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CORPORATE OFFICE: 1919 N. Trekell Rd., Suite C Casa Grande, AZ 85122 520-509-1000
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Elaine M. Earle, CPA
Bea Lueck
Spring is unspooling quickly and the heat of summer will soon arrive, but that’s no reason you can’t enjoy the food, fun and sun of this easygoing slice of the desert; the options are growing, along with our communities. From food trucks to fine dining, karaoke to classical music, we have a little of everything to choose from, and our recreation options go way beyond the gastronomic.
In this Food, Drink & Fun issue we have quite a few suggestions for readers looking to enjoy the entertainment landscape of western Pinal County. As always, we have the Pinal NOW! event calendar and a list of live music and karaoke venues we have to choose from here. We also bring you features on local Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Food Truck Fridays in Casa Grande and the monthly fly-in breakfasts at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport, open to pilots, drivers and anyone else who can transport themselves there.
Julie Andersen of Vista Grande Library also has a reminder of all the fun that awaits young people in particular at the Casa Grande locations, which applies to all the other locations in Pinal as well.
There’s tons of fun to be had along the Golden Corridor, but I’m also taking some time to sit down with Casa Grande Police Chief Mark McCrory about the business of keeping the streets safe enough for us to do that. McCrory shares what he’s learned over his four-plus decades in law enforcement and how he’s been applying it to his current role.
Our community contributors are out in force this issue as well, with CASA of Pinal supervisor Lisa Madrid-Schleicher celebrating the dedication of a 20year volunteer for the nonprofit. Donna McBride has some recommendations from other Casa Grandeans for those looking to shop local, and Pinal Partnership President Craig McFarland has a timeline of historic events for Pinal County, which is marking its 150th birthday this year. These are just a few examples.
And don’t miss our Pinal County Press news section, Home and Garden articles, local real estate statistics, business articles and so much more in our fun Spring issue!
Bea Lueck Associate Publisher
Golden Corridor LIVING magazine
At Golden Corridor LIVING magazine, our slogan is “The Voice of the Community” because we believe the stories in our local region are best told by the people, companies, nonprofits and governments that comprise our community. Here are the “voices” who helped make this issue possible!
Outreach Librarian, Vista Grande Library, City of Casa Grande Realtor® ROX Real Estate
Executive Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Central Arizona College
Certified Physical Trainer, WickedFiTT
Associate Broker/ Realtor® ROX Real Estate
See more Voices and full bios at www.goldencorridorliving.com/voices
Nikola Corporation, the startup that has manufactured electricand hydrogen-fueled semitrucks at a factory on the south end of Coolidge for the last three years, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to pursue a sale of assets.
The Feb. 19 filing was accompanied by a notice to the state of Arizona that it would lay off 315 workers at the plant and 540 staff at the company’s Phoenix headquarters.
The bankruptcy filing and accompanying press release said the company has $47 million in cash and listed its top 30 unsecured creditors, the largest figure being $80.2 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a “government settlement.”
Nikola agreed in 2021 to pay $125 million to settle claims by the SEC that its founder and former CEO, Trevor Milton, defrauded investors by making misleading claims about its vehicles and their technology before any had been produced. Milton was sentenced to four years in prison for the scheme in December 2023.
Along with Lucid Motors, which is operating a million-square-foot factory in Casa Grande, Nikola heralded the arrival of Pinal County as a new hub for electric-vehicle manufacturing at the beginning of this decade, attracting a handful of suppliers to the region. At its height the company employed about 1,500 people in Arizona and produced a few hundred battery- and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
According to a FAQ section of the Nikola website, the company’s board of directors voted to go the bankruptcy route because, “Like other companies in the electric vehicle industry, we have faced various market and macroeconomic factors that have impacted our ability to operate.” The company states it has tried and failed to raise capital, reduce liabilities and take other steps to keep the venture afloat.
The website said the Chapter 11 filing will allow the publicly traded company to “restructure its debt and implement an orderly wind down of the business, while conducting a structured process to solicit interest in the sale of all, substantially all, or a portion of its operations.”
The Casa Grande Police Department has launched a new citizen satisfaction and feedback tool designed to enhance communication and transparency with the community.
This system, run by PowerEngage, uses text messaging to gather feedback from residents following nonlifethreatening interactions with officers.
“In today’s fast-paced world, we recognize the importance of keeping our community informed and engaged,” said Chief Mark McCrory. “This tool allows us to connect directly with residents, ensuring their voices are heard.”
After a call for service, residents may receive a text message survey within hours or days, asking for feedback about their experience. Citizens also can provide comments, suggestions or even express appreciation for an officer’s service.
Mayor Lisa Fitzgibbons said that “through the Engage Casa Grande outreach plan, several city departments have introduced new initiatives to keep our community informed. The police department is leading the way, using technology to strengthen communication and engagement with our residents.”
Those whose phone numbers are recorded as part of a call or report may automatically receive a survey, and participation is voluntary. If residents prefer not to receive surveys, they can ignore the text or reply “STOP” to opt out of all future messages.
This system is not for reporting emergencies or crimes. For emergencies, residents should always call 9-1-1.
For more information about the Casa Grande Police Department, please visit the city’s website.
Stories by Blake Herzog
The City of Coolidge operates two bus transit lines that serve its own and surrounding communities in an area with limited public transportation options. As growth and changing traffic patterns add pressure to both the Cotton Express and Central Arizona Regional Transit (CART), the City is using a map-based online survey to get feedback about current experiences of the service and suggestions for potential expansion.
Cotton Express has two fixed-route buses serving Coolidge between Walmart in the north and Martin Rd. in the south, as well as point-to-point service throughout the City. CART operates weekdays between downtown Casa Grande and downtown Florence and includes stops at Banner Casa Grande
Medical Center, Central Arizona College’s Signal Peak campus and the Pinal County courts complex.
Responses will be incorporated into a Short-Range Transit Plan that will recommend short-term improvements and make adjustments to processes, as well as identify future expansion areas and how much funding will be necessary.
A link to the survey is available at www.coolidgeaz.com/transit.
The City of Maricopa is exploring a new path to address one of the community’s most urgent concerns: the future of AZ-347, the road that connects it to the Valley.
With rapid growth and increasing traffic, the need for widening the 347 has never been more pressing. City Council members are proposing a half-cent sales tax they say could fast-track progress on this critical project by providing matching funds for construction.
Thirty years have passed since the last major project added capacity to AZ-347, and daily traffic has exploded in volume
since. Right now, there is no funding identified to widen the roadway within Pinal County, and no timeline for this widening.
Past efforts, including two countywide half-cent sales tax measures, have ultimately proven unsuccessful in providing a funding solution. The state’s limited resources have left the highway at the back of the line.
The council is considering implementing a half-cent sales tax within Maricopa. This tax would provide funding directly for the widening of AZ-347, with the goal of positioning the project for
inclusion in the Arizona Department of Transportation’s five-year construction plan. The council, elected to represent the interests of the community, has the statutory authority to fund this infrastructure project.
The council is holding a series of informational meetings and open houses to explain details and receive input on the plan. After those meetings, the item will be placed on a City Council agenda for consideration. If approved by the City Council, the new tax would be implemented a minimum of 60 days later.
Golden Corridor: I’m here with Chief Mark McCrory with the Casa Grande Police Department. Can you give me a little bit of background? Where did you grow up and what brought you into law enforcement?
Chief McCrory: I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, in Lewistown to be exact. I went to college in Pennsylvania at Shippensburg State and took administration of justice as my major. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go into the military or go into law enforcement. Once I got out of college, I decided just to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, sight unseen.
by Bea Lueck
When Mark McCrory was hired as Casa Grande’s police chief in 2016, he already had 33 years of experience under his law enforcement badge. He knew the Tulsa Police Department inside and out, working his way up to captain, going undercover for the narcotics squad and rising to deputy chief of operations, guiding it through the budget turmoil of the Great Recession. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute of Policing.
McCrory and his wife Shelly were drawn to the warmth they received from Casa Grandeans as he applied for the chief’s job. Since then he’s been steering the department as it keeps up with the City’s rapid growth. The McCrorys share a home with their “doodle” dogs, Cane and Stella, and are frequently visited by their sons, who live in Tulsa and Kansas City.
Didn’t have a job there or anything. My first wife and I moved there, she was my girlfriend at the time, and I joined the Tulsa Police Department in July of 1982 and stayed there until December of 2015.
Golden Corridor: You started as an officer. How did you move up in rank and services in Tulsa?
Chief McCrory: Well, I hit every rank in Tulsa. I worked every division, either worked it or oversaw it. The ranks in Tulsa are just like anywhere else. It’s a competitive process, so I ended up leaving Tulsa as a deputy chief and retired in 2015.
Golden Corridor: OK. Where did you go from ‘15?
Chief McCrory: Well, in December of 2015 I retired and moved here and took this job. I started Feb. 16, 2016.
Golden Corridor: And why Casa Grande?
Chief McCrory: I came from a city and a large department, and my last couple years there, I was miserable, so I started looking different places across the country, and I saw Casa Grande, Arizona, which I’d never heard of. I worked with a guy who went to high school with an officer
who worked here, believe it or not. I called him up and started talking to him about it, heard what he had to say, so I put in for it. And I was in the finals of a couple other ones in Texas, one was Corpus Christi and the other was Addison. And I was already set to go there to interview. So, we get this interview, and my wife and I come down.
We get here, following one another because she had to leave earlier, and we got out of the car and we’re just not really sure about this place. And then we started meeting people that live here. And I went back to the hotel and I told my wife, “I’m withdrawing from the other ones.” And she’s like, “Really?” And I said, “If I don’t get this, we’re going to start over,” which kind of surprised her.
But it took her about a day, getting around and meeting people, and she understood it. And it was the people here that was the big draw to me. I mean, I found everybody here to be genuine, friendly. Didn’t matter where you were in the social economic scale, they were just all friendly and very genuine people. I withdrew from the other two before I had this job because I found a place that felt good. And if I didn’t get this, I was going to try to find another place that felt just like this.
It’s definitely a smaller police force here. Tulsa, I think when I left, we had 840 sworn personnel, something like that, and we came here to 80, counting me.
Golden Corridor: How many today?
Chief McCrory: We’re authorized to have 90 sworn personnel right now. We’re at 86, and four of those just graduated from the academy up in Gilbert.
Golden Corridor: Is recruiting still a challenge? It’s been a challenge for law enforcement nationwide for years.
Chief McCrory: Well, we actually have a lot of applicants. We like to think we’re a little selective about who we pick, so we turn down people. We don’t just take them to fill up a slot. We recruit a little bit differently than some other departments may.
We bring them in, talk to them, invite their spouse or significant other to come in and tour the police station and get a look at us. I usually tell most of them that we’re going to hire or that we’re putting them through the process, just myself for a little bit just to get to know them. Then we really stress hiring locals if they’re available. We want people who know the Casa Grande culture, who know our police department, who have roots here. That’s been pretty effective for us. We really haven’t had a lot of problems recruiting people.
Golden Corridor: What are some of the challenges the officers face each patrol?
Chief McCrory: Policing has changed so much since I started. They’re being called on to do everything. They’re expected to be masters of many different things, not just
enforcing the state laws or the city ordinances. They’re called on to be marriage counselors. They’re called on to be psychologists. They’re called on to be addiction specialists. At times they’re called on to be medics.
The responsibilities they have are huge. There’s a lot of issues that come up that are really society’s issues, but our officers face the task of solving them, if you will. Mental health issues, homelessness, things like that, so it puts a lot of stress on them. They stay busy.
I think we’re fortunate in Casa Grande that we really do have a lot of good community support, and we have a lot of support from our city leadership. I think that makes it better for us. I remember when they were saying “defund the police” and everybody seemed like they wanted to take a shot, verbally, at the police.
We had people coming in all the time, dropping off cards, cookies, pizzas, things like that to just show us that they supported us. That’s the one thing about working here that has been very pleasant, is the amount of support this department gets. These men and women earn it.
Golden Corridor: What about crime in general? Social media has made awareness instantaneous. If something happens at the corner of X and Y, everybody knows about it within seconds. Is the frequency of incidents increasing or does it appear to be increasing because our population is increasing but the percentages are actually decreasing?
Chief McCrory: The thing about social media and reporting on crime is that less than half the time it’s accurate and it spreads like wildfire. They can write what they want, they can make assumptions, and nobody ever really challenges them. I would say Casa Grande is a very safe city. Of course we’re in business to try to make it safer.
But nor do we respond to social media even when they’re wrong. Crime is certainly not out of hand here, for a city growing this size. We do have some crimes that are of high public interest. Recently, we had that shooting where one person died and five people were shot. But they knew each other. It wasn’t a stranger-onstranger crime.
I think our people do a pretty good job of keeping our community safe.
I think that people do speculate on social media and they run with it, and we really don’t pay a whole lot of attention to that.
Golden Corridor: But sometimes social media does good. Example, Silent Witness postings. Here’s a photo of someone who just robbed this store. Do you know this person?
Chief McCrory: I would venture to say, and I’m 99.9% sure, that our website and our social media platforms are hit more than any in the city combined. People are interested in what’s going on around them. They’re interested in crime and policing, which can be a good thing.
Golden Corridor: How has law enforcement changed from when you first started in Tulsa to today?
Chief McCrory: It’s become more complex, obviously technology has changed dramatically. When I was in Tulsa, I can remember when I was working narcotics as a sergeant getting my first cellphone.
Golden Corridor: The size of a brick?
Chief McCrory: It was a bag phone. It was actually in a bag. But the
technology aspect of policing has changed and honestly made it better. Transparent is a word that’s thrown around all the time, but it’s made our job more transparent. It’s made us more efficient. We get things accomplished quicker, we’re more detail-oriented. When I started in Tulsa, I wouldn’t even have known what a drone was. Today, our department has four of them that we utilize.
I can remember using a floppy drive or disks or whatever. I can remember typing on an actual typewriter. That was years into my job until we got computers. I think it always had the tendency to be a stressful profession, but I think there’s a lot more stress on these younger guys. I think the expectations are greater. I think the scrutiny that they’re under is greater.
I think if you did your job well, you were always accountable, but I think there’s more people questioning now what these guys and gals are doing. That could be a good thing, but I just think it adds to the stress level.
Golden Corridor: What are some of the programs available or programs, services, mentorship, assistance, whatever you’d term it, for the officers to deal with this additional stress?
Chief McCrory: We have a chaplain who’s on site that works with us, so they have that ability to talk to them. We also have Casa Grande Public Safety that is a nonprofit. This group not only supports programs for community members but they also aid police families in need. There is also the Casa Grande Peace Officer Memorial Foundation, another nonprofit that does community projects as well as assist police families in need. Both of these programs were started and are run by members of our agency.
A program that we brought in was Vitanya. That program is almost
science fictionlike, but it worked. I went through it too. You had a commitment, I believe it was three months or a little bit longer than that, that you had to commit to this program. And you talk to somebody twice a week at the start, and then you would go once a week after that, and then they have their supplements that you take while you’re on this. And then there’s a headset that covers your eyes and headphones in a dark room that we have back here that you went in for 15 minutes and it plays this music.
Golden Corridor: Kind of a meditation type thing?
Chief McCrory: Yeah. It’s just a very soothing... It’s hard to describe, but it worked. I didn’t hear anybody that went through this program that it didn’t help lower your stress. And it’s hard to explain it to somebody that hasn’t done it.
Golden Corridor: So are the officers saying, I’m having a bad day, it’s the end of my shift, I want to spend 15 minutes in the room?
Chief McCrory: Yeah, they have access to it. They let us keep the equipment. We have some who are still doing it actually that started late. I think people were a little apprehensive about it at first because it did sound so science-fiction, kind of. But once they started talking to their friends and stuff that were doing it’s like, I’m going to try that. So we have some people just now in the midst of doing that also.
Golden Corridor: What other ongoing training is available for the officers?
Chief McCrory: Well, you have mandatory training every year of certain types of skills, your shooting or Tasers, less lethal rounds, things like that. But we allow the officers, too, to find training areas of interest. I will say, our officers, I think anyway,
“Policing has changed so much since I started. They’re being called on to do everything. They’re expected to be masters of many different things, not just enforcing the state laws or the city ordinances.”
and I would hope they would agree with me on that, they get a ton of training, both in-state and out-ofstate training.
Obviously, the out-of-state ones, we need to be a little bit more selective. The type of training varies, and a lot of times different units will send their people to different types of training. But we encourage our officers if they find training or something pops up that they like, that they put in for it, if it’s in their interest or career building down a path they want, or something like that.
Golden Corridor: Let’s talk about what is really the backbone of a police department, your support staff.
Chief McCrory: I’ll start with not even people that are hired. Our volunteers at the police department really keep us moving. I think it was last year they donated something like, I’d like to get the exact figure, but I think it’s like 15,000 hours or something crazy. We have about a hundred volunteers, some sporadic, some are here every day. And they help us with traffic control on accidents, they shuttle our cars back and forth from the garage so we don’t have to do it, they do our senior phone patrol where they check in on elderly, they do neighborhood patrols, not for enforcement purposes but they check on alarms, they check on houses that people are away on vacation, things like that. They’re invaluable and they saved the city
literally hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. They’re wonderful.
And our other support staff, our records and our admin. people and staff, obviously they are involved in the day-to-day operations of the police department that oftentimes go unnoticed until they’re not there and then you realize what a value they are. I think we try to show our appreciation to everybody in this building. I think they feel like they’re valued, and they know that they do an important job no matter what section they’re in to keep us moving in the right direction. They go unnoticed by the public for the most part.
Golden Corridor: And then your dispatchers?
Chief McCrory: They’re under the command of the fire department, but we deal with them more than anybody. The good dispatchers do more than just put out calls for service. They get concerned, they check on officers, they care about our safety. They get a lot of grief because they have to ask 50 questions when somebody calls in, but they’re doing that for a reason. They’re invaluable. And we’re fortunate here that our dispatchers are very good dispatchers.
Golden Corridor: Where do you see the police department evolving to in five years, 10 years, 20 years down the road?
The Summer (July) issue will contain a special section of YOUR photos!
Four photos will be chosen for placement on four covers in this issue (covers will appear on consecutive righthand pages at the front of the magazine). A total of FOUR winners will EACH have their photo published on one of our
four covers! Other images will be used throughout the magazine!
How to Win: Submit your photos(s) of the PINAL COUNTY AREA using the link or QR code from April 1-May 15.
Come back and vote using the link or QR code provided below from May 16-31, 2025. The
photos with the most votes will be recognized as the People’s Choice winners in the issue.
Our publisher and editors will select our cover winners. www.goldencorridorliving.com/ photocontest
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by Blake Herzog
When Ursula Chavez launched her Mexican dessert-dispensing food truck
Churrolicious in 2021, it quickly became a phenomenon she wanted to build upon.
“We were new in town, we were very tasty, and people would actually stand in the rain, right in the middle of monsoon season,” she says. “That kind of opened our eyes that we’ve got something good here, and we’ve got a lot of buzz. And I was looking around us and the other food trucks around town that tasted yummy, they didn’t really have a social media presence around town, and I wanted to share my buzz.”
This led to the launch two years later of Food Truck Friday, now a fixture at Casa Grande Neon Sign Park at Sacaton Street and Florence Boulevard. Chavez’s and other food trucks, vendors, bouncy castles, face painters and other attractions regularly draw hundreds to the heart of downtown.
“There was nothing in town like Food Truck Friday, and we had been to a bunch of different events around the state, and I was like ‘You know, why don’t we have anything like that for our community?’ You know, a place where people can bring their kids, let them run free … We have games for the kids, cornhole for adults, we have a DJ every Friday. We wanted something for the community to be able to come together,” Chavez says.
After Chavez and her family got all the necessary permits, the events started out at Casa Grande’s downtown Food City, at Florence and 2nd streets, but that didn’t work for long. “We got two Fridays in, and people were pulling into the lot and blocking the entryways, we knew we needed something bigger,” she says.
She connected with Holly Nash, executive director of Casa Grande Mainstreet, and found a roomier home at the neon-tinged park.
“We were able to add string lights to add to the ambiance and jumping castles for the children, we were able to add more food trucks, we were able to add vendors as well, and it continued to really grow,” Chavez says.
‘Our own little environment’
Over the last two years Food Truck Friday has grown into a mainstay for downtown Casa Grande, held most Friday evenings — for specific dates and times check the Casa Grande Food Truck Friday Facebook page. There are some breaks around the holidays and when there’s a major event happening in the city or surrounding communities, so as not to compete with them and allow trucks to serve at those festivities.
Most Fridays include 10 food trucks offering anything from hamburgers and hot dogs to tacos and Asian cuisine. Then there’s another 10 merchandise vendors plus kids’ activities, all adding up to a place people can depend on to shop and eat quality food at outdoor tables or take home for a meal, an option
more people avail themselves of in the summer.
“We’re creating our own little environment down there,” Chavez says.
She said Food Truck Friday attracts hundreds on a normal night, and the crowd grows closer to 1,000 for the biggest events, which is also the focus of their civic donations. Churrolicious donates 56% of its proceeds to the community, she says, which reaches people in the form of giveaways on the Fridays on or near these occasions:
• Easter — 200 free Easter baskets
• Back to School — 800 backpacks with supplies, free haircuts for kids
• Halloween — Goodie buckets with candy and games, a costume contest
• Thanksgiving — 70 to 100 free turkeys
• Christmas — Over 400 toys, 100 jackets.
Food, Drink & Fun
by Blake Herzog
Cinco de Mayo, a commemoration of the May 5, 1862 victory of a Mexican citizen militia over French troops, is increasingly at the center of events in Pinal County.
Eloy festivities on May 5 Andrew Rodriguez, executive director of the Eloy Chamber of Commerce, says the organization launched its celebrations three years ago, and “we get people from surrounding cities because I think we’re pretty much the only place that has Cinco de Mayo on the actual Cinco de Mayo.”
About 1,000 people attended last year’s event, and Rodriguez is hoping to see 1,500 show up this time. The party will run from 3 to 7 p.m. May 5 at Main Street Park, 601 N. Main St. It will feature a food truck rally, local vendors, entertainment from mariachis, dancers and other groups, plus lowriders driving Main Street.
Rodriguez says it will be a family-oriented event, so people will be able to stop by after school or work to enjoy the prime of the party. Admission will be free. More info: www.facebook.com/EloyChamber
CG church hosting fundraiser
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande is reviving its Cinco de Mayo celebration this year as a fundraiser for the church’s restoration fund, after the church was severely damaged in a fire last October.
The church’s business manager, Martha Meraz, says the Cinco de Mayo Parish Party “is our first one in a long, long time,” and will be held May 2 from 5-11 p.m. in the parish parking lot at 201 N. Picacho St.
This will also be a free, family-oriented event with mariachis, folklórico dancers and live music from a variety of bands. A children’s area and a carnival are
being planned, and the first Cinco de Mayo Reina (Queen) Contest, open to girls in grades 8 through 12 from the St. Anthony’s community. St. Anthony’s merchandise including T-shirts and cups will be for sale.
The celebration will be a re-emergence of sorts, Meraz says, although the church has continued to hold services since the tragedy.
“Having this, we thought it would be nice to have the community come together,” Meraz says. “After the fire everything slowed down a little bit, but we’re starting back up so it’s nice to have the community come out and participate and have a good time as well.”
More info: www.stanthonycg.org
by Donna McBride
Money spent in our communities create jobs, supports local services and helps small business owners. So where are some local favorites? I took to the streets to find out.
From delicious food to services, social spots and self-care havens, the Casa Grande area has an abundance of choices.
RV Manager Matt Herman shared his spots.
Ochoa’s has been in the community for over 50 years. Food is always great, fresh, and service is fast and friendly. Mi Amigo Ricardo always has good service; great place to see people. Robert is always working (and he’s a Sun devil fan)! The place to celebrate good times. The cheese crisps are not to be missed. Fred’s Bolts and Nuts is a family-run business where you can find any bolt, nut, fastener or tool you need.
Retired law enforcement icon Roger Vanderpool often jumps on his motorcycle to get his grub on!
Big House is a must for breakfast or lunch. Emily and crew serve up a great meal. Best breakfast in town and a good place to meet locals. Golden 9 (I10 and Sunland Gin Road) is family owned. They dish out big breakfasts and great fish fry on Fridays. You’ll find locals from Casa Grande, Eloy and
Arizona City. Raceway Bar and Grill in Maricopa is worth the drive. Great hamburgers and neat décor with license plates and other memorabilia on outside patio with firepits and dance area. A ride destination for the motorcycle community.
Juvenile Court CASA coordinator Amanda Lairmore recommends:
Bay of Islands Spa has a relaxing atmosphere with staff always helpful, friendly. I couldn’t ask for better service. LaGrande Café for brunch and lattes is a wonderful place to hang with the girls. Menu is great and the food delicious, especially the crêpes and the eggs benedict.
Market Manager Amy Breitkreitz-Powell always finds time to support local spots.
Creative Cafe has an atmosphere with personable staff and a “creative” menu. This place embodies hearts of service. Tesa and Jim Machelor have created quite a gem! Mi Amigo Ricardo — a place you walk through the door and it’s like a reunion of new and old friends. You’ll often find owner Robert visiting with patrons. Don’t forget the chips and salsa! Arizona Native Lotions & Soaps is the place for the best gifts! Comprised of goods from local entrepreneurs, you won’t leave empty handed.
by Blake Herzog
If you’re a fan of planes, hearty breakfasts or both, you need to check out the monthly fly-ins at Casa Grande Municipal Airport.
Fly-ins are informal gatherings held at airports and other locations where private pilots can land their small planes to show them off, socialize with other pilots and the public and often grab a meal. Casa Grande holds their monthly fly-ins on the final Saturday of the month, along with the Cactus Fly-In classic plane and car show held every March.
This year the airport has a new restaurant, the Runway 5 Café, opened in October by aviation and cooking enthusiast John Loepsinger. He emphasizes that you don’t need an aircraft of your own to participate.
“To this day, I have people asking me,
‘Oh, is that open to the public?’ Even on our fly-in days, everyone is welcome there, no matter if you have a plane or car, if you walk there or whatever.”
Anyone who’s able to get there from 7 to 11 a.m. can pick up breakfast from a freshly made buffet starting at $12.99 a platter. Then they can grab a seat in the cafe or on a patio overlooking the runway and watch planes of all vintages, and even talk to the pilots.
“Everybody’s talking,” Loepsinger says.
The cafe normally serves a full menu. Patrons also can peruse the Casa Grande Art Association’s Art @ the Airport displays throughout the terminal’s lobby.
“I think it’s a huge benefit to bring in people to the airport, they always have beautiful pieces of art on
display there,” Loepsinger says.
He says the turnout for the fly-ins has grown from 50 to around 100 since he came on board: “We’re really pleased and happy with the growth, and we’re not even six months in.”
The Runway 5 Café is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport, 3225 N. Lear Ave. More info: www.runway5cafe.com.
Once the weather cools down there will be another fly-in to enjoy. Coolidge Municipal Airport, 6300 N. Coolidge Airport Rd., hosts the Coolidge Airport Fly-in the first Saturday of the month from November through April, from 7 to 10 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Food is served by the Coolidge Lions Club as a fundraiser in front of the main hangar.
Tuesday, April 15
CAC Community Band & Orchestra
Concert
Casa Grande Union High School
7 p.m.
Free admission for this performance by the Central Arizona College Community Band & Orchestra. Takes place at Casa Grande Union High School. Free tickets available online.
520.477.SHOW
https://cacevents.ludus.com
Wednesday, April 16
Oracle Farmers Market
Parradise Ranch
6-9 p.m.
Weekly market with food, music and vendors. Open Wednesdays in April, May and June 6-9 p.m. Takes place at Parradise Ranch, 1015 W. American Ave. in Oracle. Check Facebook page for weekly updates. Closed in July and August.
www.facebook.com/Oracle-Farmers-Market-at-Sue-Jerrys-TradingPost-1129825760382220
Saturday, April 19
Maricopa Master Gardeners at MAC: Arizona Native Plants
Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC)
8:45-11 a.m.
Maricopa Master Gardeners gardening workshops are held at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agriculture Center. Native plants are uniquely adapted to the desert conditions and support native insects and plants. Not sure where to start? Come explore these beautiful plants and stay after the talk to have your questions answered by MAC Master Gardeners. The MAC is at 37860 W. Smith Enke Rd. in Maricopa. 520.374.6263 www.facebook.com/MaricopaAzMasterGardeners
Coolidge Easter in the Park
Kenilworth Sports Complex - Coolidge 10 a.m.
Egg hunts for ages 0-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Easter crafts and Easter bunny pictures $1. Presented by City of Coolidge Parks and Recreation.
Kenilworth Sports Complex is at 671 E. Coolidge Ave.
520.723.4551
www.coolidgeaz.com/parks
Saturday, April 19
Live on the Lawn Concert Series - The Smokin’ Crowes
Padilla Park - Florence
4:30 p.m.
Live on the Lawn is a series of tribute shows at Padilla Park in Florence. The April headliner is The Smokin’ Crowes, a tribute to The Black Crowes. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Beer gardens and food trucks will be onsite. VIP and general admission tickets available online. Bring a lawn chair to this outdoor concert. Free admission for kids 12 and under in GA area. The final show in this series will be on May 10. Produced by Five20 events. www.five20events.com/events
Florence 3rd Fridays & Food Truck Friday
Main Street - Florence 5-8 p.m.
Held on the 3rd Friday of each month from October to April. Enjoy live music with Rocksmith, shopping, food trucks, vendors and fun activities. Now includes Food Truck Friday, with up to 12 food trucks participating! Bring a blanket or chair. Main St. businesses will be open late.
520.868.9433
www.florenceazchamber.com
Eloy Cruise and Food Truck Night
Central (Main St.) Park - Eloy
Takes place at Central (Main St. Park) from 5:30-9 p.m. Live entertainment, family Games, pop-up market and giveaways. Will also take place on May 5 and June 21.
BlackBox Foundation Theatre: Arsenic and Old Lace
BlackBox Foundation Theatre
7 p.m.
BlackBox Foundation presents Arsenic and Old Lace, a hilarious dark comedy filled with eccentric characters, murderous mishaps, and nonstop laughs. Opens April 18 and runs for two weekends. Come support local talent and experience the magic of live community theater! Tickets available online.
520.532.2337
www.blackboxcg.org
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Saturday, April 19
Central Arizona Raceway - April Schedule
Central Arizona Raceway
Racing is scheduled for April 19, 25, 26. The track is at 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner in Casa Grande. Tickets $20 adults, $18 seniors/military, $10 for ages 12-17 and free admission for ages 11 and younger. Check website for the racing classes at each event.
602.292.7607
www.centralazraceway.com
Sunday, April 20
Visit the Casa Grande Ruins Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is open seven days a week, including the monument, museum exhibits, movie theater, monument bookstore, and picnic area. Free admission. See website for special events. Located at 1100 W. Ruins Drive in Coolidge.
520.723.3172
www.nps.gov/cagr
Friday, April 25
2025 United Way of Pinal County Golf Tournament
Francisco Grande Golf Course - Casa Grande
8 a.m.
Join us for a fun Friday of golf to benefit literacy for our children in Pinal County. All proceeds will benefit the Reading by 3rd Grade Initiative, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to provide books to children under the age of 6 to develop critical literacy skills and prepare them for kindergarten. The tournament will be a four person scramble over 18 holes, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast starts at 7 a.m.
520.413.1057
www.unitedwayofpc.org/2025-golf
Friday, April 25
Visit the Casa Grande Art Museum Casa Grande Art Museum Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Located at 319 West 3rd St. in Casa Grande. There is no charge to visit the museum and donations are gratefully received. See website for upcoming events and summer hours.
520.705.2055
www.casagrandeartmuseum.org
Saturday, April 26
Fly-In Breakfast at the Airport
Casa Grande Municipal Airport
7 a.m.
The community is invited to enjoy breakfast with pilots and a great view of aircraft at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport. Breakfast buffet available at the Runway 5 Café, 7-11 a.m. Enjoy the art displays from the Casa Grande Art Association. Held on the last Saturday of each month.
520.426.3616
www.casagrandeaz.gov/calendar
Día de los Niños - Casa Grande Paul Mason Sports Complex 11a.m.-2 p.m.
A joyful and enriching experience for children and families that celebrates International Children’s Day. Come be a part of this vibrant event filled with exciting cultural activities, live entertainment, children’s market, creative crafts, tasty food, and nonstop fun. Takes place at the Paul Mason Sports Complex, 2525 N. Pinal Ave. Use the Rodeo Rd. entrance. Free parking.
www.casagrandeaz.gov/dia
Friday, May 2
Cinco de Mayo Parish Fiesta
St. Anthony of Padua Church - Casa Grande
5 p.m.
Will be held at the parish parking lot, 201 N. Picacho St. in Casa Grande. Will include the inaugural Cinco de Mayo Reina (Queen) Contest. The event will raise funds to restore the church. 520.836.0601 www.stanthonycg.org
Saturday, May 3
Pinal 40 Annual Gala Reception & Dinner
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort & Casino Events Center
5 p.m.
The Pinal 40 annual gala is a fundraising event to support Pinal County youth through scholarships and programs. The event headliner will be country artist Randall King. VIP tables of 10 and VIP individual seats are available. See website for event info and tickets.
602.628.5777
www.pinal40.org
Star Party at Picacho Peak State Park Picacho Peak State Park
7-9 p.m.
Join Picacho Peak State Park for a Star Party with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. from 7-9 p.m.
Peer through high-powered telescopes as volunteer astronomers show you the night sky.
480.982.4485
www.azstateparks.com
Central Arizona Raceway - May Schedule
Central Arizona Raceway
Racing is scheduled for May 3, 10, 17. The track is at 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner in Casa Grande. Tickets $20 adults, $18 seniors/military, $10 for ages 12-17 and free admission for ages 11 and younger. Check website for the racing classes at each event. May 17 will be the last race day until Sept. 20.
602.292.7607
www.centralazraceway.com
Sunday, May 4
CAC Community Handbell & Choir Concert
First Presbyterian Church of Casa Grande 3 p.m.
The CAC choir and handbells present their end of semester concert. These two groups consist of high school students, CAC students and community members who come together to rehearse weekly for the love of music. Their concerts are always meaningful and entertaining! Free tickets available online.
520.477.SHOW
https://cacevents.ludus.com
Wednesday, May 7
Pinal Geology and Mineral MuseumCoolidge
Pinal Geology & Mineral Museum
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Museum exhibits include fossils from all over the world, gems, minerals and children’s activities. Check the website for information about the Pinal Gem and Mineral Society monthly meetings and presentations. The museum is at 351 N. Arizona Blvd. in Coolidge. Free admission. Hours are Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. until May 31, then open on Fridays only in June, July and August.
520.723.3009
www.pinalgeologymuseum.org
Wednesday, May 7
Rocktacular - CAC Student Concert Central Arizona College - Signal Peak Campus 7 p.m.
Friday, May 9
Explore Gila River Indian Community History and Culture
Huhugam Heritage Center
Open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free admission. This modern cultural center highlights the ancestral, historic and current cultures of the Gila River Indian Community. The gallery features items from the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of Natural History, Yale Peabody Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum, Gila River Indian Community members and HHC collections. Tours are available. Located at 21359 South Maricopa Rd. in Chandler. 520.796.3500 www.grichhc.org
The CAC Entertainment Industry Technology (EIT) program prepares students for a career in the music industry. The EIT Final is a modern rock concert that showcases the skills EIT students have learned at CAC, both on stage and off. Let’s rock! Free tickets available online. 520.477.SHOW https://cacevents.ludus.com Continued on page
A Latte Vino – Casa Grande www.alattevino.com
Airport Tavern – Casa Grande www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057237505345
Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center – Maricopa https://ak-chincircle.com
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino – Maricopa www.caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin/ shows/entertainment-calendar
Casa Collective Food Park – Casa Grande www.casacollectiveaz.com
Cotton’s Wonder Bar – Casa Grande www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568630895871#
El Grotto – Coolidge www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089134572117
Gallopin’ Goose – Coolidge www.facebook.com/gallopingoose
Headquarters Lounge – Maricopa www.facebook.com/p/HeadquartersRestaurant-Bar-100063671828221
Paramount Theatre – Casa Grande triplerrrproduction.com/my-ticket
Raceway Bar & Grill – Maricopa www.racewaybarandgrill.com
River Bottom Bar & Grill – Florence www.riverbottombar.com
San Tan Flat – San Tan Valley www.santanflat.com
The Irish Cowboy – Florence https://theirishcowboy.com
The Lounge at Ak-Chin Casino – Maricopa www.caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin/shows/entertainment-calendar
The Spott – Casa Grande www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565198668957
The Windmill Winery – Florence www.thewindmillwinery.com
Tumbleweed Inn – Eloy www.facebook.com/tumbleweedinnaz
by Blake Herzog
Navy cook Everett Taylor always wanted to open his own restaurant, but didn’t realize it would be on wheels until his mom told him so.
Once he retired last year, it was his mother who decided “Hey, let’s have a food truck,” he says. “Then she said, ‘I wanna do fry bread,’ and I said, ‘We can do that.’”
Native Nom Noms, based in Maricopa, joined Pinal County’s growing food truck scene in August and has been getting rave reviews for its traditional and innovative recipes with the Native American staple at their base.
Taylor is half Hopi and his mother Shannon Keith is from the Navajo Nation. The food they serve draws from their culture and other influences, Taylor says: “Navajo tacos are something we’ve always had, and with my culinary background I just kind of played with it.”
The food is made from scratch. The Navajo taco is their trademark, Taylor says, and features ground beef, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa on fresh fry bread, made from a simple dough of flour, baking soda, salt and milk deep-fried in hot oil.
The truck’s variations on the fry bread theme include the Rez Reuben with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing; the Cowboy pulled-pork sandwich; Navajo burgers with two patties, green chili, cheese, lettuce and tomato; and the island-inspired Hei Hei.
“It doesn’t make sense that it would make sense, because it’s fry bread with rice and mac salad, but all of it together is so good,” he says.
And don’t forget the desserts — fry bread topped with honey, cinnamon, Oreo crumbs, cookie batter, strawberry Dubai chocolate — the possibilities are endless. Native Nom Noms also touts its hand-shaken lemonade in several flavors.
The truck is a veteran-owned business, and Taylor and Keith come from a Gold Star family. Taylor and his three brothers all served in the military, and one, Cpl. Quinn Keith, was lost in Iraq in 2004.
The truck can be found at special events throughout the county and occasionally as far north as Chandler, and it also caters private functions. Its most regular stop is at Central Arizona College’s Maricopa campus on Tuesday nights, and it often turns up in Casa Grande and Arizona City. To keep abreast of its path and menu follow the Native Nom Noms Llc Facebook page.
Friday, May 9
Food Truck Friday - Casa Grande Historic Downtown Casa Grande 5-8 p.m.
Food Truck Friday takes place every week at the Neon Sign Park in downtown Casa Grande. Organized by Churrolicious. Offers a tantalizing array of treats: birria tacos, popovers, BBQ, Sonoran-style hotdogs, fresh churros, kettle corn, and more, including vendor stalls and games. Check Facebook page for updates and current hours. 520.836.8744 www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61551795766831
Saturday, May 10
Florence Farmers Market
McFarland State Historic Park
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
The market is held on the porch at McFarland State Park in Historic Florence on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. The market features produce from local farmers, farm fresh eggs, meat, cheese, bread, sweets, coffee and tea, seasonings, and many other locally made artisan products. Check website to confirm dates. 520.868.9433 www.florenceazchamber.com
Mother’s Day Concert - Maricopa
Maricopa Agricultural Center
3 p.m.
Concert presented by the Maricopa Music Circle Chamber Orchestra and Maricopa Chorus community choir. Special afternoon concert for our wonderful MOMS and families. The program includes sweet springtime melodies you know and love: Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose, Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2 and Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Medley, along with songs by the chorus. Tickets will be available at the door: $20 for adults, and $10 for moms and kids age 3 or older. Location is 37860 W. Smith Enke Rd., Maricopa. 602.368.4474
www.facebook.com/MaricopaMusicCircle
Live on the Lawn Concert SeriesZeppapotapuss
Padilla Park - Florence
4:30 p.m.
Live on the Lawn is a series of four tribute shows at Padilla Park in Florence. The May headliner is Zeppapotapus - Led Zeppelin tribute band. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Beer gardens and food trucks will be onsite. VIP and general admission tickets available online. Bring a lawn chair to this outdoor concert. Free admission for kids 12 and under in GA area. This is the final show in the current concert series. www.five20events.com/events
Open Mic Night - Casa Grande
Museum of Casa Grande - Heritage Hall
6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Second Saturday of every month. All-ages open mic, music and arts showcase. Open to all creative artists, including singers/ songwriters, spoken word, poetry, dance, and comedy. Doors open for sign-up at 5:30 p.m. Open mic starts at 6 p.m. Free admission. Donations are welcome and appreciated. Presented by the Yoga Recovery & Healing Arts Project. Interested in performing? Please visit website for more information.
520.532.2337 www.cgopenmic.com
Concert - Little Joe Y La Familia
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
8 p.m.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Little Joe Y La Familia, with special guest Sunny Ozuna. Tickets available through Ticketmaster. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is at 15406 Maricopa Rd. in Maricopa. 480.802.5000 www.caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin/ shows
Tuesday, May 13
Pinal Page Turners Book Club
Coolidge Public Library
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Everyone reads the same book and then joins in the discussion. Books might be fiction or nonfiction. The program is offered in a hybrid format where you can meet in person in the library’s programming room or join through Zoom. Email library@coolidgeaz.com for your Zoom invitation. Visit the library to pick up your book.
520.518.5060 www.coolidgeaz.com/library
Thursday, May 15
Zipline EcoTours - Oracle Arizona Zipline Adventures
The Zipline EcoTour allows you to zip on five different spans ranging in length from 400 to 1,500 ft. and lasts approximately two hours. Open Thursday through Sunday by reservation only. See website for details. Located on Mt. Lemmon Rd. in Oracle.
520.308.9350
www.ziparizona.com
Friday, May 16
Casita Workshop - Art Classes Casita Workshop
Located at 127 W. Wilson St. in Casa Grande. Check the website for upcoming classes and availability. Book your classes early as there are limited spaces available. Classes include ceramics, weaving, glass, fiber arts, watercolor, and more. New classes are added throughout the year. www.casitaworkshop.com
Saturday, May 24
Casa Grande Catfish Rodeo
Dave White Regional Park - 6-9 a.m. Get your tackle and pole out for the 44th Annual Catfish Rodeo at Dave White Pond where youth ages 15 and younger compete for the biggest catch! Free for youth 15 and younger. No fishing license is required. Located at 2121 N. Thornton Rd., Casa Grande. 520.421.8600
www.casagrandeaz.gov
Saturday, May 24
Butterfly Walk at the Arboretum Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Superior 9-10 a.m.
Learn about commonly found butterfly species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. The arboretum is open in May from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and 6 a.m.-noon Wed.-Mon. in June, July and Aug. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum has 135 acres of gardens and nearly five miles of trails. It’s Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. See website for other upcoming events. 520.689.2723
www.btarboretum.org
Saturday, May 24
5th Annual Maricopa Memorial Day 5k
Copper Sky Regional Park - Maricopa 6-8 a.m.
Join us for the 5th Annual Maricopa Memorial Day 5k! Run or walk our spectator-friendly course- a chiptimed event. Participants receive finishers’ medals and an event shirt. Awards ceremony for top finishers will follow the event. Profits benefit Veterans In Need Project a nonprofit organization. Copper Sky Regional Park, 44345 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Maricopa.
https://runsignup.com/Race/AZ/ Maricopa/MaricopaMemorialDay5K
Live Music at the Windmill Winery
Windmill Winery
6-9 p.m.
Enjoy the live music events in the Wine Tasting Room at The Windmill Winery. Free admission. Thu. May 22 Highway Outlaws 5-8 p.m.; Sat. May 24 Ian Eric 6-9 p.m.; Sun. May 25 Bob Villa 2-5 p.m. Check website to confirm the schedule. Located at 1140 W. Butte Ave. in Florence. 520.858.6050
www.thewindmillwinery.com
Sunday, May 25
Visit the Casa Grande Ruins Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is open 7 days a week, including the monument, museum exhibits, movie theater, monument bookstore, and picnic area. Free admission. See website for special events. Located at 1100 W. Ruins Drive in Coolidge. 520.723.3172 www.nps.gov/cagr
Wednesday, May 28
Summer Water & Safety DaysArizona City
Arizona City Fire District
10 a.m.
Takes place every Mon.-Wed.-Fri. until July at the Arizona City Fire District, 14022 S. Sunland Gin. Rd. Water fun from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by lunch for the participating children.
520.466.5542
www.azcityfire.org
Sunday, June 1
Visit the Ostrich Ranch
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Ostrich Ranch has an amazing variety of animals that visitors can watch and feed, including stingrays, goats, miniature donkeys, fallow deer, tortoises, and lots of ostriches! Located by Picacho Peak State Park, just off I-10. Summer hours are Fri.-Mon. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30. Check Facebook page for updates. Hours of operation are weather permitting.
520.466.3658
www.roostercogburn.com
Saturday,
First Saturday Family Day at the Pinal County Historical Museum Pinal County Historical Museum - Florence 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Be part of the story on Family Day! On the first Saturday of the month the museum waives all admission fees to provide local families with an affordable opportunity to engage with local history. There are rotating activities for children, including scavenger hunts, backyard bingo, story time at noon and 2 p.m., desert animals, and more! Located at 715 S. Main St. in Florence. You can also visit the museum Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Check website for other upcoming special events at the museum.
520.868.4382
www.pchmuseum.org
Oracle Farmers Market Parradise Ranch
Promote your next event in the Pinal NOW! online calendar. www.pinalnow.com/submit
Weekly market with food, music and vendors. Open Wednesdays in April, May and June 6-9 p.m. Takes place at Parradise Ranch, 1015 W. American Ave. in Oracle. Check Facebook page for weekly updates. Closed in July and Aug. www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064691888731
Saturday, June 14
Open Mic Night - Casa Grande Museum of Casa Grande - Heritage Hall 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Second Saturday of every month. All-ages open mic, music and arts showcase. Open to all creative artists, including singers/ songwriters, spoken word, poetry, dance, and comedy. Doors open for sign-up at 5:30 p.m. Open mic starts at 6 p.m. Free admission. Donations are welcome and appreciated. Presented by the Yoga Recovery & Healing Arts Project. Interested in performing? Please visit website for more information. 520.532.2337 www.cgopenmic.com
Friday, July 4
4th of July Celebrations Pinal County Independence Day celebrations take place throughout the county, with each town and city hosting 4th of July events. Please check the Pinal NOW community calendar to see event details for your area. 520.421.8677
www.pinalnow.com/events
Saturday, July 5
First Saturday Family Day at the Pinal County Historical Museum Pinal County Historical MuseumFlorence 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Be part of the story on Family Day! On the first Saturday of the month the museum waives all admission fees to provide local families with an affordable opportunity to engage with local history. There are rotating activities for children, including scavenger hunts, backyard bingo, story time at noon and 2 p.m., desert animals, and more! Located at 715 S. Main St. in Florence. You can also visit the museum Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Check website for other upcoming special events at the museum. 520.868.4382 www.pchmuseum.org
Ak-Chin Circle
Entertainment Center
Maricopa
520.568.3456 www.ak-chincircle.com
Arizona Zipline Adventures
Oracle
520.308.9350 www.ziparizona.com
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Superior 520.689.2723 www.btarboretum.org
Casa Grande Ruins
National Monument
Coolidge
520.723.3172 www.nps.gov/cagr
Huhugam Heritage Center
Chandler
520.796.3500 www.grichhc.org
McFarland State Historic Park
Florence
520.868.5216 www.azstateparks.com/mcfarland
Pinal County Historical Museum
Florence
520.868.4382 www.pchmuseum.org
Pinal Geology &
Mineral Museum
Coolidge
520.723.3009 www.pinalgeologymuseum.org
Rooster Cogburn
Ostrich Ranch
Picacho
520.466.3658 www.roostercogburn.com
The Museum of Casa Grande Casa Grande
520.836.2223 www.tmocg.org
The Pony Ranch
Casa Grande 480.236.4500 www.facebook.com/ theponyranchfeaturingtinytown Places to explore
by Craig McFarland, President/CEO, Pinal Partnership
Pinal County has a rich history filled with significant milestones since its establishment in 1875. Here are a few key events and developments shaping the county over the past 150 years:
Establishment of Pinal County (1875)
• Formed Feb. 1 from parts of Maricopa and Pima counties, it was named after the Pinal Mountains in the southern part of the county.
• The early economy was largely agricultural, with mining playing a key role.
Mining Boom (late 1800s-early 1900s)
• Copper mining became a significant industry, especially in areas like Superior and Ray, where copper deposits were abundant. The mining industry helped fuel economic growth.
• The Magma Copper Mine, near Superior, was one of the largest and most important mines in Arizona.
• Today we have four active copper mines in Pinal County: Resolution Copper, Florence Copper, Cactus Copper Mine and Santa Cruz Copper.
Railroad Expansion (late 1800s)
• The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s boosted trade and transportation. This was critical to growth for towns like Casa Grande and Eloy, key hubs for agriculture and commerce (especially mining supplies).
Agriculture and Irrigation Projects (early 1900s)
• Agriculture became the dominant industry by the early 20th century, with cotton, alfalfa and citrus being major crops. Irrigation systems supported farming in the area still known for its agricultural output.
• The Arizona Canal, completed in 1920, provided water for farming and ranching, fueling population growth.
Growth of Suburban Development (late 20th century)
• In the 1970s and 1980s, the county began to see increased suburban development, particularly as sought more affordable housing. This trend continued into the 21st century, with towns like Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy seeing significant population growth.
Economic Diversification and Infrastructure (2000s-present)
• The county has focused on diversifying, with growth in manufacturing, retail and renewable energy. The expansion of the Interstate 10 and Interstate 8 has made Pinal County more accessible.
• Solar energy farms have made the county a leader in renewable energy within Arizona.
Population Boom and Regional Challenges (2000s-present)
• The cities of Maricopa and Casa Grande and the county areas of San Tan Valley have seen significant growth.
• This growth has presented both opportunities and challenges related to infrastructure, education and services.
These milestones represent just a fraction of the county’s complex history, but they highlight the themes of growth, adaptation and resilience. Happy Birthday!
PHOTO BY KEVIN WEAD
by Jesi Wolnik, Attorney
Ireceived an email from a real estate agent asking for assistance with a matter she believed could be deed fraud. Here is an excerpt:
“I’ve been contacted by email and asked to list a parcel in Pinal County for $500,000. I am concerned because the seller doesn’t seem to know much about the property. Issues I have identified include:
• Canadian passport, and he says FIRPTA does not apply.
• The tax mailing address shows the owners live in Washington, not Canada.
• The passport presented looks doctored.
• Signature on the passport does not match signature on recorded documents.
• When I call him, I get a Google voice message, and he normally calls me back but rarely answers when I call him.
• Tax records show the owner’s name is John Williams. However, the caller refers to himself as Williams, not John. And he signs his name, Williams John.”
This is a common scenario, however, there are many different forms of deed fraud. When dealing with an absentee property owner, an individual needs to watch for red flags.
Typical red flags include:
• The “seller” needs to list the property right away. There’s always some story to explain an urgency to sell.
• The “seller” is out of the country, therefore can’t meet with the real estate agent or title company in person.
• The “seller” can’t meet with a mobile notary the title company will arrange, but instead, offers to have the documents signed and notarized through his/her efforts.
• The “seller” agrees to list below market value so the property will sell quickly.
All real estate is a target, and once a property is targeted, criminals will continue until they find a real estate agent willing to list and sell the property.
What can be done if a property has been targeted or stolen by a stroke of the pen? Contact a real estate attorney to assist with: making a claim on your title insurance policy, if applicable; have the title insurance company put an alert on your property address so that it is difficult to sell if there is active fraud occurring; and record a notice with the County Recorder of the potential fraud.
All counties offer a free alert service that property owners may sign-up for to receive notice if a document is recorded under their name.
Jesi L. Wolnik, PLC, 1166 E. Warner Road, Suite 101, Gilbert, AZ 85296 www.lawjlw.com 602.723.8023
Tax season 2024 has come and gone, and you’re probably feeling a sense of relief (unless you haven’t filed yet).
You may not want to think about filing your federal and state income taxes right away, but preparation throughout 2025 can make the process run much more smoothly when you file in early 2026. This goes a long way in ensuring you maximize deductions, minimize stress and avoid last-minute scrambling.
Step 1: Stay Organized Year-Round
Create a dedicated folder — physical or digital — where you store receipts, pay stubs, business expenses and any financial statements. If you’re a freelancer or small business owner, tracking income and expenses monthly can prevent headaches when tax time arrives.
Consider using accounting software like QuickBooks, Wave or FreshBooks to streamline recordkeeping.
Step 2: Understand New Tax Laws Tax laws change frequently, and the 2025 tax season may bring new regulations. The IRS may adjust standard deduction amounts, tax brackets or eligibility for credits. Stay informed by visiting the IRS website or consulting a tax professional to ensure you’re aware of any changes that may impact your filing.
If you own a business, it’s especially important to keep up with deductions and credits that may have shifted.
Step 3: Maximize Deductions and Credits
Deductions and tax credits can significantly reduce your tax burden, but many taxpayers overlook them. Common deductions include mortgage or student loan interest, medical expenses and charitable contributions. If you’re selfemployed, don’t forget to deduct home office expenses, businessrelated travel and health insurance premiums.
Popular tax credits, like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, can provide significant savings.
Step 4: Contribute to Retirement Accounts
One of the best ways to reduce taxable income is by contributing to retirement accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA. Contributions made before the April 2026 deadline may still be deductible on your 2025 return, potentially lowering your tax liability.
Step 5: Consider Professional Help
Even with the best organization, taxes can be complicated. If you’re unsure about deductions, have multiple income sources or want to ensure accuracy, hiring a tax professional can be a smart investment. Tax software like TurboTax and H&R Block also can simplify the process for those who prefer a DIY approach.
by Marilyn Mott, Director of Community Outreach, Northern AZ Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips for consumers to protect personal information and reduce theft risks from a data breach.
Don’t overshare online
Avoid posting personal information on social media. It’s not just about your social security number; online quizzes and games may put you at risk. Things like your first pet’s name or the town in which you were born can be used to hack your accounts, as they are often used as passwords or security questions.
Check your credit report and financial statements often.
Monitor your accounts
Look for suspicious activity and notify account providers as quickly as possible if you notice something out of the ordinary.
Use strong passwords; change them regularly. Protect your accounts with complex and unique passwords. See BBB’s tips on creating strong passwords at www.bbb.org/ article/news-releases/12795bbb-tip-how-to-createa-strong-password.
Implement two-factor authentication on accounts and devices
This adds another layer of security to your logins. Twofactor authentication sends a code to your phone or email to check if the account owner is the one logging in.
Shop with businesses that protect consumer information
Check for basic security measures. There should be an HTTPS in the address bar and a clear and detailed privacy policy. Then, look for and check the validity of trust indicators like the Accredited Business seal.
Safely dispose of personally identifiable information
Protecting yourself online is critical, but hard copies of private documents also can be stolen. So, it’s important to dispose of your private papers safely. Check out upcoming shred events or use paper shredding services at stores.
To view additional identity theft resources and tips, visit www.bbb. org/all/identity-theft/ consumer-protection/howto-protect-your-identityfrom-a-data-breach.
Continued from page 15
Chief McCrory: Well, I think the technology part of that’s going to continue to grow. We’re currently looking into projects for a realtime information center. I think in five years, within five years, we will have drones as first responders. We’re already looking into that. Departments are doing it now where the drones automatically launch themselves and they go to calls and feed information real-time back before an officer even gets there. I see that happening here certainly within five years.
Hopefully within five years our numbers will grow because Casa Grande’s not a little secret anymore, and we’re growing. Industry’s coming here, and with industry, the housing is ticking back up and the population’s growing. So I think calls for service will naturally grow with it, and I would hope that our number of sworn personnel is above 90. I would certainly hope so for our department. I think we need to grow along with the population.
If a police department wants to hire somebody, when you take in the recruitment side, the background investigation, the process to get somebody to go to an academy, then you take in the academy time, then after that you take in the time they’re in training until they get kicked out on their own, when they’re actually out there helping us as an individual officer, it’s a year. So with the police department and fire departments too, you almost have to staff ahead of growth, which is hard sometimes for communities to buy into because there’s a cost associated with it.
But where you can run into trouble in a police department is getting to a point in needing officers and not having any hired because you’re a year out, at least a year out. And we don’t have our own academy here. We send ours to Gilbert or to Tucson, and so it depends on when they actually hold an academy. And then you can only get so many seats in each academy because there’s other departments wanting the same thing,
“ I’m in my 42nd year, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I tell these younger people just starting out that it’s a fun job. ”
right? So if all of a sudden you decide you need five officers, you may not be able to get five officers into an academy, for instance.
Our city council has been very supportive of us, and our city manager Larry Rains has been very supportive of us. So I don’t have any doubts that we’ll grow as we need to grow, it’s just a matter of how quick we can accomplish that. We’re authorized for 90 now, but we’re only at 86. We plan on having those filled sometime early fall.
Golden Corridor: What would you tell someone who’s considering a career in law enforcement?
Chief McCrory: Well, No. 1, it’s not like on TV. You don’t catch a serial killer in an hour with eight commercials mixed in. I would tell somebody to take a hard look, do a ride-along, talk to people who are in that profession and think it over. I’m in my 42nd year, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I tell these
younger people just starting out that it’s a fun job. It has a lot of rewards to it, you can actually go home every day and think you made a positive impact on where you work.
And you can say every day is different. I mean, you still go on the same type of calls, but every day is different. And I don’t know too many jobs when you’re on your own and you’re not on a call, you decide what you’re going to do.
I would tell somebody going into that or thinking about it, look at it hard, talk to some people doing that job, people who have been doing it for quite some time, or people new to it. Because if we put people through the academy and they get out here and they realize this isn’t what they thought it was, they quit. It’s not something everybody can do. You do have to have a desire to do it. But we’ve sent people to academies who quit in training because it wasn’t what they thought it was going to be, and they didn’t do their homework, and we probably didn’t do our homework on them by drilling down on it.
But that’s not all I’d tell them. I just tell them it’s fun. It’s rewarding. It can be very boring. It can be extremely exciting. But it’s one that I really truly believe that you can go home every day having done something that made the community you’re living in or working in better. And I don’t know many jobs that can say that.
Golden Corridor: How would people, if they wanted to be a volunteer, what would be their process?
Chief McCrory: If somebody would want to volunteer, they can call and we’ll put them in touch with Wendy Lloyd, and Wendy would get them through a process. We do a background check on our volunteers because they have access to everything. We’ve had a couple of people who actually got offended
that we were going to do that, but they have access to everything, our software, computers, our building, and so you have to at least know who’s here.
Golden Corridor: What if I wanted to explore a career in law enforcement? What’s the process there?
Chief McCrory: They would have to get on the city website and go to Human Resources for jobs available and hit that link and fill out an application with the city, and there’s an online test that they take. And then the process starts with that application review. And we have a physical testing portion of it that they have to pass, and there’s an interview with our recruiting people. If you make it past that and the physical, then we have an oral board comprised of officers and a couple sergeants that ask standardized questions.
And then if you pass that, then they come to the command review where I and all the lieutenants and deputy chiefs interview them and it’s a more of an informal setting where we ask particular questions depending on the answers we get. And that’s why the whole process takes a while.
We’ve been fortunate that we’ve gotten some really good people, and we’ve gotten people who want to work here. And we’re just like anybody else, we lose people. We have people who go somewhere else for whatever reason they do. Or retire.
Golden Corridor: And what about you? What are your plans for retirement, or after retirement?
Chief McCrory: About, I don’t know, maybe three years ago or maybe four now, Shelly and I sat down one day and we were talking and we’re like, “We’re never going to leave here. Are we?” And she goes, “No, I don’t ever want to leave here.”
So when we bought our last house, and when I’m done here, I’m still going to live here. Like I said, I had no regrets on my career field or choice, I have absolutely no regrets of coming to Casa Grande. This has been probably one of the best things that’s happened to me and to my wife. And our two sons get it. They miss us. One lives in Kansas City, one lives in Tulsa, but they come here a lot and they understand we’re not coming home. Because that’s what we were going to do, go back and live closer to them, but it just felt right here.
Health, Happiness & Education
by Yzmira Andujo
Ihad the honor and privilege of attending the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States of America.
Typically, I think the city is very conservative and “business mode,” but this time it was elevated. There were vendors on every street corner. There were red hats and beanies everywhere. There were people going to and from various celebratory balls. It was electric.
The original plan was attend the inauguration and spend the rest of the time sightseeing, primarily the changing of the guards at Arlington National Cemetery.
Due to weather, everything changed. The inauguration ceremony was moved inside, including designated hallway areas. The remaining thousands of other ticket holders had to vie for an
opportunity to attend a watch party in an arena holding only 21,000.
Because we figured the lines would be hectic, and weather freezing, we decided not to do the watch party. We did get our commemorative tickets, however, and decided to attend the Liberty ball.
Since our plans changed, we decided to visit Arlington Cemetery, we had military access. However, when we arrived, we couldn’t go in. The presidentelect was visiting the cemetery. It was a neat coincidence; it seemed we kept missing our opportunity to see him.
Finally, the evening of the ball. Due to safety measures in the city rideshare workers were not able to drive directly to our hotel to pick us up. So here we are in formal wear, in the snow, walking to the outer perimeter where an Uber
could get us. Then before we got to the convention center where the ball was, we had to get dropped off at another perimeter. Thankfully we grabbed a pedicab, who was charging $12 a minute.
We arrived at the ball, get in line — the line wound around buildings for what appeared to be forever. We were in line three hours, in heels, in the freezing cold. By the time we made it inside this massive ballroom, it was worth it.
To see the magnitude of the event and the energy of the room was a once in a lifetime experience. Country singer Jason Aldene performed, and just before midnight the 47th president of the United States made his way on stage with the first lady.
Yzmira Andujo is a Realtor® with ROX Real Estate. She can be reached at 520.431.1190 or yzmira@roxsells.com.
by Dr. James Younan, DMD, MPH, Director of Dental, Sun Life Health
When we think about braces, the first thing that comes to mind is how expensive they are. You can say the same thing about an iPhone, but that doesn’t seem to stop people from buying the new iPhone every year, does it?
It’s all about priorities and what is important to you. Do you want that nice new 48 megapixel camera with 5x zoom? Or what about that awesome new color that Apple just released?
Is your smile important to you? Do you know what impact a smile has on a person’s life?
Imagine you are doing something at the house, you trip and fall to the floor. After getting up, you look in the mirror and realize your two front teeth are
chipped. They don’t hurt, they just look different to you.
What would you do next? Would you say it’s too expensive to fix and leave your teeth as is? Or would you panic and rush to the dentist to get them fixed ASAP?
If you said you would rush to the dentist, then you are concerned with the way your teeth look. You can’t let people see you like that, right? If this is you, I want you to think about all the people who did not fall and chip their teeth. Some people are born with crowded teeth or extra spacing between their teeth.
Many children and adults are bullied and made fun of because of their teeth. This has an impact on how well a child performs in school, this affects the confidence of individuals, and it can also prevent them from getting a job.
Think about that for a second. If someone was interviewing for a customer service job at your company and they had a “weird” smile, would you use that against them?
Your smile plays a huge part in your mental health, your overall health, your ability to get a job and so much more. Sun Life Health recognizes the impact of a smile.
At Sun Life Health Orthodontics, you will be welcomed with a free consultation for braces, reduced fees for qualifying patients, affordable payment plans and you will be catered to by an experienced staff using the latest technology.
Braces are important, and they don’t have to be expensive. Keep Smiling!
by Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie, Certified Physical Trainer, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT
We know that staying active is one of the best ways to keep our bodies healthy. But did you know it also can improve your overall well-being and quality of life?
Let me give you a few examples starting at the top — our brain.
An oxygenated brain is a brain that has more potential for growth and plasticity. This means our brain is more capable of changing or learning, not just as we age, but as we recover from injury. Exercise’s effect on the brain can be so substantial it is used to help treat depression. Think of it as a happy pill with no side effects.
Moving on to our hearts. Did you know that too much sitting and doing nothing can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke? Exercise can lower your blood pressure and improve blood flow (circulation).
And what about that scale? Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help us keep off lost weight. When we exercise, we burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories we burn.
We also may feel better about our appearance when we exercise regularly, which can boost confidence and improve self-esteem.
Exercise also helps build bone density. As we age, we tend to lose muscle mass, strength and function. This leads to an increased risk of injury. Practicing regular physical activity is essential to reducing muscle loss and maintaining strength as we grow older. Studies have shown that regular exercise significantly improved bone density in the lumbar spine, neck and hip bones. This may help prevent osteoporosis later in life.
Physical activity may help us live longer, and those extra years are generally healthier years! Staying active helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging.
So, super easy right? Move more, and sit less. You don’t have to make big life changes to see the benefits. Start building more activity into your day, one step at a time.
by Maggie Almquist, Associate Director Public Relations and Marketing, CAC
As 2025 gains momentum, Arizona high school students already are looking toward the end of another school year. For many undecided high school juniors and seniors, an uncertain future about higher education lays ahead.
While high school counselors guide university-bound students through applications and standardized tests, a significant number of Arizona students are still figuring out their next steps and fearful of heading down an uncertain path.
“If you’re not sure which university you want to go to, starting at Central Arizona College is a great way to explore your interests and start setting goals,” says Nicole Costales, CAC’s Director of
Advising. “Our professional advisers offer personalized assistance and transfer resources that simplify the process of transitioning to ASU, NAU, UofA, or other in-state or out-of-state universities.”
As Pinal County’s community college, Central Arizona College is focused on serving students within Pinal County and surrounding communities by offering affordable tuition, open admission and small class sizes. In addition to the personal touch provided by CAC’s enrollment advisers and academic success coaches, who meet with students one-on-one, in-person or virtually, students are supported throughout their academic journey with ongoing offerings like Student Success Workshops, Transfer Tools and programs hosted by university partners
looking to recruit motivated CAC students.
“Our goal is to help anyone interested in pursuing an education find the program that meets their needs,” Costales says. “I want students to know that the path to your dream job or degree is not always a straight line. You might have stops and starts and changes along the way. The most important thing is to keep going and ask for help along the way.”
Wherever students are on their academic journey, Central Arizona College is committed to helping students find their path and stay on the path to academic success. Learn more about Central Arizona College and find your path at www. centralaz.edu/find-your-path.
Our tuition-free K - 8th grade, charter school offers engaging learning experiences that allow our scholars to soar.
The Grande Innovation Academy is committed to our scholars’ potential and achieving their academic ambitions. Our unique interactive learning environment offers a FabLab, SMALLab, electives, and a differentiated learning program for gifted scholars. For scholars needing flexibility, our Path to Potential online school offers 4th-8th grade scholars a fast-paced curriculum with the opportunity to still participate in school sports, clubs, and on-campus activities.
SMALLab with VR Online School Fab Lab with 3D Printing Tuition Free Full Day Kindergarten Gifted Program
Discover the possibilities available for your children! Now accepting applications.
by Lisa Madrid-Schleicher, CASA Supervisor, CASA of Pinal County
pril celebrates and recognizes the vital contributions volunteers make to our communities. And I am convinced the dedicated work of Pinal County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — advocating for children and youth in state custody due to abuse and neglect — deserves recognition that extends well beyond one month.
This year, Kelley Kimble will be celebrating 20 years of dedicated service with CASA of Pinal County. She attributes her enduring commitment to the profound sense of “hope” that keeps her going, even amid the heartbreak experienced by the children she advocates for.
Kelley has witnessed significant changes in the system since she began her journey as a CASA volunteer. She says she believes that regardless of the reasons behind a child’s removal from their home, maintaining “family connection” is essential — even if the family dynamic is imperfect.
One of her most memorable moments was advocating for a youth who “aged out” of the system, graduated from high school and invited her to the graduation ceremony — a testament to her lasting impact.
Kelley is candid about the challenges of being a CASA volunteer. She acknowledges the role often involves confronting “sadness” due to the
hardships faced by children and families. However, she hopes each child in her charge finds a positive resolution, develops coping skills through available services and envisions a brighter future.
This is what fuels her passion and perseverance. The opportunity to make a lasting impact in a child’s life keeps her going.
Kelley was drawn to CASA after a close family friend’s involvement with the system and an inspiring article she read about the organization. Two decades later, her commitment remains steadfast. She currently is advocating for a teenager, her eighth case.
When asked what she would tell someone considering becoming a volunteer, Kelley says, “The training and support you receive before becoming a CASA volunteer is by far the best I have ever experienced. And the ongoing training is exceptional.”
While child welfare is undoubtedly complex, she emphasizes that volunteers are provided with extensive support. Kelley also advises potential volunteers to always be “willing to listen, learn and not jump to conclusions.”
Kelley Kimble is a producer with Judy Holder Insurance Co in Apache Junction. Kelley has a Master of Science of Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University.
by Julie Andersen, Outreach Librarian, Vista Grande Library, City of Casa Grande
The library is more than a place that houses books. We have so many programs and events that are happening, you are
bound to have fun.
This April, we are excited to host an art exhibit created by the students at Mesquite Elementary School. Their art will be displayed at the Main Library April 17 through April 23. Come browse through the art and be inspired by the kids in our community.
Looking for fun programs for your little ones? Join us for an Earth Day Preschool Storytime on April 22, 10 to 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library. After Storytime, toddlers can get together for the Toddler Playgroup that starts at 10:30 a.m. Even more fun can be had at the program Music for Little Ones April 25, also at the Main Library 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Our annual Summer Reading Program is coming soon!
Our theme this year is Color Your World. Registration begins May 1 and continues through June 30. Participants are asked to download the Beanstack App to track the minutes read over the length of the program.
Adults can also join in on a summer reading challenge for a chance to win a gift basket. Once registered, participants can pick up their Summer Reading “goodies” May 19 at either library location.
The library will be hosting the annual Kick Off Summer Reading Event at the Palm Island Aquatics Park June 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We will have weekly programs and scavenger hunts at both libraries throughout the summer with prizes to be won and our Scholastic Bookfair to wrap it up at the end. Participants who can show their minutes read over the summer can pick out a free book from the fair.
Register for Summer Reading at bit.ly/cgplsrp2025, and don’t forget to download the Beanstack App. Upcoming calendars can be found on www.cglibrary.org. The Casa Grande Library (Main) is at 449 N. Drylake St., and the Vista Grande Library is at 1556 N. Arizola Rd.
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on programs @ cglibraryaz, and sign up for our weekly newsletter for the latest news on programs, services and events at cgpubliclibrary.myflodesk. com/newsletter.
by Gigi McWhirter
From understanding us more than we might think to having more bones than we do, our dogs and cats are fascinating. Let’s take a deeper look.
Your dog has a sense of smell at least 40 times better than yours. They have more than 300 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to your approximately 6 million. They also have the equivalent of fingerprints. Every nose print is unique and can be used to ID dogs.
Just like us, they have REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and can dream. That twitching or moving their paws while sleeping is when this likely is happening.
Lucky for us, our canine companions can interpret our facial expressions and body language, figuring out whether we are happy, sad or angry — they often respond accordingly.
They don’t sweat like us. Their sweat glands are in their paw pads, which help them cool down.
One of our favorite things about dogs is watching their tails move. A wagging tail can mean happiness, but the speed and direction of the wag can also indicate feelings such as nervousness or aggression.
Then there are our feline friends, who comfort us with purrs. However, cats don’t only purr when they are content but also when they are anxious, in pain or even as a self-healing mechanism. And get this, the vibrations from purring can help heal bones and tissues.
Which may help because cats can leap up to six times their body length. This is aided by their powerful leg muscles and flexible spine. Cats have a free-floating collarbone allowing them to land on their feet.
This bone structure gives them the agility to twist and turn midair.
Perhaps more fascinating, considering their size compared to ours, is that our kitties have 230 bones to our 206. Their extra bones mostly are in their tail and spine, giving them flexibility and agility.
They can move silently through the use of claws that extend and retract (which keeps them sharp), and their ears rotate 180 degrees, helping them detect sounds from various directions to locate prey … or you.
No surprise, but cats can spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves. This activity helps them stay clean, regulate their body temperature and reduce stress.
Truly our pets should be appreciated and loved for all they are.
Happy Tails to You
by Blake Herzog
Bathrooms may be the most difficult room in your home to truly make your own. So much of the space is taken up by just the sink, mirror, vanity, shower/bathtub and toilet, particularly in smaller bathrooms.
But from towels to light fixtures, there are plenty of platforms where you can inject your own sensibilities into the necessities crowding your bathroom.
Old tricks in new spaces
Sometimes you can deploy the same tricks used in other parts of the house to elevate your bathroom. For example, putting your shower curtain up near the ceiling will have the same effect that hanging curtains high above a window will do for your living room, making the ceiling appear taller and open up the whole room. You may have to hunt for the right XL shower curtain and liner for your space, but it’ll be worth it!
Use mirrors to flood the room with natural light. If your main mirror doesn’t already do this, look for a different wall to hang one in a contrasting shape that will reflect light while adding another design dimension.
Fixture fixes
Swapping out the faucet is a surprisingly easy change and can easily shift and upgrade the look of your bathroom. The options are nearly endless, so it’ll be easy to find something a little more or less formal, casual, farmhouse-y, modern, whatever you’ve got in mind.
You’ll need a pro for switching out a light fixture, but if you can swing it
there’s almost no end to what you can do with the space.
Consider integrating LED strips into your mirror, vanity or shower enclosure for a sleek, contemporary look or a backlit mirror for diffused lights that still illuminate everything you need to see. (While you’re at it you can get an anti-fog mirror to get rid of a common annoyance and make the room more functional and luxurious.)
Get the paint right
The color and finish you use for walls has a huge impact on the look and feel of a room. That goes double for your small, humid, brightly lit bathroom. You can try anything you want, but there are some colors difficult to pull off. Yellow can be cheery and inviting in most any other part of the house, but its reflection often makes people appear jaundiced or sickly in the mirror. Anything with a muddy or rusty undertone will look dirty compared to crisp, refreshing hues.
You will need to be careful with paint finishes too, since you don’t want the room to look too drab or harsh, leaching the energy out of the space or radiating so much as to be
uncomfortable. Try a medium-gloss finish (either eggshell, satin or semigloss) for an easy to maintain, attractive appearance.
Toilet talk
Nobody really wants to talk about it, but it’s what makes a bathroom a bathroom, so you might as well come up with the best-looking one that fits your space and usage needs.
There are three basic styles:
• Two-piece — The largest and most commonly seen with the tank mounted behind the bowl and in front of the wall. Easy to install; hard to clean.
• One-piece — Tank and bowl are integrated into a single unit, which takes up less space. Harder to install because of its weight but easier to clean with fewer gaps for grime to build up.
• Suspended — Just the toilet bowl is visible, with the tank and plumbing concealed in the wall. Takes up the least amount of space, expensive to install; easiest to clean.
As we move into 2025, the world of interior design is witnessing a renewed love for warm, grounding tones, and shades of brown are taking center stage.
This versatile color palette — rich, comforting and earthy — offers a balance of sophistication and nature, making it a favorite among designers and homeowners who have tired of the gray tones that dominated the last several years.
From deep, chocolaty hues to subtle taupe and clay, here’s a look at the trending shades of brown that are defining interiors.
Caramel comfort
Caramel brown, with its golden undertones, is emerging as a top trend. This mid-tone shade bridges the gap between light and dark, adding warmth without overwhelming a space. Perfect for upholstery, soft furnishings or accent walls, caramel brings a cozy, inviting feel
to both modern and traditional interiors.
Paired with creamy whites, soft grays or dusty pinks, it creates a harmonious and luxurious atmosphere.
The timeless appeal of terra-cotta continues, reflecting a desire for organic, natural influences in design. This reddish-brown hue evokes a Mediterranean charm while adding an artisanal, rustic edge to interiors.
Terra-cotta tiles, textured wall paints and ceramic décor bring depth and authenticity, making any space feel grounded and connected to the earth.
Deep chocolate brown
For those seeking bold elegance, chocolate brown is the answer. This dark, rich shade exudes sophistication and works beautifully in larger spaces as a feature color. It pairs well with jewel tones like emerald green or sapphire blue for a luxurious vibe or soft neutrals
for a more muted aesthetic. Leather furniture, cabinetry and velvet fabrics in chocolate tones are all set to shine.
Soft taupe
Soft taupe remains a staple for minimalistic and Scandinavian-inspired interiors. A perfect neutral, this light brown hue combines gray undertones, lending subtle warmth and versatility. Taupe works in living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens, providing a calm, balanced backdrop for contemporary or rustic décor.
Clay and mocha accents
Clay-inspired shades with hints of orange or mocha browns are ideal for adding texture and energy to interiors. These tones complement natural materials like wood, stone and linen, creating a cohesive and earthy aesthetic.
Whether through painted cabinetry or statement accessories, clay and mocha hues will be essential in achieving a modern, organic look.
Agalley kitchen, with its narrow layout and parallel counters, often gets a bad reputation for being cramped or limiting. However, with thoughtful planning and smart design choices, this space can become more functional and a joy to work in.
The key lies in maximizing every inch of space while ensuring the layout supports efficient movement and accessibility.
Start by evaluating the workflow of your kitchen. In a galley kitchen, the work triangle linking the sink, stove and refrigerator is naturally compact, making it easy to transition between tasks.
To enhance functionality prioritize decluttering the countertops. Keep only the essentials within arm’s reach, such as your most-used utensils, spices or appliances. Store less frequently used items in cabinets or a nearby pantry to free up valuable prep space.
Storage is a game-changer in a galley kitchen. Vertical space is your best friend, so install wall-mounted shelves or cabinets that reach the ceiling. Use the upper shelves for items you seldom use and reserve the lower, more accessible areas for daily essentials.
Adding pull-out shelves or organizers to existing cabinets can further optimize storage and make items easier to find. For
those with limited cabinet space, magnetic strips for knives, hooks for pots and pans or a pegboard can keep tools within reach without crowding your workspace.
Lighting plays a critical role in making a galley kitchen feel open and inviting.
Under-cabinet lighting can illuminate work surfaces, while bright overhead fixtures create an illusion of space. Natural light, if available, should be maximized; avoid heavy curtains or blinds that block the light.
Reflective surfaces, such as glossy cabinet finishes or a mirrored backsplash, also can help brighten the area and make it feel larger.
Choosing the right colors and materials can enhance the functionality and appeal of your galley kitchen. Light, neutral tones create a sense of openness, while cohesive materials reduce visual clutter.
Consider slim-profile appliances that fit seamlessly into the space, allowing for easier navigation without sacrificing utility. If possible, create a sense of flow by integrating the kitchen with adjacent areas, such as adding a pass-through window or open shelving that connects to the dining space.
The Ranch House Grill is more than a restaurant — it’s a social hub.
Located at 5750 N. Robson Blvd. in Eloy, within the Robson Ranch Community, it also features meeting rooms, a golf club and a pro shop, making it a spot where neighbors and visitors like to connect.
The menu offers a variety of tastes. Appetizers include crispy calamari and spinach artichoke dip. Entrees range from the Black & Blu Burger with Bloody Mary fried onions to street tacos with carne asada or grilled fish. Salads like the West Coast Salad, loaded with greens and seafood, or the classic Wedge with bacon and blue cheese stand out. Dinner specials include smoked ribs on
Western Night (Wednesdays, $17) and prime rib on Saturdays (from $23). Sundays feature a breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon ($13.50), with an omelet station, waffles, bacon, sausage, pastries, seasonal berry soup and lighter options like small plates and fresh fruit.
The Tack Room Lounge serves draft beers, wines and cocktails like the Robson Ranch Rita (a margarita twist) or the Front Porch Swing. Happy hour draws crowds on Monday through Thursday in the late afternoon.
Dining options include the main restaurant, the cozy lounge or the covered patio with golf
course views. The venue caters to events from family dinners to ballroom celebrations or private dining room gatherings. The culinary team balances comfort foods with healthier choices, offering Friday Date Night threecourse dinners for two with wine ($49 per couple) and daily Pizza Hour (2 to 4 p.m., $11 pizzas).
I’ve lived in Robson Ranch for three years and enjoy taking visitors or customers to the Tack Room. My husband and I reserved a dining room spot for our anniversary, appreciating the outdoor fountain and golf course views. We’ve enjoyed holiday buffets and often order takeout.
Hours and offerings vary seasonally, so check the website www.robsonranchazhoa.org/ web/pages/robson-ranch-grill. With its warm ambiance and diverse menu, Ranch House Grill is a must-visit for food, drinks and company in Eloy.
Gail Miller-Hildebrand is an associate broker and Realtor® with ROX Real Estate. She can be reached at 503.956.4270 or gail@roxsells.com.
If you’re a coffee lover, you know there’s nothing better than that first cup in the morning. But did you know your plants might be just as enthusiastic about coffee as you are?
Before you toss those used coffee grounds in the trash, consider this: they’re a rich, natural fertilizer packed with nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Plus, they’re a sustainable, zero-waste solution to boosting your garden’s health.
Here’s how you can use coffee grounds to give your plants an extra shot of energy.
Tomatoes: Bursting with flavor
Tomato plants thrive in soil rich in nitrogen, which coffee grounds provide in abundance. Mixing a thin layer of used grounds into the soil helps encourage lush, healthy foliage while keeping pests like slugs and snails at bay.
For best results, compost the grounds first or mix them lightly into the topsoil to avoid compacting the earth. You’ll see stronger stems and tastier tomatoes in no time.
Hydrangeas: Picture-perfect blooms
If you’re after stunning blue hydrangeas, coffee grounds are the key. The acidity in the grounds lowers the soil pH,
encouraging the hydrangea blooms to turn a brilliant blue. Apply the grounds as mulch or mix them into the soil at the roots.
In just a few weeks, you’ll notice your garden bursting with color, proving that a little coffee can go a long way.
Carrots: Crispy, crunchy nutrients
It turns out the abrasive texture of coffee grounds is good at deterring some of the pests that like to chow down on carrots, keeping them safe for the humans and rodents you might be growing them for. You can even try mixing a package of seeds with a couple handfuls of coffee grounds before spreading them in your garden, throwing in some radish seeds as the crops often thrive together.
Evergreen trees and shrubs: Cool in the shade Pines, spruces and other sources of year-round greenery often crave a little bit of acidity, and our soils here tend to be alkaline, so your coffee grounds can offer this along with the nitrogen, carbon and other powerhouse ingredients. They can be combined with compost or a fertilizer, spread around the base of the plants and covered with mulch to fertilize the plants, ideally in early spring or late fall.
In a world where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but a lifestyle, upcycling household items is a creative and eco-friendly way to breathe new life into the old and unused.
Forget about throwing things out. Your home is full of hidden gems waiting for transformation. From worn-out furniture to glass jars and fabric scraps, upcycling allows you to create something beautiful and functional while helping the planet.
Unlike recycling, which breaks materials down to be repurposed, upcycling transforms items into something better, often with an unexpected twist. It reduces waste, minimizes your carbon footprint and encourages
resourcefulness. Plus, it’s a fun and satisfying hobby that adds a personalized touch to your home.
Old jars are a great starting point for first-time upcyclers. Clean and remove labels to turn them into charming storage containers, vases or candle holders. Add a pop of personality with paint, twine or ribbon. You can even make Mason jar terrariums or hanging herb gardens to liven up your kitchen.
Worn-out or outdated furniture doesn’t have to end up on the curb. A fresh coat of paint, new upholstery or creative stenciling can work wonders. Turn an old ladder into a stylish bookshelf or a vintage suitcase into a statement side table. Wooden pallets can be repurposed into trendy coffee tables, planters or outdoor seating.
Got leftover fabric or clothes you no longer wear?
Upcycling them can help reduce textile waste. Transform old T-shirts into reusable shopping bags, patchwork pillow covers or braided rugs. For fashion lovers, add creative embellishments to jeans or jackets for a personalized look. Even a simple fabric scrap can become a bookmark, coaster or hair accessory.
If you’ve got an old clothes dryer at your house you’re trying to figure out what to do with, you may need to have most of it hauled off and recycled, but if you can take the drum out it’s pretty easy to transform it into a backyard fire pit. Just make sure to remove any plastic or flammable material and strip off any paint to avoid toxic fumes.
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