WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
Today: High 95, Low 65, Sunny
Tomorrow: High 97, Low 66, Sunny
MAIN STREET
AHWATUKEE
Latest news from the chamber; p18
Two local teams advance in competition; p6
Performs in Valley this week; p27
SPORTS:
Area athletes commit to colleges; p38
By Christina FuocoKarasinski
Alec Posta is good at keeping secrets.
As the master model builder for the LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Arizona Mills, the Ahwatukee Foothills resident is keeping mum on the Valley hotspots represented at the attraction’s Miniland, a collection of landmarks made out of LEGO. He would say, however, that University of Phoenix Stadium will be included. All will be revealed when the 40,000-square-
foot Discovery Center opens to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, April 22, primarily for children ages 2 to 10.
“That’s one of the bigger ones,” he said coyly about the Cardinals’ home turf. “The Miniland is really cool. Everyone’s so excited about it. Even in the mall people are asking me questions about it. I have my LEGOLAND Discovery Center lanyard on and they want to know what’s inside. It’s tough to keep it a secret because I want to go and tell everyone about everything that’s inside. I just give them a vague outline to get every-
one excited.”
Posta is just as excited. After all, he gets paid to play. A caregiver for the developmentally disabled, Posta is parlaying his passion for colors, crafts and model-making into a full-time position.
The Desert Vista High School graduate beat out more than 100 other contestants in January for the battle in the mall’s food court.
“It was a three-round building contest,” he said. “It was really intense, but a lot of fun. A lot of the best models from that competition
By Kendra Penningroth AFN INTERN
Child abuse is an unfathomable concept for many of us, but for too many children in the Valley — it’s reality. In Arizona alone, there are 18,000 children living in some form of “out-of-home care.” Children who have been removed from their guardians, whether they have been deemed unfit, or the children exhibit symptoms of neglect or harm.
Some of these children have never felt as if they matter, but thanks to the CASA program of Arizona (Court Assigned Special Advocates for Children), some of those tiny voices can be heard. CASA volunteers (also known as CASAs) are of a special breed. They are people willing to take on the responsibility of advocating for and building a relationship with a child, or children, who have seen and experienced horrors many of us are fortunate to not have.
On April 9, the Arizona Supreme Court swore in new CASAs, including Ahwatukee Foothills resident Danica Lautzenheiser.
Lautzenheiser is passionate about becoming a CASA. She beams with excitement when asked how she feels about it, but her situ-
The Ahwatukee Foothills News
is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills. To find out where you can pick up a free copy, visit www.ahwatukee.com.
Ahwatukee office: 10631 S. 51st St., Suite 1, Phoenix, AZ, 85044
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The Desert Vista Wind Ensemble and Advanced Percussion group traveled to Chicago over Easter weekend to compete in the 2016 Chicago International Music Festival as the only selected band from Arizona. The group gave a performance on stage at Chicago Symphony Hall, earning the gold medal for the festival. The DV portion of the program kicked off with a triangle feature called “Escape,” by composer Drew Worden, who was in the audience that night. DV then moved to a version of “Night on Bald Mountain,” arranged for the Advanced Percussion Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble then took the stage and performed three pieces: “Semper Fidelis,” by John Philip Sousa; “O Magnum Mysterium,” by Morten Lauridsen; and “Minimalist Dances,” by Matt Conaway.
[Special to AFN]
On March 13, 28 competitors from Mountainside Martial Arts Center participated in the Arizona 2016 Karate Championships and USA National Qualifier at Grand Canyon University Arena. This year’s team took home an impressive 35 medals and set a dojo record for most medals awarded at a state tournament.
The Competition Team is training to compete at the Utah State Karate Championships in Park City on May 20- 21. They have also been invited to participate in two elite seminars that weekend hosted by Tom Scott, captain of the USA Karate National Team who is ranked No. 1 in the world in Kumite (free sparring), and Akira Fukuda the USA National Champion in Kata (choreographed movement) and WKF Finalist Champion. Throughout the summer the team will be vigorously training as they have been invited to compete in the 2016 Wado-Ryu Championship in Tokyo, Japan, July 30-31.
• Contact Kelly Mixer, 480-898-7913 or kmixer@ahwatukee.com.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
Ahwatukee Tea Party
DETAILS>> General meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 5121 E. LaPuenta Ave. Guest speaker will be Kelli Ward, candidate for U.S. Senate. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Open to the public. For additional information, email info@tukeeparty.com.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
Tukee Talks meeting
South Mountain Precinct will be having its next Tukee Talks meeting. The topic of discussion will be Nextdoor.com.
DETAILS>> Wednesday, April 27, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Pecos Recreation Center, 17010 S. 48th St.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30
The Phoenix Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 11th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
DETAILS>> April 30 from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Target, 4737 E. Ray Road and 2140 E. Baseline Road.
TUESDAY, MAY 3
Inspire Kids Montessori is hosting a free “Toddler Explorer” program on Tuesday mornings in May at the Ironwood Library. Tickets are necessary and will be available at 10 a.m. on the day of each class. Each week will have a different theme that is sure to help your little one develop language and motor skills. DETAILS>> Tuesdays in May. 10:30-11 a.m. 4333 E. Chandler Blvd. For information, contact 480-549-9402 or info@inspirekidsmontessori.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 5
The Arizona Small Business Administration is hosting the 2016 Small Business Administration at its 23rd annual Enterprise Business Awards Luncheon, as part of the Arizona Small Business Conference. This year’s celebration will feature presentations by Maria Contreras-Sweet, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and member of President Obama’s Cabinet, as well as two former “Shark Tank” contestants. There will also be educational breakout sessions and a networking mixer in the evening.
DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. May 5. Free-$120. Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave.
MONDAY, MAY 9
Akimel A-al Middle School will be honoring our country’s veterans with musical performances and breakfast. DETAILS>> 9 a.m. May 9. 2720 E. Liberty Lane.
Tickets are available online at www.folaz.org for $50 or a Six Shooter package of six tickets for $240. They will be available for purchase for an additional $10 (making them $60/person) at the door the day of the event. Silent auctions with hundreds of items for people to bid on, and all of the monies raised at the event goes toward lighting up the city of Ahwatukee with a million white lights during the holiday season. Volunteers wanted: visit www.folaz.org to sign up.
MAY 2-AUGUST 31
The Phoenix Rescue Mission is accepting water, white socks, toiletries, cool snack packs, hats, light-colored T-shirts, sunglasses, sunscreen, Chapstick, chilly neck coolers, and monetary donations to help protect all Arizonans from heat related illness or death,
HandsOn Greater Phoenix is getting ready to kick off a new project in partnership with Save the Family Foundation, an organization that serves homeless families throughout Maricopa County. HandsOn volunteers will be throwing monthly baby shower celebrations for new or expectant mothers, and HandsOn has begun collecting donations for this new project. Donations of wrapped baby gifts, party decorations and homemade or store-bought snacks are needed.
DETAILS>> All donations may be dropped off at the
HandsOn Greater Phoenix office, 5151 N. 19th Ave, Suite 200, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. For more information, call 602-973-2212.
Families in Ahwatukee and the surrounding area can help with understanding the world beyond our borders by becoming involved in a global cultural exchange through the Aspect Foundation.
DETAILS>> Potential host families can choose their own student by viewing student profiles on Aspect Foundation’s website at www.AspectFoundation.org. For more information, contact Brynda Blowers at 480444-6192.
DETAILS>> 10-11:30 a.m. Ahwatukee Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the first Saturday of the month at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St.
MONDAY
Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group. Get involved and network. Open to chamber members and nonmembers.
DETAILS>> Noon every Monday, Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 140. Call Shannon Kinsman at 480-753-7676.
Timothy Graunke, Connor Nail and Nick Ruiz work on their VEX robot in Graunke's garage on April 6. [David Jolkovski/AFN]
By Eric Smith
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
Parts strewn all over the room. Brackets, wires, batteries, all scattered across a table it's a common scene for area robotics teams.
In a local garage of a Gilbert home, VEX robotics team Phoenix Lights is working diligently on its robot, affectionately nicknamed Chompy. They are tweaking it, finetuning it, making last-minute adjustments before putting it in a massive, black, hardcase box to ship it to VEX Worlds in Louisville, Ken., April 20-23.
The team, which is made up of mostly home-schooled Ahwatukee and East Valley students, does not have a coach or club sponsor, although the parents help raise funds and support their children.
The reason there is no true “coach” is because they didn’t like the idea of a teacher having their hands in everything. They wanted total control.
“We felt like the mentors were taking control and we felt the students should have a little more control,” said Tim Graunke, who is home schooled in Gilbert. “We decided to make our own VEX team…the point of the VEX team is to have no mentors. So we’re
an entire student-led team.”
Nathan Rossi, who lives in Ahwatukee and is also home schooled, has known Graunke for a while and was intrigued about forming a team without a traditional sponsor/coach.
“I thought, ‘Now I want to try doing this on my own, seeing, experimenting and playing with it to see what I could learn on my own,’” Rossi said.
The team’s robot was built to compete in a game called Nothing but Net, where the objective is to get small balls into one of two goals, a low goal and a higher, elevated goal which is worth more points.
Phoenix Lights’ robot was so good that it went undefeated for a large portion of the season and won the state championships’ Excellence Award. The award is considered the highest award a team can receive and is based on the robots performance in competition, an engineering notebook where the team records all of the work they’ve done on the robot, and their discussions with the judges about the robot.
The excellence award didn’t just label them as the best robot in VEX in the state, it also punched their ticket to worlds. But,
engineering and troubleshooting problems on their own.
“What else would I want my kids to do on Friday night?” Kathryn said. “They eat pretzels, they drink Red Bull…they eat a lot of pizza and they play ’80s rock music really loud — they like Van Halen — and they build robots.”
Through the Red Bull and pizza-fueled days and nights the team has evolved itself into one of the best robotics teams in the state. Their next step is to stake their claim as being among the best in the world.
The team went to worlds last year and was mostly caught up in the experience. This year, though, they’re in it to win it.
“Last year we kind of just went for the experience,” Graunke said. “This year I think we’re going to compete. We have a chance of competing and maybe getting to a division final or maybe even a final. That’s kind of our goal this year.”
But Phoenix Lights is not the only team headed to a prestigious championship. After winning the FIRST Robotics Competition’s (FRC) Arizona West Regional, Mountain Pointe’s Pridetronics team is headed to the national championships for FRC in St. Louis April 27-30.
although they were qualified for worlds, they still had to pay to get there.
All along Phoenix Lights has done whatever they can to raise money for their project. Be it going door-to-door washing cars or writing grant proposals to Grand Canyon University (GCU).
“Last year we received our first grant from GCU,” said Nick Ruiz, who attends Campo Verde High School in Gilbert. “This year we applied for a grant from GCU and we got accepted. It was for $1,000. Recently they paid for our entry fee to worlds. It’s nice having to struggle for it at the last minute.”
As for hotels and flights and such, when asked how they pay for that, parents Kathryn Graunke and Lori Rossi raise their hands. They help as much as they can in whatever way they can while letting the team do its thing.
“I think they’re special because they do it all themselves,” Kathryn said. “They come to agreements by themselves, they make decision by themselves on what they’re going to do, what parts they’re going to order, strategy.”
And the parents enjoy watching their kids delve into the complexities of robotics and
“It’s a prestigious honor in the robotics world,” Pridetronics coach/teacher Mel Wendell said. “This is one of the biggest robotics competitions in the country and to be able to compete against high-quality schools in a regional event and then earn our way to nationals is a huge accomplishment.”
Like Phoenix Lights, Pridetronics also had to raise a substantial amount of money — $50,000 to be precise — to cover entry fees, flights, hotel and other expenses.
So far, Pridetronics has raised $30,000 of its $50,000 goal and they hope to be able to finish fundraising soon, thanks to an outpouring of community support.
“We’re getting closer and the fact that we’ve done this within a matter of (a few) days has been great,” Wendell said. “They definitely rally around with parents and community members willing to donate to our program. Without the community we wouldn’t be at the point where we actually have the opportunity to go. The response from the community has been huge.”
• Contact Eric Smith at 480-898-6549 or follow him on Twitter @Eric_Smith_evt
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
In a special meeting on April 7, the Kyrene School District Governing Board voted 5-0 to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Jan Vesely for the position of Kyrene superintendent.
Vesely is currently deputy/assistant superintendent of the Sunnyside Unified School District in Tucson. During her tenure there, she led continuous improvement of the district’s Pre-K–12 curriculum, instruction, professional learning, and assessment programs. Previously she held the positions of senior vice president for Pearson School Achievement Services and vice president for Education Services at Edison Schools. Her extensive education career includes serving as a principal and principal supervisor in the Tucson Unified School District, and teacher and department chair in the Amphitheater Unified School District, Tucson. Since Dr. David Schauer announced his retirement last year, the governing board has been leading the search for a new superintendent starting with the hiring of the firm of McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. to assist in the recruitment and vetting of candidates.
Of the 31 applications submitted, the governing board selected eight candidates to provide a 10-minute video along with their application, resume and letters of reference.
Four finalists were selected and met with stakeholder groups and each participated in two-hour interviews with the board the week of March 28.
“We are confident that Dr. Jan Vesely has the experience, skills and leadership qualities to take Kyrene into the future,” said Bernadette Coggins, president of the Kyrene School District Governing Board. “We found Dr. Vesely to be an exceptional, compassionate education leader. She is committed to the most current, innovative and effective strategies that will positively impact students in the classroom.”
The board anticipates Vesely will formally accept the contract and be available to be introduced to the community at the governing board meeting on Tuesday, April 26. Vesely would assume the duties of superintendent beginning July 1.
The city of Phoenix Public Transit and Street Transportation departments, along with Arizona State University, received an AzTA/ADOT Excellence Award for Outstanding Transit Innovation at the 29th annual Arizona Transit Conference.
The award recognizes the innovative ap-
See News Briefs on page 10
Rick Savagian
The eyes are the window to the mind.
Martial arts instructors teach karatekas to always keep one’s eyes locked onto the opponent’s eyes.
Peripheral vision will also give a view of the upper torso so that the shoulders are visible. This concentration enables one to anticipate the intension of the opponent. It is extremely difficult to mask feelings so that they are not reflected in the eyes or face. A mere blink or tightening of the muscles can indicate intent or change.
As the karateka studies the opponent, he/ she can learn to anticipate correctly by the facial “telegraphing” that most people unconsciously use. Shoulders will also tight-
en and start to move in the direction of a punch or shift of weight.
Dropping ones eyes can be interpreted as a weakness or a sign of fear. A piercing stare can be very unnerving! This can be used not only in the martial arts but, in any situation where intimidation is desired. A stare is commonly felt to project an aggressive personality. The true projection should be one of supreme confidence, even if one feels far from comfortable in a situation.
The spirit is in the eyes.
• Mountainside Martial Arts is under the direction of 5th degree Sensei Rick Savagian and has been serving the Ahwatukee/Foothills community since 1979. For more information, call 480-759-4540, email rick@mmacaz.net, or visit www.mountiansidemartialarts.com.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA’s Community Support Campaign continues with its annual bowling event, Frames for Families, scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 at Main Event in Tempe.
There are 14 Frames for Families teams, with members including the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA Board of Managers, YMCA staff, and community leaders and volunteers will be rolling strikes as they commit to raise a minimum of $5,000 each.
“In the next 30 days, we are working hard to raise $100,000,” said Sandra Franks, YMCA executive director. “With this financial support, we can meet 100 percent of the needs that come to the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA this year.” said Jim Hunt, board cochair. “Giving to Frames for Families is an easy way to make a positive change in our community. Help us help families in need.”
These needs include support for scholarships to cover the cost of after-school programs, youth sports programs, swimming lessons, the YMCA’s Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors (Y OPAS) and summer volunteer teens who want to prepare to enter the job market. Most of our requests come from single, working parents in the Ahwatukee area. “We don’t turn anyone away,” Franks said. “Families in our community fall on tough
times and we want them to know the YMCA is there for them.” Member dues only pay for day-to-day facility expenses, not financial aid, making Frames for Families one of the most important fundraising tools at the Ahwatukee branch of the YMCA.
Last year Frames for Families funds raised allowed the Ahwatukee YMCA to create and support many scholarship requests and programs, including Activate Ahwatukee, a life-saving outreach program that brings YMCA swim instructors to area apartment complexes. Eligible residents receive an entire month of free swimming lessons.
“My team is bowling to help raise money for scholarships and more outreach. The Ahwatukee community has been extremely generous and it is important to keep responding to our neighbors’ needs,” said Scott MacKenzie, Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA board chair.
You can help set up our community for success by donating to this year’s Frames for Families online at http://valleyymca.org/ ahwatukee/donate or by contacting Franks at svfranks@vosymca.org. All donations go directly to help local families in need.
proach Phoenix and ASU used to get feedback from the public about the city’s transportation needs, which was then used to create the 35-year plan titled Transportation 2050 (T2050).
“This recognition shows that our process for creating Transportation 2050 was transparent and focused on the needs of the public we serve,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “We wanted to hear from as many residents as we could, we made it easy and accessible, and that feedback made it a much stronger plan.”
According to the Arizona Transit Association, the Outstanding Transit Innovation award recognizes “innovative program creation, development, management and/ or delivery for public transportation service, existing or new public transportation program or system, or transit resources.”
“It was absolutely essential to go the extra mile to develop a transportation plan that represented all of Phoenix’s residents and their transit and street needs,” said Phoenix Public Transit Director Maria Hyatt. “To receive an award is further validation that shows Phoenix’s continued development in our approach to gathering public input for this plan.”
The city and ASU collaborated on a workshop for the committee who created
the plan, as well as survey questions used during outreach via online polls and open forums, traditional face-to-face presentations at community fairs and meetings and through a consistent social media push. In the end there were more than 3,000 comments collected via talktransportation.org and at public meetings.
Public input helped create the $31.5 billion transportation plan, which not only addresses transit improvements, but also streets, including paving projects, new lighting and bike lanes.
“Transportation 2050 was crafted through a collaborative effort with Phoenix residents and poises Phoenix with one of the most comprehensive plans in the country to address our city’s long-term transportation needs; including that of our aging street infrastructure” said Street Transportation Director Ray Dovalina.
The result of the outreach led to a plan directly created through public input, and ultimately approved by a majority of voters at the polls in August 2015.
To learn more about T2050, please visit phoenix.gov/publictransit.
• Contact writer Kelly Mixer at 480-898-7913 or kmixer@ahwatukee.com.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) plans to build the South Mountain Freeway (SMF) “on the cheap” — except that they do not mind spending millions of taxpayer dollars to try to protect themselves from the lawsuit filed by Protecting Arizona’s Resources and Children (PARC) et al and the Gila River Indian community(GRIC) to stop this poorly planned atrocity.
ADOT hired a California legal firm, Nossaman, to defend ADOT in the lawsuit against the SMF while the Arizona Attorney General’s Office is available to provide counsel on staff at no cost to ADOT. Nossaman fees have already cost taxpayers over $1 million, and the lawsuit has not even been heard yet.
Meanwhile, ADOT hired a contractor, Breinholt, to demolish homes in Goldman Ranch in Ahwatukee. The contract allowed Breinholt to loot the homes before demolition. According to ADOT, Breinholt was not required to recycle valuable materials from the homes. Of course, residents who were forced out were not permitted to take these items. Instead, Breinholt employees were seen hauling off appliances, cupboards, ceiling fans, doors, etc. Then everything remaining went into our landfills.
During the Goldman Ranch demolition work and while school was in session, Breinholt caused a gas leak at a home directly across Liberty Lane from the Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School. The fire department evacuated all remaining homes on the south side of the street because of the danger, yet the school on the north side did not get evacuated.
Once demolition was done, Breinholt left what used to be Goldman Ranch in a shambles. It took contacts with the Ahwatukee Foothills News and Councilman Sal DiCiccio’s office to get ADOT to start cleaning it up.
Water is a big issue surrounding the proposed freeway, and ADOT is showing an effort to drill a new well to replace wells that are in the freeway right of way. Geologic surveys and unsuccessful attempts by homeowners associations have shown that water is not likely to be found north of Pecos Road. While it would be great for Ahwatukee golf courses and more if ADOT’s drilling were to be successful, the import-
ant thing to ADOT is that they can show they have “tried” to find replacement wells. You can bet they will not spend much money on the search.
ADOT has also promised the GRIC that it would have the SMF contractor work around the GRIC wells on South Mountain so the freeway does not destroy the wells and they would still be accessible. Nothing more than “trust me” was in this promise. Just imagine how hard ADOT would work on solving Lakewood’s well issues.
ADOT has been blustering recently about how the freeway would be done more quickly and at reduced cost. ADOT’s track record shows that this means they will do the freeway “on the cheap.” For example, they plan to do the SMF “above grade” rather than below ground level. Above ground is not only cheaper, but it would be unsightly and it would make noise abatement almost impossible given the proximity of South Mountain to produce echoes.
Have you noticed the fenced off area just off Pecos Road between Desert Foothills Parkway and 24th Street? ADOT will not talk about why this is fenced off and guarded during the day. Yet observation makes it clear that this area contains some large deposits of attractive rocks covered with “desert varnish.” The desert varnish covering takes thousands of years to develop, and it produces valuable landscaping rocks.
ADOT evidently does not want to talk about it because they are preserving the rocks — and paying taxpayer dollars for protecting the area — so they can provide these rocks as favors to their preferred landscapers.
ADOT has completed 15 percent of the SMF design, and they plan to leave all remaining design to the SMF contractor. In other words, ADOT is removing itself from responsibility for poor quality work that will result from doing the freeway “on the cheap.”
ADOT and quality do not go hand in hand. ADOT takes care of contractors, not residents.
PARC needs continuing donations to prepare documentation for our May 11 hearing in District Court as well as for the appeal to the 9th Circuit. For your donation, see the PARC website at protecAZchildren.org to donate by credit card, or send a check to PARC, PO Box 50455, Phoenix, AZ 850760455.
• Dr. Pat Lawlis is president of Protecting Arizona’s Resources and Children (PARC) and has been a resident of Ahwatukee for 24 years.
What were the Ahwatukee Board of Management (ABM) incumbents so afraid of? Why were they and the ABM president running a smear campaign? Don’t you realize how nauseating that is to us homeowners.
When I saw the “sticky Vote” on the front page of the Ahwatukee Foothills News, to me it was a joke. “We say NO to wasting HOA $$.” Who paid for that “icky sticky” and the full page ad? Was it ABM, outside dollars or the incumbents? Homeowners are just so tired of all these shenanigans. Can’t you just place a normal ad and let the people vote.
Let me take a moment and talk about voting. At the last election, I attended the April meeting and deposited my ballot into a “box.” It was just a regular cardboard storage box with a lid and a slit on the top. There was no lock on this box. This bothered me.
Another thing that crossed my mind. If an outside accounting firm will be counting the votes, why are the return envelopes with your ballot inside addressed to ABM and not sent directly to the accounting firm? This really bothers me.
If ABM wants to make sure everything is above board, they should have the return envelopes addressed to the accounting firm and not to ABM. That would make better sense and ease peoples’ minds that there are no irregularities.
One more thing. What happened to all the green political signs that are missing? Shenanigans again!
Rosemary Fusco
Having lived in and loved our community for 33 years, I need to express my opinion regarding our closed golf course — The Lakes. These lakes and the course were planned and built for one purpose — a flood plain for South Mountain. This is vital to our community, it must remain so, and fortunately it is protected by our CC&R’s. We must not allow our CC&R’s to be changed in any way. They protect not only the flood control but our open space. The city of Phoenix has required the current owner to clean up the property, maintain weed control, and will continue to do so. Many people, like me, love the open space as the heart of our community, not more homes and density — Pulte gave up! Protect our CC&R’s and our vital flood control.
Marilyn O’Connell
I was wondering when the developers who purchased The Lakes Golf Course would rear their heads again. We didn’t have to wait long. But, they seem to be cloaked in sheep’s clothing. I would like to thank Sal DiCiccio and other letter writers for helping us see both sides. I was wondering why we have been slammed with hundreds of signs, expensive ads, and editorials to vote for incumbents for the ABM Board. Accusations were spoken about the other candidates without fact to back them up.
Let me first get this off the table. I do not live by The Lakes Golf Course and I’m not involved in that group, but I have been a resident of Ahwatukee since 1989 and I care about our community. I treasure our open space. I would love it to be purchased by the city to become a park with trails, a lake for fishing, and gardens for all of us to share. Every time I drove by one of those signs, I kept thinking, who is paying for all this? Then, one day I logged into www.findagrave. com and presto, a “pop-up” appears promoting Ahwatukee Moving Forward. That is a national website! What is going on here? Who was paying for that? I had a hunch it was a group formed for some nefarious purpose. Now I wonder if the developers are the money behind this bombardment. Why do they want the incumbents voted back to the ABM Board?
It’s all starting to fall into place. Now I see the larger picture. Let’s be clear from the onset. We are not stupid. I respect honesty and hearing both sides. I knew that the board could not vote for a special assessment on all of us to purchase the golf course and I wasn’t worried. But maybe they wanted to put fear in folks with rumors of special assessments, canceled programs or laying off employees to try to get votes.
I thank The True Life Companies for clearing up the burned building. The open space looks much better. Now, pay up your taxes owed to the city.
Susi Fathauer
By Jan Nicpon
April is National Volunteer Month. It’s a time for nonprofit organizations to thank the people that help them do the work they need done, and it’s an opportunity to invite more people to become volunteers.
For some organizations, such as Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), volunteers are vital for the success of their programs. TCAA needs volunteers to help stock and distribute food at the food pantry, help operate the homeless shelter, and deliver meals to homebound seniors and disabled persons. One such “super volunteer” is Shari Hamblin of Tempe.
After her retirement, Hamblin initially spent time completing a list of jobs in her home and yard that she had always wanted to get done. But, once those were finished, she decided to look for a way to volunteer.
“I enjoy meeting people,” Hamblin said. “I saw a news story looking for volunteers to drive/deliver meals for Tempe Community Action Agency.”
So, in 2006, Hamblin went to talk with the agency to learn more. A staff member took her along on a meal delivery route. “I enjoyed meeting these clients, mostly el-
derly, and I decided to volunteer,” she said.
Since then, Hamblin has delivered more than 1,000 nutritious meals to the homebound. She is scheduled to deliver meals to clients once a week, but she also delivers on other days if needed.
“We make sure they get a meal, that they are OK, and we spend a little time talking to them,” Hamblin said. “We probably are the only person they see all day. I try to brighten their day some and I enjoy spending time with them, getting to know them and gaining new friends.”
Her advice to anyone considering volunteer work is to “think of something you really enjoy — like working with older people, children, animals or families in need. Or, perhaps you prefer something behind the scenes. If you do something you enjoy, you’ll find volunteering as a reward, not a job.”
TCAA always needs volunteers, especially during the summer months. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at TCAA, visit http://tempeaction.org/volunteer.
By Daniel Ochoa AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
For the past 20 years, Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori (AFM) has provided preschool through kindergarten classes along with a family-based environment to each of its students.
The school will continue to provide the same learning experience as it begins to expand into the Chandler area.
Owner Meaghan McClung said Chandler deemed a perfection location for the school’s second campus because many of the families who attend the Ahwatukee location live in Chandler.
“We found that our client demographic was shifting to Chandler, and that area has been a growing community for the past 10 to 15 years,” she said. “With the new location we thought we could make it more convenient for the families in Chandler who were commuting to Ahwatukee, and open enrollment opportunities for families who might not have gotten them in Ahwatukee. We are hoping that the new location will solve both of those issues.”
The school has made a name for itself over the past two decades in Ahwatukee gaining popularity from residents through word of mouth and being the oldest Montessori school in the area.
Currently, AFM’s enrollment stands at 115 students.
In the early years enrollment was a bit stagnant, but over the years popularity grew and the school has had a waiting list for the past seven years.
The school’s curriculum encompasses the traditional Montessori materials in ways that encourages reasoning and critical thinking, McClung said.
“We have had fantastic results with our learning model with our kindergarten students reading well above a first-grade level,” she said. “They’re also working on fractions and multiplication throughout their day at the school … they’re having a great time doing it.”
In addition, teachers at AFM ensure that the learning experience for each child is individualized and at their own pace.
“We have lesson plans in our classrooms for each student rather than having a lesson plan for the entire class,” McClung said. “We meet each student where they are academically rather than expecting them to reach a level across the board of all students.”
McClung said the family environment that resonates throughout AFM’s campus is what sets the school apart from other Montessori schools in the area.
“I’m most proud of the family atmosphere that we have built here at Ahwatukee Foot-
hills Montessori,” she said. “We have a core staff that has been working with us since the school opened. We have students come back all the time to visit and volunteer here … they do that because of the feeling they got when they were here. They still have a soft spot for our school, and that tells me that their experience here was something special.”
Lynn Monaghan has experienced the family atmosphere at AFM, with her children graduating from the school and being an instructor at the school for the past four years.
“The students are able to expand upon their social and emotional skills during their time here at AFM, which is extremely important,” she said. “Ever school is a community, but not every school feels like it’s a family, and AFM feels like a family.”
Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori’s Chandler location, 5570 W. Chandler Blvd., is currently in its development stage, and will be open to the public on July 25. For additional information about AFM, call 480-759-3810.
• Contact Daniel Ochoa at 480-898-4903 or dochoa@ahwatukee.com.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
Miley is a sweet, affectionate, 2-year-old Blue-Cream Diluted Tortoiseshell with one of the softest, prettiest fur coats. She is very friendly — nothing makes her happier than getting attention.
Miley loves being held and will stretch out her paws towards your shoulders to encourage being picked up. Once you pick her up, Miley assumes her signature position of wrapping both paws around your neck to give you one of her sweet kitty hugs.
Miley is an avid explorer and eater. She loves to talk, is very playful, happy to play with you and just as happy to entertain herself. Her favorite toys are balls that she can bat across the room. Miley also enjoys feather wands and playing in crinkly cat tunnels. Miley would co-exist fine with other mellow kitties but she’d probably be just as happy being your one and only feline friend. If interested in learning more about Miley, fill out an application for her today at www.azrescue.org.
By Sergio “Tiko” Baiza AFN CONTRIBUTOR
When was the last time you thought about money? Chances are, it was probably today, since most adults deal with money — in one way or another — on a daily basis. We pay bills and buy groceries. We consider money when weighing job opportunities, when determining where we’ll live, and when, or for some, if, we might be able to retire. We are faced with financial decisions constantly. And yet, the vital skills of money management, budgeting, and saving are often missing from the curriculums at our children’s schools. It’s one of the reasons why National Financial Literacy Month, observed each April, and the American Bankers Association’s Teach Children to Save Day on April 29, are so important.
Few states require financial education courses for high school students, which often leaves our young people woefully unprepared when it comes to understanding finances. When 2,459 students aged 15-18 participated in a test of financial literacy standards last year, more than half scored at or below 69.9 percent, the equivalent of a
D+. And yet, a Harris Poll Financial Literacy Survey found that of families who have had discussions with their kids about money, more than half of those discussions were initiated by the kids. This tells us two things: Our kids need to know more about money, and thankfully, our kids actually want to learn more about money.
So what should you be doing to help prepare your kids for a successful, healthy, lifelong relationship with money? Here are four things you can begin to talk with them about now.
• Help your child open a savings account.
The sooner your child makes saving a habit, the better, and the more likely it will become a habit that lasts into adulthood. Help your child to create a budget. Budgeting is one of the key components for financial success. Whether you’re helping a 10 year old create a budget for his $10 allowance or a 17 year old create a budget for the >> See Prepare on page 16
>> From page 15
weekly paycheck from her part-time job, if your child understands — and lives by — the concept of budgeting, it’s a significant step in preparing him or her for the larger budgets they will need to manage later in life.
• Help your child understand the difference between needs and wants. It’s OK for your child to spend money on those things that are “wants.” The idea is for them to be aware of the balance between the two, so that spending on the “wants” isn’t excessive. This lesson can be particularly important to help your child understand, since it is one that many adults often struggle with as well.
• Help your child to set financial goals. Whether it’s having enough money to buy a new gadget, the latest pair of sneakers, or even a car, helping your child establish a plan to reach that goal — and celebrating the moment they achieve it — can be one of the greatest financial teachers.
On Friday, April 29, volunteers from Wells Fargo and other banks across the country will be visiting classrooms and working with young people as a part of Teach Children to Save Day. It’s an important first step towards encouraging financial education, and Financial Literacy Month is the perfect time for parents to continue the conversation at home. Look for books on the topic of kids and money, or talk to your local banker for
suggestions. You can also check out Wells Fargo’s fun, interactive and free Hands on Banking program. The online curriculum is easy to use and lessons are specifically tailored by agegroup (there are lessons for adults as well.) The Wells Fargo children’s financial success resource center also offers important information, as well as access to products and services that can support your financial goals. These are just a few of the ways you can get started. Whichever methods you choose, start now. Your child’s financial future is at stake. Getting them on the road to financial success now can increase the likelihood that the ride has as few bumps as possible.
• Sergio “Tiko” Baiza is the Wells Fargo Community Banking district manager for the Ahwatukee Foothills area. Reach him at sergio.a.baiza@wellsfargo.com.
and Sunglasses • Contact Lenses
• Vision Therapy • Corneal Refractive Therapy
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>> From page 1
are going to be on display when we open. [Visitors] can see what I built to get the job and see what I’ve built since.”
LEGOLAND officials are just as thrilled to have Posta on board.
“Alecsander clearly has the artistic talent needed for the job” said LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona Head of Marketing Elizabeth Mathews. “But he also has the personable nature necessary for it and an innate ability to interact well with children.”
Besides Miniland, the attraction — the first of its type in Arizona — will boast two LEGO rides and a 4-D cinema. The master model builder plays a primary role in maintaining and updating Miniland models and developing new features and exhibitions at the attraction. He will also work closely with the thousands of children expected to visit.
“We have a creative workshop inside that kids can do,” he said. “It’s a 30-minute class. I have a team that I lead. At the master model builder apprentice class, I teach the kids to try and use their imagination and build something they can be proud of. I’m trying to inspire the kids to realize their potential and the power of their imagination.”
A lifelong LEGO fan, Posta is living a dream as master model builder.
“I played with them since I was 2,” he said.
What: LEGOLAND Discovery Center
When: Opens at 10 a.m. Friday, April 22
Where: Arizona Mills, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 135, Tempe
Cost: Starts at $22 for kids 3 and older
Information: https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter. com/Arizona
“It’s pretty much the only toys I played with. I’ve always been a creative person. When I saw this opportunity, I jumped at it right away.”
This job is right up Posta’s alley. He’s studying to become a graphic designer. He’s focused primarily on 2-D visual, but now that he’s a master model builder, he has an interest in 3-D product design.
“This is a really good opportunity for me as a career choice,” he said. “It’s very empowering to build something and say, ‘I built this. I created this. It’s right out of my mind.’”
• Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-8985612 or christina@timespublications.com.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
>> From page 1
ation is unique. She was glowing as she spoke about her husband, but then she paused, and said, “Seven weeks ago we suffered a miscarriage. It was in that moment where I decided, you know… I can be really sad for a really long time, or I can say ‘you know what? I’ve got time and I’ve got love that I’m not giving to my own children that I can give to somebody else.”
“I had heard about CASA before in a class for work, but I was worried I didn’t have the time,” Lautzenheiser said. “Five years later, I do have the time. There are so many kiddos in our system, and they need voices. You’ve got almost 20,000 kiddos; you’ve only got 500 of us. A lot of these kids still aren’t getting what they need.”
The new CASAs are court-appointed, and are at least 21 years old, have completed 30 hours of training as well as a background check and lie detector test. Each volunteer will only maintain a single case at a time in an effort to provide the most personal, accurate understanding of the child and their needs. They will spend 10 to 20 hours a month with their assigned child (or children in cases with siblings), trying to build trust, have fun, and observe their surrounding at the same time. CASAs will meet with the child’s teachers, counselors, physicians and guardians in pursuit of in-
formation that will allow them to help the state ensure that each child is placed in a safe, stable and loving home.
“A CASA has to be extremely patient. You’re going into this kid’s life after they have been taken away from the only home they know, whether it’s been a difficult home, or whatever’s happened, that’s their home… this kid has been in front of a judge, has stalked to; attorneys, case workers, been to all this therapy…and here you are one more person coming into their life. “You have little ones whose mothers test positive, and they test positive, for drug addiction the moment they come into this world.
Upon being sworn in, new CASAs are allowed to choose their first case. Lautzenheiser is particularly interested in cases involving siblings. She, and the rest of the organization, is interested in keeping families together. The end goal in each situation is to not only allow the siblings to stay together, but to hopefully reunite them with their guardians.
For more information on the program or to speak to a volunteer, contact Allison Hurtado, outreach specialist for CASA of Arizona at ahurtado@courts.az.gov or at 602-452-3683.
• Kendra Penningroth is a freshman at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
- Parent Testimonial
Devin Lowe 48456 West Highway 238, Maricopa 520-426-6829
dlowe@troongolf.com
www.golfsoutherndunes.com
Sprawling across more than 320 acres, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club provides a welcoming, laidback ambiance; a place where the world melts away and the game of golf becomes the focus.
Sally Moore
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle., Suite 313, Tempe 480-214-7328
smoore@athome.com www.athome.com
At Home is the home décor superstore that provides endless possibilities at an unbeatable value. At Home brings more than 30 years of passion and experience to the ever-evolving home décor category.
Lindsay Shaw
3945 E. Chandler Blvd. 602-333-7781
lindsay.shaw@efirstbank. com
www.efirstbank.com
FirstBank has grown through consumer and commercial lending, innovative banking products and services and a high regard for community investment. FirstBank now has over $15 billion in assets and more than 120 locations in Colorado, Arizona and California.
launch their businesses after pitching to a panel of local investors.
to AFN]
Janet Schwab, owner of Elements Massage, hosted the Wake Up Ahwatukee! Morning Mixer where chamber members network and get business done.
Taylor Bell with HRSelect spoke to the Ahwautkee business community on the significant changes the Department of Labor is implementing this summer.
Members of the Ahwatukee chamber meet every Wednesday to network, give referrals, and
The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce is at it again! In its continuing effort to help us be the best we can in our business they also understand how important an evening of pampering and shopping can be. It’s a great feeling to be able to take a break from all the hectic activities we engage in on a daily basis and take time to focus on ourselves…and maybe do a little shopping for Mother’s Day.
If you have been a part of the event then you know how wonderful all the vendors, services, location and food are. We have everything from massages to polish changes, psychics to jewelry, clothes to hand bags. Anything the excited shopper or aspiring relaxer would require. This year we will continue our fashion show tradition and we have a dedicated room to “spa” services. Here is a sample of how you can spend your night: arrive and feel the energy from our awesome DJ. Step into the Pampering and Shopping Zone. Start with a few munchies generously provided by local restaurants. Continue to visit the various vendors to win prizes and learn about the services they offer. Get so excited about the awesome deals they are presenting you find the perfect gift for that special woman in your life, mom. With
the mom shopping completed you decide to indulge yourself in a massage, polish change, and test the fate of your future with a psychic reading. All of a sudden the energy starts up again and the music changes…it’s the fashion show! You find the perfect outfit on one of the models you run over to the table and find there is one in your size waiting there for you…score! Overall it has been an awesome evening for you. Going home you feel relaxed and accomplished. Maybe the idea of pampering and shopping doesn’t appeal to you. Maybe a philanthropic twist will change your mind. Every year the Red, White and Beautiful Girls Night Out supports the Red, White and Boom, Ahwatukee’s fireworks show. It takes place on July 1, has vendors, a Kids Zone and this year there are a few BIG changes that will make this a MUST attend event. For whatever reason you choose to come, we are glad to see you there on May 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive. Be sure to bring all your friends. Live entertainment, food, philanthropy and fun are a great way to spend an evening and we hope you share it with us.
• Christie Ellis serves on the chamber’s board of directors and is the chair for Women In Business. She is a Realtor with United Brokers Group.
Formoreinformationontheseand otherupcomingevents,visit www.ahwatukeechamber.com.
By Gavin Maxwell AFN INTERN
A recent announcement from the city of Phoenix revealed that Fry’s Food Stores is planning to build a new grocery store in the heart of downtown.
The 55,000-square-foot, full-service grocery store will be the first of its kind in downtown Phoenix. Fry’s preferred location for the project is the parking lot located between Washington and Jefferson streets, near CityScape Phoenix and the Collier Center.
Current plans have the downtown grocer on the ground floor of a proposed mixed-use development that could include additional space for office and residential uses. The city hopes that a major grocery store will attract more residents to the urban sector.
“No grocery store has been the number one complaint from people living in the downtown area,” said Councilman Sal DiCiccio. “I think it’s going to be a magnate, people who work in the area but don’t live there might start to consider it now.”
Building a major shopping center could boost growth in downtown neighborhoods for years to come. These types of amenities are a necessity for urban centers in-
in attracting top talent and growing their economy.
There are minor concerns, however, about the need for such a large store downtown.
Growing a customer base large enough to support a store of this size will be one of Fry’s primary challenges.
“It will be interesting see if the downtown area has the density to support a store of
this size. A lot of people work in Phoenix, but how many people live there?” DiCiccio said.
The project’s prime location is its biggest advantage when addressing these concerns. It is in close proximity to the light rail and there is virtually zero competition in the area. Fry’s will offer a better selection of food and home goods at
better prices than any nearby convenience stores, such as the CVS at CityScape. Fry’s is dedicated to seeing the project through and has expressed excitement about being the first grocer to break into the downtown neighborhood.
“Fry’s is always looking for areas that are underserved and we are looking forward to being a part of the downtown landscape. We’ve been a longtime supporter of the Suns and Diamondbacks, and now we are going to be across the street,” said JoEllen Lynn, a spokesperson for Fry’s Food Stores.
The local community and business people are going to feel the impact from the arrival of a grocery superstore. Pedestrian traffic in the area is likely to increase, especially if plans go through to develop residential space as a part of the multi-use project. This looks like good news for some and bad news for others.
Street vendors who sell water and snacks on game days near the ballparks have shared some concerns about how they plan to stay in business after a new grocery store is built.
“That would hurt me, our market would be obsolete. Fry’s carries hot foods and everything we do,” said Lonnie Yogi Pollard, own-
>> See Fry's on page 24
Even if someone thinks they won’t get caught, God sees all
AFN COLUMNIST
Iwas driving home yesterday when I glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed flashing lights. There was a pick-up truck behind me being closely followed by a police car. I turned down my residential neighborhood street as I saw the pickup make a U-turn. It spun around and was also coming down the street right behind me. Was he wanting to pull off on a side street instead of the busy road? Suddenly I realized the truck was not planning on stopping at all, but had just turned down yet another side street with the police car still behind him. While not a high-speed chase, it was clear that this was no ordinary traffic violation.
About 30 minutes later, my daughter and I left home to run some errands. As we approached the side street the truck had pulled down earlier, we could see flashing lights at the end of the block. There were multiple police cars, a fire truck, a tow truck, and many people milling about. It was obvious that something major had happened. While I don’t know the details, I can guess that the
pick-up driver crashed into someone.
I caught my daughter in a lie last week. She was remorseful and apologized, but it was hard for her to see how that seemingly minor deception caused me to lose trust in her. Then a few days later, a friend of hers told a whopper. My daughter was stunned and confused by the whole ordeal. After the truth was uncovered, the deception had already impacted many people.
Just three books into the Bible, Adam and Eve hid from God after eating the forbidden fruit. (Genesis 3) When God confronted them, they tried to place the blame elsewhere. That sin has affected everyone who has ever lived since then.
In Joshua 7-8, following the battle of Jericho, Joshua ordered his men not to take any of the devoted items. But Achan took some things and hid them. The men then went to attack the city of Ai but did not achieve victory as they had assumed they would. The Lord let Joshua know that someone had
disobeyed orders. Eventually it was discovered that Achan was the culprit and Joshua said to him, “Why have you brought this trouble on us?” (Joshua 7:25). He thought he could hide it, but Achan’s sin impacted many others. Numbers 32:23 says, “...you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Even if someone thinks they won’t get caught, God sees all. Luke 8:17 says, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
If there’s some sin you have been hiding, eventually it will be found out. But find encouragement in the words of Proverbs 28:13. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” God is merciful and keeps His promises. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
• Lisa Jisa and her family lived in Ahwatukee between 2000-2015 and now reside in Colorado. Reach her at lisa.jisa@gmail.com.
Sometimes we forget who blessed us with life
David Marz
In the Gospel of John 21:4 there is a simple verse with a profound meaning. “When it was morning, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples did not know it was Jesus.” Jesus was back in his hometown, back where all began, where He had called his disciples. The sights and sounds of Galilee, the smell of the sea, the splashing of the waves, even the smell of fish were all so familiar. It all took Jesus back to the good ole days. After all that had just happened on a hill far away in Jerusalem, Jesus looks out over the sea and sees His closest loved ones back doing what they were comfortable doing — fishing. Just like once before on an outing they were not catching any fish. It is a familiar scene. Jesus smiles as He looks upon his loved ones
in that tiny boat as it was tossed in the sea. He knew them all so well. In a moment’s time, the memories of old flashed through his veins. Together, they had done so much. Today, just as these poor men gathered in that small fisherman’s boat, we who go through the drudgery of our work week, who toil with our daily duties, it is here in the simplest of places where the presence of God can be made known to us. Sure we look for Him in the expected places and we look for Him in the big places. We seek God in the sky or in the promise of a rainbow. We expect someday to witness trumpets and angels. We often sit in the tiny boats of our mundane lives and we hope for something more. We are always wanting something better.
For those ordinary humans in that insignificant fishing boat, the scene is the same. The same green mountains look down upon the same green waters with the same green trees blowing in the wind. They had fished in the same old fishing boat for years. It had been another long frustrating night of non-rewarded toil. Then, in that mundane moment when all seemed oh so ordinary, they had no idea that their lives were about to change forever.
Jesus watches over them from the shore and He calls out to them, “Do you have any
fish?” There Jesus stands on that familiar beach interested in what his loved ones were doing. Jesus takes an interest in these poor men’s fishing abilities, and cares to know whether their ragged old net is full or empty. He cares about what they care about. Jesus knew that in that tiny boat, beaten by the waves, was a small band of people who had a purpose. It teaches us that anything that interests us is not without interest to Jesus. All our toils, and all our petty anxieties, connect with the Savior. Jesus is interested in our poor fishing and our disappointments.
Jesus then led them to catch a boatload of fish. They did not ask. They, in that boat, did not even know who He was. That blessing of abundant catch came before we or anyone knew it was the Lord. In our ordinary lives, Jesus meets us and has already provided so many blessings. Sometimes we just don’t know that He is there all the time. Sometimes we forget who blessed us with life without we even asking.
• Dr. David M. Marz is pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Reach him at Pastordavid@sov.us.
Four rows of large, straight carrots, bunches of broccoli and other produce harvested, cleaned and delivered to the Tempe Community Action Agency, Paz de Cristo and iHelp were partly why the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation (VUU) won a Spirited Activists Greening the Earth (SAGE) award from Arizona Interfaith Power and Light (AZIPL).
AZIPL mobilizes people of faith in Arizona to “reduce the causes of global climate change through education, advocacy, action and prayer” and is part of the national IPL organization. IPL founder the Rev. Sally Bingham was on hand during the recent Tempe award and AZIPL anniversary ceremony.
Co-chair of the VUU Green Sanctuary Committee and congregation member Laurel Hardin accepted a Faith Community Award on behalf of the Green Sanctuary group and its members, who help create a sustainable lifestyle for members and the congregation by maintaining a community garden, performing highway cleanup and other “commitments to the earth.” For information, visit www.azipl.org and www. interfaithpowerandlight.org.
Community members are invited to participate in Chabad of the East Valley’s community Seder to be held on the first Night of Passover. The Seder will feature rich discussion about Passover, excellent food, and joyous singing. Chabad Rabbi Mendy Deitsch director of Chabad of the East Valley, will facilitate the inter-generational program.
DETAILS>> April 22 at 7:15 p.m. at the Pollack Chabad Center For Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive in Chandler. The price is $55 for an adult and $40 for a child. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Sponsorships available. The Seder allows local Jews of
the opportunity of not just attending but also actively participating in a traditional, family-oriented Seder. Seats must be reserved in advance, by contacting Chabad at 480-855-4333 or email info@chabadcenter. com or visit our website at http://www.ChabadCenter. com.
CHABAD OF MESA PUBLIC SEDER
Join us for a traditional Passover Seder. DETAILS>> 6:45 p.m. at the Chabad Jewish Center of Mesa. Cost: adults, $30; students, $10; children 12 and under, $5. RSVP:www.chabadmesa.com for more information: Chabadmesa@gmail.com or 488-659-7001.
BETWEEN OCEANS SONGS OF THE AMERICAS Haunting melodies, exciting rhythms, and rich musical traditions, reflecting the diversity of our cultures and the harmony of our spirits, infuse the Americas from the frigid fjords of Nunavut, Canada, to the tip of Tierra del Fuego. The Sonoran Desert Chorale closes its season with music from North and South America, the lands between the oceans.
DETAILS>> 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa.
CHABAD OF THE EAST VALLEY MAKES MYSTICS MEAL (SEUDAS MOSHIACH)
Chabad of the East Valley invites Jewish residents in the East Valley area for its annual Mystics Meal. The Mystic meal (Seudas Moshiach) will occur at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive in Chandler.
DETAILS>> April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Call 480-855-4333 for more information.
Yes, this is for real!
Yes, this is for real!
The Arizona Housing Finance Authority assists creditworthy renters who can afford a mortgage but lack the resources for a down payment. These Home Loan Programs provide an attractive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) grant that can be used toward the down payment and/or closing costs. The DPA is a non-repayable grant, not a loan! This is NOT just for first time home buyers!
The Arizona Housing Finance Authority assists creditworthy renters who can afford a mortgage but lack the resources for a down payment. These Home Loan Programs provide an attractive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) grant that can be used toward the down payment and/or closing costs. The DPA is a non-repayable grant, not a loan! This is NOT just for first time home buyers!
Here are the basics:
The Arizona Housing Finance Authority assists creditworthy renters who can afford a mortgage but lack the resources for a down payment. These Home Loan Programs provide an attractive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) grant that can be used toward the down payment and/or closing costs. The DPA is a non-repayable grant, not a loan! This is NOT just for first time home buyers!
Here are the basics:
mortgage but lack the resources for a down payment. These Home Loan Programs provide an attractive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) grant that can be used toward the down payment and/or closing costs. The DPA is a non-repayable grant, not a loan! This is NOT just for first time home buyers! Here are the basics:
Here are the basics:
• Owner occupied, primary residences in Arizona
• Owner occupied, primary residences in Arizona
• Owner occupied, primary residences in Arizona
• Owner occupied, primary residences in Arizona
The Arizona Housing Finance Authority assists creditworthy renters who can afford a mortgage but lack the resources for a down payment. These Home Loan Programs provide an attractive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) grant that can be used toward the down payment and/or closing costs. The DPA is a non-repayable grant, not a loan! This is NOT just for first time home buyers! Here are the basics:
These Home Loan Programs provide an attractive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) grant that can be used toward the down payment and/or closing costs. The DPA is a non-repayable grant, not a loan! This is NOT just for first time home buyers!
It’s a personal joy to help people become homeowners and get out of the renting cycle. If you, a family member, coworker, or friend is currently renting, call me! I urge you to spend just 5 minutes to explore the possibilities. You’ll be glad you called! Jennifer
• Borrower(s) income not to exceed $88,340
Here are the basics:
• Borrower(s) income not to exceed $88,340
• Borrower(s) income not to exceed $88,340
• Borrower(s) income not to exceed $88,340
• Owner occupied, primary residences in Arizona
• Owner occupied, primary residences in Arizona
• Purchase price to $356,352 Conventional; $280,880 FHA
• Purchase price to $356,352 Conventional; $280,880 FHA
• Purchase price to $356,352 Conventional; $280,880 FHA
• Purchase price to $356,352 Conventional; $280,880 FHA
• Borrower(s) income not to exceed $88,340
• Borrower(s) income not to exceed $88,340
• Each borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before close of escrow
• Purchase price to $356,352 Conventional; $280,880 FHA
• Each borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before close of escrow
• Each borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before close of escrow
• Each borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before close of escrow
• Purchase price to $356,352 Conventional; $280,880 FHA
• Additional 1% funds available for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT, Military & Teachers (FHA)
• Additional 1% funds available for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT, Military & Teachers (FHA)
• Additional 1% funds available for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT, Military & Teachers (FHA)
• Each borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before close of escrow
• Each borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before close of escrow
• Additional 1% funds available for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT, Military & Teachers (FHA)
• Available in all Arizona counties (except Pima) For more information go to JenCline.com/zerodown
• Additional 1% funds
• Additional 1% funds available for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT,
• Available in all Arizona counties (except Pima) For more information go to JenCline.com/zerodown
• Available in all Arizona counties (except Pima) For more information go to JenCline.com/zerodown
• Available in all Arizona counties (except Pima) For more information go to JenCline.com/zerodown
•
•
By Joe Ducey ABC15.COM
If you have a credit card, you’ve likely disputed a charge.
And you’ve probably called the number on the back of your card to report it. But did you know making that call is not enough?
That is, if you want to be protected by government rules.
Yes, this is one area where you ARE protected by a list of regulations.
So get ready, I’m going to throw a lot of information at you.
Rules say you have 60 days to dispute billing errors from the time the charge is
on the statement. And you must dispute the charge in writing to the credit card provider.
Send that dispute to the inquiry address, not the billing address.
The bank has 90 days to investigate. And you don’t have to pay the charge during that time.
Also, the creditor can’t sue you over the amount during the investigation. They can’t threaten your credit rating either.
If they decide you still ow the money, they need to tell you that in writing.
After getting the response, you have 10 days to tell them you refuse to pay the amount in question. And they can go after you to try and get that money.
But if it goes to a credit reporting agency, you get a chance to give your side and why you don’t think it’s owed.
OK, I’m done. But you shouldn’t be if you have this problem and want to protect yourself. You can go the Federal Trade Commission website, www.ftc.gov, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau site, www. consumerfinance.gov, to get much more information.
• Joe Ducey is helping people like you everyday on ABC15 News at 6 p.m. If you’ve got a consumer issue you can’t solve, “Let Joe Know.” Contact him at joe@abc15.com or 855-323-1515.
>> From page 19
er of Yogi’s Bistro food cart. He sets up for games right at the corner of Jefferson and 1st streets, the proposed site of the Fry’s. Other vendors are less anxious about the new grocery store. They remain confident that the convenience factor of being right next to the ballparks will keep them in business.
The arrival of such a dominant figure in the downtown landscape will have many implications for local residents and businesses. For the developing downtown Phoenix sector, the mulit-use project promises to be a driving force in residential and economic growth.
Fry’s Food Stores and the city of Phoenix have partnered with RED Development to oversee planning and construction process. A final plan has not yet been decided on but the partners are moving forward with their vision for a multi-use development in the heart of downtown.
• Gavin Maxwell is a junior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He is interning this semester for the Ahwatukee Foothills News.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
By Lisa Travis AFN CONTRIBUTOR
For decades women have fought to earn as much as men in the workforce. They have gained momentum, but, especially among minority women, they still lag far behind.
The average woman in Arizona earns 82 cents to every dollar a man earns doing the same job with similar qualifications, U.S. Census shows.
Hispanic and African American women are worse off. They earn about 54 cents and 67 cents to men’s dollar, respectively.
“I feel that the wage difference is absolutely not fair,” said Alejandra Guillen. “I think women are just as capable at doing any job just as well, and in some instances, better than a man.”
Guillen, a Hispanic woman, has a bachelor’s degree and works multiple jobs in the Phoenix area to support herself. Although she said that she has never suspected any discrimination in her pay based on gender or race in her previous or current workplaces, she believes this issue is very real and needs to be resolved.
It doesn’t seem to get much better for women with a higher education in higher-paying jobs. Women with bachelor’s degrees, like Guillen, earn 67 cents on the dollar in comparison to men at the same level.
The fluctuation in pay disparity really depends on the occupation.
Females with computer and mathemat-
ics-based jobs earn 92 percent of what men earn. Female engineers and architects earn 91 percent. Female health practitioners and technicians earn only 75 percent of what men earn.
“I used to work at some big engineering firms and I think that I was probably paid less than my male counterparts,” said Leslie Dornfeld, owner of an architecture planning business in Phoenix.
Pay is not the only aspect where women experience a major discrepancy. Representation in the workplace is also disproportionate.
This is especially true within Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (STEM)-based occupations.
“Being a female, particularly a nurse practitioner, I experience discrimination because I am female and because my professional title has the word ‘nurse’ in it… a patient might say to me, ‘I thought I was seeing Dr. Willard.’ My response is, ‘That is me,’” said Denise Willard.
Willard is an African American woman who works at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. She finds her current workplace to be the most ethnically diverse since she began working decades ago.
“This has not always been the case in 95 percent of the jobs I have worked at,” Willard said.
The racial breakdown for STEM jobs is disproportionate. White people occupy al-
most 71 percent of those jobs while 6.5 percent are occupied by Hispanics and 6.4 percent by African Americans.
The breakdown by gender doesn’t look much better. In the U.S., women represent approximately a quarter of all STEM jobs. Hispanic and African American women make up an almost insignificant proportion.
STEM jobs are among the highest paying in the nation, but the pay within these jobs is not equal across race and gender lines.
“If you’re a male I do think (employers) will consider your starting point at a higher salary and as a woman you have to come in and be aware of that and be ready to fight for that same base level as a male,” Dornfeld said.
Each year, women make about $16,000 less than their equally qualified male counterparts.
Hispanics make about $11,000 less than their white counterparts and African Americans make about $13,000 less than their white counterparts.
“I do believe there is still some discrimination in pay between male nurse practitioner and female nurse practitioners,” Willard said. “I know I am worth every penny I ask for.”
Lack of equality in pay and unequal representation in the workplace among minorities has finally made waves in the city of Phoenix.
Recently, Mayor Greg Stanton has brought
attention to the pay gap, especially within STEM jobs in a speech earlier this month as well as in his support for Councilwoman Kate Gallego’s anti-discrimination ordinance this past year.
Gallego covers Phoenix City Council District 8, which includes downtown and the southern and southeastern areas of the city. Last year her anti-discrimination ordinance passed unanimously. This ordinance puts greater pressure on employers to abide by the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963.
Like the Equal Pay Act, the ordinance allows employers to adjust pay based solely on merit, not gender, race, or age. Violators face potential charges of a Class 1 misdemeanor, fines and even jail time.
This is just one step toward equality in Phoenix.
“It’s time to start paying people of all races or genders based on their skills and talents rather than on their appearance,” said Guillen, who is working with cities across Arizona, including Tempe and Tucson, in hopes of bringing fair treatment to workplaces statewide.
• Lisa Travis is a sophomore at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
Hosted by
21st Annual Satu rday, Apr il 30t h • 6:30 to 10:30 pm
Event Sponsors Saturday, April 30th • 6:30
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski GETOUT
South African pop singer Jesse Clegg has seen the ups and downs of the music industry. He traveled with his father, the renowned Johnny Clegg, throughout the world as the elder Clegg promoted his music.
So he’s been fully prepared for what he may encounter with his own career.
“I saw the power of music and how it can move people,” Clegg said via telephone. “I also saw the hard times. I witnessed what challenges you and what you face as a career musician from someone who’s been in it for decades.
“It was never a situation of, ‘This is an easy choice and I’m going to go on it.’ It was unglamorized for me because I saw behind the scenes.”
But now he’s a success in his own right. Clegg is getting set to release his latest EP, “Things Unseen” and will give fans a sneak preview of the collection when he plays an acoustic show opening for his dad at the Mesa Arts
Center’s Piper Repertory Theatre on Thursday. “Things Unseen” is a step forward for me,” he said. “My last two albums were more guitar-oriented and rock-influenced. I wanted to move away from guitar as my primary instrument. We tried to avoid the guitar for much of the album.
“I was listening to a lot of electronic music, which is quite an interesting contrast. I’m a singer-songwriter and I write all of my songs on acoustic guitar. That’s how I presented my songs.”
I dove into it and it’s been a wonderful experience.”
Devin Shea, as the two present music from “Things Unseen.”
What: Johnny Clegg with special guest Jesse Clegg
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21
The songs were still written on an acoustic guitar, as he’s done for the whole of his career. Clegg’s love of music was sparked at age 15 when he began writing music and expressing himself through the medium. His parents were supportive, but there was a caveat.
Where: Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater, One E. Main St.
Cost: $37
Information: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
With “Things Unseen,” he used synthesizers and turned his vocals into an instrument.
“Instead of using a strings sound, I would sing a part and manipulate it,” he said. “It was an exciting process. It was very inspiring because this is new to me.
“My family wanted me to get a degree and have a back-up plan,” he said with a laugh.
“I actually have a law degree and I did an honors degree in English literature.
“I was studying and touring and writing exams on the road. It’s quite a strange combination of sticking it to the man and working for the man.”
He’ll continue his roadwork at the Mesa Arts Center with multi-instrumentalist
“It’s not available yet,” Clegg said of the release. “This is the first time we’re presenting the songs to any audience. It’s been exciting to perform these songs.
“We’re swapping and changing instruments. We present the songs in a unique way. It’s a cool combination of acoustic and electronic.”
Regardless of his experiences as a child, he is enjoying his time on the road.
“It’s great to be in a foreign country, meeting people and traveling around and getting a cultural experience along with sharing my music,” he said. “It’s very exhausting. I won’t lie. I’ve done 10 shows and I have another 22 to go. It’s exhausting, but it’s an exciting job.”
• Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5612 or christina@ timespublications.com.
• Check us out and like GetOutAZ on Facebook and follow GetOutAZ on Twitter.
By Alyssa Tufts
GETOUT
History is getting a fashionable twist at “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion” an exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Through Aug. 7, fashion lovers and visitors alike can see the smartly laid out exhibition showcasing 50 years of history through clothing and accessories.
The exhibit features iconic pieces from brands such as Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Givenchy. In addition to the clothing items, there are also rare accessories dating back to the 1650s with intricate detailing and shoes.
The Arizona Costume Institute, the support organization for the fashion design department at Phoenix Art Museum, helped make the exhibition a reality through their financial contributions. This was accomplished through purchasing acquisitions for the permanent fashion design collection said Arizona Costume Institute President Judy Steers.
See Fashion on page 32
What: “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion” Exhibit
When: Through Aug. 7
Where: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. Cost: $10-$15
Information: phxart.org, 602-257-1880
AGE GROUPBIRTH YEARTRYOUT 1 TRYOUT 2 TRYOUT 3
U11Boys2006May3rd6pm-7:30pmMay5th6pm-7:30pmMay7th10:30am-noon
U12Boys2005May3rd6pm-7:30pmMay5th6pm-7:30pmMay7th10:30am-noon
U13Boys2004May4th6pm-7:30pmMay7th9am-10:30amMay9th6pm-7:30pm
U14Boys2003May4th6pm-7:30pmMay7th9am-10:30amMay9th6pm-7:30pm
U15Boys2002May4th7:30pm-9pmMay7th10:30am-noonMay9th7:30pm-9pm
U16Boys2001May4th7:30pm-9pmMay7th10:30am-noonMay9th7:30pm-9pm
U11Girls2006May2nd6pm-7:30pmMay4th6pm-7:30pmMay7th9am-10:30am
U12Girls2005May3rd6pm-7:30pmMay5th6pm-7:30pmMay7th10:30am-noon
U13Girls2004May9th6pm-7:30pmMay11th6pm-7:30pmMay14th9am-10:30am
U14Girls2003May9th7:30pm-9pmMay11th7:30pm-9pmMay14th9am-10:30am
U15Girls2002May10th6pm-7:30pmMay12th7:30pm-9pmMay14th10:30am-noon
U16Girls2002,2001May10th6pm-7:30pmMay12th7:30pm-9pmMay14th10:30am-noon
U17Girls2001,2000May10th7:30pm-9pmMay12th6pm-7:30pmMay14th10:30am-noon
U18Girls*2000,1999May11th6pm-7:30pmMay16th7:30pm-9pmMay18th6pm-7:30pm U19Girls*1999,1998May11th7:30pm-9pmMay16th6pm-7:30pmMay18th6pm-7:30pm
and newer equipment all take time to build, and the funding isn’t as prevalent as it is in many other regions. However, the growing recognition, along with the incredible agricultural base and culture, is driving an enormous amount of support and investment in Arizona vineyards.
While browsing the aisles of a local wine shop, I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between two overly confident men. I heard one of them say “Arizona must be proud of their wines because they are awfully expensive. Do they even think they compare to California?”
Being a lover of Arizona wine, I had to be sure they had the facts. So, I said, “Excuse me gentlemen, allow me to enlighten you on the wines of this beautiful state…”
First, you should understand that from Prohibition until the 1980s, it was illegal to make wine in Arizona. The young industry has sparked so much interest that supply fell somewhat below our demand. After all, youth can be exciting and innovative, but it still has its struggles.
Second, Arizona needs more fruit! Status-driven wine, wine makers’ experience,
Maynard Keenan, vocalist for a Grammy Award-winning progressive metal band, has invested heavily in providing Arizona with the tools it needs to become a serious wine producing region. The University of Arizona and Yavapai College have teamed up and are quickly spearheading a strategic plan for our emerging wine industry. Wine is even playing an intricate role in Arizona’s tourism and economic development.
There are three main wine growing regions, all lying in the majestic hills of the northern and southern parts of Arizona at elevations of 3,800-6,000 feet. Sonoita-Elgin is the oldest producing area and the only official AVA. These vineyards produce white, blush, and some of the spiciest, full-bodied robust reds in all of Arizona.
The high desert mountain plateau enjoys a climate and growing season similar to Rioja, Spain. Furthermore, expert vintners have compared the soil to that of Burgundy, France.
The Willcox region produces reds, whites, sweet wines and dessert wines. Syrah and Sangiovese are popular varietals cultivated in the soil rich with ash from ancient volca-
noes. The soils and the climate resemble the viticultural areas of both the Rhone Valley in France and Mendoza, Argentina. Finally, the Verde Valley, north of Phoenix, is bursting with vineyard growth, fine restaurants, tasting rooms, and hotels. The volcanic past of the Verde Valley and the drainage of the Verde River have created a mineralized, slightly alkaline soil just challenging enough to produce distinctive flavors in grapes.
Italian varietals like Malvasia and Nebbiolo are just some of the grapes that experience excellence here. Long warm summers, cool nights and an old-world style of wine making make some of the finest rich, full-bodied wines. Similar to the South of France, Spain and Italy, the growing season temperatures can reach 100 degrees during the day but drop substantially at night.
With 942 acres under vine, growers use altitude to exploit the benefits of these sizeable diurnal temperature changes. It’s equally interesting to know that Arizona shares a similar latitude and range of microclimate, to Israel and Syria, which are growing tremendously as some of the most exciting wine producing countries in the world.
Arizona now enjoys 83 bonded wineries, some of which are gaining national recognition. Some recent accomplishments include two wines earning 90 points by Wine Spectator: 2010 Page Springs Cellar’s Colibri Syrah
See Wine on page 32
Don’t miss the chance to see the “The Ultimate Collection: Iconic Baseball Cards from the Diamondbacks Collection” at Phoenix Art Museum until Sunday, April 24. The col-
lection features 16 of the 20 rarest and highly prized trading cards in the history of sports. It also includes Topps rookie cards for Baseball Hall of fame inductees Mickey Mantle, Henry “Hank” Aaron, and Sandy Koufax.
DETAILS>> Through Sunday, April 24. Orientation Gallery, Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. General admission: $15 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-17, discounts available for seniors and students. Additional $8 for Baseball Exhibit entry for all ages. 602-257-1880. phxart.org/exhibitions/ultimatecollection.
From the theater troupe that entertained audiences with “Fifty Shades of Felt” and “Puppet Wars,” All Puppet Players is back with their humor-filled performance of “Jurassic Puppets.” In their rendition of the movie, All Puppet Players pulls out all the stops; including props, witty lines, commentary on the movie and implementing pop-culture references for an entertaining performance. Don’t miss the unique show sure to make you laugh through May 7.
DETAILS>> 8 p.m. Through May 7. Playhouse on the Park at The Central Arts Plaza, 1850 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $22, $54. 602-2542151. Allpuppetplayers.com.
Matt Tobias General Manager
more
Fashion Design curator at Phoenix Art Museum, Dennita Sewell, has spent the last 16 years using her previous experience and expertise to elevate the Fashion Design Department through her many innovative and intricate exhibitions.
“It’s a continuous search by Dennita and ACI through her leadership to find pieces for the collection that fill the need for specific reasons that are determined by Dennita and her expertise,” Steers said.
Sewell curated the popular “Hollywood Costume” exhibit in 2014 and the “White Shirt According to Me. Gianfranco Ferre” prior to “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion.”
“Just to put it in perspective, we’re really only one of a handful of archives like this in an art museum nationally. It’s very exciting that it has grown here in Phoenix to become a nationally recognized effort and program,” Sewell said.
Part of that growth is a review of not only the exhibition’s visual and historical impact, but the educational aspects as well.
“We are very interested in the involvement of students, we appreciate students and their relationship with the museum and the use of this collection as a place of study,” Sewell said.
“I think they serve as an important historical aspect for study and research, as well as just stimulating conversation about the history of each piece,” Steers said.
“I think it’s so important to provide the opportunity for others. Whether they’re in education or design, they can come and study these pieces and glean knowledge and inspiration.”
Inspiration is in abundance at the “50 Years of Fashion” exhibit given the aesthetically pleasing layout and design of the historical clothing, accessories, cards, magazines and newspapers. It is smartly displayed in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery and Orme Lewis Gallery, accompanied by New York artist Ruben Toledo’s “Time Travel Series” pen and ink drawings.
The drawings were produced into black life-sized vinyl illustrations that decorate the exhibit’s walls through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
“The job here was to be inspired by the different eras from 18th century to now, so I tried to create a graphic time machine with wind tunnel of time rushing through it,” Toledo said.
The collection dates from 18th century to present, including men’s, women’s and children’s dress and accessories.
“We tried to pull out something from every decade, something from every era, that would show the breadth of this collection and how important it is to our city,” Sewell said.
The curator of fashion design said she considered what things would be entertaining for people to see at a fashion collection. Enter the many rare and intricate accessories. In addition to the many clothing items
on display, there is also a shoe wall detailing the brief history of the shoe along with rare handbags, jewelry, gloves and others. The oldest pieces in the collection are a pair of European leather gloves from 1650, a gift of the Arizona Costume Institute. The accessories case also includes Largnette tortoise shell glasses from 1876, an 18-karat gold Chatelaine watch from 1840, early 20th century Lemaire opera glasses, and a rare Shell Minaudiere from Judith Leiber made out of sea urchin shell with a gold-plated lid from 1976.
“What I’ve learned from these amazing designers is how they make things. It’s all about the anatomy, patterns, draping on the body. But also, there’s a whole other art going on, a whole poetry. It’s a poetry you can’t put your finger on, and fashion more than any other art form is the flavor of the time,” Toledo said.
Some notable pieces include a 1928 metal sequins-on-silk tulle Chanel dress, an 1885 Charles Frederick Worth silk brocade and silk satin evening dress, a 1965 Cristóbal Balenciaga cotton lace and silk chiffon dress and cape, and a U.S. Army Doughboy uniform from 1918.
“Each garment reveals its own story and background about the textile industry, about the culture of the time, about the people who left their DNA on these garments,” Steers said.
Steers said many of the items on display in the exhibit were acquired by the Arizona Costume Institute through meticulous searching. Since joining together in 1966, the Arizona Costume Institute has helped to purcahse and preserve garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance.
“Arizona Costume Institute and the Fashion Design department have been on an upward trajectory for the past few years and we haven’t nearly peaked, neither the Arizona Costume Institute in its support nor the fashion design department,” Steers said.
The president said she hopes to not only continue the progress they’ve made, but to undertake outreach that is international, national and local.
“I would like to expand the opportunities we’re already creating and continue to move the organization toward excellence in its objectives and goals in every way,” Steers said.
The “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion at Phoenix Art Museum” exhibit will be on display until Aug. 7 in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery and Orme Lewis Gallery at the Phoenix Art Museum.
“It’s so important that fashion and art students understand that history is alive, and here’s where you see it…it brings things to life and makes it so relevant,” Toledo said. “You can’t have art and you can’t create the future without this past.”
• Contact Alyssa Tufts at 480-898-6581 or atufts@ evtrib.com.
• Check us out and like GetOutAZ on Facebook and follow GetOutAZ on Twitter.tion said Arizona Costume Institute President Judy Steers.
>> From page 30
Clone 174, and 2010 “The Burning Tree” Syrah from Colibri Vineyards. Both of these wineries are located in southern Arizona. Arizona Stronghold was also awarded the Class Champion Double Gold at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2013 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition for its 2010 Mangus, a Sangiovese blend. So yes, Arizona is quite proud of their wines. However, like I said the industry does need more support. My hubbie and I adopted our own little Grenache vine at the Southwest Wine Teaching School to show our support. Go to southwestwinecenter.org to check it out. Lastly, since Arizona wines are quite young, we are not for certain how the wines will mature. This is a project for
>> From page 31
Take a trip to New Orleans...or at least feel like you are at the Great Southwest Cajun Fest in Chandler on April 23. Enjoy Cajun food, handcrafted beer and live music while strolling around the themed zones including Bourbon Street, French Quarter and Central City.
DETAILS>> Noon-9 p.m., April 23. Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $10. southwestcajunfest.com.
‘Spring is in the Air’ at Higley Center for the Performing Arts
Aerial arts group Vertical Fix presents “Spring is in the Air” at Higley Center for the Performing Arts on April 23. Bring the whole family to watch the cirque acts and be captivated by the dance and acrobatics performed on trapeze, hoops, rope, silks and more.
us all! I recently purchased two bottles each of Rancho Rossa Grenache 2008, Dos Cabezas El Norte 2011, Fire Mountain Erath 2011 and Pillsbury Diva 2013. My plan is to drink one bottle of each this year, and wait five years to drink the second bottle. Well, I’ll probably drink the 2008 in two years. Having shared that, I urge you to taste Arizona wines now, lay some down for later and explore all of the possible changes the future might bring to these wines!” Whew. OK, so I never really said any of this to the gentlemen in the wine shop. But thank you for letting me get it off of my chest!
• Ahwatukee Foothills resident Darla S. Hoffmann, CSW, is the sole proprietor of About Wine in Phoenix. The focus of her business is wine education and marketing. She is a certified specialist of wine, hospitality beverage specialist, and professional member of the Society of Wine Educators, the Wine Century Club and is Basic Title 4 certified under the Liquor Law Training of ABC.
DETAILS>> 7 p.m. April 23. Concert Hall, Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Road., Gilbert. Tickets: $15. Box office: 480-840-0457. higleycenter.org.
Come and experience the magical story of “Cinderella” brought to life by Ballet Etudes at Chandler Center for the Arts on April 23 and 24. Step-sisters, a fairy Godmother and a handsome Prince all come together with Prokofiev’s score for a breathtaking production.
DETAILS>> 2 p.m., 7 p.m. April 23. 3 p.m., April 24. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $16, $22. 480-782-2680. chandlercenter.org.
can’t believe what a difference one treatment made!”
Shoulder pain, impingement and limited range of motion are successfully treated with medical massage. Our specialists address the problems that create imbalance of the four rotator cuff muscles and related tendons. Clients report noticeable difference after the first treatment. PCM is Arizona’s clinic that implements a bio-science medical massage.
By Jason P. Skoda
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
College visits, countless of conversations with coaches, academic compatibility and more go into the decisions that played out April 13 for a host of East Valley athletes.
While the signees from this week included athletes in just about every sport, the athletes who participate in spring sports, even if they verbally committed a while back, now get a chance to compete with a little less on their mind.
“I kind of just went numb,” the Perry senior recalled of last year’s state track meet. “It was hard, and it bothered me, but over time it made me stronger, and I want to get winning a state title over with.”
Burks looks to be on his way to winning a title as he enters the final two weeks of the season with the best times in Division I in the 800 (1 minute and 56.20) and 1,600 meter (4:18.28) runs.
Nothing is guaranteed as he found out last year when he seemed to have posted a good enough time to win the 800 in the first heat, only to have Corona del Sol’s Jacob Onofrio come out of nowhere to win the second heat and the state title despite only running the event twice during the season. It stung Burks at the time, but it ultimately led to a deepened drive. He worked even harder to prepare for his senior year that saw him finish second in the DI cross country meet. He is one of more than 100 area athletes to sign letters of intent April 13.
“Honestly, I was just glad to be done with that (junior) year,” he said. “It was just a bad year all around. I wanted to move on and get ready for my senior year.”
It’s going well so far after officially signing with Northern Arizona and preparing for possibly coming back from the state meet, May 4, 6-7, with that elusive state title.
“I’m ready for it,” Burks said. “Northern Arizona is where I wanted to go before I could even be recruited. I went on other visits, but I knew exactly where I wanted to go all along.”
Ahwatukee-based schools had a big haul in this signing period as a total of 21 athletes, mostly from Desert Vista, signed the dotted line.
Mountain Pointe had four athletes in Jessica Leo (New Mexico volleyball), Brandon Johnson (Grand Canyon soccer), Keri Sheehan (Lindenwood softball) and Derek Dantzler-Fulner (Chandler-Gilbert Community College).
Each had their own journey as Leo has
“I found a place that’s a great fit for me,” Desert Vista softball pitcher Brooke Hughes, who committed to Sienna College. “Getting it out of the way let me focus on the season, and winning for the team instead of worrying about my future.”
been on varsity from the state, playing at high level, while Dantzler-Fulner grew into a leader for the Pride.
The signing day is the culmination of so much commitment, a lot of times from the whole family, sacrifice and tough decisions.
Some, however, know exactly where they want to go and have it come to fruition like Perry’s Cade Burks.
But not before he went through some adversity that made him better in the long run.
The time was posted for all to see and Burks’ eyes focused on it as well, but he couldn’t feel much.
Desert Vista led the way with 17 athletes signing the dotted line with some staying local like girls basketball players Toni Davis, who is headed to Arizona Christian, while others are stepping outside state lines like Jack Snyder, who is going to play golf at New Mexico.
It all comes down to finding the right fit.
“I knew right away,” Thunder softball pitcher Mara Kemmer, who is headed to UNLV. “I feel blessed to get an opportunity to keep playing a game I love.”
• Contact writer Jason P. Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@timespublications.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonPSkoda.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and @AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
By Jason P. Skoda AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
The Mountain Pointe administration didn’t stray too far when it came to filling the three coaching positions that came open after the winter season.
All three coaches, first reported by the Ahwatukee Foothills News, were already on campus and/or previously coached the program. Familiarity resonates and it is clear it had a hand in bringing in the new coaches.
Bryan Sabato returns to take over the boys soccer program, one he ran for a decade until stepping away after the 2013-14 season. Justin Hager, who came to the school in the fall to be an assistant coach for football and boys basketball, was named the girls basketball coach.
Greg Dayoob was recommended to Tempe Union School District as the next wrestling coach. Dayoob led the Pride for four seasons (1999-2000 to 2002-03) before leaving for Dobson, his alma mater.
Sabato’s return might have raised some eyebrows after he walked away just two years ago to spend more time with his family. “My family is very important to me and
they know how important Mountain Pointe is as well,” he said. “My wife encouraged me to get back into coaching and I felt like with their support I would try to help rebuild the program.”
While he enjoyed that time, he had trouble watching the program sink into depths previously unknown as the Pride won just two matches over the last two seasons.
“Mountain Pointe boys soccer has always had a tradition of being competitive with the best teams in the state,” Sabato said. “Unfortunately, the program has gotten away from that tradition a bit recently. Being on
campus every day and being a part of the Pride community I did not want to sit back again and watch the program struggle both with numbers and with victories.”
The Pride has some pieces in place, including defensemen Chris Boyle and Zach Jakpor, and Sabato has had the Pride at the top in the past.
“We will see how well this season works out for us,” he said. “(Former Pride coach) Ken Parsons before me instilled in me the passion for the program.”
Dayoob had the Pride program rolling before he returned to Dobson and is known for
being able to get kids in the practice room.
Mountain Pointe is coming off a season where it had three state qualifiers and two state placers, including junior fifth-place finisher Jacob Rasmussen (152), for the first since 2010.
Dayoob’s final year with Mountain Pointe saw the Pride qualify 10 of 14 wrestlers to the state tournament. Mountain Pointe crowned its only individual state champs during Dayoob’s tenure.
Hager doesn’t have a history of being a head coach with the Pride but brings in an impressive history from his 11 years as the girls coach for Yuma Cibola.
He guided the Raiders to nine section titles and 10 state tournaments in his tenure as they won 20 games or more in three of his four finals seasons.
Hager takes over a program that has struggled to finish .500 the last two years (2830) after winning at least 20 games for five straight seasons.
“It starts with work ethic and commitment while holding everyone accountable,” said Hager, who was named the AIA Division II Coach of the Year for the 2013-14 season. “I think there is talent at Mountain Pointe. The kids need development and structure.
“We’ve been working for two weeks and the thing that needs the most improvement is team chemistry and all the intangibles goSee Coaches on page 40
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>> From page 39
ing into building a program.”
Returning players include Bailey Osmer (6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds) and Jenise Strover (16.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.8 blocks) to give some building blocks along with junior varsity and freshmen programs that lost only a total of eight games combined.
“With change comes opportunity,” Hager said. “There will be a standard that you need to work in order to play. We need to learn to practice at a high intensity and high paced, it’s like Oregon (football) on the basketball court.”
The idea is it will lead to a similar effort that will become second nature in games.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I can see building the program back to where it was; a top program. I love competition and everything that comes with it. We are finding out whether the kids will be willing to do the same and put in the time.”
• Contact writer Jason P. Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@timespublications.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonPSkoda.
• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and @AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
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Are you affected by someone who is dealing with an addiction? If so, know that you are not alone and that the PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) group can help. The group is available to provide education and support to anyone 18 years or older who is dealing with a friend or family member with an addiction. The meeting are at held on the second and fourth Monday nights at 7pm at Mountain Park Community Church at Pecos Rd and 24th St. in room 117. The meetings are free of charge, completely confidential and could change your life! Please join us and get the tools you need to help yourself and your addicted loved one. For more info go to www.pal-group.org.
AMERICAN LEGION AHWATUKEE Post #64
We Meet Every rd Wed at 3pm at the Ahwatukee Retirement Center At 5001 E Cheyenne Dr, Phoenix, Az. 85044. Contact ROD GREEN Cmdr 480-234-0755
Aegis Hospice Grief/Loss Support Group We meet 6 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
Legacy Funeral Home: 1722 N. Banning St. Mesa, Refreshments provided. Contact: Rick Wesley 480-219-4790 rick@ aegishospice.com
Smart Recovery Meeting Wed’s 7:00 -8:30 p.m. 6400 W. Del Rio Chandler Montessori School next to Unitarian Church room 5. All issues drugs, alcohol, gambling, online addictions & medications. 480-5322460
The Ahwatukee Republican Women s Club (ARW) General meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at the Four Points by Sheraton South Mountain, 10831 S 51st St Phoenix, 85044. Social Networking begins at 6:30 PM and the meeting (program) begins at 7:00 PM. Additional info contact: ARWomen@aol.com.
Visit our website at www.ahwatukee republican women.com
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AHWATUKEE TEA PARTY
General Meeting Notice Thurs. April 21st Quality Inn (Formerly Clarion) Hotel Desert Meeting Rm 5121 E. LaPuenta Ave 51st St./Elliot-Ahwatukee
"KELLI WARD"
Candidate for US Senate.
Meetings are held on teh 3rd Thurdsday of each month. Doors open at 6:30p, meeting starts at 7pm. Public is invited!
EMAIL: info@tukee teaparty com
In-Ahwatukee Toastmasters Club meets from 6:458am every Tuesday at Dignity Health Urgent Care Ahwatukee - Community Room (1st floor), 4545 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85048. Guests welcome anytime! http://4873.toast mastersclubs.org/
Legislative District 18 Democrats Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at The Watershed, 5250 South Lakeshore Drive, Tempe. Meetings are free and open to the public, dinner may be purchased. For more information, visit www.ld18democrats.org/ meetings or email ld18demsinfo@gmail.com
long. AFFAN holds monthly luncheon meetings with varied speakers. We offer over 40 monthly activities including Book Clubs, Canasta, Bunco, Euchre, and Bridge. Other monthly activities are Dining Out, Stitch and Chat, Explore Arizona, and Garden Club. Significant others/ spouses can attend some events. For more info contact Teresa Akrish Phone: 480-518-5788, teresaakrish@gmail.com Check our website at affanwomensclub.com
Crops of Luv
We make Scrapbooks for critically-ill children who have had their "WISH trip come true! Scrapbook with us, make embellishments for us, donate your time, or your commercial space, donate funds to ship albums, etc! Does your teen need community service hours? We could use their help! Copsofluv com for more info! 480.634.7763 Ahwatukee based non-profit.
AHWATUKEE TEA PARTY
General Meetings: Quality Inn (Formerly Clarion) Desert Meeting Rm 5121 La Puenta Ave 51st St/Elliot-Ahwatukee 3rd Thurdsday of each month. Doors open at 6:30p, meeting starts at 7pm. Public is invited!
EMAIL: info@tukee teaparty com
GROWING TOGETHER:
That's the motto of The Ahwatukee Community Garden Project. Get your hands dirty while learning about desert gardening. Join us every Sunday morning starting at 8 A.M. in the Garden at 4700 E Warner Rd. north of the Farmers' Market. acgarden.org
Democrats and Donuts
This monthly gathering is held the third Wednesday of each month from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at Denny's, 7400 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler. Sponsored by the Legislative District 18 Democrats, speakers cover current issues of interest. Meetings are free and open to the public, breakfast may be purchased. For more information, visit www.ld18democrats.org/ meetings or email mariec9@q.com
That's the motto of The Ahwatukee Community Garden Project. Get your hands dirty while learning about desert gardening. Join us every Sunday morning starting at 8 A.M. in the Garden at 4700 E Warner Rd. north of the Farmers' Market. acgarden.org
