-kind Pow-Wows and festivals throughout the year. These are just a few of the awesome museums available in the Valley. See ladybugsblog.com for more fun, adventurous, and educational activities for you and your kids all year round!
Have a Guitar? Beat the heat and join the fun!
Just starting out or been playing awhile? Join in with others just like you and have fun. Jump start your playing with superior local guitar lessons!
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UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 27
Solution on page 37.
Happy Father’s Day! Sunday, June 20
28 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD - THEME: SCREEN-FREE PLAYTIME ACROSS 1. Ivory, in the bathroom 5. Letter of the ____ 8. Kiln for drying hops 12. Marine eagle 13. Muffin Man’s Drury 14. Zest 15. Landlord’s collection 16. Chieftain in Arabia 17. Frequently precedes “nonsense” 18. *Tabletop fun (2 words) 20. Passage in a coal mine 21. Clear the whiteboard 22. Sean’s mom Yoko 23. Alpine structure 26. Slabbered 30. Clothing border 31. Incense burning container 34. Gauche or Droite, in Paris 35. In a frenzy 37. Unagi 38. Fancy necktie 39. Eye protection, sing. 40. Not dangerous to health 42. Dwight the President 43. Worked the dough 45. *Screen-free message 47. Hairpiece, slangily 48. Libra symbol 50. Buenos ____ 52. *Dirty hobby? 56. African prairie 57. Like family lore 58. Don’t let it hit you on your way out 59. *Ten-pin establishment 60. Challenge 61. Purse to match a gown 62. Lake of Scottish lore 63. *Between ‘game’ and ‘match’ 64. Deliver a tirade
DOWN 1. Belgrade native 2. Dessert sandwich 3. Pavlova, e.g. 4. Tube-nosed seabird 5. Tibetan priests 6. Japanese cartoon 7. Used to be 8. *Explore the great ____ 9. ____ spumante 10. Editor’s mark 11. Craggy peak 13. Official emissary 14. Bird-deposited fertilizer 19. Same as schlock 22. Famous Bobby, on ice 23. *Sidewalk art medium 24. Macho man 25. *Tell jokes, e.g. 26. Sub station 27. Permissible 28. Extract a memory, e.g. 29. Try to prevent 32. It’s not a want 33. ____ Bernie Sanders, abbr. 36. *Guessing game 38. Administer an oil 40. “Don’t make me ___!” 41. With pleasure 44. Full of bunnies? 46. Full of gentleness 48. Ranee’s wrap 49. *Macrame or wood carving, e.g. 50. Expunge 51. Bodily disorders 52. Hermes and Apollo 53. ‘I’ in Greek alphabet 54. Person, place or thing 55. John Wayne’s “True ____” 56. Delivery vehicle
SOLUTION ON PAGE 37.
Engaging at Home™ is an easy way to create experiences for your loved one with dementia that leave them feeling valued, loved, and connected.
“I do this with my grandpa every week and he feels valued, loved and connected.“ —Shannon
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UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 29
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Real Estate
Even in a Hot Market, You Shouldn’t Sell Your Home Without An Agent By Frank May, Realtor
M
any think it’s easy to sell a house on your own in a market that is this hot. The internet and access to list the home on national sites on your own make the process seem like a breeze. I wish it was that simple for everyone. Let me give you a layout of what it takes to sell your home and why you should always hire a professional to do it. CONTRACT AND INSPECTION The time it takes for an agent to navigate multiple offers that each home is receiving is almost overwhelming if the home is priced right. The average seller doesn’t realize that there is more to an offer than just the highest price offered. Sometimes the highest price isn’t the best loan and may not even close. This can delay your closing and potentially fall apart at the end, causing you to have to start over. As a licensed real estate agent, I am working with the lender, the buyer’s agent, and accessing all of the moving parts to make sure not only is it the best price but it is also the strongest deal. Once the offer is accepted there is usually an inspection. The inspection can bring up a lot of issues
on the home and appear to an outsider that the home has multiple issues. What we know as experienced agents is that a home inspector’s job is to find the items in your home that are not perfect. This can mean many things and sometimes the home is functioning properly and those items don’t necessarily need to be repaired. Some items show up on every inspection report. As an experienced agent, we will help you to understand what we think is the best course of action with repairs so that the deal doesn’t fall apart. APPRAISALS AND TITLE Most people don’t understand that the appraisal is an opinion of value given by an appraiser picked at random by the lender and paid for most often by the buyer. If the appraisal wasn’t waived, as it is in most cases these days, the listing agent does what they can to prove the value of the home providing comps and other items to the appraiser. Experience definitely helps when it comes to the appraisal process. I haven’t even touched on title issues and making sure there are no surprises! You may not know that there can be blemishes on your title report that you aren’t even aware of.
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Our job as agents is to go over the entire title report to make sure there are no issues and, if there are, to help you correct them as quickly as possible to ensure the deal will continue. WHAT A PROFESSIONAL CAN DO FOR YOU A good and experienced agent will never make you feel that the sale is anything but an easy process. We strive to make the transaction smooth and painless for our sellers and buyers. It isn’t worth saving some money when you find out you need to work the transaction like a full-time job. You are better off letting a professional help. Here’s why: • Selling a house is no small task. If you decide to try to do it on your own, keep in mind you’ll be responsible for all the expert-level work of a real estate professional. • The vital tasks an agent manages for you include listing and marketing your house, handling legal documentation, negotiating with all parties, and navigating local laws and regulations. Don’t just listen to us—here’s what Mike D., a seller we worked with, had to say: “At a time when good service is hard to find, Frank and his team deliver in spades. From the time Frank came over to discuss our house until closing (and even after), I always felt I was in good hands. Even during times when I got anxious, his team kept me reassured during the whole process. Everyone involved, from the photographer to Kate and the rest of the staff, made me feel special. And that never happens anymore. I’m only giving five stars because I can’t give 10!” If you’re ready to sell while the market is in your favor, let’s connect to make sure you have the professional expertise you need every step of the way and how we can check every box on your list. Call us today at 623-203-1800 to discuss your home buying and selling needs. 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. UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 31
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AND, YES, WE DO WINDOWS!
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Garage Cabinets so nice you’ll want to leave the door open!
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Individuals | Self-Employed | Business Owners | Families Insurance underwritten by Freedom Life Insurance Company of America/national Foundation Life Insurance Company. All Products not available in all states. Exclusions and limitations apply. Please see a licensed Agent for details.
Caitlin Witte, Licensed Insurance Agent Direct Line: (480) 589 1756 Email: Caitlin.Witte@ushadvisors.com
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WEEKLY SERVICE FILTER CLEANING REPAIRS
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. MAKE A BIG IMPACT. myhyperlocalnews.com
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 33
Getaway
SUMMER OF
Sanctuary
TREAT YOURSELF TO A COLORFUL SUMMER GETAWAY AT HOTEL VALLEY HO
An Iconic Hideaway in Old Town Scottsdale WORLD-CLASS DINING, WELLNESS AND RESTORATION MEET AT SANCTUARY ON CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA
W
hen the kids are away the grown-ups can play (thank you, sleepaway camp). For those looking for a bit of summer magic of their own, there is an otherworldly quality about Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa.
SPLASH-FREE ZONE: Sanctuary’s weekend rules come to the rescue of a much-needed mini-break, reserving the resort’s iconic infinity-edge pool for those ages 16 and over. Relax on a lounger or reserve a poolside cabana, which comes loaded with creature comforts like a fan, TV, mini fridge, and snacks.
ADULT MIXERS: Summer will be the season to wine, dine and shine, and Sanctuary has a series of dinner events running through August. Featuring the genius of Executive Chef Beau MacMillan’s team, including Chef de Cuisine Samantha Sanz and Bar Chef Christiaan Röllich, Master of Taste events will connect guests with leading Napa Valley winemakers from the likes of Far Niente and Plumpjack Winery. And a Late Lunch and Learn series will include live music and chef demonstrations around themes like “Fire in the French Quarter” and “Whiskey Made Me Do It.”
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE (THEIR) HOME: In addition to Sanctuary’s prized casitas and suites, eight private villas – each one an architectural and design triumph, ranging up to 5,500 square feet – can be booked at Sanctuary for a brief retreat with friends or a longer work-from-anywhere summer escape. Amenities like private movement studio and spa therapy spaces, tennis court, home theaters, game room and pool make it easy to nest in The Villas as Sanctuary.
SEEING STARS: Things should be looking up this summer, in part thanks to two celestial events worth planning around. On July 12 Venus and Mars will appear to touch in the sky after sunset, complemented by a crescent moon. And the Perseid meteor shower on August 12-13 coincides with an especially dark sky. Pair these events with a warm soak under a star shower in one of Sanctuary’s Spa Suites, which feature al fresco oversized soaking tubs and canopied daybeds.
34 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
WELLNESS SANCTUARY: Get a summer glow with the Signature Coconut Sumatra Body Ritual at Sanctuary Spa, where silky smooth pure organic coconut oil is combined with the stimulating and cleansing properties of sea salt for a full body exfoliation that invigorates the senses and creates a healthy, youthful glow. An application of decadent coconut-vanilla lotion seals the skin thereafter. Spa buffs will also appreciate the resort’s Reiki experience—a perfect antidote to the last year— which promotes healing with an ancient Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. PACKAGED PERKS: Locals can save a pretty penny thanks to Sanctuary’s Arizona Residents offer, with 20 percent off the resort’s best available rate. Another rich offer is the Sanctuary Escape package, including daily breakfast and a $240 spa credit per adult, per night.
Sanctuary Resort and Spa is located at 5700 East McDonald Drive in Paradise Valley. A full suite of travel deals can be explored by visiting sanctuaryaz.com. myhyperlocalnews.com
99 Nights of Summer 2021 MONDAY: “MARGARITA MADNESS”
All margaritas from our list are half off with food purchase
TUESDAY: “TACO TUESDAY” Enjoy a full platter of three tacos, rice and beans for $10 Add a “Top Shelf” margarita for only $5 WEDNESDAY: “FIVE DOLLAR FROZENS” Choose any frosty drink from our menu for only $5.00, with food purchase THURSDAY: “SEÑOR SENIORS” LUNCH FRIDAY: “FAJITAS ’N RITAS”
Seniors over 60: Buy one entree, get one FREE (with beverage purchase, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Enjoy a $1.00 Acapulco margarita with your dinner fajita
SATURDAY: “WISH YOU WERE BEER!”
Enjoy $3 drafts and $4 bottles ALL DAY
SUNDAY: “SANGRIA SUNDAYS”
Half off our signature “Frozen Black Cherry” or “Purple Haze Swirl” with food purchase, all day Some Restrictions May Apply
PARK WEST
9832 W. Northern Ave, Peoria 6234 403181 MARKET STREET
PINNACLE PEAK
20825 N Pima Rd 480.513.8332
23587 N Scottsdale Rd 480.585.6 4 42
J A L A P E N O I N F E R N O. C O M myhyperlocalnews.com
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 35
Entertainment
Must-Watch Streaming Movies & Shows DISNEY+
threat that may just destroy the world. Do they have a chance? Only if they can learn to get along and work as a team. On Disney+ June 25.
IN THEATERS
NETFLIX Awake For most, if not all of us, a global event causing all technology to be rendered unusable is all the nightmare we could handle. Now imagine that event also causes you, and everyone else in the world, to be unable to sleep. That’s the situation that our unlikely heroes, a mother and her children, are dropped into. Soon, our insomniac mother discovers that her daughter could hold the key to allowing the world to sleep once again. On Netflix June 9.
Loki The Loki from 2012 has escaped from the Avengers after the events of Endgame. But now he faces a new problem: he is not in the proper time and that has the potential for disaster within the multiverse. A mysterious and otherworldly organization called the TVA recruits him to properly put things back together. Of course, you can never fully trust the motives of the trickster god. On Disney+ June 9. The Mysterious Benedict Society The main characters are four orphans, all with nothing in common, except that each has a been gifted with a superpower-esque skill that is unlike anything seen before. Add one rich man, who owns a boarding school, and wants to bring them all together for unknown reasons. Soon, they discover that his motives are pure and he wants to use their powers to stop a 36 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
America: The Motion Picture You know the story of the Revolutionary War: George Washington chain sawed his way through the British army with his inebriated friend Sam Adams. Or something akin to that. Now the story comes to life in animation form from the guys behind The Lego Movie, with an all-star cast including Channing Tatum as George Washington. You’ve never seen anything like this and, to be honest, we may regret seeing it this time. Only time will tell. On Netflix June 30.
F9: The Fast Saga Are you ready? The family we’ve followed for 20 years are back and are about to face their most personal challenge yet. Dom’s brother joins forces with their enemy, Cipher, and together pose a challenge to the entire world. Some old friends are back to fight alongside Dom and the family. With the stakes never higher for both the family and a film franchise, we see a return of veteran director Justin Lin. Can he keep this two decade franchise on the road of success? In theaters June 25.
Zola Have you ever seen a movie inspired by a Twitter thread? Based on the wild thread by Aziah “Zola” Wells, what starts as a road trip through Florida to make as much money as possible dancing from strip club to strip club soon turns into an odyssey of betrayal and death. Critically acclaimed, with a breakout performance from Taylour Paige, this is one film not to miss. In theaters June 30.
myhyperlocalnews.com
JOJO’S PIZZA & FAMILY RESTAURANT
LAKESIDE BAR & GRILL
www.JoJos-Pizza.com
www.LakesideBarAndGrillAZ.com
IHOP
THE LINKS NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL
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 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
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
CHARLEY’S SPORTS GRILL
RAIMONDO’S GLUTEN FREE HEALTHY ITALIAN
ADDRESS: 8110 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale PHONE: 623-322-6593 CUISINE TYPE: All American, Cocktails and Draft Beer Open since July 2020, we fashioned Charley’s to be a comfortable and welcoming neighborhood sports grill where you can meet family and friends while enjoying great house-made food, sports on 36 TVs, off-track betting, and live music every Friday and Saturday night. We have 23 beers on tap, including our Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp Towers. We are the proud winners of 17 Best of the West Valley awards including Best All-Around Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, Best Sports Bar and Best Bloody Mary.
www.CharleysSportsGrill.com
CROSSWORD ANSWER from page 29
myhyperlocalnews.com
Your Guide to Local Dining
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.
Bites
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.
ADDRESS: Delivery Only PHONE: 602-399-2911 CUISINE TYPE: Gluten Free Italian Not gluten-free? We challenge you to a taste test and guarantee that you cannot tell that our food is gluten free. Created in a dedicated area free from cross-contamination. Farmers market and pick-up locations throughout Arizona, even through summer! Follow our Facebook page for updates or text the word RAY to 480-485-6757 for a full menu and to place an order for delivery.
www.facebook.com/Raimondos-Gluten-Free-Healthy-Italian-106400228174730
SUDOKU ANSWER
from page 28
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 37
Happenings
THEATERWORKS OPENS A BRAND NEW IMMERSIVE THEATER EXPERIENCE: CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER TOO
When: June 3 – July 25 Where: Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria What: A madness has been cast over Wonderland, and the Queen of Hearts is the maddest of all. She is planning to unleash the fearsome Jabberwocky! The fate of Wonderland rests with you. Find the Suited Stones before Wonderland reaches its end or we all lose our heads. Travel through 6,500 square feet from room to room, gathering clues to defeat the Queen. Something is following you, trying to get in. You must decide – are they insane or are they deceiving you – in the dark world of Alice in Wonderland. Multiple performances take place Thursday through Sunday. Advance ticket purchases are required. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Information and tickets at curiousertheater.org or 623-815-7930.
PARK WEST KIDS CLUB
When: Every Wednesday in June, 10-11 a.m. Where: Park West, 9744 W. Northern Avenue, Peoria What: Park West is excited to announce its new weekly Park West Kids Club, a free series of events taking place from 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday throughout the month of June. The Club encourages parents to bring their kids for an hour of fun — including crafts in collaboration with Pinspiration, music, and more to pique their creative interests this summer. Visit shopparkwest.com to learn more.
GODSPELL AT ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE
When: June 8-13 Where: Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria What: This isn’t your average Bible study! Based on the Gospel according to Matthew, Godspell follows a comedic troupe of players as they help a contemporary Jesus share his lessons through parables, games, and comedic shenanigans. Visit azbroadway.org for ticket info.
Pairs Perfectly with Dad Jokes
NEW “Best Dad A’round” Decorated Bundt Cake
Order Online at
NothingBundtCakes.com Glendale, AZ
We’re Open!!
DELIVERY AVAILABLE 38 • June/July 2021 • UPPER WESTSIDER
5890 W Thunderbird Rd, Suite 101 Glendale, AZ 85306 • (602) 938-9866
Surprise 15332 W Bell Rd, Suite 121 Surprise, AZ 85374 • (623) 200-5441
myhyperlocalnews.com
KONA WAVE RIDER ROCK FEST
When: June 11-13, times vary Where: Dillon’s Bayou at Pleasant Harbor, 40202 N. 87th Avenue, Peoria What: A weekend long rock festival that features a variety of rock and tribute bands. Concert times vary. Bands include: Public Enemy #1, Shine on Floyd, I Don’t Know (an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band), and more. Find the event on Facebook for more information.
Opening June 3
Tickets on sale now!
ENCORE DRIVE-IN NIGHTS: FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
When: June 12, 8 p.m. Where: West Wind Glendale Drive In, 5650 N. 55th Ave., Glendale What: For the first time ever, you can watch Florida Georgia Line in an epic concert film on the big screen at your local drive-in. Drive-in tickets are priced by vehicle, one ticket is good for up to six people. For less than $20 each, you can drive-in and rock out in the comfort of your own space. It’s an affordable and fun way to enjoy this never-before-seen concert event in your local hometown cinema. Tickets available at westwinddi.com.
ARIZONA SUNRISE SERIES: RIO VISTA PARK
When: June 19, 6:30 a.m. Where: Rio Vista Community Park, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road What: Join us as we continue the 8th Annual Arizona Sunrise Series with our third leg at Rio Vista Park! This event features a 5K distance and is limited to 600 participants. Visit raceroster.com to sign up.
PEORIA READS: READING IS HOT!
When: July 1, 9 a.m. Where: Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue, Peoria What: A part of the Peoria Reads series of special events, your kids can attend this free event and become a junior firefighter. They can even spray a real fire hose! For more information, visit peoriaaz.gov/library.
PEORIA’S ALL-AMERICAN FESTIVAL
When: July 4, 5 p.m. Where: Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Avenue What: After a successful virtual All-American Festival at Home last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the city of Peoria is moving forward with an outdoor festival at the Peoria Sports Complex. To ensure all festival attendees enjoy a safe and healthy event, this year’s All-American Festival will be a free, ticketed event with the most current COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place at the time, which may include social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing recommendations, among others. There will also be several food trucks, waterslides and three bands performing, most notably, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and a spectacular fireworks finale show. For more information about this year’s All-American Festival, visit peoriaaz.gov/events.
PEORIA READS: TOUCH A TRUCK
When: July 15, 9 a.m. Where: Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street What: A part of the Peoria Reads series of special events, kids can check out a garbage truck and street sweeper. For more information, visit peoriaaz.gov/ library. myhyperlocalnews.com
CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER TOO is a 6,500sq.ft. immersive, multi-sensory theater experience in which up to 12 audience members per performance travel through the dark world of Alice in Wonderland. Follow the White Rabbit into the realm ruled by the mad Queen of Hearts from room to room, gathering clues to defeat the Queen before Wonderland reaches its end or we all lose our heads. Discover a new way to experience live theater. C U R I O U S E R T H E AT E R . O R G
UPPER WESTSIDER • June/July 2021 • 39
DiD you join us in supporting our local businesses? In April we gave away Tacos at Mochilero & in May we gave away coffee drinks at NW Coffee. Want to know where we will be next? Like us on Facebook to be the first to know about our next event* *We aren’t doing any events in June and July but will resume in August. Be on the lookout for the next one!
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