Mesa middle-school girls’ Lego robot puts them in national finals
By Alison Stanton
About eight years ago, when the LugNuts was formed for Mesa middleschool students, 10 boys showed up. is science, technology, engineering and math-based techie-stuff certainly wouldn’t be for girls. Or would it?
Fast forward to January. e LugNuts, reflecting a changing world, had morphed into an all-girl group – and they rock. Inspired to draw their gender into STEM education, the LugNuts won the Champions Award for first place at the Arizona FIRST Lego League State Championships Jan. 14-15, when about
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Ellie Mullan, 4, plays the instruments outside at the i.d.e.a.
Local teen’s award-winning play on Mesa Arts Center stage
Claire Howard learned about the East Valley Children’s eatre’s Aspiring Playwrights Contest two years ago while attending an EVCT performance, and her interest immediately was piqued.
However, the deadline was three days away, and Claire, then a 14-yearold home-schooled student from Mesa, had never written a play. She spent the next three days furiously researching and writing.
Claire, now 16, is about to watch the world premiere of her winning work, “ e Heroes of Olim,” performed at the Mesa Arts Center Feb. 9-19.
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Claire Howard, 16, wrote “The Heroes of Olim,” to be performed in February at the Mesa Arts Center.
The LugNuts are (from top clockwise)
Claire LuzHoxsie, Christina Ardavin, Kailey Appel and Quinlan Harris.
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Cover
Newwaytowin...seepage10
Successfully fill out this month’s Scramblers puzzle on Page 10 and you could win a gift certificate!
We’ll select a lucky winner from among the correct entries received. Just mail your completed entry to us at:
PUZZLE EDITOR
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OR, you may now submit by email by typing in your four words and Today’s Word with “Scramblers puzzle” in the message line. Send it to: editor@NearbyNews.com.
Watch for our announcement of the winner in next month’s edition. If you see your name, write or email us by March 5, 2017, at the above addresses or call 480-898-5610 to claim your prize. Good luck!
This month’s lucky winner is CORREEN D. MAGGS. Here is the correct puzzle from last month:
Photo: Larry Mangino
community spotlight
Commemorative Air Force ‘Night Missions’ extended this month
START SAVING TODAY!
e Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum’s popular “Night Missions” on the C-47 “Old Number 30” cargo war bird will continue through February due to strong response.
Flights aboard the vintage World War II airplane from the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field have gained popularity in the evening due to their views of the city lights.
“Night Mission” flights at Falcon Field are Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Passengers must arrive by 5:30. Fare is $150 per seat or $1,500 for the entire plane, which seats 12.
e C-47 was part of the 60th Troop Carrier Group. After examining stacks of declassified military documents, officials discovered this war bird had the most extensive combat history among all of the Commemorative Air Force’s national and international units.
e Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota with serial number 30 was named after a mule. It is among four mules flown in the dead of night from Brindisi, Italy, to a top-secret site in the Balkans on a mission on Aug. 4, 1944.
e museum also offers rides on other vintage aircraft at Falcon Field.
On “Bomber Saturdays,” the museum’s B-17, named “Sentimental Journey,” may be booked at azcaf.org/ fly-with-us.
e Commemorative Air Force honors the men and women who built, maintained and flew during wartime by maintaining these aircraft in flying condition and flying the public to experience the sights and sounds.
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks among the largest private air forces in the world.
e CAF, a nonprofit, has more than 13,000 members and a fleet of 165 airplanes throughout the country at 76 units. ere also are four international affiliates in France, Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia.
e Arizona chapter based in Mesa was founded in 1977. It comprises 500 members, seven flyable aircraft that offer Living History rides and more than 20 historical war aircraft on display in the museum.
A TripAdvisor Winner of Excellence, it is among the top-rated Edu-Venture attractions in the Valley and regularly conducts tours for schools, businesses and youth groups.
FREE INSTALLATION!
Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum C-47 “Night Missions” continue through February at the museum at Falcon Field, 2017 N. Greenfield Road in Mesa.
Team
...continued from page 1
600 budding engineers and scientists on 98 teams from across the state gathered at Arizona State University’s Fulton School of Engineering.
With it, the LugNuts earned a trip to the national finals in Houston April 1922.
e LugNuts consists of Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies students Quinlan Harris, a sixth-grader, and Christina Ardavin, Kailey Appel and Claire LuzHoxsie, all eighth-graders.
ey won the Champions Award and Robot Performance Award at their regional tournament at Metro Tech High in central Phoenix to advance to state.
Claire said she enjoys going to competitions with the LugNuts because it bonds the four girls.
“We all love working on the robot, programming and the project part,” Claire said. “We work together and we work hard.”
For Quinlan, participating in FLL competitions is more than about robots.
“I’ve learned so much about a lot of different things,” Quinlan said. “Not
only do we build and program our own robot, but we also solve a problem, make a presentation about our innovative solution, and then we also work on teamwork challenges.”
Kailey’s favorite part is getting to meet and help other teams during the competition.
“I also love showing team spirit and getting to show what we have accomplished and learned throughout the year,” Kailey said.
Spending time with like-minded kids is the highlight for Christina.
“I enjoy meeting kids my age who have similar interests and seeing all the creative ideas everybody came up with during the season,” Christina said.
Russ Harris, one of the LugNuts’ coaches, won the state FLL Coach’s Award and two of the team’s mentors won state Young Mentor Awards.
e team’s head coach is Daja Harris. e theme of the FLL state championship was Animal Allies. e 9-to-14-year-olds were charged with developing ways to improve interactions between humans and animals. e challenge included a project and a Lego robot game.
For the project, the 98 teams identified a problem involving human-animal interaction, designed a solution, and shared that solution in a presentation in costumes and skits with their robots.
For the game, teams created a robot using Lego Mindstorms technology that could solve a series of missions on a game board in 2 1/2 minutes.
Arizona’s state championship has grown quickly, up from 64 teams last year. For the first time in its 13-year history with FLL, the event was extended to two days to accommodate the volume of teams qualifying. More than 350 teams participated in local and regional competitions to qualify for state.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international nonprofit that develops and supports programs that promote STEM studies. A 10-year study shows that FIRST participants are twice as likely as non-participating peers to major in science or engineering, with 41 percent majoring in engineering overall. Among female participants, 33 percent choose engineering studies. Nearly 90 percent of FIRST alumni have moved into a STEM field as a scientist or professional.
According to Hilary Mitchell, who runs the FLL Engineering Student Outreach Program for ASU, student volunteers benefit as well.
“Many of our students participated in FLL teams before college and are motivated to share their love of engineering,” Mitchell said. “And the competitors benefit by having real-life role models and mentors who confirm that STEM careers are not only exciting; they are attainable.”
Façconable Pro-Design
Klick
Fysh
Eco Modo
Dr. Katherine Blaskovich
Dr. Tina Ansari
Dr. Alli Hoppert, FAAD
Dr. Susan Reckell
Dr. Lindsay Jung
The LugNuts are (from left) Kailey Appel, Christina Ardavin, Quinlan Harris and Claire LuzHoxsie. (Daja Harris)
Applications open for Mesa Academy
By Heidi Hurst
Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies, ranked the top middle school in Arizona, is accepting applications for the 2017-18 school year.
Current third-grade students who will be entering fourth grade next school year are invited to apply through Feb. 10.
A limited number of openings will also be available for students entering grades five through eight.
Mesa Academy, at 6919 E. Brown Road, on the southeastern corner of Power and Brown roads, recently had students on the LugNuts Lego robotics team win the Champions Award for first place at the Arizona FIRST Lego League State Championships Jan. 14-15 at Arizona State University’s Fulton School of Engineering.
With it, the LugNuts earned a trip to the national finals in Houston April 19-22.
e academy, which is part of Mesa Public Schools, offers an academically challenging, innovative college-prep curriculum. It is an authorized International Baccalaureate school, offering an innovative curriculum that prepares students for advanced college-level classes. In addition to core academic subjects, Mesa Academy offers courses in technology, music, art and physical education.
Academy students explore the curriculum through integrated lessons that incorporate global perspectives and international understanding. Students also study world languages and cultures, including Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Extracurricular activities, beyond LEGO Robotics, include National Junior Honor Society, choir, National Academic League and the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair.
Mesa Academy students enjoy a variety of challenging academic opportunities.
Applications for 2017-18 are due on or before Feb. 10. e application and supporting materials are available online.
Tours are available at 8 a.m. on
Wednesdays until Feb. 8. Call Mrs. Kelly at 480-308-7431 to schedule.
Successful applicants and students who are placed on the waiting list will be notified by the first week of April.
Creative Coaching Conversations
Life Coaching for Teens
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e cast of 37 includes youth ages 8-18 from all over the Valley.
Getting there was hardly all in a day’s work for Claire, though.
young-adult fiction or picture books, which she hopes to illustrate herself.
“As I typed, the story kind of just unfolded,” she said. “As different situations came up, I would have to figure out a way to solve them.”
She took characters from “Aladdin” and “Cinderella” and put them together in “ e Heroes of Olim.” Winston is a thief who pretends to be a nobleman.
Janus is the gullible king’s evil advisor. Agnes is a servant girl, who becomes a princess for an evening.
at’s where the similarities end.
When the king’s daughter, Princess Elena, is kidnapped by Janus and his lackeys, Agnes, who remarkably resembles Elena, fills in for the princess at her 16th birthday masquerade ball, while Winston and his partners try to foil Janus’ evil scheme.
Claire submitted her manuscript at midnight of the deadline date. About 60 entries were read by the judging committee, and Claire’s hurried effort was awarded a tie for third place.
e committee was so impressed with the quality of her writing that it encouraged her to rework “ e Heroes of Olim” and bring it back the following year. She did, and this time, it was the 2016 contest winner.
Yet another year later, it is approaching its stage debut.
Claire is inspired by writers J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, her favorite genre being fantasy/adventure. Her goal is to write
“I’m an avid reader, and when I’m searching for books to read, so many teen books seem to shove us into these categories that try to say we are unique, but then try to stereotype our uniqueness,” she said. “I’d like to write a book more about teens looking outward rather than inward.”
Playwrights from all over the country submit plays to the annual EVCT’s Aspiring Playwrights Contest in hopes of being awarded a cash prize and having their work produced as a part of EVCT’s season.
Many of the entered plays are performed around the country.
Claire is grateful she will get to see her work on the stage in her hometown.
“EVCT’s passion for teaching has benefited me in so many ways,” she said. “I keep calling it ‘my play,’ but it really is a collaboration of so many people’s different talents and hard work.
“I’m so thankful to be a part of something that is so much bigger than me, and I can’t believe I’m going to get to see my characters onstage.”
‘ e Heroes of Olim’ Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. 7 p.m. ursdays and Fridays, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays. $15, adults; $11, children 480-644-6500, or evct.org
‘The Heroes of Olim’ will be performed at Mesa Arts Center in February.
Usery Mountain Park plans Feb. 3 movie night on ‘Water in the West’
Water challenges that are facing us, what the solutions might be and whether the Valley finally is at the end of a 15-year drought, are among topics to be discussed at Movie Night in the Park: “Beyond the Mirage – e Future of Water in the West,” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 at Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Visitors may bring snacks and drinks but no glass bottles. Concessions also may be purchased in the park’s Nature Center.
e Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Dept. facility, at 3939 N. Usery Pass Road in Mesa, is open 6 a.m.8 p.m. Sundays- ursdays, and 6 a.m.10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays every day of the year.
e park’s Nature Center hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
Admission charge is $6 per vehicle for a day-use permit. ere are no additional fees for programs, unless noted.
e water-challenges program is among several planned during the month at Usery Mountain Park.
Others include “Hiker’s Choice Full Moon Hike & Campfire” at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in the park’s horse-staging area. Participants experience the desert under the glowing light of a full moon. Selfguided and guided hikes are available.
Afterward, there is a free marshmallow roast over the flames of a campfire.
Participants are advised to bring a flashlight and water, and to wear closed-toe shoes for this 2-mile desert adventure. Pets are not allowed.
On Feb. 24, “ e Desert’s Most Dangerous Animals” starts at 6 p.m. in the Nature Center. During the hour-long presentation, a discussion is planned regarding which desert animals really are the most dangerous to humans, and based on statistics, which are the most likely to harm humans.
Participants are then welcome to view the feeding of the center’s snakes after the program. Finally, the “Animal Flashlight Walk” wraps up the evening at 7:30 p.m.
Participants are advised to wear closed-toe shoes or boots for most programs, and to bring plenty of drinking water.
Reservations are not required unless specified in the program description. Hikes/programs are canceled if heavy inclement weather is imminent. If possible, canceled hikes will be posted on our website.
e park is accessible off U.S. 60 at the Ellsworth Road exit. Go north on Ellsworth to the park entrance.
e water-challenges program is among several planned this month at Usery Mountain Park.
Nile Theater in downtown Mesa was the pride of the region looking back
By Angie Sullivan
e Nile eater was considered the envy of the Valley, when it opened in downtown Mesa, five years before Phoenix’s Orpheum eater.
e Nile, 105 W. Main St., debuted in 1924 when Mesa’s population was less than 4,000. e first movie shown was “ e Seahawks,” starring Wallace Beery.
e theater was designed by architect Hugh E. Gilbert and was operated as a partnership between Mesa’s William Menhennet and Richards & Nace of Phoenix.
Along the way, Universal Pictures acquired an interest in the Richards & Nace Company and Menhennet sold his interest in the Nile to Universal. In 1929, Richards & Nace sold out to Paramount-Publix.
One of the best features of the Nile was unseen to the public. Within a galvanized box under the stage was a cooling system, among the best in the state, the theater boasted. A large fan blew across tons of ice dropped into the box daily, sending cool air through vents under each seat.
e theater was the focal point of entertainment in Mesa until the last film was shown in 1951.
Over the years, the building has seen many other businesses come and go, including a church, a clothing store and a nightclub known as the Valley’s punk “capital” in the early 2000s.
Today, the Nile eater is an all ages-venue with three rooms catering to many music communities and events.
BETTER than GRANITE
The Nile Theater was the focal point of entertainment in downtown Mesa until the last film was shown in 1951. Over the years, the building has seen many other businesses come and go, including a church, a clothing store and a nightclub.
courtesy of Mesa Historical Museum.
A booth was set up outside the busy Nile Theater in downtown Mesa in 1945 to sell stamps and bonds that supported the U.S. armed forces. The Nile was designed by architect Hugh E. Gilbert. Photo courtesy of Mesa Historical Museum.
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The Nile Theater, which opened at 105 W. Main St. in 1924, five years ahead of Phoenix’s Orpheum Theater, was considered the envy of the Valley. The Nile’s coolest feature, literally, was a galvanized box under the stage, where a large fan blew across tons of ice dropped into the box daily, sending cool air through vents under each seat. Photo courtesy of Mesa Historical Museum.
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The Acting Company Julius Caesar
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Devin Brain
Photos by T. Charles Erickson
1.
The Acting Company X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation
By Marcus Gardley
Directed by Ian Belknap
Photos by T. Charles Erickson
1. (L to R) N’Jameh Camara, Chelsea Williams, Tatiana Weschler 2. William Sturdivant as Bootblack 3. Jonathan-David as Louis X 4. Jimonn Cole as Malcolm X
East Valley Pops plays at Red Mountain Adult Center
East Valley Adult Resources’ Red Mountain Active Adult Center will host an evening with the East Valley Pops Orchestra at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Red Mountain Active Adult Center.
e center is in the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center, 7550 E. Adobe Street.
Tickets for this event are $6 in advance or $8 at the door and may be purchased at the Red Mountain Active Adult Center.
e East Valley Pops Orchestra is an age 60-and-older-member orchestra that was founded in 1982.
East Valley Adult Resources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served Mesa and the surrounding community since 1979. Its array of services and programs includes outreach, nutritional services and in-home care, in addition to lifelong learning, health and wellness, and social activities.
Be curious, creative – and smart
i.d.e.a. Museum spring-break camps registration open
Spring break looms. Not everybody will be heading to Kauai.
For working parents, there might be a concern about what to do with their young kids.
And for the students, who might have visions of lounging around on the iPhone all day, Mesa’s i.d.e.a. Museum has, well, an idea of how they might better keep their minds engaged during the break.
e museum, 150 W. Pepper Place in downtown Mesa, created a spring-break camp in March aimed at students ages 6 to 12, featuring fun lessons inspired by its upcoming “Caped Crusaders & Everyday Heroes” exhibition.
“Parents want to see their children laugh and learn at the same time during school breaks,” said i.d.e.a. Museum Education Curator Dena Milliron. “Our camps feature engaging activities that weave in art, science and technology. We want to spark their
curiosity and creativity.”
e Heroes Spring Break Camp, run by i.d.e.a. Museum gallery educators, is March 13-17. Campers participate in project-based learning activities focused on daily topics, developing a superhero story and conducting science experiments tied to the exhibition themes.
is half-day camp runs 9 a.m. to noon at the museum. Cost is $60 for i.d.e.a. Museum members, $75 for non-members.
For registration links and more information go to ideaMuseum.org/ classes.html.
e i.d.e.a. Museum also has a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) camp aimed at ages 10-15.
In the “Art of Invention: ChainReaction STEAM Machines Spring Break Camp,” students will be introduced to the engineering-design process and will use a project-based
approach emphasizing problem identification, brainstorming, problem solving, rapid prototyping, teamwork and communication.
Special activities at the STEAM camp include basic science, technology, engineering, arts, and math skill practice; electric circuits, microcontroller programming, music and storytelling.
e camp will culminate with the design and construction of a giant thematic Rube Goldberg-style chainreaction machine.
is camp runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 6-10 at the i.d.e.a. Museum. Students must provide their own lunch.
Registration is $200 per student. Register by Feb. 20 at regonline.com/ steamlabs-session1.
e museum plans classes for young people before these spring-break camps.
“Messy Creations: Happy HeARTs,”
a Valentine’s Day workshop for ages 2-5, is 10 a.m-10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. Kids will create art from the heart with stamping, sticking and painting.
Although smocks are provided, participants are advised to bring a change of clothes for the young art maker.
e child must be accompanied by an adult. e $6 registration for members and $14 for non-members includes all-day museum admission for parent and child.
“STEAM Kids: e Science of Superheroes” is 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, for ages 6-12, who must be accompanied by an adult.
e sights, strengths and sounds of superhero science will be explored with lightning bolts, vertical force and pop rocks.
Registration – $8 for members and $16 for non-members – includes allday museum admission.
CARPET - TILE - UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
Desert edibles a delicacy, but be careful
By Warren Tenney
e Sonoran Desert around Mesa is an incomparable place to hike, bike, run, horseback-ride and bird-watch.
When it comes to foraging for food, it’s not so grand.
Even those enthusiastic about the topic admit sifting and straining food from desert flora is labor-intensive. It is, however, a labor of love for people who crave the tastes of the desert.
If you think you may be one of them – or you’re curious – Tom McDonald, who owns Smiling Dog Landscapes in Gold Canyon, is presenting a free class in February called Desert Edibles. It’s the most distinct of many free landscape and gardening classes by Arizona Municipal Water Users Assn. member cities.
McDonald, who designs and installs landscapes and offers free classes about eating native Sonoran desert foods in the East Valley, is traveling to Glendale to give his latest class.
In Mesa, release of the latest class schedules by the Mesa Urban Garden and
Mesa Public Library is expected soon.
ose who love desert fruits hold several Sonoran Desert food festivals annually. If you’ve never heard of them it’s probably because they are in June – a hot month to attract crowds to a desert festival but peak harvest time for edibles. e most common cactus food is called nopales in Spanish – small, young prickly pear cactus pads picked in early summer. Nopales are on some Mexican restaurant menus and many grocery stores offer pickled nopales and nopales salsas.
McDonald says that they taste a bit like green peppers. He likes nopales in scrambled eggs and casseroles. e prickly pear’s bright red fruit, called tunas, are easiest for beginners to enjoy.
Tom’s wife, Kathy, freezes the fruit and blanches it – thorns and all – in a pot with a little water. Once it’s cooked, she mashes it, then strains it through sieves until it is pure juice, which Tom said has a wild tart taste. She uses the juice to make rosy onion jam marinade, mixes it with coconut milk to make a sorbet and adds
it to fruit smoothies.
During McDonald’s class, he will offer ways to use 20 desert plants and trees, including milling flour from mesquite pods for sweet and grainy pancakes like those made from buckwheat, and roasting jojoba beans with sea salt.
A warning from McDonald: Don’t harvest, cook or eat desert plants or fruit without doing research or attending classes. Just like foraging for mushrooms, the right ones at the right time are delightful, but the wrong ones harvested incorrectly can make you sick.
Remember those movie cowboys who survived in the desert by cutting into cacti and chewing the juice out of the pulp? In real life, they’d be goners. Most cactus pulp and juice make you sick. Perhaps your tastes run toward more domestic produce. You may enjoy desert flora less for its food value and more for its beauty. If so, Mesa and most AMWUA cities have plenty of classes for you. Find a list of free classes on www.amwua.org.
Warren Tenney is executive director of Arizona Municipal Water Users Assn.
e prickly pear’s bright red fruit, called tunas, are easiest for beginners to enjoy.
law talk
By Pamela Sandberg
Know the legal options when teens face criminal charges
What happens when a teenager is charged with a crime? As an experienced criminal-defense attorney, I often get this question from parents, grandparents and other concerned family members.
Can the teenager be charged as an adult? What sort of sentence could be imposed? And perhaps most importantly, how do we get this
teenager the help he or she truly needs? If a juvenile criminal defendant is at least 14 years old, he or she can, at the prosecutor’s discretion, be charged as an adult for most felonies.
If the defendant is 15 to 17, Arizona law mandates that he or she must be charged as an adult for certain very serious felonies, and consequently face adult prison time.
Otherwise, criminal charges against juvenile defendants are filed in Juvenile Court. is is called delinquency. If the Juvenile Court judge finds that the juvenile did commit the crime, the juvenile is found “delinquent” instead of “guilty.”
Unfortunately, in adult criminal proceedings, the focus of the case often is on punishing the behavior, rather than ensuring that it does not happen again. Conversely, juvenile courts tend to place greater emphasis on helping juveniles than punishing them.
To that end, juvenile judges will explore many options to help correct the juvenile’s behavior, such as substanceabuse counseling, behavioral therapy, sexual-offender therapy, or diagnostic testing for learning disorders and other educational difficulties.
Juvenile Court judges generally prefer these options rather than simply locking up a juvenile. e process is
very focused on the particular needs of the particular defendant. ere is no one-size-fits-all solution for juveniles who commit crimes. It is important to find an experienced attorney who knows the Juvenile Court and can explore all options to determine which is best for this juvenile. If you know a juvenile who has been charged with a crime, the experienced attorneys at Rowley Chapman & Barney can help achieve the best outcome possible from the Juvenile Court. I am available to answer your questions 24 hours a day at 480-4962070.
Pamela Sandberg is an associate attorney at Rowley Chapman & Barney. She attended Arizona State University (B.A., 2007) and Suffolk University Law School (J.D., 2012). Her areas of practice are family law and criminal defense.
Family time
Child-friendly outing Heroes, hearts and history collide at i.d.e.a. Museum
By Kimberly Hosey
Have a hero in the family? Maybe a hero-obsessed kid or two? e i.d.e.a. Museum, a short drive from Mesa neighborhoods, has you covered. Its next exhibit, “Caped Crusaders and Everyday Heroes,” runs Friday, Feb. 10, to Sunday, May 28. It takes guests on a hero’s journey through works by more than 15 national and international artists.
Cultural and mythological heroes and heroines from around the world come to life. e exhibit also honors men and women who became community heroes because of their work or actions.
Join your kids in finding a little heroic inspiration along the way. Handson activities, such as experiencing a superpower (via green screen), developing a storyboard detailing a unique champion of your own, and designing superhero costumes nurture creative thinking and are fun.
e exhibit also features paintings, photography, sculptures and mixedmedia displays by artists around the state, country and world.
As always, the museum, whose name stands for “Imagination. Design. Experience. Art,” also offers studios, rooms for crafts and physical play, an outdoor area perfect for grabbing a snack or picnic lunch, and the “Hub” near the front of the building.
e busy, brightly colored Hub features 11 interactive stations to trigger imagination and creativity, like “Face Frames,” where guests create decorative glasses by first choosing frames (using pipe cleaners, pre-printed frame patterns or 3-D glasses), and then decorating them with materials like feathers, glitter, gems and stickers. If ever you wanted to craft with your kids without the hassle of gathering all the materials, i.d.e.a. is the place for you.
ArtVille, a soft play area for kids 5 and younger, engages them, stimulating awareness of color, shape and texture while they crawl, walk, build and explore the brightly colored, soft oversize blocks. ArtVille guests must wear socks, which can be purchased at the museum, or bring your own. Older children are welcome, but only as “helpers.”
Kids and adults may want to check out the groovy Black Light Room, now featuring a glowing “Alice in Wonderland” scene. Wear clothes with white, and you’ll really shine. You can use it to make believe, discuss the story, explain how light works or just goof around with your kids.
e museum has activities and classes that allow your young heroes and makers to create art from the heart. Smocks are provided for many of the messier activities, but you might still want to bring a change of clothes for your artist.
Messy Creations: Happy HeARTs
10 to 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14
Guests at this Valentine’s Day workshop will create crafty masterpieces with stamping, sticking and painting. Afterward, explore the “Caped Crusaders and Everyday Heroes” exhibit and try to
spot hearts in the artwork. Registration includes all-day museum admission for both parent and child.
Age: 2 to 5 (child must be accompanied by an adult).
Cost: Members, $6; non-members, $14
Home School Historians: Jasper Johns
10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15
Young artists create a monoprint, learning a new technique as well as how Jasper Johns used symbolism. “Home School Historians” is every third Wednesday of the month, introducing a famous artist, art movement and fine-art technique. Registration fee includes one participating child, one adult and siblings younger than 5. Activities for siblings younger than 5 are included. Each additional participating child 5 and older must pay registration fee.
Age: 5 to 12
Cost: Members, $7; non-members, $12
STEAM Kids: e Science of Superheroes
10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25
Bang! Pop! Ka-Pow! Explore the sights, strengths and sounds of superhero science with lightning bolts, vertical force and pop rocks. Registration includes all-
day museum admission.
Age: 6 to 12; child must be accompanied by adult
Cost: Members, $8; non-members, $16
Infant Messy Creations: Little Leprechauns
10 to 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 17
It’s a lucky day to explore all things sensory with a green theme. Babies and toddlers will get messy while creating artwork after a story about a leprechaun. Registration includes admission. Age: 6 months to 24 months; child must be accompanied by adult
Cost: Members, $5; non-members, $13
Messy Creations: Stamp, Drip and Print
10 to 10:45 a.m., ursday, April 13
Young makers stamp and drip paint from eggs, print with potatoes and create art. Registration includes admission. Age: 2 to 5; child must be accompanied by adult
Cost: Members $6, non-members $14.
Home School Historians: Andy Warhol
10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 19
Learn about Andy Warhol’s iconic pop art – and create screen printed artwork of your own.
Age: 5 to 12
Cost: Members, $7; nonmembers, $12
e museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
i.d.e.a. Museum
150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa 480-644- 4332 (recording) 480-644-2468 (live)
www.ideamuseum.org
(Submitted photo)
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slices of life
By Jill Pertler
Vacation foibles
We’d been looking forward to the week for months. We planned and packed and prepared to play. e months of waiting became weeks, the weeks became days, and then it was here: Vacation!
Seven days of perfectly choreographed bliss. Or not.
Our trip took us to the world’s most famous Mickey. It’s among our favorites because grown adults wear silly mouse ears while dining on oversize, overpriced turkey legs, and no one thinks that’s weird.
Most vacations include a hiccup or two. Ours started before we got to the parks. We’d ordered brightly colored matching T-shirts. ey arrived the day after we left, so we never got to take a
dorky group photo to post on Facebook.
We arrived at our rental home. I set my alarm for 6:30, much earlier than any family should ever have to wake up on vacation.
Despite my responsible alarm setting, we overslept because I’d set it for p.m. We scrambled and managed to be just 15 minutes off our goal time.
“We can do this,” my husband said. He’s the biggest kid in the bunch.
e roads in Florida are plastered with purple signs telling you where to turn and which way to go to reach the park of your choice. We managed to get lost. e boys found the correct route on their phones and blurted directions from the back seat. My husband gripped the steering wheel, stress showing just a bit in his white knuckles.
We reached our magical destination, just minutes before the park opened. We ran to the gates.
Most of us made it through the bag
checkers and metal detectors without a hitch, but my husband was chosen for extra security screening. is brought a scowl, and delayed our entire party by a good 30 seconds.
We then ran to the ride of choice and prepared to wait in line. It’s what you do. A woman in a red dress cut through the queue to catch up with her party. We let her pass and watched her. She got to a spot where all that separated her from them was a railing, which she hopped without further ado. Her dress flew up and we all saw what none of us wanted to see: She wore a red dress, and nothing more.
After that, our day was rather hohum, and by that I mean filled with great rides and fun-filled family times, with a lot of walking.
We left tired, spent and fulfilled, until we realized we’d violated a primary rule: You’ve got to remember where you park.
We knew which lot we were in, but not which row. Imagine seven weary park-goers walking up and down the immense expanse of asphalt, looking for a nondescript crossover vehicle in a sea of nondescript crossover vehicles. By some miracle, we found ours, and we didn’t even get lost on our way back to the rental.
I’m happy to report that after that, we turned the corner on our trip hiccups. e rest of the week was nearly flawless, and for the next six days we went on to make our vacation great again.
Which is all that anyone can ask. Especially a princess who wears mouse ears instead of a crown.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
We know all children learn differently , so we offer options that help them discover and build on their potential and passions , including:
• Preschool through adult education
• Homeschool enrichment classes
• Franklin Traditional Schools
• Spanish immersion program
• Montessori schools
• International Baccalaureate
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs
• Online learning options
Mesa Public Schools—the best place to learn.
By Eva Dwight
Kids can learn to develop extracurricular grit navigating parenthood
I auditioned for the Kansas City Youth Symphony in ninth grade because my junior-high orchestra had only nine kids in it and I wanted a more sophisticated musical experience.
I wanted to be a really good cellist but I didn’t want to practice, and that music was hard!
So after a few months of being embarrassed that I was only playing half the notes in last chair, I decided to quit.
Except Mom and Dad wouldn’t let me.
As far as they were concerned, I had made a commitment and they expected me to finish the season. I was really mad, but they were actually doing me a favor because they were helping me “get gritty.”
According to University of Pennsylvania psychology professor Angela Duckworth, to be gritty
is “to hold fast to an interesting and purposeful goal, to invest… in challenging practice.”
Participation in extracurricular activities is an excellent way to build grit in kids. In fact, following through with two or more years of the same extracurricular activity in high school predicted success after graduation more than even high SAT scores and grades.
e type of activity doesn’t matter so much as the duration of the commitment, because it is in sticking with the activity that one learns persistence. (Good thing Mom and Dad didn’t know about the two-year benefit. I only had to stick it out for one season.)
So do our kids have to stick with every activity they try for at least two whole years?
Well, no. Helping children discover
what they are going to be persistent with is a process. Duckworth encourages parents to let younger children pick different types of activities to try, because that’s how they discover what might grow into something they’re passionate about.
And parents need to let kids enjoy that process of discovery. ey need encouragement and applause just for trying at those beginning levels, with limited corrective feedback so as not to bludgeon their budding interest.
At the same time, kids must understand that most activities start out hard and become easier and more enjoyable with practice, so they shouldn’t be allowed to give up as soon as they experience frustration.
Duckworth offers her family’s “Hard ing Rule” as a guideline for parents who want to grow gritty kids:
• Everyone, including Mom and Dad,
has to do a Hard ing that requires deliberate practice.
• You can quit, but not until the season is over, the tuition payment is up, or some other natural stopping point has arrived.
• You can’t quit on a bad day.
• You get to pick your Hard ing.
• By high school, you have to commit to your Hard ing for two years. When both parents and kids are doing a Hard ing, they can provide support for each other through the shared experience of frustration on tough days and success on others. Hard ing becomes a Team ing, and “gritty” becomes who we are.
Eva Dwight offers parent, individual and couples coaching to adults and teens. For more information, go to creativecoachingconversations.com.
around the neighborhood
North-central Mesa is bursting with parents looking for wholesome outings with their children, and the city has a multitude of venues and activities to satisfy them. Whether it’s a day at the i.d.e.a Musuem or at Red Mountain Park, there is a lot of family fun to be had in the city.
1. Fishing is fun, right? Rand Provost, 4, isn’t so sure while his grandfather, David, fixes Rand’s line at Red Mountain Park. 2. Ava Bigler, 6, has the beat during her outing at the i.d.e.a. Museum. 3. Matteo Amarilla Wutich (left), 3, and Alexander Amarilla Wutich drum up a catchy rhythm at the i.d.e.a. Museum. 4. Sidney Trygstad, 3, of Mesa, is learning the ropes at the Red Mountain Park playground. 5. There’s nothing like fishing for a bonding experience. Tim Vaught, 12, of east Mesa, and his grandfather, Kenny, throw a line at Red Mountain Park’s urban lake. 6. At 3, Ava already knows how to climb to the top. 7. He might not be quite ready yet for the big sand dunes, but Landon Reynolds, 6, has mastered the sidewalk at Red Mountain Park.
5
top 10 family events
February 2017
1 Dr. Seuss’
‘The Cat in the Hat’
Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a troublesome cat in a striped hat comes to the stage courtesy of Child’s Play AZ.
When: Weekends, Feb. 4-19, 1 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
Cost: $12-$26
Info: 480-350-2822 or childsplayaz.org
2 Mesa Arts & Crafts Festival
Stroll through downtown Mesa and take in the work of local artists and makers, plus enjoy live music and other familyfriendly fun.
When: Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Mesa, 4 N. Macdonald, Mesa
Cost: Free
Info: macfestmesa.com
3 ‘Matilda the Musical’
See the acclaimed Broadway production based on Roald Dahl’s children’s novel about a highly imaginative girl.
When: Tuesday-Sunday, Feb. 7-12, times vary
Where: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe
Cost: $40-$220
Info: 480-965-3434 or asugammage.com
4 I Love Science Day!
Observe ongoing scientific experiments and take part in science and crafts of your own.
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa Cost: (Museum admission) $12, adults; $10, seniors; $8, students; $7, ages 3-12; free ages 2 and younger Info: arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org
5 Game On!
Gather the family for a fun time of board games and Wii competitions.
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: 480-644-3100 or events.mesalibrary.org
6 Ride-in movies at the park
Ride over to the park and watch a free screening of the family-friendly movie “Minions.” Bring chairs and blankets.
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Park, 745 E. Brown Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: mesaaz.gov
7 VNSA used book sale
Browse nearly 500,000 used books in every genre at incredibly low prices, as well as rare books.
When: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12, 8 a.m.
Where: Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix Cost: Free entry (fee to park) Info: vnsabooksale.org
8 ‘Odd Squad’
PBS’ math-wielding investigators Olive and Otto come to the stage in this production aimed at preschool and early-elementary schoolchildren.
When: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
Where: Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix Cost: $15-$51 Info: 602-379-2800 or livenation.com
9 Fandom Friday
Grab your wands and brooms and join other “Harry Potter” fans of all ages for an hour of fun. Dressing up is encouraged.
When: Friday, Feb. 24, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: 480-644-3100 or events.mesalibrary.org
10 Disney in Concert
Watch some of your favorite Disney scenes from “Beauty and the Beast” and “Frozen” backed by a live orchestra.
When: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26, times vary
Where: Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix
Cost: $33-$109
Info: 602-495-1999 or tickets. phoenixsymphony.org
Every Monday Kidz Cup Special: $2 8oz cup (Kids 12 and under)
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11-10 Fri-Sat: 11-11
Behind the scenes Blue Crew keeps Mesa schools
By Laurie Struna
Coming soon to a school near you is Mesa Public Schools’ Blue Crew, an evening maintenance team intended to complement the day-operations staff in addressing campus maintenance issues.
e Blue Crew is taking a proactive approach to maintaining school facilities at a level that allows educators to provide a safe and positive learning environment for students.
Seven skilled tradesman make up the Blue Crew, including painters, carpenters, plumbers and electricians outfitted with a stocked warehouse on wheels.
“ ere are times when operations cannot gain access to certain areas of a campus during school hours,” says Todd Poer, director of operations. “Sometimes we have to close restrooms or turn off water or power.
“Having our Blue Crew take care of these things after hours eliminates being disruptive during classroom instruction.”
e Blue Crew focuses on one site at a time to perform preventive maintenance on aging items, which in turn reduces the number of new site-based work orders.
It also increases workflow efficiency, saving time and money.
e day maintenance staff assists the Blue Crew by completing aesthetic projects that include restriping parking lots, painting curbs, assessing roofing issues, manicuring landscapes and deepcleaning campuses.
“We want principals and staff to feel they are getting our undivided attention,” Poer said. “By the time we complete the final walk-through with the principal, we will have addressed everything on their list, and the campus shines.”
Principals complete an initial visit to address issues and concerns with their
into the night performing maintenance on campuses that, if performed during the school day, might be disruptive to classes
campuses. ey are updated on the progress throughout the project.
“ e Blue Crew went above and beyond to take care of our school and our needs,” said Monica Torres, principal
at Longfellow Elementary School. “ ey ticked everything off our checklist in a timely manner, and our campus sparkles. e Blue Crew rocks!”
e Mesa Public Schools Blue Crew – from left: Ruben Barba, Eric Lamanna, Brandon Swatscheno, Steve Griffin, Chris Hoach, Victor Hickman and Cuave Haverland –works
(Tim Hacker/Mesa Public Schools)
By Erica Odello
DIY curtain rods
I have a long list of items that I think are severely overpriced, and curtain rods are near the top of the list.
Why does something that requires so little engineering cost so much? Well, if you’re reading this article, then you know I have an alternative.
You will need: 2 x 5.125 x 7.125inch wooden corbels, 1 wood closet rod (have the hardware store cut a rod that will be 6 inches longer on each side than the width of the window), 1½-inch hole saw, hand sander, 2 drywall screws, 2 wall anchors, screwdriver, wood stain or paint if desired.
Step 1
To hang your curtains straight, you’ll need to measure and cut holes in the corbels. After marking the center of your hole, drill halfway through the corbel, then flip over and finish the hole from the other side. is helps prevent chunks of the finished sides of the corbels from splitting off and ruining the finish. Use a hand sander to clean up the edges of the new hole and the edges of the curtain rod.
Step 2
If desired, paint or stain the corbels and closet rod. I’ve made three versions of these for my house. One
set I left raw, my youngest wanted hers painted blue and the one I did for this article got a maple wood stain.
Step 3
Mount the corbels above and on either side of the window using the
wall anchors and screws. Feed the curtains over the rod. Insert each end in a corbel. You have a Restoration Hardware-esque curtain rod!
With Fungi!
Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30pm
Jeff Hacker from Mushroom Matrix will be holding a seminar to go over the many benefits of supplementing your pet’s diet with mushrooms.
Saturday, Feb. 18 at 11:00am
Steve Smith from Pet Releaf will be in store to educate us on the benefits from Hemp and CBD for your pet. He will go over what ailments can be treated with this versatile product, why it is safe to use for your furry companion and yourself, and what exactly it does in the first place!
6 students honored by Mesa school board
e Mesa Public Schools Governing Board honored six January Students of the Month during its Jan. 10 meeting.
e district’s newest Students of the Month, who won plaques and other prizes, are: Elijah Ry’Shyon Butler, senior, Mesa High; Rhett Gleason, sixth-grader, Field Elementary; Caitlyn Leslie, fifth-grader, Highland Arts Elementary; Shakib Martinez, sixth-grader, Taft Elementary; Calina Nguyen, third-grader, Roosevelt Elementary; and Rylee Vasquez, third-grader, Eisenhower Center for Innovation.
e Student of the Month program gives the district the opportunity to celebrate students’ successes.
Each month during the school year, students from throughout the district are nominated based on quality of character and excellence in leadership, academics, arts and athletics.
During the presentation in front of the Governing Board, videos show students in their daily school lives while their principals or other school representatives read tributes aloud. Students receive professional-quality
portraits, provided by Mesa Public Schools. Winners also receive gift cards from the Mesa Foundation for Educational Excellence.
Student of the Month portraits hang on walls of honor in the district Board Room and in the lobby of the Administrative Services Center.
Annie Pico of Mesa was awarded the President’s Scholarship, the highest financial honor available, to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska.
To retain it, students must hold a 3.5 GPA or higher throughout their college career. Each student will receive $18,000 per academic year.
Pico also was part of the Christmas at Concordia annual celebration Dec. 2-4, as a Soprano I in the Women’s Chorale.
Other Mesa students receiving collegiate honors:
Katelynn McClure earned a spot on the Dean’s List at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, during the fall semester.
Kylie White, majoring in neuroscience at Delaware County Community College in Media,
Pennsylvania, was inducted into the Alpha Tau Epsilon Chapter of Phi eta Kappa, the largest honor society in higher education. She is the daughter of Lorrie C. White and Richard White of Mesa.
John Heffernon, a master’s student in industrial/organizational psychology, recently presented research findings at Muskingum University’s Fall Research and Internship Forum, on its New Concord, Ohio, campus.
Patrick C. Conlon is among 80 recipients nationwide of the Love of Learning Award worth $500 from Phi Kappa Phi. Conlon, who holds a doctoral degree from the University of Arizona, will use funds toward research into Latinos with Type 2 diabetes in the southwestern U.S.
continued on page 33
Student of the Month Rhett Gleason is congratulated by Scott Cumberledge, principal at Field Elementary. (Tim Hacker/Mesa Public Schools)
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events calendar
Family Dodge Ball
Get the family together and go head-to-head with other families in a friendly but cutthroat game of dodgeball.
When: Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Mesa Family YMCA, 207 N. Mesa Drive, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: 480-969-8166 or valleyymca.org/mesa
Neil Sedaka
Singer, songwriter, composer, pianist and author Neil Sedaka brings his impressive musical history to the Valley stage, backed by the Phoenix Symphony.
When: Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St., Mesa
Cost: $64-$96 Info: 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com
What the Hell Bar & Grill’s 7th anniversary
Enjoy a family-friendly party that includes food and drink specials, pool tournament and free snow cones for kids. It all benefits Gabriel’s Angels charity.
When: Saturday, Feb. 4, noon-1 a.m.
Where: What the Hell Bar & Grill, 7303 E. Main St., Mesa
Casino Night Join East Valley Adult Resources for an exciting night of card games, craps, bingo, raffle and silent auction. For ages 21 and older.
When: Saturday, Feb. 4, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Active Adult Center, 7550 E. Adobe Street, Mesa
Cost: Free entry, $20 raffle tickets Info: 480-964-9014 or evadultresources.org
Genealogy basics
Learn how to start tracing your family for free by using popular genealogy software.
When: Mondays, Feb. 6, 13, 27, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: 480-644-3100 or events. mesalibrary.org
TOM’S BBQ
events calendar
2nd Friday Night Out
This month’s theme will be “Swingin’ Sweethearts on Main” in honor of Valentine’s Day. Show up and swing dance, listen to live music and get treats.
When: Friday, Feb. 11, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Mesa, between Center and Country Club Cost: Free Info: www.2ndfridaynightout.com
The Bones of Fiction
Learn from a best-selling author how to craft a fiction novel from the beginning. Suitable for teens as well as adults.
When: Saturday, Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: 480-644-3253 or events. mesalibrary.org
Swingsational
The Salt River Brass presents the music of the Big Band era, including the work of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Woody Herman.
When: Sunday, Feb. 12, 3 p.m.
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St, Mesa
Cost: $15-$24
Info: 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com
Youth Symphony of the Southwest
Join the youth-oriented community ensemble for a free concert that presents Elgar’s “Concerto for Cello” and Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture.”
When: Monday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St, Mesa Cost: Free Info: 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com
Quilts for a Cause
Get started in the world of quilting by making a sample baby quilt that will go to a charity. For ages 12 and older.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: 480-644-3253 or events.mesalibrary.org
events calendar
February 2017
East Valley Pops Orchestra
Spend an evening with the East Valley Pops Orchestra, a 60-andolder member organization founded in 1982.
When: Friday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Active Adult Center, 7550 E. Adobe Street, Mesa
Cost: $6 in advance in person, $8 at the door
Info: 480-964-9014 or evadultresources.org
Shaolin Warriors: The Legend Continues
More than 20 kung fu masters take the stage in this choreographed stage production that displays their amazing physical and mental discipline.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St., Mesa Cost: $20-$40 Info: 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com
VEX Robotics Challenge
Use the VEX Robotics System to create a robot that can pass an obstacle course. Ages 12-18.
When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free (registration required) Info: 480-644-3253 or events. mesalibrary.org
Experience Hendrix Tour
A collection of amazing guitarists, including Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, Dweezil Zappa and Chris Layton pay tribute to one of the greatest: Jimmy Hendrix.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St., Mesa Cost: $50-$90 Info: 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com
Kathryn Hall was accepted for admission for the 2017-18 academic year and awarded the Founders Scholarship worth $22,000 to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
Madison Guitard has been named to the fall 2016 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher earn the honor.
Joseph Hartshorn, a freshman in biblical studies, and cinema and media communication, earned Dean’s List recognition at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, for the fall 2016 semester. Undergraduate students must earn a 3.5 grade point average or above on 12 or more hours of graded work to earn a spot on the list.
Emma Rose Kachelmeyer, an apparel, merchandising and design major, is among those on the fall semester 2016 Dean’s List at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Students must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work to qualify.
on the town
By Kathy Kerby
Orchard Eats’ food is organic and delicious
When locally owned Orchard Eats opened on the northwestern corner of Gilbert and McKellips roads last year, owner David Candland’s mission was to always serve food that is organic, fresh and healthy.
Mission accomplished.
When entering Orchard Eats, to the right are three large flat-screens displaying the menu. It includes salads, soups, sandwiches, entrées and sweet crêpes. Heather greeted us as we approached the order-at-thecounter area and cheerfully helped us make our selections.
e soup of the day was chicken tortilla (cup, $3; bowl, $5) and I knew from the very first spoonful that Orchard Eats would live up to the slogan printed on the door promising “fresh fare because we care.” e rich
tomato base with chunks of chicken, celery and peppers topped with cheese and crisp tortilla chips had the perfect hint of spicy heat.
Who serves stroganoff anymore? Orchard Eats does, and it is superb.
e Steak Stroganoff ($10.75) with a hand-trimmed filet, with sautéed mushrooms and egg noodles was tossed in creamy mushroom sauce and served with toasted garlic bread. Chef Brent shows his culinary knowledge and depth of flavor with this dish.
e chicken, strawberry and avocado salad ($9.50) is a favorite with the lunch crowd because it does not skimp on the good stuff. A big handful of candied walnuts, lots of strawberries, half an avocado, a tender grilled and sliced chicken breast, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers sat atop
Valentine’s Day Special
the bed of organic mixed greens. e house citrus dressing added the perfect flavor and tang to a salad that was so tasty it was difficult to believe it was also so healthful.
Sweet crêpes are a specialty at Orchard Eats. e Strawberry and Banana Crêpes ($4.50) featured the sweet fruits in a light syrup, wrapped into a perfect crêpe and crowned with whipped cream. e Apple Pie Crêpes ($5.75) highlighted the cinnamon-baked apples and added nice crunch with graham crackers. I’ve been making crêpes for a long time. In fact, it was the first recipe that I would make each semester with my junior-high home economics students, and these perfectly executed crêpes brought back good memories.
e salad is a tasty combination of grilled chicken, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, bacon, avocado and candied walnuts drenched with a side of house citrus dressing.
feel of an orchard.
For fresh, organic, healthful food that is also palate-pleasing and served beautifully, Orchard Eats is the place to visit for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Catering is also available.
e interior reflects the name with huge silhouettes of trees on one wall, glass on the other and lots of colorful sage-green and tangerine in the fabrics on the booths that surround the large dining area. A vintage bicycle with a basket of flowers sits near the open kitchen area, adding a touch of whimsy. An outdoor patio with green umbrellas enhances the Orchard
2036 N. Gilbert Road, Mesa 480-584-4048 orchardeats.com
Served from 3:00pm until Close ~ $59.99
Share Heart-shaped Ravioli Gorgonzola
Each get a Strawberry Fields Salad
Seafood Risotto
Surf & Turf (NY strip steak & shrimp skewers)
Lobster Ravioli
Short Ribs & Gnocchi
Fig & Balsamic Scallops over Sweet Pea Risotto Orange Roughy Italiano with potatoes & veggies SHARE A PLATE OF
David Alcantar, one of the best Journey tribute artists, makes his annual trip to Pacino’s!
what’s cooking?
By Jan D’Atri
Brownies, caramel a yummy pairing
is month, with Valentine’s Day, is made for chocolate lovers.
By all means, give chocolate as a Valentine’s Day gift, but if you do happen to have any chocolates left over after this sweet holiday, I have the perfect idea: Turn them into “Ellie Cakes.”
at’s what Elyse Judd’s mom did. She would add them to pieces of brownies that didn’t quite come out of the pan perfectly. She called them “Ellie Cakes” and made them an heirloom treasure.
Phoenix resident Elyse Judd shares the story:
“Mom would take the broken pieces of brownies that didn’t come out of the
pan in perfect squares and any leftover chocolates we had on hand and she would freeze them for a few hours. en she would cut them up into little squares and pile them on top of the brownies that did come out in perfect squares, using caramel sauce as the glue! It was my favorite treat ever, so Mom named them Ellie Cakes!”
As if homemade brownies aren’t delicious enough, Ellie Cakes take them to a yummy new level. anks, Elyse, for a sweetheart of an idea!
‘Ellie Cakes’:
Chocolate Brownies with Caramel Sauce Drizzle
Brownie Ingredients:
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 box brownie mix
3 eggs
1 ½ cups water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons strong coffee or 2 teaspoons instant espresso
1 ½ cups chopped walnuts, divided caramel sauce to drizzle
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 shallow baking dish. (Elyse’s mom used a jelly-roll baking sheet or quartersheet pan.)
Mix together package of dry devil’s food cake mix, brownie mix, eggs, water, oil, coffee, cocoa, chocolate syrup,
chocolate chips and 1 cup of the walnuts until well blended. Reserve ½ cup walnuts for topping.
Bake according to brownie mix package instructions. Do not overbake brownies. When cool, cut in squares. Place 3-4 squares in freezer.
When hardened, cut into ½-inch cubes. Drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce over brownies. Place frozen brownie cubes and walnuts over top.
Caramel Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
Directions:
In a skillet or small pot, combine sugar, boiling water, butter, vanilla and salt. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, and cool until thickened. Do not burn bottom of pan.
Jan’s Notes: I love these Ellie Cakes and wanted to share some tips for making perfect brownies. If you have a pure convection element in your oven, use it. It will give you the best even cooking. Also, it’s hard to tell when brownies are done. When the aroma of chocolate coming from the oven hits me, I know the brownies are just about done. Halfway through the baking process, I open the oven and gently pat the top of the brownies. at deflates the air bubble on top and I can tell if the brownies are done.
business spotlight
By Shelley Gillespie
Family-owned Twisterz more than a fro-yo shop
Sharon Bennett, her husband and three children wanted to open a family business in Mesa, where they live. ey chose an independent yogurt shop since it let them make all the decisions.
“Plus, who doesn’t want to own a yogurt shop?” Bennett said.
Twisterz Frozen Yogurt was the result, opening on McKellips Road near Stapley just before anksgiving in 2014.
More than two years later, the Bennetts know how to satisfy a sweet tooth, even for those who can’t eat sugar. Twisterz also sells gelato, custard, sorbet and frozen ice. e Bennetts are keeping it real with live active yogurt cultures and real
chopped fruit toppings.
Bennett’s staff greets everyone who enters Twisterz with a sample. Twisterz’ desserts, which rotate, try to please every taste and dietary need.
“People really appreciate the nosugar-added options, two dairy-free flavors, and our fresh ingredients,” Bennett said.
Customers have many choices.
Belgian-cookie gelato is popular. Customers also like to inject a cotton candy, butter pecan or root beer flavor into their vanilla custard. Unlike many yogurt shops, Twisterz also offers sodas, so root beer floats and boba sodas are available.
Twisterz’ 70-plus toppings include many gummy varieties, candies,
Unique to Twisterz are waffle-cone spoons, “spoofles,” which can be used to eat the ice cream.
“I really wanted a candy store,” Bennett said, laughing.
Her children – Juliet, 15, Joshua, 17, and Lexi, 19 – named the store as well as the ice cream sandwiches it sells, “frookies,” which are made from cookies baked in the store.
“We have fun things, like spoons that change color when they touch the cold. Our pink spoons turn purple, white turns blue or pink, and neon green changes to forest green,” Bennett said.
Twisterz has specials, like Kidz Cup Mondays, in which kids 12 and younger can fill an 8-ounce cup for $2. It also has a rewards club with a free dessert after eight purchases.
Her personal choice? Bennett likes to mix vanilla custard and orange sorbet, which reminds her of a favorite childhood dessert.
After two years of serving it, Bennett says the ice cream “keeps
Sharon Bennett owns Twisterz Frozen Yogurt in Mesa.
business spotlight
By Tim J. Randall
Return to Mesa a good fit for Gregg Beeson of Long Realty
Long Realty in Mesa is an independently owned and operated realty firm where Gregg Beeson hones his craft to assist buyers and sellers in the marketplace.
“ e number one takeaway for those interested in selling their home is I will market their property in the most professional way,” he said. “And for buyers, I will work diligently to help them find their perfect home.
“Marketing beautiful homes is something I really love. I really enjoy real estate.”
Working out of his office at 2500 S. Power Road, Suite 109 in Mesa, Beeson deals exclusively in residential
real estate, primarily in the masterplanned neighborhoods of Las Sendas and Mountain Bridge.
Beeson began his real estate career in 2002. He worked for several firms before exiting the industry in 2011 for a family move to Colorado.
Beeson returned to Mesa and to the real-estate business in May of 2016, this time with Long Realty.
“ e organization does a lot for me, but in the end, real estate is all about how you do business,” he said.
As part of Long Realty, a 90-yearold company based in Tucson and part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, Beeson has access to a robust regional
Beeson’s secret sauce for his clients is his passion for marketing.
“ e big thing I do is actively market a client’s home by developing professional marketing materials,” he said. “I truly enjoy real-estate marketing.
“I provide all the information in my marketing, and use a professional photographer, videographer and graphic designers that truly make my marketing pop.”
Since re-entering the business, Beeson has focused on both sides of the real-estate transaction.
“About two-thirds of my business is listings and about one-third is buyers,” he said.
Beeson sees a strong market in northeastern Mesa as he comes up on a year at Long Realty.
“ ings are starting to move, but the process takes time to get in front of clients,” he said.
Beeson and his wife are excited to be back in Mesa. ey have a son in college at Grand Canyon University, and another who is married with his own family.
Gregg Beeson sees a strong market in northeastern Mesa as he comes up on a year at Long Realty.
“We love it here in Mesa,” says Beeson.
As 2017 unfolds, Beeson looks forward to growing his book of business and working hard for his clients.
To learn more, visit Gregg Beeson’s website at gbeeson.longrealty.com or call 480-220-9123.
UPGRADE TO A SMART GARAGE
AUTOS
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3049 E McKellips Rd , Ste 3 Mesa, AZ 85213
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February 18 from 7 a m -1 p m
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HANDYMAN
IS YOUR "HONEY DO" LIST GETTING TOO BIG FOR YOU?
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HOME IMPROVEMENT
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POOL SERVICES
AS LOW AS $75/MONTH FOR POOL SERVICE
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TRAVEL
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Daily visits, dog walking, mid-day visits/potty breaks, pet taxi, and more.
Pet CPR/ First Aid Certified. Fully insured with Special Property Coverage. References proudly provided.
Please call Kelly Roberts at 480-229-7596 to schedule your complimentary initial meeting or visit www yourpamperedpetsaz com
SUN/SHADE SCREENS
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Call Linda Neel 480-641-1583
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WINDOW CLEANING
DIRTY WINDOWS FILTHY SCREENS?
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/Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing Your driveways, sidewalks & patios
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