Golden Corridor LIVING Fall 2021

FALL 2021

THE LEADERS IN BUSINESS & COMMUNITY ISSUE SPECIAL INSERT: 2021 USPA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THE ROX INTERVIEW: KIRBY CHAMBLISS

World Champion Aerobatic Pilot ARIZONA CITY • CASA GRANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

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FEATU R E S

THE

LEADERS IN BUSINESS & COMMUNITY ISSUE

Special Feature 2021 USPA National Championships The 4

INTERVIEW

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

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Leaders in Business & Community

Steve Murray Angel Raymond Leo Shishmanian Eddie Mankel Kelly Herrington Julia Romero Gusse Ryan Wiles Rich Vitiello Vanessa McDill Chris Cahall Patricia Glover Crystal Armioia Jacqueline White Tanya Powers

2021 USPA National Championships

Kirby Chambliss World Champion Aerobatic Pilot

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CONTENTS BIZ

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Tonya Thompson, Providing the Cool in Business Leadership Maricopa Growth Spurs CEDO Promotion to Serve Businesses, Developers

YOU

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Out & About

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ASU Offers Residents Leadership Degrees through CAC

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Magnify Your Home’s Natural Light

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Verde Valley, Red Rock County Day Trips Memorable Storytimes, More Return to Casa Grande Public Library

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Crystal Fox, Shelter Manager, Valley Humane Society

FUN

Q&A

About the Cover

World Champion Aerobatic Pilot Kirby Chambliss racing in the Red Bull Air Race World Series.

Photo: Kirby Chambliss Photo: Kirby Chambliss 6

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

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Advertiser Index

911 Air Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Absolute Homes / Vivid Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Academy Mortgage - CG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 ACP Painting LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Annie-Mac Home Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 AZ Quality Plumbing LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 AZ Valley Pools / AZVP Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Brutinel Plumbing & Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Capital R Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Casa Grande Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Casa Grande Art Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Casa Grande Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Casa Grande Rent A Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Central Arizona College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

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Golden Corridor LIVING is published by Raxx Direct Marketing. Editorial content is provided by affiliates of Raxx Direct Marketing, community members and local organizations. © 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this publication, including but not limited to editorial content, illustrations, graphics and photographic images, may be republished, reproduced or reprinted without the prior express written consent of the publisher. The publishers of Golden Corridor LIVING assume no responsibility for errors or omissions of any advertisement beyond the actual cost of the advertisement. In no event shall the publishers be liable for any consequential damages in excess of the cost of the advertisement. Golden Corridor LIVING shall not be liable for inaccuracies, errors, omissions, or damages from the use of information contained herein.

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Hello We're

Elaine Earle Executive Publisher

Bea Lueck Associate Publisher

SALES & MARKETING

Julie Turetzky Director Public Relations

Jamie Wagner-Brashier Adverstising Executive

John Stapleton Contributing Editor

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Aaron Tipton Creative Director

Shannon Price Lead Designer ROX Team Members Not Pictured:

Blake Herzog Staff Writer

Keith Dobie Social Media Coordinator Christia Gibbons Senior Editor

ROXMediaGroup.net 10

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

FA L L 2021

Associate Publisher’s Letter

Taking the Lead

A

s we start the cooldown that will cumulate in the best winter weather in the country, I’m reflecting on how we in Pinal County are working together to build our year-round quality of life.

You’ve picked up our annual Leaders of Business and Community issue where we profile people who lead us through the summer like air-conditioning people and water and ice store owners. At the 30,000-foot level we have our regional representatives toiling to puzzle out the solutions to the county’s longer-term water supply concerns.

It's hard for us to imagine where we would be without these people, but we shouldn’t sell ourselves short, either.

We all help pave the Golden Corridor every day by getting up and going to work and taking care of our homes and neighborhoods. We educate ourselves and share our expertise wherever it is useful. We invest our time and money to make Golden Corridor gleam from the inside out. And we’ll continue to do that as we welcome new opportunities and honor and conserve the resources we have.

In between, at the 14,000-foot level, we have Skydive Arizona through which the Hill family has made an international name for Eloy and the surrounding desert for 30 years now because they had the vision to look up at the uncrowded skies and found space for the largest such facility

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

in the world. It’s continuing to bring people from around the globe for competitions like the U.S. Parachuting Association’s climactic USPA National Championships.

The aerial tournament, at which our country’s teams for global contests are chosen, returns to Eloy Municipal Airport Oct. 17-30, three years after last landing there and following last year’s cancellation. Don’t miss the official program inserted in the heart of this issue. It’s filled with photos and all the information you’ll need about formation skydiving, accuracy landing and acrobatic wingsuit flying for this pulse-pounding competition.

Even though this is our Fall edition, I can’t believe yet that our Holiday issue is next. It’s time for me to start thinking about warm fires, family dinners, cozy décor and shopping — the year just keeps getting better!

Bea Lueck

Associate Publisher, Golden Corridor LIVING

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 11

VOICES

OF THE GOLDEN CORRIDOR

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!

Angela Askey

Executive Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Central Arizona College

Mila Besich

Mayor, Town of Superior

Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie Certified Physical Trainer, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT

Donna McBride Councilwoman, City of Casa Grande

Craig McFarland Mayor, City of Casa Grande

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G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

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Gigi McWhirter

Resident Animal Whisperer

Loren and Melissa Shelton Critter-Photography Team

Micah Powell Mayor, City of Eloy

Bob Shogren

Director, Casa Grande Alliance

Jon Thompson

Mayor, City of Coolidge

See more Voices and full bios at goldencorridorliving.com/voices GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 13

PINAL COUNTY

AR IZO NA CIT Y | CASA G R AN D E | CO O L I D G E | ELOY | FLO R EN CE | MAR I CO PA| AR IZO NA CIT Y | CASA

Attesa’s Podium Club Track Breaks Ground

The long-awaited motorsports-focused Attesa development has begun construction on the racetrack that will be the focus of its first phase, the Podium Club.

Its developers, investors and future members celebrated the groundbreaking July 14 with an event featuring speakers including Attesa managing members Dan

Lucid Studio Opens in Scottsdale The future of Casa Grande is plugged into electric vehicles, and it’s getting closer.

Lucid Motors, the luxury electric vehicle manufacturer that will fill its first consumer orders later this year from its Casa Grande factory, opened its first

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G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

Erickson and Pat Johnson, Casa Grande Mayor Pro Tempore Bob Huddleston and Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller.

The traditional shovels were replaced by giant earthmoving machines and the words “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

The private Podium Club is selling memberships with driving and garage

Arizona design studio in August.

The retail location at Scottsdale Fashion Square had a steady stream of visitors two weeks after its debut as reservation holders excited to get closer to their Air model mixed with onlookers snapping social media posts and shoppers asking when the company would be coming out with an SUV. The answer is: 2023.

This is the ninth of the initial 19 showrooms Lucid plans to open this year and gives visitors a close-up look at a Lucid Air Touring production model and a 4K virtual reality configurator

rental privileges at the track, which will offer a 2.25-mile multiconfiguration paved track with 15 turns. It’s designed to meet all safety standards set by the FIA and FIM, the international organizations overseeing automobile and motorcycle racing.

It’s scheduled to open in this year’s fourth quarter and will eventually tie into a second track to create a 4.45-mile, 32turn circuit.

The first phase of the Podium Club track will include 104 garages and a nearly 200,000 square foot paddock area next to the track. More garages and paddock space, a 10-acre commerce center and hotel, clubhouse and other amenities will be added as the second track is added.

“We’re creating an affordable driving and riding club that provides a safe, world class track and services,” Erickson said at the groundbreaking celebration.

“The Podium Club will let members run fast laps year ‘round, even at night for Continued on page 44…

Continued on page 27…

FA L L 2021

PRESS

FALL 2021 | FOR THE LATEST LOCAL NEWS VISIT GOLDENCORRIDORLIVING.COM Stories by Blake Herzog

A G R AN D E | CO O L I D G E | ELOY | FLO R EN CE | MAR I CO PA| AR IZO NA C IT Y | CASA G R AN D E | CO O L I D G E

Maricopa Outpaces CG in Census Results Maricopa has become Pinal County’s largest incorporated municipality, according to figures released in August by the U.S. Census Bureau. But Casa Grande disputes the results.

In Maricopa, the city’s population expanded by 33.7% from the 2010 census through 202, for a total of 58,125 residents, the bureau said. Casa Grande saw 10.5% growth during the decade for a total of 53,658.

Maricopa Mayor Christian Price said growth appears to be zooming past the census’ number. “We believe that already now, we’re starting to push 65,000,” he said.

He added that the federal dollars that come with a higher population will help build infrastructure needed to serve Maricopa residents, “but what’s really important to me is the way it speaks to new development, new businesses looking to move here, new headquarters.

“They’re looking for people who are qualified and Maricopa is full of those folks, so that’s where I see the bigger rate of return, is the businesses that will locate because we now have the numbers that they’re looking for.”

Casa Grande City Manager Larry Rains said he was grateful to all the residents who participated, but officials said the census fell short of capturing all of it: “We believe the pandemic did have some bearing on the final results. Based purely on the new housing starts that transpired in Casa Grande over the past decade, it was anticipated that the population count would have been in the high 50,000 range.” Many seasonal residents were likely counted elsewhere, he added.

Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland added, “We are looking at our options to appeal and/or potentially recount, which is very expensive and would be our last option. No decision has been made as the numbers are not official yet.”

The unincorporated San Tan Valley just missed the 100,000-person mark.

San Tan Valley’s population expanded by 23%, the census said.

Other high-growth areas include Saddlebrooke at 30.8%, Gold Canyon at 12% and Coolidge at 11.8%. Two cities that have a small portion of their land area in Pinal County grew by even more: Queen Creek by 125% and Marana at 45%.

The Aug. 12 census figures only included data for communities of 5,000 people or more. Two areas above this threshold reportedly shrank in size over the decade, Eloy and Arizona City.

The figures said the county as a whole grew by 13.2% to reach a population of 425,264, a healthy rate but significantly below the 462,789 estimated by the Census Bureau in 2019.

2020 Preliminary Census Data for Pinal County Community

2020

2010

Change

% Change

1.

San Tan Valley

99,894

81,321

18,573

22.84%

2.

Maricopa

58,125

43,482

14,643

33.68%

3.

Casa Grande

53,658

48,571

5,087

10.47%

4.

Apache Jct.

38,499

35,840

2,659

7.42%

5.

Florence

26,785

25,536

1,249

4.89%

6.

Eloy

15,635

16,631

-996

-5.99%

11,825

1,393

11.78%

2,960

30.79%

7.

Coolidge

13,218

8.

Saddlebrooke

12,572

9.

Gold Canyon

11,404

10,159

1,245

12,26%

10.

Arizona City

9,868

10,475

-607

-5.79%

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

9,614

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 15

The

INTERVIEW

Kirby Chambliss World Champion Aerobatic Pilot Interview by Bea Lueck GC LIVING: We’ll just start at the very beginning. You were born in Texas, where?

Kirby Chambliss: Corpus Christi.

GC LIVING: And how long did you live there?

Kirby Chambliss: I went basically through high school there, aside from a couple of short stints out to California.

GC LIVING: And your dad was into skydiving?

Kirby Chambliss: Yes. My dad was a jumpmaster in the military, but I'm not sure if that's what really sparked me with airplanes. I don't really even remember wanting to be a pilot, I mean, I was always going to be a pilot. There are pictures of me dragging model airplanes around when I was 2 years old, and I had all the remote controls.

I would also get to go with my dad when he was teaching skydiving. We would go up in this little single-engine 182, I was probably 7, 8 years old. I couldn't jump out with the guys, but I would ride down with the jump GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

pilot in the airplane. I was like, this is really cool. I'm sure that had something to do with it, but I always knew that I wanted to be a pilot, all I had to do was figure out how to do it. I think I was 17 or 18 when I soloed and got my license.

GC LIVING: What did you do after that careerwise?

Kirby Chambliss: Well when I was doing that, I was working for Southwest Airlines in Corpus

Christi, working as a line guy where we load the bags. I ran out of money before I could get my private and other ratings. I didn't do that until I was, I think, 18 or 19.

And then I worked in operations, and I then quit Southwest for two and a half years. And the whole time I was instructing, too.

After quitting Southwest I flew a little business jet for La Quinta Motor Inns and was very fortunate.

Most of the time when you fly a business jet you do a lot of sitting.

Kirby Chambliss

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 17

The

INTERVIEW

Kirby Chambliss at La Quinta

I did a lot of flying. We were flying 80 to a hundred hours every month, so I built up a lot of jet experience at a relatively young age. By the time I was 24, I wanted to go back to work for Southwest as a pilot. They hired me as a pilot, been there ever since.

GC LIVING: So you still fly for Southwest?

Kirby Chambliss: Yes. Southwest was nice enough to give me a leave of absence, and I was actually gone for 11 years. So I was so busy flying the air shows and air racing. When COVID hit, all the shows canceled. I thought, "Well, I'll go back and fly for Southwest a little bit."

So I had to go back through training. I was in Dallas for two months, and then I had to fly 14 hours with what they call a check airman. And then they were like, "Here's the keys, have a nice day."

So yeah, and I've been flying for 18

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

Southwest again, I've been back for a year. That's crazy, I'm just getting ready actually today, to go down for my annual recurrent training. And I was like, "Man, I can't believe it's already been a year."

GC LIVING: I can just hear the flight attendant announcements now: "And flying the plane today is a world champion aerobatic pilot.

He promises not to do any of that today with this jet."

Kirby Chambliss: Sometimes the flight attendants are like, "Oh my God," and I say, "Look, if we do any of that, it'll definitely have been an accident.”

The reality of it is, if you've got a Formula One car and you've got a school bus out on the track and you're driving the Formula One car and everybody's like, "Hey, you ever think about getting in that school bus and running around the track?" And you're like, "Not really, I'm driving a Formula

One car," right? I mean, what's the point?

GC LIVING: So, how did you get into the aerobatic world from the corporate world?

Kirby Chambliss: I was 21 years old flying the business jet, and our chief pilot said, "Hey, all my pilots get aerobatic training because if the jet ends up upside down with a CEO on board we want you to be able to turn it right side up." It made sense to me. They paid for my aerobatic training. I went out in an aerobatic airplane, we turned the airplane upside down and were just flying upside down. I was like, "Wow, this is the coolest thing ever." Quite frankly, I'd started to get kind of bored with just regular flying anyway. I'm an adrenaline junkie.

And to me it was just like, "Wow, this is it." And that's all I cared about for 35 years. That's what I lived, breathed, that's all I did. I still FA L L 2021

had to go and fly for the airlines and do those things in order to support my new habit, but I was full-on hooked.

GC LIVING: Awesome. And when did you meet your wife Kellie?

Kirby Chambliss: So the first time we met, Kellie was a flight attendant and I was an airline pilot, and we met down in the jetway. She'd had a really bad day, so I chatted with her. That was the first time I met her, but I really didn't have anything to do with her until two years later.

GC LIVING: Was she a pilot at that point in time?

Kirby Chambliss: No, that happened later. We were flying along, we had a Cessna 180. We'd been together for quite some time, I forget how many years, but she said, "I'm going to get my license." And I said, "What, did you lose yours?" And she's like, "No, my pilot's license." I'm like, "Well, you never really expressed any interest in it." When she decided to do it, I helped as much as I

could. I'm smart enough to know that you shouldn't teach your wife something like that, so I had a buddy of mine do it. And then I did her tail wheel training. So that was interesting.

GC LIVING: How did you end up in Arizona?

Kirby Chambliss: I was working for Southwest as a pilot, and I lived in San Antonio and commuted to Houston. I had to go and get on an airplane to go to work, which is not any fun because sometimes you get stuck, and you can't get home and it's frustrating.

Southwest said they were going to open a pilot base in Phoenix for me; the biggest part of my wanting to do that is the weather.

In San Antonio, I would get home off my trip wanting to fly aerobatics, and the weather would be crummy. And about the time it would clear up I had to go back to work. I moved to Arizona in 1987; it's hot, but at least I can fly every day. I could drive to work so it made things a lot simpler for me.

I went out in an aerobatic airplane, we turned the airplane upside down and were just flying upside down. I was like, "Wow, this is the coolest thing ever."

First Officer Kirby Chambliss Southwest Airlines Continued on page 60

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GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

Angel A. Raymond, Esq.

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 19

CITY SPEAK

City of Casa Grande

Leading for Business in 2021/22

by Craig McFarland, Mayor, City of Casa Grande

L

eadership is linked to personality styles; they vary between the glass is half empty to the glass is half full. My style has always been the glass is half full, or more succinctly, a positive approach when dealing with people.

Over the past years I have had many opportunities to speak with individuals and groups about Casa Grande.

So, my approach with City matters has been to highlight the positive, be a problem solver, find ways to support, promote and market our Casa Grande. It is my passion.

Leadership attributes are found in the 7 Mindsets.

They remind me every day: Everything is possible because we are passionate about Casa Grande; we are connected to each other and each other’s success; and it’s about giving back — our attitude of gratitude; and because the time is now! Now is the time to make a difference in our community.

So where is this leadership taking us? Casa Grande is positioned for tremendous growth. We need to be prepared and manage this growth. From 2021/22 forward there are literally thousands of new jobs projected in connection to several large projects. Additionally, as our City Council’s strategic plan outlines, the best

Mayor Craig McFarland and the 2021 "Voices Future Leaders" winners. communities are those most livable, diverse, sustainable and that provide the best quality of life for its residents!

Defining leadership can be a challenge. A friend shared a quote I think does a good job of defining leadership: “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He/she does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the quality of actions and the integrity of intent.” — Douglas MacArthur We are not born with or assigned true leadership; it is earned. In the end, leaders are much like eagles — they don’t flock together, you find them one at a time.

Casa Grande Neon Sign Park Photo: Shannon Price

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CITY SPEAK

City of Eloy

Hill Skydiving Business Leads Worldwide

by Micah Powell, Mayor, Eloy

A

s this edition of the Golden Corridor LIVING is titled Leaders in Business, I can’t think of anyone or any family that has done more for Eloy than the Hill Family. They have single-handedly put Eloy on the skydiving map, not only in the U.S., but internationally.

In 1986, Larry Hill and his wife Liliane started out in the skydive business, and in 1991 moved their operations to the Eloy Municipal Airport. Skydive AZ is one of the three largest drop zones in the United States and annually hosts thousands of amateur and professional skydivers. The facility is a training mecca for military paratroopers throughout the U.S. armed services, as well as our international allies.

According to a recent economic development analysis, the Eloy Municipal Airport has

15 employers representing 191 airport jobs. It creates almost $26 million in annual economic benefits for Eloy and the region.

This economic impact is a direct result of the Hill’s commitment to the area, the facilities and passion for all things related to aviation and parachuting.

Today, Skydive AZ is operated by the Hill family — Shawn, Steve and Wendy. They currently are preparing for the United States Parachute Association National Championships Oct. 15 to Oct 30.

Skydive AZ has grown into an oasis with plenty of turf, a swimming pool, and trees in the midst of the Sonoran desert. Around the central building, which houses offices, aircraft manifesting, classrooms, and an indoor parachute packing

Micah Powell, Mayor, City of Eloy area, one can find everything a skydiver needs. Equipment sales, food, a shower and laundry facility, grassy camping area, recreation hall with bunks for overnight guests, and a basketball court are some of the many amenities.

At the World Championship event in 2019, the City hosted a Mayor’s reception for team captains and event officials. Seventeen nations were represented and most of them commented on how much they loved using the facility built by the Hills. It seems that Eloy is better known in places like France, Qatar and Germany than here in the Southwest!

I would like to cordially invite you to come out and watch the many events at the 2021 USPA National Championships. If you see a member of the Hill family, please take the time to say “Hi” and thank them for putting us on the skydiving map!

Photo: Joss Martin 22

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

For a complete schedule of events, go to: Championships2021.com.

FA L L 2021

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GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 23

CITY SPEAK

City of Coolidge

Coolidge is Ever Growing and Improving Services

by Jon Thompson, Mayor, City of Coolidge

C

oolidge had some amazing transformations recently that benefit not only the citizens but the surrounding community.

The newly constructed Coolidge Aquatic Center has been open since May, and demand has remained hot over the summer months.

This 1-acre facility in downtown contains some of the best water features found in the country.

The showcase feature is a spiral 30-foot waterslide that’s sure to become a favorite among the visitors.

Surrounding the waterslide is a large pool with a splash area for the younger visitors to enjoy. The season runs late May through Labor Day. Additionally, the facility features a competition-size pool that’s been needed for years. The City and the Coolidge Unified School District share the operations of the aquatic center.

Finally, the road next to the center and high school has been paved making a huge improvement to the area. As I’ve mentioned in previous

articles, one of the main goals of this Council is repairing or reconstructing roads that have long been needed.

I’m proud we’re making tremendous progress toward this goal.

Public works has moved into a new building that once served as a large construction office. It made fiscal sense to purchase a building that could serve the needs for Coolidge for many decades to come. This facility fits in perfectly as the City grows and our ability to efficiently service city vehicles and equipment is met. Formally the Felix Construction building, the 18,000 square foot center contains much needed office space as well as six large bays to accommodate very large vehicle for service, including fire engines.

Finally, as our growth continues to boom in Coolidge, our infrastructure is a top priority.

We’ve recently examined our options in improving the wastewater treatment plant and how we can accommodate the vast population numbers we anticipate. We’ve

Jon Thompson, Mayor, City of Coolidge

hired an excellent consultant with many years of experience in these operations around the country.

Already ways have been found to improve the facility immediately by mitigating potential odors, identifying areas of enhancement including our holding lagoons, as well as making sure the system as a whole is well maintained.

The next step in this process is to identify what actions should be taken to accommodate a larger population. These could include various upgrades to the plant in either expansion or modernization with the latest technology.

The Council and I welcome the new growth to Coolidge and are look at all areas in ways we can continually improve and make the City a destination for new business and residents.

And as the weather starts to cool down, Coolidge is a great place to explore the Casa Grande Ruins with free admission. Other museums include the Coolidge Historical Museum and the Pinal County Gem and Mineral Museum.

I invite you to Coolidge to explore all the great places the city has to offer.

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G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

FA L L 2021

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GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 25

CITY SPEAK

Town of Superior

Superior Business Leaders Pave Our Way

by Mila Besich, Mayor, Town of Superior

O

n Sept. 7, 2021 Superior will mark its 45th anniversary of incorporation. To celebrate this milestone, we will kick off a month-long celebration that includes recognizing our business community but specifically recognizing those businesses who were operating in 1976 and remain in business 45 years later!

Our local grocery store Save Money Market is a family-owned business that has been serving Superior for over 100 years. The Carnes family has operated the Superior Sun for decades, reporting both the good and bad news of our community, region and state.

Pamela Peck, who has been tending to Superiorites’ coifs, Los Hermanos Restaurant, which has been serving delicious Mexican fare to locals and visitors alike, and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which has drawn people from around the world all have been mainstays of Superior, each contributing to the quality of life and economic sustainability of our community.

As I prepare this article, we are still researching the business leaders of the past – those who were here even before we became an “official” town, so this very well could be a truncated list. These families have stood the test of time, maintaining their operations through economic booms and busts to provide valuable goods and services to our community. They have transitioned and pivoted, more times than most, and have kept the faith and stayed true to the people of Superior.

Many new businesses have moved into our community, helping to grow service and product offerings, all of which contribute to the character of our community and economic growth as well. New restaurants, personal and professional services, and retail are joining the ranks of business leaders. Through our Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, we are working with our existing and aspiring business owners and look forward to helping prepare and mentor even more business leaders for the future.

Mila Besich, Mayor, Town of Superior Whether new or long-established businesses, these leaders are responsible and involved in our community. Providing goods and services, maintaining their properties, promoting their businesses are essential to the lifeblood of any community, including Superior.

Without small business owners, who take risks each and every day, our small town would lack the charm and vibrancy that characterizes us today.

Let’s recognize all business owners — from home bakers to innovators, from real estate agents to hairdressers and everyone in-between. Small businesses keep our community thriving.

We salute leaders of all businesses in Superior!

Photo: Blushing Cactus Photography 26

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

FA L L 2021

Pinal County Press ARIZONA CIT Y | CASA GRANDE | COOLIDGE | ELOY | FLORENCE | MARICOPA

Pinal Partnership Has New Executive Director Pinal Partnership, the nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together Pinal County’s resources to

market the county and study major regional issues, has appointed Rina Rien as its new executive director.

A Realtor and marketing consultant, Rien led Main Street Casa Grande, an advocacy group promoting the city’s downtown, for seven years until 2019, helping to lead the development of Casa Grande Neon Park.

CONTINUED

She applied for Pinal Partnership’s top job after being involved as a member for several years and will succeed Melissa Daniels, who left for a position at the Arizona Association for Economic Development. Rien was announced as the new executive developer at the partnership’s June monthly event.

Continued on page 45…

YOUR LOCAL TITLE & ESCROW LEADERS.

Lucid … continued from page 14

to “test drive” everything from the 9.9-second quarter-mile time to all available color schemes.

Its non-dealership sales model allows customers to shop completely online, in-person or using some hybrid of the two to fulfill their needs.

Depending on the trim level, the price of the luxury sedans run from $69,000 to $131,500, when savings from federal tax credits and three years of free Electrify America charging are included. A per-

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

charge range of up to 517 miles is projected; the best in the industry.

The studio is open during mall hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. A service center for the vehicles is scheduled to open nearby before the end of 2021.

An hour’s drive away, Lucid — now a publicly traded company (LCID) — prepares to fulfill its first vehicle reservations as construction starts on Phase 2, which will add 2.4 million square feet and produce the highly anticipated Project Gravity SUV.

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GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 27

LEADERS

IN BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

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G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

FA L L 2021

W

elcome to Golden Corridor LIVING’s Leaders in Business and Community section where we highlight people who have helped Pinal County take its place as the heart of Arizona’s agricultural, industrial and cultural life.

People from throughout the county are making the lives of their neighbors more comfortable, more adventurous and more enjoyable through finding them new homes, new pets, new off-road vehicles and many more add-ons to their lifestyles.

These people and many others are taking our region in new and positive directions — including paths to leadership.

P G O L D E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 29

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

Steve Murray

Designated Broker/Owner, The Maricopa Real Estate Co.

I

n 2021 The Maricopa Real Estate Co. hit a major milestone in Pinal County as the agency surpassed a billion dollars in sales, cementing its status as the No. 1 brokerage in the region. Headed up by Steve Murray, the company has approximately 70 agents with 90% of the sales in the Maricopa area.

Murray and his two sons, Ryan and Brady, have led the way with major commercial and development deals around the city, working with investors and City Hall itself. Major recent transaction includes a 15-acre parcel, which was sold to the city for $6 million intended for mixed-use commercial.

“Steve and the The Maricopa Real Estate Co. are successful because Steve sets the bar and believes in both what we do as a company and as a part of the community,” Ryan says.

As Brady says “It’s not sacrificing when you love what you do. Steve loves the company, the agents, the community, and the business itself with all the people he meets and helps every day.”

“Real estate is the center of business activity in Maricopa,” says Murray, “In so many aspects, whether it is sales and acquisitions or with all of the home services that revolve around it, we work with local companies first because when it comes down to it, like us, they are the backbone of this community.”

Steve has sponsored such local events as the recent Scrabble Tournament and the Chihuahua Festival and Car Show.

21300 N. John Wayne Parkway No. 101 Maricopa, AZ 85139 602-359-5170 tmerco.com

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FA L L 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

Angel Raymond Attorney, A.A. Raymond Law Firm

A

ngel worked as a private criminal defense attorney in Mesa prior to starting her own firm in Maricopa over two years ago.

As a defense attorney, Angel fights hard for her clients and has successfully litigated felony jury trials. She passionately advocates on behalf of her clients and works hard to protect their constitutional rights.

In addition to her criminal defense work, Angel is an experienced estate planning attorney. She has a deep understanding of the intricacies of proper estate drafting and knows how to meet her client’s succession planning goals. Angel uses her knowledge of the law to draft wills and trusts which will protect you and your family for generations to come.

Leo Shishmanian

Attorney, A.A. Raymond Law Firm

L

eo has been practicing law since 1994 and has extensive experience in personal injury claims investigation, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. Leo presently represents persons who have been negligently injured in collisions involving automobiles, commercial vehicles and semi-trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, and on dangerous premises and construction sites.

Leo moved to Maricopa, AZ in 2019 and formally joined A. A. Raymond Law Firm as a Partner in 2021.

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 31

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

Eddie Mankel

co-owner Mankel Mechanical

E

ddie Mankel says leaders aren’t born, they’re made. He drove a tractor and truck at age 7 for Custom Farm Services; was a busboy/ dishwasher at the Chatterbox Restaurant; and at 12 during the summer of 1974, Eddie started working summers for Vern Hancock learning the plumbing trade.

Eddie worked underground at Hecla Mine as an oiler, then for various plumbing companies in the Phoenix area, then was owner of a sprinkler installation business. In 1999 he started Mankel Mechanical, a plumbing company specializing in new residential, commercial and industrial plumbing.

When Eddie started, Mankel Mechanical, Manny Lopez extended credit to the business based only on a handshake; the two have been business partners for 22 years. Four years ago, the business was expanded to include Two Brothers Plumbing.

Eddie taught his two sons — Vaughn and Shea — how to be plumbers and now relies on them to get the jobs done.

Kelly Herrington

Sales Manager/Realtor®, Coldwell Banker ROX Realty

K

elly Herrington is the sales manager and a topproducing Realtor with Coldwell Banker ROX Realty. Kelly manages an office of 25 Realtors. She also serves as the member engagement chairperson of WeSERV (West and Southeast Valley Association of Realtors). In 2019 & 2020 she was honored to be named the Pinal Realtor of the Year for WeSERV. Kelly is extremely active not only in her career, but also in volunteering in the community. She has helped cochair the Realtor Memorial Run for the past five years; all proceeds benefit the local Alliance Cancer Support Center. She has a marketing degree from the University of Arizona. Bear Down! Kelly has a supportive husband and two amazing children. When she’s not busy working or giving back to her community, she enjoys golfing, running and trying not to kill all the plants in her garden!

520.423.8250 | roxsells.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

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FA L L 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

J

ulia Romero-Gusse was born and raised in Southern California and served in the U.S. Air Force at the National Security Agency prior to moving to Arizona.

In 2005, Gusse and her family moved to Maricopa.

In 2008, she joined the city staff as a secretary for the planning and zoning department and administrative assistant for development services. Her experiences inspired her to run for city council. She served two terms.

Gusse focused on helping women and minority entrepreneurs, as well as veteran services. She has been a part of ZONTA, National League of Cities Women in Municipal Government board member, the Maricopa/ Ak-Chin STEAM Foundation Board and the Maricopa Hispanic Chamber.

Julia Romero Gusse Realtor, The Maricopa Real Estate Company

Other organizations include: • University of Arizona (M.A. class of 2010) Alumni Association • Veterans Upward Bound Alumni • Latino Family Initiative, board member • Former Commander, Maricopa American Legion Post No. 133 • Pinal Hispanic Leadership Institute Alumni • VetIT, founder and former board member

Photo: Victor Moreno

Ryan Wiles

Manager, Iron City

G

rowing up on a farm between Casa Grande and Maricopa, Ryan Wiles perfected a strong work ethic early in life. Moving off the farm and into his uncle’s company, Empire Glass, Wiles learned his initial business lessons replacing one windshield at a time.

Joining Arizona Production Machinery & Supply 15 years ago, Wiles took on the challenge of marketing Massey Ferguson compact and utility equipment with an enthusiastic understanding and ability.

With a new company spin off in 2010, he stepped into his leadership role for Iron City with the sales team in Polaris ATV and UTV sales. Following up his accomplishments in sales, Ryan was presented his biggest career challenge when he accepted the position of managing a new location for Iron City in his hometown of Casa Grande.

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 33

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

Rich Vitiello

General Manager, Kooline Plumbing; City of Maricopa Councilman

R

ich Vitiello says working for Kooline Plumbing-Heating & Air is one of the best working experiences he has ever had.

Careful to balance time between his Council, family and other duties, Vitiello also puts his money where his mouth is and is willing to gets in the trenches. Overall, Kooline’s owners, Mohammed and Farzana Nazeem, have seen the business increase by 35%.

Kooline’s high profile projects include: the new Maricopa Animal Hospital, the Apex racing facility, and Exceptional Healthcare Hospital, Maricopa’s first hospital.

Kooline currently employs 25 people and looks to continue its growth both commercially and in residential services.

Vitiello is running for re-election in 2022.

Photo: Victor Moreno

Vanessa McDill State Farm Agent

V

Photo: Victor Moreno 34

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

anessa McDill came with her family to Maricopa in 2005. When looking for a job, she responded to a listing at Lance Lane State Farm Insurance.

From receptionist to office manager to agent, Vanessa has worked for State Farm for 10 years.

Maricopa is “the right place to launch my business because I have established my community; the place where my children have roots; and my family has relationships that I wish to continue to cultivate both professionally and personally,” she says.

Her office will move to the new Sprout’s shopping center later this year. Vanessa says she is “excited to move into this new development that’s bringing new businesses to our community.”

Her goal as an agent is to “be the neighbor you can rely on.”

Vanessa enjoys being involved in the community and has donated to Blue Star Mothers, the Izzy Softball Tournament, The Boys and Girls Club, and donated senior portrait sessions to local graduates.

FA L L 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

Chris Cahall

Insurance Agent, American Family Insurance Agency

N

ew Jersey native Chris Cahall has been living in Maricopa with his wife Jocelyn and kids Elliott, Ethan and Emerson for the past 11 years. He opened his American Family Insurance Agency in 2011.

As an insurance agent, Chris provides policies for many local businesses and farms. The insurance agency also covers nonprofit organizations.

Chris recently has been active in Boy Scouts, the Maricopa Police Foundation and previously headed up the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce.

As a small business owner, Chris says one should give back to the community not only financially but also with an investment of time. Whether that is helping with fundraising organization or just cooking hamburgers to raise money, whatever it takes to contribute, Chris says he is always willing to step up.

Photo: Victor Moreno

Patricia Glover

CP/ACP, CLDP, CNSA, Founder/CEO, Glover Court Solutions & Estate Planning

P

atricia Glover of Maricopa has helped individuals and businesses navigate complex legal matters for more than 15 years.

Early in her career as a legal professional, Patricia recognized a need for low-cost legal services. As a licensed legal document preparer, she is authorized to prepare legal documents without the supervision of attorneys. This licensure gives Patricia the ability to empower individuals to take an active lead in their legal matters while reducing costs.

Patricia spends most of her free time surrounded by friends and family, participating in community events and supporting small businesses. In 2020, she and husband Christian founded C.P. Glover Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving natural families, assisting families through temporary crisis situations, and reuniting families who have been separated via adoption.

In 2021, Glover successfully helped pass a bill into law that will allows certain Arizona-born adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 35

SPECIAL FEATURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS

Crystal Armioia Valley Humane Society

C

rystal Armioia joined Valley Humane Society in 2016, and was named Shelter Manager in 2017. Since that time, Crystal has established innovative, cost-effective, and people-friendly initiatives, programs, and safeguards.

Crystal works tirelessly, hands-on with the animals (including bottle babies at home), writing grants, and implementing health and safety protocols. The best example of the Shelter’s growth and success during her tenure is the increase in both animal intakes and adoptions.

In 2016, VHS brought in 814 cats and dogs and adopted out 869; In 2020, those numbers were 1895 intakes and 1837 adoptions!

VHS is extremely lucky to have Crystal!

Jacqueline White Skin Diva Aesthetics Studio

J

acqueline, licensed aesthetician, is focused on treating, nourishing and healing the skin while making sure each guest is comfortable and relaxed.

Her motto “Pampering with a Purpose” rings true with every service she provides. Jacque believes in continuing education and certifications to keep up with the latest in her industry. By listening to her client’s concerns and using her 18 years of experience, Jacque is committed to helping her clients reach their skin care goals. Her objective is to help them achieve clear, radiant and glowing skin with long-lasting results! Skin Diva Aesthetics Studio is located in old town Casa Grande, AZ. 410 N. Marshall St. | CG 520.483.0818 | www.skindivaaesthetics.com

Tanya Powers

Honeycutt Coffee and Wine Bar

T

he owner of Honeycutt Coffee and Wine Bar has been hit with every kind of business challenge every start-up wants to avoid, namely major construction at the entrance of the shop followed by a global pandemic. Tanya has persevered from nearly being out of business to exploring expansion possibilities.

Honeycutt has now become “City Hall” away from City Hall, where business and city leaders meet up in a more casual setting. In the last year, Honeycutt was recognized as the Best Small Business by the Chamber of Commerce, Best Patio and Best Coffee Shop in Pinal County through Golden Corridor Living, and voted Creme De La Copa, Best Coffee Shop from the Maricopa Monitor.

Community minded, in August, Tanya gave free coffee all month to first responders as a “thank you.” With the return of winter visitors, Powers is setting up weekly events.

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FA L L 2021

2022 202 2

calendar calenda r The first ever Pinal NOW yearly calendar is coming this winter.

WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS!

If you would like to contribute images of area events, people, pets and scenery, please post on our Facebook page or email to: photos@roxco.com

BIZ Economy, Finance & Business

Tonya Thompson, Providing the Cool in Business Leadership

by John Stapleton, Contributing Editor

I

t is known as “the coolest place in town,” not just for the Thrifty’s icecream and the blocks of ice in the back of the store, but because there is so much cool all in one spot — not to mention, ownership and staff set a positive vibe as you enter.

If you are into nostalgia, Water and Ice Maricopa has old school candy from your childhood, and quite often there is novelty candy and treats you can’t buy elsewhere.

Owner Tonya Thompson opened the store in her hometown in August 2004.

Centrally located on John Wayne Parkway in Maricopa, the shop operates at a highly successful level. Also at another level is Thompson’s giving and relentless energy — an energy that is felt by the community through her daily social media posts as she is seen pushing herself at the gym or just appreciating life as it comes.

“Health is a big part of my life.

I think it’s important in helping to maintain a positive mindset as well helps with stamina in the long hours I work each day,” Thompson says.

In 2020, like many other businesses, Thompson had to modify operations for COVID-19.

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If you are into nostalgia, Water and Ice Maricopa has old school candy from your childhood, and quite often there is novelty candy and treats you can’t buy elsewhere.

Like a grocery store, Thompson had to deal with the panic buying.

In her case, it was for water. Once, everything “settled down a bit,” Thompson herself became ill from the virus, saying, “it was the sickest” she has been in her life.

She had to receive treatment in emergency care and she is still dealing with health-related issues.

“It’s been challenging and scary at times,” she says.

Whether local leader, working mom, homeschooling father, fellow business owner or teen, Thompson welcomes all equally.

“My staff and I always strived to treat everybody with respect and to welcome all into my store,” she says.

In addition to business and health

goals, Thompson’s main focus has always been on her daughter, Emilee. She also stays involved in local charities and donates water to the local athletic teams.

“There are so many keys to success that play a role, including hard work, never giving up, always evolving,” says Thompson. “Most importantly I am blessed by being surrounded by an amazing support system that includes family, friends, an incredible staff and my wonderfully loyal customers I love like family.”

Water and Ice Maricopa 20928 N. John Wayne Parkway Suite C7, Maricopa, AZ 85139

FA L L 2021

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1919 N Trekell Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 ©2021 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

KAREN HENSON

CITY SPEAK

City of Maricopa

Maricopa Growth Spurs CEDO Promotion to Serve Businesses, Developers

by City of Maricopa Communications Department

F

ormer Economic and Community Development Director Nathan Steele recently was promoted to Chief Economic Development Officer (CEDO) for the City of Maricopa, a transition due in large part to the city’s recent considerable growth.

As CEDO, Steele plays a critical role in guiding Maricopa’s economic development and communicating its vision.

As the face of the community, he works to attract new businesses and employers. One example — securing the commitment of a new surf resort development.

“They appreciated the faceto-face interactions, our desire to understand their needs and helping find the right piece of land and facilitating discussions with area utilities,” Steele says.

tremendous with working with the businesses within our development Sonoran Creek Marketplace.

“The City was instrumental with bringing Sprouts to Maricopa along with many of the other businesses to our development, including Mod Pizza and Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers. Maricopa is blessed with strong leadership that continues to forge ahead with a growth plan that involves the businesses and investors.”

Two new health care facilities were announced in the last year; Exceptional Healthcare expects to open by end of year.

A major component to Economic Development, Steele says, is showing employers that Maricopa has the needed workforce.

“Take health care for example,” he says. “There are over 1,800 Maricopa residents who work in the healthcare field, but about 1,300 have to drive over 30 minutes in their commute. When I share that

It’s about building relationships with potential businesses and developers.

“We’re doing something unique that not a lot of Arizona cities do,” Steele says. “Business leaders and developers are seeing this vision of what Maricopa is becoming; it’s contagious, and they want to come and be a part of it. My job is to make the sometimes-tricky process of finding land and securing entitlements as simple as possible. ”

5,181 SF

Steele and his team worked closely with Thompson Thrift Retail Group for the Sonoran Creek Marketplace. Vice-President of Development Andrew Call says, “The key to building a healthy and strong economy is supporting the local businesses, giving them the tools and assuring their success.

Maricopa has been absolutely

statistic to health care professionals, they get excited because they know there is already an educated and experienced workforce in the community. I share similar statistics related to nearly every industry.”

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Sonoran Creek Marketplace site plan courtesy of Thompson Thrift 40

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

FA L L 2021

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Pinal County Press ARIZONA CIT Y | CASA GRANDE | COOLIDGE | ELOY | FLORENCE | MARICOPA

CONTINUED

Pinal Farmers Hit as Water Shortage Declared A long-expected and feared water shortage has been declared in the Lower Colorado River Basin, with Pinal County farmers taking the brunt of the first of what could be several cutbacks to Arizona’s water supply.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its annual operations plan for Lake Mead on Aug. 16. It included a first-ever Tier 1 shortage declaration caused by shrinking supplies due to a 20-year drought, likely exacerbated by climate change.

Arizona will get about 18% less of its normal acre-feet in deliveries next year from the Colorado River, with about 320,000 acre-feet of that coming from Pinal County agricultural users’ previous allocation from the Central Arizona Project.

Under the provisions of Arizona’s portion of the seven-state Drought

Attesa … continued from page 14

summer events, taking advantage of a 120-decibel sound allowance. We’re going to make our members glad they joined every day.”

The ultimate buildout plans for Attesa, located on Bianco Road a half-mile south of Interstate 8, call for a master-planned community with a public racetrack for professional

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Contingency Plan, in 2022 Pinal agriculture will get about 105,000 acre-feet of “mitigation” water from higher-priority users of river water. The county’s irrigation districts took junior CAP priority in 2004 in return for steep discounts on the water.

By 2023 the farmers were expected to rely on wells to pump up to 70,000 acrefeet from the same groundwater tables the county’s residents, businesses and industries rely on, but applications for federal grant money to help pay for digging more wells have been stalled by bureaucracy.

“They’re not quite sure what they’re going to do yet, and that’s just because the solutions we have in front of us here are

races, promoting renewable resources and sustainability. Residences and RV spaces are envisioned next to industrial parks for vehicle design and light manufacturing, as well as retail and restaurants, entertainment venues and an airpark.

For now, though, Attesa is committed to building out its private track for a specific market.

“Unlike all other membership

more long-term solutions and they aren’t as cut and dried as they would appear, said Chelsea McGuire, government relations director for the Arizona Farm Bureau and member of a Pinal County farming family.

For the near term, she said, agricultural users are preparing to not plant up to 35% of their land next year as well as try to ramp up their already-high water efficiency, both costly prospects.

Agriculture remains a crucial driver of Pinal County’s economy at about a $4 billion annual economic impact, and is in the top 2% in the U.S. for total value of agricultural sales, according to a University of Arizona study.

Continued on page 63…

tracks in Arizona, we have permanent zoning to protect our members’ investment,” Erickson said. “We’re not going to build and add things members don’t want or care about, either. We understand most members will have no aspirations to turn pro, they just want to go fast with their favorite toys in a secure, controlled environment with other like-minded enthusiasts. That’s us.”

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Pinal County Press ARIZONA CIT Y | CASA GRANDE | COOLIDGE | ELOY | FLORENCE | MARICOPA

CONTINUED

County Resident Tests Positive for West Nile This summer’s monsoon rains have created ample breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and Pinal County’s first confirmed human case of West Nile virus this summer was reported Aug. 24. The person is a Pinal County resident, but no further patient information was released.

The Pinal County Public Health District began finding mosquito samples that tested positive for the virus in midJuly, but specific locations have not been identified to avoid “promoting fear in some folks and complacency in others — the message is prevention across the board,” county spokesman James Daniels said.

Most people who are infected, usually through a mosquito bite, do not get sick, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Another 20% report fever, headaches or other pain, rash, vomiting or diarrhea or other milder symptoms, then recover.

About 1 in 150 patients, or 0.67%, develop nervous system disorders like meningitis or encephalitis, and approximately 10% of these victims could die. Symptoms of severe West Nile illness can include high fever, stiffness in the neck, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

The risk is greater for those over age 60 and those with chronic diseases or the immunocompromised.

Pinal Partnership … continued from page 27

In a press release, she said: “Pinal County is on the cusp of amazing economic growth and demographic change as we become a destination for new technologies and manufacturing within Arizona. Pinal Partnership’s leadership has played a major role in

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

Chris Reimus, assistant director of the county’s Environmental Health Division, said, “People are used to avoiding sunburns and wearing sunscreen; the same principles apply to mosquitoes.”

His advice includes: • Keep swimming pools operational. If you must keep one out of use, make sure you remove standing water, keep it chlorinated or run the filter daily.

• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Check for items outside the home that collect water and get rid of them. Repair leaky

recent economic development wins and has a strategic vision for the future.”

Pinal Partnership was formed in 2005 as a nonprofit with a mission to improve research, planning and coordination of private and public efforts related to infrastructure, natural resources and community development.

pipes and outside faucets and move air conditioner drain hoses frequently.

• Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters, troughs and animal watering pans at least twice a week. Be sure to scrub them out when changing water.

• Take extra care to use insect repellent and protective clothing outside. When outdoors, use an EPA-registered and CDC-approved insect repellent.

• Keep well-fitting screens on both windows and doors.

For information on mosquito prevention or to file a mosquito-related complaint, visit pinal.gov/ehs or call 866-287-0209.

Tony Smith, who took over as president and CEO of Pinal Partnership in March, said, “Rina has a firm knowledge of Pinal County and has the skills and experience to do the job.

According to several of our executive board members, she is the one candidate that stood out from all the others.”

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 45

YOU Health, Happiness & Education

Out & About

Exciting events and striking scenery in the Golden Corridor area!

Submit your photos to our Facebook page or email to: photos@roxco.com

ApacheJunction Photo: Blushing Cactus Photography

Photo: Lilly Reyes

Oracle Photo: Blushing Cactus Photography 46

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

Calvinicus Augustus Photo: Daniel Orlando

FA L L 2021

Eloy Photo: Ronnie-Rodriguez

Florence Photo: Blushing Cactus Photography

Goldfield Ghost Town Apache Junction Photo: Shannon Price

Picacho Peak Photo: Lilly Reyes

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

Fossil Springs Trail Photo: Lilly Reyes GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 47

YOU Health, Happiness & Education

Can We Pay back Sleep Debt?

by Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie, Certified Physical Trainer, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT

W

e are all guilty. Staying up late binge watching our favorite movies when we should be sleeping. The new term being thrown around is sleep procrastination.

What we are all doing is building up sleep debt — the difference between the amount of sleep we need and the amount we actually get. One hour here and there may not seem like a big deal, but sleep debt is cumulative and can become dangerous.

Sleep is — after healthy diet and regular exercise — the third pillar of health. When we accumulate sleep debt, we risk health consequences.

I am going concentrate on the physical symptoms of sleep deprivation. Physical problems related to poor sleep include fatigue, physical stress, immune 48

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

system dysfunction, worsened vision, weight gain, advanced aging, and the big one — systemic inflammation.

This one leads to such major health problems as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, Americans need about 7.1 hours of sleep per night to feel good, but 73% of us just can’t seem to do it. Between our social lives, our social media lives, our electronics, and working late from home, we find excuses to stay awake a little later than we should.

If you are feeling like you may be in sleep debt, here are a few tips that may help: • Go to sleep 15 minutes earlier each night until you reach your bedtime.

• • • • • • • •

Don’t sleep later than two hours past normal wake up time, even on weekends.

Keep electronics in a separate room.

Stop using electronics two hours before bedtime.

Make sure your bedroom is dark and cool enough.

Avoid caffeine late at night.

Exercise no later than three hours before going bed.

Avoid naps outside of 20-minute power naps.

If pets are an issue, keep the pets off of the bed at night.

The good news is that getting enough sleep can reverse sleep debt. It’s never too late to adopt a healthy sleep routine.

FA L L 2021

Need Sleep?

Don’t Touch These Before Bed

S

leep seems to get more important to our health every time somebody decides to study its benefits. It’s enough to make you lose sleep over trying to get enough sleep.

But there’s one easy way to improve your sleep quality — avoid foods known to interfere with sleep when consumed too close to bedtime. The right cutoff time varies between foods and people, but all of these should be avoided for a minimum of two to three hours before you plan to go to sleep.

Large amounts of anything

Big meals naturally take longer for your body to process than smaller ones. Shifting more of your calories to lunch could be a big help with getting to sleep.

Heavy, fried or greasy foods

Your body will be digesting these well into the night if you eat them too close to bedtime, raising the odds of indigestion and other issues that disturb your sleep.

Alcohol

Acidic Foods

It’s almost as famous for disrupting sleep as it is for inducing it. It may seem to help initially but messes with our sleep cycles later on and reduces overall REM sleep.

Lowering your stomach’s overall production of acid cuts down on acid reflux and related issues. This is a big group including alcohol, soda and carbonated drinks, grains, sugary foods and some dairy and meat products.

Caffeine

This is the big one, a stimulant that nobody expects to aid with sleep (and it doesn’t). Remember that it can show up in unexpected sources like desserts, non-cola sodas, pain medications, weightloss pills, and it’s been added to some of the foods you’d least suspect — oatmeal, sunflower seeds.

Carbonated Beverages

Even without caffeine, these can cause indigestion that will keep you up and have the same effect on your bladder or any other drink, when consumed to excess.

There’s one easy way to improve your sleep quality — avoid foods known to interfere with sleep when consumed too close to bedtime.

High water-content foods

Watermelon, cucumber and others in this category can be sneakier than water itself because we’re less aware of their ability to fill our bladders and wake us up in the middle of the night.

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 49

YOU Health, Happiness & Education

Lead by Example

by Donna McBride, Councilwoman, City of Casa Grande; Program Administrator, Pinal County Juvenile Court

L

eadership. It seems to be a topic that everyone has an opinion about.

I was honored recently to be named Supervisor of the Year for Pinal County Juvenile Court.

My nomination was sent on to the Arizona Supreme Court, and I received the state title as well.

Amazing. Humbling. But why me?

To be nominated by my staff and my department is an honor I will always treasure. Honestly, I don’t feel I did anything special. I just treat people the way I want to be treated. It got me to thinking about what I’ve learned from good, and bad, leadership.

My foundation for leadership is simple: Communication, commitment and confidence.

Those who invest time and energy into delivering clear lines of communication will rapidly build trust among their team, leading to better productivity and morale.

Supervisors committed to their work mean they are committed to their staff. Their team is more likely to be happy and productive. They take ownership of their own work and are ambassadors for their organization.

Self-confidence doesn’t mean a leader is conceited. It means they trust themselves. They have a sense of control, knowing their own strengths and weakness.

Good leaders have to set realistic expectations and goals, communicate assertively, and can handle criticism.

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What about those who portray poor leadership? Over the years I have watched and quite frankly, those with poor leadership qualities have taught me how “not to lead.”

People want to work with a leader they feel understands them; one who listens. If someone makes a mistake, a leader should have an open mind to see what happened from the employee’s perspective.

Poor leaders often rush to judge, which results in high turnover and low productivity.

People cannot be treated with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Poor leadership often focus on weaknesses without looking at strengths. A leader should be ready to learn how to best mentor and communicate with each person.

Whether leading an organization, business or civic group, one must lead by example. I never expect someone to do what I am not willing to do myself.

I have high expectations of my team. I don’t expect them to follow me, I expect them to walk beside me.

Leaders Inspire Through

• Communication • Commitment • Confidence

FA L L 2021

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YOU Health, Happiness & Education

Trauma-Informed Leadership in Business Helps Clients, Staff

In our community, we have found that some of the most successful business leaders have adopted and practice a trauma-informed approach.

by Margo Willis, Family Engagement Specialist VISTA, Casa Grande Alliance

B

usiness leaders wear many hats and possess many skills. At the end of the day, leadership in business is about building safe, supportive and trusting relationships.

In our community, we have found that some of the most successful business leaders have adopted and practice a trauma-informed approach. Trauma is defined as the result of an event or series of events experienced by an individual as harmful or life threatening. Trauma can have a lasting adverse impact on an individual’s mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual well-being.

While the words “trauma-informed leadership” may sound lofty and unattainable, a simple definition from the USC Price School of Public Policy suggests: “Trauma Informed Leadership is a way of understating or appreciating that there is an emotional world of experiences rumbling around beneath the surface for most individuals.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, trauma-informed leaders realize the widespread impact of trauma, recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients and staff, respond by fully and thoughtfully integrating knowledge and appreciation about trauma into business policies and practices. They seek to actively resist retraumatizing those being served.

Lacey Morse, Career Development Specialist at Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona in Casa Grande, practices trauma-informed leadership with diligence. Luckily for us, Lacey has shared a few of her best-practices.

1. Recognize that many of those we serve can have significant trauma in their past that can be easily triggered by stressful interactions and experiences.

2. Endeavor to create a warm, inviting, supportive and safe environment.

3. Provide clear, complete communication, checking frequently for understanding and for questions.

4. Maintain a positive, friendly attitude at all times.

5. Involve others in making decisions. Think inclusively about those most impacted by the decisions being made.

6. Gently invite people to share their thoughts, feelings and needs.

7. Shut the office door when it is necessary to sit down one-on-one with upset clients.

8. Practice empathy. Remember the people we encounter can be fighting tough, daily personal battles.

9. Practice self-regulation: Eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep, relax and most importantly spend time planning and reflecting on each day.

For community presentations or staff training on overcoming adversity, adverse childhood experiences, using the protective factors as a helpful framework, and/or on building resilience, please call the Casa Grande Alliance at 520-836-5022 or stop by the office at 280 W. McMurray Blvd.

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FA L L 2021

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GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 53

YOU Health, Happiness & Education

CAC Offers Free Tuition for Pinal County Residents

by Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing

C

entral Arizona College is offering Pinal County residents free in-state tuition for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters.

Although classes began for fall Aug. 23, there are select late start courses still available. Enrollment is currently taking place for spring 2022; classes begin Jan. 18.

“CAC has the opportunity this year, financially, to provide free tuition for our county residents. Due to COVID, many students faced various

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challenges this past year. This is an opportunity for us to re-engage Pinal County residents and jump-start a college career for others,” Jenni Cardenas, Vice President Student Services, says.

The number of credits is not limited.

However, students are encouraged to meet with an academic adviser to determine the appropriate classes and course load. In person and virtual advising appointments are available.

Contact centralaz.edu/advising

to schedule an appointment. The college also has virtual walk-in appointments, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Students can access a virtual walk-in advising session from the advising webpage.

All scholarships and financial aid will be credited to the students account first and any remaining tuition balance will be covered by the free tuition offer.

FA L L 2021

YOU Health, Happiness & Education

Offering Affordable Cost for your Legal Needs

by Patricia Glover, Certified Paralegal, Certified Legal Document Preparer, Glover Court Solutions & Estate Planning

Q

uality legal services are difficult to come by, especially for people with limited financial means. Glover Court Solutions & Estate Planning (GCSEP) is a new kind of law practice: non-attorney.

Unlike attorneys, GCSEP is able to use its own in-house process servers and investigators for most things. Unlike paralegals, GCSEP is a licensed legal document preparer entity regulated by the Arizona Supreme Court to prepare legal documents without the supervision of attorneys.

GCSEP believes individuals and businesses should be empowered to take an active lead in their

legal matters. A recent study found that 75% of all Arizona court cases involve at least one selfrepresented person.

GCSEP can help you navigate the court system, prepare a probateavoidance (asset protection) estate plan, or start a new business at a fraction of the cost you would pay an attorney. GCSEP cannot, however, provide legal advice or represent you in a courtroom.

Documentation preparation services include: estate planning, real estate transfers, business formation (or 501(c)(3) nonprofit formation), bankruptcy, family law assistance, probate court assistance, legal document

preparation, process server and mobile notary services.

Contact us for a free estate or case evaluation at glovercourtsolutions. com, contact@glovercourtsolutions. com or 520-450-1715.

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YOU Health, Happiness & Education

ASU Offers Residents Leadership Degrees through CAC

by Blake Herzog

ASU@Pinal is Arizona State University’s first foray into offering four-year degrees through Central Arizona College, the county’s community college system. Since its start in the fall of 2018, it’s been offering three undergraduate degree programs: Applied Science (Applied Leadership), Organizational Leadership and Organizational Leadership (project management).

Annique Petit, senior director of Trusted Learner and community college partnerships at ASU, says there are currently two students enrolled in the organizational leadership program through ASU@Pinal at a reduced tuition rate, which is available to students currently taking classes or have earned credits from CAC. For now, all classes are virtual, but as enrollment grows students will have the opportunity to take hybrid classes with in-person Saturday classes at CAC’s Casa Grande Center, earning an ASU degree without having to leave Pinal County.

All three degrees are offered through the College of Integrated Science and Arts and teach students how to communicate effectively, solve problems, resolve conflict, assess program effectiveness and use other leadership skills. They are designed for different work or educational settings.

Organizational leadership prepares students to take on primary roles in a variety of settings including health care administration, government, nonprofits and the service industry, says Gerry West, coordinator for the ASU@Pinal programs. This program includes courses on communication with diverse groups, organizational ethics, use of emerging technology and leading innovation within organizations.

The organizational leadership degree with the project management emphasis differs with its focus on processes and schedules, along with communication, problem solving and related skills, “Students also acquire the skills necessary to manage 56

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

complex projects: project leadership, project quality management, project risk management, project schedule management, project cost management and project resource management,” West says.

The Applied Leadership program has similar coursework but is intended for students who focused on an applied science field during their community college years. This covers a wide variety of fields including culinary arts, agriculture, early childhood education, justice studies, nursing, paramedicine and software development.

“It provides a valuable degree pathway for students with associate in applied science degrees in fields such as fire science, environmental technology, machine shop technology and welding technology,” West says.

All of these degrees are highly marketable in today’s workplace, he adds: “These are highly attractive degrees because of the broad scope of leadership skills students are given. Employers from several sectors love how our students are prepared to be leaders in a variety of areas from education to health care to the service sector (policing, EMT, fire) and corporate. Employers have expressed an interest in our org leadership and applied leadership students.”

For more information on the ASU@Pinal degree programs visit admission.asu.edu/transfer/pinal or contact West at gerald.l.west@asu.edu.

FA L L 2021

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GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 57

YOU Pets

Facing Overwhelming Numbers, We Continue to Care for your Pets

by Gigi McWhirter

T

hose of us in the animal care field able to stay open during the pandemic quarantines did so by offering things like curbside service, mandatory masks and limiting the number of humans into our buildings.

A lot of us also had to do things like stop or limit walk-ins or refer patients in need of immediate care to urgent care or emergency hospitals. None of which, we enjoy doing.

Here is an interesting math lesson about vet medicine in our area. On a good Monday through Friday — between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. — there are potentially 12 doctors seeing patients. On Saturdays and Sundays there is only one practice open with one veterinarian seeing patients.

Now, assume that the population of Casa Grande (which at last unofficial count) was 70,000 people.

Then assume there is one cat or dog per human (knowing some people have none and some people 58

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

have several) and divide that by 12. Now throw into the equation the population of the surrounding areas of Maricopa, Coolidge, Florence, Sells, Sacaton and Eloy and every pet owner between … well you get the drift.

Did I mention farm animals and horses? Well, there simply are not enough vets to go around. Not to mention qualified support staff.

Attracting doctors to our area — whether for animals or humans — is extremely difficult.

So do us all a huge favor: When you do get an appointment, and for whatever reason cannot keep, please call and let the office know. By doing so, you allow the team to schedule another animal in your place.

When you call the office, please speak clearly and do not be offended when the person cannot find your pet’s name because you offered a creative way of spelling it or because you

may have registered your name under one of several surnames.

Sometimes clients can be looked up by telephone number, but not all numbers show up on the caller ID or, you have changed your number and didn’t tell the office.

Don’t freak out if the office is running behind. Especially if you were offered a walk-in slot.

Vet emergency centers have been known to have eight-hour wait times because they are overwhelmed with clients who cannot be seen by their local vet.

Finally, from our friends at Animal Control — when you see an officer trying to catch an animal, back off and let them do their job. If they need or want your help, they will ask. Frightened animals often run and or bite. Also, keep your contact information current so you can be reached either through the microchip or license registries.

Happy Tails to You! FA L L 2021

Elusive Badgers are Digging Around Us

by Loren and Melissa Shelton, Critter-Photography Team

A

re there badgers in your backyard? Maybe?

Close enough, probably, if you live on the outskirts of town.

Most Arizonans have probably never seen one, and many don’t realize there are badgers in Arizona, let alone Pinal County.

As a young man I grew up with my dad who was an avid outdoorsman, and I had the opportunity to see many. The American badger is an elusive, nocturnal animal in the weasel family, and unless you’re out looking, chances are you’ll never encounter one.

My wife and I explore the desert nightly in our Side

by Side, and we get to see things a lot of folks don’t, including raccoons that also live here and are able to spread out thanks to the canal systems we have.

I hadn’t seen a badger in 20 years until my wife and I recently were out and came across two badgers hanging out in the entrance to a hole they were digging. They seemed quite unperturbed by our presence. I got some great video I shared on my Facebook page. It was a lot of fun to see them within a mile of our home.

Amazingly enough, we have had several encounters in the last few weeks. They burrow for dens and to hunt rodents, and we had friends recently post their encounter watching a couple badgers digging alongside a main road while they watched.

You can find badgers anywhere they can dig, and they certainly have lots of areas to dig in Pinal County.

They require open spaces and usually mind their own business, shuffling away if you see one. But, they will stand their ground if approached so if you’re out walking with your dogs and are fortunate enough to see one, enjoy it from a distance.

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According to latest data there is a badger for every square mile of habitable area. They eat rodents, snakes, birds and even burrowing owls.

Sure seems like all this rain has got animals moving and has made for some good digging opportunities for the badgers. Not sure why the sudden proliferation of sightings in our area, but we sure are enjoying them.

Keep your eyes open, and you may enjoy one of these encounters

Photo: Jamie Brashier

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The

INTERVIEW

Continued from page 19

I think my bucket is pretty well full and running down the side.

penalty points, going between those gates. They’re just two separate things. We're still flying in an airplane, but other than that it's completely different.

GC LIVING: How did you get into air racing?

Kirby Chambliss Edge 1993

GC LIVING: OK. Is that when you built the house and runway out

by Silver Bell Estates, west of Picacho Peak?

Kirby Chambliss: No, I lived in Tempe first, we didn't do that until 2000. I bought the land about five years before that. I purchased the land, then we finally got up enough money for a down payment and were able to start building the house.

And I think it was in '99, 2000, somewhere in there.

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GC LIVING: What’s the difference between the aerobatic shows that you do and the air racing?

Kirby Chambliss: Completely different. The airshows are for display, and I always say, "The airplane is my paint brush and the canvas is the sky, and I paint that beautiful picture." People will walk away and go, "I've never seen an airplane go end over end and do all that." While racing against the clock It's all about who's the fastest, and not incurring any

Kirby Chambliss: I was on the US Aerobatic Team from 1997 till 2005, I competed against a bunch of different countries, and a guy that was on the Hungarian team, Peter Besenyei, his sponsor was Red Bull, which I didn't know that much about, this was in 2003. Right after the world championships, I got a call from Peter and he said, "Hey, we're going to do this thing. We're going to call it the 'Red Bull Air Race'. You fly between these gates to see who can race the fastest, with the least number of penalties."

It sounded cool, but I wasn’t going to do it because two days later I had to start performing at Oshkosh, which is the biggest air show in the world. What I didn't know at the time is the selection criteria meant you had to be number one through 15 in the world aerobatic standings, so that made it to where I was the only American who could go. And if I went, it was going to be an international competition, or race, instead of a European race. They wanted to bill it as international, so every time they called me, they offered me more money and finally I was like, "OK, I guess I'm going to be jet lagged at Oshkosh."

FA L L 2021

I went and did it, and I was like, "Wow, this is the coolest thing ever, this is super fun."

It had a lot of the things I like; especially back then. It had racing, I love speed. It had a lot of low-level stuff, and I mean, you're always just a few feet above the ground. It was like a really good fit. I didn't even get a chance to practice but twice, and I ended up finishing third.

And everybody else had been practicing all week. So I really liked it.

Then Red Bull said, "Hey, with all your accomplishments..." I’d won the nationals several times by then, I've won five times now. Red Bull said, "We want you to help us bring it to the U.S." And that's how my whole thing got started.

GC LIVING: So now you have your own team, correct?

Kirby Chambliss: Yes, I did for many years. So they stopped the racing, the last one was September of 2019 in Japan. Red Bull's done with it, but a different company is going to start it up; I believe next year. I still do the display side and air show side for Red Bull. I'm still sponsored

by Red Bull North America.

GC LIVING: What is on your bucket list, flyingwise?

Kirby Chambliss: I think my bucket is pretty well full and running down the side. There's been a couple of projects that I would like to do that they've been kind of quiet about, I can't really put it out there, because I want to be the first to do it. But other than that, I enjoy display flying. I love skydiving, I still do that. I really like jumping out of airplanes, that's fun.

GC LIVING: Do you do any formation work, or just the jumps?

Kirby Chambliss: I usually jump with my buddy. You get people out there who are pretty serious about it. I'm not as serious. If I walk off the grass at the end of the jump, it was awesome. It doesn't matter how many times I grabbed somebody's hand, or docked or whatever. I'm just there for fun. And I've already taken something that was fun and made it a lot of work, so for me, it's all about fun.

GC LIVING: So with your flying, have you had any really scary moments in life?

Kirby Chambliss: I've got probably, I'm just guessing, somewhere around 30,000 or 35,000 hours.

Continued on page 96

Kirby Chambliss Red Bull Racing

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Pinal County Press ARIZONA CIT Y | CASA GRANDE | COOLIDGE | ELOY | FLORENCE | MARICOPA

CONTINUED

San Tan Library Opens its Doors Pinal County opened its first new library in more than 20 years on Aug. 10.

The San Tan Library is located within the county’s new District 2 complex on Bella Vista Road, just east of the Central Arizona College campus. It’s at the heart of the 100,000-resident region.

In the past, residents had to travel north to Queen Creek and pay a fee to use that library or south to the Florence Community Library.

Now, residents have 13,000 brand new books and 7,000 other items, ready

Water … continued from page 44

Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland said that’s where City residents will see the most immediate effects of the declared water shortage as they reverberate from the farms to other industries that depend on them.

“We have four plants that use dairy, even Abbott uses a lot of milk, and they’re one of our biggest employers.

All those businesses would be affected if we can’t get the same amount of milk, because they can’t grow the corn and the alfalfa to feed the cows. It’s a whole chain reaction,” he said.

The City’s water supply isn’t directly affected by the Colorado River shortage,

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

for checkout in their neighborhood — and they won’t even have to worry about late fees.

District 2 Supervisor Mike Goodman said, “Expanding our public library services into San Tan Valley has been in the works for some time. We are excited for this new chapter and consider it a solid stepping stone in the right direction by providing more services and amenities to the area. We look forward to seeing the community come together and utilize the space as a place of gathering and growth!”

but still must be managed as the drought conditions are expected to continue while the population grows.

Permits for most new groundwater users in the county are still on pause at the Arizona Department of Water Resources, though much undeveloped land is already permitted.

McFarland said he remains optimistic about the future: “We have some time, not a lot of time, and we’re working on some projects.”

McGuire said agricultural users are looking at longer-term changes along with getting more access to groundwater, which is unlikely to make up for everything they’ve lost. They’re asking,

There was a crowd waiting on opening day to get into the library, which has books, audiobooks, digital media and even board games available for all ages. Programming will be targeted for every age group. Other services include interlibrary loans, public computers with internet and printer access, a wireless network, public fax/ copier and full-text databases.

Erik Surber is managing the library and said he and his staff are eager to serve the residents of San Tan Valley: “I’m drawn to San Tan Valley because it is energized, youthful and growing so quickly. We strive to be worthy of such a wonderful and vibrant community.”

Library hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 9 a.m.

Friday and Saturday. The library is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information visit pinalcountyaz.gov/ Departments/Library/Locations/Pages/ SanTan.aspx or call 520-866-8035.

“Can we change some things about what we’re growing and where we’re growing and still make it work for our business, but make it work in this new reality?

Those are bigger and very individualized discussions that our farm families are having right now.”

Many of them started at least as far back as 2018 while the Drought Contingency Plan was being hashed out, she added. Federal officials have been projecting the shortage declaration since April, but the mood did shift for farmers once it was locked into place.

“I would say the biggest change in the mood is now they feel like everyone else is paying attention, too,” McGuire said.

GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 63

Home & Garden

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YOU Home & Garden

Magnify Your Home’s Natural Light

by Blake Herzog

G

etting more natural light into a home that doesn’t have much may not sound like an easy or affordable project to take on, but plenty of design tricks have been invented to maximize the brightness of the rays that do make it in.

Putting a few of them together will create a much brighter feel throughout your space, improve everyone’s mood and reduce energy costs from lighting, all without carving out new windows or skylights. And remember, natural light doesn’t necessarily add natural heat, especially if you’re not adding windows.

Here are some of the most effective changes you can make to your décor or surroundings: •

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Point your furniture that way — If you have only a small window to work with, try angling all furnishings toward it to concentrate all of the activity and energy into its path.

This will work much better if you have pale sofas, chairs or whatever else to work with, but tossing a few pillows and blankets on dark pieces can help out considerably.

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YOU Home & Garden •

A new coat of paint — If you have the time and money for the endeavor, consider a different color or type of paint to reflect the sun, at least in rooms that really don’t get much natural light. Lighter, cooler shades of white or off-white or pale pastels work best here, while anything darker will start to absorb the sunlight. And remember, flat finishes won’t do much to elevate the room’s sunniness, so find the color you want in satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss to get some shine! You also can think about painting the exterior eaves angled toward your windows white to reflect more light in.

•

Decorate with light touch — Whichever color paint and furniture you have, the wall art, pillows, throws, rugs and knickknacks you display will play a part in the overall brightness of a room or home.

Sweep out moody night scenes, heavy wooden carvings and navy rugs if you can, no matter how stylish they are or were. Try to replace then with objects with shiny surfaces, and the old mirror trick does work as long as the mirror is angled to bounce light into the darkest part of the room.

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•

Lighten window treatments — Dark curtains continue to block and absorb light even if they’re opened up every morning. It’s easier in the end to replace them with gauzy curtains, white shutters or blinds that can be opened wide every morning.

Pull-down window shades provide privacy when needed, and shades made from natural materials like bamboo and rattan let some light through even when closed without trapping heat. Solar shades can block heat and harmful UV rays while continuing to let light through.

•

Keep them clean — Don’t forget to clean the exterior-facing side of your windows regularly.

They’re exposed to as much dust, soot, rain, snow and other elements as the rest of your exterior so just wiping down the insides isn’t going to do too much. It can take extra effort or some professional help (especially if you have a second floor), but its brightening effect is worth the effort!

FA L L 2021

2021 USPA NATIONAL

CHAMPIONSHIPS WHAT:

A skydiving competition that will determine the nation’s best skydivers and select the teams that will compete at the world level in 2022.

HOW:

Skydivers and official judges will be travelling to Eloy from around the country for this competition.

*Beginning at 8am each day and going until sunset if the weather allows.

Where: Skydive Arizona - 4900 N Taylor St. Eloy, AZ 85131 Spectators Welcome

About the USPA The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is a voluntary non-profit membership organization of individuals who enjoy and support the sport of skydiving. The association is incorporated in New York and follows the by-laws contained in the USPA Governance Manual.

USPA’s mission is three-fold: • to promote safe skydiving through training, licensing and instructor qualification programs • to ensure skydiving’s rightful place on airports and in the airspace system • to promote competition and record-setting programs USPA began in 1946 in Mineola, New York, as the National Parachute Jumpers-Riggers, Incorporated, representing an estimated 100 members. It was renamed the Parachute Club of America in 1957 and renamed itself again to the United States Parachute Association in 1967.

In July 2016, USPA celebrated its 70th anniversary.

In May 2006, in conjunction with its 60th anniversary, USPA moved into its new headquarters in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where it continues to reside.

2021 USPA National Championships Schedule of Events 4-Way Formation Skydiving: October 25 - 28 ................ Pg 4 8-Way Formation Skydiving: October 25 - 28 ............... Pg 4 10- Way Formation Skydiving: October 28 - 30 ............ Pg 5 16- Way Formation Skydiving: October 28 - 30 ............ Pg 5

Accuracy Landing: October 28 - 29................................. Pg 6 Speed Skydiving: October 28 - 29 ................................. Pg 7

Canopy Piloting: October 17 - 21 ............................... Pg 10

Wingsuit Skydiving: October 26 - 29 .......................... Pg 11 Mixed Formation Skydiving: October 22 - 24 ............. Pg 12 Vertical Formation Skydiving: October 22 - 24............ Pg 12

Canopy Formation: October 26 - 30............................ Pg 13 Artistic Events: October 28 - 30 .................................. Pg 14

(520) 466-3753 4900 N Taylor St., Eloy, AZ 85131

www.skydiveaz.com

Produced & Published in conjunction with ROX Media, LLC

844.729.9769 | roxmediagroup.net Elaine Earle, Publisher | 520.426.2074 | cfo@roxco.com 2

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Located at Skydive Arizona in Eloy! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

*Full Bar*Pool Tables*CornHole Boards*Darts*Big Screen TVs* (520)466-9268 ORDERS FOR PICKUP Mondays: (5pm-9pm)

$6 wings and 22oz draft beers for pint prices!

Tuesdays: (5pm-9pm)

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ELOY, ARIZONA

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$5 slider plates and $4 Bloody Marys

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SK Y DIVE ARIZONA

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SK Y DIVE ARIZONA 15

Why use a Realtor when buying a new home?

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FA L L 2021

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GOLDEN COR R IDOR LIV I NG 85

YOU Home & Garden

As Home Value Rises, So Does Coverage Complexity The more your home is worth, the trickier it is to make sure it and all of its contents are covered properly and that you are not paying too much premium.

If you have a high-value estate you will need specialized insurance to cover your property, assets and liability risks. You may need multiple policies for full coverage.

Coverage High-value home insurance has broader coverage and higher limits than normal homeowner’s insurance policies.

It is designed for homes worth millions of dollars, typically containing state-of-the-art media equipment and technology, costly appointments and furnishings, extensive collections of art and items of great value.

Coverage options High-value home insurance companies will often work with you to tailor your policy to your needs.

You can add certain coverages not normally available on a typical homeowner’s policy, such as: 86

G OL D E N COR R I DO R LIVIN G

• Better dwelling coverage: These policies will reimburse for home repairs above the listed amount.

This is crucial if you have a home with hard to find or imported materials. Some policies include an option to cash out if the home is destroyed. In those cases the insurer would make a payment, allowing the policyholder to rebuild somewhere else.

• Better contents coverage: Some polices have high jewelry coverage of up to $150,000 and special coverage for antiques, art and collectibles if they are broken or damaged.

• Replacement cost: High-value coverage will usually include replacement cost coverage, which reimburses you for new items to replace damaged ones.

• Flood insurance: High-value homeowner’s policy can often include flood insurance, as well as coverage for sewer backups.

• Living expenses coverage: Most policies provide generous coverage for living expenses. The limits are either a stated dollar amount or a

two-year limitation. Many insurers will allow you to include coverage for other structures, including pool houses and vacation homes.

Some final tips It is expensive to cover theft or loss in a high-value home because the items in these properties are typically more costly.

Being in a gated community and/ or having a security system in place can significantly reduce risks, and insurance companies often will discount your premium based on this.

Also, if you make any upgrades to your home, you should update your policy by having a new insurance appraisal.

You should also keep track of all your new purchases in terms of furnishings and technology.

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Choose Right Type of Realtor when Buying, Selling Home What many people fail to realize is that there are different types of Realtors, and it is critical to find one that will represent your best interests.

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FA L L 2021

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t is important to consider hiring a Realtor when you are ready to buy or sell a home. It is the Realtor’s job to ensure that the process runs smoothly. What many people fail to realize is that there are different types of Realtors, and it is critical to find one that will represent your best interests.

Selecting the right Realtor is just as important as finding the right property.

Most Realtors conduct the majority of their business as a seller’s agent. They work to secure home listings and promote these listings to other agents and to prospective buyers. The property seller pays a commission to the agent when the property is sold.

A seller’s agent has a fiduciary duty to look after the best interests of the seller. They must exercise caution and be certain that they do not disclose any information to prospective buyers that could sabotage the sale or reduce the amount of the prospective offer. If you are selling your property, choose a seller’s agent with a strong sales record, and be sure to check references from their most recent sales.

On the other side of the coin is a buyer’s agent who will represent the interests of the buyer.

This kind of agent works diligently to locate the home that is best for you. Typically, buyer’s agents do not have listings. Since they are not working for the seller, they have a broader range of properties to show including properties that are for-sale-by-owner and even new construction.

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

When you decide to make an offer, they are responsible for obtaining the property for the lowest possible price without disclosing anything to the seller that could hurt your chances of closing the deal. Your buyer’s agent will also help by putting you in touch with a reputable mortgage company to arrange financing for your new home. Buyer’s agents are also happy to recommend other professionals needed to complete the transaction, such as lawyers and home inspectors.

As you move through the buying or selling process, always obtain, in writing, where the agent’s legal obligation lies.

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2022 WINTER

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Verde Valley, Red Rock County Day Trips Memorable

by Ray Newton

Almost every direction yields a spectacular view to golfers at Canyon Mesa Golf Course.

Photo by Ray Newton

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FA L L 2021

FUN Traveling, Dining & Entertainment

A

re you looking for a cool road trip you can take? Maybe somewhere to inform and educate — a museum? Or an outing to entertain convivially — a wine tour? Or maybe you’re looking for invigorating recreation — golf?

You can do all these without taking a loan on your house or visiting your banker. From anywhere in Pinal County you can drop into the Verde Valley and Red Rock Country roughly three hours away and make memories with a trip you’ll talk about for a long time.

My wife Patty and I have done it a couple of times. We highly recommend it. Worth noting —your golf score might be better if you play that round before you take the wine tour.

Let’s start with a museum that is the only one of its kind in the country.

Arizona Copper Art Museum

Located near the center of Clarkdale at 849 Main St., this unique museum has a huge collection of more than 6,000 copper art and other copper products that tell the story of copper from around 3500 B.C. to present day.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.75 for seniors, veterans and students; $3.50 for ages 10 to 17; and $1.25 for ages 5 to 9.

Clarkdale was once the heart of the copper industry in Arizona, aka the “Copper State.” Designated as an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project in 2012, the museum has vibrant galleries that allow you to touch the artifacts, some of which are thousands of years old, including: • Historical Information Collection — reveals the history of copper and its versatile use in a variety of products over centuries.

GO LD E NCOR R I D OR L I V IN G .C O M

• Military Art Collection — shows how military personnel used copper in creative and artistic ways.

• Art and Architecture Collection — exhibits how this multipurpose metal has been used since early Egyptian days through the present.

• Kitchenware Collection — shows how copper has been used since primitive eras as a main element for pots, pans, utensils and other common cooking activities.

• Drinkware Collection — includes hundreds of vessels created for storing and serving liquids, and for plumbing and other functional household uses.

• Distillery and Winery Collection — exhibits how copper was applied in the making of wine, beer, cognac and other spirits.

TripAdvisor users, and is the No. 1 site to see in Clarkdale.

You’ll have no trouble finding the museum because in front, on the southwest corner, are eye-catching signs and artifacts pointing the way. Plan to spend at least an hour.

Further details at copperartmuseum.com or 928-649-1858.

From anywhere in Pinal County you can drop into the Verde Valley and Red Rock Country roughly three hours away and make memories with a trip you’ll talk about for a long time.

Verde Valley Wine Trail

Owner-founder Drake Meineke welcomes visitors from throughout the world. The building was an abandoned high school until he remodeled it to accommodate what he calls “the shiniest museum in the West.”

Meineke is also proud that in 2014 — after its first year — the museum won the Arizona Governor’s Tourism Award. It is ranked among the top 3% of 5,000-plus attractions in Arizona by

During your day trip you may be surprised to learn the scenic region of the Verde Valley has one of the nation’s-fastest growing viticulture industries. In the few miles separating Jerome from Clarkdale and Cottonwood, you’ll find clusters of more than 20 wineries. Going beyond those toward Cornville and beyond into either Sedona or Village of Oak Creek, you’ll discover other clusters for a total of 25.

You will not be disappointed if you try any of them.

A good first stop is the Southwest Wine Center, 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, on 13 acres of a gentle northern slope of Mingus Mountain.

You’ll have a chance to meet

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FUN Traveling, Dining & Entertainment

Patty and Ray Newton at Oak Creek Vineyards.

Michael Pierce, viticulture and enology director of the Yavapai College-owned-and-operated vineyard. He and his staff have developed a premier hands-on educational program that takes students from the grape vineyard to the science of winemaking, bottling and marketing. Personal tours are available.

If you call ahead for a reservation, you can enjoy a pleasant wine tasting in the recently refurbished tasting room.

Even walk-ins are accommodated on the patio for a glass of wine and sales of the wine center’s products.

You’ll be surprised at the number of varieties and styles.

In 2020, the center bottled more than 2,400 gallons of wine. The profit is pumped back into the college’s program, making it one of the signature academic programs in the Verde Valley. More than 100 students are enrolled.

Dozens more wine tours await, all within minutes. There are so many wineries to choose from 94

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you’d be wise to look up the Verde Valley Wine Trail (vvwinetrail.com; downloadable map) or Wine Tours of Sedona (winetoursofsedona.com) to learn of the choices. You can schedule private, customized tours.

Chambers of commerce in any of the communities along the way have excellent information about options you may wish to consider.

Canyon Mesa Golf Course

It’s not hyperbolic to say golf courses in Red Rock Country are among the most spectacular in Arizona.

For casual golfers, Canyon Mesa Country Club lets you tee off for a nine-hole round on an executive course where views will take your breath away. For the more serious, it’s considered a “target” course, meaning you’ll be challenged on most your shots.

Tucked away at 500 Jacks Canyon in the Village of Oak Creek, the course was designed in 1985 by Jack Snyder.

The par 28-course has 1,450 yards wandering through stunning terrain with large shade trees.

Golf Advisor ranks Canyon Mesa as the “19th best short course in the United States.” You can finish a round in about 90 minutes — unless you get totally distracted by the stunning scenery surrounding you.

You’ll enjoy meeting Willie Darke, the amiable golf pro who has been welcoming players to the course for almost eight years. He’ll help you check in and make sure you get your clubs loaded onto golf carts. He’ll be sure you get the best rates possible, too. It’s the perfect course for a family outing, some who might be “learners” intimidated by a regular course. Currently, rates start as low as $23.

Canyon Mesa also has tennis and pickleball courts at reasonable rates.

Best yet, you can grab a meal or a beverage at Nine and Dine Sound Bites Grill.

Book your tee time by calling 928-289-0026 or by going online at canyonmesacountryclub.com.

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The

INTERVIEW

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Go out and chase the coyotes, wild horses, wild pigs, or just seeing things when you're a few feet above the ground. I mean to me, that's the flying that I really, really enjoy. I'm sure that as long as I'm able to fly, I'll fly. I guess that's really what's on my bucket list.

And somebody told me that's like if you took off and then you landed four years later, so I've been in the air a lot. And I think anybody's going to have those moments that you're like, "Aaah!"

I've broken just about everything you can in an airplane. I was a test pilot from 1993 until 2005, and I did all the flight testing. I've broken the stick off, I've broken the tail. I've broken longerons, all kinds of stuff. I've had control failures, had governor failures, had engine failures.

GC LIVING: I'm sure during the length of your career, you've had friends and associates who had less than favorable landings. Have any of those really impacted your life to where you were, "I'm not sure I want to continue to do this?"

Kirby Chambliss: The short answer to that would be, for sure. I've lost more than a hundred 96

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Kirby Chambliss at the All American air show

friends doing what I do. So, it is dangerous. I mean, you can balance it with experience, but if something breaks on the airplane and it's something catastrophic, then you're going to die, and it's just that simple. Or you can make little mistakes, but doing what I do, you can't make any big mistakes or you're going to die.

I've had a lot of friends who have proven me right on that over the years. A lot of them really, really close, and I always say, "That's the dirty side of the business." I have other pilots call me upset about it. And I just say, "Hey, one of two choices.

You can stop. Or you can just try not to let it be you." And I've always been able to answer the question that it's worth it to me. So someday I may say, you know what, it's not worth it to me anymore. So we'll see.

GC LIVING: In a few years you'll be coming up on the mandatory retirement from Southwest.

What's in your future?

Kirby Chambliss: I love flying.

People are always like, "Your aerobatic airplane is so cool.

It's amazing. I mean, you must just love flying it." I do enjoy display flying. But to me, it's my job. I really make the bulk of my income display flying and racing.

I own five planes now, and one is a little 3/4 scale Fieseler Storch. It takes off and lands really slow, and we can go out and it's very maneuverable and you can land anywhere. It's got big tires on it, you can land literally anywhere. I can take off in 50 feet and land in less, and I just have a ball with that airplane. Go out and chase the coyotes, wild horses, wild pigs, or just seeing things when you're a few feet above the ground. I FA L L 2021

mean to me, that's the flying that I really, really enjoy. I'm sure that as long as I'm able to fly, I'll fly. I guess that's really what's on my bucket list.

One of the things we also want to do as a family, in 2020 we had it all set up was to fly down, either all the way down to Central America, which I've done before and then back up through the islands, or even if we have time, all the way down in South America and just stop and spend three nights at about 10 different places. So, I plan on doing that next year.

GC LIVING: What's your favorite aircraft to fly?

Kirby Chambliss: The Storch. The one that is super simple. And people are always like, "Airplanes are so expensive." I mean, my truck costs more than that plane, my Ford F-150. But it's real flying. I mean there's no autopilot, there's hardly any instruments in it at all.

It's just a blast. And my daughter from the time she was 2 years old, she's been in it, and we'd go hiking, and kicking rocks and landing everywhere. I mean again, I call it my dirt bike with wings, basically that’s what it is. I don't even wash it.

GC LIVING: If given the opportunity, what airplane would you want to fly? Anything out there, regardless of your ability.

Kirby Chambliss: I really want to start flying helicopters. I've got a few hours and I think they're cool!

So maybe that's on my bucket list, helicopters.

The other thing I'm trying to do is, Goodyear is one of my sponsors and I've been trying to get them to let me go out of the blimp. But not just jump out of it, I want to take that big, long rope from the nose of it, hold onto that and then step out and it'd be like a big swing, and then let it go end to end.

GC LIVING: Given the opportunity to go to outer space, would you?

Kirby Chambliss: I'd jump on that in a New York minute.

Kirby Chambliss Red Bull Racing

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FUN Arts & Culture

Storytimes, More Return to Casa Grande Public Library

C

alling all families!

Beginning in September, in-person programs will return to your Casa Grande Public Library.

First and foremost, we are excited about the longawaited return of storytime!

Preschool Storytime at the Vista Grande Branch, 1556 N. Arizola Road, will be Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and Toddler Storytime will be Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Main Library Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

520-421-8710 Vista Grande Library Mon – Fri 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

520-421-8652

www.facebook.com/cglibraryaz

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Storytimes at the Casa Grande Main Library, 449 N. Drylake St., will be Tuesdays at 10 a.m., and Storytime in the Park will be Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. at Peart Park, 350 E. 6th St.

tower the City of Casa Grande has ever seen!

A new Dragon StoryWalk came out in August, and a spooky StoryWalk will be released in October for Halloween at the Main Library.

Afterschool programs also will return to the Vista Grande branch.

So mark your calendars, and bring the kids down to the public library this fall for a variety of fun activities for the whole family. Stay up to date with library programs and events by visiting our website at casagrandeaz.gov/library and our Facebook page at facebook.com

Also, be on the lookout for special monthly programs, including our Lego checkout program for the month of September to celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month. For every book checked out, kids will be given a Lego to help build the biggest Lego

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Q&A

Crystal Fox, Shelter Manager, Valley Humane Society Q: About how many animals can the shelter house at one time?

A: We can house 40 to 150 cats (depending on age, size, etc.) and 55 to 120 dogs (depending on age, size, etc.). Our numbers are higher in the spring and fall when we get more puppies and kittens. We have a dog nursery and a cat nursery. I try to ensure we stay full so we can help save the lives of as many dogs and cats as possible, most rescued from municipal shelters forced to euthanize. We maintain a wait list for owner surrenders. We try to help keep dogs in homes by providing advice, kennels and training tips.

Q: What is the most important thing people can do to help?

A: We are always in need of financial support. Regular monthly donors provide us with the financial support to save lives. We also ask that people choose us as their charity for Fry’s Grocery and Amazon Smile.

Towels, blankets and sheets are always needed.

Q: Where is the new thrift store/ consignment shop located?

A: The store is at 315 N. Florence St. A few years ago, we moved it from the shelter into Old Town Casa Grande. When Chris Serrano of Casa Grande Consignment decided to retire,

we met with Chris, his son Kevin and Debby Martin, the landlord, and decided to embrace the opportunity to expand our thrift store and combine it with the consignment store.

Q: How does the inventory differ from past locations of the BowWow Meow Thrift store?

A: We have space to display furniture, and we can stock many more types of goods, including clothing. Consignees agree to a 60/40 split on the sale price of their items. With the thrift store, 100% of the proceeds support the shelter.

Q: Has the new location increased the store’s revenue; what is that money used for?

A: Revenue has increased, but so have costs. The profit is used to cover the needs of the shelter.

Since January we have added five feral cat enclosures, and we share these “mousers” with people in need of rodent control on farms or businesses. We remodeled the intake building for dogs. We hope to add eight to 10 “quiet, long-stay” kennels for dogs difficult to place. Our long-term goal is to construct additional buildings.

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It is our passion, our greatest desire, and our life goal to save as many lives as we can.

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