Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine

Interstate 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Home & Garden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Don’t Forget to Floss . . . . . . . . . 80

“THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY”

SPECIAL SECTION 2019 Skydive Arizona FAI Parachuting World Cup

In Every Edition:

The ROX Interview: MICAH POWELL

Eloy City Council

GOLDENCORRIDORLIVING.COM

$4.95 Complimentary • FALL 2019

ARIZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

happiness IS A choice.

THEY SAY

WITH ALL THE CHOICES YOU HAVE AT THE GARNET OF CASA GRANDE, EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

2

52

weeks of activities, programs and FUN

Levels of Care

great place to LIVE

Come be happy!

CALL 520-833-9132 510 E. 8TH STREET | CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122

Independent Living | Assisted Living | AL 9037 C WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM

1

Sick Today?

Get Seen Today!

Walk-in and get seen.

Or call and ask for a same day sick visit.

Casa Grande (520) 836—3446 865 N. Arizola Road Coolidge (520) 723-7974 1284 N. Arizona Blvd.

Excellence in Health, Wellness, Education and Service

Eloy (520) 466-7883 205 N. Stuart Blvd.

We accept most major insurances including AHCCCS, Medicare and TRICARE.

Florence (520) 868-5811 174 W. Highway 287

If you are uninsured, we can help!

If you are uninsured, we can help.

Maricopa (520) 568-2245 44572 W. Bowlin Rd.

Hablamos Español

sunlifefamilyhealth.org

Scho

ol Co

GR EA OP T A PO DV RT E R U N TI S ITI ING ES !

nstru

ction

Upda te . . .2

6

Holid

ays W ith

out He

r . . . .

. . . . 74

Tips fo

r Stay

Holiday Edition 2020

THE HOLI DAY EDIT ION

CREAT

Spe c Holial i Sectday ion

“THE VOIC E OF

ing He

althy

. . . . .10

0

THE COM MUN IT Y”

ARIZ IVE SOLUTIO STRE ONA TOW NS: NGTH N HA ENS C LL OMM In E UNIT very IES Edit ion:

Street Dates:

GOL

November 2019 - December 2020 Reserve your space now to participate in the Holiday edition of Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine and be a part of our focus on the Holiday Season!

DEN

A R IZ

COR

ON

RID

ORL

A C IT

IVIN

G.CO

Y • CAS

M

A G RA N

DE

• CO O LI

DG

E • E LO

$4.95

Y • F LO R

Comp

ENC

limen

tar y

E • MA

• HOLID

R IC

AY 20

17

O PA

For more information contact:

The November/December edition will feature these special sections in addition to our regular content:

info@roxco.com 520.426.2074

• Holiday Festivities including Events, Shopping & Dining

GOLDENCORRIDORLIVING.COM

2020 WINTER VISITORS GUIDE

Coming November 2019!

A comprehensive area information guide, including communities, accommodations & RV parks, dining & entertainment, shopping, sports & recreation, attractions & activities, museums & cultural activities, plus a calendar of events and detailed maps.

To secure your space, contact ROX Media Group at 520-426-2074 or info@roxco.com.

Interstate 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Home & Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Contents

Don’t Forget to Floss . . . . . . . . .80

“THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY”

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

SPECIAL SECTION 2019 Skydive Arizona

Features:

FAI Parachuting World Cup

In Every Edition:

THE ROX INTERVIEW:

The ROX Interview:

Micah Powell

MICAH POWELL

Eloy City Council

GOLDENCORRIDORLIVING.COM

Fall 2019

Vice Mayor, City of Eloy

$4.95 Complimentary • FALL 2019

ARIZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

PHOTO BY RYAN VIVION

SPECIAL SECTION:

Skydive Arizona WC19_PROGRAM COVER.indd 1

7/26/19 12:29

SPECIAL SECTION:

Leadership

SPECIAL SECTION:

Home & Garden

18 35 56 72

Economy, Finance & Business

Health, Happiness & Education

Travel, Dining & Entertainment

Everything’s in Motion in Casa Grande . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Out & About: Photos from Around Town. . . . 66

China-Great Halls and Great Walls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Interstate 11 Could Be A Big Deal for Pinal County. . . . . 28

Against Abuse Is At The Ready. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Volunteer Into Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

What Do I Eat? Let’s Talk About Carbs. . . . . . . . 84

Casa Grande Public Library Creative Writing Contest Winner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Ride for the Warrior. . . . . . . . . 100

G OLDENCORRIDORLIVING .COM

• Travertine • Pavers • Artificial Turf • Water Features • 3D Renderings

Residential & Commercial

We Now Offer Financing!

520-705-5250 ROC303493

Built With Pride From The Ground Up

(520)836-6511

1/2 acre and 1 acre lots now available!

ROC#175926

Chaparral Estates & Arroyo Verde Estates Call us for more info

Letter from the Editor

Leading the Way to Greatness

W Bea Lueck

hew! Temperatures at the end of August have been really hot! I don’t know about you, but my air conditioner was working overtime.

Sometimes, heading up to the high country is a welcome escape from the heat. The Grand Canyon is about 6,800 feet and definitely cooler than Pinal County. Grand Canyon National Park is also celebrating its centennial anniversary with special events and programs throughout 2019. So, if you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon recently, you might want to consider the four-hour drive and cool off at the same time!

Sept. 28 is the National Park Service Fee-Free Day for all national parks, including the Grand Canyon. Did you

know there are three national parks in Arizona and some 21 national monuments and recreational areas? Circle the 28th on your calendar and visit a national park for free.* One of the reasons we have so many National Park Services areas in this state is due to the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt. Stating, “The Grand Canyon fills me with awe,” he worked to save it for generations to come, naming it a national monument on Jan. 11, 1908.

We are still creating new parks — right here in Pinal County. The Casa Grande Neon Sign Park is the newest “roadside attraction” in town, made possible through a partnership of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Express Foundation.

On the home page of the NeonSign-

Park.com website, the hard work and effort it took to achieve this accomplishment is celebrated: “We did it, Casa Grande!”

That’s just one example of how our local leaders today are working hard to ensure our communities are a great place for our families to live and work.

As the City of Eloy Mayor Joel Belloc states, “Our collective ability to share power, put the needs of our constituents first and develop good citizens should be foremost.”

We’re looking at leadership this issue, and I am so thankful we live in an area that has forward-thinking visionary leaders! It is exciting to see Pinal County embracing the future.

–Bea

* nps.gov/state/az/index.htm

8

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

4600 W. Lewis St., Eloy

$469,900

Ranch Life at it’s Finest!!

• 40 acre horse property • 2700 sq ft home with wood beams and vaulted ceilings • Barn, tack room, over 15 covered stalls, 4 pastures, covered arena, calf roping arena, round pen and kennels • 3 RV hook up areas

KELLY HERRINGTON, SALES MANAGER/REALTOR® 520.780.0843 | Kelly@roxsells.com

520.423.8250 | ROXsells.com ©2019 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.

G OLDENCORRIDORLIVING .COM

VOICES

PUBLISHER Elaine Earle, CPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bea Lueck DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Laurie Fisher ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Jamie Brashier

At Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine, our slogan is “The Voice of the Community,” because we believe that 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!

Scott Metteauer CREATIVE DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tim Clarke GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Rebecca Bowen Shannon Price CUSTOMER SERVICE/AD TRAFFIC MANAGER Jo Wobser

Angela Askey Executive Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Central Arizona College Angela is the Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Central Arizona College. Prior to her arrival at CAC, Angela served as the Media Relations Coordinator at Mesa Community College and the Community Relations Coordinator at Idaho State University College of Technology.

PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER Julie Turetzky COMMENTS & IDEAS editor@roxco.com CALENDAR INQUIRIES calendar@roxco.com • goldencorridorliving.com/calendar SUBSCRIPTIONS info@roxco.com • goldencorridorliving.com/copies ADVERTISING INQUIRIES info@roxco.com • goldencorridorliving.com/advertise (520) 426-2074 442 W. Kortsen Rd, Ste 101 Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Joel Belloc Mayor, City of Eloy Mayor Belloc was re-elected for his second term as Mayor of the City of Eloy in November 2016. He has also served as a member of the Eloy City Council from 2002-2012 and as Vice Mayor from 2012-2014. He graduated from Central Arizona College with an AAS degree in drafting/design, attended Pima College and the University of Arizona, where he enrolled in landscape architecture. He currently manages his family’s farming business Belloc Inc. Mayor Belloc is a longtime resident of Eloy and has been married to his wife Cecilia for over 40 years. Together they have three children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mila Besich Mayor, Town of Superior Mila Besich, a fourth-generation resident of Superior, was elected as the Town’s Mayor in 2016. She wears many hats in her community and region, serving as Executive Director of the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition and Advertising Director for Copper Area News Publishers.

Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie Golden Corridor LIVING is published by Raxx Direct Marketing. Editorial content is provided by affiliates of Raxx Direct Marketing, community members and local organizations. © 2019. 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. Submitted articles do not reflect the opinions of the owners or management of Golden Corridor LIVING Information contained within submitted articles had not been verified for accuracy and readers are responsible for CORRID LI V ING 10 GOLDEN forming their own opinions.OR Real estate information is as of 9-1-19 and is subject to current availability and pricing.

Certified Physical Trainer, CPT, WickedFiTT Tiffanie is the owner of WickedFiTT in Casa Grande, AZ. She is a well-known personal trainer, group fitness instructor and allaround fitness junkie. Tiffanie specializes in weight loss, strength and conditioning and general fitness.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

of the

Community

Tim Kanavel

Christian Price

Economic Development Program Manager, Pinal County Tim graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in regional development. His career in Arizona has taken him from the former Greater Tucson Economic Council to the Arizona Department of Commerce, to private enterprise at the Tucson Airport, to president/CEO of the Wickenburg Regional Economic Development Partnership, and to his present position as the economic development program manager for Pinal County.

Mayor, City of Maricopa Mayor Price is serving in his third term as Mayor. Mayor Price is an entrepreneur and small-business owner and is a partner of the Sierra West Group, a financial advisory firm. Raised in Tucson and a graduate of Northern Arizona University, he participates in numerous regional and national coalitions including serving as the Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.

Renée Louzon-Benn

Rina Rien

President, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce Renée became President of the Chamber in May, 2019. She has had 22 years of involvement with the local business community and the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce. Renée and her husband enjoy “living local,” dining at local eateries, walking the downtown area and hiking Casa Grande Mountain.

Director, Casa Grande Main Street As Executive Director of Casa Grande Main Street since 2012, Rina fosters a collaborative approach toward building a vibrant downtown community. Rina enjoys partnering with highly creative people who share a passion for promoting Historic Downtown and preserving its rich history.

Donna McBride

Bob Shogren

Councilwoman, City of Casa Grande Donna is the Program Administrator/Public Information Officer and Supervisor for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Unit for Pinal County Juvenile Court. She is actively involved as a Board Member for Casa Grande Alliance, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, BlackBox Foundation, Mayor’s Reading Program, Pinal County Town Hall Vice Chair, Parks and Block Watch Captain for the Casa Grande Police Department. She is a current member of the Casa Grande City Council.

Director, Casa Grande Alliance Bob is a longtime resident of Pinal County. He has been an educator, school district administrator, community organizer and nonprofit board member. He also served for many years at the state and national level, working with AmeriCorps and other volunteer programs.

Craig McFarland

Jon Thompson

Mayor, City of Casa Grande Born and raised in California, Mayor McFarland has lived in Casa Grande since 2005. He is a graduate of California State University, Fresno and retired from Golden Eagle Distributors in January 2015 as VP of Sales after a 10-year run with the company. He has spent 36 years in beverage business-sales management, marketing and operations. McFarland began his first term as Mayor in December 2016.

Mayor, City of Coolidge Mayor Thompson graduated from NAU in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was first elected to the Coolidge City Council in 2002 and served as Vice Mayor from 2006 to 2010.

He gave up his council seat to run for Mayor and since being elected has retired as Division Director for the Pinal County Adult Probation Department after 30 years.

Gigi McWhirter

Tori Ward

Resident Animal Whisperer Conceived in a plane behind the Airport Tavern, Gigi is living proof that it takes a village to raise a kid properly. Married to the best man and we live in what I call the “Best Dog House in Casa Grande” shared with a bunch of dogs, two parakeets and a finch called “Rusty”. Lived in Alaska, drove on the Arctic Ocean, walked on the Great Wall of China and drank Guinness in Ireland. But none of this compares to my profound love of animals and Flying Leap wines!

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

Cruise and Resort Specialist, ROX Travel Victoria “Tori” is a cruise and resort specialist with a master’s degree in political science. She has completed more than 30 certification courses with the cruise and tour industry including the most advanced certification, Commodore, from Princess Cruise Lines. Tori is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association.

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

11

Submit your event online at GoldenCorridorLiving.com/calendar SEPTEMBER

6

FREE MOVIE IN THE PARK - DETECTIVE PIKACHU - 7:00 PM-9:00 PM - Kenilworth Sports Complex E. Coolidge Ave., Coolidge. FREE movie night, bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Concessions available for purchase.

12

21

6

13

24

GREAT WHITE & SLAUGHTER - 8:00 PM - Harrah’s Ak-Chin 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Tickets $34.50-$49.50 at ticketmaster.com.

10

GREAT AZ PUPPET THEATER SHOW - 10:00 AM-11:00 AM - CAC Signal Peak Campus Pence Center - 8470 N. Overfield Rd., Coolidge. Visit centralaz.edu for more info.

ARETHA: QUEEN OF SOUL LIVE - 7:00 PM9:00 PM - Robson Ranch 5687 N. Robson Blvd., Eloy. Charity Lockhart, hailed as one of the finest vocalists in the country, stars in this spectacular homage to one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

SUMMER SOCIAL - ICE CREAM & CRAFTS 5:30 PM-7:30 PM - Community Recreation Center 1905 N. Peart Rd., Casa Grande. $3 per person pre-registration, $5 at the door. CRC members free. Visit casagrandeaz.gov for info.

14

DOGGIE DIVE-IN - 12:00 PM-2:00 PM - Palm Island Aquatic Park 1115 N. Brown Ave., Casa Grande. $2 per dog, humans free. Prizes, vendors and tons of fun. For more info contact 520-421-8677.

17

CHALK NIGHT - 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - A Latte Vino 958 E. Rodeo Rd. Ste. A1, Casa Grande.

Visit Chalking with the Millers on Facebook to reserve your spot.

17

ART & SIP AT TRUE GRIT - 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - True Grit Tavern 20800 N. John Wayne Pkwy., Maricopa. Visit KauiWilson.com for info.

HOME Find. Buy. Protect.

Protecting Your Protecting Your Property Rights Property Rights Title & Escrow Services

Commercial Service 1031 Exchange

• • • • •

Direct Title Services

Account Servicing

Title Insurance & Escrow Services Land Development/Trust Commercial Service E. Services Cottonwood Lane Direct421 Title 1031 Exchange CasaServicing Grande, AZ 85122 Account

Office: I Fax: 520.426.4699 Land 520.426.4600 Development/Trust Email: latisha.sopha@titlesecurity.com

421 East Cottonwood Lane Casawww.titlesecurity.com Grande, Arizona 85122 Office: 520-426-4600 | Fax: 520-426-4699

www.titlesecurity.com

12

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

19

BLACK ROCK BEACH - PAINT NITE - 6:00 PM-8:00 PM - A Latte Vino 958 E. Rodeo Rd. Ste. A1, Casa Grande. Tickets available at yaymaker.com.

20

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY - 5:00 PM-8:00 PM 45295 W. Honeycutt Ave., Maricopa. Celebrate the end of summer. Water slides foam cannon on site.

Good Food, Good Company, Good Times!

KIDS DAY MARICOPA 2019 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM - Maricopa Wells Middle School 45725 W. Honeycutt Ave., Maricopa. Fun, educational day for children and families.

WORKSHOP: BUTTERFLY & HUMMINGBIRD - 9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Distinctive Earthscapes at The Avocado Nursery 6855 N. Overfield Rd., Casa Grande. Free to the public.

24

SILENT WITNESS ANIT-CRIME NIGHT - 5:30 PM-8:30 PM - Vista Grande High School 1556 N. Arizola Rd., Casa Grande. Free event open to the community.

25

MUPPET PARTY - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Vista Grande Public Library 1556 N. Arizola Rd., Casa Grande. Celebrate Jim Henson’s birthday for kids of all ages.

25

ART & SIP AT 347 GRILL - 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - 347 Grill 16000 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa.

Visit KauiWilson.com for info.

27

STAND UP IN THE BOX - 7:30 PM Blackbox Theatre 407 N. Sacaton St., Casa Grande. Show Dates: Tickets: Adults $10.00. Visit blackboxaz.org for info.

28

JOSH TURNER - 8:00 PM - Harrah’s Ak-Chin 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Tickets $35-$88 on ticketmaster.com.

OCTOBER

20

2

20

BATTLE MOOSE IMPROV SHOW - 7:30 PM-12:00 AM - Blackbox Theatre 407 N. Sacaton St., Casa Grande. Show Dates: Tickets: Adults $10.00. Visit blackboxaz.org for info.

3

20

5

MOVIE ON THE LAWN - ALADDIN - 7:00 PM-9:30 PM - Community Recreation Center 1905 N. Peart Rd., Casa Grande. Free to attend, bring a blanket or a chair to enjoy. Concessions available for purchase. Visit casagrandeaz.gov for info.

LIFEHOUSE - 8:00 PM - Harrah’s Ak-Chin 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Tickets $34.50-$54.50 on ticketmaster.com.

21

INDOOR FARMERS & VENDOR MARKET 9:00 AM - Promenade (old Best Buy), 1005 N. Promenade Pkwy., Casa Grande. Over 100 vendors and food trucks. Visit PromenadeCG on Facebook for info.

PURPLE ROSES WINE BOTTLE - PAINT NITE - 6:00 PM-8:00 PM - A Latte Vino 958 E. Rodeo Rd. Ste. A1, Casa Grande. Tickets available at yaymaker.com.

CASA GRANDE FFA STEAK FRY - 5:00 PM Casa Grande Union High School 2730 N Trekell Rd., Casa Grande. Live entertainment, raffles, cash prizes. Bring the whole family!

5TH ANNUAL TIP OVER THE SHELVES 5K 7:30 AM-10:30 AM - Main Street Park, 601 N. C St., Eloy. Benefiting the Food Pantires of Eloy.

Hero themed, capes and or no capes. Tickets at raceroster.com.

5

TRICK OR TREAT TROT - 4:00 PM-8:00 PM Carr Mcnatt Park 1115 N. Brown Ave., Casa THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

BUSINESS INDEX Absolute Homes / Vivid Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Annie-Mac Home Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Brutinel Plumbing & Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

September – October 2019

Capital R Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Casa Grande Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Casa Grande Art Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

OCTOBER (continued) Grande. FREE family activity area with games, vendors & food trucks. Age 2-15 register at casagrandeaz.gov to receive a halloween bag.

5

CGRD’S BIG HOUSE BOMBERS VS AZRD’S RUMBLEWEEDS - 7:00 PM-9:00 PM - Pinal County Fairgrounds 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner Rd, Casa Grande. Doors open at 5:30pm. $10 presale. $12 at door. $8 Senior/ Military. Kids 12 and under FREE. Tickets @ cgrdgame4. brownpapertickets.com

11

MOVIE ON THE LAWN: HOCUS POCUS - 7:00 AM-9:30 AM - Community Recreation Center 1905 N. Peart Rd., Casa Grande. Free to attend, bring a blanket or a chair to enjoy.

Concessions available for purchase.

Visit casagrandeaz.gov for info.

11

CLINT BLACK - 8:00 PM - Harrah’s Ak-Chin 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Tickets $44.50-$69.50 on ticketmaster.com.

12

CITYWIDE CLEAN UP - 8:00 AM - Community Recreation Center 1905 N. Peart Rd. Casa Grande. Reflective safety vests, trash bags, and breakfast are provided.

Applications are still available for interested parties. For more info call (520) 421-8677.

15

ART & SIP AT TRUE GRIT 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - True Grit Tavern 20800 N. John Wayne Pkwy., Maricopa. Visit KauiWilson.com for info.

16

LOVE FALL - PAINT NITE - 6:00 PM-8:00 PM - A Latte Vino 958 E. Rodeo Rd. Ste. A1, Casa Grande.

Tickets available at yaymaker.com.

19

CAC ROCKS 5K RUN/WALK - 7:30 AM-10:30 AM - Central Arizona College 8470 N. Overfield Rd., Coolidge. Annual Fun Run/Walk in celebration of our 50th anniversary.

Register at raceroster.com.

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

19

CAC RODEO CONCERT WITH HARRY LUGE - 6:30 PM - Elks Lodge 2241 S. Attaway Rd. Coolidge. Back for another night of great music and fun! This is fundraiser is ALWAYS an amazing event! Email skyla.teel@centralaz.edu for tickets.

19

Casa Grande Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Casa Grande Main St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Central Arizona College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Chris Buys AZ Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Coldwell Banker ROX Property Management . . . . . . 23 Coldwell Banker ROX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 63, 77

INDOOR FARMERS & VENDOR MARKET - 9:00 AM-4:00 PM - Promenade (old Best Buy), 1005 N. Promenade Pkwy., Casa Grande. Over 100 vendors and food trucks. Visit PromenadeCG on Facebook for info.

Cypress Point Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

19

Grande Innovation Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

PROMENADE FREE CONCERT FT. SOUL ESSENTIAL - 4:30 PM-8:00 PM - Promenade, 1005 N. Promenade Pkwy., Casa Grande.

Family friendly event, so bring your friends and kids for a free night of music and fun! Be sure to bring a chair as seating is not provided. Food trucks on site.

20

TASTE OF CASA GRANDE 1:00 PM-4:00 PM - Eva’s Fine Mexican Food 665 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande. 33rd annual community event to benefit Against Abuse, Inc. Visit tasteofcasagrande.com for more info.

25

DM Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Dreamstyle Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Fitzgibbons Law Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . 27 Mankel Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Mitchell & Crosby Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Norris RV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Pinal 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Pinal County Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Ride for the Warrior - Randy Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 ROX Casa Grande Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE - 8:00 PM - Harrah’s Ak-Chin 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Tickets $49.50-$94.50 on ticketmaster.com.

ROX Travel CG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 92, 97

30

Skydive Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

ART & SIP AT 347 GRILL 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - 347 Grill 16000 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa.

Visit KauiWilson.com for info.

31

HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL - 5:30 PM-8:30 PM - Paul Mason Sports Complex 2525 N. Pinal Ave. Casa Grande. Trick or treat, play games, enjoy inflatables, costume contest and food vendors. The muchanticipated costume contest will begin at 7:00 pm. Event is free and open to the public.

Sa Morz Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Seeds of Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Star Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Sun Life Family Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 81 The Garnet of Casa Grande . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Title Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Valley Humane Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Western Pinal Association of REALTORS . . . . . . . . . . 59 Yang and Horsley Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

13

! o l l e H We’re ROX Media Group G

olden Corridor LIVING Magazine is brought to you by ROX Media Group, a multimedia organization providing an annual portfolio of 3.6 million print copies of community, custom and travel publications throughout Arizona and in neighboring states. Our publications collectively reach millions of consumers who reside in or travel to Arizona every year and bring engaging local content to the communities and marketing partners we serve.

Since our founding in 2011, we have earned the respect of our readers and marketing partners through

Follow

Al wa

ys

THE BEST DEALS! JANUARY 2019

How to Increase Your Vitality

AZ-SHOPPER.COM JANUARY 2018

520-426-2074

year

bring on the DOWN THIS

DEAL ENDS

then only

$1 $10

Some of our additional offerings include: • A full suite of creative services for any project • Custom publications created, designed, edited, printed and distributed • Digital media marketing services and website creation • Project management services

WEDNES DAY

JAN UARY 1O

N. Pottebaum

blvd.

1325 e. florence 85122 casa grande, AZ (520) 788-6200

GOOD WILL

bring on the Visit Us Online

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

Vicki Johnson (L) and Carole Parnell, residents

of The Colonnade, taking a brisk walk.

Rd.

N. Colorado St.

FRY’S

at

year

AZ-Shopper

You can visit us any time at our office, located at 442 W. Kortsen Rd., Suite 101 or call us at 520-426-2074.

The Health Benefits of Meditation

BIG LOTS

E. Florence Blvd Blvd.

1325 E. Florence AZ Casa Grande,

Subject to $39 ss.com taxes may apply. or at planetfitne State and local owned and operated. join today in-clubmonthly to a checking account. independently locations are only. Billed Planet Fitness an. Home club Offer expires 1/10/18. parent/guardi only.

LLC. old, or 13 withat participating locations © 2018, PFIP, Must be 18 years available .com annual fee. Offer

14

ELOY

A MONTH

OFFICEMAX

fully staffed

our dedication to high quality, local content and our understanding of the key informational needs that drive media consumption, messaging and interaction.

In addition to Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine, our other products you may have seen in the region include Golden Corridor Smart Shopper and the annual Winter Visitors Guide. Although you can find our work throughout our state, we are proud to be headquartered right here in Casa Grande.

Health classes begin on page 5.

!

ARIZON A

Welcome to the new LiveWell magazine.

bution sed Rack Distri specials.

NOW - Increa for more daily us on Facebook

Elaine is an accomplished publisher and management professional with 20 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant.

Elaine Earle She is a publisher of a Publisher diverse set of marketing products. Elaine and her team bring a “one firm” solution to clients. She has a passion for traveling and has been to over 40 countries.

1

WWW.ELOYAZ.GOV

THE INTERSECTION VALUE, LOCATION AND OPPORT OF UNITY

2018 • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ELOY, A Z

1

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Bea Lueck

Bea is the general manager and managing editor of ROX Media Group. She handles the various day-to-day activities necessary to take the publications from concept to print and distribution. She has over 24 years of experience in multiple advertising media, including print, direct mail, television and web.

General Manager & Managing Editor

Tim Clarke Creative Director

Julie is a marketing professional with 20 years of experience working in client and agency settings. Julie has created and managed marketing strategies across many industries, designed to meet client objectives and stay within an established budget.

Julie Turetzky

Laurie Fisher

Public Relations & Marketing Manager

Director of Sales & Marketing

Georgie Myers Regional Account Manager

Scott Metteauer Sr. Account Executive

Rebecca Bowen Graphic Designer

Georgie joins ROX Media Group as our Regional Account Manager. She has spent 27 years in the marketing and advertising space, with an emphasis on print and digital marketing. Understanding client care with a high level of personalized service is of the utmost importance, so Georgie will represent ROX Media Group in a fashion our clients deserve.

Scott has been in the graphics industry for 40 years, He started in typesetting and paste-up, and worked his way to running the pre-press department at several large printing companies. He has been in outside sales in the graphics industry for the past 34 years. Scott now works for Rox Media Group as a Senior Account Executive.

Rebecca is a graphic designer with over six years of experience in the design and marketing industries. She has her associate’s degree in graphic design and her bachelor’s degree in communications with a sub-specialization in marketing. She enjoys solving marketing challenges with eye-catching visuals and strategic layout design.

Tim is a digital design professional with more than 29 years of experience. Tim is responsible for all creative consulting, magazine design, print production and web development for ROX Media Group.

He manages production for multiple publications as well as multiple Drupal and WordPress sites for external clients.

Laurie joins ROX Media Group as our new Director of Sales and Marketing. She is a marketing professional with over 25 years of experience, specializing in print and digital media such as SEM, SEO and social media, and enjoys helping her clients to achieve their marketing goals. Customer service is her No. 1 priority! Laurie is an avid hiker and cyclist who loves the outdoors and looks forward to enjoying the beauty of Prescott.

Jamie has been in print advertising in the Casa Grande area since 2004. Her 15 years of experience allow her to assist clients in creating comprehensive marketing plans while maintaining budget. In her off time, Jamie enjoys traveling with her family.

Jamie WagnerBrashier Sr. Account Executive

Jo Wobser

Jo joined the ROX Media Group team in March 2018 following a career in customer service spanning more than 20 years. This rewarding experience coupled with her skill sets as a graphic designer and photographer allow her to provide excellent service and guidance to the ROX Media Group advertising clients she serves every day.

Ad Traffic Manager

Shannon Price

roxmediagroup.net

Meet Our Team:

Shannon joined ROX Media Group in September 2018. She has an associate degree in graphic design as well as a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in marketing. Shannon is a graphic artist with more than six years of design experience and spent the past three years working in the newspaper industry.

Graphic Designer

442 W. Kortsen Rd., Suite 101, Casa Grande AZ 85122 • 520-426-2074 roxmediagroup.net FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

15

PINAL COUNTY

by Staff Reports

• A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA • A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOL

New County Buildings to Be Funded with $63 Million in Bonds

N PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS COLBEY LIVINGSTON

Casa Grande Native Monitors Weather for the U.S. Navy

O

ther than the occasional haboob, 2018 Casa Gr a nde Hig h S c ho ol graduate Rowan Isaacs had little experience with weather. Let alone extreme weather.

Today the petty officer 3rd class, a Casa Grande native, serves at the U.S. Navy Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk Virginia with a primary mission of monitoring extreme weather conditions in support of daily operations.

According to Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach, the Fleet Weather Center is responsible for “providing timely, comprehensive and tactically relevant information for ships, submarines, aircraft and other commands operating out of the Hampton Roads area.”

America is a maritime nation and must have the ability

16

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

to operate freely on the world’s oceans to maintain its prosperity, according to Navy officials.

Consider these facts: • 70% of the earth is covered by water • 80% of t he world’s population lives near a coastal region • 90% of all global trade volume travels by sea Isaacs is a Navy information systems technician; he provides technical support to the people who stand watch to ensure they have the needed tools to do their job. He plays an important part in America’s focus on “… rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the national defense strategy,” Plexico said in Navy blog post.

Isaacs had to pass an oral board to be assigned to his current job position.

Isaacs said family traditions and work ethics were an important part of his decision to serve in the military.

“My mom and dad were hardwork ing people, so I learned the importance of a strong work ethic and pushing myself to get where I want to be,” he said. “My grandfather served in the Marine Corps.”

“Serving in the Navy means sacrifice and hard work,” Isaacs added. “I appreciate the ability to work on personal goals, such as military qualifications and civilian classes. There are a lot of people my age who have a lot of debt going to college, but I chose to jumpstart my career in the Navy.”

ew offices in Florence, San Tan Valley and Maricopa will be funded by $63 million in bonds after the Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to approve the bond issue.

Supervisors Mike Goodman, Anthony Smith and Todd House voted to approve the bonds, while Supervisors Pete Rios and Steve Miller voted against the bond issue.

Miller was concerned about taking on that much debt, while Rios wanted to wait on building a new County Attorney’s Office building, which is estimated to cost $17 million to $20 million.

But Supervisor Goodman said the county needed to serve its customers better, and these facilities will do just that.

The bonds will help fund: • a new County Attorney’s building • a two-story Development Services building • a separate Emergency Operations Center in Florence • a county government complex in San Tan Valley • a county government complex in Maricopa’s Heritage District The bonds will be repaid over a 30-year period.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

PRESS

Visit GoldenCorridorLiving.com for Up-to-date Local News from Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine

LIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA • A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA •

New 640-acre Data Center Site Launches in Pinal County S aint Holdings, LLC has a new first-in-class 640-acre, shovel-ready data center with solar capabilities. This data center is adjacent to the Inland Port Arizona mega-site in Pinal County.

Saint has made several successful land deals, including: • Nikola Motor Corporation • Lucid Motors • NextEra Energy

According to AZ Big Media, Saint’s efforts will help add 4,000 new jobs in the area by 2024.

“We are at the epicenter of tomorrow’s cutting-edge technology,” said Jackob Andersen, President and CEO of Saint Holdings.

“Pinal County is no longer the hidden gem between Phoenix and Tucson. The region has catapulted Arizona into the destination for new-technology vehicles, renewable energy and tech industries at large.”

Coolidge Mayor Jon Thompson said there is a lot in store for Ar-

izona as the region collaboratively develops into a hub for progressive technology as reported by AZ Big Media. “We have had a great vision for the Pinal County region

for decades that has now come to light,” Thompson said.

Since closing on the 11,400 acres of Pinal County land in 2013, Saint Holdings has been working exten-

sively behind the scenes with state government entities, engineers, consultants and land planners to create an environment conducive for success.

Supervisor Smith Announces He Will Not Run for Re-Election in 2020

A

Anthony Smith

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

ccording to a press release from Pinal County, Supervisor Anthony Smith (District 4) has announced he will not run for re-election.

“In 2008 when I was elected into my first public office, I had no idea I would have the pleasure of serving the people for 12 years. As I examine where I am in my life and what opportunities I might have waiting behind the next door, I know it is time for me to

head in a different direction. That said, I announce today that l will not run for re-election as county supervisor.”

Smith looked at the progress Pinal County has made in the last few years.

In 2013 the county: • was still feeling the impact of the Great Recession.

• had an unemployment rate of 13%.

• lost jobs in the hosing,

agriculture and retail businesses.

• saw families disrupted.

• had essentially no economic growth.

Today, Pinal County: • has an unemployment rate of 4%.

• was the first Arizona county to regain all jobs lost

Continued on page 32...

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

17

Micah and his fiancee Lydia Acuna.

The ROX Interview

Micah Powell

From Hometown Boy to Eloy City Council Interview by Bea Lueck

I

’ve had the pleasure of knowing Micah several years. His kind heart and sense of humor set him apart. Micah is an open book. He doesn’t sugar-coat his thoughts, he says what he means. He entered politics to make a difference in his community.

Eloy is his home. His pride and love for the community is apparent, whether it is at a local ribbon cutting or representing Eloy at a state-level function. At the end of the interview, Micah surprised me when he announced his candidacy for mayor of the city of Eloy.

GC LIVING: I’ll start with the question, because I know it is a common one. Are you related to Casa Grande City Councilman Dick Powell?

MICAH POWELL: No. We joke around and say we are. I went to school with his son, Todd, and we’d always said we were cousins, but no. We’re the Eloy Powell’s and he’s a Casa Grande Powell.

GC LIVING: When did you move to Pinal county?

MICAH POWELL: I was born in Casa Grande in 1975 at Hoemako Hospital. I was raised in Casa Grande, went to school here, Cottonwood Elementary, Casa Grande Middle School, Casa Grande Union High School. I moved around a couple of times, but I always came back to this area.

GC LIVING: What do you remember growing up here in Casa Grande? What are your fondest memories?

MICAH POWELL: I remember when the community was smaller, the population was around 30,000. You knew everyone, you went to school with everyone. The O’odham Tash parade was something you went to and Florence Boulevard was packed. I sold event programs for the Dispatch. You didn’t have to worry about things. You’d go to Peter Piper Pizza and hang out with your friends. And the movie theater was in the old Casa Grande Mall.

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

GC LIVING: Do you remember going to the drive-in movie?

MICAH POWELL: I do. I was very young at the time, but I do remember. It was right there on the corner of Pinal and Cottonwood Lane where the DMV is now. I remember the Otter Slide on Thorton Rd. GC LIVING: Sounds like Mayberry USA. MICAH POWELL: Yes, a Main Street town, growing up where kids didn’t have cell phones. You knew if you got in trouble your parents were going to find out, because everyone knew everyone’s kids. It was the same when my family lived in Eloy. You would cruise down Main Street in Eloy and it was packed. It was a vibrant town. This was in the 80s and early 90s.

I remember Tanger Outlet and when both outlet malls opened in Casa Grande. (laughs) You’d go shopping at Bugle Boy for your school clothes.

Everyone had Guess jeans, because they went to Guess in the outlet stores. Back then, Coolidge and Eloy seemed so far away, and it would take days to get there. Now as an adult, both are just down the street.

GC LIVING: Growing up here, I bet you still have a lot of friends in the area. Who were some of your friends growing up?

MICAH POWELL: Oh gosh, put me on the spot. Let’s see Ryan Swigart, Brian McDonald, Ricky McCreery, Brian Serna, Tim

Wakefield. I was so cool with everyone.

Christian Vasquez. Who else? Did I say Andy Mitchell? Eric Rivera, oh how can I forget Eric?

We had so many good times. Many are still in this area. Now my kids are their kids’ friends. I’m still in close contact with a lot of my old neighbors in Palm Park. It’s amazing what social media has done. Even though we’re so far apart, we’re still close together.

I remember my old principals, Mr. McCuster at Cottonwood and Mr. Trotter at the Jr. High (laughs) Mr. McCuster gave me my first of two swats in junior high.

GC LIVING: What did you do?

MICAH POWELL: The first time I was in seventh grade. I spit sunflower seeds on the ground, and I got in trouble. The second time, Miss Robbins said I said something in math class, and there it went. Still good times, good memories, you know.

GC LIVING: What did you do after high school?

MICAH POWELL: Little jobs here and there.

Bought my first house at 20, got married and started a family at a young age. I slipped and slided a bit and wasn’t the best, but I learned a lot from it. I was a truck driver, worked at the juvenile detention center, worked on airplane parts. When you’re 20 years old you don’t really understand life.

GC LIVING: Do you have a do-over life moment?

MICAH POWELL: If I didn’t live that life, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’m glad I went through my trials and tribulations growing up because I look at things differently now GC LIVING: What was your most rebellious moment?

MICAH POWELL: I did a lot of crazy things I learned from, drugs, drinking, just life.

There are things I shouldn’t have done, but

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

19

The ROX Interview (continued) I didn’t get in trouble for (laughs) or didn’t get caught. I didn’t go to prison or I on probation or things like that.

I know what it’s like to be homeless. I stayed in a men’s shelter in Prescott. And then came back here, sleeping in my truck beneath the Petro sign in Eloy. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I have a real big, strong family backing, and my mom never gave up. She may have backed up a few steps, but she never gave up.

GC LIVING: You publicly struggled with your weight. How did the weight gain begin, and what was your ah-ha moment when you said, ‘this can’t continue’?

MICAH POWELL: It began when my oldest son’s mom got pregnant. I got pregnant with her, I started eating everything. I am 5’11” and was at 220 pounds for the longest time. The next thing you know, I’m over 300 pounds and I couldn’t shake it. Diabetes runs in my family. Thankfully I didn’t have that or high blood pressure.

I had gastric sleeve surgery almost five years ago. I tried every fad diet you could possibly think of, and finally I just woke up

20

OR LI GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR LIV VING ING • THE INTERV IE W

one day and said, “I’m going to try this surgery.” I had a couple friends do it and they were successful. I said, “Well shoot. If they can do it, I can do it.”

I got down to 197 and I looked like I was on crack. I wanted to look healthy, so I gained a little bit of weight back. I was a healthy fat guy. That’s what the doctor said, “You’re a health fat guy. You just need to lose the weight. Be just a healthy guy.” So here I am today about a hundred pounds less.

GC LIVING: What kind of advice would you give to someone facing that question, “Should I do this?”

MICAH POWELL: Make sure your mind is right. Make sure this is something you want to do because this is only a tool. You still have to learn how to eat right. I have to regularly remind myself, “Dude, your stomach’s going to start expanding if you eat too much. You’ll start gaining weight and you don’t want that.”

GC LIVING: So, when did you move back to Eloy?

MICAH POWELL: I worked at a local funeral home. The owners moved out of their

house and asked me if I would want to move there. I grew up in Eloy. They said get involved in the community. So, I did.

GC LIVING: How did you go from truck driver to the funeral industry?

MICAH POWELL: As a truck driver you’re away from your family for such a long time.

Even when you’re a local truck driver it’s long hours. I worked for a local farm and got an overweight ticket, a very expensive $22,000 ticket. So, I separated myself from the company and fought the ticket. I actually almost won.

GC LIVING: Almost?

MICAH POWELL: It was reduced to two grand and the company paid half, I paid the other half. That’s a victory in my eyes. I just wanted to get away and be with my kids.

My youngest daughter was just a newborn.

Someone said to my mom, “Hey, your son drives. The funeral home is looking for a driver. Tell him to go apply.” So, I did.

I didn’t know what to do or what to expect. I’d seen funerals and caskets and all, but nothing hands on. I was nervous and couldn’t sleep that first weekend. On Monday they got a call. The first call and it was a baby. I remember going home and just crying, thinking, “I can’t do this.” They told me, “You can do this.”

I was there for eight years. I started as a driver and worked my way up.

GC LIVING: Now you’re with the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s office. Is it different?

MICAH POWELL: When it comes to death, you’re always expecting that next breath.

Even when we know our loved one is passing, when the time comes, you’re never prepared for it.

My job deals mostly with the unexpected passing, the unnatural versus the natural. It’s anyone and everyone in probably the worst situations. When the death is unexpected, car accidents, homicide, suicides, anything accidental ... I think it’s totally different.

GC LIVING: Is the job the way shown by Hollywood in the various CSI-type programs?

MICAH POWELL: No, it’s totally different.

Pinal County started their own medical examiner’s office about three years ago.

Hollywood and real life don’t mix. We don’t have those high-tech gadgets and stuff.

And we don’t solve the crime in an hour.

GC LIVING: Do you still go home and cry?

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Micah with his family, including Uncle Paul Ray and his wife Aunt Barbara Powell, cousin Mitzy Pantoja and her family, at the 50th anniversary of the ASU World Series Championship baseball team. Paul Ray was a member of the team.

At the Eloy City Hall groundbreaking ceremony.

MICAH POWELL: No, I have me time on the 35-minute drive home. I learned working at the funeral home to separate myself and understand work is work and home is home. But there are some cases that do stick with you. Prayer and meditation always help me out.

GC LIVING: Have you taken elements of your work experiences to preach to your chil-

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

dren and other community members, “Don’t do drugs. Don’t text and drive,”?

MICAH POWELL: I try to educate people around me as much as I can by experiences and what I see on an almost daily basis. I tell my kids I don’t want you to do this because this is how it affects a family.

You can’t prevent everything, but you can control aspects such as put the phone down, don’t text, don’t read Facebook concentrate on driving, don’t have one too many and then get behind the wheel. You can control that part of your life.

And nowadays with the Fentanyl situation, you don’t know what you’re taking.

It’s everywhere and there’s no age group that opioids and Fentanyl is targeting. It can hit anyone. You never know what’s on the streets. As little as one gram of Fentanyl can kill someone. That’s why we must be cautious at these scenes. It’s a scary time right now.

GC LIVING: How did you end up running for City Council? What made you decide to get

into politics?

MICAH POWELL: When I was in elementary school, we toured the Casa Grande City Hall. I remember seeing a plaque with a Powell last name on the dais. (editor’s note: Dewey Powell was city councilman at that time) And I thought, ‘wow, that would be cool’.

When I moved to Eloy, I got involved. I was on the cemetery board, in the Lion’s Club, and involved going to meetings. I thought, “I can do this”. I talked to family and friends and decided to try.

I never thought I would get elected in the first election in 2012. Now my name will always be connected with the city one way or another, either on a ballot or as member of the council. That’s my legacy.

GC LIVING: Was Byron Jackson the mayor at that time?

MICAH POWELL: It was his last year, he was stepping down, so we had a new mayor and new council. I had to go out and present

continued on page 65...

OR LI V ING THE INTERV IE W • GOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR VING

21

COOLIDGE, ARIZONA COOLIDGE: A CITY OF GROWING OPPORTUNITIES

by Mayor Jon Thompson, City of Coolidge

NEARBY DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

A growing interest in Coolidge from aviation, technology, solar, manufacturing companies and others will allow a better future for our residents, visitors and the region.

22

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

10 MILES TO I-8 SELMA HWY

DATA CENTER OPPORTUNITY

16

14

VAIL RD

SELMA HWY

15

FUTURE NORTH/ SOUTH FREEWAY CORNMAN RD

13 12 8

11

9 10

HANNA RD

APS SUBSTATION

7

6

WATER AND WASTE WATER CAMPUS ARICA RD

4 3 5

2

SHEDD RD

1

3 MILES TO I-10

87

HOUSER RD VAIL RD

T

his month I’d like to take a moment and discuss Coolidge’s ambitions of becoming one of the high-tech data hubs for the region.

Coolidge is on the forefront to expansive technologies serving Pinal County, the state and the United States. Our City Council recognizes the importance of technologies that improve the lives of our citizens, as well as those around the region.

In May, the Council passed a resolution to allow a data-center designation within our City limits. This step was much needed for large data companies wishing to build on land without many of the time-consuming zoning steps.

Saint Holdings, which owns the Inland Port of Arizona in Coolidge’s southern border, recently announced it would actively market a shovel-ready parcel of land and work with a host of internet and tech companies to realize such a data center. This action by our Council will hopefully help technology companies make the decision to bring projects to our City.

Coolidge has also been of interest to companies looking to expand their fiber footprint within the City.

Zayo is actively seeking to put Coolidge on its fiber map. The company would like to expand into Pinal County by linking its fiber among schools and libraries. The plan is expected to connect 34 schools and libraries around the county with much needed internet to underserved areas.

Another key player in the state is Alluvion Communications. The company’s aim is to provide connectivity to Coolidge and other municipalities around Pinal County. I’m especially happy to learn of its plans to connect the Coolidge Municipal Airport. Providing fast internet service to the airport will be a major economic driver for airport businesses.

Coolidge is always looking at ways to expand business opportunities to bring in great companies and fantastic jobs. While we don’t want to forget about Coolidge’s agricultural roots, we need to look outside the box and see future opportunities for growth.

I commend City staff for their work on helping to bring ideas forward that make Coolidge an attractive place to call home. Nikola Motors is on track to start work on its production facility. There is also a large interest in renewable energy by solar providers who can provide a wide range of energy back to the grid due to Coolidge’s large land offerings.

FUTURE NORTH/ SOUTH FREEWAY

Finally, aviation-related businesses are taking notice of the tremendous renovations at the airport.

There is more to come with the FAA’s $9.5-million grant award. All of these improvements not only help the City but provide needed jobs to Pinal County.

The City is on a pathway for tremendous growth. A growing interest in Coolidge from aviation, technology, solar, manufacturing companies and others will allow a better future for our residents, visitors and the region. Our streets are improving, the downtown area is being revitalized and major homebuilders are providing much needed housing for the area.

Coolidge really is a city of growing opportunities.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

RENT with Coldwell Banker ROX Realty and have

peace of mind with our experienced management team.

A+ RATING!

CONSISTENTLY HIGH OCCUPANCY RATE NEED HOMES FOR PROSPECTIVE TENANTS

SUCCESS AT FINDING TENANTS QUICKLY

WE OFFER • Marketing

• Rent Collections

• Emergency Calls

• Tenant Screening

• Evictions

• Lease Execution

• Accounting

• Coordinating Maintenance

• Rent Payments

• Regular Inspections

COSTS

• 10% Monthly management fee only on collected rents.

• No Hidden Fees and No Mark-up in Vendor Bills!

& Much More

SET UP FEES!

• Discounted monthly management fees for 3 or more properties.

FREE RENTAL EVALUATION Thinking of renting your home?

Contact Coldwell Banker ROX Realty today for a FREE consultation

520.423.8250 | info@roxrents.com 1919 N Trekell Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

©2018 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.

SUSAN GALLEGOS

KAREN HENSON

ROXrents.com

ELOY, ARIZONA ELOY’S PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, PRIVATE SECTOR HELPS LOCAL RESIDENTS

by Joel Belloc, Mayor, City of Eloy

T Staff and leadership from Eloy and Pinal County stepped up to maximize existing facilities, resulting in cost savings and more convenience to our citizens.

24

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

his month, we focus on leadership, a trait Eloy provides locally and regionally. Effective leadership increases opportunities for residents, helps attract new investors and leverages limited resources.

Frequently, this means thinking outside the box with enhanced collaboration and communication.

For example, Eloy and Florence worked together to complete an agreement sharing a magistrate judge.

This saves money and provides better service for the residents of both communities.

Recently, the City consolidated its municipal court with the County’s justice court. Rather than building a new court, now the City shares in the cost to operate and staff the existing Eloy Justice Facility at 801 N. Main St. Staff and leadership from Eloy and Pinal County stepped up to maximize existing facilities, resulting in cost savings and more convenience to our citizens.

Leadership and collaboration also works between the public and private sectors. Two years ago, it was decided during the planning process for a new City Hall, that tenant space be provided for lease to a private entity. The City and Pinal County Federal Credit Union leadership worked to make it possible for the credit union to locate a banking facility within the City Hall building. This partnership demonstrates Eloy’s interest and commitment in building good working relationships with the private sector, which resulted in a win/win arrangement.

Leadership also means taking controversial positions with a long term view. As an example, Eloy receives an annual allocation of slightly over 2,000 acre feet of Central Arizona Project (CAP) surface water and must pay for this water regardless of use.

Not fully utilizing its CAP allocation, Eloy needed to reduce annual water costs to minimize future rate increases. The City of Surprise needed to purchase water for its growing population, and in 2018, agreed to purchase 2,000 acre feet of Eloy’s CAP allocation on an interim basis. This reduced Eloy’s annual water cost without impacting future growth opportunities.

Lastly, all towns and cities depend on citizens to provide leadership whether it’s by serving on City Council or volunteering on boards and commissions. Eloy depends on policy recommendations and direction from citizen leaders on topics such as planning and zoning, the airport, the cemetery, etc. from citizen leaders.

On behalf of the Eloy City Council, we look forward to working with our regional and community leaders and volunteers to communicate and coordinate in the spirit of servant leadership for the existing and future residents of Pinal County. Our collective ability to share power, put the needs of our constituents first, and develop good citizens should be paramount. In closing, I hope you all had a great summer, and thank you for being part of our Eloy and Pinal County family.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

CASA GRANDE FAMILY DENTISTRY “We cater to cowards”

• Crowns & Bridges • Restorative Dentistry • Root Canal Therapy • Teeth Whitening • Extractions CASA GRANDE CASA GRANDE FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY

500 OFF A COMPLETE SET OF

$

A COMPLETE SET OF DENTURES DENTURES

Restrictions apply. Call for details GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING SMART SHOPPER GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING

CASA GRANDE CASA GRANDE FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY

CASA GRANDE CASA GRANDE FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY

• Same Day Crowns • Periodontal Therapy • Implants • Same Day Repairs • Full & Partial Dentures

CASA GRANDE CASA GRANDE FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY

CASA GRANDE CASA GRANDE FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY

$ $ FREE FREE 200 OFF 49 EXAM, ZOOM WHITENING ANY MAJOR TREATMENT XRAYS & CLEANING 2ND OPINION ZOOM WHITENING ANY MAJOR TREATMENT XRAYS & CLEANING Restrictions apply. Call for details GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING SMART SHOPPER GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING

Restrictions apply. Call for details GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING SMART SHOPPER GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING

520.836.0100

Restrictions apply. Call for details GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING SMART SHOPPER GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING

Restrictions apply. Call for details GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING SMART SHOPPER GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING

Daryl B. Potyczka, D.D.S.

smiles@casagrandefamilydentistry.com www.casagrandefamilydentistry.com

Tri-Valley Plaza 1355 E. Florence Blvd., Ste 107 Casa Grande, AZ 85122

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED WITH 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE       

Cars RV’s Trucks Motorcycles Backhoes Forklifts School Buses

• 24/7 Emergency Service • Fast Courteous Service At Low Rates • Licensed & Insured • Light Duty & Medium Duty Towing • Jump Starts • Lockout Service • I-10 & I-8 Towing

(520) 836-2500 FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

1201 N. VIP Blvd. Casa Grande, AZ 85122

www.StarTowingAZ.com

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

25

Economy • Finance • Business

Everything’s in Motion in Casa Grande

by Renée Louzon-Benn, President, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce

E

verywhere we turn these days, we hear about new business and industries looking at investing in Casa Grande and Pinal County. We are part of the Technology Corridor that is buzzing with the prospect of tremendous growth in our workforce, business services and types of subsidiary businesses that will support a burgeoning population and connectivity on local and global levels.

I like this quote by Simon Sinek: “Leadership is a way of thinking, a way of acting and, most importantly, a way of communicating.” The most effective leaders in government or in the private sector are those who want to create the most successful community, business, educational institution or nonprofit organization.

These leaders will listen to others and find the most effective ways to communicate through means that inspire dialogue rather than monologue. The best leaders should be willing to step up and lead, yet also view those whom they lead as partners in accomplishing the goals of the team or organization.

When envisioning the type of city/ community that can easily answer the needs of the increasing population, we know a positive attitude is vital to attracting businesses and individuals who will enjoy the lifestyle we offer in Casa Grande.

If asked why you choose to live in Casa Grande, be the “glass half-full person.”

Communicate the great things about our community. If you can’t think of anything, try interviewing some of our repeat winter visitors, as we do at the Chamber. They will tell you the people they meet here are very friendly and fun; that the City and community groups offer great, unique events

26

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

and programs; they love the beautiful new Community Recreation Center and beautiful parks with facilities that include pickleball, tennis, swimming, hiking, even skateboarding.

Add to that fantastic restaurants and stores, golf courses, theater, concerts, movies and dazzling sunsets – what you get is a big city on the move that still has the spirit of a neighborhood.

No matter who is leading, remember each of us can help to make this the community we want by being optimistic and sharing that optimism with others.

If we want change, we can work with others to enact that change. If we want to support planned growth of Casa Grande and Pinal County, let’s find out about some of the organizations and schools that offer programs, classes, courses and experiences that can build the type of workforce we will need now and in the future and communicate that information to others.

If you would like information about volunteer educational opportunities, service organizations, community or business resources, please contact the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, 520-8362125, info@casagrandechamber.org, or stop by the chamber office, 575 N. Marshall St., Casa Grande – Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Business Opportunity Community

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerece

28th Annual

Visit with local businesses and see what your community has to offer Open to the public / no charge to attend!

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm The Property Conference Center 1251 W. Glia Bend Hwy., Casa Grande More than 50 businesses exhibitors Back by popular demand - Vacation / Staycation Drawings!

Interstate 11 Could Be a Big Deal for Pinal County

by Tim Kanavel, Program Manager, Pinal County Economic Development

O

ne of the things I like to tout to companies when they are looking at either building or relocating to Pinal County is our transportation infrastructure.

Look at it like this, by freeway, we are: • 419 miles to Los Angeles • 348 miles to San Diego • 388 miles to El Paso • 43 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport • 79 miles to Tucson International Airport

Interstates 8 and 10 serve us very well.

By rail, Casa Grande is served by Union Pacific Railroad. Your freight can be hauled straight to the West and East Coast within days, if not hours.

Sky Harbor and Tucson International have multiple nonstops to destinations where vacationers or business executives need to go.

When companies see this, they are impressed at the ease they can get to places from Pinal County.

I forgot to mention that Las Vegas is only 348 miles away. But the big difference here is that it’s not easy to get there by car. Driv-

28

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • BIZ!

ing through Phoenix can be tough, especially during rush hour. Then you have to make it to Wickenburg, after that you have Kingman, Hoover Dam and then Las Vegas.

But there may be some relief down the road.

The proposed Interstate 11 would be a huge factor in bringing in even more commerce through Pinal County. Interstate 11 would bypass Phoenix, giving us unfettered access to markets to the north, Las Vegas, Reno, Boise, Spokane and Canada.

It would also take a lot of the commerce off Interstate 10, making it easier for you and me to drive to the Valley to catch a Diamondbacks game.

Right now there is a study going on that is called a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement. This is a 2,000-foot corridor being evaluated to see if building such a road is feasible. Now, I know you are thinking that 2,000 feet is a wide corridor for such a road, and you would be right. Once the freeway alignment is finalized by a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Study, the corridor will drop to 400 feet.

There is a long way to go before we even move a saguaro for construction.

Currently, there is a search for a funding source (in plain English — money) to even start a Tier 2 study. But the Tier 1 study has shown us that there is definitely a need for high-capacity roadways in the west-central part of Pinal County. This wouldn’t be completely built at one time. A project like this cost billions upon billions of dollars. The road would be built in segments once the money becomes available.

Let’s look at some more positives for the proposed Interstate 11: • Improves our chances of bringing in even larger companies to the area.

• Freight would be easily moved to various markets to the north and south of us.

• Bypasses Interstate 10.

• Provides direct connectivity for Casa Grande and Maricopa job markets.

There is a lot to like about the proposed Interstate 11. As an economic development professional, you rarely see such promising transportation advancements come around in your lifetime.

My response: Viva Las Vegas!

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

BENEFITING PINAL COUNTY Mission Statement Pinal 40 exists as a fraternity of community members who organized with the primary objective of promoting Pinal County, its youth as well as farming and agriculture related businesses. Philanthropically, Pinal 40 and its membership focus on providing support and funding for youth and education through agribusiness related scholarships and support of local charities.

Formed in 2014, Pinal 40 is a fraternity of community members organized with the primary objective of promoting Pinal County, its youth as well as farming and agriculture related businesses. Philanthropically, Pinal 40 and its membership focus on providing support and funding for youth and education through agribusiness related scholarships and support of local charities. The Pinal 40 is run by an all-volunteer board with all profits benefitting the community via Agricultural Scholarships, Boys and Girls Clubs, FFA, 4-H, and other Charitable Youth Organizations.

Since inception, $717,772 has been distributed to the community including $235,500 in individual scholarship awards.

2019 Scholarships have already been awarded. 2020 scholarship applications are now available on the website. Pinal40.org

Recipients of Pinal 40 Foundation funding includes: 2018-2019 Beneficiaries Include: • Boys & Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley • Pinal County Jr Livestock (Auction) • Arizona FFA Foundation • Natural Resource Education Center • Seeds of Hope • Puma Boosters Athletic Club • Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth – Achieve Pinal Committee’s Career Fair • Arizona Public Safety Foundation – CAB Friends of Casa Reading Program • The Willow Tree Foundation • Central Arizona Fair Association – Arizona Classic • Copa Grande Rattlers Soccer Club • Maricopa Little League • Arizona High School Rodeo Association Inc • Pinal County 4-H

Funding for the scholarships and grants is made possible by donations and fundraising including the upcoming Pinal 40 Charity Golf Classic. Once again this year, the tournament will be held at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, rated in the top 10 golf courses in Arizona. To participate, sign up at Pinal40.org/golf

PINAL40.ORG 30

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

DATE:

Friday, October 4, 2019

LOCATION:

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club 48456 AZ-238 Maricopa, AZ 85139

TIME:

6:45 AM Registration I 8:00 AM Shotgun Start

To register: www.pinal40.org/golf

Event Overview:

Four-person scramble playing (4) Par 3s - (10) Par 4s - (4) Par 5s The 3rd Annual Pinal 40 Charity Golf Classic, hosted by Pinal 40, is one of Arizona’s premier charity golf tournaments. Golfers will spend their day on the beautiful links of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, enjoying breakfast, lunch and beverages on the course followed by an awards banquet, auctions, raffles and prize ceremony.

Pinal 40 Members: Bass Aja Brant Bingham Brian Blevins Frank Boyce Craig Caballero Rocco Cardinale Steve Coester Dennis Dugan Sean Dugan Tony Dugan Jamie L. Dykstra Rock Earle Marc Ehlers James E. English David C. Feenstra James M. Felix David A. Fitzgibbons III Steve Gebhardt Gerrit Griffioen Andy Hampton Eric Lehman

Chris Lopez Dan Mace Craig McFarland Douglas Meier Michael Norris Bill F. Raney Cody Raney Tim Robinson Tony Salcido Bill W. Scott Peter Smith Terry Strain Jim Suor Fred Tucker Donald J. Van Hofwegen Matt Warth Cory Weddle Joshua Whitford Bobby Wuertz Zach Zimbelman

About Pinal 40:

Mission Statement Pinal 40 exists to promote youth programs in Pinal County through agricultural and other businesses.

Vision Statement Pinal 40 will be the premier civic organization in Pinal County known for its generous giving to youth charities, educational scholarships and others throughout Pinal County. Our foundation promotes our economy in the region and the State of Arizona. Membership in this fraternity will be highly coveted and annual charitable giving will exceed $1,000,000 along with a growing endowment.

Golf Classic Participants 2018

Giving Recipients - Total 2015-2019 CG Boys & Girls Club..................$205,000 Ag Scholarships ............................$240,500

Endowment...................................$120,000 Youth Community Grants.........$124,600 Pinal County Jr. Livestock Auction...$80,000 2019 Scholarship Recipients Photo by Egan Eyes Photography

AZ State FFA Foundation...........$45,000

David C. Vermillion, Event director Bill Scott, Golf Classic Committee Chairman Cell: 480-986-9238 Cell: 520-251-6306 Email: Dvermillion4@q.com Email: billscottsemail@gmail.com

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

ADEQ Looks for Ways to Prevent Dust Storms

T

he Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) hopes to reduce dust storms along I-10 in Pinal County.

According to the ADEQ website, soil stabilizer has recently been applied to 98 acres of open or disturbed desert in Pinal County.

Soil stabilizer is an environmentally friendly product that binds together loose soil, which reduces the potential for blowing dust and shallow dust storms created when winds blow across the open desert. These dust storms can easily impact highway drivers’ visibility, causing accidents.

“These smaller dust storms are just as dangerous for drivers as the massive walls of dust created from extreme winds originating from powerful monsoonal thunderstorms,” said Daniel Czecholinski, ADEQ Acting Air Quality Division Director. “By targeting our treatment to open desert near the highway, we could potentially reduce the threat for people living and traveling in the area.”

In 2017, 56 acres of land were treated successfully with soil stabilizer in the same area. ADEQ notes that the surface of that soil remains intact, and there has also been noticeable plant growth at the site. To date, 155 acres of private and state-owned property have been treated with soil stabi-

lizer.

In addition to applying soil stabilizer, ADEQ is also funding research into other methods of dust control. A team of researchers from the University of Arizona led

by Dr. Joseph Blankinship is trying to determine the effectiveness of a second treatment after soil stabilizer has been applied. The second treatment consists of mulch created from recycled landscape materials. The study will be conducted on 3 acres over the next year.

“Once soil structure in the desert is disturbed and plants disappear, it is difficult to re-establish landscapes resistant to erosion,” Blankinship said. “Helping to glue together and protect the soil in the short term with the application of soil stabilizer and mulch will likely reduce blowing dust but could also encourage long-term plant growth that will ultimately stabilize the soil naturally once again.

The goal is to find the best way to do that.”

ADEQ is part of an I-10 Dust Workgroup considering measures to address blowing dust during periods of high wind along the highway between Tucson and Phoenix. The I-10 Dust Workgroup includes representatives from Arizona state and county agencies, plus tribes and even neighboring state agencies.

I-10 Dust Workshop partici-

In addition to treating land with soil stabilizer, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has installed dust sensors to alert drivers to potential haz-

SUPERVISOR SMITH...cont. from page 17

Smith said when he came into office he wanted to inject change.

“I wanted to be transformational in my actions, framing a future worth striving for. Coupled with our county leadership team and everyday workers, we definitely are a winning team.”

When asked what his greatest accomplishment was as a supervisor, Smith pointed to the County’s

Strategic Plan. “I believe much of the success we’re having today is a result of driving to a roadmap that’s focused on growing jobs, improving of transportation network, increasing our quality of life and achieving financial stability.”

Smith offered thanks for the support he has received during his tenure on the supervisor’s board, “I especially want to thank Nancy,

to the recession.

• has a wide variety of new job opportunities.

• has a diversified economy.

• offers thousands of new high-tech jobs in industries suc h as g re en energ y, automot ive, aerospace, tourism and others.

32

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

pants include: • Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) • Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) • Arizona State Lands Department • University of Arizona, National Weather Service (NWS) • Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) • Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) • Pinal County Air Quality Department • Pinal County Sheriff’s Office • Arizona Department of Agriculture • Pima County Department of Air Quality • Gila River Indian Reservation • New Mexico Department of Transportation

ards. When dust is whipped up by gusty winds, it can create dangerous driving conditions.

Once the dust sensors detect an episode, overhead electronic message boards immediately alert drivers to the threat ahead. Programmable speed limit signs next to the freeway can change from 75 mph to as low as 35 mph. At the same time, closed-circuit cameras allow staff at the ADOT Traffic Operations center to see real-time conditions on the roadway and in-pavement sensors report the speed and flow of traffic.

If drivers encounter a dust storm, ADOT recommends the following safety tips as part of their “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign: • check for nearby traffic • slow down • exit the roadway completely • turn off your lights • stay off your brake • use your emergency brake • remain buckled; wait out the storm

my loving wife, and my family for their sacrifice and sharing time to allow me to be a public servant. In addition, many thanks to Marlene Pearce, our District Administrator, for her professionalism and loyal service, too.”

Read more news on page 55...

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

As a female owned and managed publication, we appreciate and salute you! To showcase fellow female accomplishments, Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine will be featuring a special section within our Holiday Edition: Women in Business. We encourage you to tell our readers about YOU, your accomplishments, successes and goals.

The advertisement sizes are quarter page (1/4), half page (1/2), or full page. Please include your headshot or a photograph of yourself you would like to use, along with your biography or what you would like to say about yourself.

Special advertising rates for the November Women in Business feature section in Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine:

Quarter Page ~ 100 words Half Page ~ 150 words Full Page ~ 150 words Word count is MAXIMUM. Photo minimum 200dpi.

This isn’t just a business ad -

this is about

NETWORKING NIGHT

Please

join

us on:

YOU;

you deserve recognition for your accomplishments.

For more information:

520.426.2074 or info@roxco.com

THURSDAY

OCT. 10

5-7:30 pm Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort 12684 W. Gila Bend Hwy. Casa Grande, AZ 85193

Light refreshments will be provided by:

Francisco Grande Resort

Please RSVP to: Email: info@roxco.com | Call: 520-426-2074 or Sign-up Online: https://raxxdirect.wufoo.com/forms/2019-gc-living-women-in-business/

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE RESERVE YOURS TODAY!

What’s Up Downtown this Fall

by Rina Rien, Director, Casa Grande Main Street

W

ith monsoon season coming to an end and the promise of cooler fall weather on the horizon, we have many reasons to entice you out to stroll the Downtown Arts and Culture District and keep it local for entertainment, dining and shopping.

Our new “roadside attraction,” Casa Grande’s Neon Sign Park, will be featured on an upcoming Arizona Highways segment with additional publicity provided by AZ Family Channels 3 and 5. Monthly Day Out Downtown historic tours will include the park as a new stop with the first event on Thursday, Oct. 17. Learn more by visiting our website, neonsignpark.com, and don’t forget to tag your photos on social media with #neonsignpark.

The City of Casa Grande in partnership with the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce and Casa Grande Main Street will be participating in a branding initiative to market our City as a destination for residents and travelers alike. Supported by The Arizona Office of Tourism and Local First Arizona’s Rural Council, we will begin the first steps toward putting Casa Grande on the map for day-trippers, staycations and even international travelers who have made such places as Route 66 a priority in their travel plans.

34

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • BIZ!

Join us at the Silent Witness Event at Vista Grande High School on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to receive our visitor guide and get updates on upcoming promotions.

As we approach the fall season, our arts and culture destinations will kick into high gear. Look for Hispanic Heritage Month special events at The Museum of Casa Grande, Casa Grande Art Museum and Storytelling Workshops at BlackBox Theatre at the Womans’ Club.

All of these pre-events will set the stage for the second annual CG Mosaic Festival on Sunday, Nov. 3. This free street festival will include live music and dance performances, cultural exhibitions at The Museum of Casa Grande, interactive art projects at Casa Grande Art Museum and storytelling at the BlackBox Theatre. Sponsored by the Flinn Foundation and the Arizona Commission on the Arts, CG Mosaic Festival celebrates our cultural diversity and local talent, connecting our community through a shared love of the arts.

Due to overwhelming demand, the application process is already underway for the 20th annual Street Fair and Car Show on Jan. 18-19, 2020. We will also be offering a discounted rate for artists to participate in our March Fine Art Explosion as street fair exhibitors. Learn more by visiting our online registration portal at zapplication.com. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering, please contact our office at 520-8368744 or email downtown@cgmailbox.com.

Our fans rave about our text-message service that provides timely event info you can easily share with friends.

Weekly updates text directly to your smartphone with hotlinks to event info and ticket purchase. Enter 57711 in the recipient section of your text and type CGMS in the message. You’ll be prompted to authorize the texting service with a “yes” followed by a confirmation within seconds.

You can also find all the latest information for ongoing downtown events by checking out our website at cgmainstreet.org. Click on our Facebook link to stay connected, and “like” our page for impromptu announcements.

Historic Downtown…

Experience the Difference 110 W. 2nd St., Casa Grande 520-836-8744 www.cgmainstreet.org

SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 3, 2019

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

CITY OF ELOY ARIZONA

Welcome to Eloy! The City of Eloy has been, and continues to be, the home of Skydive Arizona at the Eloy Municipal Airport. It has served the region over the past 20 years. We are proud of our long tradition for excellent skydiving and being known as the “Skydive Capital” of the United States.

Eloy offers the premier location for skydiving due to our abundant open space around the airport, and excellent year-round weather. The beautiful mountains in the foreground, minimal wind and plenty of blue skies make for an ideal environment for skydiving.

Thanks for attending this year’s competition and we hope you enjoy your stay in Eloy!

Joel G. Belloc, Mayor, City of Eloy

22ND World Cup of Formation Skydiving 13TH World Cup of Artistic Events AIMS OF THE EVENTS ■ Determine the World Cup winners of Formation Skydiving in the 4-way FS, 4-way FS female, 4-way VFS, and 8-way FS events.

■ Determine the champions of artistic events (Freestyle and Freefly).

■ Determine the world standings of the competing teams.

■ Establish formation and vertical formation skydiving world records.

■ Promote and develop formation skydiving, vertical formation skydiving and artistic events.

OCT 6 Official arrival day for delegations and judges

OCT 7 Judging Seminars, Official Practice 0800 - 1400 Opening Ceremonies 1600

■ Present a visually attractive image of the competition jumps and standings (scores) for competitors, spectators and media.

■ Exchange ideas and strengthen friendly relations between the sport parachutists, judges and support personnel of all nations.

■ Allow participants to share and exchange experience, knowledge and information.

OCT 8 Competition for FS 0800 - 1800 Official Practice for AE

OCT 9-11 Competition All Events 0800 - 1800

NAC: National Aeronautic Association National Federation: United States Parachute Association IPC Delegate: Kirk Verner Organizing Committee: Head: Larry Hill Members: Shawn Hill, Steve Hill. George Hargis, Windee Hill, Robert Thomas Omniskore!HD Will be used to score both FS and AE. The competition will be managed according to the FAI Sporting Code General Section and the rules specific to the events.

2

2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

OCT 12 Competition All Events 0800 - 1400 Closing Ceremonies & Awards begin at 1600

Event Host: Skydive Arizona 4900 N Taylor St Eloy, AZ 85131 USA 520-466-3753

By The

Numbers

CONTENTS Page 3 Statistics and Competition Officials Page 11 Things to do in Pinal County

13,000 = Height in feet above the ground when an 8-way formation team exits the plane.

Page 15 Participating Nations Page 16 Spectator FAQs

35 = Number of seconds the 4-way formation teams have to score points. Also known as “working time”.

Page 18 FAI Information

85 to 95 = Speed of the plane (in knots) when the competitors exit.

This is 97 - 109 mph.

62.6 = World’s highest average points scored in 7 rounds of Freefly, Achieved by the France team in 2018 World Championships.

Produced & Published in conjunction with

50 = Number of seconds the 8-way formation teams have to score points.

ROX Media, LLC 844.729.9769 | roxmediagroup.net Elaine Earle, Publisher 520.426.2074 | cfo@roxco.com Photo - Freefly Team, Niklas Daniel

25.7 = World’s highest average in 10 rounds of female 4-way Formation Skydiving. Scored by France in 2018.

Competition O

fficials FAI CONTROLLER: Rina Gallo- Canada CHIEF JUDGE AE: Silvia Wagner - Austria CHIEF JUDGE FS: Thierry Coutin - France ASSISTANT TO THE CJ’ S: Judy Celeya - USA MEET DIRECTOR: Bryan Burke - USA EVENT JUDGES:

Photo - Formation 4-way team, Joss Marin

ELOY, ARIZONA

Natalia Yastremskaya: Freestyle - Russia Ron Miasnikov: Freefly - Israel Claire King: FS - South Africa Wolfgang Duller: FS/VFS - Austria

AE JUDGES: Agnieszka Sobczyńska - Poland Jami Pillasch - USA Thi Bich Van Ha - France Ray Williams - Australia Bryce Witcher - USA FS JUDGES: Mike Pennock - Netherlands Pekka Salmena - Finland Liz Warner - UK Vera Asquith - Canada Deanne Brazelton - USA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA

3

Holiday Inn Casa Grande - Free Wireless Internet in Guest Rooms - All rooms with Microwave and Fridge - All rooms with Keurig Coffeemakers - Outdoor Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi - Cabos Bar and Grill Restaurant

holidayinncasagrande.com - 777 North Pinal Avenue Casa Grande, AZ 85122 P: (520) 426-3500 4

2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

Artistic

Events

A FREEFLY team is composed of one camera person and two performers.

GRIP: a recognizable stationary contact of the hand(s) of one performer on a specified part of the body of another performer.

DOCK: a recognizable stationary

contact of the foot (feet) of one performer on a specified part of the body of the other performer.

WORKING TIME: the period of time during which teams may perform a routine during a jump. Working time starts the instant any team member separates from the aircraft and terminates 42 seconds later.

Photo: Niklas Daniel

Photo: Sandy Radsek

A

Freestyle team consists of one performer and one camera person. Each jump is considered a round, max number of rounds is seven. Five rounds are free routines chosen by the team. Two rounds are compulsory with four mandatory sequences in each. Free routines are judged based on creativity, difficulty, execution and teamwork. A panel of three judges score the routines by watching the video after each round.

Photos: (Left) Freestyle Team “AZ Dream� (Right) Freefly Team

ELOY, ARIZONA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA

5

6

2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

Formation Skydiving FORMATION - A pattern built by performing certain grips during freefall.

A

competition team consists of 4 or 8 athletes and 1 camera person. The competition is up to 10 rounds with up to 6 formations each round.

The team scores 1 point for each correctly formed formation. They have a limited number of seconds to repeat the correct sequence of formations. The judges watch the video recorded during free fall by the camera person. The team to collect the most points by the final round wins.

Photo: David French

International Parachuting Commission

8 - Way

Formation Examples Hour Glass Š AXIS Flight School

Photo: Michael McGowan

rubick

Arizona Airspeed is a team local to Eloy and has competed in national and world competitions since 1994.

Š AXIS Flight School

ELOY, ARIZONA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA

7

Arizona ADVENTURES DAY TRIPS • Biosphere 2 (54 miles) biosphere2.org/

• Flagstaff (207 miles) flagstaffarizona.org

• Jerome (173 miles)

azjerome.com/jerome/

• Kartchner Caverns State Park (104 miles)

azstateparks.com/kartchner

• Lake Pleasant (115 miles)

U TA H

Las Vegas

North Rim

iver

Co l

oR ad or

NAVAJO NATION

Flagstaff

40

40

89

40

Winslow

Sedona

87

Jerome Cottonwood Prescott Camp Verde

Lake Havasu City

Mogollon Rim/ White Mountains

YOU ARE HERE

60

Scottsdale

PHOENIX 70 10

Yuma

ELOY

8

Southern

8

O

2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

desertmuseum.org/desert/sonora.php

• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (225 miles) • Tombstone (122 miles)

Tucson

XIC

• Sonoran Desert (50 miles)

nps.gov/sucr/index.htm

10

ME

• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (104 miles) visit-prescott.com

Cave Creek Carefree 17

10

• Mount Lemmon (90 miles)

• Prescott (162 miles)

Payson

60

fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/ recarea/?recid=54886

nps.gov/orpi/index.htm

180

89

Wickenburg

• Mogollon Rim (171 miles)

visitmountlemmon.com/

Williams Kingman

89

Grand Canyon Village

GRAND CANYON WEST

CALIFORNIA

maricopacountyparks.net/lakepleasant-regional-park-lp/

15

NEW MEXICO

N E VA DA

19

10

tombstoneweb.com

• Winslow (226 miles) winslowarizona.org

Original photo by Willy Boeykens

The original multimode AAD plus Vigil Xtreme Mode.

Four modes in one unit: Pro, Student, Tandem, Xtreme. www.vigil.aero

ELOY, ARIZONA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA

9

A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE FAI SKYDIVING WORLD CUP 2019 10 2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

ELOY, ARIZONA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA

11

Vertical Formation Skydiving

T

eams consist of four athletes and one camera flyer. Exit altitude is 13,000 feet above ground level. Working time is 35 seconds.

Objective is for the team to complete as many formations as possible within the working time while correctly following the sequence for that round. Each round consists of 5 or 6 scoring formations.

Teams complete these formations in a vertical axis either head down or upright. Average speeds of these jumps reach 160 mph.

Photo: Issac Hanson

Photos: (Left) X-Force

(Right) AZ Anthem Photo: Sandy Radsek

Become One With The Sky Real Performance: 7-cell WS

- Controlled Openings - Solid Stability and Control - Powerful and Forgiving Landings

www.InnovativeParachute.com @InnovativeParachuteTechnologies #IPTParachutes

12 2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

th e Griffi y: Bruc Photo b

ELOY, ARIZONA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA 13

TO ALL

TEAMS

www.uptvector.com 14 2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

Participating Nations 4-way fs

4-Way Female

8-Way FS

Australia China Finland France Germany Great Britain Italy Paraguay Russia Sweden Ukraine USA

France Germany Great Britain USA

France Germany Great Britain USA

FREESTYLE

FreeFly

France Great Britain Russia USA

France Germany Italy Netherlands Norway Russia Switzerland

ELOY, ARIZONA

4-Way VFS Norway Russia Sweden USA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA 15

Spectatorfaqs • Does it cost money to come watch?

No. There is no charge for admission.

• Can I bring my children?

Absolutely! Just please leave your dogs or any other pet at home.

• What will I be able to see?

You will be able to see all the athletes landing their parachutes. There will also be videos of each jump re-played on a large screen.

• Can we meet the competitors?

Yes. There will be many skydivers at the competition who you may talk to and take pictures with. Please be respectful of their time.

• Will there be somewhere to sit?

We will have bleachers and picnic tables. You can bring a fold out chair if you like.

everything unDer control?

check yourSelf check your friendS

we check your AAD Photo: Juan Mayer

photo: Juan Mayer

16 2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

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) $2 Hot Dog bar and $3 domestic beers!

Thursdays: (5pm-9pm) $1 tacos/tostadas and $3 margaritas and Mexican beers!

Fridays: (5pm-7pm) Happy Hour! $2.50 well and domestic drinks!

Saturdays: (5pm-9pm) Mexican Food Night!

Sundays: $5 slider plates and $4 Bloody Marys

History of Indoor Skydiving 1940: The first ever vertical wind tunnel on record is the 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel built at the NASA Langley Research Center.

1964: Jack Tiffany became the first recorded human to ever fly in a wind tunnel at the Wright-Patterson machine while working for the Apollo space program.

1978: The first wind tunnel designed and built specifically for human flight was built in Canada by Jean St-Germain. He constructed this machine so that his kids could experience freefall in a safe environment.

St-Germain used a DC-3 airplane engine and propeller which sat below a steel reinforced net and cage.

(520) 466-4640

www. skyventureaz.com

1997: a patent was filed by SkyVenture showing the first modern wall-to-wall wind tunnel design. This type of tunnel used multiple propellers with electric engines placed above the chamber which pulled air up through an enclosed flight chamber.

2005: SkyVenture Arizona offered the right size (14 foot, round) and enough wind speed (160 mph) for skydivers to train all disciplines of flying. This tunnel became the holy grail for training skydivers.

2010: the indoor skydiving industry exploded. Wind tunnels began popping up in major cities across the US.

2017: The first and only indoor tunnel designed for wingsuits opened in Stockholm, Sweden.

Have you tried indoor skydiving yet?

18 2019 FAI WORLD CUP OF FORMATION AND ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

Photo: Niklas Daniel

The FederaTion aeronauTique inTernaTionale Photo: Niklas Daniel The Federation Aeronautique Internationale, the World Air Sports Federation, was founded in 1905.

It is a non-governmental and nonprofit international organisation with the aim of furthering aeronautical and aeronautical activities worldwide, ratifying world and continental records and coordinating the organisation of international competitions.

It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The FAI is now an organisation of more than 100 member countries, forming a strong network linking all those who participate in air sports worldwide.

Within the framework of FAI, each air sport has an International Commission which is responsible for making the rules for competitions and which generally Photo: “It’s So Hilarious” Cred: Rich La Barr oversees the activities of their particular air sport.

The IPC- International Parachute Commission oversees this skydiving competition.

ELOY, ARIZONA

SKYDIVE ARIZONA 19

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

Get Ready for the 2020 Census

G

overnment agencies at all levels in Arizona are gearing up for the 2020 census, which takes place every decade in the United States.

According to the Pinal County website, “The census is much more than just a head count. It provides a picture of our nation that helps determine where to build new schools, hospitals, and businesses; how federal funding is distributed; and how congressional seats are apportioned. It also helps us see how our communities have changed over time. That’s why an accurate count is so important.”

Did you know?

• The requirement for conducting a census is mandated in the U.S. Constitution.

• Census Bureau employees take a lifelong pledge of confidentiality.

• It is against the law for any Census Bureau employee to disclose or publish any information identifying an individual.

• No law enforcement agency can access or use your

personal information.

• Data collected can only be used for statistical purposes.

• Results from the census determines how many congressional seats Arizona will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• Results will also guide the redistricting of Arizona’s state and local legislative districts.

In 2020, for the first time, responses may be submitted online.

There is also the option to answer by phone or mail.

Gov. Ducey has established the Arizona Complete Count Committee (CCC) to ensure that the Arizona census count is as complete and accurate as possible.

“All Arizonans should be counted in the upcoming census,” Ducey said in a press release. “The Arizona Complete Count Committee will help ensure we are reaching out to every neighborhood and community across the state — rural and urban — with a keen focus on historically undercounted populations.”

Rep. T.J. Shope, Dist. 8, has been

selected as the Legislature’s House Republican liaison to serve on the Arizona CCC. Dist. 7 Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai, who represents portions of Pinal County, has been chosen as the Senate Democrat liaison.

The census will start April 1.

Some of the questions asked include: • How many people are living or staying in your home on April 1, 2020 • Is your home rented or owned?

• How many males and females reside in your home?

• What is the age of each person in your home?

• What is the race of each person in your home? Are they of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?

See It, Report It, Track It

I

s there a particular pothole that you find yourself driving around on a regular basis? Did you notice some new graffiti on a downtown wall? Is there an abandoned vehicle just sitting there? Do you wish there were some way you could report the issue, so it could be corrected?

Well, now there is. Hoping to make it easier for citizens to communicate with city staff in a timely manner, the City of Casa Grande has a new online service request service portal which includes a mobile app.

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

With this upgraded system, residents can submit service requests, track the ticket progress and submit additional feedback to the appropriate city department. This app allows users to include the pinpoint location and even submit a photo of the issue along with the request for service. This will help the appropriate city officials resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.

Non-emergency items that can be reported include: • potholes • graffiti • non-working streetlights

• What is the relationship of each person in your home?

You will never be asked: • your Social Security number • to pay money or make donations • anything regarding political parties • any banking or credit card information According to the Census Bureau, “If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau asks you for one of these things, it’s a scam, and you should not cooperate.”

Remember, if you live in the United States, you are legally required to complete the 2020 census.

City of Casa Grande • • • •

uncontained trash pickup abandoned vehicles illegal dumping code violations

The mobile app, called SeeClickFix, has a modern, simplified interface for enhanced user experience, improved mapping services and quick access to the City’s social media and news information.

The requests will be monitored

by City staff to see how quickly they are being addressed and provide the resident with status updates.

SeeClickFix is available for both Android and iPhone. To sign in via a web browser, go to: https://crm. seeclickfix.com/#/login You can also call the Public Works Department at 520.421.8625.

Read more news on page 80...

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

55

Special Section:

There is a war for talent in our global economy. So, how do our local communities lead, develop and grow?

In an inc.com article discussing leadership development trends in 2018, Melissa Lamson, President and CEO of Lamson Consulting, makes four points regarding effective leadership.*

*inc.com/melissa-lamson/toplearning-development-trendsfor-2018.html

56

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Talent needs to be prepared with necessary skills to be successful.

Management and leadership skills require the ability to inspire, motivate and empower.

Technical skills are still relevant, although soft skills are key.

Career development requires training, mentoring and feedback.

While these concepts apply to businesses, they also apply to communities that want to lead the way. Pinal County leaders are acutely aware of these demands, as the City of Eloy Mayor Joel Belloc points out, “On behalf of the Eloy City Council, we look forward to working with our nearby partners to communicate and coordinate in the spirit of servant leadership for the existing and future residents of Pinal County. Our collective ability to share power, put the needs of our constituents first and develop good citizens should be foremost.”

H

ere’s what local leaders are saying as they strive to meet the leadership needs in Pinal County:

TALENT “We all want to see youth succeed, and one effective way to ensure that is by providing youth with real opportunities to lead. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), the nation’s largest youth health and safety organization, empowers young people to research and take action on critical issues that are important to them.

This, in turn, provides a remarkable opportunity for our youth to develop and sharpen their leadership skills,” says Nicole Youcupicio, Casa Grande Alliance-Prevention Specialist.

MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP SKILLS Leadership is the “attitude assumed by those looking for something different,” states Craig H. McFarland,

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

Mayor of Casa Grande.

Christian Price, Mayor of Maricopa: “The City of Maricopa continues to pursue its role as a leading economic development destination after the opening of the new overpass on State Route 347.”

“The persistence and leadership Maricopa staff and elected officials demonstrated during the bid process was so effective, cities around the state have begun emulating what is now called the ‘Maricopa Process,’” explains Adam Wolfe, PIO, City of Maricopa.

TECHNICAL SKILLS Jon Thompson, Mayor of Coolidge: “The City is on a pathway for tremendous growth. A growing interest in Coolidge with aviation, technology, solar, manufacturing companies and more will allow a better future for our residents, visitors and the region. Our streets are improving, the downtown area is being revitalized and major

homebuilders are providing much needed housing for the area.”

CAREER DEVELOPMENT Mila Besich, Mayor of Superior, points to the youth in her community, saying, “Perhaps I am most proud of our Superior Youth Council because that is where our future leaders are learning about what it means to lead. Our youth council was selected to participate in the Center for the Future of Arizona’s DemocraSeed program, which is teaching them critical thinking and entrepreneurial approaches to identifying and solving community challenges.”

“The most effective leaders in government or in the private sector are those who want to create the most successful community, business, educational institution or nonprofit organization,” states Renée Louzon-Benn, President, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce.

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

57

CITY

SPEAK

THE ART OF LEADERSHIP

by Craig H. McFarland, Mayor, City of Casa Grande

W

hat is leadership? We all believe we know what it means to be a good leader, but when it comes to defining the concept, the picture is not so clear. For some, leadership is motivation; for others, it equals results. It can also represent inspiration.

We define leadership based on common elements.

Here are 10 ways to define the art of leading:

Leadership is the attitude assumed by those looking for something different.

1. Vision - Leading means having a vision and sharing it with others. Only when you inspire others, is it possible to share a common goal toward directing the efforts and dedication of the entire team.

2. Motivation - A leader knows how to motivate better than anyone else; it is one of his or her main functions as people managers. Through motivation, a leader channels energy and professional potential to achieve objectives.

3. Serving - The leader is at the service of the team, not the other way around. Group members must have and feel the support of their leader. The tools needed to do their jobs properly must be available to them.

They must have recognition for their efforts and know there is a person paying attention. That is all part of leadership that serves the team.

4. Empathy - One of the basic qualities of any leader seeking success is emotional intelligence — an often innate ability that makes leaders put themselves in the place of others, understand their concerns and solving problems. Leaders know the secrets of their businesses and can empathize with customers and team members. That empathy inspires and establishes links that ultimately lead to success.

5. Creativity - Good leaders create an environment that encourages all members of their team to develop skills and imagination so they can contribute to the common project and vision of the organization. Lead successfully by respecting the creativity of others and learn from them; their ideas will surely prove to be positive for you.

6. Thoroughness - Good leaders set the bar high for their people, because they want to reach goals and

58

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

bring out the best in their teams. Only a demanding leader will achieve great results. In addition to thoroughness, the leader must know how to listen to understand the needs of the people and then provide the necessary time and resources for them to do their job properly.

7. Managing - The leader must be at the forefront to lead and guide his or her team throughout the whole process until the goal is reached. Besides being that “torchbearer,” leaders also know when to step back and encourage their team to take the initiative. In this way, the team develops both personally and professionally. Pure management focuses on the tasks; real leadership focuses on the people.

8. Team building - True leadership is about working as a team to reach a common goal. People management is one of the most difficult tasks faced by leaders. Thanks to the positive attitude — essential in good leaders — and trust in their co-workers, leaders get better results. Team-aware leaders take responsibility when something is wrong and reward the group after a job well done.

9. Taking risks - Leaders are responsible for taking risks others are not willing to take. They are confident enough to make a decision. If they make a mistake, the leader must have the courage to rectify, assume responsibility and choose the right path without blaming it on the team. Good leaders see opportunities where others can’t, and they know how to spread enthusiasm for their vision.

10. Improving - True leadership seeks continuous improvement. Leaders turn their team members into stars as they improve and develop their skills.

In short, the definition of leadership has nothing to do with the hierarchy or anyone’s position within the organization; it has nothing to do with imposing views, but it’s about listening to those who know. Leadership is the attitude assumed by those looking for something different. They are committed to achieving a goal with conviction, which is transmitted to others through enthusiasm and optimism.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

theme theme REALTOR®

REALTOR® theme REALTOR®

SATURDAY SATURDAY

SATURDAY NOV 16 NOV 16

NOV 16

HOOPER RODEO/PAUL MASON SPORTS COMPLEX ED ED HOOPER RODEO/PAUL MASON SPORTS COMPLEX ED HOOPER RODEO/PAUL MASON Fun SPORTS COMPLEX and Entertainment

8:00 am11:00 — 11:00am am 8:00 am 8:007:00 amAM—-—11:00 am PACKET PICK-UP 8:00 am — 11:00 am

AM Packet Pick-up 7:007:00 AMSTART —- PACKET 5K - 8:00 AM / FUNPICK-UP RUN - DURING RACE AM — PACKET PICK-UP 5K -- 8:00 // FUN RUN RACE 8:00 FUN RACE 5K - AM 8:00START AM START / FUN RUN- DURING - DURING RACE

Fun and 9:00 am 11:00 9:00 am- Entertainment - 11:00 am am Fun and Entertainment 9:00 am 11:00 MUSIC-DJ • &K9-DEMO SNACKS Fun Entertainment 9:00 am - 11:00• GAMES am •am

MUSIC-DJ • K9-DEMO • GAMES • SNACKS 80'S THEMED CONTEST. MUSIC-DJ ••K9-DEMO •COSTUME GAMES • SNACKS MUSIC-DJ K9-DEMO • GAMES • SNACKS 80'S THEMED COSTUME CONTEST. 80'S THEMED COSTUME CONTEST. 80’S THEMED COSTUME CONTEST Proceeds go to Cancer Support Center

$25$25 registration fee,fee, Receive a aT-Shirt with Registrations •55Center under free (T-Shirt included registration Receive T-Shirt withyour your Registrations &&under free (T-Shirt notnot included withwith FunFun Run)Run) Proceeds go to Cancer Support

Proceeds go to Cancer Support Center $25 registration fee, Receive a T-Shirt with your Registrations 5 & under free (T-Shirt not included with Fun Run) Proceeds benefit the local: $25 registration fee, Receive a T-Shirt with your Registrations 5 & under free (T-Shirt not included with Fun Run)

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT AT: REGISTER FOR THE EVENT AT:

Additional Sponsorships available. www.wparmemorialrun2019.racewire.com REGISTER FOR THE EVENT AT: www.wparmemorialrun2019.racewire.com Contact Kelly Herrington (520) 780-0843

Additional Sponsorships available. www.wparmemorialrun2019.racewire.com Additional Sponsorships available.

Erica Ybarra (520) 840-8587 Contact Kelly Herrington (520) 780-0843

Proceeds benefit the local:

Proceeds benefit the local:

Contact Kelly Herrington (520) 780-0843 Additional Sponsorships available.

Erica Ybarra 520-840-8587 Erica Ybarra 520-840-8587 Contact Kelly Herrington (520) 780-0843 FOR MORE INFORMATION: FOR MORE INFORMATION: REGISTER FOR THE EVENT AT: Erica Ybarra 520-840-8587 520-421-1222 • 820 W. COTTONWOOD LN #9 | CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122 • WWW.WEMAR.ORG 520-421-1222 • 820 W. COTTONWOOD LN #9 | CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122 • WWW.WEMAR.ORG

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.wparmemorialrun2019.racewire.com TT HH AANNKK Y YO OU U T OT OO UO RU RS P SOPNOS N O SR O S RS

520-421-1222 • 820 W. COTTONWOOD LN #9 | CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122 • WWW.WEMAR.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION:

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!

520-421-1222 • 820 W. COTTONWOOD LN #9 | CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122 • WWW.WEMAR.ORG

Special Section: Business & Leadership

Volunteer Into Leadership

by Donna McBride, Pinal County Juvenile Court Program Administrator II

S

ome of America’s most well-known leaders are volunteers. On a national level, Singer Taylor Swift founded a campaign to protect children from online predators.

She is also active with UNICEF, Red Cross, Children in Need and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Arians Family Foundation was created in 2013 by Bruce and Christine Arians for reasons dear to their hearts. Christine worked for years as a family-law attorney, or as she describes, a “broken-family” attorney. Bruce used his position as Arizona Cardinals coach to help CASA recruit new volunteers.

Locally, Evelyn Casuga, a retired Arizona Public Service executive who has been a state and local

Has her leadership with CASA really made a difference? Yes. “I can honestly say that “my kids” are happier & better off now at home with their parents who ‘buckled down’ and did the work to get them back or they are now safe in another home that love them…forever”. Lydia Mercier, Casa Grande, CASA for 10 years

60

leader in economic development, education and other areas, received the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award for her exceptional volunteer leadership.

But what do all three of these folks have in common? They are “giving.” To develop your leadership skills when you volunteer, I consider these five qualities most important.

1. Be passionate No matter what organization you decide to be a leader in, be passionate about it. Volunteers lead organizations in different challenges but the main characteristic is “giving.” They make communities better. Your passion creates your space in leadership. Choose a cause you’re passionate about and use that enthusiasm to lead others.

2. Create a new “comfort zone” Volunteering often challenges us to work with new people, in new settings and learn new skills.

And while some may look at these opportunities as an “outside my comfort zone” strategy, maybe we should think of it as finding a “new zone.” What can we learn from volunteering in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program, for example? CASA puts volunteers in a courtroom working with foster children, writing reports, etc. And while most of our volunteers come into the program without those skills, by providing quality leadership training, we give them the tools needed to find their new comfort zone.

CORRID OR LI LIVING V ING • SPECI A L SEC TION GOLDEN CORRIDOR

The Casa Grande Youth Commission are volunteer leaders that meet every month to help the City of Casa Grande with teen issues. They stopped to show off their new shades, courtesy of the Casa Grande Alliance, during their annual leadership retreat in August.

3. Capitalize on your soft skills Many people focus on developing professional skills when they volunteer. That’s great, but don’t forget another important trait. Being dependable, confident and compassionate are examples of soft skills. Volunteers develop those skills from within themselves, they are not taught.

4. Lead by example If you say you are going to do something, do it. While volunteering doesn’t pay financially, it is a priceless experience that will not only help others but show your true character. Following through on your commitments, showing up, giving 100% when you can, these characteristics will follow you. People will learn from you, but just as importantly, about you, by your actions.

5. Share your experience Sharing your volunteer experience is an excellent way to develop skills, validate your leadership experience and do community outreach. Word of mouth by volunteers is the best publicity any organization can get. Whether you speak or write about your experience, both are critical skills in leadership and can help the organization. With CASA, we know our volunteers are the No. 1 recruitment tool for us.

Being a volunteer leader for the last 2 years with CASA has brought Beth Chism great personal satisfaction.

“Because of my own experience as a 12-year-old in court prior to CASA program. I was terrified”.

What is your passion? What direction will you lead? According to Taxexemptworld.com, Pinal County has over 1,300 nonprofit organizations. Tackling issues such as health, education, youth, elderly, homelessness, public safety, literacy, emergency preparedness or animals – there is something for everyone to get passionate about and hone your leadership skills.

“The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.”

— John Wooden THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

ARIZONA ROOMS BY

$1,000 OFF ARIZONA ROOMS WITH

12 MONTHS

NO

INTEREST

PAYMENTS* MONEY DOWN

OFFER ENDS OCTOBER 31ST

Add space, fill your home with natural light and bring in nature all year long!

Our Arizona Rooms’ glass is designed for desert climates. Add space, fill your home with natural light, and bring in nature all year long.

A Four Seasons Arizona Room is functional AND beautiful. Your Arizona Room becomes the best place for game nights, parties, holidays, get togethers, quiet conversations, or alone time.

Four Seasons Arizona Rooms come in a variety of sizes, finishes, door choices, and other features! From straight roof, curved roof, cathedral roof, or conservatories, our sunrooms can be designed specifically for you and your home.

Call for a FREE in-home consultation

520-276-4193 • FourSeasonsAZ.com

*Valid for new customers during initial consultation only with purchase of Four Seasons Arizona Room. 0% interest for 12 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit. Finance charges will be waived if promo balance is paid in full in 12 months. Not valid with other offers or previous orders. Some restrictions may apply, see representative for details. Dreamstyle Remodeling, Inc. (fn) ROC260542 B-3

SUPERIOR, ARIZONA LEADERSHIP: IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

A

Honest, effective and transparent leadership requires an enormous amount of communication, the highest level of ethical behavior and a deep and abiding commitment to the cause.

62

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

s I prepared to write this column, my thoughts immediately went to the leaders who have helped to shape my worldview and to those who have inspired and encouraged me along the journey of my professional development.

Most importantly, thinking about leadership underscored the invaluable role mentorship plays in cultivating future leaders. Leader mentors certainly made an indelible impact on my professional growth.

Everyone has an opportunity to lead. Whether in our workplace, within our families, in clubs and organizations, everyone will at some point in their lives need to lead. I am fortunate to be a Flinn Brown Fellow, which has greatly advanced my knowledge base and helped to hone my leadership skills.

Some will lead with empathy and compassion, helping others through difficult times. Some are more decisive and analytical, and those decisions often provide clarity when solutions may not be readily apparent.

Some will lead by taking huge risks, and because they did so our world is a different place – and for the better.

It takes all kinds of leaders to serve our communities, our state and our nation. Honest, effective and transparent leadership requires an enormous amount of communication, the highest level of ethical behavior and a deep and abiding commitment to the cause.

From a young age, I have been honored to serve as a leader in my community and feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to do so. Reflecting on those experiences, I realize those early years of student council and yearbook and Youth Coalition were the foundation builders that shaped my desire to be a community leader. I can recount when adult leaders and mentors provided me with the tools, as well as their support to lead initiatives, but also allowed my peers and me to make decisions independently. Those were important skills I learned at an early age, and they continue to influence me today.

Leading Superior through this period of great transformation indeed is exciting. The path is not without challenges. Our success in Superior is derived from a cohesive team effort. Government cannot do it alone, business cannot do it alone nor can the civic community do it alone.

To make great things happen, it takes teamwork – all of these sectors aligned with one another striving for

The Superior Youth Leadership Team present their schedule of events and activities to Mayor Mila Besich

PHOTO BY CAT BROWN

by Mila Besich, Mayor, Town of Superior

the same overarching goal. Each member of our Town Council, our department heads and community leaders at the Superior Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations lead with the desire to see Superior truly become a superior community in Arizona.

Perhaps I am most proud of our Superior Youth Council because that is where our future leaders are learning about what it means to lead.

Our youth council was selected to participate in the Center for the Future of Arizona’s DemocraSeed program, which is teaching them critical thinking and entrepreneurial approaches to identifying and solving community challenges. Their efforts in our community include organizing such programs as community cleanups, youth activities and supporting community events. I am excited to see what new ideas they will bring back to Superior when they complete this prestigious program.

As the Executive Director of the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition, one of the programs we support is the Valle del Sol Hispanic Leadership Institute-Copper Corridor. The CCEDC partnered with Valle del Sol in 2014 to help inspire current leaders and cultivate new leaders.

To date, we have graduated more than 50 leaders from this program, many of whom have gone on to run for office or take on new leadership roles within important community organizations such as local Little Leagues and other community service groups. I am proud to have been a member of the first HLI-Copper Corridor alumni group in 2014; it has been a wonderful asset to our region in helping to grow a strong network of leaders helping to shape the Copper Corridor region and fostering regional collaboration.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Are you looking for a new career or new brokerage?

Come talk to Coldwell Banker ROX Realty.

Exciting Things Are Happening at Coldwell Banker!

Awesome Technology Awesome Culture Awesome Compensation

Be part of the GenBlue future.

Coldwell Banker. Home to Ingenuity, Excellence and Awesomeness.

KELLY HERRINGTON SALES MANAGER/REALTOR®

520.780.0843 | Kelly@roxsells.com

520.423.8250 | ROXsells.com ©2019 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.

Special Section: Business & Leadership

MARICOPA, ARIZONA

TRANSFORMATION STARTS WITH LEADERSHIP

OVERPASS ON STATE ROUTE 347

The City’s resiliency, often referred to as “Maricopa grit,” has shown through, and the community met a milestone 15 years in the making when the overpass opened to the public.

by Adam Wolfe, Public Information Officer, Department of Administrative Services

T

he City of Maricopa continues to pursue its role as a leading economic development destination after the opening of the new overpass on State Route 347.

The arrival of permanent residents and visitors has continued to grow in Maricopa over the last decade, despite it being one of the hardest hit communities during the Great Recession. The City’s resiliency, often referred to as “Maricopa grit,” has shown through, and the community met a milestone 15 years in the making when the overpass opened to the public.

“I can’t even tell you the partnerships and the folks that you have to work with to make a project like this come to fruition,” Maricopa Mayor Christian Price proclaimed during the overpass grand opening. “It takes thousands upon thousands of hours to make this possible, and I want to thank everyone who made this possible.”

Since 2003, the City of Maricopa has been lobbying state and federal officials for the funding to build the overpass over the railroad tracks that run through the middle of town. These tracks would stop traffic multiple times a day and with the population increase across the community began to create a serious safety issue for daily commuters.

Despite being turned down on multiple occasions, the City Council never gave up on pursuing funding.

Mayor Price traveled to Phoenix to visit state legislators at the Capitol and even traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Maricopa’s federal representatives to see if they could help.

MAYOR PRICE CUTTING THE RIBBON

This effort eventually paid off as Maricopa received a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the Federal Highway Administration worth $15 million. This allowed the project to move forward.

When the grant was awarded in 2015, then-District 1 Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick stated, “This is a major breakthrough for a project that is needed more urgently now than ever. I am thrilled that Maricopa now has the resources to move forward.”

The persistence and leadership Maricopa staff and elected officials demonstrated during the bid process was so effective, cities around the state have begun emulating what is now called the “Maricopa Process.”

The impact of this project will reach well beyond transportation as the southern half of the city is now more accessible than ever. Shops, restaurants and hotels have already committed to coming to the southern side of the overpass, and both single and multifamily homes are expected as well.

The City that was nearly destroyed by the Great Recession has not only recovered but has become an economic development leader in south-central Arizona.

“Great transportation corridors are the key to great economic development,” Mayor Price said. “This will be transformational for our community.”

MAYOR PRICE (DRIVER) AND MICHAEL SALGADO (OWNER OF THE VEHICLE/PASSENGER)

ALL PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF VICTOR MORENO.

64

GOLDEN CORRIDOR CORRID OR LI LIVING V ING • SPECI A L SEC TION

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

The ROX Interview (continued) ...continued from page 21 myself, gain a lot of trust from the community. They knew the Powell last name from being in Eloy, but they didn’t know me. I was a stranger to them. I put my signs up, shook a lot of hands and lots of door knocking. There I was marching down the streets, wearing my shirts and pins, and having my personality out there.

GC LIVING: Who talked you in to running for office?

MICAH POWELL: Myself. I remember when Matt Herman was selected then elected to the council in Casa Grande. I thought, ‘Man, if Matt can do it, I can do it’. Nowadays people are getting more involved, they’re engaged in their community. As long as you have love and interest and dedication for your community, you can do it. I had that. And family support, you need family support. I have an awesome family, from my fiancée Lydia, our kids, to my mom, Doria, and my stepdad Bob Huddleston, who’s on the Casa Grande city council and dad. I can’t forget my friends. DJ Johnson, Andrew Rodriguez, Rigo Diaz, Carlos Garcia, Paul Rodriguez and others who have had my back since the beginning.

GC LIVING: Do you two have some heated political discussions at family dinners?

MICAH POWELL: No, we don’t.

Bob is such an awesome guy.

I’ve been blessed and learned a lot being in a blended family.

GC LIVING: What did you feel at the end of the election night?

The results weren’t close.

MICAH POWELL: We had a little get together for family and friends at my house. When the first numbers came out, I was in fourth. After they tallied all the votes at each precinct, they would post them on the window or door. So we’re scrambling the different precincts in

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

Eloy and I’m in fourth. Then you get online, and the early ballots kick in and I’m moving to third, then second. And next thing you know, I’m leading the votes.

It was crazy, I’m thinking I’m an elected official now. Then I get the call from our city clerk and she says, “Congratulations Councilman-elect Powell”. I’m thinking, “I gained their trust and got their vote. Now I have to talk the talk.”

You can do a lot of good in a small community and that’s what I want to do.

My first term was pretty crazy. We had a new city manager and some new department heads. We had to raise the water rates.

GC LIVING: The 2012-13 economy was still not the strongest. Was the city in a financial crunch?

MICAH POWELL: Eloy has always been financially stable with the prisons built there. The city was okay. They’ve been very frugal with the budget and that’s what’s helped us not need to lay people off. We have been able to plan big projects, redo water lines, redo roads, and build a new city hall.

In my opinion, 2012 was the complete turnaround for the City of Eloy as a whole. You start to gain respect outside the community and are no longer passed over on ideas, projects, or even a seat at the regional or statewide table. Eloy is being involved. We’ve done a lot of self-promoting to change the culture starting within.

GC LIVING: So you’ve gone from your youth when Main Street was vibrant and lined with shops to the early 2000s where the doors were boarded over and looking a little tired to the current day and the city just opened a new City Hall and is

continued on page 76...

to Ca sch ll 52 edule No 083 your w 6-6 tou 55 r!

5

1771 E McMurray Blvd Casa Grande, AZ 85122

www.cypresspointliving.com

Activities & Parties • Pet Friendly • Shuttle Service • Beautiful Single Level Grounds with Walkways • Friendly Community Atmosphere

OR LI V ING THE INTERV IE W • GOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR VING

65

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

JOSH WUCHTERL - FLOWER

JOSH WUCHTERL

APRIL TARANGO - ARAVAIPA CANYON

66

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

JOSH WUCHTERL - ON THE ROAD THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Health • Happiness • Education

JOSH WUCHTERL

RIDER TAYRELL TODD - PHOTO BY TIM ROBINSON

JOSH WUCHTERL FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

JOSH WUCHTERL

JOSH WUCHTERL

JOSH WUCHTERL GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

67

FROM SHELTER TO VISITATION SUPPORT TO CARING FOR PETS, AGAINST ABUSE IS AT THE READY

by Pat Griffen, Executive Director, Against Abuse, Inc.

A

gainst Abuse, Inc. (AAI) began serving victims of domestic violence in 1981 using a Safe Home Network model.

The more male and female victims we served, the more we realized there was so much more that needed to be done to ensure their safety and help them get back on their feet.

We operate two shelters: a 32-bed domestic violence shelter in the City of Maricopa and a 24-bed domestic violence shelter in Casa Grande.

For those who are ready, we help survivors through our transitional housing services as they prepare to transition into their own homes.

For those who are divorced and have children, we provide court-ordered supervised visitation and safe exchange services in a family-friendly environment.

For families in which the children have been legally removed, we coordinate and supervise visits with family members and their children, with the ultimate goal being family reunification.

Many victims need a safe place for their pets while they are in a shelter. We established a volunteer-based Animal Safe Home Network where pets can be temporarily fostered in pet-loving homes.

Shelter services are not a victim’s only option. For those who don’t need or want to be in a shelter, we provide community-based and mobile services. These have expanded and we now have offices in Casa Grande, the

68

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

City of Maricopa and San Manuel.

Often a victim leaves with only the clothes on their back, so we opened a thrift store to make sure our clients have the things they need, such as clothing, furniture and household items.

It is important to make sure our communities are aware of the issues we all face together. To enhance awareness in the communities we serve, Against Abuse hosts, or co-hosts, a number of events, such as The Taste of Casa Grande, the Pinal County Child Abuse Prevention Conference and the Seeds of Change Gala.

Against Abuse doesn’t do it alone. We are stronger because of our collaborative partnerships with first responders (sheriff’s office, police, fire, ambulance), medical, dental and behavioral health organizations, as well as a number of local businesses. We also draw strength from the generosity of the members of our community who donate their time, supplies and funds.

We have made great strides throughout the years. According to the statewide FY-17 DES DV Programs Fund Report, out of Arizona’s 34 DES-funded domestic violence programs, AAI had the fourth highest census of total adults and children served. In FY 17-18, 67 percent of those we served in shelters were children.

As long as there is a need, we will continue to provide services and supports that make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

Against Abuse, Inc. 2018-2019

Against Abuse provided services for

1,522

women, children and men Emergency shelters provided

17,131 bed nights for 630 survivors (364 women, 253 children and 13 men) 15 transitional living sites provided

7,317 bed nights Provided

3,563 hours of supervised visitation

1,438 safe exchanges Volunteers provided

6,204 hours

1,221 of those for the Animal Safe Home Network Provided

5,158 hours of non-shelter community-based services and supports. In addition, 4,497 people received 193 hours of outreach and education

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

SPONSORSHIPS 2019 PREMIER ($5,000) Eva’s Fine Mexican Food (Host)

FOODIE ($750) Abbott Laboratories Banner Casa Grande Medical Center Electric District No. 2 Henry & Horne

Crescent Crown Distributors

J.R. and Deborah McEvoy Mary T, Inc.

CONNOISSEUR ($2,500)

Pinal County Attorney’s Office

Kramer Media (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers) In-Kind

Pinal County Federal Credit Union

ROX Media Group (Golden Corridor LIVING & Smart Shopper) In-Kind

SOUS CHEF ($1,500)

Snider Consulting Services (David Snider) Western Bank

Elite Real Estate Pros (Kathi Buckner)

Tickets are available by calling 520.836.1239, with any board member, or online at

SRP

against-abuse.org

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

2019 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Host Venue: Eva’s Fine Mexican Food A Latte Vino Anaya’s Fresh Mexican Restaurant Banner Casa Grande Medical Center Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar Buffalo Wild Wigs CGQ Chili’s Cook E Jar Cotton HouseArizona City

Culvers Deadlift Brews & Shakes Dunkin Donuts Foxtrot Cafe Eegee’s El Perico (Food truck) Golden 9 Restaurant IHOP La Grande Café Mi Amigo Ricardo Olive Garden Raising Cane’s

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI V ING YOU! • GOLDEN

69

The Leaders of Tomorrow are Here

by Nicole Youcupicio, Casa Grande Alliance, Prevention Specialist

C

asa Grande has 55,477 full-time residents. Out of those, approximately 16,000 are children. This means youth account for almost a third of our City’s population. Our children are our future leaders.

We all want to see youth succeed and one effective way to ensure that is by providing youth with real opportunities to lead.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), the nation’s largest youth health and safety organization, empowers young people to research and take action on critical issues important to them. This, in turn, provides a remarkable opportunity for our youth to develop and sharpen their leadership skills.

SADD has a very strong presence in Casa Grande. Our local SADD chapters promote healthy choices with peers and help make positive changes on school campuses and in communities.

We asked current Vista Grande High School SADD member Kacee Rowland to answer a few questions on how SADD has positively impacted her life and helped her find the leader within.

Why did you join SADD?

“I joined SADD so that I could have the opportunity to help kids and families in the community while spending time with my friends. Also, the concept of SADD intrigued me. The idea behind SADD is so broad that it allows a lot of room for creativity.”

What has been your favorite SADD experience?

“My favorite SADD experiences have been performing at the anti-drug rallies for the local fourth and fifth graders and volunteering for the Silent Witness Anti-Crime Night. For me, it is the activities where I get to interact with the kids that are the most fun.”

What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your peers?

“The biggest issue with my peers is conformity. I think my peers yield to group pressure because if they try to go against them there is the fear of criticism. This problem isn’t just involving drugs, such as Juuls or alcohol, but it is also present in the classroom (bullying) and outside of school (dating pressure).”

What advice would you give someone who has just joined SADD? “I would tell them that if they think SADD sounds fun, it is even better than they can imagine. Throughout the year we participate in so many fun activities that it will benefit you and help you grow without you even noticing it.”

70

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

How have your parents supported you with SADD? “My parents were very encouraging about me joining SADD. They saw it as a perfect opportunity for me to learn and to teach my peers about the dangers of drugs, drinking and driving, and other destructive behaviors.”

What leadership qualities have you gained by being in SADD? “After being a member in SADD, I am more open to public speaking. It is not as frightening as it once was. I am now more likely to share my opinions and ideas in discussions.

Overall, SADD has taught me to rise to the occasion when originally I would just sit back.

I am no longer hesitant in sharing my voice, and I have learned that ‘no’ should not be a word that feels uncomfortable to say when it comes to making good choices for my future.”

In a nutshell, John C. Maxwell said it best: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” These are the leaders that SADD creates.

If your daughter or son is interested in joining SADD, please call the Casa Grande Alliance at 520836-5022 or visit our website at casagrandealliance. org for more information.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Stats from the 2018 AZ Youth Survey. Go to CasaGrandeAlliance.org or scan the QR!

Stats from the 2018 AZ Youth Survey. Go to CasaGrandeAlliance.org or scan the QR!

Stats from the 2018 AZ Youth Survey. Go to CasaGrandeAlliance.org or scan the QR!

Special Section:

From Planting to Eating to Staycationing, it’s Easy to Fall in Love with This Season in the Desert

by Staff Reports

F

all is an amazing time of year in the desert. Temperatures drop, but are warm enough to be the envy of those living in northern and eastern states. It’s fun to go to the park, even in the middle of the day.

Desert birds are happily chirping and wintering birds start their migration into the communities. Allergy sufferers might curse the blooming of the des-

72

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

ert broom shrub, but lepidopterists are happy to see the butterflies cheerfully fluttering around.

The first day of fall is Sept. 23. If you have a few empty spots in your garden, no need to despair. Begonias are an annual plant and easy to grow.

They can be planted in shade or partly sunny areas and will flower throughout the year. Typically there’s not much of a scent, although a tea rose variety is available with a light, sweet fragrance. Begonias do require a fair amount of water, however.

Did you know that Dianthus flowers are edible? Plant them in September for fall and winter blooms. They are also called, Sweet William — perhaps because of their spicy fragrance.

Check out the Arizona Cooperative Extension website (extension.arizona. edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/ pubs/az1100a.pdf) for a comprehensive flower-planting guide for the low desert. Many flowers can be planted

now for late fall and winter blooms.

By the way, the average date of the first frost is in November.

Plan Now for the Holidays!

Fall is also a perfect time to start planning for holiday gatherings and festivities. Deciding on your menu now will save that last minute frazzle, even allowing you to begin purchasing and preparing food in advance.

To do that, you’ll want to clear out some freezer space. Here are ideas for what you can cook and freeze now: Casseroles — great for potlucks or

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

large family gatherings. (Hint: Double the ingredients and make two at once.

Cook one up for dinner now and freeze the other).

Breads and rolls — make your dough now, shape it and then freeze.

When needed, pull it out, let it rise and bake. This works quite nicely for cinnamon rolls — just make a quick glaze while they’re baking. No one will ever know.

Cookies — you can shape the cookies into balls (press them down a little) and then freeze the uncooked dough on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zipper bag. When you need fresh cookies, just bake up as many as

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

you need directly from the freezer. No need to thaw. Imagine having warm cookies ready on a moment’s notice.

(Bonus hint: If you only need half a dozen or fewer, bake them in your toaster oven).

Soup broth — when you find a great deal on whole chickens, it’s time to cheer. Pop the chicken into a pot (a spaghetti pot with an insert makes this process really easy) on the stove and cover with water. Let it simmer for several hours or overnight.

Pull the chicken out of the pot (this is where that insert comes in handy), remove the meat and toss the bones.

Reserve half the liquid for soup now.

Let the rest of the broth cool down, and then pour about 2 cups into gallon-sized zipper freezer bags. Seal carefully, and then lay the bag(s) flat on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer, pulling out the cookie sheet when the bags are frozen solid. Then whenever your recipe calls for 2 cups of broth, pull out a bag and thaw.

Still wishing for piles of golden leaves? It’s a splendid time for a weekend staycation in mountain communities like Payson, Prescott or Flagstaff.

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

73

Special Section: Home & Garden

File Your Homeowner’s Claims Promptly or Risk Having Coverage Denied

I

f your home has been damaged by a natural disaster, a fire or a long-term effect like mold growth, you would naturally file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company.

But what if you don’t contact the company right away? Would the insurer still pay if you filed a claim six months after an event?

While policies vary, they generally state that if you do not report your claim in a timely manner, it may be denied. Some insurers may have a limit of just 30 days to file a claim, but others allow up to a year after an incident.

Many insurance policies may not include an exact time frame, but instead require you to provide “prompt” or “immediate” written notice to your insurance company or agent if you suffer a loss.

The amount of time you have to file will be stated in your policy language. If you aren’t sure where that part of your policy is, feel free to contact us. It’s important that you read the policy and understand your responsibilities when filing a claim.

Whatever you do, it’s best to file your claim immediately after you know it’s happened.

If you have extenuating circumstances, you can ask the insurance company for an extension, such as after a major catastrophe when you haven’t been able to reach your home to assess

74

CORRID OR LI LIVING V ING • SPECI A L SEC TION GOLDEN CORRIDOR

the damage. In addition, insurance companies may see their own resources stretched during catastrophes, so they may ask you for more time to adjust the claim.

Insurers require prompt notification because the original damage can be exacerbated by the elements or other issues if left unattended after the initial damage.

The closer the time between the event and when you file the claim, the easier it is to prove the damage was the result of this covered event and not caused by some secondary issue that does not fall under the scope of coverage.

The insurer can claim you were negligent in not filing the claim in a timely manner, which resulted in the initial damage increasing due to exposure to the elements and other issues.

If the claims adjuster finds that the damage to your home could have been prevented by filing a claim more quickly, you may be held financially responsible for the repairs.

The slow drip or unseen damage

Sometimes you may be unaware of damage because it takes a long time to develop or you don’t see the damage (like a hole in your roof that was caused by a falling tree limb during a storm). If you were away when the incident occurred and the damage is on the back side of your home, you may not see it for months.

And maybe you only realize there is a problem a few months later when another storm sends water pouring in through the roof, damaging the walls and floors of your home. In instances like this your insurance company could deny your claim, saying the damage to your floor was caused by you not fixing the initial damage.

One of the most common types of claims that may be delayed is water-damage claims.

In these instances, a sudden event that causes damage is usually covered, but not one that has caused damage over time.

Types of water damage your policy would likely cover: • Sudden or accidental discharge • Sewer back-up or water back-up • Overflow • Storm-related water damage covered by insurance.

That said, gradual water damage is not often covered, so although your policy might have water-damage coverages, if the reason for the damage is not sudden and accidental, then you may be denied in a claim.

Gradual-damage claims that would likely be denied include holes in the roof due to neglect in replacing broken shingles, and long-standing pipe leaks that damage your walls and floor.

Another claim that you could encounter that raises the question of timeliness is a developing crack in the garage floor.

You may have walked past the crack for months, for example, before you notice it.

In this case, you might be able to argue that the date of loss was when you first saw something was wrong.

If you would like a free, no obligation quote on homeowner’s insurance, please contact ROX Insurance at 520.836.7660

ROXinsurance.com THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Home sweet home Protect all that you’ve built with a company you can trust.

THE BEST LOCAL INSURANCE AGENCY

520.836.7660 CITY • 000-000-0000 www.bestinsuranceagency.com

roxinsurance.com

The ROX Interview (continued) ...continued from page 65 working on the plans to remodel the old building to a modern police department and justice court. The city and community are also working on the facades of the Main Street buildings to make it vibrant again.

MICAH POWELL: We’re changing the culture, changing the vision of the community. We need to show interest in our community like other communities. If we don’t do it as a city, then who will? We have some amazing plans. We’re not going to have a Grand Prix on our Main Street, but we are going to have the FAI Parachuting World Cup at Skydive Arizona in October. Eloy is known worldwide for skydiving.

GC LIVING: What do you see as some of the wish list items, not as a city councilman but as a resident of Eloy? If you could wave your magic wand, what would you make happen?

MICAH POWELL: It’s hard to say. On one hand you want the commerce and big box retail, you want the new housing developments, you want all the community amenities for a young family. But is that what we need and the best for Eloy? Eloy isn’t Casa Grande. The same way Casa Grande isn’t Phoenix. Eloy does need retail, but not necessarily the big box type retail. At least

not right now, you know?

Hmmm, the magic wand, what would I change? You know what? Honestly ... nothing. Eloy wouldn’t be Eloy without its history. It’s coming full circle. The Santa Cruz football team won state championships in the past and they’re winning again. The same with residents. People moved out and houses were empty. Now you can’t find a rental as new people move to Eloy.

GC LIVING: Is housing a critical need? I hear this in many communities, the need for housing that is affordable to the residents.

MICAH POWELL: Yes. Eloy is located between two pending major manufacturing companies, Lucid Motors and Nikola Motors. We have the perfect location for distribution centers. We need housing. Robson Ranch is here, and they’ve done an amazing job it’s a beautiful area as an active adult community. I wish a builder would come and build family homes. Eloy Proper and the Toltec area is a nice area. Eloy has plenty of land to build. Hopefully one day soon Eloy will attract builder interest.

GC LIVING: What are some of the items the council and staff are looking at for the future?

MICAH POWELL: We need to capitalize off everything going on around us. We’re very big on economic development. Hotels, housing, local retail - we don’t need one really big

At the Gila River Indian Community Council chambers thanking them for awarding grant funds to the City of Eloy.

76

OR LI GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR LIV VING ING • THE INTERV IE W

thing, we need a lot of little stuff, the things that will keep us going for a long time.

GC LIVING: Eloy has been very active in annexing land and is larger in land mass than Casa Grande.

MICAH POWELL: Yes, we really are. Former city manager, Evelyn Casuga, is the one who pushed to annex I-10. Now we have all that retail, all that prime location, and all the sales tax generated at the truck stops.

I give her a lot of credit. She really helped solidify Eloy financially. There’s still some prime land we need to annex.

GC LIVING: What’s your proudest moment in office? I’m going to assume the opening of the new city hall?

MICAH POWELL: That’s one of the best projects. My proudest moment is representing the city at outside events and conferences and sharing the good things we’re doing.

GC LIVING: Developers know where Eloy is.

You’re not this secret community anymore.

You’re on the map and on their radar.

MICAH POWELL: We’re getting there. Eloy is getting calls. We’ve got a lot more to do, we’re not done, by any means. We’ve just scratched the surface of our potential. I’m glad I’m part of that and part of the role in changing the culture of the city of Eloy.

GC LIVING: What’s the future hold for Micah Powell? What are you looking at for your future goals?

MICAH POWELL: I want to continue being the best person I can possibly be, either on or off the council.

GC LIVING: The elections are coming up. Do you have any aspirations for mayor?

MICAH POWELL: I’ve been talking with friends and family for a while now. I have a young family and a full-time job. It’s a huge commitment. But I am confident I can do it. So yes, I am officially announcing my candidacy for mayor of Eloy.

I’ve spoken to Mayor Belloc and the other council members about my plans. I love representing the City of Eloy. I love what we have accomplished so far and we are just beginning. I know we can continue the momentum. Eloy is destined for great things and I want to help make it happen.

Eloy has my heart. I hope everyone in Eloy is proud of me and will consider allowing me to continue serve the residents of Eloy as their mayor. 

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

2108 N. Cougar Ct., Casa Grande $298,000

• • • • •

Beautiful move-in ready home on a cul-de-sac 4-car garage Sparking pool with water feature Spacious master suite with bonus sitting room Tons of upgrades KELLY HERRINGTON, SALES MANAGER/REALTOR® 520.780.0843 | Kelly@roxsells.com

520.423.8250 | ROXsells.com ©2019 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.

Get TOP $$$ for your house Quickly and Easily!

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R I Z ONA C I T Y • C A S A GR A N DE • CO OL I D GE • E L OY • F L OR E NC E • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

Are you facing foreclosure?

Behind in your payments?

Looking to downsize or move quickly?

CHRIS CAN HELP!

4 Miles of I-10 Widened in Casa Grande

T ChrisBuysAZHomes.com Local Real Estate Investor

Quick Close - 10 Days or Less Stay in your home up to 30 days after closing No Fees - No Commissions NO REPAIRS - We buy AS-IS!

Call TODAY for a quick, NO-OBLIGATION offer!

520.560.5616

SUPERVISOR SMITH...cont. from page 17

Not a licensed real estate agent Se habla español

78

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

ravel just got easier on I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson with the widening in Casa Grande.

There are now three lanes in each direction on a 4-mile stretch on Interstate 10 between Earley Road and Interstate 8. The $43-million widening project also replaced the I-10 bridges over Jimmie Kerr Boulevard, so they also accommodate three lanes.

The Casa Grande project complements a $72-million project to widen an additional 4 miles of I-10 between Eloy and Picacho. The work on that project: • creates new travel lanes to replace a curving stretch • builds a new interchange with State Route 87 • creates a first-of-its-kind

dust detection zone on 10 miles between Eloy and Picacho Peak Completing these two projects bring the Arizona Department of Transportation closer to its goal of expanding I-10 to three lanes the entire way between Tucson and Phoenix. Left to complete is just 23 miles of I-10 crossing the Gila River Indian Community between State Route 387 and Queen Creek Road near Chandler. This portion of the highway project is a multiagency collaboration between ADOT, the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Gila River Indian Community. It is hoped that funding for initial improvements will be in the 2023 fiscal year budget.

New La Quinta to Open in Maricopa

I

n August, the City of Maricopa issued a building permit for the first hotel within the city limits. It will be a La Quinta Hotel.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts describes the La Quinta as a “midscale hotel that offers an elevated stay in a contemporary setting.”

The La Quinta Maricopa is a projected $10-million capital investment, according to the City of Maricopa. The four-story hotel will have 89 rooms. It will provide 20 new jobs. It is the first phase of the planned Copper Sky Mixed Use project.

The new La Quinta will be on MLK Jr. Boulevard, adjacent to Copper Sky and is expected to be operational in 2020.

Read more news on page 98...

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

CAPITAL R CONSTRUCTION Building on Foundations of Trust ROC 190936

COMMERCIAL GENERAL CONTRACTOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING

TENANT IMPROVEMENT

INDUSTRIAL

520-858-6501 • 3009 N Rockwell Avenue #4, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 • www.capitalrinc.com

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS! Mankel Mechanical LLC DBA

TWO BROTHERS PLUMBING C O M M E R C I A L

•

R E S I D E N T I A L

PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING CONTRACTOR SERVICE & REPAIR • Remodels & Updates • Drain Cleaning • Gas Lines • Re-Pipes

• Water Heaters • Sewer Lines • Backflows & Testing

All Of Our Employees Are Drug Tested & Background Checked To Provide Better Service To You!

520-251-0076 Licensed • Bonded • Insured AZ ROC 145043 • TX M - 39082

Serving Arizona Since 1999 FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

79

Don’t Forget to Floss!

O

K, so you may not floss your pet’s teeth, but just like you, your pet should not go years between dental exams and teeth cleanings.

Dogs and cats fall prey to the same oral issues as we do – plaque, gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss are just a few things that can happen without proper dental care.

Periodontal disease in pets happens the same exact way as it does in humans. Plaque is formed when saliva, discarded mouth cells, food and other things attach to the teeth shortly after eating. Without proper care, plaque will build up. This leads to inflamed gums and then tooth decay. Inflammation then begins to destroy bone, which causes tooth loss and periodontal disease also known as gum disease.

Gum disease happens five times more often in pets than it does in people. In fact, 80% of dogs over 3 years old, have periodontal issues.

Along with periodontal disease, they are also inclined to have fractured or broken teeth.

Your pet may be in pain, but you may never know it because they are evolved to hide it. Showing pain in the animal kingdom is a sign of weakness. Your dog may have bleeding gums and even an abscessed or bro-

80

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

ken tooth but will continue to eat and behave normally. As an owner, you are responsible for the health of their mouths.

Regular dental care includes: • brushing once a day • quality food • regular dental exams, x-rays and cleanings • veterinary-approved teeth cleaning treats and chew toys Less than 1% of pet owners brush their pet’s teeth daily. It is very important that you use only toothpaste designed for animals to brush their teeth. DO NOT use human grade toothpaste.

If you start brushing the teeth during the first year of life, they become used to it and actually enjoy it. You can teach an older dog to like it, but it requires a bit of patience. Dog toothpastes have flavors they enjoy, such as chicken and beef. There are specially designed toothbrushes with longer handles and softer bristles, as well as one that fits over your finger.

When you take your pet for their dental exam, the vet will check for odor, which can

by Gigi McWhirter

indicate gum disease. They will also look for red, swollen and bleeding gums, as well as discolored, broken, loose or missing teeth, gum recession and tartar build-up.

Your veterinarian will grade the severity of any periodontal disease. He or she will then suggest an appointment for a dental cleaning also called a dental prophy. This is performed under general anesthesia because your pet will not tolerate the dental instruments needed to perform the procedures while awake.

The doctor and an assistant will clean, polish and check all the surfaces on the teeth.

They will also be looking specifically for periodontal pockets around the teeth. The oral exam includes an evaluation for malocclusions, which happens when a tooth is touching another tooth or touching soft tissue or the palate. The doctor will check the entire tongue, cheek tissues, lip margins, jaw, TMJ joint and look for enlargements and swollen lymph nodes. He or she will also perform additional procedures including x-rays or extractions.

For more detailed information about your pet’s dental hygiene, consult with your favorite veterinarian, NOT Dr. Google.

Happy Tails to you!

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

LET’S TALK ABOUT CARBS

by Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie, Certified Physical Trainer, CPT, WickedFiTT

Healthy Carbs

These are whole grains, quinoa, rye, wheat and barley; green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and lettuce; veggies like broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers; healthy starches like brown rice, wild rice, sweet potatoes and beets; fruits like berries, apples, pears, oranges and melons. Wait ... fruit? Yes! Don’t stop eating fruit. You’d have to eat four apples to ingest roughly the same amount of sugar as in one large Coke.

Plus, fruit has vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Unhealthy Carbohydrates

These are white bread and other bakery products like pastries, biscuits, sugary cereals; other common foods like desserts, candy and drinks like sodas; even some sports drinks are an unhealthy variety of carbs one should stay away from.

To sum up. Don’t be scared of incorporating carbs into your diet. Understanding the benefits of eating carbs and what types are the best for your body is super important when it comes to staying healthy and achieving your health and fitness goals.

Not all carbs are created equal.

WickedFiTT has an exciting announcement to make. We have moved into our new, larger location — 422 Florence St., Suite 3 (right across from Big House Café) in Casa Grande. Feel free to contact us: wickedfitt.com.

82

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

O

ne of the most commonly asked questions by the people who want to keep healthy is: “What do I eat?” Protein, carbs and fats.

Is it really that simple?

It’s not that simple – actually it’s much more complex. Let’s be honest, carbohydrates have gotten a pretty bad rap, so I thought it was time to talk about carbs.

Carbs are one of the three macronutrients in our diet, along with protein and fat. Carbohydrates are molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms in specific ratios.

There are three main categories of carbs in food: • Sugar: These are smaller carbohydrate molecules like glucose, fructose and sucrose.

• Starch: A carbohydrate made from strings of joined glucose molecules. Starch gets broken down into glucose when you digest it to provide energy for your body’s cells.

• Fiber: A carbohydrate that can’t be digested, but is still very important for your digestive health.

Carbohydrates provide your body with energy, can help to improve focus, recovery and aid digestion. Carbohydrates are also the main fuel source for your brain function, so including them in your diet is absolutely crucial. Without carbs, your body needs to work extra hard, which could possibly result in minor health issues like headaches, brain fog and generally feeling run down. Nobody wants that.

There are two types of carbohydrates that will impact your body differently: ‘refined’ and ‘unrefined.’

We always tend to use the good carbs/bad carbs reference.

Refined carbohydrates. These also are known as simple carbohydrates. Refined carbs are processed, manufactured carbs.

Examples include white bread, soda and doughnuts. Try to avoid refined/simple sugar as this type of carbohydrate doesn’t contain any essential nutrients or fiber. This can lead to excess carbohydrates being stored as fat.

Unrefined carbohydrates. Complex or unrefined carbohydrates include vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. This type of carbohydrate obviously is much healthier for you than refined/simple carbohydrates as

they are absorbed much slower. The energy you get from unrefined carbohydrates is released slowly throughout the day.

Complex carbs also come with fiber and micronutrients that are important to your overall health.

OK, so what are the healthy carbohydrates we should be eating? And, what are the unhealthy carbohydrates we should be avoiding?

COMPLEX healthy

SIMPLE unhealthy

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

HOT LUNCH

Seeds of Hope feeds the hungry and distributes emergency food boxes 6 days a week.

Help us restock our pantry shelves this Fall by dropping nonperishable donations at these locations: Fountains of Living Water Church 518 E. 2nd St. Mon.-Sat. 9:30am-12:00pm Seeds of Hope administrative office 702 E. Cottonwood Lane Mon.-Thurs. 8:00am-12:00pm

F EEDING

THE

PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE

1993. W E

TURN HUNGER INTO HOPE .

Central Arizona College Receives Gold Circle of Excellence Award

by Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing

C

the top strengths of both organizations and demonstrated the power of a well-executed partnership that provides the most benefits for students, the college and employers.

We also especially appreciated the focus on diversity in the partnership.”

In 2019, CASE received more than 2,800 applicants from 611 higher education member institutions, independent schools and nonprofits from 20 countries. Winners were selected based on overall quality, innovation, use of resources and the impact on the institution or its external and internal communities, such as alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff.

James Busch, Skilled Trades and Technology Division Chair and Professor of Diesel Technology and Heavy Equipment Operator, said, “We are honored to receive this Gold

YEARS EST. CENT

84

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

PAST, INSPIRIN G

T

U RE FU T

CE L E B R

G

E TH

Circle of Excellence Award. This collaboration and partnership continues to provide amazing training opportunities for students interested in skilled-craft positions. The advancements we have made and continue to work toward are possible because of this strong workforce partnership.”

HE

ATI N

entral Arizona College (CAC) was recently named a 2019 Gold Circle of Excellence award winner by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for its entry, “Central Arizona College & Sundt Construction: Education at the Speed of Industry.”

Each year the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards recognize hundreds of institutions that have implemented innovative, inspiring and creative ideas with a lasting impact and extraordinary results.

The judges recognized the community college public-private partnership between CAC and Sundt stating: “It is the responsibility of a community college to engage their industry partners and create opportunities for students and alumni to enter the workforce in high-skilled, high-paying jobs.

This partnership between Sundt Construction and Central Arizona College leveraged

1969

R A L A R I ZO N A C O L L E G E

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

DADS THAT GIVE A HOOT! C

ommon sense and countless studies indicate that scholars have a much greater chance of personal and academic success when they have responsible, caring, and INVOLVED fathers and other male role models in their educational and school experiences. This year, Grande Innovation Academy (GIA) is actively seeking male volunteers to assist scholar development among a wide variety of topics in addition to promoting academic success. This can include assisting during the day as a tutor or mentor and helping scholars with school events. It may mean helping with programs held outside of school that give some of our scholars a chance at experiences they may not regularly have, such as fishing, attending collegiate and professional sporting events, visiting museums, and learning skills of both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ worlds, such as woodworking or computer programming.

Thus far, more than 20 GIA fathers/father-figures have signed up and have expressed interest in areas such as helping with school sports, being class guest

86

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

GIA Starts DADvisory Council to Enrich Scholar Experience speakers, and teaching real-life skills/hobbies through workshops.

Nate Wong, the program’s organizer, is a product of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of northern Indiana. He was a ‘little brother’ from 1987 through 1999. “Other than my mother, there has been no greater influence on my life. While my students never met him, I hope I reflect what and how he taught me in all of my interactions with them. I don’t know where I would’ve ended up, but I can promise that I wouldn’t have been as successful at any stage of my life without my brother and his mentorship.”

However, Wong says that this level of commitment was extraordinary. “I was lucky.

Right now, we want to put a program in place that helps connect positive male role models with our scholars and open doors of opportunity for the young people of Casa Grande. And with such a strong community connection, the best place for us to start is here at GIA.” Grande Innovation Academy (GIA) is a tuition-free public charter school in Casa Grande, Arizona. The Grande Innovation Academy’s mission is to provide

our scholars with an innovative 21st Century education. With our enduring commitment to foster an innovative and creative campus of nationally competitive individual thinkers.

The Grande Innovation Academy is dedicated to the pursuit of higher knowledge and excellence, striving to make a difference in the educational field.

The Grande Innovation Academy’s vision is to prepare scholars to assume leadership roles in the community, be socially responsible collaborators, while exhibiting self reliance in a global market.

GIA Core Values:

• All scholars will think critically and develop new processes as they pursue discovery by expanding their knowledge and always asking questions.

• All scholars will experience creative spaces to learn and develop academic skills and strong leadership traits in order to enhance each scholar’s uniqueness.

• All scholars will develop a growth mindset of excellence and make the commitment to learn something new everyday.

• All scholars will demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes.

• All scholars are provided a well-rounded academic education and cohesive character development that will strengthen the Casa Grande community as a whole. **For more information, please visit our website http://www. grandeinnovationacademy.org**

THE GIA DADVISORY PROGRAM WILL BE HAVING AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING ON SEPT. 7, 2019 AT 9:30AM. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM, PLEASE EMAIL NWONG@GIAOWLSMAIL.COM.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Where have the arts in education gone?

While many schools have cut the arts from their curriculum, The Grande Innovation Academy has not! We offer Art for K-6th graders twice a week. Our 7th-8th graders are offered a unique Virtual Art Program called the NEST (Nobility, Empathy, Scholarship and Tenacity).

This Humanities course, taught by Lauren Wong, incorporates Art History and Technique.

Some of the top benefits of offering the ARTS to students: Creativity. The arts allow kids to express themselves better than math or science.

Improved Academic Performance. The arts don’t just develop a child’s creativity —the skills they learn because of them spill over into academic achievement.

Decision Making. The arts strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Focus. The focus vital for studying and being successful at work is learned through painting, singing or learning lines for a play.

Collaboration. Many of the arts teach kids their contribution is integral to it’s success, as kids work together and share responsibility to achieve their common goal.

GRANDE I N N O VA T I O N ACADEMY

950 N. Peart Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 • (520) 381-2360

FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

87

Call Us Today!

WELCOME BACK WINTER RESIDENTS! Locally & family owned for over 30 years!

(520) 836-7921

www.norrisrv.com 973 W. Gila Bend Hwy. Casa Grande

“Integrity, Excellence, Strong Work Ethic” MENTION THIS AD FOR

$20 OFF FIRST HOUR

(NOT VALID FOR BACKFLOW TESTS) GOLDEN CORRIDOR LIVING • EXPIRES 10/31/19

520-836-5802

Service • Sales • Parts

toll free: 1-800-839-5802

600 E. 1st St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122

ROC 067458 R-37R ROC 068025 C-37 ROC 067457 R-11 ROC 074815 C-11

Mitchell and Crosby Dental Mitchell & Crosby Dental 520-836-7111 Services Provided by an Arizona Licensed General Dentist

(520) 836-7111

721 N Olive Ave. • Casa Grande, AZ 85122

www.mitchellandcrosbydental.com 88

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

CHINA-GREAT HALLS AND GREAT WALLS

by Tori Ward, Cruise and Resort Specialist, ROX Travel

A

journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and what better location to place that first step than in the country where the quote came from: China. I want to share an offer created exclusively for ROX Travel to visit this culturally rich and breathtakingly beautiful country.

The journey will start in Los Angeles. Included round-trip flights to China begin with the first stop in Beijing. A visit to Tiananmen Square will introduce you to the city.

Although the square today is very modern, it dates back to 1651. Within its 109 acres are several significant structures, including

the National Museum of China. However, the striking impression you get when you look across the vast expanse is how empty it seems in spite of the thousands who traverse it each day. The square, named after the gate or Tiananmen that separates the square from the Forbidden City, is very flat and open.

During your trip, you will discover that nothing in ancient China occurred on a small scale. I wonder if another Chinese proverb also said, “Go big or go home.”

The Forbidden City, another 180 acres, lies directly to the north of the square. It is an extensive, sprawling complex with 980 buildings and halls built from 1406 to 1420 when Great Wall of China

90

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

the emperor moved the capital from Nanjing.

No one could enter the walls without the emperor’s permission, thus the name Forbidden City. Until 1912 it was the royal seat of power for China.

The movie “The Last Emperor” was the first movie filmed inside its walls and describes the life of the last dynasty’s ruler.

There are symbolic elements everywhere, from the high thresholds in front of each building to the characters and ornamentation built into the roof tiles and walls. Although most of the buildings are off-limits to tourists, the fact this ancient structure has been preserved and maintained in light of the dense population and turmoil over the last century is a testament to the respect the Chinese have for their historic treasures.

A visit to a pearl factory in the afternoon, then the delightful Summer Palace will complete the day’s activities. In the evening, the group will enjoy a Peking duck banquet at a restaurant specializing in this crispy bird and all its accompaniments.

As impressively large as the Forbidden City is, it’s a speck when compared to The Great Wall of China. Parts of the 13,171-mile wall, built as early as the 7th century B.C., are THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

Traveling • Dining • Entertainment

Terracotta Warriors, China

easily walkable, and you will have a chance to say, “been there, done that” on Day 4.

After breakfast on Day 5, you will board a flight to Xi’an, China’s former capital. I was very impressed with the beauty of the parks and ancient city wall around the center of town. Instead of walking dogs, as we do in our parks, people walk their caged birds.

For me, the highlight of my trip to China was Xi’an to examine one of the most exciting archeological finds of the 20th century, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses.

The grounds around the excavated sites are beautifully maintained, and landscaping provides a relaxed parklike setting as you approach the main buildings. On your visit, you’ll find the gift shop has plenty of English language books describing everything you want to know about this UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) location.

Lunch and a visit to the Terracotta Replication Factory complete the afternoon. The optional dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty stage show are worthwhile evening activities.

The types and styles of dim sum served are impressive, while the show is a musical feast FALL 2019 • THE LEADERSHIP EDITION

with elaborate costumes and a professional cast of singers and dancers.

The last part of the tour includes a visit to Shanghai, the largest city by population in China. After your flight arrives, you will visit the Bund. Be prepared for the Bund Brides posing in their wedding dresses along this five-block riverfront promenade. A silk factory tour will complete the afternoon.

The final day in Shanghai is a free day to spend enjoying the city on your own. When we go to Shanghai, we never miss a visit to one of the local indoor bazaars where everything for sale is negotiable.

This tour has been created exclusively for ROX Travel and includes both international and intra-China transportation. There are several optional post-tour packages including a trip to Chengdu to participate in a volunteer conservation activity at the Dujiangyan Panda Base. A five-day Yangtze River cruise is also available.

For complete information about this exclusive China tour in May 2020 call or contact Tori Ward at ROX Travel. tori@roxtravel.com or 928-254-9968.

ROX Travel private tour of China: This exclusive nine-day private tour was developed for ROX Travel. Children are welcome and must be at least 10 years old. Valid passports and a Chinese visa are mandatory. Tori Ward will be happy to assist you with the visa application.

Included in the Nine-Day China Tour May 2020: • International economy air from L.A. • Transfers from and to airports in China • China domestic ground and air transportation • Hotels in each city • Many meals, including breakfast • Entrance fees to locations • English-speaking tour guides in each city • Prices starting at $2,480 per person based on double occupancy • Optional extensions available • Itinerary subject to change

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

91

Join us

e x n t r e u xciting o n o

adventure! adventure!

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the boys 12th birthday. Pictured: Elaine Earle, Chandler, Bea Lueck (Editor-in-Chief for Prescott LIVING Magazine), Christian.

Private 9-day Guided Tour of China!

BEIJING - XI’AN - SHANGHAI

MAY 2020

Pricing starts at $2,480 per person* * based on double-occupancy

Included in the tour: • International economy air from Los Angeles • China domestic ground and air transportation • Transfers to and from airports in China • Hotels in each city • Several meals included • Entrance fees to destinations • English-speaking tour guides in each city

Trip Highlights: • Tiananmen Square • The Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City • The Great Wall • The Terracotta Warriors • The Bund

For additional information contact: ROX Travel | Tori Ward | 928-254-9968

tori@roxtravel.com

Library Creative Writing Contest

Casa Grande Public Library

CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST WINNER

T

he Vista Grande Public Library Creative Writing Contest is an ongoing monthly contest where children write stories at the library’s Creative Writing Station.

Each monthly winner gets his or her picture taken and placed on the Creative Writing Hall of Fame, receives a free book of his or her choosing from the creative writing cart and gets the winning story published in Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine.

Youth can also write stories at home and submit them to the

library. Winners are selected by library staff members, who read through monthly submissions and choose the one that stands out, based on creative merit.

The Vista Grande Public Library has hosted this contest since 2013, and receives hundreds of submissions every year. The Creative Writing Station is a fun way to get kids involved in writing and storytelling by allowing them to write about whatever they want and making it a fun experience.

Have your child stop by the Vista Grande Library in Casa Grande to enter the Golden Corridor LIVING essay contest!

This Issue’s Winner

" im T " d e ll a C k o o AB

By Amy Ellis

“T

im” the book sat on a dusty shelf in the library. He hadn’t been checked out in years, but he didn’t know why. So, he asked his friend Tayler.

“Tayler, what kind of book am I?” “You don’t … know?” Tayler asked.

“No,” Tim said sadly.

“You’re a dictionary,” Tayler said.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

So “Tim” the book was thrown away by the librarian, Mr. David, because he hadn’t been checked out in two and a half years.

The End

94

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • FUN!

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

Possible Measles Exposure Puts Health Officials on High Alert

T

he Pinal County Public Health Services District (PCPHSD) wants to alert residents to a possible measles exposure that occurred Aug. 9-11 at multiple locations in the Phoenix area. A participant at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships held at the Arizona Grand Hotel tested positive for measles.

Potential exposures occurred at the: • Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, Phoenix • Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe • Gila River Arena in Glendale • Harkins Theatre at Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe • Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 2 If you were at any of those locations between Aug. 9 and Aug. 11, PCPHSD would like to speak with you. Please call them at 520-5093555, 1-888-431-1311 or 311 if you are in Pinal County.

“We are taking precautions in case any Pinal County residents may have been exposed at either of these locations,” stated PCPHSD Director Dr. Shauna McIsaac.

“Measles is highly contagious and because of this it is important that anyone who was at … of these lo-

cations, be monitored for 21 days following their exposure.”

According to the notification posted on the Pinal County website, measles symptoms include: • fever of 101ºF or higher • red watery eyes, cough and runny nose • a fever followed by a red, raised and blotchy rash • the rash typically begins on the face at the hairline and moves down the body Although measles is a highly contagious viral illness, it is also preventable by vaccinations. If you have received two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, you are considered to be protected.

“We strongly encourage anyone who has not received two MMR vaccines to be vaccinated now,” McIsaac said.

Vaccines are available from your own health provider. PCPHSD clinics also offer the vaccination at no cost.

The Centers for Disease Control also urges people who will be traveling outside the United States to ensure they are vaccinated.

Children, especially those younger than 5, are particularly at risk

of catching the disease, and they can develop serious health complications.

In the year 2000, measles was considered to be eliminated in the United States, which means it is no longer constantly present in this country. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the U.S. by unvaccinated travelers who get measles when they are in other countries.

Did you know: • About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who come down with measles will be hospitalized?

• One out of every 1,000 people with measles will

develop brain swelling that could lead to brain damage?

• Other complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis?

• One to three people out of 1,000 with measles will die, even those that receive the best care?

• Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated?

For more information: cdc.gov/measles pinalcountyaz.gov/News/Pages/ Article.aspx?myID=1543

Banner Casa Grande Medical Center to Expand

B

anner Casa Grande Medical Center (BCGMC) will soon have an expanded emergency department and wound clinic.

T he c ente r i s st a r t i ng a $10-million construction project this fall to add: • more than 3,300 square feet • private triage areas and 12 more rooms for a total bed count of 28

96

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

• a second CT scanner • more public restrooms • additional staff storage and work space “As more people move to our community, we want to make sure our ED can handle their needs,’’ said Brian Kellar, center CEO. The construction is expected to wrap up November 2020. BCGMC will use a phased approach

moving the current wound clinic to a more accessible space in the medical office building next to the hospital. The former clinic space will be remodeled into additional space for the emergency department as part of the second phase.

Parking and emergency department access will remain the same.

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

ENJOY 3 for FREE! 14-day Roundtrip

FREE Gratuities!

FREE Stateroom Location Upgrade!

FREE Onboard Spending Money up to $800!

14-day Roundtrip

7-day Roundtrip

Alaska

Classic California Coast

Canada & New England

from Los Angeles

from Los Angeles

from New York City

Golden Princess®

Royal Princess®

Sky Princess®

May 30, 2020

October 17, 2020

October 10, 2020

Los Angeles – Ketchikan, Icy Strait

Los Angeles – San Francisco, Monterey,

New York City - Newport, Boston, Bar

Point, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier,

San Diego, Ensenada, Los Angeles

Harbor, St. John, Halifax

Balcony - $1,149/pp*

Balcony – $1,649/pp*

Inside Cabin - $879/pp*

Inside Cabin - $1,029/pp*

Skagway, Sitka, Victoria British Columbia, Los Angeles

Balcony - $2.719/pp* Inside Cabin - $1,629/pp*

Book your Christmas cruise now for 2019 and 2020!

To book a trip to these or other destinations contact us at ROX Travel (928) 254-9968 or tori@roxtravel.com *Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are additional. Rate subject to change and availability.

3 for Free expires 10-31-19. Certain terms and conditions may apply. See your travel professional for details.

RIDE FOR THE WARRIOR Good times for a Good Cause!

R

ide for the Warrior is a grassroots organization of 30+ volunteers on a mission to raise awareness and funds for Pinal County veterans and veteran organizations.

With community support, the organization and events have increased awareness and donated over $82,400 to military and veteran’s causes since 2012.

Funds have assisted veterans with food, clothing, temporary housing and medical needs.

This year’s event begins with the Veteran’s Parade down Florence Boulevard at 930. The Celebration and Music Festival begin at 11am. Tickets are also available for the 2nd annual Vintage Military Rifle Raffle. You can purchase tickets at The Sign Shop, McMasher’s Sports Bar & Grill, VFW Post 1677 or Casa Grande Jewelry & Pawn. Drawing to be held Nov. 2nd at the music festival.

Ride for the Warrior is a registered Arizona 501c3 nonprofit organization that is 100% volunteer-driven.

Follow us on Facebook.

98

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • FUN!

THE LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2019

FIVE FIVE

REASONS TO REASONS TO

REFINANCE REFINANCE

NOW NOW At AnnieMac At AnnieMac Home Mortgage, Home Mortgage, we offer a wide we offer a wide variety of great variety of great refinance options. refinance options.

1. Remove PMI from your 3. Reduce your interest rate 1. Remove PMI from your monthly 3.

Reduce your interest rate monthly payment 4. Take out to consolidate payment 4. Take cash out cash to consolidate 2. Combine your first and second debt or remodel your home 2. Combine your first and second debt or remodel your home loans into one loan 5. Rates are dropping!! loans into one loan 5. Rates are dropping!!

CALL TODAY and learn how can meet youryour goals!

CALL TODAY andwe learn howhelp we can help meet goals!

Rudy Benitez

Rudy Benitez Licensed Mortgage Licensed Mortgage Originator Originator NMLS# 279367 NMLS# 279367 Ph: 520.836.7776 Ph: 520.836.7776 Mob: 602.481.3967 Mob: 602.481.3967 rbenitez@annie-mac.com rbenitez@annie-mac.com www.RudyLoans.com www.RudyLoans.com

AnnieMac Home Mortgage, 211 N. Florence Street • Suites 102 & 103 • Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Arizona Mortgage Banker License AZ BK

AnnieMac Home Mortgage, 211 N. Florence Street Suites 103#0948914.

• Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Arizona Mortgage Banker License AZ BK #0926586. •Other Trade 102 Name& license #0926586. Other Trade Name license #0948914.