Glendale Star 02-02-2023

PUSD appoints new clerk of the board

BY JOE MCHUGH Glendale Star Staff Writer

On Jan. 12, the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board appointed Heather Rooks as the new clerk of the board.

Serving in her first term as Clerk of the Board, Rooks is dedicated to furthering the education of Peoria Unified schools and holding the board accountable to making positive change in Arizona education.

“I’m ready to shake things up,” Rooks said. “I’m ready to solve some issues that are go-

ing on right now. I’m ready. I’m very excited.”

Replacing Cory Underhill, Rooks is coming in with a head of steam. Rooks has been active in the community for the better part of three years, and has been vocal about her opinions, driving her to run for the Peoria Unified board. Of the two seats available, Rooks received over 42,000 votes, good enough to secure the most votes in the state.

“I was elected by our community members, our taxpayers, and I ran on that with my

campaign,” Rooks said. “I will hold transparency, I will hold accountability, I won’t be afraid to say something, to ask something and get to the bottom of what is actually going on versus what I’m being told.”

Being heavily involved with the community helped Rooks formulate her goals that she will be looking to accomplish in her four-year term. She will take a no-nonsense approach at board meetings.

“For too long, it seems to be we don’t want to have a hard

SEE ROOKS PAGE 9

Glendale prepares freeways for Super Bowl

BY JOE MCHUGH Glendale Star Staff Writer

With the masses flocking to Glendale for the highly anticipated Super Bowl featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, the city will have to be firing on all cylinders.

From the infrastructure side of things, fans will be piling onto the freeways to get to the big game, but the city has built a blueprint for traffic to be streamlined, making the Super Bowl experience even better.

“I’ve worked with a great group of people up here,” Glendale city traffic engi-

neer Tony Abbo said. “Whether it was in building permits, whether it’s with Glendale PD, we’ve had fire that meet quite a few people with DPS also, so it’s a great group of people, and we’re all focused on one thing: to make the Super Bowl a success and one that that everybody would be proud of.”

The city has had its hands full with preparations for the big game, but no factor more important than managing traffic. With the population of the metro area about to see a jolt upward, Abbo and the city have come up with ways to make its effect as minimal as possible.

Ride share

Abbo stressed the importance of ride sharing as a key factor to limiting traffic on freeways. In 2015 when the Super Bowl was last in Arizona, the ride-share business was at its youth, making its use minimal in the grand scheme of transportation to State Farm Stadium.

Now with the rise in companies like Uber and Lyft, they have become a reliable way for people to transport around town and to the big game and the surrounding amenities.

“I can’t stress enough, there is very limited general parking in the area,” Abbo said.

SEE SUPER BOWL PAGE 9

Glendale Arts & Culture Fest set to showcase area

Heather Rooks is the new clerk of the board at the Peoria Unified School District. (Submitted)

7301 N. 58th Avenue, Glendale AZ 85301 (623) 237-7100 gesd40.org

KIWANIS CLUB OF GLENDALE STUDENT OF THE MONTH HONORED AT THE GESD GOVERNING BOARD MEETING

William Bullard is an exceptional student at Glendale American School. He mentors younger students and is always willing to help any student who needs his kindness, compassion, and dedication. William makes a difference with his great personality and his drive to help others.

He was integral to the Glendale American Annual Food Drive by participating daily and rallying the students to contribute. He supported the school-wide Eagles Holiday Spectacular Show by not only taking part in the event but arriving early and staying late to help with event logistics.

William participates in school flag football, soccer, and basketball. He also plays in a competitive football organization and is now an All-Star Football Player. He supported his team with fundraising efforts to travel to out-of-state tournaments. At school, William is extremely kind to his teachers. He is a mentor and big brother figure. He visits the Special Education classrooms, where the students adore him and look forward to seeing him each day. They also enjoy his academic support. William is a leader and a fundamental part of the climate and culture at Glendale American.

The Kiwanis Club of Glendale Superintendent’s Student of the Month Award honors students chosen by Superintendent Segotta-Jones for their hard work, passion for helping others, and dedication to making the community a better place. Students receive recognition from the GESD Governing Board, and the Kiwanis Club of Glendale awards each student of the month with a certificate and gift card. If you want to learn more about Kiwanis, the club meets every Wednesday at noon at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant at 5670 W. Peoria Ave. in Glendale.

Cindy Segotta-Jones, Superintendent

The monthly student recognition program honors civic-minded student leaders

GESD Governing Board Members, Superintendent Segotta-Jones, Glendale American School Administrators and Kiwanis Club of Glendale Member Michael Beck recognize January Student of the Month William Bullard with his family at the Jan. 27, 2023 Board meeting.

GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Glendale Economic Development has created a Locals Guide campaign focused on driving visitors to local businesses during Super Bowl week and beyond. The city of Glendale engaged the public and local businesses to build the first Locals Guide to Glendale ahead of the Super Bowl. The guide features winning businesses across 12 categories, along with an interactive GIS map of all Glendale retail locations.

“The locals guide is part of a larger economic development initiative through our enhanced business retention and expansion strategy,” Glendale Economic Development Officer Christian Green said. “The focus of this program is to provide a more robust engagement with local businesses. It also provides tools to increase their visibility at this and other events which occur in the city of Glendale’s growing sports and entertainment district.”

Visitors may use the QR code located on fliers, posters and on murals at the Westgate Entertainment District and Arrowhead Towne Center to access the full list and map. Once on the website, the map will auto-geolocate and load a list of businesses in the surrounding area. Featured businesses from the Locals Guide are identified with the football and crown logo.

The campaign will also be broadcast on the Glendale hotels information channel featuring Mayor Jerry Weiers welcoming visitors to the city. At the end of the promotional video, the QR code will be shown along with the Grow Glendale website to drive business professionals to learn more about doing business in Glendale by engaging with economic development.

All other businesses will be listed with their address and contact information. Another key feature of the Locals Guide map will be directional assistance. Users will have the ability to re-

ceive step-by-step directions from their location to each business at the click of a button.

The selections were made through a two-step process. The first phase of the campaign engaged the community and local businesses in the nomination stage. Participants completed a brief survey where they nominated their top Glendale-based business in each of the categories. Nominations from the public determined the top five businesses in each category. The second phase consisted of a final vote from the community.

With nearly 1,000 different voters, the final stage established the winners and two runners-up in each category.

Businesses with the most votes received prominent placement in the guide, while the two runners-up in each category received honorable mentions.

Winners earned bragging rights, a certificate of recognition and the privilege of being promoted directly to visitors and residents across various platforms.

The final Locals Guide to Glendale will be available throughout the city. The guide is also available online at glendaleaz.com/localsguide.

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occupations encouraged as demand for skilled labor grows

BY JUSTIN SPANGENTHAL AND EMILY MAI Cronkite News

The need for skilled people willing to get their hands dirty is growing across the country. But will there be enough craftspeople to meet that demand?

The Arizona Commerce Authority estimates that by 2030, the number of people employed in construction and manufacturing jobs in the state are expected to rise 30% and more than 20%, respectively.

The trend comes at a time when turnover is abnormally high and fewer young people are choosing trade careers, according to Associated Builders and Contractors and other industry groups.

“I’ve seen in the last decade a huge shift,” said Bruce Wilson, energy and engineering program director at Western Maricopa Education Center, or West-MEC, a public school district that provides trade education. “Right now,

there is a huge opportunity for tradespeople going into the trades that are in demand, and nobody can get enough. Instead of having one or two openings, now companies have four or five openings constantly, so the opportunities for these people are just through the roof.”

Some Arizona schools and educa-

tional programs are working to teach the next generation of laborers the skills that contractors need, and which could lead to satisfying careers that pay well.

TradeUp! seeks to engage Phoenix middle schoolers.

TradeUp! is a collaboration of construction and labor professionals

that teaches students at Madison Park Middle School in Central Phoenix about trade labor professions to familiarize them with career options that may not be taught or encouraged in schools.

The six-month program invites trade professionals to come to the school, or bring students to their sites, to provide instruction and hands-on experience. The students learn about masonry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, drywall, roofing and other trades.

TradeUp! is considering expanding to more schools in the near future, but for now it’s offered only at Madison Park.

Anaya Jordan, 13, and her friends joined TradeUp! because they have some family in the industry and thought it would be fun to do together.

“TradeUp! is cool because we get to learn a lot of new stuff about things like construction and plumbing,” Jordan said.

West-MEC offers trade education to

Electrical trade students at West-MEC in Buckeye practice wiring light switches in class.

(Emily Mai/Cronkite News)

PUZZLE PAGE

EVEN EXCHANGE

Arts and culture programs to receive historic funding

BY JOE MCHUGH Glendale Star Managing Editor

After being completely cut from the budget in recent years, the Arizona Commission on the Arts is back in full force.

The state is now six months removed from the Fiscal Year 2023 Bipartisan Budget Agreement having been signed. The agreement allocated a historic $5 million to the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and with it, the West Valley community received 18 recipients and nearly $250,000 toward arts and culture programs in the area.

“It is so impactful in how it leverages other funding streams for them,” Arizona Commission on the Arts Communications Director Steve Wilcox said. “They’re able to go to private foundations to private donors and say, ‘We’ve received this money from the state of Arizona, they believe that this organization is providing an essential service to Arizona citizens. We believe that it’s a good investment for you as well.’”

The Arizona Commission on the Arts is an agency of the state that receives and administers funds from the state and from the federal government. It serves the arts sector of the state and helps provide funds to creative organi-

zations in order to host learning programs, arts festivals and other outlets.

But it hasn’t all been good for the commission, as following the economic recession in the late 2000s and early 2010s, its funds were nearly cut entirely. Since then, steady funding just has not been there.

“The recession was hard for everyone, and I certainly don’t envy the position that our legislators were in and created a balanced budget that did the most with a greatly diminished budget,” Wilcox said. “Having said that, the art sector was hit very hard by the

recession as well. As we emerge from that recession, as the economy regained its health over the past decade. We’ve seen the state’s spending restored in so many areas, but not in the arts. Not consistently, and not at the levels that would be an effective state of our size for a sector of this size.”

Only receiving one-time allocations of $1 to 2 million per year, it had severely hampered the growth potential of the arts sector. Coming into June 2022, the commission applied yet again for funding, and this time around, it succeeded — to the tune of quintuple

the recent funding.

“The sector is resilient, it is innovative, and resourceful,” Wilcox said. “And I think we’ve been able to do some great work throughout the state, even at that level of funding.”

The West Valley has been well represented among the beneficiaries of the funding. Glendale received $64,500 among five agencies, Goodyear received $9,000 among two agencies, Litchfield Park received $40,200 among two agencies, Peoria received $47,436 among two agencies, Sun City received

SEE ARTS PAGE 9

high schoolers at their schools and on campus.

Trade schools prepare students for jobs and help with getting certifications and apprenticeships.

West-MEC offers adult career and technical education programs ranging from construction and electrical to welding and automotive, but it also teaches high school students at their campuses in the north and West Valley. West-MEC also has partnerships with 14 public districts and two charter schools to bolster elective courses offered on certain campuses.

“We’re feeding into not only the power-generation industry but all of the

manufacturing industry, all the maintenance,” Wilson said. “They’re going to come out of here industry-ready, entry-level operators and technicians for virtually any industry.”

Students can get started on trade education and certifications while simultaneously getting their high school diplomas. Most courses at West-MEC can be used for dual credit for high school and college.

Jamie Miller, electrical instructor at West-MEC, said electrical students leave with an OSHA 10 certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and their first year of apprenticeship completed. Miller said the program has a 100% success

rate in matching students to their next apprenticeship, which is required for a career as an electrician.

West-MEC works directly with contractors and professionals in the business to ensure that students get handson learning experiences. Industry professionals serve on advisory boards within the school and work with instructors to ensure that up-to-date industry standards and procedures are being taught.

“The opportunities that (West-MEC) offers us is way beyond what other trade schools have, and the best part is being able to connect directly with industry superiors so I can see how they work and work with them,” said Jarrod

Swayze, 17, a high school and WestMEC student.

According to West-MEC’s impact report for the 2021-22 school year, more than 5,000 students earned industry certifications, and the institution’s central program – which is made up of more than two dozen of their core subject areas – has a 100% passing rate.

“People need to be exposed to construction jobs and know that the craftsmen are smart,” Miller said. “These fields require math, reading and precise measurements. … This field is here, and it needs to evolve and grow.”

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

After receiving $5 million, the West Valley community was well represented, receiving a quarter of a million dollars to fund arts and culture projects throughout the area. (Submitted)

“(I) encourage people to use ride share. There’s a lot of good places that they can enjoy their time. The Westgate area has dining, shopping, entertainment, and (I) tell people to get there and get there early and enjoy what Glendale has to offer.”

Improved exits

If fans opt to not use ride sharing, then Abbo and his team have made sure to streamline the exits off the freeway. Fans parking tickets will have specific directions that show where to exit the freeway to be directed to the right parking lot. All of the instructions that are on the ticket will also be displayed on overhead signage, making it an efficient way to direct fans in the right direction.

“If (fans) follow the information that’s provided to them on their ticket, as well as on the overhead signs and portable message signs, they should have no problem getting to the stadium,” Abbo said. “Keep in mind there will be a lot of people with Glendale PD letting people know how to get there as they get closer to their parking area that they are designated to get to.”

Learning curve

Arizona is no stranger to big events, as State Farm Stadium has been a prior landing spot for many of the country’s biggest sports

$4,000 for one agency, and Surprise received $82,010 among six agencies.

“This can be a real life-changing amount of money for these organizations,” Wilcox said. “They’re building their capacity to serve their communities, to engage local artists and to bring new audiences into their spaces. It’s a big impact.”

With the funds from the fiscal year 2023 budget distributed already, the commission received even better news. Gov. Katie Hobbs released her fiscal year 2024 plans and revealed that it will allocate $20 million to the commission. The massive increase in

games and shows. This experience has helped Abbo and his team figure out what works and what doesn’t. When the Super Bowl came to Arizona back in 2015, the circumstances were much different than the present day.

With the construction of many different buildings and centers over the eight-year span, there is less available parking, thus creating more traffic.

With less room for people to park, Abbo and the team ran trial runs on some of the games that were played in State Farm Stadium this year — Arizona Cardinals games on Dec. 12, Christmas Day, and the penultimate event prior to the Super Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl.

All of these events provided Abbo with valuable information, giving him a slight idea of what the Super Bowl weekend would look like from a traffic

standpoint.

“I think we’ve worked out all the kinks and there wouldn’t be any of the upgrades that we have done,” he said. “So, we are ready to go.”

With all of the work from Abbo and the rest of the city’s organizers soon to

ROOKS FROM PAGE 1

discussion,” Rooks said. “That’s what it has to be like. We have to be able to talk with one another. We have to be adults. We can’t go calling people names and whatnot. We’ve got to be able to sit down and have our discussions as a board and figure out how can we really achieve academic success in the district.”

Rooks grew up in the Peoria Unified School District, seeing its education first-hand. She felt that the district of old gave her many opportunities to succeed and grow throughout the schooling.

“From what I remember, and there was a just atmosphere of it, work hard, you can achieve great things. I feel like we’ve kind of lost that. We

be set into motion, Abbo is proud of what has been accomplished.

“I’m just proud to be part of this team,” Abbo said. “I hope the week after the Super Bowl, we can all sit back and look back and reflect on the achievements that we did.”

are not challenging students,” Rooks said. “I feel so humbled and honored receiving 42,000 votes. I want to believe that I’m going to be transparent, be accountable, and just really give academic success in this district for the students.”

With her activity in the community and her confidence to inspire change, Rooks will look to be a breath of fresh air to the board, all for the common goal of bettering the education for the generations to come.

“I want to just make our districts, our community, our state, our country what I grew up on,” Rooks said. “I had great teachers that worked with my parents, and it just was such a great experience that I want the same for every student in this district.”

funds has not been distributed yet, but the overall local investment could see as high as a 400% increase in funding.

“It’s very heartening,” Wilcox said. “We do make those reports to the governor, and we make those reports to our legislators that we hope that they are read and considered and play a part in the decision making.

“Seeing this kind of investment this year is really a testament to the fact that our leaders are recognizing the value of the sector and are seeing the tremendous potential in that sector. So, that’s a great feeling to know that that message is getting received.”

ARTS FROM PAGE 8

Football fans from across the world coming to Arizona brings more cars to Glendale and on the freeways, but Tony Abbo is more than prepared for their presence. (City of Glendale/Submitted)

SUPER BOWL FROM PAGE 1

49ers strike gold with East Valley rookie

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Glendale Star Columnist

Hall of Fame catcher and noted clubhouse philosopher Yogi Berra offered a mathematically dubious calculation to describe the “mind games” within our national pastime. You might call it “Yogi’s Law.”

“Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.”

Brock Purdy plays a different professional sport in a different era, but he probably would not deny the larger truth preceding Berra’s computation — especially in the wake of the Queen Creek native’s remarkable rookie season in the NFL.

Brock’s improbable rise from thirdteam reserve to San Francisco’s starting quarterback — with his successful string of seven straight victories — is the stuff of storybooks.

As this column is being written, Purdy and his 49er teammates are preparing

to visit Philadelphia to play the Eagles for the NFC Championship.

Dizzying heights, for sure… especially for his first year in pro football. But instead of a storybook, Purdy relies on the Good Book, and the Bible has imbued him with wisdom beyond his 23 years.

“Everything happens for a reason; it’s all a lesson from the Lord,” Brock has said.

A few hard knocks have supplemented Scripture and kept him humble.

Mononucleosis sidelined Purdy for the first three games of his junior season at Perry High and affected his standing among major college recruiters, who initially displayed minor interest. Then the big schools saw Brock’s big numbers in passing yardage for the Pumas and pounced with cat-like quickness — especially Alabama, which upped its offer from “preferred

walk-on” to full scholarship.

Tuscaloosa ain’t Tinseltown, but the Crimson Tide’s head coach then appeared to take a page from the unnamed Hollywood casting director who reportedly said of Fred Astaire, “Can’t act, can’t sing, can dance a little.”

During Brock’s campus visit to Alabama, Nick Saban didn’t mince words, telling Purdy, “You’re below average in height. Your arm strength is whatever. Your accuracy is average.”

Whether it was candor meant to inspire Purdy or confusion with another recruit, Saban’s unvarnished assessment certainly proved motivational. It motivated Brock Purdy to pass on the perennial national power, take a close look at Texas A & M and finally choose Iowa State.

Purdy’s four years as a Cyclone were a whirlwind. Foreshadowing his NFL experience, he began his freshman season as a third-stringer, but soon became the starter, opening eight

games and ending up with the sixth-best pass rating in the NCAA. His second season brought second-team All Big 12 Honors, and he was first team AllConference his final two years.

April of last year brought another transition and an action some might consider an insult — or, as Yogi Berra might have called it, “Deja vu all over again.”

Purdy’s name was called at the NFL Draft but was the last name called and that final pick came with a nickname that is less than complimentary. When San Francisco selected him with the 262nd — and concluding — pick of the draft, Purdy earned the title “Mr. Irrelevant.”

What might seem insulting at first glance was actually initiated as an honor. The late Paul Selata, who starred as a receiver first at Southern Cal and later with the 49ers, thought the last player picked should receive an “accolade” similar to the top selection.

SEE HAYWORTH PAGE 12

Super Bowl ‘bargains’ put skinning in the game

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Glendale Star Columnist

With Super Bowl

LVII fast approaching, one can only marvel at the prices being commanded from the tourists coming to the Valley for the Big Game. I am currently staring at the booking page for a Motel Six located near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road in Maryvale.

The price for a 200-square-foot “premium room,” which features two double beds, a fridge, a microwave, and a violent crime rate over twice the national average?

A mere $864 a night.

Keep in mind, this is a hotel with 906 reviews that average two stars. This is not exactly Fodor’s material: “Holes in the walls and floor, green sludge on the floor. Deposit was more than the room. Check out took 45 minutes. Security was solid, though.”

I’m a glass-half-full fellow. Between the solid security and the free WiFi, I can’t recommend these luxe accommodations enough. My only regret is that the Dallas Cowboys got knocked out of the playoffs. I would’ve paid big money to see some cowpoke in a 10-gallon Stetson and a Roger Stau-

bach jersey trying to choose between Filiberto’s up the street or the IHOP on the other side of I-10.

Then there’s trying to book a round of golf. If you read this space regularly, you know I’m addicted to that cursed game.

Right now, even modest public golf courses plan to gouge golfers for upward of $300 a round during Super Bowl week. Consider OrangeTree in Scottsdale, which in summer is almost worth every bit of its $50 bucks in greens fees. This week, rounds in prime time are going for about $150 for 18 holes.

Super Bowl week? If you want to play the Friday morning before the

game, be prepared to part with $315 per person.

Factor in that it’ll be a five-hour round full of drunken bros sporting cigars the size of a 7-iron and I’ll pass. But look on the bright side: These would-be Bryson DeChambeaus typically shoot about 120 not counting mulligans. At $2.62 a stroke, that makes OrangeTree a better buy than a gallon of unleaded.

According to a study by researchers at Arizona State University, SB57 should create about 100,000 visitors to Glendale and points beyond and about $600 million in economic impact.

A sizable portion of this haul will be created by locals renting out their

Oreo lovers are some smart cookies

BY JUDY BLUHM Glendale Star Columnist

What do Oreo cookies and psychoactive drugs have in common? Evidently, they are both highly addictive. Ha! I knew that some very serious group of scientists would one day be sitting around in their lab coats, breaking apart the little chocolate rounds and licking the icing, with a big glass of milk. Geez, a new discovery was made! These cookies taste good! Oh yeah, get me a lab coat because I want that job.

Nothing like getting a big fat grant (government funded) and a plate of cookies to make an earth-shattering “find” that all of us already know. We love our Oreos.

Can 100 countries be wrong? Could 60 billion cookies sold each year give us all the “research” that we really need? No wonder our government finds itself “in the red” most of the time! Why are we even “investigating” the addictive quality in cookies? It seems obvious that people love their Oreos. They like to twist, lick, dunk and eat them! OK, so a bunch of lab rats in a Connecticut college experiment were given the choice of eating rice cakes (cardboard) or Oreos (heaven) and we are supposed to be shocked that they all chose the Oreos? It was also determined that eating the cookies activated more neurons in the rat brain’s “pleasure centers” than drugs, such as cocaine. Oh, and the rats liked to break open the chocolate biscuits and eat the delicious creamy center first. Smart little rodents.

What those scientists failed to tell us is that the “addiction” to Oreos doesn’t seem to matter. No marriages ruined,

jobs lost, laws broken and lives ravaged because folks like to eat cookies. OK, so those pesky little “pleasure centers” in human (and rat) brains do seem to release a whole bunch of “feel good” neurons while we are eating sugar (or using drugs). But the use of the term “Oreo addict” seems a bit harsh. They are just cookies!

I do recall one of my grandsons stole a package of Oreos when he was about 6 years old. He grabbed them out of the pantry, sat in a closet and happily ate 10 cookies and hid the rest from his brothers. When confronted about the cookie hoist, he claimed a “strange man walked into the house and stole the Oreos.” Although the evidence of cookie crumbs was on his face, he stuck to his story. (He has grown up to be a nonaddicted adult.)

Who knew that two little chocolate disks of biscuit sandwiched between vanilla crème filling would become the biggest-selling treat in the world for over 111 years? Addictive? Perhaps. Bad for us? Never! Oreos are part of our collective memories of childhood. They are not just a cookie, but bits of our childhood sandwiched between recollections of a simpler, purer time.

Let’s not worry about what scientists say about Oreos. I am conducting my own “cookie research” at this very moment and will report back to you. In the meantime, dear readers, don’t be afraid to twist, lick, munch and dunk. It’s all good.

So Selata began “Irrelevant Week” in 1976, bringing the bottom selection to Newport Beach, California, for a trip to Disneyland, a golf tournament, a regatta and a celebrity roast, where “Mr. Irrelevant” is awarded the “Lowsman Trophy” — the opposite of the Heisman — get it?

There is a higher purpose to the “exercise in irrelevancy” — raising funds for charities such as SPIN — Serving People in Need — so Brock and his family gladly made the trip.

Now Purdy and the Niners face this fundamental truth: They are one win away from the Super Bowl.

Berra would caution that “it’s not over ’til it’s over.”

But regardless of the outcome, for Brock Purdy, this is just the beginning.

J.D. Hayworth worked as a sportscaster at Channel 10, Phoenix, from 1987 until 1994 and represented Arizona in Congress from 19952007.

clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Glendale Star, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

SMITH’S OPINION – Las Vegas Sun

HAYWORTH FROM PAGE 10

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homes. Browsing the available shortterm rentals on VRBO shows about 300 properties left unrented.

The most opulent of the bunch: a “tropical modern paradise” atop Camelback Mountain renting for about $16,000 a night — or 114 grand for the week. It’s a six-bedroom private gated villa close to Paradise Valley with a chipping green and a bocce court. It also includes “daily maid service” and “500 thread count luxury white linens.”

No word on whether security is solid.

As a get-rich-quick scheme, I briefly considered going on vacation and renting out my place. Or as I planned to describe it on Airbnb: “Motel 5! Like A Motel 6 Minus The Crime!”

If a room full of green sludge gets

860 bucks a night, I thought I could get $1,000 a night, easy. Heck, I might even get $1,200 a night if the out-oftowner wanted to borrow my “personal private security force,” which includes Violet, a pitbull mix, and Lucy and Ethel, who together comprise “25 pounds of canine terror.”

Seems like more trouble than it’s worth, though. I’m going to stay home, stay off the golf course, and watch the big game on TV. That means I’ll miss the Super Bowl Experience, and I’m perfectly OK with that.

I’ve been robbed before.

I don’t need to volunteer for a repeat.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.

Nominate an awe-inspiring mom today

BY GLENDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce and March of Dimes are working in collaboration, and will acknowledge and award a total of three mothers in business from various categories including: Mom Entrepreneur, Mom Manager and Mom Executive at our FUEL For Your Business member networking event on Friday, May 5.

We are looking for nominations for a stand-

out mother, community-involved individual and outstanding leader who deserves to be recognized. We will be personally awarding the top three nominees. If you know a mother who is a suitable candidate for this award, please use this link for the nomination form: adobe. ly/3WFDZa1.

For questions, please email skinkead@ glendaleazchamber.org.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 31.

Mary J. Pritchard President

CHAMBER TRIPS

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce offers signature travel trips to interesting destinations — planning everything from air travel to accommodations, meals and sightseeing.

2023 destinations

Sunday, April 9, to Monday, April 17; Magical Danube River Cruise

Take a cruise on one of the most extraordinary rivers in Europe as you discover enchanting landscapes and fascinating world heritage sites, among others. $3,399 from Phoenix.

Thursday, May 11, to Friday, May 19; Holland Tulip Festival

Featuring Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel.

Wednesday, Aug. 16 to Saturday, Aug. 26; Jewels of the Rhine

Featuring Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Wednesday, Oct. 18 to Saturday, Oct. 28; Treasures of Tuscany and the Italian Riviera

Featuring Florence, San Gimignano/ Volterra, Chianti Valley, Pisa, Lari, the Cinque Terre and Sestri Levante/Italian Riviera.

For more information, go to glendaleazchamber.org/chamber-trips or email Jackie Peyton at info@ glendaleazchamber.org or call 623937-4754.

NEW MEMBERS

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce welcomes the following members and extends a heartfelt thank-you for their support of the chamber and our community.

Air Force Sergeants Association

(AFSA) Chapter 1260

623-935-5286

Blue Sky Home Care and Hospice

480-822-0755

Caffeinated Marketers

623-432-7000

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving | Glendale

602-633-5647

Consider it Done Seniors

602-671-3623

Desert Veterans LLC, dba Desert Dog General and Professional Services

623-340-7223

Malea’s Mission 602-671-3623

Proven IT 312-582-2966

Saguaro Grill 623-271-6283

Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers

877-731-4455

Super Home Warranty

805-256-2022

Super Home Warranty

602-828-8389

The PhytoNutrient House 480-442-8370

Vytis Ltd. 503-482-3871

Waste Rentals 480-904-3727

“The first thing that people notice about me is my

GlendaleStar.com /GlendaleStar

Neonatal unit expansion underway at Abrazo Arrowhead

BY KEITH JONES

Glendale Star Contributing Writer

Construction is now underway on an 8,500-square-foot expansion at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus for the hospital’s neonatal unit for preterm babies.

The new rooms will be adjacent to Abrazo Arrowhead’s existing Level IIIA perinatal care center, which will continue to be open for patient care during construction.

“The expansion will allow our providers and caregivers to offer an even higher level and care for babies of all gestational ages after the new unit is certified by the state,” Abrazo Arrowhead CEO Stephen Garner said.

The multimillion-dollar addition will

increase unit’s size from 21 to 35 beds, and support enhanced capabilities to pursue certification as a higher Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for more complex maternal and neonatal medical conditions, obstetric and fetal complications. The project is expected to be completed later this year.

“With this strategic expansion, Abrazo Arrowhead Campus will be able to serve more families and keep moms and babies together in their community,” said Dr. Amit Agrawal, medical director of neonatology.

SEE ABRAZO PAGE 19

Construction is underway at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus for its 8,500-squarefoot neonatal expansion. (Abrazo Health/ Submitted)

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus is one of the Valley’s leading destinations for maternity care. More than 3,000 babies, including high-order multiple births like triplets, are born every year at Abrazo Arrowhead.

“Abrazo Arrowhead provides outstanding care for high-risk mothers, and this significant investment will continue to advance the hospital’s ability to deliver excellent quality care and outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Ravi Gunatilake, the hospital’s medical director of maternal fetal medicine.

Abrazo Arrowhead is already certified to care for premature infants as young as 28 weeks’ gestation. Pursuit of the Level IIIB NICU certification means the hospital will be capable of providing complex care for babies of any gestational age, Chief Nursing Officer Julie Bowman explained.

“We are extremely proud of the high-quality care our existing clini-

cal staff and community OB/GYNs provide, as well as around-the-clock coverage with neonatal specialists, laborists and an OB emergency department,” Bowman said. “We are pleased to be adding more physician subspecialty coverage and capabilities to enhance the care we provide for expectant families.”

For Garner, the hospital is continuing to enhance its clinical services in addition to women’s and infants care, including in heart and vascular, orthopedics and general surgery, among others.

“The future of Abrazo Arrowhead Campus is bright, and I am proud of our hospital’s commitment to increasing access to high quality, specialty care closer to home for our Northwest Valley community,” he said.

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus can be found at 18701 N. 67th Avenue, Glendale. For more information, visit abrazohealth.com.

Dual-sport sophomore proves vital in success of both teams

BY JOE MCHUGH Glendale Star Staff Writer

When it comes to high school athletes, there is a schism in what multi-sport athletes should do.

Some think that it is best to hone in on a single sport and master it to become the best in a specific area. Others think that it is beneficial for athletes to play multiple sports, as the skills from one sport translates directly to the other.

Cactus High School athlete Gabriel Rodriguez vies for the latter, being a breakout player in three sports — football, basketball and volleyball, all of this just as a sophomore.

“I just like playing sports,” Rodriguez said. “I just like being active, anything that involves contact, anything that involves just being athletic.”

His two most prominent sports this year have been football and basketball, where he has assumed important roles for both squads.

Starting with football, Rodriguez was a key contributor to the 5A state championship runner-up program. Lined up as a defensive end, he racked up 85 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, which was top five defensively for the team.

Coming down the stretch, he was a vital part of the team’s push through the playoffs, combining for 19 tackles, two

(Submitted)

tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble on the way to the state championship Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

“It was my first year, and I started at the end,” Rodriguez said about his role on the football team. “I just came in and we lost seniors, so I had to step up and I was just ready for the challenge.”

Following the football season, Rodriguez jumped right into the basketball season. Transferring from football to basketball, although seemingly a difficult switch, was easy for Rodriguez.

“Every sport I play connects to each

other,” he said. “Football just got me so physical for basketball. Basketball’s footwork, because I’ve been playing basketball longer than I have been playing football, just had me so athletic and so fast.”

Rodriguez’s transition to basketball came late due to the playoff push the football team put on, but once he got on the court, he came to play, and brought his football mentality drive for success to the hardwood.

“I’m always being physical and always yelling and always have that football mentality,” Rodriguez said. “So obviously, my teammates get lifted up, and my teammates start yelling, my teammates are being physical. … First day I came into practice, I was just bugging everybody. I get fouls, but it’s just so much more intense energy, and basketball is all about energy.”

His success on the football field has translated to the court, as he has become a key role player for the Cobras. His “physical” play shows through in his stats. He averages nearly four rebounds, just over a steal and 0.5 blocks in just six minutes per game. His pres-

ence is definitely felt, and his motor makes him an asset Cactus basketball head coach Dirk Walker loves to have.

“We’ve, as coaches, talked about that he’s kind of a closer type player, where he can hit that big shot, and he’ll get that big rebound,” Walker said. “He’ll get that big stop, but he’s not afraid of the moment, which is huge, especially coming down the stretch. So I’ve kind of given him that label.”

Rodriguez, the ultimate team player, said he does whatever he can to help his team win.

“The pressure doesn’t really affect me because I’m not really a scorer on my team,” Rodriguez said. “I’m just about energy, defense and getting the ball to my players. If I need to make my bucket, I’ll make my bucket, but I’m just doing whatever I need for my team to win. That’s my main goal — just to win.”

The overlapping of skills has definitely helped Rodriguez boom through Cactus’ sports programs, proving to be a weapon regardless of the sport he plays. He will only continue to grow and keep playing the sports that he enjoys, as that is the bottom line.

“I was scared to try football. I was scared to try basketball at one point,” he said. “But once you do it, you’re going to realize that you’re tough. Nobody can stop you if you tell yourself you can’t stop yourself.”

Gabe Rodriguez (15), a sophomore three-sport athlete at Cactus High School, racked up 85 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss on the football team last season.

tar The Glendale

The Glendale Star publishes on Thursday. The weekly calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue. Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Star’s coverage area, which is in the city of Glendale.

Weekly calendar items print on a space-available basis. The only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Submissions must reach our o ce by 4 p.m. Thursday to be considered for the following Thursday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, christina@timeslocalmedia.com.

Boulevard, Suite E206, Glendale, visit website for ticket prices and times, stircrazycomedyclub. com

The Open Mic WEDNESDAYS

Stir Crazy Comedy Club hosts its weekly open mic night. Those interested are likely to see new talent as well as seasoned comedians just looking to work on new material. Think you have what it takes to take the stage and make the audience laugh? Now is your chance. There are 10 signup spots that will become available online at noon on Monday.

Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Suite E206, Glendale, visit website for ticket prices and times, stircrazycomedyclub. com

Paws to Read WEDNESDAYS

Paws to Read is o ering kids the opportunity to meet Harper, Maddie and Richie to help relieve stress and spend time with animals. These three dogs are always excited to interact with children and listen to whatever stories are being told.

Heroes Regional Park Library, Yucca Room, 6075 N. 83rd Avenue, Glendale, 1 to 2 p.m., glendaleazlibrary.com

Glendale 100: Nifty Fifties

FEB. 2

Children ages 5 to 11 are encouraged to come to the library for an evening of 1950s-themed fun and games, as well as music from the coolest decade there ever was.

Heroes Regional Park Library, Youth Patio, 6075 N. 83rd Avenue, Glendale, 4 to 5 p.m., glendaleazlibrary.com

Cold Shott & The Hurricane Horns

FEB. 4

Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest

FEB. 4

Downtown Glendale celebrates arts and culture with countless immersive and experiential activities designed to engage the community. The festival features plenty of performance art and live art demonstrations, with many of the experiences throughout the park designed to be interactive. The festival also features a beer garden and plenty of food trucks to enjoy.

Murphy Park, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., free admission, downtownglendalefest.com

For over 30 years, Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns have been playing blues and jazz music all across Arizona, going from a small blues trio to a powerhouse band with a full swinging cast of horn players and singers.

Westside Blues and Jazz Club, 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Suite 104, Glendale, visit website for ticket prices and times, westsideblues.com

Francine Reed’s Fervor Records CD Release Party

FEB. 8

Celebrate the next CD release of the ever talented Francine Reed with a night of drinks and soulful jazz. Since the start of her career, Reed has recorded countless great pieces, and worked with Miles Davis, Stanley Jordan, Smokey Robinson, Etta James and the Crusaders. After her first solo album in the ’90s, she has continued to consistently put out music and was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1997.

Socrates Cafe: A Virtual Philosophical Discussion Group

FEB. 5

Come together with other aspiring philosophers and discuss the works of the old greats of philosophy over Zoom. Find people with di erent backgrounds and experiences to help broaden mental horizons. Register with your email address for the link.

Foothills Library, 19055 N. 57th Avenue, Glendale, 10 a.m. to noon, free, glendaleazlibrary. com

Women in Song Free Performance

FEB. 4

Join a group of talented and dedicated singers at the Glendale Library for a free performance of their skills. The Women in Song will perform jazz and other popular standards, with anyone in the general public invited to attend.

Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, Glendale, 2 p.m., free, pmaz.org

Comedy Kick Off Party

FEB. 8

Celebrate the big game at the comedy club Kick O Party, with a great lineup of comedians, including Thomas Eskin, Bubba Mccomb, Tara Shakespeare, Brian Kohatsu and Don Steinmetz. Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset

Westside Blues and Jazz Club, 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Suite 104, Glendale, visit website for ticket prices and times, westsideblues.com

Big Band Grandstand

FEB. 9

Become part of a big band and practice your musical skills along with a large collection of other like-minded musicians. Any musician who can sight-read charts is encouraged to show up with their own music stand and instrument to play, getting an experience they could not get simply practicing alone at home.

Foothills Library, 19055 N. 57th Avenue, Glendale, 1 to 3 p.m., free, glendaleazlibrary.com

Glendale Arts & Culture Fest set to showcase area

BY JORDAN ROGERS

Glendale Star Managing Editor

The city of Glendale, the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and Local First Arizona are teaming up to bring an immersive experience to the West Valley community — the Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest.

Slated for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, the festival at Murphy Park features more than 70 art experiences, including cultural stage showcases, an artisan marketplace, live painting, interactive murals, food trucks, and an evening performance by fire artists Flam Chen.

Mojgan Vahabzadeh, arts and culture program manager for the city of Glendale, is looking forward to showing off what Downtown Glendale has to offer.

“We have a great, great expectation,” she said.

And with Super Bowl LVII coming to Glendale, the timing for the city to put on an event like this, for Vahabzadeh, couldn’t be better. The event is geared toward locals, but with the extra foot traffic, anyone in town at the time

of the event can enjoy its wide range of entertainment options.

Vahabzadeh said the event is expected to see anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 festivalgoers.

“There are going to be tons of people

coming to the Phoenix area probably a week ahead of the Super Bowl,” Vahabzadeh said. “So, the idea was we have this beautiful Downtown that has a lot of character, and it’s kind of unique, among other metro Phoenix cities. …

This is a great opportunity to bring the community together to experience the arts and culture festival, as well as encourage them to go visit some of our Downtown businesses while they’re here.”

A family-friendly affair, the event will feature an artist and vendor market with numerous local artisans in fashion, food, home goods and visual arts. From there, stroll through Murphy Park and find a great handmade gift or treasure from one of the more than 50 vendors and local makers featured at the festival.

The Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest will also give attendees the distinctive opportunity to engage up close and personal with artists and interactive art installations. Activities and experiences will take place throughout Murphy Park and inside participating businesses located in Downtown Glendale. Highlights include a community chalk art zone, a live paint-by-the-numbers mural with Snoodcity Artist Collective, inflatable art installations, youth painting activ-

SEE ARTS PAGE 25

February a great time to focus on heart health

BY KEITH JONES

Glendale Star

Contributing Writer

February is American Heart Month, and there’s no better time to take control of your heart health. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

Millions of adults are living with some form of cardiovascular disease or the aftereffects of a stroke. The fact that the majority of Americans don’t consider themselves at risk for heart disease is why educating the community on the importance of heart health is so

important.

“Heart disease can lead to severe disability that can absolutely destroy quality of life for its victims and their loved ones,” said Dr. Timothy Byrne, medical director of cardiovascular services at Abrazo Health. “Left unchecked, it can lead to a wide array of serious and life-threatening health complications, including heart failure, heart attack, stroke and death.”

SEE HEART PAGE 26

With February being American Heart Month, there is no better time to take control of your heart health. (Abrazo Health/ Submitted)

The Glendale Arts & Culture Fest takes place at Murphy Park, Feb. 4, well timed as a nice addition for those in town for the Super Bowl. (Submitted)

ities, VESSEL Spectrum Performing Arts, and a musical instrument petting zoo with Sankofa Island Magic.

The E. Lowell Rogers amphitheater in Murphy Park will be transformed for the day with exciting cultural music, drumming, dance and circus arts that will start at 11 a.m. and wrap up at 8 p.m. with a performance from Flam Chen.

Flam Chen, which will debut a new original experience, “Dance On Water — A Journey of Refuge, Restoration, and Renaissance,” utilizes performances that combine daredevil acrobatics with a mastery of air and fire arts.

Vahabzadeh is confident the immersive group will put on a fantastic show. The group has performed for such luminaries as director Tim Burton and Spider-Man and Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee.

It also hosts and produces international performance artists and collaborate on many projects throughout the year.

“They’re really kind of a unique group,” Vahabzadeh said. “They’ve

been around for a while, but they’re very larger than life; they have a giant presence. They create a really cool spectacle whenever they’re performing. They’re kind of mesmerizing. They do a lot of elaborate costuming, and their choreography is really unique. So, I think that that whole combination of fire arts and circus performance is really something that appeals to the crowd.”

Many cultures are set to be represented with the performances at the amphitheater. Lori German, communication program manager for the city of Glendale, said that was purposeful.

“We understand kind of the value of what arts and culture brings to a community,” German said. “So, as we continue to grow, I think those are one of the things that we’re definitely focusing on is placemaking is very important. … It’s that kind of connection between placemaking and the diverse community that we do live in to make sure that we’re highlighting that.”

The city’s main partner for the event, the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, was responsible for putting

the expansive list of artists and vendors together.

Kate Marquez, executive director for the Southern Arizona Arts & Culture Alliance, said this event fell perfectly in line with the organization’s goals. The nonprofit is dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the arts.

“We work in any capacity that any community has an intent or desire to invest in artists, the creative process, helping artists make a living by selling their work,” Marquez said. “That is what interested us, of course, is the fact that they were interested in investing in that type of project.”

A nuance to the festival is the Downtown Business Passport. Headed up by Local First Arizona, the passport will serve to highlight businesses in Downtown Glendale. The guide will be made available at the festival and will feature locally owned restaurants, retail shops, area attractions and experiences.

“The Downtown area is just filled with a robust makeup of diverse set of businesses, everything from local coffee shops to antique stores, boutiques,

restaurants. You name it, they’ve got it,” said Thomas Barr, vice president of business development for Local First Arizona. “So, we’ve been going in and just cultivating relationships with them.”

With the Downtown Reinvestment Project soon coming to Downtown Glendale, running the event again in the next couple of years may be difficult. But depending on how this one goes, it will certainly not be out of the realm of possibility to see the Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest again.

“Definitely, that is something that we will look to bringing back in future years, given how successful it will be,” Vahabzadeh says.

Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest

WHEN: 11 a.m. to. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4

WHERE: Murphy Park, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale COST: Free

INFO: glendaleaz.com

Hash Kitchen brings brunch to the P83 District

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Glendale Star Staff Writer

Brunch icon Hash Kitchen is serving up #brunchgoals with the opening of its new location in Peoria.

Known for its imaginative brunches and bloody mary bars, Hash Kitchen Arrowhead introduces a fresh new restaurant design and expanded menu of remixed breakfast classics and cocktails.

Nestled within the P83 District, the restaurant is the first in a partnership with the Scottsdale Airpark-based culinary concept company The Maggiore Group and the private equity firm Savory Fund. It’s the second West Valley store.

“We love it down here. It’s one of

HEART FROM PAGE 24

Fortunately, new discoveries are making a positive, measurable impact treating on those with heart disease, and Abrazo Health hospitals are at the forefront of this change.

Breakthrough procedures and research in treating heart valve disease, coronary artery and vascular conditions, atrial fibrillation and more are propelling the treatment of heart disease to a higher level. Medications and other treatments are also helping to keep the estimated 5 million Americans living with heart failure out of the hospital.

Smoking, poor diet, high stress, obesity, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle are all things that can contribute to heart disease.

“The most tragic thing about these issues is that they are not genetic or hereditary — we are often doing these things to ourselves,” Byrne said.

The greatest strides in the fight against heart disease will come from you.

There are some simple steps you can take to control the effects of heart and cardiovascular conditions or avoid them altogether. Among them: a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, daily exercise, a smoke-free lifestyle and techniques for managing stress. Taking charge of your health in this way not only will help you live longer, but also better.

our busier units, and we believe that this one’s going to continue to crush it once the honeymoon phase is done,” said Joey Maggiore, chef and co-owner of Hash Kitchen. “It couldn’t be in a better location right across from spring training and P83 with all the great restaurants. We’re really excited to be here.”

The newest Hash Kitchen location delivers its familiar culinary creativity and lively brunch experience with an updated sparkle. As a part of its continued expansion, the establishment debuts the next generation restaurant design for all future locations, which was brainstormed by co-owner and Maggiore’s wife, Cristina.

With a social brunch party aesthetic, the P83 location features an upbeat in-

door dining room with design elements like black-and-white wall and ceiling art, and a DJ booth adorned with a disco ball for live sets on the weekends. The space also showcases a bright, spacious outdoor patio spanning 4,754 square feet and a separate entrance for pickup orders.

It wouldn’t be Hash Kitchen without its brunch bar program, which features a build-your-own bloody mary bar where guests can customize their cocktails with house-made bloody mary mixes, house-infused spirits and over 60 toppings. Its array of innovative cocktails ranges from glitter cotton candy mimosa flights to booze bags.

“We don’t ever want to be cookie cutter; we always want to up the bar one after another,” Maggiore said. “So, this one, we feel is the most fun, newest, sexiest of all Hashes that we have, and we’ll continue that growth in each unit.”

Accompanying the establishment’s modernized design is a spread of new dishes for guests to chow down.

“We have a s’mores tsunami pancake, we basically have this molten chocolate on top with charred marshmallows, and it overflows over your pancakes,” Maggiore said. “We’re doing a smoked brisket hash that’s spectacular.

Wreaths Across America unveils new theme

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Each year, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom.

This gathering of volunteers and patriots takes place in local, state and national cemeteries in all 50 states — most recently at 3,702 participating locations — as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

commitment to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of our veteran community, while also showcasing the continued contributions of those who serve.

Dr.

car-

it is a good time to make sure you are up to date on your health screenings.

Heart Month is also a good time to make sure you are up to date on your health screenings. Screenings and checkups that are often covered by insurance can alert you to health conditions that need addressing sooner rather than later, Byrne said.

For more information on treating heart disease, online health risk assessments or to find a doctor, visit abrazohealth.com.

Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. Recently, the national nonprofit unveiled the theme for 2023: “Serve and Succeed.”

The inspiration for this year’s theme came while discussing the significance of 2022’s theme, which was “Find a Way to Serve,” and the need to continue to stress the importance of service and the positive ways it can impact lives. Wreaths Across America plans to focus on the storylines of veterans and military families who have found success through their own service, while also highlighting local volunteers across the country and the success that comes from serving their communities.

The organization will continue its

“There are many ways to serve your community and country, and just as many definitions of success,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “We hope through focusing on those stories of success we will help change the dialogue around what it means to serve your country.”

In 2022, more than 2.7 million veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 3,702 participating locations around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud. Wreaths Across America volunteers work year-round to ensure military laid to rest are remembered, their families and living veterans are honored, and the next generation is taught about the value of freedom.

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 16. It is a free event and open to all people. For more information on how to volunteer locally or sponsor a wreath for an American hero, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Timothy Byrne, medical director of

diovascular services at Abrazo Health, said

(Abrazo Health/Submitted)

A 10-hour smoked brisket chopped up, it’s delicious with poached eggs and green chili sauce.”

The restaurant also introduces potato skins benedict and hash, as well as a crème brûlée bruschetta, consisting of custard on toast topped with charred sugar and strawberries.

“Just some fun things to change it up every once in a while,” Maggiore said. “You need to always keep it going, keep it fresh and exciting.”

Alongside its new creative dishes, the P83 location welcomes Hash Kitchen’s regular menu staples, from doughnuts served on a Ferris wheel to savory hashes, tall pancake stacks and flamboyant French toast dishes.

A few of the restaurant’s fan favorites include carnitas hash, which is braised for four hours with oranges and Coke syrup, and breakfast potato tacos with fillings like chorizo, fried eggs, avocado and queso fresco.

“We have banana split French toast, we have our famous cannoli

doughnuts — we make a beautiful cannoli filling and we make fresh doughnuts every day,” Maggiore said. “Just fun, innovative dishes that people get excited about.”

The first Hash Kitchen was founded in 2015 by the Maggiores and their business partner Flora Tersigni. The team ran with the idea of launching a restaurant open seven days a week, but only for brunch.

“It became very busy, very successful. We started pushing the limits on brunch food and cocktails, throwing in a DJ and different features,” Maggiore said. “We feel that we revolutionized what breakfast is. In Arizona — and America — I think a lot of people look at Hash and build their concepts around that, and we feel glad that that happens.”

With the opening of the P83 restaurant, Hash Kitchen has six locations across the Valley. The owners also run several other concepts in the community through The Maggiore Group, including The Mexicano and three Sicilian Butchers.

One of The Maggiores Group’s

We Fix Broken Hearts.

upcoming restaurants is a seventh Hash Kitchen in Gilbert, and they’re looking at expanding the brand even farther in Peoria as its culinary scene grows.

Overall, the Maggiores look forward to sharing their inventive brunch dishes and cocktails with more patrons in their community.

“Hash Kitchen is just a fun place to be, it’s a fun Sunday brunch, seven days a week. We have a DJ, bloody marys, mimosas, mocktails and just a great dining experience,” Maggiore said. “We want it to be fun and lively no matter what’s going on in your life, good or bad — you come here, and we want you to forget about it and just enjoy yourself.”

Hash Kitchen Arrowhead

P83, 16222 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria 623-352-4990, hashkitchen.com

7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Hash Kitchen Arrowhead, located in the P83 District, has a fresh new restaurant design. (Hash Kitchen/Submitted)

Doing consistently what others do occasionally

For some time now, I have been thinking about the attribute of willpower. Other words for willpower might be determination, consistency or perseverance. I admire folks with willpower. When the times get tough, the determined are not deterred or detoured. Instead, they have what I call “beginergy.” They have spirit, grit and mental toughness. They may not reach their ultimate dream or goal, but it will not be because of a lack of effort.

Author Elmer Towns says some people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined. Thomas Edison said everything comes to those who hustle while they wait. The snail reached the ark because it was determined. There is a world of difference between “not quite” and “never quit.” Generally, you can’t keep the fainthearted up and you can’t keep the determined down. Determined people consistently do what others occasionally do.

“Character first” defines determination as purposing to accomplish the right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition. I like that concept, the right goals at the right time. Determination is pure when truth and virtue, not self-aggrandizement, are vied for. Let me give you an example of what I’m saying here from research by the character-first staff. It’s called “How One Man’s Determination Brought Literacy to a Whole People.”

“Sequoyah served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812 in the United States. After the war, he began work on the Cherokee writing system, for which he is now famous. He start-

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

ed creating symbols for whole words and eventually arrived at 85 symbols representing sounds. Unfortunately, his neighbors didn’t understand him, and his wife reportedly destroyed his work at one point. But he persevered, and in 1821, Sequoyah and his daughter, Ah-yoka, unveiled his syllabify and opened the door to literacy for thousands of his people.

“Sequoyah endured and succeeded because he couldn’t do anything else. He possessed perseverance. Willpower is choosing not to give up until what you set out to do is accomplished. Willpower and focus are not letting your mind, emotions, other distractions or people deter us from achieving the right goals at the right time regardless of the opposition.”

The Bible has many stories of people who had determination. The women who had been hemorrhaging for years never quit seeking a solution. When Jesus came along, she pushed through the crowd, broke every rule of protocol for that time and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Jesus stopped and turned around to see who the determined woman was. He said to the women, “You’re healed.” Lesson: Her healing came from Jesus, but her determination put her in the position for healing to happen.

What is the lesson here? Winners

are ex-losers who just got determined. So, if you don’t succeed at first, try not to look too astonished. Anything worthwhile will probably take a while. Determination is what happens between the start and the finish.

The unique aspect of determination is people can use determination for both good or evil or for construction or destruction. Determined people can undermine a whole culture, country or community. Hitler was determined.

Churchill and the Allies were more determined. It takes committed, consistent people to ensure good triumphs over evil. Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

You become what you focus on. Winners focus on winning; losers focus on winners. Don’t spend your time and energy worrying about others. Don’t take your eyes off the prize. That’s “di-vision,” or should I say “die-vision”?

Tom Landry enlightened us about how to win the Super Bowl. “My job is to get men to do what they don’t want to do to achieve something they have always wanted to achieve.” Whenever you see a successful business, someone makes a courageous decision and finishes what they started. Focus, self-control and perseverance are the qualities that distinguish the fittest (mentally and physically) to survive.

The Scriptures give us sage advice about perseverance and consistency for the right things. “Summing it all up, my friends, I’d say you’ll do best by

filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9.

My good friend, Chris Estrada of Destiny Center International Church in Phoenix, enlightens us about consistently doing what other people occasionally do this way. “Consistency is a skill many people lack but can be learned through repetition. The more consistent you are with doing the right thing and not cutting a corner, the better results you’ll receive when attempting to do anything. Let’s go!” I like that.

It would make my day if this article encouraged you to keep on, keeping on, for something great and sound you are pursuing. Remember, a great oak is only a little nut that held its ground.

Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

Pastor Ed Delph Glendale Star Columnist

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GESD unveils new advanced learning innovation lab

BY JOE MCHUGH

Glendale Star Staff Writer

The Glendale Elementary School

District just unveiled its first advanced learning Innovation Lab at Sunset Vista School in Glendale.

In a partnership with Verizon, this facility offers students cutting-edge technology, like virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing and artificial intelligence to enhance students’ learning and promote the STEAM community.

“It’s really a good program for our students to engage in science, mathematics and engineering,” GESD Superintendent Cindy Sagotta-Jones said. “We hope that next year, the school will be a signature school, and the focus will be on coding, and hopefully continuing what we’re doing here in the lab.”

The innovation lab is the first of its kind in the Glendale Elementary School District, and was helped put together by a slew of partnerships. With Verizon being the title sponsor, and

other organizations like Arizona State University helping out, the unveiling went off without a hitch.

“For Verizon to bring this resource

to our students is incredible for them,” Sagotta-Jones said.

Inside the lab, there are a plethora of activities.

One of the main things was the virtual reality headsets. The bright orange machines provide students with all sorts of viewing experiences. They could find themselves on the surface of the moon, inside an ancient Egyptian tomb, or underwater swimming with sharks. The possibilities are truly endless with these headsets, which could open up opportunities for students to explore their interests and create even more than they could have ever imagined.

Having this facility in their own school, though, comes with a sense of pride.

“They (the students) feel very special and honored,” Sagotta-Jones said. “As you can see, our student techs are out there actually doing the demonstration for the families. I think it makes them feel proud of their school, proud of the community and know that they have a bright future ahead with what they’re learning here.”

PUSD seeks feedback on math and science curriculum

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

The Peoria Unified School District is seeking feedback regarding which materials will be used to guide learning in math and science classrooms.

On Oct. 27 last year, the governing board approved the district issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for a science and math curriculum textbook adoption.

A Textbook Advisory Committee (TAC) will be part of the RFP evaluation process, and the TAC meetings will be open to the public. Part of the TAC’s work includes input from teachers, parents, students and community members on the proposed vendor textbooks and how they support student

learning for both general and special student populations throughout the district.

Community members, parents and staff can review each of the proposed resources and provide feedback at the District Administration Center (DAC), 6330 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. In alignment with Arizona Statute 15721, Arizona Statute 15-722, and Peoria Unified Governing Board Policy IJJ, the materials will be on display for until Tuesday, April 11, concluding at the close of business on Tuesday, April 11, for elementary materials and Wednesday, April 12, for those at the high schools.

“The feedback from our community and families is an integral part of

this process,” said Dr. Teresa Hernandez, chief academic support officer for PUSD.

“The information and feedback provided will have a direct impact on the materials that our students and teachers will use for years to come.”

The materials are also on display at the following select school sites:

• Alta Loma Elementary School, 9750 N. 87th Avenue, Peoria.

• Peoria High School, 11200 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria.

• Sunrise Mountain High School, 21200 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria.

• Zuni Hills Elementary School, 10851 W. Williams Road, Sun City.

The school sites will only have a portion of all the materials, with informa-

tion on display that is relevant to the grade levels being taught at the school. Elementary schools will have elementary materials and high schools will have materials relevant to their coursework. All the materials are available at the district office.

These adoptions will be funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) grant funds that the district received as part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated impacts on student learning throughout the country.

Community members can find a full list of the textbooks that are being considered at peoriaunified.org/ Page/7342.

Sunset Vista School recently became the first school to have a state-of-the-art Innovation Lab for students to use and learn in. (Adriana Parsons/Contributor)

The event was led by the students. As families explored the facility, student techs roamed around giving lessons to anyone that wanted to learn more about the technology they will be using on a daily basis.

“I am actually very excited for this,” Sunset Vista School student tech Robert Downard Rian Jr. said. “We are able to have VR.”

“I am very excited,” student tech Preston Hoepelman added. Moving forward, Sunset Vista School is setting the example for other Glendale Elementary Schools to follow, and within the next year the K-8

school will be looking to expand upon this innovation lab.

“We believe that Glendale Elementary School District is the best place for students to receive the most important education,” Segotta-Jones said. “We believe we offer the best programs. We believe our students come out where they need to be excelling.

“And so, it’s very important to us to promote that and let them know that you’re in Glendale, they will receive quality education.”

Sunset Vista School can be found at 7775 W. Orangewood Avenue, Glendale.

Credit Union West accepting scholarship applications

GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Credit Union West is now accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship program. Applications are open to high school seniors in Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma, Mohave, Coconino, Cochise, Navajo, Apache and Gila counties. There will be five $2,000 scholarships awarded.

As part of Credit Union West’s legacy of serving military personnel, two of the scholarships will be awarded to Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students.

“Credit Union West is proud to support the educational goals of the youth in our communities,” said Karen Roch, president and CEO of Credit Union West. “Our annual scholarship program is an essential part of our commitment to giving back to the communities we serve.”

The scholarships will be awarded to

five Arizona high school seniors who plan to attend a trade school, two-year or four-year college in the fall of 2023. These scholarship funds will help students manage the costs associated with furthering their education.

Students must meet specific requirements and submit a short essay to qualify. To learn how to apply, visit cuwest. org/scholarship. Applications are accepted now through Friday, March 31. Scholarship winners will be announced in May.

Students interested in learning about financial wellness and starting their savings journey can learn more about Credit Union West’s services at cuwest.org/youthaccounts.

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