SanTan Sun - January 19th 2020

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

January 19, 2020 | www.santansun.com

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

New CUSD high school's boundaries proposed

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Unified School District might be relocating Arizona College Preparatory-Erie to the new high school campus it will open next year.

As the district begins designing the layout of its newest high school, administrators are grappling with how to decide which families living along

Ocotillo Road will be assigned to attend.

Four options were released by CUSD illustrating how it will reshuffle the district’s existing boundaries and three of them involve shifting Erie’s 800 How new school may affect homeowners. Page 28.

See

HIGHSCHOOL on page 6

CUSD board confronts Twitter war, big crowd

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Unified School Board member Lindsay Love is pushing back against her critics by engaging in a Twitter war with members of the Purple for Parents organization.

For the last couple weeks, Love’s been tweeting incessantly and going after people she refers to as “trolls and

bigots.”

The digital exchanges escalated to insults being hurled by both sides and the formation of a fake Twitter account parodying Love.

“These people coming after me aren’t mad because of a policy issue.

They’re manufacturing issues with me because they’re mad I’m black, a woman See

TWITTERon page 4

Sew what?

Dorothy Biewer demonstrates her seweing prowess during Downtown Chandler Library's "Crafts After Dark" session held the first Monday of the month. Details and more photos: Page 48.

(Chris Mortenson/STSN Staff Photographer)

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Pastors Cheree' and Dave Wright of Life Link Church in Chandler flanked former sex-trafficking victim Olivia Holcomb during an information rally in Downtown Chandler last Sunday.

(Chris Mortenson/ STSN Staff Photographer)

War on sex trafficking in Chandler is never-ending

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Olivia Holcomb was 9 when her parents divorced and her life turned topsyturvy.

The Texas girl lived with her mom, who began bringing men home.

Holcomb said growing up associating having a man around equated to happiness as she watched her mom swing from being happy to being upset, depending on if she had a man or not.

“In the summer of 2018, my mom and I lived with her boyfriend at the time,” she said. “He was abusive and very mean to her.”

Both adults drank and Holcomb said she was miserable when the boyfriend would start hurting her mom.

“I refused to stay there,” she said. “I ran away.”

At 16 and with no money, Holcomb started meeting significantly older men through a dating app. She learned giving sexual favors would earn her food, drugs and a place to sleep.

She said she met about two dozen men who paid her for sex until police arrested her after her mom reported her as a runaway. Police went through Holcomb’s cellphone and discovered she was a victim of sex trafficking.

Holcomb, who now lives in Chandler, shared her story in a video Jan. 12, at the second annual Night of Hope event, hosted by 19 East Valley churches to bring awareness to sex trafficking and encourage the public to get involved.

The event, attended by over 300 people at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, also highlighted National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

“This is a problem that does not know borders,” said Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg, who was at the event representing law enforcement.

“It’s international; it’s throughout the country; it’s throughout the state and it’s throughout our local community.”

Soelberg said Mesa Police Department led the charge against sex trafficking in the last five to seven years and he got involved with the issue while working there. Soleberg became Gilbert’s chief in 2017.

Law enforcement agencies in Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe – in conjunction with the Maricopa County and Arizona attorney general’s offices – conduct at least one operation a month in the East Valley to combat human trafficking, according to Soelberg.

“It’s amazing, once we start our

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Girl Scouts will be pulling out the Trefoils. . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . Page 3 My Sister's Attic upgrades location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . Page 25 Chandler artists shine in Scottsdale exhibit . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50 Vision Gallery all about homegrown artists . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50 Downtown eatery reimagines enchiladas . . . . . . . .EAT . . . . . . . . . . . Page 62

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Chandler Girl Scouts ready to start selling cookies SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Girl Scout troops in Chandler are gearing up to descend on neighborhoods and supermarkets over the next six weeks in an effort to sell thousands of cookie boxes.

Among them are Suzanne Young and her Troop No. 1411 of five girls who pre-ordered 2,800 boxes of Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Do-Si-Dos – with a goal of selling twice this amount.

The troop exceeded its goal last year by selling more than 5,000 boxes, Young said, and the girls wish to match the number this year.

The girls will be knocking on doors, standing outside businesses and navigating their own social network to find potential buyers.

“They work very, very hard,” Young said. “They’re not getting any large corporate orders. No one’s buying hundreds of boxes from them.”

It’s a process often met with lots of rejection. But Young said her scouts are trained to be persistent and not let one turndown interfere with their business goals.

“This is such great training for them,” Young said. “It’s more than just buying a box of cookies,” Thin Mints have traditionally been the troop’s most popular cookie, but the scouts are hoping the addition of new flavor this year may boost the interest of Chandler residents. LemonUps, a crispy, shortbread cookie with inspirational messages baked on its surface, has replaced Savannah Smiles

PROBLEM.

state in a safe environment,” said AZPC CEO Tamara Woodbury in a statement.

The thousands of dollars earned by Young’s troop last year allowed the scouts to take a fiveday trip to San Francisco. If the troop meets its goal this year, Young said they will visit the Girl Scout headquarters in Georgia.

Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts in her hometown of Savannah in 1912. More than a hundred years later, the organization has grown to 1.8 million girl members.

Young was a scout herself during childhood. But admits she Mackenzie MaDan, Catherine Young, Elizabeth Young, Mady Thompson, and Alorah Zarnick of Troop No. 1411 took a trip was not as successful at selling to San Francisco last year with the help of money from selling cookies as her troop, which cookies. They hope to raise enough money during this year’s includes her daughters Catherine cookie season to visit Georgia. and Elizabeth.

(Special to SanTan Sun News) “I never sold as many cookies as my girls do,” the troop leader said. on the cookie menu.

Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants The Chandler troop is part of the Girl in Chandler is one of 36 eateries Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, which collectively sold 2.8 million boxes competing in this year's annual Cookie Dessert Challenge. Chefs from each of cookies last year. The council of 10,000 scout members aims to sell three restaurant will create a sweet dish inspired by a Girl Scout cookie flavor million boxes in 2020. and add them to their menu in February.

Each troop in Arizona manages their Girl Scouts has expanded its cookie own money and decides how to spend program to go beyond in-person sales. Girl its profits from selling cookies. members can now learn about ecommerce, “Not only is every cookie sale a digital applications, and how to use online teachable moment, but because all marketing to sell their product. proceeds stay local, girls are able to There are so many great enjoy summer camp, robotics programs, entrepreneurial skills being taught field trips and even adventures out of

through this program, Young said, and is teaching her scouts how to be more confident and self-sufficient. The residents and businesses of Chandler know this cookie program is not really about cookies, Young added, it’s about giving girls real-world experience.

“Everyone in Chandler is so supportive and so generous,” Young said.

On Jan. 25, the Girl Scouts is inviting 100 girl cookie bosses to pitch their business ideas in front of 25 local executives at the organization’s first Cookie Fast Pitch. If an executive likes an idea, they will buy $500 worth of cookies from the scout. The event will be from 8:45 to 11 a.m. at Tempe’s University of Advancing Technology.

The Cactus-Pine Girl Scouts’ sales help local Girl Scouts’ Take Action projects for the community and fund girl-led adventures.

The council also uses some proceeds to provide a variety of programs ranging from STEM to life skills, cover the costs of the cookie program itself and maintain the four camps in the state while providing scholarships for needy Scouts to attend them.

The cookies also play into another fundraising effort.

More than 30 restaurants in the Valley have joined the seventh annual “Desert Challenge,” in which chefs concoct a dessert from one or more cookies. Patrons can see participating restaurants and vote for their favorite at girlscoutsaz.org/dessert-challenge.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

TWITTER

from page 1

and in leadership,” Love wrote in a tweet on Dec. 27.

Love’s primary antagonist, Scott Weinberg, is an Ahwatukee resident and member of the Purple for Parents organization. The group formed a couple years ago in reaction to the Red for Ed movement.

Weinberg and other Purple Parent members criticized Chandler Unified over how it implemented its equity and diversion program and Twitter usage to publicize their opposition.

Weinberg, whose children attend Kyrene Schools, is also a regular critic of the district’s equity program while at Kyrene Governing Board meetings.

Last fall he was ejected by the board during a meeting after he called its members “cowards.”

During another Kyrene board meeting early last year, he complained the district’s science textbooks did not have enough white males represented in them.

Chandler Unified is introducing equity initiatives meant to reduce performance and discipline disparities among different student demographics. Love publicly expressed support for these

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

initiatives.

But individuals like Weinberg chastised CUSD for equity training materials they consider to be racially divisive and counterintuitive.

On Dec. 12, Weinberg asked Love on Twitter to provide examples of school policies specifically targetting African American students.

“If you spent less time harassing politicians, parents, teachers and children online and more time doing your own research, you won’t need to ask me,” Love told Weinberg after a back-andforth exchange.

The feud continued with Love calling Weinberg a troll and he accusing Love of libel.

“Not used to not having the power to stalk and harass women Scott? It must be hard,” Love wrote in a tweet.

Love went on to describe Weinberg as a misogynist who believes women “should be in the kitchen instead of active community leaders.”

Weinberg fired back.

“Make me a sammich,” Weinberg wrote in a tweet on Dec. 22. “And while you’re at it, make yourself a salad.”

In an interview with SanTan Sun News, Weinberg admits he poked some fun at Love in his tweets. But he said he’s “shocked” by how his online feud

with Love escalated and finds the board member’s behavior “unethical.”

“As an elected official, I think it’s part of the job – you open yourself to some criticism,” Weinberg said. “She has a real hard time handling that.”

Love did not respond to requests for comment.

Weinberg added Love blocked his profile on Twitter, preventing him from seeing her tweets.

An elected official’s right to block critics on social media has come under legal scrutiny in recent years.

The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in July, President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment rights of individuals he blocked on Twitter.

Because Trump uses Twitter to discuss presidential business, the court ruled his profile should be accessible to all citizens.

“We remind the litigants and the public if the First Amendment means anything,” the judges wrote in their ruling, “it means the best response to disfavored speech on matters of public concern is more speech, not less.”

In a Dec. 6 tweet, Love explained her reasoning for blocking certain people.

“Black women face terrible harassment in online spaces,” she wrote. “So

yes, I blocked the people responsible for stalking and harassing myself and my family.”

Purple for Parents members recently demanded Love abstain herself from any future decisions involving sex education because of her sister’s association with Planned Parenthood, which offers sex-ed programs.

Local school districts were scrutinized in the past for having any association with the nonprofit medical provider.

Conservatives lambasted the Tempe Union High School District in 2014, for inviting a sex-ed specialist from Planned Parenthood to meet with its school board.

During a school board meeting last month, Love has said she won’t be recusing herself from any sex-ed decisions because Planned Parenthood has not had any business with CUSD. A search of CUSD records indicates the district has not had any recent matters tied to Planned Parenthood.

Love further avowed her support for medically accurate, age-appropriate sexed curriculum and won’t be intimidated out of her stance.

“I will not be bullied out of supporting what I believe to be true,” Love said.

Love’s lovers, haters fill up CUSD board meeting

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board started off 2020 with a raucous meeting attracting a packed house of citizens ready to give their thoughts on one particular board member.

More than 80 parents, teachers and students asked to address the school board Jan. 8, and many delivered comments aimed at board member Lindsay Love.

Love recently drew the ire of critics for her public support of comprehensive sex education and the district’s equity initiatives.

Attendees of the board’s three-hour meeting could almost be divided into two groups: those who support Love’s stances and those who don’t.

Sarah James, a Mesa Public Schools teacher, belongs in the first group. She supports Love’s progressive advocacy and has not liked how her critics have rallied against the board member.

“I have been horrified to see how they have talked about Ms. Love and believe the Chandler school district needs to come out in full support of her,” James said.

Love’s been the subject of online scrutiny from members of Purple for Parents, an education watchdog group, after she engaged in a Twitter spat with one of its members.

Her online comments prompted some Purple Parent members to demand Love’s resignation during Wednesday’s board meeting for “unethical” behavior.

Michelle Dillard, a Mesa mother who

Nearly 100 citizens and some students jammed the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board meeting room last Wednesday, Jan. 8, to comment principally on board member Lindsay Love, who is under attack on Twitter by some members of the group Purple Parents but who also drew a big number of supporters at the meeting.

(Pablo Robles/STSN Staff Photographer)

often appears at Chandler Unified board meetings, felt Love was suppressing the First Amendment rights of individuals she’s blocked on social media.

“Her tactics amount to an attempt to suppress free speech,” Dillard said.

Love seemed to shrug off the resignation demands and chose not to publicly address the accusations of her critics.

“I don’t really feel like I need to make space for them because I refuse to make space for racism and bigotry,” Love said.

Plenty of Love’s supporters filled the board room Wednesday night, ready to vocalize their support for causes reflective of the school board member’s stances.

It was a night full of cheering, booing

and heckling as attendants took turns spieling at the lectern. They called for resolutions to protect the district’s equity program, while others celebrated the district’s announcement to stop using certain equity-training materials described as “radical” by Fox News.

The crowd’s rowdiness escalated so much Chandler Police was called out to watch over the board meeting.

Though Love was often mentioned throughout the night, some speakers had concerns about the district beyond the one particular board member.

Parents like Sarah Fanning told the board she was disappointed in the district’s abrupt decision to discontinue sex education for fifth- and sixth-graders.

Chandler Unified announced last

month it would no longer teach lessons on puberty and development for the younger grade levels. The district would instead provide parents with links to online videos to supplement the classroom curriculum.

Fanning and several other parents asked CUSD to restore the in-school curriculum so all students will have a base knowledge about their changing bodies.

“We know no matter how uncomfortable we might feel, we need schools to help in providing this instruction,” Fanning said.

State Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe, told the school board she was surprised CUSD ended health education for younger students and urged them to reconsider in order to prevent students from falling victim to misinformation.

Sex education was a reoccurring topic during Wednesday’s meeting with several speakers asking CUSD to consider adopting a more comprehensive curriculum. The district presently uses an abstinence-centered curriculum, which Love does not find as effective.

But some parents like Brad Bilski find the district’s current curriculum, “Choosing the Best,” to already be comprehensive, effective and urged the board not to change anything.

Despite the abundance of public input, the school board did not formally take any action related to sex education.

Alejandra Merino, another Love supporter, urged the three other present board members to act more like their colleague and be a voice for students.

“If you don’t, we will find someone to fill in those three seats,” Merino warned.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

HIGHSCHOOL

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

from page 1

students over to the new school near Gilbert and Brooks Farm roads.

Assistant Superintendent Craig Gilbert said relocating Erie to the new campus – which will house up to 1,500 students – could save Chandler Unified millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements planned for Erie’s current campus on Erie Street near Alma School Road.

The move to a larger campus could also allow Erie to serve more students, Gilbert added, since the high school currently has a waitlist of 125 students.

Erie’s academic rigor and openenrollment status would be maintained at the new campus, according to the district’s plans, which include combining sections of Perry High School’s current boundary with Erie’s population.

If the district’s governing board was to accept this plan, the new campus is projected to have about 1,100 students when it opens next year.

Not relocating Erie would require CUSD to shift more of Perry’s territory over to the new school, as well as move chunks of Hamilton High’s boundary to one of the district’s other high schools.

The downside to this plan is it probably won’t move as many students over to the new high school and does nothing to address Erie’s growing population.

The redistricting is going to be a challenging process, Gilbert added, because the new campus is being

constructed in a part of Chandler already established with houses and businesses surrounding it.

“This school is going into a community and it’s not being built in the middle of an area that’s going to grow around it,” the assistant superintendent said.

CUSD chose to build another high school last year after receiving projections it would have an additional 2,600 secondary students by 2024.

Despite having just opened Casteel High School in 2015, the district fears its current campuses won’t have enough room to accommodate the projected growth.

Hamilton and Perry are the closest

to reaching their enrollment capacity, so most of the district’s plans focus on reducing students at those two campuses.

But Gilbert said they’re looking for a solution to tame enrollment at all six high schools.

“We have growth throughout the whole district and we’re trying to address the issue as a whole,” Gilbert said.

CUSD Governing Board President Barbara Mozdzen thinks moving Erie to the new campus is a “good solution” and will offer Erie’s students more amenities.

“It’s continuing to grow,” Mozdzen said. “I think those students should have the same kind of opportunities as the

rest of our high school students.”

The new high school is expected to have programs in athletics, fine arts, college-level academics, and technical education.

Arizona College Preparatory-Oakland could possibly move over to Erie’s current campus if CUSD were to shift Erie to the new high school. Oakland’s existing campus could then open up a site for a firstresponders school CUSD is considering.

Regardless of whatever new boundaries are drawn, a significant number of students may not be impacted by them.

Gilbert said about 30 percent of CUSD students open enroll, meaning they attend a school not assigned to them based on their residential address.

Boundary changes won’t impact the district’s current high school students.

The new map will first apply to the seventh and eighth graders who will be attending high school during the 20212022 school year.

The Governing Board is expected to pick a plan by April 8. CUSD invites the public to provide feedback on the boundary changes by calling 480-812-7630 or by attending a meeting on Jan. 21.

If you go

What: Public Meeting on CUSD

boundary changes

Where: Arizona College Prep-Erie

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Money on lawmakers’ minds as they return to work

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State lawmakers returned to the Capitol Jan. 13, to deal with something they appear to have plenty of: Money and who gets it.

State tax collections were running ahead of projections made when lawmakers adopted the $11.8 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began last July 1.

Projections suggest the state could end the fiscal year this coming June 30 with an extra $750 million or more, perhaps even approaching $1 billion.

That’s money available for lawmakers to spend next budget year – and it doesn’t even take into account future collections.

Any discussion will have to include more than how much there is. The more important issue is how much of this surplus is likely to recur in future years.

Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said the issue is simple: Don’t commit money now for projects and programs unless you’re sure the money will continue to be there.

“Last I had heard, 30-ish percent, maybe 25 percent of the surplus is considered ongoing,’’ said Mesnard, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.

“So, we want to make sure it’s the pot that we commit ourselves to in the future or to cut taxes in some sort of permanent way.’’

The balance, he said, is one-time money.

“We can invest in roads and one-time projects, hugely helpful to our state but don’t commit us to some long-term obligation,’’ Mesnard said.

This latter category is going to cover a lot of wish-list projects.

Starting Jan. 13, the halls of the State Capitol were buzzing with activity as the Legislature begins a new session.

(Special SanTan Sun News)

Rep. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, wants the state to widen Interstate 10 from south of Phoenix into Pinal County.

Shope said there is no reason for the 26-mile section to remain two lanes in each direction when everything on either side is three lanes.

But the price tag could reach $500 million. Moreover, the state must negotiate the widening with the Gila River Indian Community since the highway runs through the reservation.

Rep. Ben Toma, R-Peoria, is focused largely on the other pot of funds, the surplus, likely to continue.

There likely will be a push to put additional dollars into K-12 education.

“We are committed to putting more dollars into the classroom every year,’’ gubernatorial press aide Patrick Ptak

told Capitol Media Services, promising “full details’’ when Ducey releases his budget, likely on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Toma has a specific target in mind: accelerate restoration of what’s called “district additional assistance.’’

This is a special allocation of state dollars to schools to pay for things like computers, books and buses. Only thing is, lawmakers seeking to balance the budget failed to fund it for years, including $117 million cut by Ducey his first year in office.

The governor has committed to restoration of the full $372 million -- but not until the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Toma said, given the state’s current financial condition, there’s no reason to wait long.

House Minority Leader Charlene

Fernandez, D-Yuma, said it’s a start.

But she doesn’t believe it goes far enough given the cuts to public education since before the recession.

Consider: In the 2007-2008 school year the state put $5.2 billion into K-12 education. Legislative budget staffers estimate the figure for this year at $6.5 billion.

And, on paper, the per-pupil aid went from $4,996 to $5,762.

But if you consider the effects of inflation, $4,996 is now worth only about $4,685.

It’s not just Democrats focused on K-12 needs.

Sens. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, and Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, want to put a measure on the 2020 ballot to increase the existing 0.6cent state sales tax for education to a full penny – a move potentially bringing in an additional $550 million to $600 million a year.

The trick, however, is getting her colleagues to agree to put it to voters.

The funds raised would not just be for K-12.

Lawmakers from both parties say state aid to community colleges has not kept pace. In fact, the systems in Maricopa and Pima counties get no state aid at all, though there has been funding for special programs.

And then there is the university system where the state’s share of the cost of tuition for Arizona residents has dropped from about 75 percent to just half.

“And we wonder why tuition has gone up,’’ Fernandez said.

Voters actually may get a choice of funding measures.

See

LEGISLATURE on page 10

11 Chandler schools earn extra state funds

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Twenty-one Chandler Unified schools will receive an extra $3.4 million in funding for performing well on standardized tests.

The Arizona Department of Education will be distributing $68 million over the next couple months to school districts across the state and Chandler Unified will get a significant chunk of the pie.

CUSD Assistant Superintendent Frank Narducci said the district’s $3.4-million allotment is one of the biggest disbursements to a single district and an increase from the previous year.

Thirteen CUSD schools qualified for about $2.2 million in results-based funding during the last fiscal year.

The eight new schools eligible for the bonus money this year included Basha, Fulton, Hartford, Tarwater, Hull and Weinburg elementary schools, Shumway Leadership Academy and Willis Junior High.

At least 50 percent of the money is

reserved for the 21 school sites to spend on teacher stipends, enrichment programs, new technology or professional development.

Thirty-five percent of the funds is designated for salary initiatives.

Narducci said Chandler Unified’s prior recipients have used this money to fund special positions like technology instructors at elementary schools.

The district reserves 15 percent of the bonus money for replication grants that may be awarded to Chandler Unified’s other schools.

If a campus did not qualify for the results-based funding, the district allows it to apply for a grant by demonstrating some sort of quality practice it wants to continue replicating.

The results-based funding formula awards money to schools with a certain number of students passing the annual AzMERIT exams in math and English composition. Schools scoring in the top 13 percent statewide receive $225 per student.

Fifty-eight percent of CUSD students

passed the AzMERIT math exam in 2019, which was well above the statewide average.

Schools receive $400 per student if more than 60 percent of its pupils come from low-income households.

Though the formula takes into account a school’s socio-economic status, some education advocates feel the results-based funding unfairly creates deeper inequities in public education.

The Children’s Action Alliance has pointed out how nearly half of the funding is awarded to higher-income schools.

“This funding scheme based only on test scores drains our precious resources without addressing the overall school funding crisis and without making a bit of difference for the children facing the biggest challenges,” said Dana Wolfe Naimark, president and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, in a statement.

Among the 11 campuses Chandler Unified has listed as Title 1 schools – a federal designation given to low-income schools – three were eligible this year for results-based funding.

Who got what

Here are Chandler schools that will get extra money from the state.

ACP Erie - $185,348 ACP Oakland - $157,725 Basha Elementary - $131,327 Carlson Elementary - $173,329 CTA Freedom - $125,577 CTA Goodman - $156,942 CTA Independence - $184,188 CTA Liberty - $140,487 Fulton Elementary - $190,384 Hartford Elementary - $152,848 Hull Elementary - $153,145 Jacobson Elementary - $195,105 Knox Gifted Academy - $142,266 Patterson Elementary - $219,965 Riggs Elementary - $192,271 Ryan Elementary - $166,354 Santan Elementary -- $149,331.33 Shumway Leadership Academy -$94,048.67 Tarwater Elementary -- $177,074.50 Weinberg Elementary -- $167,194.73 Willis Junior High -- $195,275.05 Total = $3,450,194.08

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COMMUNITY NEWS

LEGISLATURE

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Others groups are crafting a plan to boost income taxes on the most wealthy under the premise sales taxes are regressive – the poor pay a higher percentage of their income than the rich – and the simple political fact it could be crafted so the higher tax rates kick in only at higher incomes, leaving most voters unaffected.

There are some other education-related issues potentially not having a financial impact, including adding even more cash for counselors and providing more dollars to the state Department of Education to investigate misconduct allegations against teachers.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

But the debate about the cash is about more than how to spend it.

Toma said a newly imposed sales tax on internet purchases is bringing in more than anticipated. So, he wants to give some of it back.

“We should be looking at additional relief for the taxpayers,” he said.

His choice for where to cut?

“I will tell you my least favorite tax is the property tax,’’ Toma said.

“And the reason for it is I really feel it’s a hidden tax, people don’t feel,’’ he explained.

“They feel it, but they don’t really realize they’re getting pummeled, if you will.”

Mesnard is also focused on lower property taxes, particularly for business.

Business property used to be assess for tax purposes at 25 percent of “full

cash value,’’ essentially a rough approximation of market value. Prior tax cuts have taken it to 18 percent.

The plan would trim it again.

But the problem is lowering taxes for one type of property increases the burden for others – including homeowners. And this has political implications: homeowners vote, businesses do not.

Mesnard envisions the state using some of its surplus to make up the difference so the tax bill on homeowners does not go up.

Fernandez said don’t look for Democrat support.

“A tax cut? It’s not one of the things on the table for us,’’ she said.

Fernandez said lawmakers cut taxes by about $325 million last year with

changes to things like the standard deduction on income taxes, a new tax credit of $100 per child and lowering the tax rates for those earning more than $26,500 a year.

Republicans justified the move as simply making up for the fact changes in federal tax law increased the state tax liability for many Arizonans. The tax cuts, they said, avoided a “windfall’’ for the state.

Fernandez said her constituents and those who provide and depend on government programs had a different take.

“This last tax cut, I think it equaled $12 per person per year,’’ she said.

“They would rather have a significant investment they could see,’’ Fernandez continued. “And it would be in public education and/or infrastructure.”

Valley Christian breaks ground for new high school SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Students, faculty and alumni were on hand recently for the groundbreaking ceremony for Valley Christian Schools’ new state-of-the-art high school at its Chandler campus.

“We’re excited to move forward with this project and begin construction on an academic building to allow not only for continued enrollment growth but for increased collaboration and innovation in the classroom,” said Superintendent Dan Kuiper.

It’s taken years to “get us to this point,” Kuiper added, noting school officials “have the permits in hand and (can) begin moving forward with construction on our high school campus” at 6900 W. Galveston Street.

The two-story building features 19,000 square feet of classrooms and faculty space spokesman Bryan Winfrey said is “designed to fuel collaboration and develop the skills necessary for student success and preparation.”

The school also is at capacity with 440 students and the new building will be able to accommodate 650.

Besides enabling higher enrollment, the new building will allow for an expanded curriculum with more courses in science, technology, engineering and math. One floor is being built-to-suit for STEM offerings.

The building is part of a master plan

Breaking ground for Valley Christian’s new high school are, from left: 5-year-old Roman Petersen, 13-year-old Allie Livengood, 18-year-old Haley Schmidt, Mike Rodrigues, Head of School Dan Kuiper, former state senator Steve Yarbrough, Dr. James Carpenter and Harold Molenaar. (Pablo Robles/STSN Staff Photographer)

started 20 years ago, Winfrey said and “fulfills a major initiative of Valley Christian’s current strategic plan, ‘VC 2020: Renewed and Ready.’”

A building committee was at work since the plan was rolled out in Aug. 2016, to “provide facilities meeting our needs to enhance our programs and raise the ceiling of student and staff potential,” he added.

The building is the initial construc-

tion project of the first phase of the Secure the Future Campaign at Valley Christian Schools.

So far nearly $4 million has been raised for a $19.9 million first phase also includes the purchase of an additional 14 acres of land, a performing arts center, athletic facility improvements and additional parking.

Future phases of the campaign will include the building of the permanent

home for Valley Christian’s junior high and elementary and a second gymnasium.

Valley Christian Schools is a K-12 school started in 1982, to provide “a distinctly Christian education with excellent academics, championship athletics, award-winning fine arts, and a supportive community encouraging spiritual growth.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Girls softball players wary of ballpark's dangers

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The sounds of gunshots, dirty needles bags of methamphetamine are conditions the players of Chandler Girls Softball League worry about on a regular basis.

The league’s current practice facility, Folley Memorial Park at 601 W. Frye Road, Chandler, is falling into disrepair and getting to be too dangerous, according to Debbie O’Connell, one of the league’s coaches.

She’s been with the league for the last five seasons and claims Folley Park steadily deteriorated and its surroundings exceedingly worsened to the point where she’s had to cancel practices due to too much suspicious activity around the premises.

“It’s just ridiculous the stuff that goes on during the day,” O’Connell said.

This is why the league is hoping the city will follow through on plans made years ago to build a softball complex.

Chandler’s 2008 General Plan recommended softball fields be added to Tumbleweed Park, yet the league has not seen them come to fruition more than a decade later. The city said Tumbleweed’s master plan still includes the addition of four softball fields, but no funding has been authorized for them.

When voters approved a $451-million bond in 2007, a good chunk of the money was reserved for building new recreational facilities.

But then the Great Recession hit and most public projects were put on hold.

lia, gang graffiti and bloody toilets.

“Our young girls shouldn’t have to be seeing the things they’re seeing,” O’Connell said. “The things they’ve been seeing is just horrific.”

Data published by the Chandler Police Department show officers filed at least 55 reports for incidents at Folley Park during 2019.

By comparison, Chandler Police had 19 reports at Espee Unhappy with conditions at Foley Memorial Park in Chandler are, Park, 11 at Nozomi Park and from left: Back row: Debra O'Connell, Sharon Ormsby, Amy and Eric seven at Pima Park during the Wicoff, Maria Trask and Anne Wishart; Front: Annie and Ella Wicoff and Delaney Wicoff. ((Chris Mortenson/STSN Staff Photographer) same time frame.

The city said it’s trying to As the economy slowly recovered reduce the homeless popuover the following years, the city began lation around Folley Park by connecting utilizing bond money on park improvethese individuals with public resources. ments. Now the softball players believe As of April 2019, the city made conit’s their turn to get some fields built out. tact with 30 homeless people around The league’s begun circulating a petithe park and most have accepted help. tion and voicing their concerns before Folley Park, which was built in the the Chandler City Council.

1970s in honor of boxer Zora Folley, was O’Connell hopes something can awarded about $857,000 in park imbe done relatively soon because she’s provements a couple years ago. already seen a decline in league memThe city recently installed covers over bership. The players don’t always feel the field’s dugouts and $30,000 was spent safe at Folley Park, the coach said, and on renovating the park’s bathrooms. deserve to have a better place to play.

But the softball community doesn’t The league began documenting feel this face-lift didn’t go far enough to worrisome items players found around upgrade the fields.

Folley Park in the hopes of convincing Ella Wicoff, a 13-year-old softball playcity leaders to take action. They’ve so er, said she knows other girls who have far taken photos of drug paraphernaleft the league or been discouraged to

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join due to Folley’s current conditions.

“Girls are afraid to go to the bathroom alone,” Wicoff said.

She can’t help but feel there’s a gender disparity between the number of fields available for baseball players compared to softball.

It’s not fair girls don’t have the same level of access as the boys, Wicoff added.

Softball players have 12 fields available to rent from the city while baseball players have 21, according to the city’s website.

“Our current fields are absolutely unacceptable for our girls to play on and we should have been given better fields years ago,” Wicoff added.

The city’s parks department will be studying the needs of all its facilities this year in a comprehensive master plan assessment. The city said it encourages groups like Chandler Girls Softball to participate in the study and make their demands known.

“In the meantime, we continue to communicate with Chandler Girls Softball and take measures to ensure the safe enjoyment of Folley Park by residents and sports associations,” a city spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Chandler Councilman Matt Orlando, who’s been an umpire for the softball league, thinks the city should be able to find solutions to make Folley Park a better place to play.

“We have to really take a hard look at what we could do with these fields,” the councilman said during a meeting last month.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SEXTRAFFIC

from page 1

operation within a matter of hours we basically have a backlog of people trying to get access to not only girls but boys, adults, minors, babies – you name it,” he said. “There are no boundaries. So, it’s a problem not going away.”

Soelbert said as a patrol officer, he would scout for these types of crimes by watching the streets and hotels and for people walking the street.

“This still happens to a slight degree,” he said. “But everything is (now) online.”

He said when the agencies stage one of their operations, officers would make 10 to 15 arrests a day.

“Through our activities we’ve done everything we can and we will continue to fight but we need your help,” the chief said.

He asked the crowd to support financially or through volunteering with the nonprofits at the event such as CeCe’s Hope Center and Streetlight USA, which helps sex trafficking victims heal. And, he said, if people see something suspicious, report it.

“This is not about making arrests and putting people away but rescuing those forced into this,” he said. “We’ve got to combine our forces and make sure we do everything we can to combat it.”

According to the state Attorney General’s Office, the average age of entry into the sex trade in Arizona is 14, though law enforcement officers have seen girls as young as 9 sold for sex.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Many of the factors making Arizona a popular tourist destination also fuel sex trafficking – including the warm weather, close proximity to the border and interstate highway networks, an array of conferences and professional sporting events and close proximity to other tourist destinations such as Las Vegas and San Diego, the Attorney General’s Office said.

“We have to pay attention to this,” Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel said. “We can’t turn a blind eye. This is an issue happening in our community.

When we ignore it, we are complicit.”

She said her office will hold perpetrators of this crime accountable.

She added Maricopa County was the fourth-largest county in the nation and the third-largest, behind Los Angeles and Chicago, in trafficking prosecutions.

“We are committed to protect victims and survivors,” she said.

State Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, also asked the crowd for help.

“Try as we might to pass the greatest laws in the state, there’s always people out there trying to exploit others,” said Mesnard, who represents District 17, which includes most of Chandler, part of Gilbert and Sun Lakes.

He said when the slave trade consumed the country before it was abolished, some13 million people were sold into slavery.

“Thirteen million, that’s a lot,” he said.

“There are twice that many people in the sex-trafficking exploitation, which is a form of slavery. It’s not as obvious because it’s in the shadows.”

He stressed the importance of people being the eyes and ears of the community to help fight sex trafficking and used Uber driver Keith Avila as an example.

One December day in 2016, Avila picked up a teen girl and two women for a trip to a motel in California. He eavesdropped on their conversation and after taking them to their destination, called police with his suspicion of child prostitution.

“Police showed up and rescued the girl and arrested the two women who took her to be exploited,” Mesnard said.

“None of us know who Avila is because he is an everyday guy. He was sensitive to what was around him and as a result he saved a 16-year-old girl.”

Holcomb also was eventually saved.

A month after police picked her up, she had already been in and out twice to a psychiatric hospital for depression and suicidal thoughts.

Police then contacted an advocacy agency in Texas and placed her at Refuge Ranch, a long-term residential program for domestic minors rescued from sex trafficking.

It was there, Holcomb said she found love she never felt before, not through sex or men.

“It was a pure love I can’t even describe,” she said. “I graduated high school early and fell in love with myself again. It was an amazing experience.”

She re-established her relationship with her dad in Arizona and eventually moved out here.

Holcomb’s sex trafficking story is not

unique, according to Kathleen Winn, executive director of Project 25/ VAST, which fights sexual exploitation.

Holcomb thought she only had two choices: stay with her mom and the abusive boyfriend or run away, Winn said.

She didn’t know there were people out there who cared and wanted to help her and could give her other choices, Winn added.

Instead, Holcomb came across people who said they would help her but at a cost – a loss of innocence and “something that could never be undone once it was done,” according to Winn.

“Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation is a problem that is pervasive in all our communities,” she said. “It’s a problem-driven by men unfortunately, 99 percent of our buyers are men.

“We as a people need to change our culture, we need to stop this surge,” she continued. “I believe God is calling forth an army and we are part of it. You are not here tonight by accident. It’s not a coincident. We all need to find the Olivias in our communities and we need to let them know we are here to help.

We are here to change the future.”

Winn said when she embarked on this crusade a decade ago, she was told sex trafficking didn’t exist in this country and to sit down and be quiet.

Today, looking out at the audience, she was encouraged so many people are aware of the problem.

See

SEXTRAFFIC on page 16

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SEXTRAFFIC

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She said she made a promise to God - by 2025, she would do whatever she could to end sexual exploitation and pointed to progress being made against sexual predators.

“Mr. Weinstein is on trial, Mr. Epstein is no longer with us,” she said. “Dr. Larry Nassar is in prison and on one is selling children on Backpage.com. I know we as a community have done what we

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

needed to do but I know there is more to do.”

The public can also get involved by becoming a mentor or a parent to a child in foster care, said Katie O’dell, state director of Arizona 1.27, an organization engaging local churches in the Arizona child welfare system.

“What we don’t realize about trafficking, especially in the United States, is there is a common factor at play,” she said. “And it is kids who find themselves in the foster care system in the United States are 60 percent

more likely to end up to be victims of trafficking.”

Knowing this, she added, preventative steps such as engaging with a child in foster care can help ensure they never end up a victim.

In this country, traffickers prey upon children in the foster care system and recent reports consistently indicated a large number of victims of child sex trafficking were at one time in the foster care system, according to a U.S. State Department report in 2019.

Shannon Mitchell was one of the

hundreds of people who showed up for the event.

The 47-year-old Chandler resident said she herself was unaware of the problem until she heard about Night of Hope event.

“When I learned about it, it did surprise me,” she said. “Many don’t know it’s happening in our neighborhoods.

“I love the community is coming together to bring this awareness.”

State Senate kills proposed sex education bill

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Senate President Karen Fann has blocked consideration – possibly permanently – of a bill to put new restrictions on sex education in public schools.

Karen Fann said the proposal by Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, clearly needs work. The Prescott Republican noted even Allen conceded SB 1082 is not in the form she wants.

Fann said the sweeping proposal to both limit the grades where sex ed could be taught and provide more parental oversight is controversial and inappropriate for discussion at this time.

Fann said she and other legislative leaders are hoping for a quick session.

Part of the pressure on lawmakers

is the primary election was moved up three weeks, to Aug. 4. And if legislators are in session until May or June, it leaves less time to campaign.

Controversies of sex education have emerged occasionally over the last 10 years in the Chandler Unified School District - most recently when it canceled sex education for fifth and sixth graders last November.

Fann said it may be necessary to prevent lengthy debate on divisive issues because of the short campaign season – which drew an angry reaction from Allen, who, at a rally with supporters, essentially accused Senate leaders of cowardice.

“Is government formed to protect you in these inalienable rights?’’ Allen said. “Or are we here just to say to you, ‘Oh, no, we can’t do this particular issue

because it’s an election year’?’’

Despite Fann’s decision, Allen allowed parents unhappy with the current sex education laws to testify at the Education Committee she chairs.

Another group staged its own rally to not just oppose Allen’s measure but lend their support to SB 1120, which actually would move sex education programs in Arizona in the opposite direction. But this bill, too, likely is dead.

Sex ed is optional with school districts, allowing them to provide what is supposed to be age-appropriate instruction for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Only students whose parents have opted in can participate.

Allen’s measure would bar sex ed before the seventh-grade, provide time for parents to see what materials would

be used and spell out for the first time that instruction in AIDS and HIV could be taught only with parental permission and only at upper grades.

“Do we want to have our small, innocent little children sexually active?’’

Allen asked supporters.

She said her bill became “tainted’’ by controvery because of verbiage some believed would have barred teachers from ever mentioning homosexuality.

Allen said it was not the intent and had planned to remove the section.

“I was acting, and so were all the parents working with me were acting, to protect parent’s rights and our children,’’ she said. “And we should have had the opportunity to debate the bill’’ on its merits and not on the perception of See

SEX ED on page 24

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Tarwater Mandarin program continues to grow

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Tarwater Elementary’s Mandarinimmersion program continues to thrive five years after its inception and will continue to expand throughout the Chandler Unified School District in the coming years.

Tarwater became one of the first elementary schools in the East Valley to have students spend half their school day learning content in a foreign language.

What began with about 50 kindergartners in 2014, has steadily grown to 275 participants of nearly every grade level. The school annually expands the program to higher grade levels as a new class of kindergartners comes in.

The district’s goal is to keep expanding until the immersion program reaches the high school level.

Tarwater Elementary Principal Diane Hale said the program blends English and Mandarin together by having two teachers take turns teaching a class in the different languages. The student’s getting all the same content as their peers, she said, except their learning it in two languages.

“We kind of feel like it’s the best of both cultures in a way,” she said.

The fifth graders who started in the program as kindergartners are becoming more confident with the language, the principal added, and can be heard

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Tarwater Elementary teacher Lin Yong Yao explains the Mandarin alphabet to his students.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

practicing their Mandarin outside the classroom.

The school’s embrace of Chinese culture goes beyond the language, as Tarwater regularly partners with Asian communities in the Valley to put on events like the Chinese New Year Festival.

The annual holiday is celebrated throughout East Asia and marks the start of the new year with several days of firework shows, feasts and parades.

Tarwater will have its own version of the festival on Jan. 24.

The school invites the whole community to come out and watch dance performances representative of Chinese culture or enjoy some cuisine from a line-up of Asian food trucks.

Hale said she tries to enrich the entire campus with different languages and cultures – even for Tarwater students not participating in the Mandarin program.

“We want all students to have a little flavor of the culture as well,” Hale said. “It’s really added to the diversity of our campus in a really positive way.”

In a city with a sizable Asian population, Tarwater has become a draw for local Chandler families looking to immerse their children in Mandarin.

Hale said the school will often have to create a waitlist for families wishing to enroll their child. Parents know this type of immersive experience can cognitively benefit a student’s academic performance in other subjects, the principal said.

Tarwater’s most recent test scores show the percentage of students passing the state’s AzMERIT exams was well above statewide averages in both math and English composition.

Tarwater even had a higher passage rate in English than Chandler Unified’s district-wide average.

Tarwater first introduced Mandarin to its campus as a way to give students a head-start to learning a complex language that can take years to master.

It takes the average person about 2,200 hours to proficiently learn Mandarin, while Spanish and French typically take about 600 hours to speak fluently.

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Chandler’s high schools were having a hard time finding enough students to enroll in Mandarin, Hale said, so the district thought exposing pupils to the language earlier on could make it less intimidating.

The brain of a kindergartner is so malleable and receptive, Hale said, it made sense to see if the younger students could handle the intricacies of Mandarin.

“Language is what they’re learning everyday so we might as well add another one to it,” the principal said.

As Tarwater’s students get older and near advancement to middle school, the district’s preparing to offer programming at higher grade levels to allow students to continue strengthening their Mandarin skills.

Bogel Junior High and Hamilton High School plan to eventually introduce classes taught in Mandarin and electives focused on teaching the language.

Tarwater is currently accepting open-enrollment applications and will decide which students are placed in the Mandarin program by April.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

City using lottery for housing vouchers SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The city of Chandler is changing how it determines which families will receive vouchers to pay for affordable housing.

Local applicants seeking Section 8 vouchers handed out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will now be randomly drawn and placed on a waiting list.

In the past, applicants were ranked in chronological order based on when they applied.

The former method resulted in families camping outside city buildings so they could be first to apply, according to Chandler Neighborhood Resources Director Leah Powell.

The new lottery system is meant to “level the playing field” among applicants, she added, and revamps the application process to be more accessible to residents.

“We feel like it’s a little more fair to everyone,” Powell said. “It doesn’t mean everyone has to get their application on day one.”

The waiting list will hold up to 4,000 applicants in an order determined by the lottery. An applicant not picked to be on the waitlist will have to wait until Chandler accepts applications again.

Preferences will be given to households with disabled or elderly residents. An applicant with a preference will receive a voucher before applicants without one.

The city will begin accepting applications again for a two-week period starting Jan. 27 – the first time Chandler’s opened up the voucher system since 2016.

When the city opened up its waitlist four years ago, residents from all over the Valley flocked to Chandler and stood in long lines to fill out an application.

Powell said the city got at least 4,000 applications in 2016, and expects to receive just as many this year, if not more.

“There is certainly a demand for

housing,” she said.

In a recent community assessment done by the city, affordable housing was ranked as the most pressing need of Chandler residents. A city survey of 600 residents discovered about 29 percent of them were living on less than $25,000 a year.

The number of Chandler residents living below the poverty line increased by 78 percent over the last 19 years.

The federal government supplies Chandler with 486 housing vouchers for low-income residents to use to supplement a portion of their rent.

Applicants living alone must earn less than $25,500 to be eligible for a voucher.

Other Valley cities receive a significantly higher number of vouchers.

Mesa’s public housing authority handles 1,523 vouchers, Glendale has 1,054, Tempe processes 1,052, and Scottsdale disperses 735 vouchers.

Congress amended the Section 8 program in the 1970s to offer more freedom for low-income residents to decide where they want to live.

Instead of the government building and maintaining public housing, the Section 8 program would shift poorer residents over to the private market, where they ideally have more options.

But recent studies indicate most voucher recipients in Arizona were being segregated to the poorer regions of the Valley.

More than 41 percent of Maricopa County’s vouchers are being used in 15 zip codes that have an average poverty of at least 28 percent, according to a 2017 analysis by the Arizona Republic.

Because landlords are not required to accept a voucher, renters often have limited options on where they can use the subsidy and are relegated to cheaper parts of the Valley.

Powell has previously said her department’s been trying to find more landlords in Chandler willing to accept Section 8 vouchers.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

East Valley now has a Phoenix Children’s clinic SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Families with children in Gilbert and surrounding communities have better access to a broad range of pediatric health services now Phoenix Children’s Specialty Clinic opened at the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

During a ribbon-cutting for the clinic Jan. 9, Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels underscored the importance of a closer facility for parents of children with complex medical needs such as juvenile diabetes, cancer and heart defects.

“We really can’t live without the incredible services that are offered for our community and our state,” Daniels said. “Having something closer to home means they can still care for their other children and they can still work and still have a quality of life.”

The new three-story, 45-square-foot clinic offers care in 11 key areas: behavioral health, cardiology, endocrinology, general surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, head and neck-related injuries and illnesses, pediatric gynecology and plastic surgery.

Oncology services will be added next year, around the time when Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Phoenix Children’s Hospital open the new Women’s and Children’s Pavilion on the Mercy Gilbert campus.

That state-of-the-art medical facility, designed to care for women and children in the East Valley, arises from a partnership between Dignity Health and Phoenix Children’s.

insurance companies.”

Miller praised the care her daughter has received over the years from Phoenix Children’s specialists and echoed Daniels’ relief that they are now much closer to Gilbert families.

“Having a worldclass facility here with doctors who I trust and have the Phoenix Children’s mindset and focus on families just gives me a lot of comfort,” Miller said.

“And I know it will for a lot of the families, Town officials and representatives of Dignity Health and Phoenix Children’s Hospital celebrated the opening of the new pediatric clinic at many families that live Mercy Gilbert Medical Center last Thursday, ushering in new access to critically needed specialties for seriously ill kids in the East Valley. in the East Valley that (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) have children with medical needs.”

The 378,000-square-foot pavilion location was Gilbert mom Brittany Miller, “This facility is going to be a great blesswill include 24 labor and delivery rooms whose 10-year-old daughter, the youngest ing,” she added. operated by Mercy Gilbert and have the of three children, has had to see 16 differMany of the clinic’s staff – from physicapability to care for high-risk births and ent specialists at Phoenix Children’s since cians and nurses to administrators – also have 48 postpartum beds. she was 5 weeks old. live in the East Valley.

Phoenix Children’s will operate a 60-bed Terming herself a “medical mom,” Miller The new clinic means that Phoenix ChilLevel III neonatal intensive care unit, a 24took note of the fact that it took her only dren’ s now offers 30 different specialties at bed pediatric emergency department, six 11 minutes to reach the new clinic from her 13 East Valley sites. pediatric operating rooms and 24 pediatric home. She described her daughter’s plight, Phoenix Children’ s CEO Robert Meyer beds within the new pavilion. saying “Her brain didn’t form correctly noted that represents a marked change That facility will complement the new when she was born, so it causes issues like from even 15 years ago, when the growclinic, which speakers last week hailed as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, heart conditions ing region was in sore need of adequate filling a long-term need in Gilbert and the “She’s so sweet and has the personality facilities for children who needed medical far East Valley. that we love so much,” Miller added. “She’s care.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

21

Former Chandler man plans grueling fundraiser SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Keith Eckert is hoping his old buddies from his high school days in Chandler and the people who know his family in the city will help him run 350 miles through freezing temperatures.

Actually, Eckert doesn’t need help running the grueling Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska, but rather financial support for the organization he and three active Navy SEALS are doing this for – the SEAL Future Foundation, which helps former SEALS transition to civilian life.

“Initially our focus was on scholarships, job searches, placement and mentoring,” co-founder Jonathan Wilson says on the group’s website. “We were the destination to ensure SEALs a successful personal and professional transition, but we also wanted to help them live a life of purpose and fulfillment within their communities.”

The group has since expanded its mission to provide wellness, mental health and family well-being services.

Eckert grew up in Chandler and graduated in 2009 from Hamilton High, where he also was on the wrestling team.

He then went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he also wrestled and graduated.

Now 29, he entered the yearlong SEAL selection process but fate

Former Chandler native and Hamilton High School grad Kieth Eckert is training for a grueling 350-trek through the frozen Alaskan wilderness to help Navy SEALS transitioning to civilian life.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

prevented him from making it to the end, “There are multiple physical tests throughout the year,” he said, adding he was injured in some training accidents and medically disqualified.

Eckert was in the Navy for three years and retired in 2017.

“My parents, siblings and nephews all live in Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert,”

said Eckert, who now lives in California. “I still stay in close touch with all my friends, multiple teachers and coaches from Hamilton High School as well as Matt Orlando of the Chandler City Council.”

Eckert and his buddies, all three of whom have seen numerous overseas deployments as SEALS, have been training hard for the run.

“We hope to finish in five days,” he said, adding, “Our plan is to push 20 hours a day and rest four hours.

We will be pulling all of our supplies in sleds attached to our weights.”

But Eckert is no stranger to long runs,

having done two 200-mile races and one 243-mile race.

“I have completed four 100-mile races with my fastest 100-mile time being 23 hours and 40 minutes. All of the team members have participated in Navy SEAL Hell week. The three other team members have been to Winter Weather Warfare training in Alaska where they trained in extremely cold and miserable conditions.”

Eckert last summer completed his first “ultra-distance swim” – 16 miles that took him nine hours – to raise money for another charity, SEALs for Sunshine.

He said training for the Iditarod involves “a lot of leg- strengthening exercises and running a minimum of 60 miles a week.”

“The idea is to train only enough to where we do not injure ourselves before the race,” he added.

Eckert calls the SEAL Future Foundation “an outstanding organization that has personally helped a dear friend of mine and former Navy SEAL diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.”

“The right cause is one worth fighting and struggling for,” he added. “This race will no doubt test our physical and mental fortitude. That is why we are doing it. Who knows? Maybe we will inspire others to test their physical and mental limits.”

To sign up as a donor: sealff.org/ iditarod-trail-invitational/.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

23

Around Chandler City Council names colleague René Lopez vice mayor The Chandler City Council voted unanimously elected Councilmember René Lopez as the new vice mayor – a largely ceremonial position through which council members traditionally rotate annually.

Lopez, who has lived and worked in Chandler since 2007, was first elected in 2015 to the council and reelected in 2018.

The East Valley native graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering, with a minor in direct energy conversion. He also is a third-generation U.S. Navy veteran.

Lopez has more than 15 years of experience working in telecommunications, energy, and currently in information technology. He currently represents Chandler on the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, is an ex-officio member of the Chandler Airport Commission and a member of the Arizona Department of Revenue Municipal Tax Code Commission.

City announces closures for MLK Day this Monday In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday Monday, City of Chandler administrative offices will be closed, but scheduled trash and recycling collections will go on as scheduled.

The Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center for residential self-haul is closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and holidays and operations will resume at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Chandler Tennis Center will be open regular hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Tumbleweed Recreation Center will be open 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Environmental Education Center, Snedigar Recreation Center, Senior Center and downtown Community Center will be closed, as will all Chandler libraries.

Also closed will be Chandler Museum, Chandler Center for the Arts, Vision Gallery and the aquatic centers.

“The Stoned Ape Show” debuts in downtown Chandler Stuart Preston will debut in the one-man “The Stoned Ape Show” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at ImprovMania in downtown.

The local stand-up comedian, known as a “clean-ish comedian,” will share the story of his journey through the grief of losing his son with the help of “plant medicines.”

“My goal is to share my story of grief, depression and transformation,” Preston said in a release. “I set out on a psychedelic journey to find my late son. I didn’t. But I found myself. And I reconnected with love, acceptance…and cast-iron skillets.”

Preston, who does not advocate drug use, will also answer audience questions.

Tickets: StonedApeComedy.com.

Intel offering STEAM grants to area teachers Intel and the Intel foundation are offering 40 grants for teachers focused on STEAM initiatives in celebration of the 40th anniversary of its presence in

Arizona.

In 1980, Intel began manufacturing microcontrollers on 4-inch wafers at Fab 6 in Chandler. The company and its foundation have partnered with the Arizona Educational Foundation to award 40 grants of up to $2,500 to public school teachers to support science, technology, education, arts and mathematics projects and initiatives.

“These teacher grants will deepen the positive impact of our state’s teachers and inspire more students to consider careers in STEAM fields,” said Kim Graham, Executive Director of the Arizona Educational Foundation.

Intel spokeswoman Elizabeth Shipley said the grants would further develop the “ecosystem of innovation that we’ve helped build here in Arizona” and “are inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

Any full-time certified PreK-12 grade teacher working in an Arizona district public school, public charter or Bureau of Indian Education school is eligible to apply. Grants are open to teachers, arts, special education, early childhood education, and physical education for projects that will be undertaken between April 1 and Dec. 1.

Applications are due March 6 and are available at azedfoundation.org/ intel40for40.

Kyrene School District plans 2 job fairs for many openings Kyrene School District will hold an all-district job fair to seek qualified candidates for a wide range of positions that are open now.

District administrators will also be interviewing teaching candidates for the 2020-21 school year.

Kyrene is seeking certified teachers, psychologists and leaders, classroom assistants, bus drivers, preschool staff, crossguards, groundskeepers, playground monitors, instructional assistants, before/after-school club leaders and administrative support positions.

The fair will be 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 25 at Kyrene de la Colina Elementary School, 13612 S. 36th Street, Ahwatukee.

Potential bus drivers will have an opportunity to test drive a school bus at the job fair. Take a turn in the driver’s seat, and learn how to adjust mirrors, control speed and communicate via 2-way radios.

The district is will hold a second job fair 8 a.m.-noon Feb. 22 at Kyrene Traditional Academy, 3375 W. Galveston Street, Chandler, for teachers, school psychologists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists On-site interviews will be conducted. Due to high demand, educators are encouraged to make an appointment ahead of time.

Information: kyrene.org/jobfairs or kyrene.org/careers.

Seniors can audition for annual talent show An auditions will be held next week for Chandler’s annual Spice of Life Senior Variety Show.

Adults over 50 who can sing, dance, or perform a talent to entertain an enthusiastic crowd are invited to audition for the show, which will be held March 18 and 19 at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue.

The audition is 6-8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street, registration forms are available.

Auditions will be held for solo and group performances in vocals, dance, musical instruments or comedy. Acts cannot exceed five minutes, including set up and stage exit.

Audition times will be scheduled from completed applications.

General admission is $8 go on sale Feb. 1 at the Chandler and Gilbert Senior Centers.

For more information or to request an audition packet, contact Trevor Groth at 480-782-2730 or visit chandleraz.gov/senior-adults.

Thirsty Lion’s Chandler locale seeks workers in all forms Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill is looking to fill 120 positions at its new Chandler Viridian restaurant, which opens next month.

The Gastropub is looking to fill a variety of jobs, including servers, hosts, bartenders and all front- and back-of-thehouse positions now through February.

Employees at Thirsty Lion have access to benefits, including health insurance, 401K and meal discount program, and offers career advancements and

mentorship. Employees also have access to a job pool at its locations in Oregon, Colorado and Texas.

Applications can be filled out online on thirstyliongastropub.com/career.

Open interviews will be conducted at the Chandler Hyatt Hotel, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. in the Sun Room, Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Great Hearts Academies slates teaching job fair Great Hearts Academies in Arizona is looking to hire 250 teachers and teaching assistants for the 2020-2021 school year at its schools, including its campus in Chandler.

The company is hosting a fair at Veritas Preparatory Academy, 56th Street and Indian School Road, Phoenix, 5-8 p.m. Jan. 22.

Candidates are asked to bring extra copies of their resume. While Great Hearts welcomes candidates with teaching certificates, applicants not need one to apply for general education faculty positions.

Great Hearts does require that special education and ELL teachers are certified.

Applicants can also file online at greatheartsamerica.org/careers/apply-now/

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

from page 23

Bank of America seeking student leader applicants High school juniors and seniors are being sought for summer paid internships in Bank of America’s Student Leaders program.

The program aims to provide young people with an opportunity to build their workforce, civic and leadership skills by working at a local nonprofit and attending a weeklong leadership summit

SEX ED

from page 16

what it did."

By this point, though, it was too late.

“People are backing away (saying) ‘Oh, we can’t support something that the perception is anti-gay and so there was no choice but to hold this bill,’’ Allen said.

She also suggested schools, in teaching sex ed and other social and moral issues, were not being neutral.

“They should not be taking a perspective of the socialist, Marxist radical points of views out here, or not even the more radical views that might be on the Right,’’ she said. “They must

in Washington, D.C. Participants in the eight-week program at a Boys & Girls Club branch in the Valley must be able to work at least 35 hours a week for eight weeks.

Students who have participated in the program praised what they have learned.

They also must have good standing at their school and have a letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor or school administrator Applications are due by Jan. 31 at bit.ly/2rFocPY.

Foundation offers free STEM workshops for volunteers

served elementary schools.

"We're hoping that by having this conference, it will educate college students and make them more valuable to the community and their respective schools," Esparza said.

Participants will learn coding basics, machine fabrication and other skills that help college students turn elementary students into robotics team members in the competitive LEGO League. He said the college students can help fill a growing demand for highly skilled science educators. Information: sisepuedefoundation.org.

be respectful of our parents and what children are learning and being directed from in their home.’’

Fann, however, said her main concern was avoiding certain hot-button issues she feared could take away needed attention from the necessary business of the Legislature.

“We’re going to try and keep this session as quickly as possible with the least amount of friction and create a bipartisan atmosphere so we can get through this session with civility,’’ she said. And what it means, Fann said, is delaying for as long as necessary “those issues that need a little more work.’’

This ikely means Steele’s proposal also will meet the same fate and not get

a hearing.

Her measure not only preserves sex ed in all grades but makes it an opt-out situation, with students enrolled in the classes unless parents specifically ask they be excused. Steele defended the change.

“I don’t think it is all controversial,’’ she said. “I think there is a small, vocal group of people who don’t want other people’s kids to have access to this safe, healthy, life-saving information.’’

Anyway, Steele said she believes children today need sex education from people who know how to teach it to keep them safe.

“This is a much more complicated world than when you and I were kids,’’

said Steele who is 63.

“Kids have questions,’’ she continued, questions most parents are not answering -- or their kids are not asking them. “So if we don’t have teachers in the classroom telling them the facts, they’re going to get their questions answered on the internet, probably a porn site.’’

Steele’s measure would have added some new requirements to what would have to be taught in sex education classes, including discussing the perception students have of their bodies, emotions and behaviors and talk about “personal boundaries, consent and the right to privacy.’’

On Twitter: @azcapmedia.

The Si Se Puede Foundation in Chandler will host a conference Jan. 25 to train college students to become science mentors in their communities.

College students throughout the Valley can attend free science workshops 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Chandler-Gilbert Community College's Pecos campus.

Si Se Puede President Alberto Esparza said his foundation wants to mobilize young and aspiring engineers into becoming volunteer mentors at under-

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

My Sister’s Attic opens new store in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

When Ann and Jenny Siner opened their first My Sister’s Closet in Phoenix nearly 30 years ago, they wanted more than just a clothing store. They wanted a way of giving back to the community.

This weekend, they continued doing both as they opened My Sister’s Attic, a second Chandler location that compliments their My Sister’s Closet, a woman’s clothing store.

The new Attic is the biggest one yet for the small empire stretching from Arizona into Southern California under the umbrella organization Eco-Chic Consignments, Inc. Eco-Chic is a family of three high-end designer consignment concepts—My Sister’s Closet for women, My Sister’s Attic for home furnishings and Well Suited for men.

Each store sells consigned items at 60 to 90 percent below retail value.

Eco-Chic Consignments, Inc. has since grown into a $31+ million business with 15 locations in some tony neighborhoods.

The company ranked no. 2,896 on the Inc. 5000 list.

The new My Sister’s Attic opened Jan. 4 off Ray Road and Loop 101 in the Raintree Ranch Center near Whole Foods with a celebration, including a chance for cus-

The new My Sister's Attic in Chandler is the growing company's biggest to date and features many unique home furnishings. It was scheduled to open yesterday, Jan. 11. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

tomers to adopt a rescue dog.

The 15,533-square-foot space is 30 percent bigger and replaces a My Sister’s Attic at Fulton Promenade in south Chandler. The Chandler My Sister’s Closet is located at 2915 S. Alma School Road.

However, the Promenade will still be home to the Siners’ charity arm, My Sister’s Charities Thrift Store, 4985 S. Alma School Road.

The new Attic store houses an array of never-before-seen items such as one-ofa-kind furnishings, rugs, accessories, home décor, lighting, art, crystal, china and more.

“We are so excited and thrilled to open

this incredibly beautiful new and super convenient location of My Sister’s Attic in Chandler,” said CEO Ann Siner.

Siner said the extra space in the new Chandler location will allow for more of everything they sell, adding, “We’re going into our 29th year in business and there’s no better time to show new and old friends how chic designer consignment shopping can be at our stores.”

Through their more than a dozen consignment shops, the sisters donate extra items to local charities, said Ann. “We have always donated unsold goods to local thrifts and charities in Arizona and California,” she said.

She added that they are also passionate about helping nonprofits that cater to women and animals.

Ann, who has fostered hundreds of rescue animals, said she and her sister have donated more than 30 percent of their proceeds to organizations like the Arizona Humane Society, Helping Animals Live On, Fresh Start and Southwest Wildlife Conservation.

While some of the organizations were able to take the donated goods and sell them for a profit, Ann found some of the groups were losing money.

That inspired the two sisters to open a thrift store for their unsold items and donating 100 percent of its net profits to the charities.

In addition to the unsold items from their other locations, Ann said My Sisters’ Charities Thrift Store sells clothing and other goods that people have donated but don’t quite make the cut to be consigned.

Ann, who has served on the boards of many of the organizations My Sisters’ Thrift Store works with, has seen how these groups spend their donations.

Since the first store, the Siners expanded its business to include My Sister’s Attic, which sells home furnishings, and Well Suited for men. mysisterscloset.com.

Chandler boutique marks 2nd anniversary

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Judy Wear Boutique, a specialty store selling well-curated fashion in clothing and jewelry, offers an atmosphere of conviviality to new and old customers.

Located at 950 E. Riggs Road in Chandler, Judy Wear Boutique relies on this atmosphere to establish a solid customer base as they prepare to celebrate their second anniversary Feb. 1.

A key to its success also has been the fashion passion of owner Judy Dragoo and her 29-year-old daughter-in-law, Erin Dragoo, an Arizona State University journalism graduate who selects the jewelry, designs the displays and handles all social media marketing.

Judy said she chooses each piece of clothing with her customers’ tastes in mind, explaining most of her patrons are style-conscious “women of a certain age.”

“When I go to market and am looking for clothes, I want things that are practical, easy to wear and can be dressed up or down,” said Dragoo, a former elementary school teacher who claims her favorite Judy Wear outfit is a white linen shirt with sparkle jeans.

“My philosophy is if you don’t really love it, don’t buy it. Otherwise, it will just hang in your closet and be a waste of money.”

Upon retiring after three decades teaching, Dragoo opened a boutique in Sierra Vista where she resided. When she

Judy Drago, left, owns Judy Wear Boutique while her daughter-in-law Erin Dragoo handles the social marketing for the store, which is celebrating its second anniversary.

(Pablo Robles/STSN Staff Photographer)

opted to move to Chandler to be closer to family, she decided to continue her new appreciation of fashion by opening a boutique here.

She said she’s happy she made both moves.

Dragoo’s personal style permeates her boutique, where customers are greeted

with a welcoming smile and greeting.

It is a feast for the eyes with its wood floors, wooden furniture displays that See

JUDY on page 27

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

JUDY

from page 26

include myriad tables and chairs, chests of drawers and antiques filled or draped with clothing or jewelry.

“I’d call our decor more rustic than farmhouse. We use furniture from Rubble Revival who imports old vintage pieces from overseas and refurbishes them,” she explained. “So, no, we don’t have the typical boutique furnishings; instead, we cleverly use old furniture throughout the shop.”

The artfully-distressed furniture pieces display name brand items such as Brighton and Tribal, both newer additions to their lines of clothing and jewelry.

And don’t walk in expecting to be accosted by saleswomen. Dragoo considers her six helpers “style consultants” for a reason.

“I did that because my ladies like and deserve personal attention; they have great taste and they want advice. We don’t just sell clothing, we help them find what works best for their lifestyle,” she said.

Dragoo likes to make her boutique a fun place while giving back to her new community as well.

Besides small classes or parties held in the boutique, she hosts local fashion shows and offers opportunities to involve more community members by staging special events within the store.

The second Tuesday of each month is Tinsel Tuesday, when a Scottsdale hair artist helps customers bling out their tresses with tinsel extensions of various colors.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, Judy Wear Boutique is launching a new monthly event called “Giving Saturday,” with five percent

social media and web design to jewelry and store displays, my days here are never boring,” she said, adding: “All of the women that come to shop here are so kind and make us feel so welcome in their community.

And, running the boutique together has transformed Judy and my relationship from mother and daughterin-law to best friends.

“Judy has an eye for her customers’ style, and over time, I’ve adopted an eye for their jewelry tastes as well.

I love our demographic because they’re honest, sweet and have so many funny stories to tell. I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of Judy Wear, and I hope we can be here for years to come.”

Denise Frazier, general Judy Wear Boutique in Chandler sells items that owner Judy Dragoo picks carefully with her clientele’s tastes in mind. manager of Solera Chandler (Pablo Robles/STSN Staff Photographer) HOA, has been a customer since Judy Wear Boutique opened. of all sales going to a local charity. will find up for adoption,” explained Erin “They greet me by name This month’s beneficiary is Rover’s Rest Dragoo. “A lot of the dogs you’ll see at when I walk into the store,” Frazier said Stop, a small dog rescue in Chandler, who animal shelters aren’t high-end breeds, or when describing what brings her back. has found new homes for homeless pets purebreds, but they have the best person- “It’s a fun store for those ladies who don’t for more than ten years now. alities and the most genuine hearts. We want the run-of-the-mill clothing.”

To sweeten Saturday, a handmade like to think this is Paddy.”

There are also giftware items like handstuffed dog named Paddy created by VicErin finds working at Judy Wear Boucrafted wine bottle stoppers and floral toria Torrey, owner of Vickie’s Critters, will tique a perfect fit. magnets available for sale. go home with a customer whose name “I know I could probably go out and Information: JudyWearBoutique.com. is drawn at day’s end. Tickets are given to find a job that’s relevant to my degree at Judy Wear Boutique is located in suite everyone donating to Rover’s Rest Stop. a big organization, but I’d rather be here.

6 at 950 E. Riggs Road in Chandler. (480) “Paddy” is “like many of the dogs you I love being a part of the boutique; from 802-6757, Cell 520 378 0312.

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BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

New school good for Chandler home values

BY BENJAMIN GOTTLIEB Guest Writer

Most Chandler residents and other interested parties know by now Chandler Unified School District plans to build a new high school on the corner of Brooks Farm and Gilbert roads in south Chandler, near the intersection of Ocotillo and Gilbert Roads.

CUSD will build the high school on an existing roughly 72-acre plot of farmland, which abuts the Old Stone Ranch community in South Chandler.

CUSD approved purchasing the farmland for $25 million in 2019 despite significant objections raised by nearby homeowners over potential noise and traffic nuisances should the new school be built.

Nearby homeowners expressed mixed feelings about the development of a new high school.

Some residents are concerned the construction and school will increase noise and traffic on Gilbert Road and the development schedule is too aggressive; some also fear the potential for an increase in their property taxes.

Others believe the new high school will benefit schools in CUSD already suffering from overcrowding, growth that occurred faster than anticipated and a lack of classroom space.

Also, the addition of the high school will likely spur additional demand for new homeowners to nearby neighborhoods,

thereby increasing property values.

CUSD Superintendent Camille Casteel has stated she plans to work closely with homeowners associations near the school site to make sure the new school is being a good neighbor.

Exacerbating the concern about additional traffic is the new residential neighborhood pending construction across the Old Stone Ranch community.

This raised concerns among homeowners claiming residents exiting Old Stone Ranch community, as well as other drivers, will experience a significant increase in traffic, especially during peak times each weekday.

Further, many residents are concerned about increased trash and vandalism that may occur as a result of the new school.

While 98 percent of the students will likely not cause any issues, it’s the 2 percent that could ultimately cause problems for nearby neighboring residents.

These are typically nuisance type matters – a delinquent student who ditches school and goes to his or a friend’s home in the neighborhood to pursue illegal activities like drinking or using drugs; a troublemaker who toilet-papers a house or trees or other objects in the yards of homes; ringing doorbells and then running, and so on.

Additionally, there is always the concern during heated football rivalry games, fans and students from the opposing team could try and wreak havoc on the home team by causing distress to neighboring residents who, unfortunately, become innocent victims based purely on their

proximity to the football stadium.

Aside from such juvenile behavior, there are also more innocent nuisances.

The high-beaming, long-ranging lights that light up the football field on Friday nights will inevitably light up areas unintended – including the homes of nearby residents.

The crowd noise generated from the game-winning touchdown will prevent all but the deepest sleepers from falling asleep early or from enjoying their Friday night downtime noise-free.

Of course, there are numerous other nuisance-type situations from which a nearby homeowner might suffer.

Unfortunately, while an aggrieved homeowner could complain to the high school, or CUSD, there are probably limitations as to what actions a homeowner can take legally.

If a neighbor is throwing loud parties every night, the victim homeowner can file a nuisance lawsuit and seek an injunction by persuading the court the wrongdoer is unlawfully interfering with the homeowners use and enjoyment of his or her property.

That situation, however, is different than the nuisances described above.

Identifying the troublemakers could prove to be nearly impossible. And it is extremely unlikely a court would prevent the school from operating in normal fashion by hosting football games.

Of course, if the school is negligent in some aspect, such as failing to provide adequate security, a homeowner may have a claim for negligence.

From a community perspective, the

addition of the new school should, on balance, have a positive, beneficial impact.

It should drive nearby property values higher – a new high school in a stellar district like CUSD will drive up net demand for homes in nearby neighborhoods.

It will also have the effect of driving up demand for area businesses – i.e., seniors getting a Starbucks before or after school, or meeting at another café or nearby meeting spot.

But for the unlucky few, the new school could cause problems or damages for which, unfortunately, there may not be a sufficient remedy other than moving.

The upshot, of course, is should the homeowner decide to move, they will hopefully reap a nice return on the sale of their home.

- Benjamin Gottlieb is a Chandler resident and co-founder in the Phoenix law firm MacQueen & Gottlieb, the state’s top-ranked real estate law firm for two years running. Contact him at MandGLawGroup.com or 602-533-2840.

HAVE SPORTS NEWS TO HANDOFF? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira

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Dementia care can drive people broke bies and exercises.

BY DR. HAROLD WONG Contributor

In an Oct. 2019 opinion piece in the Orlando Sentinel, four doctors and former U.S. Surgeon Generals called dementia the “top public health crisis” in an effort to call attention to the rapid rise of the disease.

“Its scale is unprecedented and its numbers, already tragic, are growing rapidly,” they said.

According to the Lancet Commission, around 50 million people worldwide have dementia, and this number is predicted to triple by 2050.

“For those over the age of 65, the number living with the disease doubles every five years,” they said. “Five years is also how long we have before half of all Baby Boomers are over the age of 65 – paving the way for 14 million people living with dementia by 2050.”

What is dementia?

This is an umbrella term that covers several medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. It is marked by a progressive cognitive decline which includes memory loss and inability to think. Patients who have dementia miss appointments and phone calls. They may hear you and nod, but can’t remember what was said.

In advanced cases, they won’t be able to even recognize their spouse, kids, friends and others close to them. Dementia is caused by sick and dying brain cells.

Dementia can drive you broke

There may be a build-up of toxic proteins the body can’t properly dispose of.

According to the National Institute on Aging, ”many neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons and die.” With Alzheimer’s disease, the neurons that have connections in the parts of the brain involved with memory are typically destroyed first.

How to reduce the risk

The surgeon generals stated the latest research shows dementia “isn’t simply the inevitable result of statistical predetermination or old age, like gray hair or wrinkles.”

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According to the recent Lancet Commission report, “around 35 percent of dementia is attributable to a combination of the following nine risk factors: education to a maximum age of 11-12 years, midlife hypertension, midlife obesity, hearing loss, late-life depression, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking and social isolation.”

Note excessive alcohol intake can increase the risk. However, there is a lot unknown about dementia and a simple prescription is to: get regular exercise, have loving relationships with family and friends, eat a healthy diet such as the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and keep your brain active with games, hob-

Almost all seniors want to stay in their home as long as possible. However, when they either don’t have a loyal caregiver or the burden is too great, one moves to an assisted living facility, which can last for two to three years.

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, 59 percent of all assisted-living residents will eventually move to a skilled nursing facility with an average stay of 835 days.

When you combine all of this, it’s not unusual for the family to have to pay for four to five years of long-term care, which can cost over $300,000.

I’ve met families who had a relative with dementia stay in a nursing home for 10 years and the cost can double.

Most senior families do not have this much saved, in addition to the $250,000$300,000 estimated for an average retired couple to spend on other healthcare needs.

With dementia, the mind can be gone but the body stays alive.

Free Seminar: “7 Critical Actions to Take in Case of Dementia” will be held 10 a.m.-noon, Jan. 18, at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd, Chandler, near Chandler Fashion Center. Contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail. com to RSVP. -Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of California/Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Perry’s strong junior class leading team to success

BY BRITTANY BOWYER Staff Writer

The Perry Pumas’ girls’ basketball team is looking to make a statement this season they are not only among the top teams in the state but in the entire Southwest region of the U.S. Led by a group of eight juniors, they are looking to show how they’ve continued growing in the offseason to make a run at the state championship once again this season.

Last year, the Pumas lost in the 6A quarterfinals to Valley Vista. The loss fueled a fire inside of them to come back even stronger this year. Perry coach Andrew Curtis said pairing the girls’ hard work and determination to come back even better will make for an explosive combination with the high level of talent on the team.

“When the ball is moving and we are playing the right way, good things happen,” Curtis said.

Despite having a plethora of talented players who have the ability to single-handedly carry the team, the Pumas know there is an unmatched strength when they work as a team.

Perry junior Madison Connor recognizes the skill she and the rest of her teammates have on the court. Their ability to work together has been key to their success this season. (Zach Alvira/STSN Staff)

Perry juniors Tatyanna Clayburne, left, Nicole Smith, middle, and Madison Conner, right, have all made efforts to bring their team together both on and off the court.

(Brittany Bowyer/STSN Contributor)

“It’s the Perry Puzzle, we’re deep,” Curtis said. “We’ve got players who could be stars on other teams. They could score more and get more shots.

Everybody has to sacrifice on our team.

It’s about the Perry Puzzle and everybody has a part and we embrace everybody on the team.”

Three players, in particular, have stepped up to the plate to take on the leadership roles needed for the team.

Juniors Tatyanna Clayburne, Madison Conner and Nicole Smith all fully understand how important it is to be able to work as a team and fully embrace the idea of the “Perry Puzzle.”

Curtis helps to facilitate team bonding by providing the girls with snacks, a space to do homework and study before practices and games. The girls all meet-up to bond over food and also utilize this time to utilize each other as resources for homework.

Clayburne, who not only has a major leadership role on the court, also steps-up when it comes to helping her teammates academically.

At the group gatherings, you can often find Clayburne tutoring teammates in need of help - like math, going over problems with them on the whiteboard and figuring out how to solve them.

It’s just one of the many ways ClaySee

PERRY on page 37

Hamilton girls’ basketball using teamwork for run at title

BY BRITTANY BOWYER Staff Writer

Check stats for the Hamilton Huskies’ girls’ basketball team and not one specific player will jump off the sheet as the program’s All-Star.

That’s not to say the girls who make up Hamilton’s roster aren’t talented, it’s actually the opposite. Almost every single girl on the team has the ability to be a standout star, but they’re more worried about the team’s outcome than their own stats.

“It’s probably the most unselfish group I’ve ever seen of high school kids.

Usually, somebody wants more touches, more shots,” Hamilton coach Trevor Neider said. “They really buy into being a team. They’re a great group of kids.”

The Huskies know their strength lies in their ability to work together and it shows on the court.

As last year’s 6A state champions, many of the girls know what it takes to win a title and understand it’s greater than having one single player lead the team. They all understand that is how the Hamilton program works.

“Last year’s team set a foundation,” Neider said. “They were a great group of kids who worked hard and this group has kind of taken off from there. This group is a talented group.

“With winning last year, they know what their expectations are, they know what it takes and we’re trying to talk about doing all of the little things to get

Hamilton junior Samara Curry said while the girls basketball team is adjusting to changes from last year’s championship squad, it’ll benefit them in the long run.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Senior Zakiirah King knows if the Hamilton girls’ basketball team is able to continue building off of what they already have in place now, they’ll have a legitimate shot at repeating as state champions. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

to the next level.”

While sinking buckets and playing defense is all a major part of the game, it’s not everything.

Success on the court also stems from a team’s ability to communicate effectively, pass the ball around to each other, create plays and set up shots. This is where Hamilton’s strong team bond comes in clutch.

Their ability to mesh so well on the court comes from the relationships they’ve fostered with each other off the court. The girls really feel like they

have a family in their teammates and it shows. Despite losing some of the team’s key point guards from last year, the Huskies still look like a well-oiled machine out on the court.

Junior Samara Curry said while this group is still adjusting to the changes, it’s helped everyone else continue to grow as players as they push themselves to take on new roles.

“I think we’re figuring out how we’re newly going to play with each other without some of our other components, but it’s really coming together

because we’re just all so close and when you have that team chemistry, it just all meshes really well,” Curry said.

For senior Victoria Davis, the part of the team effort that goes into finding success is recognizing where players need to step-up and contribute more to help fill in some of the holes.

“We lost a few seniors who had big roles, so it’s more stepping-up to the plate, taking their position and still leading the team to state,” Davis said. “We know we still have most of the same people, and we know we can do it, it’s just doing the right things to get there.”

Davis said part of how they are able to fill the holes is by knowing each other so well and knowing what their See

HAMILTON on page 37

36

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Fulltime trainers still luxury at secondary schools

BY STEPHEN PEREZ Cronkite News

Injuries in young athletes are common occurrences. What isn’t common is the level of treatment and rehabilitation received when injuries happen.

Cathy Corlett, a goalkeeper at Campo Verde High School, has experienced her fair share of injuries, including four concussions from soccer.

“One time I was diving out to get a cross, and instead of hitting the ball, the girl kicked me in the head,” the senior said. “It feels like you are not yourself.

You cannot act the same way you normally would, slow and not with it.”

Because the season is almost three months long, “having (trainers) there on a daily basis to keep us healthy and ready to play is awesome,” Corlett said.

According to a study conducted by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2015, just 37% of public secondary schools in the U.S. employ a fulltime certified athletic trainer. Arizona is among the best, with 84% of secondary schools having an athletic trainer on-site at all times at all athletic events.

Matt Blackburn, the head athletic trainer at Campo Verde, believes that aside from a lack of funding, some schools don’t hire full-time athletic trainers because they fail to understand the value of the profession.

“We are trained in all athlete injuries, of all sorts, from load management to concussions to open fractures. I mean, you name it,” said Blackburn, who has been there for 20 years and in the field for 26. “Other than surgical, we can pretty much take any injury from the beginning to the end and never need an orthopedic doctor.”

High schools with no full-time athletic trainer often cover the position with coaches, athletic directors or students.

However, most are not trained.

And even when someone is properly trained, such as outreach clinical workers that some schools use, Blackburn said there can be a disconnect between the trainer and the athletes.

“If I am an outreach worker, I am not getting there until midday,” he said.

“You don’t know how they did in weight training or how they are feeling the next morning. We have an advantage because I have 12-hour access to these kids, and I can do two or three treatments in a day while other schools may be only able to do one.”

That limits the connection that Corlett says is so valuable.

“We are able to form a relationship with them and not be afraid to talk to them and voice our concerns,” she said. “Everybody knows who he is. It is comforting to know that he can help us

t? o G ws Ne

would be practiced so everyone knows their roles, especially coaches.

“If you’re the coach and the idea is you will take care of it and then you go down, that is a big part of the plan,” he said.

Another important area of expertise that athletic trainers have extensive knowledge of is concussions.

The AIA and Dr. Javier Cardenas, a neurologist at Banner Health, created the Barrow Brainbook program. It was implemented to educate students on the signs and symptoms of severe brain injuries like a concussion.

Cardenas, who is also the chairman of the AIA sports advisory committee, said this program is a vital educational tool that each student Matt Blackburn, head athletic trainer at Campo Verde High School, believes that sometimes schools don’t value the importance of must complete before being his profession. (Photo courtesy Matt Blackburn) allowed to compete in any athletic event in Arizona. in any situation.”

Trainer Certification exam.

“We felt at the time it was incredibly The importance of athletic trainers Mesman said the change in the important that not just parents and goes beyond hands-on treatment. The degree requirement ensures that every coaches be educated about concussions education certified athletic trainers pro- trainer has extensive knowledge of but the athlete as well,” he said. “So the vide students can help them deal with every aspect they might encounter on student is able to empower themselves injuries on their own time and teach the job. with knowledge about concussion signs them methods to prevent further injury.

“For athletic trainers in the profesand symptoms so they can self identify, “Everybody can relate to a pulled sion, it’s actually the same degree proself-report, as well as report their fellow hamstring or muscle, but we can program, just more rigorous at the master’s athletes.” vide the education of what is happening level,” he said. “It is not changing any Cardenas said that athletic trainers to their body and how to fix it,” Blackof the scopes of practice or any of the even have the most in-depth knowledge burn said. “Knowing what I know, I can educational competencies.” of concussions and their symptoms and teach these guys the proper uses of ice, Roughly 70% of the athletic trainers treatments. heating, massage … stretching is just as currently employed in the state hold a “There are some that might have paramount as everything we provide master’s degree in education or related a greater depth of knowledge, but because most young athletes don’t sports medicine field, Mesman said. even most neurologists specialize in know it.”

Hiring full-time athletic trainers is at something specific,” he said. “Where During his time in the profession and the discretion of the districts or schools as athletic trainers have a great overall as an athlete in high school, Blackburn that will be employing them. understanding of concussions.” has seen the methods of athletic trainDavid Hines, Executive Director of It’s one of their many skills that could ing change. the Arizona Interscholastic Association have a long-term impact on an ath“When I was in high school there was said they certainly encourage schools to lete’s health. However, the biggest issue no athletic trainer. We went off olddo so. schools face continues to be funding school, rub-dirt-on-it and rest, and it af“I think the athletic trainer is your full-time positions for certified athletic fected my ability,” he said. “Rest is good, first hire to tell you the truth,” he said. trainers. but there are a lot of other methods “They are the ones that are overseeing Kim Rodgers, head athletic trainer at you can do than just that.” all of your athletic programs and having Mountain Ridge High School in PhoeThe state of Arizona ranks among the them on your campus is invaluable.” nix, said funding issues do not excuse best in the country in employing fullThe AIA does mandate that Emergen- schools from having athletic trainers time athletic trainers for students. cy Action Plans be put in place for every because they are vital to sports at every The Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Associ- sporting event, visible to everyone and level. ation and its president, David Mesman, that cover every possible scenario.

“It depends on what works best for along with the national organization “If someone goes down, could have a the district or that part of the country, tasks themselves with keeping the stan- sudden cardiac issue, could be a heat-re- but a lot of it boils down to finances,” dards high for their athletic trainers. lated issue or a concussion where they she said. “But within our profession, our In 2015, the organization unanimously get knocked out,” he said. “All those view is if you can afford to have athvoted to enact a rule that requires betypes of situations we like to have in letics, you should have athletic trainers ginning in 2022 that any future athletic place where we have somebody to do there to provide the medical support trainer must obtain a master’s degree each step in the process.” for your teams.” in a related field and pass an Athletic Hines said he hopes these plans

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

PERRY

SPORTS & RECREATION

37

from page 35

burne looks to lead by example both on and off the court.

“I take great pride in it,” Clayburne said. “Everybody follows behind, so I want to make a good example and have a good base for the team.”

By creating an environment where the girls feel comfortable with each other and knows they can depend on each other off the court, it creates a stronger bond on the court. The bond shows when the take the court for every game, as they are not only able to effectively communicate with each other, but they also are able Perry head girls basketball coach Andrew Curtis has helped create a strong bond with the team by holding homework sessions and to pass the ball, set up screens, other team activities. rebound and create plays.

(Zach Alvira/Sports Editor) The “we before me” mentality of Perry’s team is something shared to show why they have a legitimate shot among all of the girls who put on a at making it deep into the playoffs. uniform.

“We have an intensity and we are “I love seeing everybody else prosreally deep. We don’t just have five per,” Clayburne said. “If it’s not me, if kids, our bench helps us,” Conner said.

I’m not doing good, I want to see other “It’s not just one or two kids. It’s not people doing good. It’s the whole point. just offense or defense. It’s all-around.

We’ve grown together, it’s all love, it’s all It’s everything. It’s going to be a great care, it’s trust between all of us.” season and I’m excited.”

With this mentality comes the power “We want to make the statement we to take their skills on the court to the are the best,” Smith added. “That’s our next level. goal this year.

The Pumas are aware of this, and it’s “We want to make it to state, and what they believe will set them apart from every day that we put in work our goal is their competition this season as they look to just be the best that we can be.”

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a. To qualify for this offer, you must open an Ultimate Money Market seniorbeginning Victoria Davis amount of effort eachismember thechange team puts in will determine how te Hamilton is effective onknows Maythe 6, 2019.

This offer subjectofto successful they will be come playoffs. der (Pablo to earn the Special Interest Rate of 2.00% (Special Rate), you must make Robles/Staff Photographer) 00 to the checking account and maintain a daily average available account ingfor asthis state champions.

The corresponding Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Special InterestHowever, King knows the team will haveato remain t the daily average available account balance is greater than $250,000.00, from page 35 mentally disciplined as the season conrresponding APY range for this rate is 2.02% to .50%.

Interest is compoundso they can be there to Market tinues if theyaccount want to hly.tendencies Minimum are to open an Ultimate Money Checking is see success. a supportive in the effort. just looking to continuously feeplay of $20.00 applies, roll in any month, if the balance in“We’re the account falls below “We always know canapply rely on and notFees get may in our heads and say ‘we atement cycle.

Other feeswe may for the businessplay accounts. other to have other’s back,”without Davis notice. wonUltimate state.’ You know that’s awesome to s are variable and each subject to change Money said.banking, “We know if they’re going to doand monthly have, but gotrea whole other year online e-statement, debit card, autowe’ve deposit one thing, the others will be right beand we want to still continue to progress ield accurate as of May 6, 2019. Minimum balance to open and minimum hind so they can just kick it to them.

We and collectively get better,” King said.

10,000. Fees may reduce earnings. Offer available for a limited time. just know what each person is going to Hamilton’s girls know the curate as of May 6, 2019. Minimum balance to open and minimum balance path to the do and it’s easier to play like that.” championship will not be an easy one ees may reduce earnings. Offer available for a limited time.

HAMILTON

Senior Zakiirah King knows if the team is able to continue building off of what they already have in place now, they’ll have a legitimate shot at repeat-

especially with other teams like Perry and Chandler in its division, but they know that working together will give them the best shot.

Call (480) 497-9800 or visit unisonbank.com for more information.

*Offer available only in Arizona. To qualify for this offer, you must open an Ultimate Money Market *Offer available onlyrate in Arizona.

To qualify for thisonoffer, must open Ultimate Money Checking account.

A special is effective beginning Mayyou 6, 2019.

This an offer is subject to change Market Checking account.

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Thisyou must make anytime, without notice.

In order to the Special Interest Rate of 2.00% (Special Rate), No penalty for withdrawal after 7 days. offer is subject to change anytime, without notice. In order to earn the Special Interest Rate an opening deposit of $5,000.00 to the checking account and maintain a daily average available account of 2.00% (Special Rate), you must make an opening deposit of $5,000.00 to the checking balance of $0 to $250,000.00. The corresponding Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for this Special Interest account and maintain a daily average available account balance of $0 to $250,000.00. The Rate is 2.02%.

For any day thatPercentage the daily average available balance is greater corresponding Annual Yield (APY) for this account Special Interest Rate is 2.02%.than For $250,000.00, a rate of .50% corresponding APYaccount range for this rate is 2.02% .50%. Interest is compoundanywill dayapply. that theThe daily average available balance is greater thanto$250,000.00, a rate ed monthly and credited monthly.

Minimum to open an Ultimate Money Market Checking account is of .50% will apply. The corresponding APY range for this rate is 2.02% to .50%. Interest is $5,000.00.compound-ed A monthly service ofcredited $20.00 monthly. applies, inMinimum any month, if the the account monthlyfee and to open anbalance UltimateinMoney Marketfalls below $5,000.00*Offer on any day of the statement cycle. feesyou may forapplies, business accounts.

Checking account is Arizona. $5,000.00.

A monthly fee ofapply $20.00 in any month, the may available only in To qualify forOther thisservice offer, must open an Ultimate Money Market ifFees Checking A rates specialfalls ratebelow is effective beginning May 6, 2019.

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Interest are variable and subject today change Money anytime, without notice. In accounts. order to earnFees the Special Interestearnings.

Rate of 2.00% (Special Rate), must make may apply for business may reduce Interest areyou variable and reMarket Checking account with online banking, e-statement, debit card, andrates monthly auto deposit an opening $5,000.00notice. to the checking account andMarket maintain a daily average available account subject todeposit changeofwithout Ultimate Money Checking account with online quired. **Annual YieldThe accurate as of May 2019. Minimum to open and minimum balance ofPercentage $0 to $250,000.00. corresponding Annual6,Percentage Yield (APY) balance for this Special Interest banking, e-statement, debit card, and monthly auto deposit re-quired. **Annual Percentage balance toRate obtain the For APY isday $10,000.

Feesaverage may reduce Offeris available a limitedatime. is 2.02%. any that the daily availableearnings. account balance greater thanfor $250,000.00, Yieldofaccurate as of January 6, 2020. APY Minimumforbalance to open to and mini-mum balance to rate .50% will apply. corresponding rate is 2.02% .50%.to Interest compound***Annual Percentage Yield The accurate as of May range 6, 2019.thisMinimum balance openisand minimum balance obtain theand APYcredited is $10,000.

Fees may reduce earnings.

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Minimum to open an Ultimate Money Market for Checking account is to obtain the APY is $50,000. Fees may reduce earnings. Offer available for a limited time. ***Annual Percentage Yield accurate as of January 6, 2020. Minimum balance to open and

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Market Checking account with online banking, e-statement, debit card, and monthly auto deposit required. **Annual Percentage Yield accurate as of May 6, 2019. Minimum balance to open and minimum balance to obtain the APY is $10,000. Fees may reduce earnings. Offer available for a limited time. ***Annual Percentage Yield accurate as of May 6, 2019. Minimum balance to open and minimum balance to obtain the APY is $50,000. Fees may reduce earnings. Offer available for a limited time.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

MLK Holiday an opportunity for serving, learning, unlearning

BY DR. NEAL A. LESTER Guest Writer

About peeling back and shedding the layers and layers of our consciously and unconsciously learned behaviors and attitudes preventing us from experiencing the richness of diversity, tolerance and acceptance, anti-racism educator and activist Jane Elliott posit “what we learn, we can unlearn.”

Elliott, whose 1968 blue-eyes/browneyes social experiment with her Iowa third-graders on the occasion of the assassination of Dr. King, knew well the value of repetition when she arbitrarily gave rights and privileges to the blueeyed white students in her class 52 years ago and then snatched the rights and privileges from the blue-eyed white students and gave them to the brown-eyed white students the next day and just as arbitrarily.

This experiment and so many related lessons about sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, sizeism, linguicism, colorism, childism and religious intolerance we all learn through repetition.

We also, according to Elliott, unlearn through repetition. This relearning and unlearning –– this peeling back and shedding the layers and layers of messy stuff – is at the heart of so many recovery programs that address behaviors and actions keeping us all from being our best selves and from living our best lives.

As I accepted the 2019 Diversity Award from the Baha’i Faith Community and the Town of Paradise Valley a year ago, I reminded my audience Dr. King’s life work was indeed informed by the absolute need for repetition in his continual fight for social justice not just for one but for all.

To disrupt the systems continually denying each of us on one level or another our individual humanity demands a commitment to doing the same things over and over again and not just expecting but rather demanding different results.

This struggle for social justice requires unceasing commitment to repetition until the doors of equality and equity opened for one opens for all. Activist Angela Y. Davis adds provocative nuance to American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer: “I am no longer accepting what I cannot change. I am changing what I cannot accept.”

This sentiment underscores the necessity of repetition that goes far beyond ritual in individual and communal struggles to disrupt the status quo and to effect change.

On the occasion of this another MLK commemoration and celebration, might we be more mindful of our individual responsibility to seek out justice on every front?

Might we be reminded the things that divide us can make us turn on each other when we focus solely on our own livelihood and solely on the lives of those who look like us, talk like us, dress like us, think like us, and share our values?

Let us be reminded that Dr. King’s legacy is one that demands both a commitment to persistent repetitions that challenge and a retreat from the rituals and repetitions that leave us cynical and fearful of difference and that keep us all from acknowledging our own vulnerabilities, complicities, and frailties.

At the same time, Dr. King challenged each of us to reach beyond ourselves and the comfort of our own skins and communities to be of service to others, contending that “An individual has not started living until [they] can rise above the narrow confines of [their] individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

Indeed, Dr. King’s focus on service is a decentering of ourselves to engage in a social cause that is bigger than our individual selves. Dr. King’s legacy of service is then about risk-taking, about extending humanity to those who may not extend the same humanity to us.

His legacy is not about weakness or even a moral high ground. Rather, Dr. King’s dream is about being humane in the face of others’ skepticism, disillusionment, bigotry, and unwarranted fears; about a commitment to justice in the face of disappointment, defeat, wrong, misunderstanding, mistreatment, threats, and uncertainty.

On this occasion of this another MLK commemoration and celebration of a life lived with passion and purpose, let us all be reminded Dr. King declared himself a drum major for peace; not peace absence of

conflict, but rather peace emerging from and manifesting itself in civility, patience – and these ASU Project Humanities Humanity 101 principles: respect, integrity, kindness, forgiveness, empathy and selfreflection.

Let us be reminded perpetuating any injustice against another denies us of our individual humanity and causes us to forfeit our own spiritual, emotional, and mental peace. In his steady march toward “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” not just for the few but for all, King was steadfast in his prescriptions about change that results from repetition manifested in perseverance and persistence: “Somewhere we must come to see that social progress never rolls on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals. And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation.

And so we must help time, and we must realize that the time is always right to do right.”

Our celebration on this day in this year is yet another opportunity to do better and be better than we were last year; to do better and be better than we were last month and last week; and be and do better today than we did yesterday.

- Ahwatukee resident Neal A. Lester, Ph.D., is Foundation Professor of English and founding director of Project Humanities at Arizona State University.

Don’t let a fall ruin your new year, go see the doctor

BY DR. LIANNE ROGERS Guest Writer

It is a start to another year and decade, which is a time for most people to think about ways to make a meaningful change to their health and lifestyle.

Maintaining our mobility and independence becomes a main concern as we age.

The common problem impeding this goal is a fall. Older adults state their

biggest fear about getting older is the fear of falling – the fear of getting hurt and not being able to maintain their current lifestyle or living situation.

The National Council on Aging states, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.

Falls threaten a seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $67.7

billion by 2020.

The costs of falls are not the only impact on an older adult. The fear of falling can also become a reality for those who have experienced a fall. This fear can lead older adults to restrict their social outings, suffer depression, isolation and physical inactivity.

We have all heard about someone who has fallen or know someone directly who has suffered from a fall. But we tend to think it won’t happen to us.

Being aware of how common falls are and doing what we can to prevent falls

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and raise awareness is vital to keeping our communities healthy and safe for people as they age.

Having these conversations with the older adult population is important, as one in four Americans 65+ fall each year.

However, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Here is a list of ways you can prevent yourself from falling.

Talk to your doctor: Schedule a visit with your physician to review the list of medications you are taking, including See

ROGERS on page 39

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ROGERS

from page 38

supplements, herbs, and over-the-counter prescriptions.

Schedule an eye exam: As you get older you rely more on your vision for balance. Annual eye exams are important to maintaining good eye health.

Exercise: Find an evidence base exercise program such as Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention or Matter of Balance. If you can’t find a class, visit your physical therapist to help you create a safe and effective balance and strength program.

Home improvements: Add grab bars in bathrooms; place railings next to steps; improve lighting around your home; remove rugs; remove clutter and obstacles in walkways.

Maintaining good balance is great for your health and is a skill that can be improved with practice. Fall prevention and awareness can go a long way to keeping you or a loved one safe.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

We cannot cure the human tendency to fall, but if we take simple steps toward prevention, we can improve health outcomes both for our communities and ourselves.

- Dr. Lianne Rogers, physical therapist and fall prevention specialist, owns Balance by Li At-Home Physical Therapy and Wellness. For information and a free copy of her report on how to improve your balance, email her at info@balancebyli.com or go to BalanceByLi.com.

Americans must not forget science saved us many times

BY BARRY SMITH Guest Writer

Science saved this country many times.

When Germany was using the seemingly unstoppable weapon of the submarine to sink our supply ships during World War II, it was American scientists that were able to miniaturize radar and put it in airplanes and use that radar to hunt submarines.

The Germans believed this was impossible but it turned the tide of the war in the Atlantic.

American scientists were in a race against German scientists to figure out how to split the atom because they knew it would release huge amounts of energy.

Our military sabotaged their atomic efforts while our scientific community continued the herculean effort of figuring out how to unleash the power of the atom.

The United States won that scientific race which made it possible to end World War II without invading Japan.

After the war, Jonas Salk, an American scientist, invented a vaccine for Polio.

Prior to the vaccine, approximately 3,000 Americans died of Polio and 21,000 were left with varying degrees of paralysis each year. Polio was incredibly frightening for American families, but science eradicated that fear.

Yellow Fever nearly kept the United States from building the Panama Canal.

Workers died, as if in war. Walter Reed was made aware that a doctor in Cuba had discovered that mosquitoes were the cause of Yellow Fever.

Many could not believe mosquitoes were the cause of such devastation, but orders were given and an all-out war was waged on mosquitoes in Panama.

The building of the Panama Canal actually stopped to focus on the extermination of Aedes Aegypti, the Yellow Fever carrier. The death rates declined precipitously and the canal was completed because we believed in science.

More recently, do you remember the hole in the ozone layer that threatened our atmosphere that keeps us safe from ultra-violet rays?

In 1987, the countries of the earth banned the chemicals and processes that were destroying the ozone layer.

The earth has been healing itself ever since. I don’t know what ozone is, or ultra-violet rays, or which chemicals were destroying the atmosphere.

I remember freon, which is no longer being used. I trusted our scientists to research and find remedies. They saved us from a catastrophe.

I am a history teacher so I could go on with these examples for pages.

What concerns me is the United States appears to have turned its back on science.

There were scientists that said you could not split an atom, and scientists that said, mosquitoes could not possibly be the cause of yellow fever and that human activity could not be destroying the ozone layer.

But when the evidence became a consensus among scientists, we sprang into action and made life-saving changes. We the people did not override the scientists and say, “There is no way to split an atom, quit wasting money on it” or “It can’t be mosquitoes that are killing our workers by the 100’s in Panama, they are so small.”

We expected the professionals who know more about these things than we do to figure it out and fix it. The scientists KNOW that global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

We had agreements in the Paris Climate Accord to address these concerns and save the earth.

Why would we believe a nonscientist who claims to know that “global warming is not caused by humans?” Not sure exactly when or why the United States began to embrace anti-intellectualism, but to continue being the power we have been, we need to trust our scientists and professionals.

They know more about this than you and I. It does not seem farfetched that if a mosquito could have stopped the building of the Panama Canal, which it nearly did, then humans with vastly superior impact can be destroying the atmosphere that keeps us alive.

Let’s go back to the good old days when we believed our scientists.

- Barry Smith is a retired history teacher.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler artists shine in Scottsdale exhibit DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

Two Chandler women are exploring the power of love through their fiber artworks at a new exhibition in Scottsdale.

Shachi Kale and Laurie Fagen are joining three East Valley artists at “Huggernaut, Fiber Arts of Love,” Jan. 13 through March 31, at the Civic Center Public Gallery in the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

A free opening reception is 6:30–8 p.m., Jan. 17, at the library. And, two workshops will take place 4-7 p.m. Feb. 6 and 3-6 p.m. March 25 in its Copper Gallery.

A “huggernaut” is a force, an object or a person embracing all things because of love, such as the Buddha, explained Kale, who is also a graphic designer.

Earlier this year, she had a onewoman show at the Appaloosa Library in Scottsdale, exploring her emigration from native Mumbai, India, to the United States after marriage, and its attendant loneliness, despair, loss of self and, ultimately, reaffirmation and hope –– emotions also depicted in the new exhibition.

“It’s an exhibition of the many

Chandler artist Shachi Kale, whose work is featured at Copper Gallery in Scottsdale, has been drawing since she was a child in India, (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Laurie Fagen writes crime fiction, sings, produces plays and musicals and maes jewelry and artistic quilts. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

styles of fiber arts. The artists present personal artworks communicating the power of love and celebrating faith in humanity in the face of so much heartache, pain and fear in the world,” said Wendy Raisanen, curator of collections and exhibitions for the sponsor, Scottsdale Public Art The artworks incorporate wool, cotton, nylon, sheepskin, corn husks and leather through quilting, weaving,

felting and other sculptural techniques, she explained.

“I feel, more and more, how important it is to remember we all must love one another more to launch ourselves away from the divisiveness occurring in the world, like an astronaut escaping earth’s gravity,” she said, adding: “It’s interesting to me how varied the artists’ responses to the subject are.

Each artist bears witness to the role love plays in their lives, from bittersweet to joyful.”

The artists’ creations derive from life experiences, some intensely painful.

Fagen’s “Life After Death,” is inspired by the death from cancer of her husband, Geoff Hancock, after 27 years of marriage. The 48-by-23-inch quilt comprises hand-dyed cotton fabrics, thread, beads, yarn, with commercial and artist-made polymer charms. “‘Life After Death’ shows the initial stage of grief, anger, pain and tears after my husband died, with irregular sides, slashes in the fabric and red yarn symbolizing the fury I felt with the unfairness of this horrid disease,” said Fagen, a native of Earlham, Iowa, and an ASU alumna who moved to Chandler in 1999 from Ahwatukee.

“It progresses to more calming colors to represent the days when I could finally embrace the memories with smiles instead of so many tears.”

Cancer disrupted the family life, eventually leaving her a widow and her son, Devon Hancock, fatherless.

Yet, during the travail, their love intensified, an emotional process See

FIBER on page 43

Chandler pastor focuses on hot-button issues SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Pastor Ryan Gear is starting off this election year with a series of sermons dissecting some of the country’s most controversial political topics.

Immigration, gun control, health care, climate change and abortion will all be examined by Gear in a five-week series the pastor calls “We Have Issues 2020.”

He said he hopes the congregants of his nondenominational church, The Well, will approach these topics civilly and be willing to hear opposing viewpoints.

“It helps us to model our faith to love our neighbors in a time when the United States appears to be more divided every year,” Gear said. “We can talk about issues that matter and we can also model what it looks like to love our neighbors.”

Americans have become increasingly partisan over the last 25 years, according to surveys by the Pew Research Center, with Democrats and Republicans agreeing less and less on various issues.

The political divide will likely deepen in 2020, as politicians seek reelection and use religion as one of their talking points.

President Donald Trump recently told a crowd of evangelical supporters God was “on our side” and vowed to protect religious rights.

Pastor Ryan Gear of The Well church in Chandler has picked some controversial topics as subjects for sermons.

(Pablo Robles/SanTan Staff Photographer)

The Well’s series is not meant to persuade anyone to pick a side, Gear said, the goal is rather to get both sides to better understand each other.

Gear will spend each week presenting both sides of a given topic and teach how religion does not always have to conflict with these issues.

For example, Christianity has long had the perception its followers denounce man-made climate change.

A 2015 survey found only 28 percent

of evangelicals thought human activity was warming the Earth’s climate while 64 percent of non-religious people thought humans were to blame.

Gear said religion doesn’t have to conflict with environmental concerns and hopes his sermons can raise greater awareness of the issue.

“Faith does not have to be the enemy of science or vice versa,” the pastor said.

When Gear started The Well last year out of Hancock Elementary School, 2425

S. Pleasant Drive, Chandler, he wanted it to be a refuge for followers to think freely and critically about the world.

“We’re not interested in creating a hypocrite factory,” said Gear, explaining how he doesn’t try to rigidly force certain beliefs onto congregants.

His style of preaching stems from a crisis he experienced in his 20s. He was raised under a fundamentalist Christian doctrine and started asking questions as young adult that conflicted with the church.

“That crisis of faith showed me the importance of allowing people to be who they are,” he added.

The Well’s creed describes itself as a welcoming place that invites congregants to express their faith and doubts.

The church’s growing congregation of 125 people has a range of diverse backgrounds and helps each follower to broaden their perspective.

It’s important for churches to encourage this type of healthy dialogue, Gear added, if America wants to see its democracy survive.

“I’m concerned about the future of our country,” Gear said. “We are so polarized it’s difficult to find any way forward that is lasting.”

“We Have Issues” will take place each Sunday at 10 a.m. until Feb. 1. The sermons will be recorded and published online as videos and podcasts.

42

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Vote now for ‘People’s Choice’ volunteers SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Nikita Bharati

Involved in: Mayor’s Youth Commission, Girl STEMpowerment, AZ Sustainability Alliance.

As co-president of Science is Fun, a club empowering youth with various scientific demonstrations, Bharati gives science presentations across the state at

Nikita Bharati elementary schools and community events.

She also is the president and cofounder of Girl STEMpowerment, an international organization combating gender bias and toxic stereotypes within STEM with inclusive activities and events. She currently works with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance and Microsoft to integrate environmental science and technology into lowincome schools.

Additionally, as the team lead of Arizona Youth Climate Strike, she provides young adults the knowledge and resources to engage in climate activism. Over the past four years, she worked with the Chandler

Joe Gaylord

Dr. Scott Nelson

Mayor’s Youth Commission to make recommendations to city council regarding youth in Chandler.

Joe Gaylord

Involved in: Cornerstone Church, For Our City Day, Let’s Pull Together.

“Joe has been an incredible asset to many For Our City programs, including Let’s Pull Together and For Our City Day,” a city spokeswoman said, adding: “Joe is the type of volunteer that will take on a project no matter how large or small, from helping a disabled resident clean up her alley to mobilizing his church to be involved with For Our City Day.” Gaylord is a go-to volunteer that

Stan Szarek

will take on any task and complete it with professionalism and compassion.

Recently, a resident reached out with a broken air conditioner, but she did not qualify for the city Emergency Home Repair program.

She is battling cancer and due to her medical bills, she was unable to pay to fix her air conditioning. Gaylord mobilized his congregation to get funding for a new A/C unit for the woman.

Dr. Scott Nelson

Involved in: Willis Junior High.

Dr. Scott Nelson, a school See

VOLUNTEERS on page 45

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Four community volunteers were nominated as part of Chandler’s annual Volunteer Recognition Awards program.

People can vote once a day at chandleraz.gov/volunteer100.

Now in its 10th year, the program involves a partnership between the city and For Our City-Chandler to honor outstanding volunteers for the time, talents and energy they contribute to the betterment of the community.

Nominations were accepted through last November in eight categories. The People’s Choice Award is the only award where votes from the community will determine the winner.

The city doesn’t leave residents in the dark about the people it’s asking residents to vote on.

Here is some information about each “contestant.”

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NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

FIBER

43

from page 41

incorporated in the quilt. “Our commitment to each other became deeper, and in the face of so much heartache, pain and fear, love gave me the strength to carry on after my dear Geoffrey’s passing.”

Now she pursues Fagen Designs in Chandler, writes crime fiction mystery novels, sings and has had her second original musical stage production performed at the Herberger Theater Center in Dec. 2019.

“My dear friends and family, including my 95-year-old mom, Lani, who is also a quilter in Chandler, gave me hope and brought laughter back into my life,” Fagen said, adding: Through giving back with my art and music, I have finally found the wisdom needed to move forward and created peace in my life.”

Kale will be showing three pieces: “Memories,” “Excavating Gold” and “Letting Go.” “They attempt to understand how love from our past shapes us and holds us together, how one must dig deep through our own layers and find buried gold and how letting go can be transformative, like a butterfly escaping its cocoon,” she said.

In “Memories,” she combines watercolor, fiber, embroidery and collage, using photographs printed on cloth.

“Memories of my past, people, places, sounds, smells and textures, remind me of who I was, how the love

Shachi Kale’s painting, titled “Letting Go,” conveys some of the emotional whiorlwind she has gone through in life while Lauire Fagen’s jewelry partially reflects her sense of loss she experienced when her husband of 27 years passed away.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

of family shaped me and how the warm embrace of ‘home’ continues to cast a soft glow on the rest of my life,” said Kale.

Kale, who has been drawing since childhood in India, credits her many teachers at Mesa Community College for mentoring her and husband Vikram Thatte for his support.

Chandler residents since August 2001, they have two boys, Shantanu and Ishaan, and their dog is Buzz, after “Buzz Lightyear,” the cartoon character.

“Excavating Gold” also includes watercolor and embroidered collage with printed textiles from India. “Here I am exploring the root of the love that can

embrace everything in its path,” she said.

“We are all made up of layers of experience and life events, stories we tell ourselves or have been told, both about the world and ourselves,” she added.

“The first step to embracing the world with love is to dig deep through those rough and rocky layers and try to reach the glimmer of gold that resides within each of us.”

Embroidery on cloth is the method and material of “Letting Go.” “How can we embrace the world if we are unable to see the beauty and power of transformation that lies within us?” Kale asked, adding:

“It’s only in allowing ourselves to acknowledge the beauty both outside and inside can we free our spirit to go out and embrace this world that is filled with variety and differences.

“Seeing love and its all-powerful embrace expressed by so many artists and their various interpretations will hopefully nudge viewers to think back to all the times they have felt that force of love in their own lives,” she said.

“Huggernaut starts from within.”

The workshops are free, but an RSVP is required. This can be done at ScottsdalePublicArt.org/Events, where additional information can be found.

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NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Hospice team helps Gilbert war hero care for wife

BY LIN SUE COONEY Guest Writer

The day after Christmas, Charlie Wilson was reflecting upon the hardest day of his life.

Dec. 26 marked the 50th anniversary of the deadliest sea disaster of the Vietnam War. Wilson – the 87-year-old husband and caregiver of his wife, Hospice of the Valley patient Mary Wilson – was the captain of Merchant Marine vessel SS Badger State.

The ship was bound for Vietnam in late 1969, when its cargo of bombs unexpectedly detonated.

William R. Benedetto’s 2005 book, “Sailing into the Abyss: A True Story of Extreme Heroism on the High Seas,” describes the tragedy: “When two colossal storms converged on their vessel, the bombs began to come loose in their cargo holds… and then the unthinkable happened – an explosion rocked the ship, blasting a hole through its hull and forcing Wilson to sound the abandon ship signal.

“To add to the crew’s danger, another bomb sank their fragile lifeboat. On their own amid the punishing waves, the men were defenseless when huge, normally harmless albatrosses inexplicably turned vicious and attacked them as they floated helplessly in the freezing waters of the North Pacific.”

Only 14 of 40 people survived, including Wilson.

“The only reason I fought to live was to tell my story. And I did, in front of

Though he is 87, Vietnam war hero Charlie Wilson of Gilbert, center, cares for his wife, Mary, who suffers from dementia, Hospice of the Valley volunteer Gayle Byrd helps with groceries.(Hospice of the Valley)

the Coast Guard,” he said.

Though he was exonerated and praised for his heroic actions to save his crew, Wilson feels responsible for the tragedy, a victim of “survivor’s guilt.”

“I was the captain. I was in charge of that ship. I lost 26 men,” he says. “It tears my heart out.”

But the Gilbert resident found encouragement and empathy in the hospice team helping him care for his wife.

Hospice of the Valley chaplain Nick Martrain brings communion to Mary, 84, a devout Catholic who has lived with Alzheimer’s disease for several years.

“I pray with her. She moves her lips to the Lord’s Prayer,” Martrain said.

Then he sits down with Charlie and they bond over history, sports and the thing that is always heavy on his heart.

“Nick and I can reminisce about old times,” said Wilson, who also served with the Navy during the Korean War. He appreciates the chaplain’s listening ear and genuinely enjoys the company. The two often finish each other’s sentences.

It’s a friendship that energizes him.

Despite being wheelchair-bound, Wilson still does the cooking, cleaning and laundry.

“His dedication to his wife is unbelievable!” Nick exclaimed. “Even when he can’t walk, he’s taking care of her. It’s true love. I’m inspired when I come here.”

As the rest of his hospice team arrives, Charlie starts cracking jokes.

“I’m sure glad I vacuumed the rug before you guys came,” Wilson will say.

His good humor tickles Dr. Vandana Sinha and nurse Wendy Hendrickson, who check in on Mary. When volunteer

Gayle Byrd pops in to drop off groceries, she said, “He always asks for 24 bananas.”

A Hospice of the Valley nursing assistant visits Mary three times a week, allowing Charlie’s weary body and mind to take a break and recharge.

Caregiving is exhausting, but Charlie displays the same kind of integrity and bravery he showed on that doomed voyage 50 years ago, trying to save his crew. He will not let Mary down.

He recalls the vows he made to her. “I made a promise to have and to hold in sickness and in health.”

And he’s determined to be a hero when another important date rolls around soon – their golden anniversary.

Want to help honor veterans? Hospice of the Valley has specially trained volunteers who have not only served our country in uniform but are committed to saluting our veterans from every generation, who are facing end of life.

These volunteers make tribute visits to veteran patients at the bedside, bestowing a special pin and giving a flag to hov.org/volunteer/saluting-ourveterans. For information on hospice, palliative and dementia care services, call 602-530-6900.

Lin Sue Cooney is director of community engagement at not-forprofit Hospice of the Valley.

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NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

VOLUNTEERS

become an integral part of the Willis staff.

from page 42

psychologist, retired from the Mesa Unified School District in the spring of 2018.

In the fall of 2018, he joined the Willis Junior High School staff as a volunteer and has since put in countless hours mentoring students and supporting the school community.

This year, working with a parent liaison, he added a small group for English-language learners and refugee students. He volunteers his time and assists with a vaping diversion program designed to educate Willis parents and students on the dangers of these devices.

Every Friday, Nelson sets up his laptop and a speaker system in the school courtyard and plays music during lunch periods. “He does this to build a positive community, give students an outlet for their energy and build relationships with the kids on campus,� the spokeswoman said.

Although he is a volunteer, he has

Stan Szarek

Involved in: Chandler-Gilbert YMCA, About Care Stan Szarek joined the YMCA in 2008. In 2010, he started substitute teaching classes and then he began regularly teaching the Adult Circuit class on Fridays.

Two years later, he expanded his course to three days a week, two sessions per day, due to demand for the course. Typically, his courses average 26 members a day and more than 350 members per month.

Szarek is dedicated to both growing and sustaining the Group Fitness of the YMCA community of seniors. He encourages the senior community by choosing music that they favor. This leads them to be inspired to interact in his course and wish to proceed even further.

All winners will be announced during an awards breakfast on Feb. 6. For more information about the annual Volunteer Recognition Awards: chandleraz.gov/ volunteer100 or 480-782-2214.

Connect with your community!

Drummer guys

Professional hand drummer and facilitator Frank Thompson, left, and Bart Salzman take a break from the free public drum circle that continues 2-4 p.m. the first Sunday of every month at the Downtwon Chandler Library,. No experience is necessary and any percussion instrument and player are welcome to join in the fun, though kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. (Chandler Library)

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Gilbert Giving Machines yield $1.1 million

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Gilbert residents reached deep into their wallets and donated about $1.1 million to nonprofits through vending machines set up downtown during the 2019 holiday season.

Altogether the town and nine other locations around the world gave roughly $6.3 million for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Giving Machines.

“This is an absolutely incredible show of generosity within our community,” said Rhonda Carlson, executive director of Arizona Disabled Sports, one of several Valley charities on the receiving end of the donations.

“It is hard for me to not get emotional with how much impact this campaign will have on our organization and I cannot appropriately put into words how thankful we are to have been included,” she said, adding: “These funds raised will provide so many opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live healthier lives and experience activities they have often been excluded from.”

Arizona Disabled Sports will receive about $51,000.

Other groups receiving money include A New Leaf, $161,000; Catholic Charities Community Services Arizona, $90,500; Child Crisis Arizona, $175,000 and St. Mary’s Food Bank/United Food Bank, which will split $243,000.

BEFORE

(The Giving Machiones work pretty much like any vending machiine, though donors get a token representting their charity of choice instead of a b ag of chips (File photo)

Gilbert donors also gave $351,500 to CWS Global, a charity that provides things like a piglet, sheep and chickens to impoverished families around the world.

Church officials were still reconciling the transactions so the figures are estimates, according to Jennifer Wheeler, a church spokeswoman.

Representatives from all the local nonprofits thanked the church and the “My name is Lori Savachka. I am 53 years old and finally in the best shape of my life. From May 1, 2017-April 30, 2018 I lost 100 pounds! I have gone from 227lbs to 127lbs and have lost over 100 inches! Thanks to John Allen and his staff at John Allen’s Personal Training.

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United Food Bank – received more than a combined $240,000.

The church first used the giving machine in 2017, placing one machine in Salt Lake City, which raised more than $550,000. Some of the criteria the church used in placing the machines included easy public access and strong support from church members.

In 2018, the church expanded to include Gilbert, New York, Salt Lake City, London and Manila, which generated a total of $1.3 million in donations.

In 2019, the church doubled the number of locations to 10 and included Hawaii, California and Colorado.

The number of Giving Machines also doubled to four in Gilbert in an effort to reduce the wait time for people lining up to donate, Wheeler said.

“We don’t know if it will be an annual thing for Gilbert,” she said. “We’ve done it for two years but as the church plans it for the coming year they will announce cities and it’s anyone’s guess it will be in Gilbert. But it seemed like a success in Gilbert.”

She said announcement for the 2020 season will be in late fall. According to officials, 100 percent of the donations will go directly to the charities with the church covering the administration costs.

The Light the World campaign is held each Christmas season and asks people to take the 25 days leading up to Christmas and turn it into a season of helping others in need.

Gilbert community for the donations.

Tom Kertis, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, called the donations “incredible” and added the funds will provide over 1.4 million meals for both food banks.

“I have worked with A New Leaf for 32 years and, honestly, the vending machines have to be in the top five of my experiences,” said Bridget Talty, a volunteer engagement manager for the nonprofit.

“The love, the generosity and the interfaith work is most impressive to me.”

Torrie Taj, CEO of Child Crisis Arizona, was equally thankful.

“Wow, I don’t know what to say but we are literally jumping up and down and we have the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in our hearts,” she said. “We are so appreciative of what the LDS Church is doing to better our community.”

The church first unveiled the machines in Gilbert in 2018 as part of its annual Light the World campaign.

The machines were stocked with pictures showing items such as food, clothing, medicine, hygiene supplies, wheelchairs, sporting equipment and livestock that can be donated to local and global charities with a credit-card donation For its first year, Gilbert was the second-highest donor at $862,120 and 34,000 transactions during the 38 days of the campaign that ran Nov. 20 to Dec. 31.

From those donations four Valley nonprofits – A New Leaf, Helen’s Hope Chest, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and

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NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

EV woman literally runs for her life

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Nancy Foote is literally running for her life.

The 60-year-old Gilbert woman was diagnosed in 2016 with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder with no cure.

“My neurologist said the best thing for Parkinson’s is sweat,” said Foote, who’s participated in the Rock-n-Roll Marathon event last weekend.

Exercise can boost in the brain the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter helps with motor coordination but drops when Parkinson’s kills the cells producing it. Running also releases endorphins, another neurotransmitter.

Foote, who teaches conceptual physics to eighth-graders at Sossaman Middle School, took up the sport nine years ago when her mother died.

“When she had a stroke and she lingered very painfully for 15 months I asked my doctor what should I do to make sure it wasn’t me,” Foote recalled.

“She said ‘take 60 pounds off you.’”

Foote said she didn’t want surgery or take medication to lose the weight.

Instead, she changed her diet and started running.

She dropped the 60 pounds and kept it off.

Then came her Parkinson’s diagnosis on Dec. 19, 2016.

“It shocked me to the core,” said Foote, who looking back said there were signs two years prior.

Nancy Foote adopted running after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and has won a slew of medals.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

“I had a weak right arm and would drop things and I had trouble brushing my teeth and my handwriting was getting smaller and smaller,” she said. “I asked my doctor about it and she was not overly concerned.”

It wasn’t until Foote was giving a science presentation at a conference in Texas in November and was dropping things that she finally went to see a neurologist.

“My neurologist sent me for a brain test and it came back and he said to me ‘everybody who’s had Parkinson’s has this anomaly but you can have this anomaly and not have Parkinson’s. I’m diagnosing you with Parkinson’s.’

“I said, ‘what? I’m 57.’ So, I was shocked beyond belief.”

During Foote’s annual mammogram

around Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2017, cancer was found in her right breast. It was a rare form that would have gone undetected longer had she not had a 3D mammogram. About two months later, another type of cancer was found in Foote’s left breast.

She underwent segmental mastectomy and 60 doses of radiation.

“That was one, two, three,” she said of the life-changing events.

Foote is cancer-free for the moment, though she added, “My doctor told me it’s a chronic illness and that I will likely see cancer again.”

“It’s depressing, it is worrisome and it’s terrifying,” Foote said.

Foote, who has amassed a collection of finisher medals from races ranging from half marathons to 5Ks, said she doesn’t like to run.

“I don’t like the training part because that’s hard,” she said. “But I do like having time for myself. I enjoy the solitude, I enjoy the me-time but the actual running itself, I’m not a big fan.”

This was Foote’s sixth year for the Rock-n-Roll Marathon. She participated in the 5K on Saturday and the 10K on Sunday, and she preferred speedwalking the races.

“I use to do half marathons all the time,” she said. “But I can’t seem to get enough energy. But you still get the endorphin rush and hopefully that is helping with the Parkinson’s.”

Her husband, Bruce Foote, who can’t run because of two bad knees, will be

her cheerleader. He also is the one who coordinates all her races, – registering her, booking flights and hotel rooms when needed.

“I love that they have great bling and secondly every year I go I see someone else I know out running,” Foote said.

“One year it was a student I had eight years before. He ran with me for a while.”

Foote said it amazes her that students she taught decades ago and bump into at the races and still remember her.

The 32-year-veteran teacher’s impact on her students garnered her recognition from the Fiesta Bowl, which selected her for the “My School Hero of the Year “award. Part of the award includes an all-expense-paid trip Jan. 13, to the College Football National Championship game in New Orleans.

Despite her health challenges, Foote remained upbeat both at home and in the classroom.

“You and I are not guaranteed tomorrow, we are not guaranteed the next minute,” she said. “When I get up, I have a decision to make. I can decide I can be a crabby old lady with Parkinson’s or a happy person with Parkinson’s but I will have Parkinson’s one way or the other and the threat of cancer.

“I influence 160 kids every day and moods are contagious. Am I going to give joy and excitement or be a miserable human being and share it with them?

When they leave my room I want them to be full of joy because life is too short.”

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Crafty people

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

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The Chandler Downtown Library at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month hosts "Crafts After Dark." This month was "Pixie Baskets" and next month, is tea light jars with book pages, followed, in order, by Scrabble tile coasters, trash bag holders, Duck Tape tot bags and cat toys. Joining the fun were: 1) Victor Peterson, 2) Sajana K.S., 3) Aimee Klein and Carolina Duncan Paige 4) Barbara Halter and Sanjana 5) Carolina Paige 6) Barbara Halter 7) Vicky Varga and Barbara Halter 8) Chris Koeth and Sanjana..

Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

“Homegrown” features only Chandler artists SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The five artists featured in the Vision Gallery’s latest exhibit all have something in common: roots in Chandler.

“Homegrown: Generations” presents the ceramic work of five artists who have lived in Chandler at one point or another and all graduated from Chandler High School. In fact, some were each other’s classmates.

Kathleen Escobedo, who graduated from Chandler High in 1964, is showcasing some of her nature-themed ceramics in the new exhibit. She went to school alongside fellow artist Al Pace, who later became Escobedo’s instructor.

Escobedo had mainly focused on two-dimensional art before taking a ceramics class taught by Pace at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

She remembered him encouraging his students to never copy other artists and to find a style distinctly representing their own identity.

“Al taught us to look for our own voice in clay,” Escobedo said. “And all of our work is markedly different.”

Pace also ran Chandler High’s art department for several years where he taught the exhibits three other artists: Clay Martinez, Darrell Thomas Menlove, and Tom Budzak.

Budzak is a notable member of the Valley’s art scene, having contributed ceramic art for other shows in Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and Phoenix.

His ceramic portfolio ranges from

but are still united by their medium of choice,” Bugg said.

The ceramics made by each artist represent different themes, styles and perspectives. Some have elaborate textures and designs, while others present a mish-mash of different colors.

One of Escobedo’s ceramics almost appears to be in the shape of an egg with the top cracked off; a blue floral design is painted around the ceramic’s exterior.

Escobedo said most of her works have some sort of connection to the natural Artist Tom Budzak is one of five Chandler artists whose work is on display at Vision Gallery. world.

(Special to SanTan Sun News) She’s constantly amazed the beautiful landscape porcelain vases and to Batman-themed surrounding her and often coffee mugs. uses the Arizona desert as a source for The Vision Gallery regularly hosts artistic inspiration. artwork made by Chandler residents, Though Escobedo prefers painting but it’s not often a whole exhibit watercolors, she appreciates the is represented by creators with painstaking labor required to make connections to the city. ceramics.

Peter Bugg, the Vision Gallery’s The medium takes a long time to coordinator, said he wanted the learn, she said, but can almost become “Homegrown” exhibit to highlight addicting once the artist masters it. the diverse talent originating out of “Once you get hooked on clay, it’s Chandler. hard to leave. It was so very difficult to “We want this exhibition to show do and I do like a challenge.” citizens and visitors there are artists “Homegrown” will remain on display who live here, work here, and are from at the Vision Gallery, 10 East Chicago here, and they have a variety of styles, Street, until Feb. 14. Admission is free.

Teen thespians

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These Chandler actors and actresses are appearing in the Limelight Performing Arts Theater’s production of “Legally Blonde, The Musical” that wraps up today, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. at Mesa Arts Center. Tickets are available at the arts center box office. Among the local talent are: 1) Ama Loukil; 2) Ava Wright; 3) Kayla King; 4) Matt Kienitz; and 5) Zoey Hart.

Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer

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Chandler artist Kathleen Escobedo’s works, including the vase in the top photo, are among the works featured in the exhibit. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

51

Black Violin to appear at Chandler center ALAN SCULLEY Contributor

Any music act with a unique sound – such as Black Violin’s fusion of classical music and hip-hop – is bound to sound familiar from album to album.

But violinist Kev Marcus has no problem seeing a difference between “Take the Stairs,” and especially the previous two albums he has made as one half of the duo, Black Violin.

In fact, he can sum it up stressing one word. “This is the most authentic album we’ve ever done,” he said.

Audiences will get a chance to see what he’s talking about when Black Violin appears Jan. 31, at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

“The album is who we are,” Marcus said. “That was the best part of it.

It didn’t feel like we had to try to conform or act like anything else and we were still able to make an album we feel very, very proud about without necessarily compromising our ideas in any way – all without being preachy.”

Marcus will allow the first Black Violin album was also authentic. But he sees several reasons why he and his partner in Black Violin, viola/ keyboardist/singer Wil Baptiste, were able to achieve start-to-finish authenticity on “Take the Stairs.”

“Our very first album was our life’s work,” he said.

Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste will be bringing their distinct sound of violins and keyboards to the Chandler Center for the Arts at the end of the month.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

“It’s everything up until the point where we were 23 years old and we put that out. But since then, this is the most authentic album and I think it’s because honestly, we had a long time to do it.”

After the previous album, “Stereotypes” came out in 2015, he added, “we were looking for producers, looking for different situations since we had to fight to get out of our deal with

Universal. We had so many other things that were happening at that time.

“Then last year, we got together with (producer) Phil (Beaudreau) in like See

VIOLIN on page 52

ARTS

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VIOLIN

from page 51

September, and the album was done in like October last year. Since then, we’ve just sat on it and been able to fix this note, change this snare, fix this word.

I mean, I’m more at peace with every note on this project than I’ve ever been on anything we’ve ever done.”

So, I think that’s some of it, just the authenticity of it,” Marcus added.

“Everything that’s on the album, every note and every word, we both loved it and wanted it. Because of that, there’s this authenticity, there’s this real rawness, this genuineness about it.”

Beyond authenticity, Marcus sees musical growth in “Take the Stairs.”

And while the fusion of classical and hip-hop remains very much at the core of the duo’s sound, he refers to “Serenade” to explain what was different.

Drawn from classical composer Antonin Dvorak’s “Serenade For Strings,” the song essentially turns the group’s usual approach to mixing hiphop and classical on its head.

“Normally in pop or hip-hop, when you sample a classical song, normally it would be like you open up Pro Tools or whatever you use to create music, and you’ll start a click (track), with the click being like 120 (beats per minute), and you take that classical piece and you match it to the click,” Marcus said.

“That’s how we’ve always done it.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

That’s how everyone seems to do it when they want a sample or they want to use classical elements (and bring them) into a pop world. ‘Serenade’ we did it differently. We took London (Symphony Orchestra’s) interpretation of it and then we mapped out a beat to that, as if a conductor is conducting with a beat in the orchestra.”

“To me, that’s almost like a breakthrough song for us,” he said. “We found a new way to create and to blend classical and hip-hop that we had not done before, and for us, that’s a big deal.

While “Rise,” “Serenade” and “Elgar Nimrod” are decidedly classical, most of the other songs more equally blend hip-hop and classical instrumentation and melody.

For instance, “One Step” starts out with a sonic blast that’s almost industrial before layering in hiphop beats and an R&B-leaning vocal melody. “Lost in the Garden” has

a bit of Marvin Gaye in its soulful sound, while “Spaz,” “Showoff ” and “Dreamer” are good examples of the melding of hip-hop and classical.

This musical hybrid is something Marcus and Baptiste first began forming in high school, when one day Marcus had an idea for how to incorporate violin into the Busta Rhymes song “Gimme Some More.”

That musical idea, however, was put on hold when, in 2004, after winning the “Showtime at the Apollo” talent competition, Marcus and Baptiste were introduced to the manager of Alicia Keys, and were then hired to join her band for a performance during the 2004 Billboard Music Awards.

This led to opportunities to tour, not only with Keys, but Jay-Z, Kanye West and Linkin Park, among the notable acts. But the duo never lost sight of the idea of creating their own music, and eventually, they decided to stop taking touring gigs and pursue Black

Walk on our

HOLLYWOOD Style Red Carpet (FREE)

Violin in earnest.

With “Take the Stairs” out, Marcus and Baptiste returned to the road, bringing along drummer Nat Stokes and turntablist extraordinaire DJ SPS—both long-time touring members—to create a unique live experience.

“It’s more dynamic than the show has ever been because of the new album,” Marcus said of the new show.

“The first and last songs on (“Take the Stairs”) are the first and last songs of the show. So, it’s like we really frame the show around ‘Take the Stairs.’

“We wanted to kind of use the character of the album and start and end the show with the two kind of like classic kind of palate cleansers,” he said. “Of course, we tell kids to dream, tell people to dream, the impossible is possible, just run through walls for whatever you’re passionate about.”

If you go

What: Black Violin Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler When: 7:30 p.m. Jan 31. Kids program for $2 at 10 a.m. Jan. 31 Tickets: $36-$56. A special program for kids is 10 a.m. Friday Info: Info: 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org,

JANUARY 17-20, 2020

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

53

‘Fiddler’ looks at conflicts in family, culture

LAURA LATZKO Contributor

The musical “Fiddler on the Roof” debuted on Broadway in 1964. The show continues to find audiences because it tells a story of family and culture appealing to different audiences.

It is also one of a few musicals out there focusing on Jewish characters and culture. The national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof” will visit ASU Gammage from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2. It follows Tevye, a dairyman in Imperial Russia with five daughters who is trying to maintain his cultural and religious values despite outside influences.

His three oldest daughters Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava are also caught between their desire to follow their father’s wishes and marry for love.

The family must find a way to reconcile this conflict as they also face anti-Semitism and eviction from their village in Czarist Russia.

Created by Jerome Robbins, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein, the musical won nine Tony Awards in 1964, and was made into an award-winning film in 1971.

The show features iconic songs such as “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “If I Were a Rich Man.” On the national tour, actress Ruthy Froch plays Hodel, Tevye’s second-

The Broadway classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof” will be mounted in sumptuous fashion on the ASU Gammage stage Jan. 28 through Feb. 2.

(ASU Gammage)

oldest daughter.

This is her first national tour, but the actress has also been in a regional production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” and the John Travolta film “Gotti.” “Fiddler on the Roof” was very important to her father, who introduced her to the show.

“It was something we shared together,” Froch said. “I think that is what made it so special, his excitement

over showing me ‘Fiddler.’ He plays the piano, so he would sit down at the piano and play the music to ‘Fiddler.’ Of course, connecting to his Jewish roots makes him very happy, and watching him do that only brought out my joy in it.”

In the show, her character Hodel seeks to defy tradition by getting just her father’s blessing instead of his permission to marry a radical named

Perchik, the man she loves.

When Froch first saw “Fiddler on the Roof,” she identified with Hodel’s intelligence and wit.

“She is searching to find where she belongs in this town, a place where women don’t really have control and don’t have much power. As a very powerful young woman internally, whether she externalizes that and gets punished for it or acts out in her own way, she is very strong,” Froch said.

Her character strives to find her own way in the family as the middle child.

All of the sisters go through their own journeys in defining their own lives.

“Between Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava, you are watching three young women realize what they want, how to get what they want and standing up for themselves and realizing the power of their voices. Especially today and especially for young women, to watch somebody do that live and in front of you is palpable and exciting,” Froch said.

The cast performs an updated version of “Fiddler on the Roof,” created for the 2015 Broadway revival.

This version contains new choreography from Hofesh Shechter.

“Hofresh’s choreography is very pedestrian, grounded, rooted and very traditionally Jewish,” Froch said. “It is See

FIDDLER on page 54

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Chandler Museum exhibit looks at nations’ walls SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Museum is taking on a timely issue with a new exhibition about walls between countries.

“A History of Walls: The Borders We Build” is a traveling exhibition from Overland Traveling Exhibits examining the history and future of the world’s major geopolitical barriers and will run from Jan. 14 through March 1, at the museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive.

The exhibit looks at the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, the Israel/ West Bank Barrier and the U.S./Mexico Border Wall.

“Each wall is examined as a historical, political and cultural phenomenon,” a museum spokesman said, noting it “puts a special focus on the lives of people affected by these imposing and oftentimes dangerous structures.”

FIDDLER

from page 53

such specific, nuanced and mesmerizing choreography.”

Like many of her castmates and audience members, Froch has a long history with the show. When she was in high school, she played the role of Tzeitel.

“Everybody has a ‘Fiddler’ story, whether it is something that they done, or we get the person who has never seen Fiddler before. That is exciting too to be

walls are far away or right next door,” the spokesman added.

The exhibit includes words, images, video and written interactives in both English and Spanish.

The spokesman called the exhibit “a striking artistic interpretation of a typical section of the U.S./Mexico wall, featuring a silhouette of the bollard-style construction favored by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.”

“Coming face-to-face with The “History of Walls” exhibit at the Chandler Museum offers a the wall gives a sense of just provocative look at some of the world’s most famopus border how imposing these structures walls. (City of Chandler) can be, how many resources they require and the effort it The exhibit also is intended to takes to build a wall,” he added. challenge people “to consider the role On Jan. 30, an evening presentation of walls in their lives, whether those will start at 7 p.m. in the museum’s

Saguaro Room. University of Arizona professor Albrecht Classen will present “The History of the Berlin Wall: German Experiences for Arizona.

It will use the Berlin Wall as a starting point to address what walls have done to people and cultures throughout time.

“The history of that ominous wall and the cultural implications deserve our close attention,” the spokesman said.

Arizona Humanities is funding the exhibition and considers the Chandler Museum a founding institution that makes it one of the first to offer the display to the public.

Admission to the museum is free. It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, but closed Monday.

Information: 480-782-2717, chandleraz.gov/museum and overlandexhibits.com.

members from around the country to aspects of Jewish culture and history.

Froch said although the show was written over 50 years ago, it still presents an accurate depiction of Jewish culture because of how it presents human characters impacted by their traditions, their dreams and their circumstances. “‘Fiddler’ is something where no matter how old you are, you really identify with the daughters or the suiters, or you are an adult and you identify more with Tevye and Golde.

Or you’re the fun aunt and you identify with Yente,” Froch said.

able to expose someone to something that I love deeply,” Froch said.

Froch said when watching the show as adults, audience members often see “Fiddler” in a whole new way. This is especially true during moments when Jewish people are discriminated against by those in power.

“As a high schooler, you can understand it, but it’s so much deeper in our adult lives, especially with the way that our world is,” Froch said.

With the show, the cast exposes audience

If you go

What: National Tour of “Fiddler on the Roof” Where: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe.

When: various times, Jan. 28-Feb. 2 Tickets: 480-965-3434, asugammage.com

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55

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

These are the best days of our lives

BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D.

Guest Writer

A group of citizens in a small town were busily engaged in digging a foundation for a new school when a disturbing thought occurred to one of the laborers.

“What are we going to do with all the earth we are digging up? We certainly can’t leave it here where the school will be built.”

There was much discussion – suggestions were flying here and there.

Suddenly one of the men smiled and held up his hand and said. “We will make a deep pit and shovel all the dirt into it.”

Everyone applauded except one man who asked, “What will we do with the earth from the pit?”

Silence – and more thinking. And then finally another man raised his hand and said: “We’ll dig another pit and into that pit we will shovel all the earth we’re digging now together with all the earth from the first pit – with one addition – we will make the second pit much larger to accommodate all the earth from the school and the first pit.”

Sometimes life is like this – we go from crisis to crisis never thinking about

the goodness in our lives – we just dig pit after pit – an endless cycle of despair.

And then there is the story of the man carrying a heavy load of wood and the load just keeps getting heavier and heavier until finally in desperation he puts the load down and cries out for the angel of death to come and take him so he would no longer have to carry this heavy load.

The angel of death hears the lament and appears and asks what the man wants from him. To which the man replies, “Could you please put the load back on my shoulders.”

Sometimes it appears the trials of life are too much for us. We think about how simple it would be if it were all over. But then we remember life has more than burdens – life has good things like births and anniversaries and celebrations of one kind or another.

When we weigh the good and the bad, we realize the good outweighs the bad and life is just great.

What we say – what we do can result in happiness or sadness. We control how our lives are lived in great measure.

Sometimes life is so simple and we make it so difficult. Sometimes we create issues and incidents, and tend to make life a chore.

The leaders of this small town were also concerned about their maintenance

man and his crew.

They were getting old and during the long cold winters the maintenance man would have to get up at the crack of dawn and dress as warm as he could and knock on every shutter of every window of every house to wake the men to come to work.

The leaders met to discuss the plight of the maintenance man and his crew to determine if there was a way to make their tasks easier, especially in the cold cruel winter.

Finally, the president said, “From now on in the winter months, we will collect all the shutters and bring them to the warm building so the maintenance man will be nice and warm when he knocks on the shutters.”

Life is really this simple. We can, if we will, make these the best years of our lives. We can all come in from the cold because life is too short to be so unhappy, and these years – the ones ahead of us can be rewarding and fulfilling if we try to make things easy for ourselves.

As we approach the springtime of our lives we should reflect on the goodness in each other. We can find fulfillment in the knowledge God is concerned with our welfare and shows it by giving us the ingredients for our success – not in some hidden place, but right out there for the taking.

We humans are unique. Not only do we leave traces of whom we were, but we also leave an understanding of what we have accomplished.

There is always much to do and sometimes we do not take advantage of time.

The purpose of our existence is to live life as it was intended, with all its joys and sorrows. We can accomplish this by taking the trip planned for so long but never finding the right time.

We should surround ourselves with family and friends more than just for sad occasions. We need to splurge on the special thing we have longed for but always begrudged ourselves.

We should get up everyday and look around us and thank each other for being there and, most importantly, thank God for giving us these glorious opportunities we sometimes take for granted.

We can fill the pit of despair with the celebrations of life. We can carry the burdens of everyday living by learning to flow with the tide. We can be warmed during the cold tragedies of our experiences by being there for each other.

As we age, we should not think of it as being the last years of our lives but rather the best years of our lives. This is the true meaning of any season.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Prayer is the twice warming we need

BY LYNNE HARTKE

Guest Writer

The twice warming.

I think of this phrase when I hold a hot beverage on a cold morning. The hot liquid first heats my chilly hands, followed by my entire insides, as I sip the contents of a steaming mug.

I could have used a bit of the twice warming last year when my husband Kevin and I headed out before dawn to pray on the first day of the New Year on top of a mountain with a group of friends.

We have participated in this tradition for more years than I can remember.

Depending on the fitness level of

the group, we have scaled the boulderstrewn stretches of Camelback Mountain to hear a bagpipe player at the summit or strolled up a tiny bump of a hill at Veteran’s Oasis Park.

With several octogenarians in the group last year, we bundled in jackets, hats and gloves, as we faced the east on top of a small rise we declared to be our mountain.

We whispered our petitions, the breath of our prayers visible in the frosty morning.

Prayers for God’s blessing. For provision. For healing.

I stood next to a woman who had stormed the gates of heaven for eight decades and near a young family with two elementary students, the boys stomping their feet on the solid ground.

I scrunched my mittened hands

deeper into the pockets of my jacket and tucked my chin under my wool scarf, but still shivered as the first sunrise of the year peeked over the horizon.

After one final prayer, we headed to a local restaurant, piling our coats on one of the chairs around the table.

“Can you bring us hot cocoa right away?” we asked our waitress. “Before you bring the food?”

“Absolutely.”

I cupped the warm beverage in my hands, warming my fingers. I stirred in the melted whip cream before cautiously raising the brown mug to my lips.

The tiny sip of steaming chocolate rolled past my tongue and down into all my chilly insides.

I glanced around the table. Others had followed suit. First the cold fingers. Then the cold insides. The twice warming.

Hot beverages were not the only warming experienced that day, because prayer can also be a double warming.

Prayer is not always meant to be spoken alone with God as the only listener.

“Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am among them,” Jesus promised in Matthew 18:20.

As we speak our requests in community, we are first warmed as we step closer in relationship to others.

Secondly, we are warmed as we raise our petitions and recognize our God who hears us.

Prayer is the twice warming.

Lynne Hartke is the wife of Chandler Mayor and Pastor Kevin Hartke and the author of Under a Desert Sky. She blogs at lynnehartke.com.

We already are in the presence of God

BY MARVIN ARNPRIESTER

Guest Writer

Richard Rohr, author and Franciscan monk from Albuquerque made the following observation: “We

cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness!”

Jesus promised he would never leave nor forsake us. It that is true then we are never out of the sight, the awareness, the presence of the one who loves us.

Just as a child is never out of the love and care of a parent, so we are never out of God’s love and care.

This tells me we need to do less praying for God to be with us, and more praying God will enable us to be aware of God’s presence with us where ever

we find ourselves.

May we be more attentive to the presence of God in our lives each day.

Rev. Marvin Ampriester is senior pastor Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

FAITH

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

Women’s retreat at Sun Lakes Methodist Church

BY LINDA K. GERCKEN

Guest Writer

”Let It Go, Let It Go!” So sings Elsa, the young and newly crowned queen of Arendelle, in Disney’s award-winning animated movie, Frozen.”

“Can’t hold it back anymore,” she warbles.

Borrowing from the song’s lyrics, the Sun Lakes United Methodist Women

will sponsor the 2020 Annual Women’s Retreat entitled “Let It Go!” 9 a.m.1 p.m. Feb. 8, at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 East Riggs Road.

We are pleased to welcome back Pastor Jean Newell, who retired in 2019, after serving four years as associate pastor at SLUMC. She returns to facilitate, inspire, and motivate us to “Let It Go!” Elsa further proclaims, “The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside.”

Spiritual Connections

Pastor Jean compares our own lives with Elsa’s: The worst storms can be storms which create internal havoc, fear, and unrest in our lives. Pastor Jean will teach us what the world says about letting go; how God teaches us to let go; and, finally, that God will never let us go.

The well-attended event is open to all women in the community.

Admission is $15, which includes the program, handouts, souvenirs, morning

refreshments, and a soup-and-salad lunch catered by Sweet Tomatoes.

Tickets can be purchased from the church office.

Join us and you, too, may learn as Elsa does, “Let the storm rage on/The past is the past/Let it go, let it go.”

What better way to begin a new year and a new decade than the freedom gained from letting go of toxic internal storms?

103, Tempe, 480-792-1800

LinkedIn coaches and business portraits.

Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/ Student Center, 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert 480-442-5806, careerconnectors.org

Lift Your Spirit 10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Traditional and Contemporary Services 7:30 a.m. daybreak contemplative worship, 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music, 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band. There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie Street, Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

MONDAYS SUNDAYS

Celebration Service 10:30 a.m. Sundays All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community.

Join the group at 10 a.m., preceding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during

service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa, 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org Kids’ Sunday School 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays, Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite

Sun Lakes Counseling Services A ministry providing confidential individual, couples and family counseling services by experienced professionals on a sliding fee scale.

Anxiety/Fear • Depression • Stress • Grief/Loss Veterans and/or Family Members Dr. Julian Pickens, EdD, LISAC, LMFT, BRl-11

Licensed in Arizona as an Independent Substance Abuse Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist. Specializes in couple and family counseling and substance abuse counseling.

Deb Ralston, MC, LPC, NCC

Licensed in Arizona as an Independent Professional Counselor and certified as a National Certified Counselor.

Call 480-895-8766 today for a complimentary initial consultation. A counselor will promptly return your call.

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Rd.,Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 www.sunlakescounselingservices.org

The Art of Parenting 7:30 p.m. Mondays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99.

Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler 480-855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com

Christian Business Networking Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Avenue, Mesa Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com Monthly Women’s Fellowship 6:15 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.”

Best Western-Mezona, 250 W. Main Street, Mesa. 480-232-3773 Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon), Chandler Chapter 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church 1125 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, nar-anon.org

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

Career Connectors 8:30 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches,

Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master. Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

Silva Class and Meditation 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Learn the Silva method with Lois Britland.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe, 480792-1800

Panic Healing 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday Receive a 15-minute energetic tuneup.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Come, Worship the Lord

Praise Him

Glorify His Name

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CARPET CLEANING BIG JOHN'S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues.

Upholstery cleaning also available.

Tile and grout cleaning.

For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 or 602-989-8311 John Downs, Owner/Operator, Ocotillo Resident.

Call for monthly specials.

MUSTANG CARPET & TILE CLEANING Carpet, Tile & Grout, and Upholstery Cleaning. Family owned, truck-mounted steam cleaning. We off 1/2-hour appointment time frames, so no waiting around. We include pre-spraying, mild deodorizer and degreasers for high traffic areas at no charge.

Member BBB with A+ Rating!

"We clean like it's our own!"

480-688-3003

CLEANING SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING The lowest prices in the Valley! We provide all cleaning supplies.

20 years experience Trustworthy and dependable We pay attention to details Excellent References Call Vicky 480-227-1890

ELECTRICAL E. Z. ELECTRIC SERVICE RETIRED ELECTRICIAN. SMALL JOBS WANTED. ALSO FIX LOW VOLTAGE OUTDOOR LIGHTING. ALL WORK TO CODE. Not a licensed contractor

I SHOW UP! 480-406-3610

GLASS SERVICES GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors.

If it’s glass, we can help you.

QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices.

FREE Estimates WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR

Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

EMPLOYMENT

PROMOTERS WANTED!!

AVG. PAY $19.48 - $27.33 Large Home Improvement Company Looking For People to Work at Chandler Fashion Center, Superstition Springs Mall & Arizona Mills Locations & Surrounding Areas as well as Home Show Events to Schedule Appointments. Must be able to approach people. * GUARANTEED HOURLY PLUS COMMISSION (DEMO BONUS PLUS % OF SALE) * PAID TRAINING * PART TIME & FULL TIME * BENEFITS FOR FULL TIME * RETIREES & COLLEGE STUDENTS WELCOME To Set Up Interview Call, National Trainer, Steve Bloechel 480-298-3688!

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Call us at 480-898-6465 or email classifieds@santansun.com Proud member of

HANDYMAN A FRIEND IN ME HANDYMAN

Honey-Do List Electrical, Plumbing, Drywall, Painting & Home Renovations.

Not a licensed contractor.

Call Greg 480-510-2664 AFriendInMeHandyman @gmail.com

LANDSCAPING A+ SPRINKLER REPAIR SERVICE Are you tired of fixing drip system leaks?

20 years experience repairing and replacing drip systems, valves, wire troubleshooting & timers. All repairs!

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MOVING IN OR OUT MOVERS Professional, hardworking, excellent service. No hidden fees. Whether you are moving in or moving out LEAVE THE LIFTING TO US! Serving the East Valley. www.inoroutmoversphoenixmetro.com

Call Terry at 602-653-5367

PLUMBING

WINDOWS/ CLEANING

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DIRTY WINDOWS? Call Fish Window Cleaning @ 480-962-4688 and you will have the cleanest windows and screens on the block.

Below is the list of services we offer: Windows – Interior & Exterior Screens – Sunscreens and Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing - Your driveway, sidewalks and patios.

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REAL ESTATE - ROOMS FOR RENT Room For Rent. Ocotillio Lakes. Shared Kitchen.

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TUTORING Need Northern Mandarin Chinese tutor for 11th grade student. Already speaks some Mandarin. 30 dollars an hr. Call George 480-512-9987

Hiring? Place your ad in Classifieds

480-898-6465

"MOM WAS RIGHT" Appearance Counts!

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

FIND YOUR PURPOSE Private. Christian. Affordable. Nonprofit.

OVER 100 Generous

undergraduate programs, including in-demand STEM degrees

SCHOLARSHIPS and early graduation opportunities

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tuition has remained unchanged for the last 11 years

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855-428-7884 | gcu.edu

Club sports are not regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and do not have varsity status at the intercollegiate athletic level. However, club sports are organized and administered by their respective national sport governing body. For more information about the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org). GCU, while reserving its lawful rights in light of its Christian mission, is committed to maintaining an academic environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. Further detail on GCU’s NonDiscrimination policies can be found at gcu.edu/titleIX. The information printed in this material is accurate as of SEPTEMBER 2019. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2019 Grand Canyon University 19GTR0106

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler can ‘zook-out’ on gourmet enchiladas

BY KEVIN REAGAN

Staff Writer

Unseasoned salsa sauce can be a source of insomnia for Aaron Pool.

The restaurant entrepreneur often obsesses over the tastes and flavors of his menu items to the point where he will start to lose sleep over a bland salsa combination.

“That’s what will keep me up at night,” Pool joked.

He said this dedication to quality and consistency allowed his enchilada franchise, Gadzooks, to flourish in the Valley and prompt him to open a new location in Chandler.

Known colloquially as the “Chipotle for enchiladas,” the fast-casual restaurant allows patrons to choose which meats, toppings and sauces go into the rolled tortillas.

Pool’s gourmet enchiladas and soups carved out a niche in the Valley food scene since the first Gadzooks opened in 2013, resulting in lots of press coverage and glowing reviews from customers.

“There are no words to describe what happened to me today,” one Gadzooks reviewer wrote on Yelp. “I went to this place for the first time and my life will never be the same!”

One of the chain’s most popular items is its festival taco.

It consists of a spicy cornbread and

chicken mix - topped off with a blend of jalapeno-flavored ranch dressing and honey-vinaigrette guacamole. The cornbread is meant to add an extra layer of creaminess to the dish.

Pool said the uniqueness of his business brand earned Gadzooks a special type of reputation.

It’s gotten to the point, he said, where a customer will recognize Pool in public and ask him questions about enchiladas.

“We’re kind of a cultish brand,” Pool said.

The new Chandler spot is located down the street from City Hall on the corner of Arizona Avenue and Frye Road.

The city has the perfect demographics for another Gadzooks location, Pool said, and the right place to expand their presence in the East Valley.

The arrival of Gadzooks adds another option to a growing list of eateries recently opened in Chandler’s downtown area this last year. Over Easy, Hidden House, and Cheba Hut all created a bundle of new flavors for downtown visitors to try.

Pool’s success in the competitive restaurant business seems unlikely considering the founder had little experience back when he started Gadzooks.

He was a business student attending Arizona State University when he came up with the original idea for the restaurant.

He was on vacation with his family and thought about the tasty enchiladas his mother used to make.

“The light bulb went off,” he recalled.

Taco shops are a dime a dozen in the Valley, but Pool noticed few had focused exclusively on the enchilada.

There’s only so much that can be done with tacos, he said, yet enchiladas offer more creativity for the culinary artist.

“You’re putting in all these different layers of flavors, colors and textures,” Pool said.

His mission was to redefine the enchilada to a level it defies the customer’s expectations.

Pool spent the following years crafting a business plan and experimenting in the kitchen. Several days were spent cooking awful sauces, but Pool said he remained persistent until he found the right flavor profiles.

Gadzooks doesn’t attempt to be one style of Mexican Aaron Pool thinks Chandler is a perfect location for his latest food, Pool added, he pursues Gadzooks restaurant. (Special to SanTan Sun News) flavors and ingredients from all “Gadzooks” is a German phrase over the world that blend well together. meant to express shock or surprise.

So, it’s almost fitting Pool used a Pool said the phrase had the right sound non-Spanish word to name his enchilada See on page 62 business.

GADZOOKS

Chef brings home cooking to Chandler seniors

BY KEVIN REAGAN

Staff Writer

Robb Nicklin’s new job is somewhere between personal chef and delivery boy.

“It kind of combines those two things,” the Gilbert resident said.

He’s hired by clients in the Sun Lakes and Chandler regions to come into their homes and prepare a batch of meals to last them for the following week.

Nicklin picks up the groceries, cooks the food, packages the meals, and even cleans up before leaving the client’s home. Unlike other meal-delivery services, clients can watch Nicklin perform a one-man operation of making multiple dishes within a couple hours.

He’s part of the national franchise Chefs for Seniors, which has culinary experts making house calls in more than a dozen states.

Nicklin is the third franchise to open in Arizona and the only one serving the East Valley region. Having had previously worked in retirement homes, he said this type of service provides something valuable for senior citizens going beyond nutrition.

“I know how important it is to have companionship,” Nicklin said. “For a lot of these seniors, your two-hour visit once a week could be one of the only

Robb Nicklin’s motto could be “Have recipes, will travel” since he is part of a national franchise thar makes meals in people’s homes. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

social interactions these people have.”

That’s the aspect Nicklin seems most excited about – being invited into a client’s home and offer some company while he makes them food.

Nicklin’s been working in the culinary industry since the late 1970s. He’s worked at Tempe’s Brown Derby restaurant and the Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes.

By the early 2000s, Nicklin transitioned to academia and started teaching culinary classes at the Art Institute of Phoenix. But when all of the institute’s Arizona campuses suddenly closed in 2018, the long-time chef was out of a job and decided to go down an entrepreneurial path.

He stumbled across Chefs for Seniors online and thought the company’s business model matched well with his prior experiences.

“I was looking for a way to use my skills and my strengths to help a market that isn’t being served,” Nicklin said.

The company’s menu includes at least 150 recipes its chefs can prepare at a client’s request. Citrus-coated salmon, shrimp scampi, and spaghetti with meatballs are some of the dishes clients can select.

The menu has dishes to accommodate the dietary needs of diabetics, vegetariSee

CHEF on page 62

WHERE TO EAT

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JANUARY 19, 2020

With JAN D’ATRI Where To Eat Contributor

Traveling chef Robb Nicklin can prepare 14 meals in one two-hour session. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

CHEF

from page 61

ans and those with gluten allergies.

Nicklin said he can tailor his skills to the tastes of any client. If someone wants 14 lobster tails, he said, then he’ll give them 14 lobster tails.

During a two-hour session, Nicklin said he will prepare up to 14 meals consisting of two to four different dishes. Each session costs $135 and clients must also pay for groceries.

Nicklin brings his own cooking equipment so as not to disturb a client’s kitchen.

“We try and leave as minimal a footprint as we can in the client’s home,” he

GADZOOKS

said.

Chef for Seniors was started by a Wisconsin family in 2013 after an elderly relative was placed in a retirement home because they could no longer cook their own meals.

Even though the company’s name singles out senior citizens, Nicklin said any demographic can become a client and seek his services. His territory encompasses the East Valley’s southern region and includes Gilbert, Queen Creek, and Mesa’s eastside.

“I am very eager to bring this to the East Valley,” Nicklin added. “I think the East Valley is a perfect fit for this service.”

Information: 480-688-6565.

from page 61

for a restaurant name and was strange enough to get someone’s attention.

Gadzooks doesn’t have any more locations opening in the near future, but Pool said the business is planning to form a partnership with Gilbert’s Agritopia Farm.

Information: gadzooksaz.com, 602-279-5080.

Gadzooks re-invents the enchilada in many tasty ways.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

Buffalo Cheddar Chile Dip takes you deep into deliciousness You love jalapeno poppers. You love great Mexican dips. Now you can have them both with this cheesy, slightly spicy dish that gives you no choice but to dive in and indulge.

The Buffalo Cheddar Chile Dip is so simple to whip up, bake up and gobble up for those game day watch parties or for any get-together.

It’s also one of those recipes that you can adapt, adjust and add to for more kick.

This dip combines crispy bacon bits, shredded grilled or rotisserie chicken and several kinds of cheese.

When creating this recipe, I came across Alouette Spicy Jalapeno Spread

Ingredients: 10 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped fine 2-3 chicken thighs or breasts, grilled and shredded 1 (8-oz.) cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup sour cream 1 container Alouette Spicy Jalapeno Spread (Optional) 2 jalapeños, minced or 1 (4oz) can diced jalapeños 1 (7oz) can diced green chiles 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, plus ½ cup for topping 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack, ½ cup for topping 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º. Cook bacon crisp. When cooled, chop bacon. Grill chicken and then shred. (If desired, shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken.)

In a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, mayo,

in the deli section of the grocery store and decided to add it to the shredded cheddar and jack cheeses as well as the cream cheese.

It’s optional, but it does add a spicy yet creamy texture. If you want the dip to have more heat, just add more diced jalapeños or green chiles. Love bacon? Just add more.

I baked this dip in a cast-iron skillet and served it right from the pan with lots of corn tortilla chips and some homemade flour tortilla chips.

It can also be served with crostini, crackers or cut vegetables.

This Buffalo Cheddar Chile Dip is worth the deep dive into deliciousness. sour cream, cheese spread, cheddar and jack cheeses, jalapenos, green chiles, bacon, chicken, garlic powder, salt and pepper. (Reserve some shredded cheese, bacon and jalapeno for topping.)

Transfer to an 8-inch oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup each of cheddar and Monterey Jack, cooked bacon, and jalapeño.

Bake until dip is golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

How to make Homemade Flour or Corn Tortilla Chips

Stack several tortillas on top of each other and cut into triangles. Repeat until all tortillas are used up. Heat vegetable oil to about 350 degrees. Carefully drop the triangles into the oil and fry for a few seconds. With tongs, turn the triangles over and fry until golden brown. Transfer the chips to a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Serve with Buffalo Cheddar Chile Dip. Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe/buffalo-cheddar-chile-dip.

Check out my recipes at jandatri.com.

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