Matt Gorman is the “Matty G” behind Mesa’s newest burger shop. See more on page 23.
Mesa teens help dying woman realize
her last wish
By Sierra Poore
With only months to live, Sue Pulvirenti, a 74-year-old hospice patient, fulfi lled her lifelong dream of publishing a book March 23 when she attended her own book signing at Half Price Books in Mesa. e book signing was made possible by students in the DreamCatchers Red Mountain High School club and Rage for Charity.
And it brought Pulvirenti to tears.
“It’s like it shouldn’t have even happened,” she said. “I’m flabbergasted.”
Hospice DreamCatcher Foundation, also known as DreamCatchers, works with high school and college students to
Author...continued on page 8
Mesa teachers stressed, make little use of technology
By Kayla Rutledge
Mesa Public School board members appeared blindsided and shocked when a consultant expressed concern about the district’s little use of technology and the mental health of teachers and staff.
After visiting 13 schools and 66 classrooms in five days, strategic planning consultant John Ross highlighted key fi ndings that he suggested may be keeping the district from realizing its vision of graduates with a robust set of knowledge, skills and interests.
e assessment is the fi rst step of what a four-phased master plan for the district, anticipated to roll out in the com-
Teachers continued on page 12
Sue Pulvirenti gets a hug from one of the members of the Red Mountain High DreamCatchers Club. (Submitted photo)
Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Ember Conley and the school board got eye-opening news about staff and students. (Submitted photo)
Publisher Steve T. Strickbine
Vice President Michael Hiatt
Managing Editor Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Graphic Designer Tonya Mildenberg
Administration Courtney Oldham
Contributors
Jan D’Atri, Connor Dziawura, Samantha Fuoco, Shannon Maki, Olivia Munson, Taylor O’Connor, Sierra Poore, Kayla Rutledge, Dzevida Sadikovic, Octavio Serrano, Laurie Struna, Macie Williams
Staff Photographer
Kimberly Carrillo
Contact the Nearby News at 480-641-4518 • Fax: 480-898-5606 Editor@NearbyNews.com
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Cover Photo: Kimberly Carrillo
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
1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219 Tempe, AZ 85282
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: christina@timespublications.com.
Watch for our announcement of the winner in next month’s edition. If you see your name, write or email us by April 15, 2019, at the above addresses or call 480-641-4518 to claim your prize. Good luck!
This month’s lucky winner is AL COCANOWER
Here is the correct puzzle from last month:
community spotlight
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Golf tourney funds to benefit retinal research
Mollie ompson was affl icted with retinal disease when she was born. When she began to struggle with night vision, she knew her life was about to change.
“When I was about 38, I had to quit driving,” ompson said. “I joined a support group because I was starting to feel too depressed about the whole thing. I had two kids. I was working. How would I get to work?” e support group is Foundation Fighting Blindness, which was founded in 1971 by a “passionate group of individuals driven to fi nd treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases.”
At the time, very little was known about these diseases, but in the last 40 years, the foundation has raised more than $725 million to support and advance the research that would reverse
blindness and restore vision. e most common eye disease is macular degeneration, which affects many adults older than 55.
To raise money, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is hosting a golf tournament at 7 a.m. Friday, May 17, at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, 6425 E. Teton, Mesa. Shotgun start at 7:30 a.m., followed by golf and a 12:30 to 2 p.m. lunch and awards ceremony.
e foundation is looking for sponsorships and raffle items. e Bausch Foundation, who donated $5,000, is the presenting sponsor. For more information, visit fightblindness.org/arizonagolftournament. ompson can be reached at 602-481-3243.
ompson has retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells
in the retina. Common symptoms include difficulty seeing at night and a loss of peripheral vision.
“One of the fi rst signs is night blindness,” she said. “ en you slowly lose your peripheral vision. Then there’s macular edema. If I just had the RP, my central vision would remain clear. I would have the night blindness and no peripheral vision.”
Macular edema is a buildup of fluid in the macula, an area in the center of the retina.
ompson, 63, had to stop driving. She relied on Dial-a-Ride until the boundary lines changed around Mountain Bridge. e Foundation Fighting Blindness meets monthly to share stories and to hear speakers. e tournament is its largest
Mollie Thompson, with Carter, has retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. (Photo by Kimberly Carrillo)
Couple’s Kaleidoscope Dance for anyone passionate about dance
By Dzevida Sadikovic
When Trudy Sherman was 6, she started ballet jazz and continued dancing it through high school; she learned square dancing in fifth grade and danced regularly in college; there she picked up folk dancing.
As happens, though, life gets busy, a person gets married and what was a youthful passion takes a back seat.
“I didn’t dance for 27 years,” Trudy said.
en she was diagnosed with cancer and realized she had only one regret: “I had quit dancing!”
e next year, for Christmas 2013, her husband, Kevin, bought dance lessons. ey haven’t looked back.
In August 2017, five surgeries later and a renewed zest for dancing, the couple, both of whom are engineers, bought the building at 2848 S. Carriage Lane in Mesa and the next month opened Kaleidoscope Dance Space.
eir niche: beginners and social dance.
“We are here is some kind of dance vortex and we are in the center,” Trudy said.
e dancers at Kaleidoscope are free to choose their instructors and they don’t have to “join” or sign a contract.
At Kaleidoscope, Trudy and Kevin created professional space for independent instructors to come and teach lessons for a floor-use fee.
“None of the instructors are employees,” Trudy said.
Dancers, no matter skill level, can practice without an instructor if floor space is available for $5 an hour.
“It is hard to fi nd a place to practice, and when the floor is empty why don’t have them practice,” Trudy said.
Kaleidoscope offers beginning ballroom classes (waltz, foxtrot, tango, chacha, rumba and swing), Brazilian samba, line dance and West Coast Swing. For fitness and health, the space has tai chi, Zumba, Reiki therapy and Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art incorporating the elements of dance, acrobatics and music.
Milonga (an event in which Argentine tango is danced), Kathak (Hindi name for Indian classic dance that tells a story) and all levels of yoga with Nicole Anne Yoga are available.
Trudy and Kevin teach couple-dance classes focusing on a few basic steps and posture. Good for weddings and cruises, Trudy said.
Stephanie Lawrie, who was introduced to Kaleidoscope through a friend, said she loves the atmosphere, the way Trudy teaches and the exercise part of it all.
“She is giving us such a little tips and step-by-step instruction, which I always
Portrait of Trudy and Kevin Sherman at Kaleidoscope Dance in Mesa,. (Photo credit Pablo Robles)
Furever Friends hoping for second beginning
By Macie Williams
When Nancy Seyfferle put her Mesa-based animal rescue, Furever Friends Rescue, on hold due to personal hardships, she didn’t know what to do.
en, miraculously, an attorney called her saying she was one of about 30 recipients who were going to receive roughly $98,000 from an anonymous donor.
“It’s really one of those serendipitous things that came out of nowhere,” Seyfferle said.
Last year, she used the money to partner with Mesa veterinary clinics to help pay the vet bills for owners who cannot afford them. e goal was to get a year’s worth of experience under her belt before reapplying for grants to get her organization running again. Owners are vetted through an application process.
“We are trying to ease something for someone else,” Seyfferle said.
Seyfferle founded Furever Friends four years ago when her parents were debating what to do with their pets when they died. e nonprofit takes in animals directly from owners who are no longer able to care for them because of age, health reasons or death.
Furever Friends goes beyond that, though. If Maricopa Animal Care and Control is full, folks like the agency’s community outreach supervisor Samantha Spinelle call Seyfferle to fi nd an outlet.
“Nancy is a straight-shooter,” she said. “In a world where so many people don’t say what they mean, it’s refreshing and makes it a unique pleasure to work with Nancy.”
Spinelle said Seyfferle is realistic when it came to housing animals. Seyfferle will be honest if she can’t take in the
Asmile says a thousand words, and everyone wants theirs to say all the right ones. A perfect smile is something everyone desires. Chase D. Davis, DDS, FAGD and the team at Mesa Dental strive to give their patients not only a beautiful, confident smile, but a healthy one.
The team at Mesa Dental knows going to the dentist is probably everyone’s least favorite activity and that dentistry isn’t always straight forward. Creating a trusting, stress-free doctor patient experience is a must. By the time you leave, you’ll feel more like friends and family than just a patient. They take the time to explain treatment options and inform on preventative care.
Mesa Dental strives to take care of patients of every age – but specifically loves to focus on their elderly patients. Nothing is worse than missing teeth. It can leave you unable to eat or speak. With an on-site denture lab at Mesa Dental, they can provide their patients with a variety of cosmetic services like dentures and implants at a lower cost. Having a denture lab on-site also allows you to get your dentures on the same day! No more waiting weeks – how great is that. Not sure which route is right for you? Mesa Dental understands. The choice between conventional dentures, snap in dentures, permanent dentures, partials, and implants can be daunting. Most of those options probably sounded like the same thing to most of us, but the team at Mesa Dental will be sure to explain them all – and help you choose the best route for you.
Cosmetic Dentistry – like implants and dentures may help you get the smile you’ve always wanted, but it’s the preventative maintenance that helps you keep it. Poor oral hygiene has been proven to lead to many dental and medical conditions such as heart disease, strokes, gum disease, infection and diabetes. The experienced, friendly staff at Mesa Dental offers a range of other services as well including cleaning and prevention, Invisalign, root canals, teeth whitening, crowns and bridges, veneers and emergency dentistry.
Mesa Dental is a proud preferred provider for Delta Dental. As a preferred provider, they make the insurance process easy to understand. Can we get a hooray! Mesa Dental knows insurance is complicated, so they’ll process your Delta Dental claims and basically eliminate the paperwork for you. Can we get a double hooray! Don’t have Delta Dental? Don’t you worry. Mesa Dental accepts most insurance plans. No matter your dental needs, Mesa Dental is on your side. An experienced, friendly & knowledgeable team you can put your trust in – especially when you’re a little scared. Get the smile you’ve always wanted with Mesa Dental. Call to ask questions and schedule your appointment today.
animals, Spinelle said.
Furever Friends partnered with a Mesa Petco to offer cats and dogs for adoption from 2012 to 2016. During that time, more than 1,700 cats and dogs were adopted, Seyfferle said.
When the Petco closed, Seyfferle said Furever Friends lost its ability to adopt out animals because there was no place to house them.
“These last couple of years have knocked me to my knees,” she said.
Between her parents’ deaths in early 2016 and Petco closing, Seyfferle needed to step away from the rescue. Now she’s relieved to be working with animals again.
Dr. Phil Heitman of Adobe Veterinary Clinic in Mesa has worked with Seyfferle for four years to help animals. ey met when she brought her animals to him for treatment. e two talked about Seyfferle’s rescue and created a partnership where Heitman’s office
Nancy Seyfferle, of Furever Friends, plays with her rescue dog, Fate, in her Mesa home. (Photo by Macie Williams)
achieve the final dreams of terminally ill patients, according to the director of its advisory committee of DreamCatchers, Ashley Trussell.
DreamCatchers was introduced to Red Mountain High School two years ago, when Trussell said she encouraged her son Zach and daughter Tatum to start a chapter there.
“We brought it to the school to bring the community together and do good things for good people with our friends,” said Zach, a senior and the president of the club.
Since agreeing to take on Pulvirenti’s dream earlier this year, 12 students in the club have worked hard editing sections of her book, planning the book signing and raising money to pay for a limousine and balloons for the event, Zach said.
In addition to everything the students did to make her dream come true, Trussell said they also received a lot of help from Rage for Charity, which was founded by Lori Motola in July 2018 to empower millennials and Gen Z to create changes in their community.
“We help any community member who’s interested in devising and developing a service project raise funds to pay for that project,” she said.
Upon hearing what DreamCatchers wanted to do, Trussell said Motola immediately joined in.
“Rage for Charity purchased the books for us and donated the red carpet,” for the event, Trussell said.
The organization donated nearly $300 – which was just enough to buy the books, Motola said.
She also had a team of volunteers, including herself, who helped edit parts of the book.
She also worked with Pulvirenti’s niece, Renee Pulve, who designed the cover art of the book.
Since being diagnosed with stage IV
breast cancer in 2012, Pulvirenti said she has known the cancer would kill her.
Because her body is no longer able to handle treatments after six years of fighting, she is biding her time and waiting to see how things go, she said.
Pulvirenti started her book, “Massai,” shortly after her husband passed away from cancer in 2010 and fi nished it by 2014 while she was undergoing treatment.
But she never imagined it would get published.
“I knew I couldn’t get it published because I live on Social Security, and it’s a lot of money to publish a book,” she said. “I was just going to leave it with my kids.”
She mentioned her desire to get her book published to East Valley Hospice’s director of social services, Tammy Cabrera. Before she knew it, Pulvirenti said she was speaking with Trussell and Motola, who were both determined to make it happen.
“ ey are unbelievable,” she said. “Cabrera dropped that on me, and I think I just sat there and cried.”
While Pulvirenti has been impacted by the experience, Trussell said the high schoolers have gotten just as much out of it.
“It’s really special to see these young students interact with Pulvirenti,” she said. “ e compassion and joy they see from her really brings them happiness.”
Zach said his favorite part of the whole process has been interacting with her.
“She texts us cute little messages all the time,” he said.
What stands out most to him about her is “how critical her condition is and how excited she was just to see us and what we were doing for her,” he said.
Shaq Daniels, vice president of DreamCatchers at Red Mountain, said he couldn’t wait to meet Pulvirenti and see her reaction.
“I’m just glad we’re able to do this for her, and it warms my heart knowing she has this going on,” he said. “It’s not something a lot of people get.”
Both Zach and Daniels said they would like to start a DreamCatchers chapter at their college in the coming years.
e nonprofit “makes you realize how little things you do really can impact and change someone’s life,” Zach said.
“It’s cool to do things for people.”
Daniels wants “to spread the impact of DreamCatchers.”
“I’ve always wanted to help out however I can, and DreamCatchers gives me the opportunity to help out in a big way,” Daniels said. “It’s really impacted my life and given opportunities to people who don’t have the best situations.”
“Life is short and precious, and it’s something a lot of people take for granted,” he said. “We have to remind ourselves we don’t live forever and that it’s good to spend our days, however many they are, creating memories with the people we love.”
“Massai,” which is now available for
Students from the Red Mountain High DreamCatchers Club surrounded terminally ill Sue Pulvirenti, 74, during the book-signing for the book they helped her write and publish. (Submitted photo)
purchase on Amazon, is inspired by a Native American/Chiricahua Apache man who is the book’s namesake, Pulvirenti said.
“I heard a story about Massai, but nobody would ever confirm what the story was so the more I thought about it the more I decided I would write my own story,” she said. “It’s all fiction, but he was a real person.”
In addition to donating 10 percent of every sale to both DreamCatchers and Rage for Charity, Trussell said Pulvirenti made sure to give a copy to all 12 students, who made her dream possible.
Pulvirenti said she mainly hopes people will find “comfort” from reading her book as well as the curiosity to go see the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, where she spent a great deal of her time while writing the book. In the meantime, Pulvirenti said she is ready for whatever comes next.
“If I were to wish for anything, I would want people to relax and enjoy life no matter what happens,” she said. “Because you never know what’s going to happen.”
would treat her rescued animals.
“She is probably one of the most compassionate individuals I’ve ever met,” Heitman said. “Because she works a lot with senior (cats), age is just a number.”
Heitman said the animals are taken care of regardless of their age. Because of Seyfferle’s help and funding, Heitman said his clinic has helped several cats through serious illnesses and injuries.
Seyfferle’s funding has helped owners pay for their pets’ cancerous masses, anorexia issues and treatment for kidney diseases.
“She is willing to do anything and everything for these cats,” Heitman said. “Anything we are capable of doing, she will do.”
One day, Seyfferle said she would like to return to her childhood summer retreat of Nova Scotia to retire. Her rescue work has only begun, though.
“We still are meeting the mission somewhat by helping people pay their veterinary bills and making sure their pets are well cared for,” Seyfferle said. “I really do believe in what we do.”
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looking back Law enforcement in Mesa
By Shannon Maki, Mesa Historical Society
In 1883, the Mesa City Government was established and Wellington Richens was elected its first marshal. Crime back then was very different. In the early 1900s, someone attempted to blackmail a prominent physician, Dr. Drane, who received an unsigned note telling him to meet at the flour mill at 11 p.m. the following night with $300 in an envelope. Drane complied, however, he did tip off the town marshal. Drane showed up to the mill and a man appeared out of the shadows. Little did he know, the marshal, two deputies and two newspaper reporters were hiding near the mill. e man was immediately arrested, held for a while, and later released and asked to leave Mesa and never return.
Hyram Peterson was the Mesa town marshal for five years. On November 12, 1913, he observed two men attempting to steal a bicycle and gave chase on his own bicycle. He caught the two men on the edge of town but the suspects shot and killed him.
these officers, Ramon Mendoza, was Mesa’s first Mexican-American police officer. His son, Ramon Mendoza Jr., became Mesa’s fi rst Hispanic police chief in 1969.
By the early 1930s, Mesa’s police department consisted of the police chief and four officers. One of
Ernesto Miranda, of the famed U.S. Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, was born in Mesa in 1941. His legal case resulted in the establishment of the “Miranda Rule,” which requires that law enforcement officers advise individuals, upon arrest, of their rights to counsel and to remain silent. He is buried at the historical City of Mesa Cemetery. Today’s Mesa Police Department has more than 800 sworn officers and 400 civilian personnel. It boasts a 45-acre public training facility, a 16-acre firing range, and a state-of-the-art forensic services lab.
Scramblers Puzzle
Mail to: PUZZLE EDITOR, 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282 or type your answers into an email with “Scramblers puzzle” in the message line and send to: editor@NearbyNews.com
Hyram Peterson was the first lawman in Mesa to be killed in the line of duty in 1913.
Mesa Police Department, circa 1930s. From left, Joe Leavitt, Guy Phelps, Chief Joe Maier, Ramon Mendoza and Gail Brimhall. (Photos courtesy Mesa Historical Society)
missed,” Lawrie said.”
Penny Pavell said she comes with her husband for couples dancing: “I like coming here because Kaleidoscope is close to my home, it is a good exercise and the time is convenient.”
Trudy, a certified tai chi instructor, developed a class for people with Parkinson’s. Students in this class range in age from early 50s and to late 80s. Some have balance issues, others are recovering from the surgery or had knee replacement. Others are recovering from cancer.
“It is not going to keep you from having a problem; but now if it happens, you’ll have more of your brain being utilized to facilitate recovery,” Trudy pointed out.
“In the cases of Parkinson’s or certain injuries, they might not ever regain their balance; however, their core muscles will get stronger and their stamina will improve.”
Children 12 and younger do ballet bar work, learn hip-hop routines and kick it with Zumba. e idea, Trudy said, is to give youngsters who might not want
an hour of ballet some variety. A class just for homeschooled students zeroing in on team work and hypothesis testing is in the works.
At the studio, instructors rent the space and the class is their own. A minimum hourly fee for a group class of at least three students is $15.
Nicole Fonovich who runs a mobile yoga business, Nicole Anne Yoga, and has many programs running out of Kaleidoscope Dance Space said, “Trudy and her staff are highly supportive and provide a loving environment for this kind of business.”
While Trudy runs Kaleidoscope, her husband works for General Dynamics.
Daughter Jennifer manages the office and coordinates events at Kaleidoscope.
“My studio is a great accomplishment because I had the courage to follow my dream,” Trudy said.
IF YOU GO
What: Kaleidoscope Dance Space Where: 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa
Info: 480-692-0332, kaleidoscope-ballroom.com
Spring into a New
ing academic year. e district hired Ross for an outsider’s perspective on “the Mesa way.”
“We’re at that point of tension, and that point of tension is we know we need to progress and do some things differently but there’s fear and there’s anxiety around the changes that we need to make,” said Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Ember Conley.
Among Ross’ concerns is that technology has yet to significantly impact teaching and learning outcomes.
Ross said teachers are not receiving enough professional development to utilize those tools properly and that students are not given sufficient opportunities to incorporate technology into each lesson.
“I just don’t see that the technology resources you’ve purchased so far have made a significant impact on practice,” he said.
e consultant added that the most innovative use of technology is occurring in kindergarten to third grade. He said that the students move up
the system, teachers need to continue their advancement in digital education, or their growth risked being stunted.
“ ey’re moving up your system and they’re going to be ready for more robust learning,” Ross said. “Unfortunately, the most common use of technology I saw was a document camera connected to a projector. e most common resource I saw used by students and 65 percent of classrooms was paper-based.”
The finding raised concerns for board member Jenny Richardson, who drew attention to the district’s significant expenditures on technology while some teachers are “still struggling to turn their document cameras on.”
“What does our public think when we say, ‘hey our computers haven’t made a difference and we’ve spent a lot of money on them’?” Richardson said.
With a projected $7 million in bonds committed to teacher and student devices for the spring, Executive Director of Technology and Communication Helen Hollands assures the board that the district is entering what she called
We’re at that point of tension, and that point of tension is we know we need to progress and do some things differently but there’s fear and there’s anxiety around the changes that we need to make.
- Ember Conley Mesa Public Schools Superintendent
ogy initiative.
Hollands said the district should see returns on their investment to enhance the learning process for teachers and students in the near future.
“My analogy is in order to take off we had to build the launch pad and the rocket, and we did that, and we did that really well. We have a network that is across the district probably the most robust that you will see in a school district, and we put high quality devices in the hands of our teachers fi rst
and then our students and we are just ready for that rocket to launch,” Hollands said. Board members and Conley also were shocked to hear that a common concern throughout the school system is the desire by teachers and staff for more support for their own social and emotional needs – not just students.
Ross said principals are under pressure to handle the emotional needs of others.
While it is not their job to be counselors, he said, they also do not have the proper training to ensure the mental and emotional well-being of teachers and students who lean on them.
Conley agreed, adding that there is a plethora of “untapped” resources
Teachers...continued on page 13
available to teachers and staff that are being underutilized –such as the
trict’s
“We’ve done a couple different roll outs of this information and you know sometimes when you receive information like this its oftentimes hard to hear… not only do we have a significant crisis for our youth, we’ve really got to work different and progress differently for our staff,” Conley said.
“I’m excited to hear around how we can leverage current resources...We have resources that we’re not fully utilizing so let’s use those fi rst,” she added.
Ross noted this time of year is perhaps one of the most anxiety-ridden for teachers as they have to, “shut their classrooms down into a testing factory.”
He said create less stress around testing time, teachers should be aiming to get students to “learn for learning’s sake,” in order to increase retention rates during testing season.
Ross also expressed concern about student engagement in classes, stating it more a “ritual compliance” rather
than an earnest effort to learn.
Ross estimated that 40 percent of elementary students and a mere 20 percent of secondary school students were engaged in class and that the rest likely were just waiting for the bell to ring.
e strategic planning consultant said if comprehension, application of knowledge, strategic thinking and extended thinking are all applied in daily lessons, students will look at testing as “just another day,” and added as a result test scores would improve.
e consultant that added his fi ndings seem consistent across the schools he had the chance to visit, however they may not ring true for every school. Ross said he challenged principals to question his fi ndings and use his methods to collect data of their own.
e next phase is creating the steering committee, which will be comprised of 35 individuals from “all walks of the educational realm” including some board members, cabinet members, students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders. e group will be formed in April and work through July to help further guide the direction of the strategic plan.
Thompson hopes the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ efforts will pay off for the sake of her children and grand-
“I hate to see one of my grandchildren go through something like this,” she added. “So far they don’t think my children have inherited the gene. ey still have to get gene tested to fi nd out
Kids Tickets Start
in the Ohio River Valley where I grew up in Indiana.
“We used to visit family who raised chickens. I remember running up and down the chicken coops with my sisters. A very tiny percentage get histoplasmosis in their lungs. It migrates to your eyes. Most people have no effects and a tiny, tiny percentage have this happen.”
Linde has a low immune system, as he had stage-IV cancer treatment in 1994.
What: Foundation Fighting Blindness Golf Tournament
When: 7 a.m. Friday, May 17
Where: Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, 6425 E. Teton, Mesa Info: Call to participate or donate; 602-481-3243 or msmollie1832@ gmail.com
Family time F
The hunt is on for dino eggs this Easter
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Easter egg hunts are big events in some homes around the Easter holiday. The Arizona Museum of Natural History is no different.
is year, the Dino Egg Hunt expands to two days—Fridays April 12 and April 19—to keep that competitive spirit alive.
“It’s really a fun night at the museum for families looking for a fun Easter,” said Katelyn Jaworski, the museum’s educational programming assistant.
“We have plastic eggs that have prizes. e kids can wander and enjoy the museum. We have some special golden eggs, which offers a special prize if they complete the scavenger hunt.”
e event will also include crafts and live animal encounters with the Arizona
Avian Alliance Association. is family-friendly event is geared toward children in preschool through 10 years old, with a Tiny Tots area for the littlest egg hunters. Crafts are aplenty, and kids can make an Easter basket, a dinosaur headband or color.
Pre-registration is recommended at azmnh.org. Walk-up guests will be accepted if room allows.
“ is is one of our largest events,” she said. “It’s great because it’s a fun thing to do around that time. It’s also educational to
come to the museum. Easter is about chicken and eggs, but we focus a little more on the dinosaur eggs.”
e Arizona Museum of Natural History has been called the “premier natural history museum in Arizona” by the Smithsonian. Dedicated to inspiring, the museum makes a striking first impression with the dinosaur bursting out of the building. Inside, guests can experience a flash flood cascading down a three-story mountain.
MORE INFO
What: Dino Egg Hunt
ere’s also a real territorial jail. Visitors can pan for gold in the History Courtyard, and wind their way through the Lost Dutchman’s Mine.
Among its special events is the annual Beer N Bones, which is set for 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, October 18, at the museum. e 21-and-older event features local craft beers and food trucks, along with the popular Speed Dating with a Scientist.
Jaworski said museum officials are working on a new gallery and additional dinosaur goodies.
“We are gearing up for fieldtrips, of course, and as summer rolls around, we’ll have summer camp opportunities for kids,” she said.
e Dino Discovery Summer Camp is July 15 to July 19.
“ e egg event, though, is just a fun excuse to bring the family to the museum. It’s a great opportunity to talk
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays April 12 and April 19
Where: Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa Cost: $7, with member discounts. Tickets are required for everyone ages 3 and older
Info: arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org
about dinosaur eggs and fossils and to learn about the past—what kinds of parents were dinosaurs; what would they have looked like? We want families to have something different to do for Easter than the same egg hunt.”
The event is meant for children in preschool to 10 years old, but will include a Tiny Tots area for younger children.
The Arizona Museum of Natural History keeps the competitive spirit alive by offering prizes in its Easter egg hunt. (Photos courtesy Arizona Museum of Natural History)
The family-friendly event will feature crafts and live animal showings.
The event will feature golden eggs, which will have a special prize for children who complete the scavenger hunt.
Mesa schools score with the Arizona Coyotes
By Laurie Struna
Elementary students throughout Mesa Public Schools are learning street hockey skills thanks to the Arizona Coyotes. e team provided training and equipment for physical education teachers.
e district received a Coyotes-branded equipment package worth $80,000 to launch the program, part of a partnership with the National Hockey League, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the Industry Growth Fund League. Last November, 80 district elementary PE teachers were trained on the curriculum and equipment by Matt Shott, Coyotes director of amateur hockey development.
“We provide the tools to make teaching hockey easier,” Shott said. “Teachers know their students better than we do, and it is cool to see how teachers tailor the curriculum to fit their classes.”
Mesa Public Schools is one of the fi rst districts to participate in the Coyotes Street Hockey Program, which the team hopes to expand to 700 schools statewide.
“ e curriculum impacts 56 district elementary schools, reaching students in kindergarten to sixth grade,” said Deb Pangrazi, district elementary PE specialist. “This generous program provides Mesa with the most top-notch
equipment in Arizona.”
Equipment for each school includes 50 hockey sticks and balls, 50 scrimmage vests, two nets, a stick bag and Coyotes
“Raise the Pack” banners. Teachers received a gift backpack including flash drives with curriculum and videos for quality lessons, and booklets with overviews of teaching points, drills and game ideas. For PE teachers and students in fourth through sixth grades, the Coyotes provided free passes to see the team in action.
Teachers launched Coyotes Street Hockey in January. Rich Peace, a veteran PE teacher at Hermosa Vista Elementary School, said hockey teaches students about collaboration and sportsmanship while having fun. Peace enjoyed the quality lessons taught in training.
“I played new games and got a fresh approach to teaching skills and drills,” Peace said. “Of course, I love the new equipment. e kids like the new balls because they move quickly and are easy to control. e hockey nets are awesome because they simulate a real hockey game feel.”
Student at Ishikawa Elementary enjoys playing street hockey. (Photos by Tim Hacker)
Summer pool passes on sale at special prices
By Nearby News Staff
Summer pool season begins in Mesa May 25 and pool passes are on sale at special prices. Family passes are 50 percent off and are available for $113 while individual passes are 20 percent off at $45 if purchased by May 24. e passes provide unlimited visits to all city of Mesa pools and are valid May
25 through Sept. 2, 2019.
Passes may be purchased at the Mesa Parks and Recreation Office, 200 S. Center Street, Building 1, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through ursday. For more information, call 480-644-PLAY (7529) or visit mesaparks.com/pools.
‘American Girl Live’ brings the dolls to the stage
By Olivia Munson
Kids of the 1990s and 2000s are sure to remember the iconic doll series, American Girl. From its BeForever historical line to the customizable Truly Me dolls, American Girl swept the nation. Now, the beloved characters are coming to the Mesa Arts Center in the new musical, “American Girl Live.”
“American Girl Live” is an original, modern 90-minute musical that focuses on the importance of friendship and girl power.
“We’re eager to continue offering positive and engaging programming like this for families throughout the Valley,” said Casey Blake, Mesa Arts Center’s director of marketing and public relations.
e musical tells the story of five campers and their counselor at Camp American Girl in the North Woods. e girls face various obstacles and overcome their fears with the help of their American Girl dolls: Rebecca, Maryellen, Julie, Nanea, Luciana and Melody. e production has upbeat musical numbers and imaginative storytelling.
Cast member Mari Skoultchi is a “swing,” so she’s required to thoroughly study the show.
“ is means that I learn every single part in the show in case one of the girls get sick or can’t go on,” she said. “Being a swing is very hard yet rewarding work. You don’t get all the onstage rehearsal time that the other girls get, yet you are still expected to know their parts just as
well as they do, if not better.”
Each number performed by a “doll” reflects her designated time period. For example, Maryellen sings a 1950s-style song. After learning from their American Girls, the campers realize they can achieve anything they set their minds to, as long as they support one another and be themselves.
Skoultchi emphasized that “American Girl Live” is “not your average kids’ show.” Instead, it’s a Broadway-styled family show. e musical is girl-centric, featuring an all-female cast and crew and these women continue to display the power they hold in these creative positions.
“ is show truly has such an inspiring message for young girls everywhere,” Skoultchi said. “It teaches girls that they can do anything they set their minds to, that they are limitless.”
But do not be afraid to bring boys, though.
“ is may be an all-female musical, but the message is equally important for young boys as it is for young girls,” said Skoultchi.
MORE INFO
What: “American Girl Live”
When: Times vary Tuesday, April 16, to Friday, April 20
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa Cost: $35-55 Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
Brimhall Aquatic Complex annually hosts the Pumpkin Splash. (Nearby News file photo)
The all-female musical “American Girl Live” has been called “not your average kids’ show.” (Photo courtesy Mesa Arts Center)
top 10 family events
“Disney on Ice: Worlds of Enchantment”
Disney brings its characters to the kids with ‘Disney on Ice: Worlds of Enchantment.” Watch as Elsa, Ariel, Rapunzel and more explore the different worlds of Disney.
When: Various times April 11 to April 14
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix
Cost: Tickets start at $15
Info: 602-379-7800, talkingstickresortarena.com
Celebrate Mesa
Celebrate all-things Mesa this April with the family at Pioneer Park where superheroes and princesses will be aplenty. Freddie Duran will perform, and carnival rides are $5 for unlimited wristband rides.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Where: Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main Street, Mesa
Cost: Free
Info: 480-644-7529, mesaparks.com
“American Girl Live”
The iconic American Girls will tell their stories, sing new songs and tell tales of bravery and friendship.
When: Various times Tuesday, April 16, and Saturday, April 20
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa
Cost: $35-$55
Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
Dino Egg Hunt
Families can look for hidden eggs among the dinosaurs and creatures at the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Crafts and activities are included in the two days of fun.
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays April 12 and April 19
Where: Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa
Cost: $7
Info: 480-644-2230, arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org
Night Safari
The Night Safari is open to anyone who wants to learn about Arizona’s wild animals. Join a park ranger for the 1-mile/1-hour walk around the Merkle Trail. Bring a flashlight, water and closed-toe shoes.
When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Where: Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa
Cost: Free
Info: 602-506-2930, maricopacountyparks.net
CycloMesa
Pump those tires and dust off your helmet: It’s time for CycloMesa. Each spring for the past nine years, Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program has celebrated bikes downtown.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6
Where: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa
Cost: Free admission Info: mesaaz.gov
Bicycle FUN-damentals
Learn to stay safe and healthy with this introductory workshop. Guests will learn basic bicycle techniques, rules and equipment, and get a brief update on Mesa’s bicycle projects and events. All participants, who must be ages 12 and older, will receive free bicycle safety gear.
When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24
Where: Dobson Ranch Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road, Mesa
Cost: Free, reservations required Info: mesaaz.gov
Superstition Spring Center Kids Club
The club provides free, fun and educational games and activities for kids. Hosted by Persephone and Dewper the Prairie Dog, the children range in age from newborn to 5 years old.
When: 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursdays
Where: Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: superstitionsprings.com
Easter Bunny Photos
Have fun with the Easter Bunny and make memories, while you’re at it. Round up the family and Superstition Springs Center takes care of the rest. Children who visit EB receive a free gift.
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa
Cost: Various pricing
Info: superstitionsprings.com
“The Easter Bunny and the Dentist”
With all that chocolate, even the Easter Bunny needs to keep his teeth healthy. Find out how he does it in this East Valley Children’s Theater Express.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13
Where: Red Mountain Library
Cost: Free
Info: 480-644-3100, mesalibrary.org
around the neighborhood
Photos by Kimberly Carrillo
Falcon Field Open House
Aviation enthusiasts had an up-close look at unique aircraft, classic cars and model railroads at the Falcon Field Open House on March 30. Presented by Semper Fi Heating & Cooling, the event also featured Impala Bob’s Classic Car Show, flight simulators, Future of Flight pavilion and kids’ activities.
1. Guests were excited to check out the helicopter. 2. Colin Abbott, 4, watches the trains. 3. Benjamin Strachan, 6, pretends he is a war hero. 4. Jenny Brown and Carlee Browne just finished checking out some of the old war planes in the museum. 5. Seth Williams, 10, checks out the military helicopter. 6. Tyson Nelson, 8, takes his turn as a helicopter pilot. 7. Oscar Diaz, 12, and Adrian Diaz, 5, were excited about the helicopters. 8. The Falcon greeted all the kids who stopped by. 9. The car show is an annual tradition. 10. Helicopter rides were part of the festivities.
on the town
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Sweet Thangs bring full bakery to Northeast Mesa
Mary Zeiner watched her daughter, Ariana, bake as a teen. e younger Zeiner attended EVIT and Scottsdale Community College and concurrently opened Sweet angs Bakery out of parents’ home.
In February, she took her talents to the next step, opening the brick and mortar Sweet Thangs Bakery and Waffle Crush, which began as a food truck. e storefront offers hot breakfasts, hot or cold lunch sandwiches and salads, as well as a full line of bakery
items and housemade custard.
“We have an amazing 100 percent made from scratch bakery, as well as gourmet coffees and fresh beverages,” Mary said. “We use all fresh ingredients with no preservatives. We also do custom cakes, cupcakes and dessert platters.”
The cookie ice cream sandwiches have proven to be a hit, as they sold 660 at the recent Barbecue and Beer Festival.
“Literally, everything we took, plus all the drink and smoothies and stuff like
that, we all sold out,” she said. e storefront is playful, with pink walls, cases of sweets and custard and examples of custom-made cakes.
“It was green, red, pink and brown before we redecorated it,” she said with a laugh.
Most important to the mother-daughter team is supporting the neighborhood.
“We’re trying to be in our community as much as possible,” she said. “We’ve helped with anniversary parties and the Falcon Field Open House. It’s nice to be involved with the people who are around
here. We help the community and they send people our way.
“She never really wanted to be just a cupcake shop or just a sandwich shop, but she wanted to do this because there are no full bakeries around here,” she said.
“ is was her dream.”
Sweet Thangs Bakery and Café 5735 E. McKellips Road, Suite 107, Mesa 480-350-7255, sweetthangsbakery.com
Cherry vanilla, S’mores and Nutella cupcakes.
Mary Zeiner and daughter, Ariana, founded the bakery. (Photos by Kimberly Carrillo)
Blueberry honey granola waffle Berry with cookie butter waffle
Cream puff
Frosted sugar cookies
Matty G’s is a juicy mix of sports and steak burgers
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Matty G’s Steakburgers and Spirits is a sports lover’s paradise.
Tables are adorned with baseball-themed tablecloths. Pennants and movie posters, like “Slapshot,” hang on the walls. Al Kaline and Babe Ruth are among those remembered at Matty G’s. Even owner Matt Gorman has a college and minor league baseball career. e majority of the memorabilia is from Gorman’s family.
But the sports décor isn’t what made Matty G’s a hit here in Northeast Mesa and in Murrieta, California. It’s the steak burgers—and it took a little research.
with Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato and Matty G’s fry sauce. The Alley Ooop Burger nods to Detroit Coney Islands with two patties, diced onions, chili and shredded cheese.
Other sandwiches fit right into the sports theme. Monsters of the Midway is one patty, pastrami, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, pickles and Matty G’s sauce. Meanwhile, there’s the Hammerin’ Hank with pastrami, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, pickles, Matty G’s sauce on marble rye. To fit into Arizona, there are tacos—carne asada and chicken.
“My parents came out here,” said the Southfield, Michigan-born Gorman. “We ate so much meat those couple of days, trying to figure out how to create the burger.
“We had a cast iron skillet and the handle of a hammer, and we created this smashing device during the tasting. We came up with this and, honestly, it just keeps getting better.”
Burgers, most of which are two patties, are aplenty at Matty G’s, which boasts a full bar. e All-Star Burger is simple
For the health-con-
scious, there’s the Spring Training wrap with one grilled jalapeno citrus chicken breast, pepper jack cheese, spring mix, pico de gallo and citrus jalapeno dressing in a flour tortilla.
“ ere’s really something for everyone,” he said. “I have salads, footlong hot dogs, street tacos and burgers. e food is good.” at’s just a taste of Matty G’s menu.
According to Gorman, what’s on the walls is just as important as what’s served on a dish.
“We don’t want to be boring,” said Gorman, whose horse won a Breeders’ Cup. “I have a bit of my personality in here. My goal is to make people laugh a little bit. With restaurants, you’re trying to actually make somebody’s day better.
“You’re not going to leave here with a bad attitude. ey come in here and even if they’re having a bad day, you give
“We have our own fry sauce we make from scratch,” Gorman said. “It has a smokiness to it. We’re going to bottle it. We have FDA approval and all that good stuff.”
them really good food and then they leave happy.”
Gorman wants guests to leave with one thing in mind: “When you walk in here you know what we are: We’re a family restaurant.”
Matty G’s Steakburgers and Spirits
1958 E. Brown Road (at Gilbert Road), Mesa, 480-306-7406 Search Facebook for Matty G’s Steakburgers
Matt Gorman played college and minor league baseball. (Photos by Kimberly Carrillo)
Burgers and sweet potato fries make the perfect pair.
Matty G’s Steakburgers and Spirits has six salads on its menu.
With its bacon and eggs, the Triple Crown Burger is a good substitute for breakfast.
By Jan D’Atri
Ham and Egg Brunch Cups what’s cooking?
They’re easy enough for kids to make and yet elegant enough to serve at your next fancy brunch. ey’re called ham and egg brunch cups, but you can also make them with sliced turkey or salmon. I love this recipe because it’s so simple and looks gorgeous on a plate. I’ve included a fantastic recipe for crispy hash browns and a simple way to “fancy up” store-bought refrigerated cinnamon rolls. ese delicious brunch cups are my new favorite way to say good morning.
Ham and Egg Brunch Cups
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
4 slices deli-style ham, turkey or smoked salmon
4 large eggs
4 teaspoons milk or cream
4 tablespoons shredded or sliced cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Herbs like thyme or chives for garnish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cupcake tin or ramekins with nonstick cooking spray or grease with butter. Line each cup with a piece of ham, turkey, or several pieces of smoked salmon. Ham, turkey or salmon should cover the bottom and sides of the cup. Break an egg into each cup. Pour 1 teaspoon of milk or cream on top of each egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for about 12 minutes or until egg whites are opaque and eggs are done. Remove egg cups from oven. Sprinkle with tablespoon of shredded cheese or a piece of sliced cheese. Garnish with herbs. Serve immediately.
Cinnamon Roll Pull-a-Parts
Arrange the cut sections so that each section leans on opposite or alternating sides. Spread the pieces apart, alternating sides. When rolls are done, drizzle with icing and serve.
Crispy on the Outside Hash Browns
(Serves 4)
(The secret to these perfectly crispy hash browns is letting them cook without disturbing them! I know the tendency is to keep flipping, but don’t! Trust me!)
Ingredients: 1 large russet potato, peeled and shredded 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided Salt & pepper to taste
Here’s a great way to fancy up refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Remove the dough from one canister of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. On a cutting board, gently push the slices together and with your hands, roll them into one continuous log until there are no visible seams in the dough. With scissors, snip the top part of dough to about three quarters of the way down.
Directions: Roll shredded potato up several paper towels and squeeze tightly to draw out the moisture. Repeat with fresh paper towels if needed. Place shredded potato in a bowl. Toss with salt & pepper. Preheat a large fry pan (preferably nonstick) to medium-high. Place oil in the hot pan and swirl around. Make four patties of potatoes and place in hot skillet, patting them slightly to flatten. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook undisturbed and uncovered for 15 minutes. When bottom is crisp, turn potatoes over. Cook until crisp. Serve immediately.
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Mesa comedian hosting benefit
Comedian Paul Arnold once used his craft as a way to support himself. Now he has a different ambition: Raise money for organizations that support kids.
The Northeast Mesa resident is scheduling a series of fundraisers at the Apache Greyhound Park. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 19, he and his comedic friends’ performances will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mesa and Apache Junction.
“ e Boys and Girls Clubs is a nonprofit and receives no government assistance,” said Arnold, who formerly worked as a server at Red, White and Brew. “I decided to do a show where $5 from every ticket goes toward the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mesa and Apache Junction.”
For Arnold, it’s personal.
“I grew up in Boys and Girls Clubs
in the (San Francisco) Bay Area,” he said. “Being black in a white town, they weren’t giving me the opportunities they were giving the kids next to me.
e Boys and Girls Clubs helped me get better with football and basketball and allowed me to move on to college hoops and football.
“Parents drop off their kids at the club, but nobody helps the clubs.”
Arnold is a well-known figure in Northeast Mesa. At Red, White & Brew he preserved his sanity by slapping hands with coworkers and saving secret handshakes for customers.
“ ere are a lot of things going on in life nowadays,” Arnold said. “I was always taught if you’re laughing, you don’t have time to think about the negativity. Everybody needs that.”
Arnold has had a storied life. When
he was a youngster, Arnold and his family moved from St. Louis to Oakland, California, where his home had a basement.
“My mom kept her records down
there: the 78s, the 45s,” he recalled. “I went down to the basement as a kid and started fumbling through things. I saw Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson and Moms Mabley recordings.
“My mom had a loose tongue, too, and she rocked it. She’d drink her Johnny Walker Red and all hell broke loose.”
It’s easy to see that Arnold’s mom meant a lot to him.
“She’s the one who really inspired me to do what I wanted to do,” he said.
When Arnold’s mother died, Arnold, a single father, packed up his kids and moved to Mesa. He wanted to spare his children of California’s crime. While here, he has performed at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy on High Street in North Phoenix and Tempe Improv.
“Anyone can tell a joke,” Arnold said. “But can you sit there and tell a story and get the crowd going? I want the crowd to visualize what I’m saying. I
Northeast Mesa resident Paul Arnold is hoping to make his mark on his community. (Special to Nearby News)
events calendar
Neil Patrick Harris: “The Magic Misfits”
Actor Neil Patrick Harris makes a special appearance at the Mesa Arts Center, as part of Changing Hands Bookstore’s author series, to discuss his second book, “The Magic Misfits: The Second Story.”
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 4
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa
Cost: $26.53
Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
Astronomy Nights at the MCC Planetarium
Free planetarium shows—held every 30 minutes from 6 to 10 p.m.—feature telescope viewing, information tables, hands-on activities and more at the Mesa Community College Planetarium.
When: Every 30 minutes from 6 to 10 p.m. the first Friday of the month
Where: Mesa Community College’s Planetarium, 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: 480-461-7000, mesacc.edu
“The Toxic Avenger”
This Broadway musical shares the story of Melvin Ferd, who cleans up the polluted town near the New Jersey Turnpike. It won the 2009 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical.
When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, to Sunday, April 21
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa
Cost: $28
Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
Downtown Mesa
Festival of the Arts
This volunteer-run event features new and established artists, locally sourced food, and music.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6 and April 20
Where: Macdonald and Main streets, in Downtown Mesa
Cost: Free admission Info: dtmesafest.com
El Tour de Mesa
Bike Mesa’s perimeter while viewing the beautiful surroundings of Red
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We know all children learn differently, so we offer options that help them discover and build on their potential and passions, including:
• One-to-one technology schools
• AP Capstone diploma
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• Preschool through adult education
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• One-to-one technology schools
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• Franklin traditional schools
• International Baccalaureate
• Spanish dual language programs
• Montessori schools
• International Baccalaureate
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs
• Online learning programs
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs
• Online learning programs
Mesa Public Schools — the best place to learn
Mesa Public Schools — the best place to learn
Mountain. Enjoy a beer garden, foodtruck alley and live music after cycling.
Open to cyclists of all ages and abilities.
When: 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6, for the “long main event;” 8:30 a.m. for the “short main event” and 11 a.m. for the fun rides.
Where: Downtown Mesa, on Main Street, just north of Second Street, for the “long main event” and the 10mile and 5-mile run rides; and Red Mountain Ranch Elementary School, 6650 E. Raftriver, Mesa, for the “short main event.”
Cost: Various pricing Info: perimeterbicycling.com
My Nana’s Salsa Challenge
Have a taste for salsa? My Nana’s Salsa Challenge is the perfect spot. Test more than 100 freshly made salsas from around the Valley at this annual culinary competition.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Where: Sloan Park, W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa
Cost: $15
Info: 480-668-0500, eventbrite.com
Civil Air Patrol Blood Drive
The Civil Air Patrol Falcon Squadron 305 and the American Red Cross are teaming for a blood drive.
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Where: Civil Air Patrol Building, Falcon Field Airport, 4730 E. Falcon Drive, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: 1-800-733-2767, redcrossblood. org, sponsor code CAP
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Postmodern Jukebox brings its “Welcome to the Twenties 2.0 Tour” to the MAC with special guest singers who aren’t announced until they hit the stage.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa
Cost: $42.50-$208; VIP available Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter. com
Movie Night in the Park –
“Grand
Canyon Adventure”
This movie reveals one of the most pressing issues today: the world’s growing shortage of water. Capturing stunning photography and sweeping aerial shots, this movie shows one of the seven wonders of the world. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks.
When: 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26
Calendar continues on page 27
Where: Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: 602-506-2930, maricopacountyparks.net
Arizona Sangria Craft Beer Food Truck Festival
The weather might still be cool, so head to Riverview Park for the fifth annual Sangria Festival for cocktails, sangrias, craft beers, margaritas and mojitos. Food trucks, live music and entertainment will be available as well. When: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Where: Riverview Park, 2100 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa
Cost: $40; must be 21 and older to purchase a ticket and glass for the tastings Info: arizonasangriafestival.com
Family Day
The i.d.e.a. Museum presents junglethemed activities, entertainment and expert appearances during Family Day. The all-day event centers around the museum’s current exhibition, “Junkyard Jungle,” where visitors can learn about the Earth’s rainforests.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Where: i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa
Cost: $9 for those 1 and older; free for members Info: ideamuseum.org
Humdinger Festival
Local bands get their due at this allday festival. Children younger than 12 years old are free with a paid adult. Blankets, towels and low-profile beach chairs are available. Clear bag policyis in place. The performers’ names will be announced closer to the date of the event.
When: Noon Saturday, April 27
Where: Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa
Cost: $12
Info: mesaamp.com
International Jazz Day
Listen to renowned jazz acts like Donald Harrison, Jesse McGuire and Ioannis Goudelis.
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa
Cost: Free Info: 480-644-6550, mesaartscenter. com
Arnold continued from page 25
might trigger something that’s familiar, and that’s hella funny.”
Arnold said he’s been blessed throughout his life, no matter how rough it has been. He wants to show his son not to be selfish.
“You do things because you love it and it’s in your heart,” Arnold added. “It’s not because you’re forced to do things, either. Don’t be conditional.”
Arnold admitted he’s trying to step away from the spotlight and, instead, act as an organizer.
“I just want to host the shows, promote the shows and do more things for the community,” he said. “ e dog track, it’s empty. It’s empty space. I’m hoping to turn that around, too.”
MORE INFO
What: Function in the Junction featuring local comics. Hosted by Paul Arnold.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 19
Where: Apache Greyhound Park, 220 S. Delaware Drive, Apache Junction
Cost: $10 in advance
Info: 925-200-7317 or search Apache Greyhound Park on Facebook
If
business spotlight
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The Alan adds new views to canal, orange groves
Infi ll projects are few along McKellips Road in Mesa, but a Scottsdale developer found a prime slice of land along a canal to be the perfect spot for e Alan Luxury Townhomes.
Taylor Shultz with Porter Kyle Multifamily Developers and Builders eyed the property, which was formerly an orange grove, with his partner Mike Stephan, who grew up in the area, and Matt Long.
The Alan—located on the north side of McKellips Road, east of Gilbert Road, and west of Lindsay Road—is three two-story buildings with private yards attached to each unit. Shultz and his partners went “to great lengths” to maximize the views and space afforded by the canal. ey worked with SRP to permit direct access for e Alan’s residents so they could jog along the path.
“My partner actually knew the gentleman whom we bought the land from,”
Shultz said. “It used to be an old orchard and we rezoned it with the city of Mesa.”
The units have two-car direct-access garages, and inside have 10-foot ceilings throughout. They boast stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, full-size, front-loading washers and dryers and a bathroom downstairs.
e private balconies off the master bedrooms have artificial grass to give it a homey feeling. e master bedrooms also have a picture window for plenty of natural light.
“It’s not your traditional apartment building,” said Shultz, whose company transitioned into a multifamily de-
business briefcase
By Connor Dziawura
Hello, readers! And welcome back to another month of Business Briefcase. is time we have a chamber-heavy column. e Mesa Chamber of Commerce has plenty of great ribbon cuttings approaching, from new businesses to new owners and new chamber members.
Maybe you have a bit of a sweet tooth and desire some yogurt, or maybe your sweet tooth is a problem and you need a new dentist. Well, both are covered here. Beyond that, there’s everything from a full-service bank to a senior care services company and more. Here’s the news!
First, Yogurt Kingdom is under new ownership – and because of that, a ribbon cutting will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. ursday, April 4. e ribbon will be cut at 2:30 p.m. With a plethora of flavors and even more toppings from which patrons can choose, this self-serve, frozen yogurt shop isn’t one
to miss out on. It even offers nondairy and sugar-free options as well as food such as French fries, nachos, pretzels, corn dogs and hamburgers, according to the Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s website. Yogurt Kingdom is at 1113 S. Signal Butte Road, Suite 108, northeast of Signal Butte Road and Southern Avenue. More information is available by calling 480-534-7264 or visiting yogurt-kingdom.business.site.
A bit later that day, the Arizona Rangers will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. e ribbon will be cut at 4:45 p.m. at the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, 165 Centennial Way, Suite 208, which is where the Arizona Rangers meet. Susan Tychman, direct of membership sales, said the ribbon cutting celebrates the group’s chamber membership. A uniformed, law enforcement auxiliary that reports to Gov. Doug Ducey, the Arizona Rangers assist federal, state and local law enforcement
veloper about two years ago. “We’re in the process of building two more communities right now, and we’re acquiring dirt right now to build more
agencies, provide security services to community and civic organizations, and support the youth, according to its website. For more information, visit azrangers.us.
Moving along, My Time Dental Centers will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 5. e ribbon will be cut at 3:15 p.m. e practice, however, will officially open Monday, April 8. My Time Dental Centers is at 1941 W. Guadalupe Road, Suite 120, southeast of Guadalupe and Dobson roads. Services offered will be cosmetic dentistry, comprehensive care, implant dentistry and full mouth rehabilitation. For more information, visit mytimedentalcenters.com or find it on Facebook @ mytimedental.
Next up is Jacob’s Hope, which has a grand opening event set from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13. From 10 a.m. to noon will be guided tours, and then special speakers including May-
or John Giles will participate at noon. is event, however, is not through the chamber of commerce. A faith-based nonprofit with no funding except that of private donors, and no paid staff, Jacob’s Hope is an interim care center that assists substance-exposed newborns, especially those with neonatal abstinence syndrome, between hospital and home. It will be licensed as a behavioral health care facility by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Executive Director Brian Jones said in an email that staff expects to begin working with babies in early May. Jacob’s Hope is at 1150 N. Country Club Drive, Suite 12, northwest of Country Club Drive and Brown Road.
en, Always Best Care has a chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17. e ribbon will be cut at 4:15 p.m. Always Best Care is located at 7165 E. University Drive,
Alan’s
(Photos courtesy Porter Kyle)
The Alan’s backyards are cozy and private.
Suite 144, south of University Drive, between Power Road and 80th Street. It provides nonmedical in-home care, free independent and assisted living referral services, free memory care referral services, and Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service. For more information, call 480-984-8000, email gharstick@ abc-seniors.com or visit alwaysbestcarehelp.com. Or fi nd it on Facebook @bestinhomehelp.
Finally, you may recall my mention of Western State Bank several months back. Well, the full-service bank is now open in the Falcon View Plaza at the southwest corner of McKellips and Recker roads. A ribbon-cutting event is set from noon to 2 p.m. ursday, April
18. e ribbon will cut at 1 p.m. Western State Bank is at 5901 E. McKellips Road, Suite 104. For more information, visit westernbanks.com.
e Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon-cutting events are free to attend for members and nonmembers alike, and no reservations are necessary. For more information, contact Susan Tychman, director of membership sales, at stychman@mesachamber.org. at’s all the briefs for this week. anks for reading! Briefcase continued from page 28
Have an item for Business Briefcase?
Email Connor Dziawura at cdziawura@timespublications.com
communities.”
e pet-friendly e Alan, which starts at $1,500 monthly, is near Hale Elementary, Stapley Junior High and Mountain View High schools. The gated community has a picnic area and a dog park onsite as well.
“ ere are a lot of tenants who moved in here just so their kids could stay in the school district or they sold their house and they wanted to stay in the neighborhood,” Shultz said.
Arrtist rendering of the newly remodeled Western State Bank. (Submitted photo)
The Alan continued from page 28
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