Ahwatukee Foothills News - April 26, 2017

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Stringing along together

True Life seeks court change on golf course regs

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The True Life Companies has turned to state Superior Court for help in changing the land-use regulations governing Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course.

Ahwatukee Lakes homeowners fighting for restoration of the course said the company is raising a white flag in its effort to win their neighbors’ votes to change the site’s covenants, conditions and restrictions.

Final PARC brief rips freeway planning as abuse of discretion

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

State and federal approval of the South Mountain Freeway Agency “was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with law,” the attorney for the Ahwatukee opposition to the project told a federal court.

In his final brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, attorney Howard Shanker said the case “presents a dramatic failure on the part of the agencies to properly coordinate their transportation planning” with federal environmental law. Shanker, a Club West resident, represents

Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children, an Ahwatukee-based group that has been fighting the freeway for more than a decade.

His brief, filed last week, represents another small step toward a hearing sometime later this year on PARC’s appeal of U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa’s rejection of the organization’s effort to stop the $1.77 billion project – the biggest highway project in state history.

Before the panel is likely to set a hearing, it still must get a brief – not due until the end of May – from the Gila River Indian Community.

And it has yet to rule on a request by a

A True Life executive said that its campaign for homeowner approval will continue. But he also said it’s time for a court to rule that “nobody is going to spend the necessary money to try to operate a stand-alone golf course on the property when it will fail again economically.”

Aidan Barry, a senior vice president for the company, said the court request is just another legal means of getting what it wants.

True Life last week asked the same judge presiding over a homeowners’ lawsuit against the company to change the CC&Rs governing the 101-acre site – a move that would pave the way for the next step in the company’s effort to create an “agrihood” called Ahwatukee Farms.

Judge John Hannah not only agreed to hear True Life’s arguments, but also postponed the lawsuit trial to Oct. 23 – four months later than its original start date. He will hear True Life’s arguments then.

Since August, True Life has been soliciting Ahwatukee Lakes homeowners’ consent for a change in the CC&Rs so it can build approximate 270 homes, a five-acre farm, a

(Dianne Ross/AFN Contributor)

Playing the violin is a family affair for Ahwatukee couple Joy Pan and Lan Qiu and their sons Allen, left, and Ivan Pan. The boys perform concerts with their parents and are orchestra members at Desert Vista High School and Altadena Middle School, respectively. Meet the family and read where you can hear them: page 40.

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Ahwatukee resident Rachel Rhoades earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by developing a program teaching young students in orchestra and band how to keep their instruments clean. The Arizona State University freshman was a scout for 13 years.

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Rachel Rhoades of Ahwatukee combined her passions for scouting and music into a project that helps student band members protect themselves and their instruments.

e Arizona State University freshman and electrical engineering major – an active scout for more than 13 years – is one of 33 members of the Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council to win the coveted Girl Scout Gold Award this year.

e award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive – much like an Eagle Scout badge is for her male equivalent. It requires the completion of a project “that continues to give back to the community long after she moves on, and often takes as long as 18 to 24 months to complete,” a Cactus-Pine Council spokeswoman said.

e daughter of Rob and Karen Rhoades, Rachel, 18, devised a video and supplemental written instructions as part of a campaign she called “Keepin’ It Clean.” It teaches members of school orchestras and bands how to clean brass and woodwind instruments.

“First off, especially in marching band, wind instruments become a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to illness, which is definitely not what students want to be fighting in the middle of marching band season,” she explained.

Moreover, she noted, “not cleaning the instruments can damage the instrument, which means time taken out of rehearsal to fix the instrument and potentially

Close-out Specials!!

Ahwatukee man appointed chief auditor of Phoenix government

An Ahwatukee man started a big job this week – city auditor for Phoenix.

Ross Tate, a 30-year auditor who spent 22 years as director of internal audit for Maricopa County, was named to the city post last week.

Tate and his wife, LaRae, have lived in Mountain Park Ranch since 1988. eir four sons attended Kyrene Monte Vista, Altadena Middle and Desert Vista High schools.

“We fell in love with the area the first time we visited,” Tate said. “ e smalltown feel and beautiful foothills have kept us here. Even though working in local government requires a daily drive downtown, the good schools and friendly people made it worthwhile.”

Tate’s qualifications include working in accordance with government auditing standards and being certified as an internal auditor, fraud examiner and management accountant.

Longtime Ahwatukee resident Ross Tate now heads auditing of all city government departments.

“Mr. Tate’s extensive public sector background and regional knowledge will bring increased value to the city by focusing on internal improvements and efficiencies to the benefit of all of our

FUN

Give your child a fun & positive way to spend summer!

money spent on repairs. By cleaning them on a regular basis, this can be avoided to some extent.”

Besides, “cleaning the instrument just helps extends the useful life of the instrument. Most instruments are incredibly expensive, so it is important to make them last as long as possible, especially when they are school-owned instruments that schools often don’t have the budget to replace very often,” she added.

A graduate of Desert Vista High,

Altadena Middle and Monte Vista Elementary schools, Rachel started on trumpet in middle school but switched to French horn as a high school freshman. She still plays it. She got the idea for her project when a friend and fellow scout told her about finding grass in her instrument at the beginning of band season. “ at is what really told me that most students were not cleaning their instruments,” she said.

So, she made videos for Desert Vista band and orchestra members, developed written instructions for them and conducted workshops on the best techniques.

Although she focused only on her alma mater, “the process is very replicable, and the resources I used are available so leadership teams at other high schools could implement the same workshops,” she said.

Were they well attended? “I held the workshops during a mandatory rehearsal, which meant that all of the section members were required to be there. As a result, they were well attended, although I did not have the foresight to have a sign-in sheet to keep track of exactly how many there were.”

e filming part of the project didn’t take long, she said, “but the editing process was a bit painful.”

Still, she felt the videos were necessary “to show that cleaning an instrument is not necessarily a huge time commitment and that despite the busy marching band schedule, it is possible to still properly maintain the instrument.”

“I wanted the final videos to be short enough that students would not get overwhelmed by watching 25 minutes of someone else cleaning the instrument and then still having to spend 25 minutes cleaning their own instrument,” she said. “I edited the videos down to five minutes or less, with very specific points where students could pause the video and begin their own process.”

Rachel also developed separate instructions for trumpets, mellophones and baritones with an eye toward having them serve not just as a guide but also as a way for section leaders to “verify that they did follow the steps to a high enough standard, to keep students accountable and ensure they actually follow through with it.”

ough she is not technically an active scout anymore because she is not assigned to a troop, Rachel hopes to be involved somehow in scouting in the future.

“Girl Scouts really impacted my life growing up by giving me more confidence in myself and providing a strong group of friends that I could turn to for anything,” she explained. “Having this throughout my entire childhood helped me develop as a person and as a leader.”

She belonged to Ahwatukee Troop 635 and especially liked organizing and leading events for young troops, explaining:

“I personally found this to be a more rewarding experience than completing badges because it gave me more confidence as a leader, which in turn helped me both in completing my Gold Award project and in leading my peers during high school.”

Desert Vista teachers honored

wo Desert Vista High School teachers were recently honored by the Tempe Diablos in the group’s 28th annual Excellence in Education awards.

English teacher Darcy Boggs received the Leadership Award, given to an employee “who demonstrates uncompromising leadership traits,

and skills” who can be “counted on to lead, inspire and engage.”

Physical education teacher Bianca Marisa Caryl was named Teacher of the Year, given to the “overall outstanding educator.”

More than 300 teachers from Tempe Union High School, Kyrene and Tempe Elementary school districts were nominated.

AFN News Staff

DARCY BOGGS

BIANCA CARYL

ASU Prep to offer charter school on Compadre Academy campus in Tempe

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Afree public charter school will be part of the Compadre Academy campus next year under an agreement between Tempe Union High School District and Arizona State University Preparatory Academy. e agreement, approved unanimously by the school board April 5, gives students another option to improve their readiness for college or a career on a campus that houses a nontraditional high school for students who are behind in the required number of credits needed to graduate or who are returning to high school after dropping out.

“ASU Prep students have earned top results within the Cambridge International Curriculum, achieved a 98 percent fouryear graduation rate and its graduating class of 2017 is 100 percent admitted to post-secondary study or military service,” the district says on its website.

A briefing paper prepared in January 2006 by Principal Eduardo Flores states that while Compadre serves the Southeast Valley, “a slight majority” of its approximately 400 students come from

Guadalupe or Tempe Union’s other six high schools.

He said about 3 percent of Compadre’s student body comes from Desert Vista High School and about 12 percent are Mountain Pointe students.

“Compadre’s forte is building relationships and establishing intervention plans for students who need academic, behavioral and parenting support,” Flores wrote.

While the board and district officials have held at least five meetings to discuss Compadre’s makeover, Tempe Union Superintendent Kenneth Baca appeared apprehensive at the April 5 meeting about public reaction to the ASU agreement.

Stating “always in the forefront of my mind are the best interests of students,”

Baca told the board that the agreement “creates a national model for students who often are marginalized.”

“We are doing something different,” he told board members. “Doing something different isn’t always popular. I ask we be courageous tonight.”

On the other hand, board member Sandy Lowe said the arrangement “gives students more individualized learning, the ability to take world languages, have

electives and honors classes.

“I’m so excited for them,” she added. “I’m excited for our staff to work with ASU staff.”

ASU Prep already operates nine campuses for about 2,200 students. But eight campuses are divided into two sets of preschools, elementary, middle and high schools in Phoenix and on the east Mesa campus of ASU Polytechnic.

e ninth is ASU Prep Casa Grande, which is the likely model for Compadre.

It serves grades 9-12 and offers a personalized approach to learning that includes “a high use of innovative learning technology, the flexibility to work at your own pace, a collaboration of highly qualified teachers and rigorous online coursework, the opportunity to accelerate course taking and advance toward university courses,” according to its website.

ASU Preparatory Academies are openenrollment charter schools that don’t charge tuition or administer entrance exams. Under the agreement, ASU Prep will enroll approximately 100 students in grades 9-12 in its first year, growing enrollment to 400 students over time.

e district said it will offer “a rigorous

college-preparatory program that includes ASU courses for college credit, as well as a digital curriculum infused with the acclaimed Cambridge framework, delivered in a personalized, blended learning format.”

It added:

“ rough increased achievement, graduation rates and post-secondary attainment, Compadre and ASU Prep will become a model for demonstrating all students can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of life circumstances. Compadre and ASU Prep will share professional development and mentoring to bring best practices to every classroom. Staff will have access to ASU faculty and resources to support ongoing research and implementation of next-generation learning practices.”

Tempe Union will retain ownership of the physical campus and will have the option to continue offering its teen adolescent pregnancy program, Head Start, infant room and Desert Heights Academy at Compadre.

e agreement calls for ASU Prep to pay the district $92,782 for using the campus and no more than $116,000 for sharing administrative and support personnel.

Ahwatukee Foothills

Foothills

Arcadia Place – Chandler

FREEWAY

from page 1

group of 21 Native American tribes in the Southwest to intervene in the case. Whether approval of that request would involve still more briefs and delays is unclear.

Meanwhile, work is proceeding along most of the 22-mile freeway, which will provide a detour for I-10 traffic around downtown Phoenix by connecting the interchange at 59th Avenue in the West Valley with the Chandler interchange near Ahwatukee.

Native Americans call the freeway a desecration of South Mountain, which they consider sacred, because it will cut a 200-foot gash across three peaks.

Although the Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration have told the appeals court the project would affect a minute

percentage of the mountain, the tribes argue that the agencies ignored federal regulations requiring them to consider alternatives to causing what they call irreparable harm to a site of great cultural and religious significance.

Shanker’s brief reiterates PARC’s assertions that ADOT and the FHWA also ran roughshod over federal environmental regulations when they planned the freeway.

He called their long-range transportation planning “an unwavering, myopic commitment to a project addressing regional transportation needs 30 years ago.”

“ e conclusion that the same right-of-way that would have met regional transportation demands in the metropolitan Phoenix area in the 1980s will also meet regional transportation

(Arizna Department of Transportation)

Concrete will be poured into these giant ribar cylinders for the pillars that will support the section of the South Mountain Freeway that will cross the Salt River in Laveen.

in 2030, strains credulity,” he wrote.

Shanker argued that the agencies defined a study area for the freeway in 1983 outside of the parameters of the National Environmental Protection Act.

“In other words, one of the most significant aspects of the project – where to put an eight-lane freeway – was withheld from the NEPA decisionmaking process,” he wrote, and that it “did not result from a process of informed public involvement. It was simply carried forward by ADOT for 30 years.”

He noted that the law says “the primary purpose of an environmental impact statement is to serve as an actionforcing device to insure that the policies and goals defined in the act are infused into the ongoing programs and actions of the federal government.”

e law also requires that an environmental impact study “shall provide full and fair discussion of significant environmental impacts and shall inform decision-makers and the public of the reasonable alternatives,” Shanker wrote.

“ADOT asserts that the agency met with the (South Mountain) Citizens Advisory team on ‘60 occasions over 12 years,’” he wrote.

However, he added, the agencies “fail to indicate that the input of the South Mountain Citizens Advisory Team over the years was largely ignored.”

He said the team initially met in 2004 – “not only well after the (freeway’s) ‘purpose and need’ was defined, it was after non-freeway alternatives had already been rejected by the agencies.”

e brief also focuses heavily on two long-standing arguments by PARC: the government agencies’ alleged failure to adequately assess the freeway’s impact on the health of children and its purported failure to have a plan for accidents involving vehicles carrying toxic chemicals.

e agencies estimate that 65,000 to 70,000 trucks would use the freeway stretch through Ahwatukee on a daily basis. ADOT has said it will have a plan for such accidents, though it called them “remote” and “highly speculative.”

“ is includes approximately 14,000 heavy trucks per day,” Shanker countered. “ e prospect of a traffic accident involving a truck carrying a hazardous material is neither so ‘remote’ nor ‘highly speculative’ as to be beyond” federal environmental regulations.

Shanker also said the government’s environmental studies deliberately ignored the impact on the health of thousands of children attending 17 schools within the Ahwatukee corridor.

“ is does not include the parks, day care providers, and children who live near the right-of-way and who attend these schools,” he added.

He said ADOT contended the freeway would reduce emissions by 91 percent, but that this calculation looked at the entire study area around the whole freeway and “does not apply to the potential impacts that may be experienced directly adjacent to the project corridor.”

“An agency is required to consider impacts on human health that are directly related to the project,” he said. “ e law does not carve out an exception to this rule for children.”

“Defendants’ conclusion – that there will be no disproportionate impacts on children because they will be exposed to contaminants at the same levels as everybody else – is wrong, even if we ignore the fact that the freeway will have a direct impact on 17 schools that will be in close proximity to the right-of-way,” he said, adding:

“Whether, and to what extent, children living and/or going to school in close proximity to the freeway are exposed to … other mobile source emissions is a ‘significant aspect of the environmental

impact’ of this project that defendants have failed to consider.”

He also noted that not even 15 percent of the corridor had even been designed when the study was made.

“Such a low level of design would not have been sufficient to allow the agency to undertake ‘all possible planning to minimize harm,’” as the law requires, he said.

Agency action in approving this project was “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of

discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law … and/or without observance of procedure required by law.”

Shanker also noted the federal environmental law requires public input in defining a study area.

“ ere is, however, no indication that there was any public involvement in defining the study area for the project –let alone meaningful public participation that could meet (federal environmental) standards,” he said.

Senate OKs Norgaard’s push for dyslexia handbook, redefinition

BY HOWARD FISCHER

Capitol Media Services

Arizona is on the verge of requiring schools to do more to identify students with dyslexia and giving them guidelines for how to deal with them.

e Senate on Monday gave final approval to legislation allowing the state Board of Education to create a handbook for schools. at already appears to be accomplished, with Rep. Jill Norgaard, R-Ahwatukee, telling board members earlier in the day that one has been prepared and is ready for adoption.

But the potentially more significant part of HB 2202, which now goes to the governor, is redefining dyslexia in a way Norgaard said more accurately reflects the condition. She said that alone should help students get identified earlier and get them the help they need before they fall behind.

Arizona will be the 15th state in the nation to create such a handbook, said Norgaard, whose district includes parts of Tempe, Chandler and Mesa.

What makes that all the more remarkable, she said, is that until the October 2015 federal education guidelines, “you weren’t even able to mention the D-word in schools.’’

Whether that was a specific prohibition is less clear.

e 2015 letter to schools from the U.S. Department of Education said it found that schools are “reluctant to reference or use dyslexia’’ in evaluating students or developing individualized education program. Assistant Education Secretary Michael Yudin said he wanted to “clarify’’ that’s not the case.

Whatever the situation, Norgaard said, it freed parents, educators and other volunteers to start working to ensure that schools were finding dyslexic students and providing needed help. e problem, she explained, is that students who have problems in word recognition and decoding are often simply considered to be slow readers, especially when there is no other disability found.

“Dyslexia students are typically very bright. ey memorize a lot of things’’ starting as early as age 3, she said.

It isn’t until second and third grade that there’s a noticeable drop in reading comprehension, especially when problems are presented in story form.

“It’s been identified that 17 percent of students have some form of dyslexia,’’ she said.

Part of the problem, Norgaard said, is that students sometimes get identified as disabled and are put into programs where they have individualized education plans or put into special education programs. She said the change in law, coupled with the handbook, will lead to “focused intervention,’’ which eventually will put the student “back into the mainstream.’’

And there’s a financial benefit to the state, said Norgaard.

“If you start spending money more on early intervention, you’re not going to see kids

(Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services)

State Rep. Jill Norgaard, R-Ahwatukee, tells the state Board of Education about efforts to put together a handbook to help teachers both diagnose and deal with students with dyslexia. Norgaard is the sponsor of legislation to not only permit a handbook but redefine the condition in state law.

fall off in third and fourth grade where they hate school, they don’t want to go to school any more,’’ she said. Norgaard said what’s in the handbook follows successful models in other states.

Education board members getting updated on the handbook and Norgaard’s legislation got the benefit of hearing from Charlie LeVinus, a fourthgrader who has been diagnosed with dyslexia.

LeVinus explained how he scored in the 96th percentile or higher among all students in a first-grade test in math, reading and other skills.

“Because we were in first grade, it was read to us in class,’’ he told board members. “However, I knew I was still having reading problems. I was afraid of being called on in class.’’

It took efforts by two specialists to get the diagnosis of double deficit dyslexia. He attended a summer program seven hours a day, five days a week, for six weeks to “reprogram’’ his brain. e result, LeVinus said, is he now reads above grade level.

Bernadette Coggins, a governing board member in the Kyrene School District, said the guidelines are important.

“It’s a starting point for schools where they have to start identifying students so I don’t have to go in and say, ‘I think my kid’s dyslexic,’ and have them say, ‘No,

he’s ADHD’’ or some other diagnosis,’” she said. “At the same time, we’re going to provide some resources and tools for school districts to tap into.’’

Coggins said she knows from personal experience with her son, Zane, that, until now, schools have had no tools to identify students with dyslexia or even know what to do with them.

“We knew in about third grade that something wasn’t right,’’ Coggins said, with his skills two years behind grade level.

She said her district provided “every intervention we have.’’ But nothing the district did was able to figure out what was wrong.

It was only after taking action on her own, Coggins said, that she got a diagnosis. She said, though, that there needs to be something built into the education system to find those students before it’s too late.

“What we’ve noticed with dyslexia is if kids aren’t diagnosed and given tthe right tools, then they go on into middle school and high school,’’ Coggins said. She said they have a high dropout rate and believes they are more likely to end up in prison.

Norgaard said she is working on a possible pilot program for “decoding dyslexia in preschool.”

“Arizona would be the first state in the nation to address dyslexia at such an early age,” she said. “Statistics show that it can decoded as early as 3 years old.”

Desert Vista High grad earns Ph.D with study of ‘Dark Net’ economy

ADesert Visa High School grad and former Ahwatukee resident has earned her doctorate with a study of the “Dark Net.”

Julia Norgaard earned her Ph.D in economics from George Mason University recently after writing a dissertation titled “Shadow Markets and Hierarchies: Comparing and Modeling Networks in the Dark Net.” Unlike the regular internet, the Dark Net is an encrypted overlay network that can be accessed only with specific software, configurations or authorization. It is often used for illicit activities that users are trying to hide from law enforcement or other

AFN NEWS STAFF

LAKES

private school, café and recreation paths on the course, which was closed in 2013.

True Life needs 51 percent of 5,200 homeowners to change the CC&Rs.

investor of the property would or could operate a stand-alone golf course on the property,” Barry said.

“ us, given the status of the property (as a failed business and a closed golf course), the original purpose of the restriction cannot be realized,” he added. “ us, the CC&R’s need to be modified.”

“Linda Swain and Eileen Breslin, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said:

Company officials earlier this year were expressing frustration over the pace of their signature drive, though Barry said they have collected over 2,000 signatures.

Hannah last June ruled that the CC&Rs allowed only a golf course, and set June for a trial on a lawsuit by two homeowners who are demanding that that True Life restore the site.

True Life says its experts estimate restoration would cost over $14 million.

e opposing homeowners group, Save e Lakes, says its experts think it could be done for about a third of that cost.

“ e delay of the trial is another test of our community’s patience. But it also indicates that our case remains strong. While we regret the further delay, we’re grateful for the signs that True Life appears to be reaching the true end of the road.”

“ e point of the developer’s latest pleading seems to be to ask the judge to reverse himself because of what True Life’s attorneys now claim to be a ‘material change in….circumstances,’” said a statement released to AFN by Save the Lakes, adding:

“We remain confident in our case and in our legal team,” they continued. “Most of all, we’re grateful that our community saw through True Life and its plan, which would produce more traffic jams, overcrowding, and more potential for flooding – instead of a renewed golf course and open space.

Barry said the CC&Rs cane be changed either by a majority vote of the homeowners or a court order “in the event that there is a change in circumstances that precludes the original purpose of the restrictions from being realized.”

“Since they’ve also failed to earn our community’s support, True Life now looks to be asking the judge to rule against the community and change the CC&Rs, because the developers claim it will cost them too much to re-construct the golf course that the judge ordered be operated.”

Barry condemned the statement.

“Clearly, Save e Lakes continues to make up false information wherever possible to suit their goal of stopping our proposed project,” he said.

“Given the fact that operating a golf course on this specific property is not economically viable and given the large investment that would have to occur to re-construct the golf course, TTLC does not believe any reasonable owner/

“ e two procedures are mutually exclusive,” he said, adding his company is “diligently preparing for that trial date and look forward to the opportunity of being heard through this process. We will do everything in our power to prevail in defending our rights as property owners in this case.”

He added, “We will continue to collect signed consent forms with the goal of reaching approval of 51 percent of the benefited parties.”

“We encourage those members …that want the opportunity to increase their property values to send in their signed consent forms,” Barry also said.

(AFN file photo)

The 101-acre Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course has been closed since 2013 and owner True Life Companies wants to turn it into an “agrihood” with a farm, about 270 homes and other amenities.

Wolfgang’s takes very good care of us. ~ Amy M.

Always great service when working with Wolfgang’s Cooling & Heating. ~ Phil K.

I have been very satis ed with the service I have received from Wolfgang’s. ~ Bob R.

Tall car, small child lead to non-uncommon Heap tragedy

BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer

Todd Heap ranks as one of the East Valley’s most acclaimed athletes, starring at Mountain View High School and Arizona State University before becoming a two-time Pro Bowl tight end with the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals.

But while Heap achieved many accolades on the football field, one terrible moment on the afternoon of April 14 plunged him into the depths of heartbreak that few can fathom: He accidentally ran over and killed his 3-year-old daughter in his Mesa driveway

Although it is of no consolation at such a tragic moment, Heap is far from the only parent to accidentally run down a child.

Little Holly Heap’s death is yet another example of a type of accident that happens too frequently from visibility issues created by the dangerous combination of small children and tall pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Janette E. Fennell, founder and president of KidsandCars.org, said at least 42 children were killed in a similar manner in 2016, a type of collision known as a “front over.” Since the mid1990s, more than 800 children have died in such accidents.

She said most vehicles have a front “blind zone” of six to eight feet, with the problem most pronounced in tall pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. In many cases, a parent is behind the wheel during such tragedies.

“I think everybody will agree that the worst thing that can happen to a parent is the loss of a child,” Fennell said. “Not only has the child died, but you are the person who killed the child.”

Most people are more familiar with the blind zone behind vehicles, which can be 15 to 60 feet, she said. Federal regulations require that all vehicles manufactured after May 2018 be equipped with rearview cameras as standard equipment.

Increasingly, technology in some new vehicles typically combines a forwardcollision warning system with automatic braking. e system beeps when a collision with another car or pedestrian is imminent and applies the brakes if

necessary.

Detective Steve Berry, a Mesa police spokesman, said the tragic fatality occurred at 3:45 p.m on April 14 in the 7600 block of East Summit Trail, in a gated community.

He said the accident occurred when Heap drove his pickup truck forward, not noticing that his daughter was standing in the driveway, in the path of the vehicle. e little girl was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Berry said that there was nothing suspicious about the circumstances involving the accident and that there were no signs of impairment.

e accident remains under investigation.

Heap and his wife, Ashley, have five children, including the victim, according to published reports. e couple is renowned for their generosity, including a pledge of $1 million in 2007 that helped launch the Todd Heap Family Pediatric Center at a hospital in Baltimore.

In a December 2015 story on the Ravens website, Heap explained his devotion to his family.

“Family has always been the most important thing in my life. And, now with my own, it’s even more important. It’s the most important calling in my life, to be a husband and father. I look at how my parents raised me, and I hope I can be as good as they are. Family was always ahead of football. I would place God first, family and then football. Football was a huge part of my life, but family is always bigger.”

When asked what makes him smile, Heap said, “I just got done jumping on the trampoline with my 2-year-old daughter, and it’s hard to get a bigger smile than that. I took all three of my boys golfing this morning. at was a lot of fun. [My wife] Ashley makes me smile every day. Family and all of the events we do, that regularly makes me smile.”

Fennell said it’s possible to look at Heap’s tragedy and learn from it to spare the lives of other children.

“It’s a tragedy that breaks your heart,” Fennell said.

“ is could be a teachable moment,” she said, adding that her condolences go out to Heap and his family. “Everyone

knows he would never put his child in harm’s way.”

She said her best advice for parents is to walk around their pickup truck or SUV before moving it, and to make sure children are in sight and are supervised by an adult. Sometimes, excited children will run outside to say goodbye to a parent who is driving away, making themselves prone to serious injury or even death.

Holly Heap’s tragic death was not the first time a Mesa family experienced such a heartbreaking loss.

On June 28, 2005, Eric Quick was driving his SUV into his garage in the 2300 block of East Fox Street when he accidentally struck and killed his daughter, Tiffany, who was only 20 months old.

e Mesa neighborhood supported the Quicks, according to published reports, by cooking meals and cleaning the family’s house.

Michele Quick, Tiffany’s mother, recounted the horror she experienced that day in a testimonial featured on Fennell’s organization’s website.

She explained how her husband was moving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban into the garage, out of the sun, to keep the seats cool before taking the children for a trip to restaurant later that afternoon.

“Somewhere in the confusion, while the kids and I went in the house to get their shoes on, our little 20-month-old Tiffany walked outside, anxious, I am sure, to help her daddy move the car in, or perhaps not understanding that he was not leaving, to give him one more kiss. at was it. It was over.

“Because of the height and size of our SUV and her small size, he did not know she was there. I have nightmares

of hearing him scream into the house, ‘CALL 911, CALL 911.’ I knew, I knew that she was gone,” Michele Quick wrote.

“As I was on the phone with 911, he came in and screamed that she was dead. DEAD? I thought how could this be? I had just been holding this little beautiful girl. WHY?”

Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said technology is increasingly available to prevent such tragedies. Carmakers often combine forward-collision warning systems with an automatic braking system.

He said most safety features usually are introduced on luxury cars and eventually percolate down to all vehicles. A study by the Institute recently determined that automatic braking systems eliminate an estimated 50 percent of rear-end collisions with other cars.

e forward-collision warning systems typically combine sensors, cameras and lasers. ey were initially targeted at avoiding rear-end collisions with other cars, but they are being fine-tuned to recognize pedestrians as well, Rader said. e auto industry has committed to making the systems standard equipment by 2022, with some companies voluntarily doing so on present models.

“If you are shopping for a new car, you should be looking for vehicles with these items,” Rader said. “ ey could not only avoid a fender bender, they could avoid a tragedy.”

Even if the system is part of a pricey package of features, “it’s well worth the money,” Rader said.

– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@ ahwatukee.com.

(Special to AFN)

ABOVE: Ravens tight end Todd Heap goes out for a pass while covered by Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson during a game in Baltimore on September 23, 2007.

RIGHT: Todd Heap (back, second from left) was inducted into the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor in September 2014. With him is his family, and in the stroller is his daughter Holly, who was killed April 14.

Cordial Biggs, Synema exchange similar views on Washington politics

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Don’t anticipate President Trump’s “skinny budget” becoming law; expect continued acrimony between the leadership of both major parties in Congress and hope the White House develops a strategy for dealing with rogue nations and other international security threats.

ose were the thoughts echoed by two local members of Congress on opposite ends of the political spectrum who participated in a 75-minute dialogue during the East Valley Partnership’s annual Statespersons Luncheon last week.

Both second-term Democrat Kyrsten Synema, whose district includes Phoenix, and Republican Andy Biggs, whose district includes a large part of the East Valley, shared a surprising number of views about what they see – and aren’t seeing – in Washington, D.C.

In some ways, it may not be surprising the two found agreement on so many points, despite their widely disparate political views, because Synema and Biggs were both state legislators for about a decade.

Both bemoaned the lack of bipartisanship in both chambers of Congress, but they said that was largely driven by the party leadership, because relationships between lower-level representatives often are on friendlier terms. ey also said TV focused on the bickering because that’s what producers find more interesting.

“TV prefers a train wreck, and Congress

NORGAARD

from page 13

will provide one everyday,” Synema said, adding that some of the partisan moves by her party’s leaders in the Senate have left her “heartbroken” because they will continue to thwart cooperation on the big issues that Congress should resolve.

Biggs said he was one of 50 freshman members of Congress from both parties who signed an agreement to maintain civil relationships, but said that among the party leadership “those divides are really big.”

Both officials also complained about the absence of communication – even within their own party – on any deal that might avert a government shutdown

her interest in economics.

when the U.S. officially runs out of money on Friday. ey noted that because Congress has been on its spring break, they don’t expect to know anything before today –Synema probably not until ursday.

As for the longer-term 2017-18 annual budget that Congress theoretically is supposed to approve by the end of June, both doubted one would materialize.

Biggs called Trump’s “skinny budget” – dubbed partly because it omits a lot of detail – “aspirational,” and that he doubted it would be approved despite the fact his party controls Congress.

Synema was more blunt: “What hasn’t

changed is the math,” referring to House Speaker Paul Ryan’s lack of enough votes.

“We’re going to have trouble getting any budget done,” Biggs added.

Biggs seemed to have been shocked by a kind of casual attitude toward spending even within his own party.

He recalled how one fellow Republican wanted to spend $30 million to create an agency that would look at the regulations promulgated by other federal agencies and then advise Congress which regulations should be abolished.

He said he went up to one colleague and said, “ at’s our job,” but that colleague ridiculed him for thinking $30 million was a lot of money.

Biggs and Synema both expressed concern and agreement over what they called the absence of a cohesive strategy for dealing with rogue nations and other terrorist threats.

“We don’t have a true foreign strategy,” Biggs said.

On issues affecting Arizona in a more immediate way, both Synema and Biggs said Congress has been slowly eliminating a number of regulations that hurt innovation by businesses.

As for Trump’s promised program to improve infrastructure, Biggs said Arizona needs “a lot of shovel-ready projects” in order to grab as much money from the program, which has not been detailed yet.

And Synema said one infrastructure project that won’t come to pass is the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

“We don’t have any money and we’re not going to spend it on a wall,” she said.

TATE

from page 5 government agencies.

Norgaard, the daughter of Clark and Jill Norgaard, a state representative, analyzed various black market networks.

“My dissertation is an analysis of the economic mechanisms of the Internet black market,” she told AFN. “ ese encrypted online marketplaces employ crypto currency, namely Bitcoins, and function over the Tor network,” she added. “I explore reputation mechanisms, network effects and the role that anonymity plays in these marketplaces.”

Ironically, it was a television show that Norgaard attributes partially for

While stating “my parents introduced me to the ideas of economics,” she said, “My dad and I used to watch Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman’s ‘Free to Choose’ TV series.”

Norgaard, 27, did her undergraduate work at the University of San Diego, majoring in economics with a minor in math.

She’s now heading to Pepperdine University, where she will be a professor of economics.

Norgaard didn’t forget her high school influences either.

After she was notified she would be receiving her doctorate, she called her former government teacher, Dawn Schmidt, to tell her the good news.

customers,” said Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher, adding:

“His leadership is an excellent fit for Phoenix and is also award winning, as over the last two years the teams Mr. Tate has managed have been awarded the Outstanding Popular Annual Financial Reporting award from the Government Finance Officers Association.”

Tate will oversee the City Auditor Department and a staff of 25 in conducting independent audits of departments, programs and contractors citywide.

ose audits are used for “objective feedback and recommendations to reduce operational and financial risks

to promote the efficient use of city resources,” the city said in a release.

“I am very excited to use my skills and experience to promote positive change within the city of Phoenix,” said Tate. “I look forward to joining a team of dedicated professionals who work each day to make Phoenix an efficient organization that strives to improve the quality of life for citizens.”

Prior to his role with Maricopa County, Tate served as a banking industry auditor. He is also past president of the Association of Local Government Auditors and the Arizona Local Government Auditors Association. Tate holds a bachelor of science in business management, business operations and systems analysis from Brigham Young University.

(Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer)

U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Synema, D-Phoenix, and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican whose district includes much of the East Valley, talk politics with Jeff Guldner, APS vice president for public policy.

Ahwatukee teens find ways to cope with the high cost of going to the prom

BY COLLEEN SPARKS AFN Contributor

It’s the time of year when girls eagerly slip into glamorous evening gowns while their dates get gussied up in tuxedos to whisk them off to prom.

While high school students spend months excitedly planning how they will celebrate before, during and after the big dances, this rite of passage often comes with a high price tag.

Between buying dresses and renting or buying tuxedos, paying for upscale dinners, as well as renting limousines and party buses, teens in Ahwatukee and the East Valley often spend hundreds of dollars on the popular event.

Some of them save their money from part-time jobs, while others ask parents for help or find creative ways to cut costs, but having to come up with so much cash in a short time can be stressful. Others turn to organizations, schools and businesses that provide free or reduced-price dresses or suits and tickets to the dance.

Many teens say the financial strain is worth it as they can bond with friends at an elegant affair, sometimes the last such occasion before graduation.

At Horizon Honors Secondary School in Ahwatukee, senior class vice president Giuliana Castronova said planning prom is “pretty stressful.”

The charter school’s prom is May 6 at the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa. Castronova, 18, spent about $200 to $250 on her prom last year. She borrowed a friend’s dress last year but shopped for her own this time around.

To save money this season, she said a friend is going to help her do her makeup and she and her friends will eat dinner at a low-key, inexpensive restaurant.

“I definitely have money saved up,” Castronova said. “Although it can seem intimidating, I encourage everyone to go. You have no regrets and it’s always a fun.”

It will cost Horizon about $1,750 to rent the museum space for prom.

Girls follow modesty, faith to push against revealing prom dresses

BY RACHEL EROH

AFN Contributor

It’s prom season and every girl is looking for the perfect dress that fits their own personal style while also remaining trendy.

In every boutique and department store, the racks are lined with dresses covered in sequins, tulle, lace and silk. It looks like there is a dress for everyone, with one major exception.

For the girls who want to maintain their modesty, it’s difficult to find a dress among the revealing cuts and slits that seem to be found on almost every gown.

In the East Valley, a few stores help those girls find what they need while also staying stylish.

Jerolyn Greenberg, owner of A Closet Full of Dresses in Mesa, said the common

stereotype behind what “modest” dresses look like is wrong.

“I think a lot of times people think modest means frumpy,” Greenberg said.

However, a lot of the designers and brands that Greenberg sells have modest

versions of a lot of their gowns.

“There are reps that know what religious groups need, and they’ve chosen gown styles that they have made modest for that exact reason,” Greenburg said.

This way, girls can get the styles they

See PROM on page 20 See

want while also feeling covered with sleeves and higher necklines.

Greenberg understands that many girls see risqué dresses in the stores and want to fit the trend, she said.

However, many girls want the styles without the revealing features.

“There are still many girls that want to look beautiful and trendy without revealing so much,” Greenberg said.

Jeanay Sirrine, owner of Modest Wedding and Prom in Mesa, said she offers stylish dresses that have modest sleeves and length.

“When a lot of girls come in they say, ‘This is exactly what I’ve been looking for,’” Sirrine said.

Sirrine has also had many moms thank her for making their daughter’s shopping experience much easier for them, she

(Kimberly Carrillo\AFN Staff Photographer)

ABOVE: Alexa Smythe sorts through racks of prom gowns looking for that special outfit for a special night.

RIGHT: Giuliana Castronova, left, and Alexa Smythe try out their prom gowns.

(Rachel Eroh/AFN Contributor) Opting for modesty in their prom gowns are, from left, Audreyann Boren, Ashlyne Conway, Rebecca Farnsworth and Bailie McCabe.

Ahwatukee Scout aims Eagle project at helping homeless kids enjoy sports

Ahwatukee Boy Scout Josh

Maerling is earning his Eagle rank by helping homeless kids get a chance to enjoy sports.

The Desert Vista High School freshman is holding drives on Saturday, April 29, and May 6 to collect new and gently used sports equipment for kids in the 27 shelters operated countywide by A New Leaf, a 46-year-old nonprofit that helps individuals and families in crisis.

He’s trying to take Ahwatukee by storm with his campaign, passing out more than 1,000 flyers and setting up a collection box at Corpus Christi Church, where his Troop 278 meets.

He will be collecting gear 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the next two Saturdays on the west side of Boston Market at Ray Road and 46th Street, Ahwatukee. To make sure people see him, he’ll have a Blue EZ UP and a Big Green box for the donations.

He also is willing to pick up donations and donors can arrange that by emailing eagleprojectlakewood@gmail.com.

“I am collecting soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, kickballs, frisbees, whiffle

bats and balls, softballs, bats, gloves and jump ropes,” he said. “All these items will help get kids outdoors, active and keep their minds off their current situation.

“I am asking that people donate equipment and give what they can for those kids less fortunate,” he added. “Any monetary donations go 100 percent back into purchasing more equipment.”

The son of Bill and Christine Maerling, Josh has been in scouting since first grade. His father is the assistant scoutmaster at Troop 278, one of the first founded in Ahwatukee in the 1980s.

He developed his project as the result of a conversation he had last year with a friend.

“She had it really hard,” Josh said. “She ran away when she was 9. She grew up on the streets in North Dakota. She put herself through high school. She turned her life over to God and now has such a passion for life and helping the homeless.

“I wanted my project to help homeless kids and after I heard her story, I researched various organizations and found A New Leaf.”

Besides scouting, Josh also plays football and plans on being part of the

Thunder junior varsity team next school year.

“I really love sports,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what type. I just love to compete and play ball. I just took up golf too. In my family, we grew up playing sports – sometimes even inside, living-room baseball. Mom wasn’t a fan, but my sister, brother and dad sure loved it.”

Scouting is a family affair for Josh.

His older brother John earned his Eagle in 2010 and is now a Marine and will commission as a second lieutenant in a couple weeks.

“Earning your Eagle still shows people your commitment to the principles of scouting, which carry through to everything you do in life,” he said. “

“Scouting has enabled me to go places and see things that most people will never see,” he added. “I’ve hiked to water holes, water falls, the Superstitions, The Grand Canyon and many others. This

June I will attend Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico – 10 days on the trail hiking 80+ miles.”

And he is eager to collect his Eagle Scout award.

“Since the inception of the Eagle Scout award in 1912, 2.01 percent of eligible Scouts have earned scouting’s highest honor. I want to be part of that 2 percent.”

(Special to AFN)

Ahwatukee Boy Scout Josh Maerling, getting ready for some rockwall climbing, is collecting sports gear for homeless kids.

Red Cross honors Ahwatukee woman for disaster help

AFN News Staff

An Ahwatukee woman will be honored by the American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter for her volunteer work helping disaster victims.

Shannon Durham will receive the Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award at the organization’s annual volunteer awards ceremony Saturday, April 29, at the Phoenix Zoo.

“The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors, and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter, and hope,’’ said Kurt Kroemer, CEO for the American Red Cross Arizona-New Mexico-El Paso Region.

The Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter serves 4.3 million people across Maricopa, Pinal and Gila counties, as well as Luke Air Force Base. About 580 adult and youth volunteers who are trained to use their Red Cross skills to help save lives.

In 2016, volunteers assisted more than 640 families during disasters including house fires, flooding and forest fires. Red Cross volunteers also trained about 20,000 people in life-saving skills, water safety, and fire safety. In addition, the Red Cross helped keep Arizona military families connected by relaying critical messages around the world.

Diamond found in rough

“There are always trained individuals nearby ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives,” he said.

Durham, 69, is a retired social worker. She has donated more than 9,300 hours as a Red Cross volunteer for seven years.

She has been a leader regarding disaster mental health and also assists with the integrated care and condolence teams, service to the Armed Forces and public affairs. She makes sure that volunteers, staff, and clients are all mentally healthy in various activities.

She works as a disaster instructor to assist other volunteers in preparing to serve clients and belongs to the East Valley Disaster Action Team, assisting with responses to home fires, particularly when shelters are opened.

Durham also responded to national disasters from New York to California. “I have enjoyed the entire experience of volunteering for Red Cross. I have been able to serve wonderful clients in familiar places like Prescott after the Yarnell fire and in totally new places like Memphis, Tennessee, and Charleston, West Virginia,’’ Durham said.

The City of Phoenix will be receiving the Good Neighbor Award at the ceremony for partnering with the Red Cross “in new ways to make homes safer and better prepare the community to meet the needs of people affected by disaster,’’ said Beth Boyd, Red Cross regional disaster officer for Arizona-New Mexico-El Paso Region

In 2016, the Phoenix Fire Department helped the Red Cross install hundreds of free smoke alarms. The Red Cross joined a city to increase shelter capacity and ensure that shelters are accessible to everyone.

The Phoenix Office of Emergency Management, Human Services Department and Parks and Recreation Department have integrated the Red Cross in planning and training. When Hurricane Mathew disrupted Greyhound Bus service in 2016, dozens of people were stranded in Phoenix with limited resources and the Red Cross was asked to provide shelter.

With the assistance of the Office of Emergency Management, Pecos Community Center was opened as a shelter for about 24 hours.

“The interaction between the city employees and the clients was not only heartwarming but demonstrated an individual commitment to help people in need,’’ Boyd said.

Information: 602-336-6660 or RedCross.org/Arizona.

This diamond caused a stir Sunday during the concert at Desert Foothills Park when it popped out of the engagement ring an unidentified woman had been given the day before by her boyfriend. "Over 60 people got their cell phone lights on and helped look for it," said Ahwatukee resident Brian Foster. "After about 15 minutes, most had given up and left, and suddenly someone yelled that they had found it."

Dr. Anita Marra and Staff

(Special to AFN)

Shannon Durham, a retired social worker who lives in Ahwatukee, will be honored by the Red Cross for helping disaster victims.

(Special to AFN)

The principals at both Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe high schools declined to answer any questions from AFN about the prom, as did the Tempe Union district public information officer.

“I think everyone, like from when you’re in elementary (school), all you hear about is your prom,” Heidi Montgomery, a junior at Westwood High School in Mesa said.

“I’m so excited,” added Montgomery, 16, who is junior class president on the student council. “I think it’s going to be great.”

She hoped to spend less than $150 on all her prom costs with Westwood’s prom coming up May 6 at Ashley Castle in Chandler. Her game plan was to get help from her sister finding a good bargain on a dress.

It is costing Westwood just over $15,000 to rent the space at Ashley Castle.

Students, high school administrators and parents in Chandler, Mesa, Tempe and Ahwatukee Foothills say teens spend from about $200 to $1,000 on prom. Student council at the campuses plan

the events and do fundraising to cover the schools’ costs, with ticket sales paying for some expenses.

While the proms offer snacks and drinks, students are on their own for dinner. The dances are for juniors and seniors, but they can bring underclassman dates.

“From what I hear, everyone else says it costs an arm and a leg,” Montgomery said. “I know a lot of people who can’t afford to go.”

She said her mother wants her to enjoy her high school experience so she’ll pay for her prom expenses. Montgomery and her friends plan to eat at a restaurant that’s “nothing super-fancy” before the dance.

Westwood High’s Silent Friends club, led by students, raises money to provide prom tickets to students in need. Tickets are $45 each for students who have a school activity card and $50 per student if they don’t have one.

Every year, dresses donated from the community and former students are given to Westwood girls who could not afford them otherwise, said Westwood Silent Friends club sponsor, Student Council advisor and English teacher Cheri Guy. She said more than 30 dresses were available for girls this year.

The tab

For girls, the dress can often cost between $100 and $500.

Tuxedo rentals for boys can range from $100 to $200.

Hair styling for girls at salons can range from $50 to $100.

Dinner ahead of time: Price varies greatly, often from $30 to $100.

Cutting the tab

Borrow a dress or shop online for inexpensive dresses. Wear a dress you wore to another formal event.

Ask a friend to do your hair or makeup.

If you rent a limousine, get a large group. Or just use your own car.

Eat dinner at a friend’s house and make it a potluck.

Buy a used tuxedo or wear a suit instead.

Sources: Local students, teachers and administrators.

Students at Mountain View High School in Mesa are trying to figure out how to save money for their prom on April 29 at the Falls Event Center in Gilbert. Tickets cost $45 a person.

“It definitely is the most expensive dance we have at our school,” said Mountain View senior and student body vice president MD Suffian Tazbir. “Students usually start saving up starting at the beginning of the year.”

Rebekah Baird, Mountain View senior class president, 18, is borrowing a dress for prom.

Rather than getting a corsage, she’s going to buy flowers for about $20 to make a flower crown. “I think that you can make it however expensive and however cheap you want,” Baird said.

David Marks, assistant principal at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, agreed with that. He said prom “can be pretty expensive,” but teens can reduce costs by eating dinner at friends’ houses and buying used tuxedos.

Marks added girls can go to the makeup counters at department stores to get makeovers or find people they know to fix their hair and makeup instead of visiting salons.

He said some students will wear a dress shirt and tie rather than tuxedo or split the cost of renting limousines or party buses among 30 students.

The cost to rent space at Mesa Convention Center, where Red Mountain’s prom will be held May 13, is about $17,000.

Some businesses in Mesa are offering discounts on tuxedo and suit purchases and rentals including LeSueur’s Tuxedos which advertised $40 off tuxedo rentals.

Pomeroy’s Men’s and Missionary store on West Main Street is selling men’s suits for 20 percent off the regular price, or customers can buy one suit and get the second suit half-off through Aug. 1.

In Chandler, hundreds of girls in need got free prom gear at the Cinderella Affair the East Valley Women’s League.

Prom costs weighed heavily on the mind of Leisly Argota, 16, junior class president at Marcos de Niza High.

“In my situation, it is stressful because dresses are super-expensive and I haven’t had time to go check them out,” Argota said weeks before the big dance. “My group of friends, they’re stressing about it because they don’t have jobs.”

Festival of Lights names three charities to receive funding

As it prepares for its big fundraising Wine and Beer Tasting event this weekend, the Festival of Lights is already thinking about November, naming three charities to receive money from its Kick-Off Party.

Selected were the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA’s Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors, the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee and the Starbright Foundation.

Meanwhile, tickets are still available for the festival, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at Rawhide Western Town, just south of Ahwatukee.

The event is an evening gathering of adults to raises funds for the nonprofit FOL’s Million White Lights Display that illuminates Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

The move to Rawhide from the Foothills Country Club two years ago was

necessitated by weather and availability, said FOL President Janyce Hazlett.

For the third year, tickets remain $50 each, or attendees can save $10 with the $240 Six Shooter Package. Parking is free.

Tickets can be purchased at folaz.org, or at the three Ahwatukee Safeway stores: Safeway at Desert Foothills Parkway and Chandler Boulevard, Safeway at 40th Street and Chandler Boulevard, and Safeway at 48th Street and Elliot Road.

Hazlett said besides supporting the FOL Million White Lights, the event aids the three local charities that have been selected by FOL.

The Wine & Beer Tasting Event provides event goers with a selection of more than 50 varieties of wines and beers, food samples from a dozen or more area restaurants, live music by Trapwire, and line dancing with Ahwatukee’s Carrie McNeish.

The event’s silent auction is well-known for the quality of their items including

jewelry and trips, and for the quantity. Traditionally, over 100 items are up for bid in this major fundraising portion of the fundraising event.

The three charities designated as recipients of the Festival of Lights’ donations all applied in January.

Y OPAS is a community effort offering free support services for the seniors of Ahwatukee and their caregivers. Services are provided by community volunteers, with the goal of assisting seniors in maintaining independent living in their homes. For the most part, volunteers drive seniors who have no vehicles to medical appointments, grocery stores or on other errands.

But volunteers also take them to venues like restaurants and coffee shops to have some company. He organization can always use more volunteers. Information: valleyymca.org/opas.

Fresh off its 41st annual Easter Parade the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee helps kids in a variety of way. It has reading

programs to improve literacy, holds backto-school shopping trips and holiday parties for kids in group foster homes and sponsors other activities. Information: ahwatukeekiwanis.org.

The Starbright Foundation provides services to child victims of abusive situations such as neglect, abuse, sex trafficking and child pornography. Starbright also works with law enforcement and other governing agencies to protect children through education on internet safety, cell phone and video game dangers.

Starbright partners with local child welfare agencies and churches to provide life skill classes for foster children, foster family support groups, foster family events and equine therapy.

“Starbright is a voice for children who have suffered alone with little or no hope offering avenues for restoration and healing in a safe environment,” the Festival of Lights said in a release. Information: starbrightfoundation.org

Birds and the bees can bring misery to Ahwatukee

BY BECKY BRACKEN AFN Staff Writer

Part of the beauty of living in Ahwatukee is its proximity to unspoiled nature. But being so close to the wild outdoors leaves many residents to wrestle with all sorts of critters – backyard bunnies, roof rats, javelina, coyotes, even scorpions and snakes.

But this spring there are two seasonal pests really leaving their mark on area properties: birds and bees.

Last week I returned home after just a few hours to find a hive of bees in the midst of setting up a full condo complex in the wall of my house.

Apparently, they found a gap between the metal flashing and the foundation, and the back porch was literally carpeted with thousands of buzzing bees waiting their turn to pass through the tiny opening into the bathroom wall.

I immediately called a bee exterminator. Well, actually, first I hysterically called my husband and my mom, in that order. They were not very helpful, so the exterminator was my third call.

I also proceeded to do the exact

opposite of what you’re supposed to do in a situation like this; I started flailing around and spraying Raid in an effort to shoo the little buggers away.

Turns out, that’s bad because just about any bees you see in the area have been Africanized, according to Osman Kaftanoglu, manager of the ASU Honey Bee Lab.

“When they build combs, the queen bee starts laying eggs and workers collect nectar and pollen; they become more defensive,” Kaftanoglu said. “They attack people or animals if they get close to the nest. They also follow people for a couple of hundred yards.”

Once the bee exterminator arrived, there weren’t any visible bees. But what we couldn’t see was that in just a few hours, thousands of bees had made it into the wall. Because they were behind drywall, there was no way the hive could be relocated, so the exterminator started pumping insecticide into the wall.

Then the entire wall started buzzing. It was gruesome, but with just a bit more time, they would have been able to start a comb. The queen would have started laying eggs and things would have gone from bad to worse.

Since the bee incident at my house, I’ve heard several similar stories from neighbors and colleagues and wondered if bees were becoming more of a problem than in years past.

What about colony collapse and “save the bees” and all of that?

“Yes, the number of feral Africanized colonies are increasing every year, we are having more problems,” Kaftanoglu said. “We will have even more problems

in the following years. Arizona has a very suitable climate and ecology for the Africanized bees.

“Since the winter is short and warm, the colonies develop early in the spring and swarm much more than European colonies,” he added. “Honey bee queens mate in the air while they are flying. When European queens take a mating

(Becky Bracken/AFN Staff)

Swallows can cause considerable damage if you let them build their nest beneath your entryway roof.

Ahwatukee eighth-grader a model for National Kids and Pets

Today, April 26, is a special day for Alexa Brianna Horn of Ahwatukee and her little friends.

It’s National Kids and Pets Day, a day that carries special significance for Alexa because the Summit School of Ahwatukee eighth-grader has logged over 100 hours caring for animals at Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Tempe that is one of the few that allows kids to interact with the pets.

“She loves walking the dogs, playing with the puppies and bottle-feeding the kittens,” said Lindsay Hansen, a shelter spokeswoman. “She and her family fostered five kittens for eight weeks and she helped feed them every hour. She also enjoys working the adoption events at PetSmart and other local stores.”

The daughter of Steve and Kim Horn, Alexa squeezes in the pet care amid a busy schedule.

She is a member of the Class of 2021 of the Ahwatukee Foothills National Charity League and will be its vice president in

the coming school year, when she will be a freshman at Desert Vista High.

A member of the National Junior Honor Society and the Spanish Junior Honor Society, the 14-year-old won the Merci Award for 2015-2016 for the most service hours completed for Ahwatukee Foothills National Charity League. This did not include any hours for the weeks she spent fostering and feeding the kittens.

She also plays piano and is a member of the 14UA Spiral Volleyball Club in Chandler.

“She’s a great example of learning young the importance of giving back to your community,” Hansen said.

She started visiting the shelter because “I love giving back to our local community and making a difference in the lives of others, whether it be animals, children, domestic violence victims, others less fortunate or seniors in memory care centers.

“Volunteering is a lot of fun, especially when you work with animals and people and learn new things,” Alexa added.

“Volunteering shows you as a person, no matter how bad you think your day is, there are others which have problems She admires Lost Our Home for the care it gives animals like Ajay, a dog that was abandoned by his owner without water or food and left in a backyard as the family drove away.

“Thankfully neighbors contacted LOH to come rescue,” Alexa said. “I think there were five animals from this backyard. It is incredible to work with dogs and cats with love and kindness and to socialize them to give them a second chance on life where they become adoptable to go to their forever or ‘furever’ home.”

She found fostering the kittens “an incredible experience.”

“The kittens didn’t have their eyes open they were so tiny,” she said. “Lost Our Home connected us with experienced bottle feeders who came to our house to show us and be a text away since the first days are crucial to the lives of the kittens.

“Fostering and bottle feeding is time consuming and you do get emotionally attached,” she added. “Yet, it is important

Two dogs, cat seek Ahwatukee residences

Two rescued dogs and a cat hope to find homes in Ahwatukee this spring.

Shauna Michael of the Arizona Animal Welfare League said Tinkerbell, a year-old Chihuahua mix, is available at the group’s main adoption center, 25 N. 40th St, Phoenix.

“Tinkerbell is a very affectionate little dog, bursting with personality,” Michael said. “Once she spends a few moments with a new person, she makes fast friends. Tinkerbell adores snuggling and would happily spend all day curled up in a lap. She enjoys playing with other dogs, and would benefit from a polite canine companion in the home.”

Information: 602-273-6852 ext. 116.

A dog and a cat are available at Arizona Rescue, said spokeswoman Jenny Bernot. Cameron is “a lap cat extraordinaire,” Bernot said.

“He also enjoys being held – at least until something distracts him and he feels the need to go investigate. While you’re holding him, he is happy to snuggle close

and will purr in contentment.”

She said year-old Cameron likes other cats and “loves to play with toys, especially if the cat dancer toy is involved. Once he catches it, he’ll growl as he carries it around just in case one of his feline friends is even thinking about trying to steal it away from him. Cameron will jump high into the air in pursuit of any wand toy that may be taunting him.

Cameron also “is serious about mealtime.”

“This boy drops everything when food is involved and takes great pleasure in eating every last morsel. He lets nothing go to waste.”

Meanwhile, Britney, a year-old Labrador-boxer mix, “loves attention from people and is super-affectionate,” Bernot said.

“This inquisitive gal has a ton of energy that she loves using to explore the great outdoors. She adores walks, is a wonderful running partner, and is a great hiking companion. She loves visits to the dog park and is overjoyed at the chance to run off leash. She’ll run a few laps before realizing there are dogs to play with and

then she’ll engage them in games of chase or wrestling matches.”

Bernot also said the dog can jump at least five feet into the air and “also doesn’t think twice about diving into a pool to retrieve a toy.”

“Britney is a fast learner; we could easily see her doing well with agility training,” she added. “This well-mannered girl understands basic commands, is 100 percent crate-trained and rides well in the car. With her natural smarts, drive to please people, and love of treats and peanut butter-filled bones, Britney is easily trained.”

To adopt either Britney or Cameron: .azrescue.org

to save lives of the kittens and puppies who may be separated or abandoned by their mother.”

(Special to AFN)

Alexa Brianna Horn of Ahwatukee feeds one of the five baby kittens she fostered for eight weeks.

AFN NEWS STAFF

Swann Agency runs charity campaign for the Phoenix Dance Cooperative

AFN NEWS STAFF

When Martie Swann wanted her Farmers Insurance agency to do something special for a nonprofit organization in Ahwatukee, she didn’t have to look very far.

She zeroed in on the Phoenix Dance Cooperative, one of the neighbors in a strip mall at 12020 S. Warner-Elliot Loop.

The parent-owned, parent-controlled cooperative is a nonprofit organization that says its purpose is “to provide highquality dance instruction with a focus on competition as a group, while fostering a loving environment with a strong sense of community.”

*Some

The co-op, which is offering a free summer dance camp for boys and girls ages 4 to 14 at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 1215, uses its revenue for “recruiting and retaining the best choreographer talent available, and maintaining a clean, safe environment for our dancers,” according to its website.

Swann said she was so impressed by the studio that she is running a campaign now through June 30. People who call her agency for an insurance quote are asked to mention the code word “dance.”

For everyone who does, the Farmers Insurance/Martie Swann Agency will donate $5 to the co-op. The agency can

be reached at 480-500-5759.

The co-op offers new students free unlimited classes for a week for free, saying it’s that “confident that you’ll love the PDC experience.” The summer camp is free to new students, and $50 for returning students.

Started when a popular studio closed down and the parents from the competition team got together to keep their daughters dancing together, the studio has a history of giving back to the community.

with for three important reasons.

Swann said she was impressed by the dancers and that community spirit and thought it was a perfect selection for her own effort to give back to the community. Its artistic co-directors ar Amur Towns and Antoine Olds.

Towns, 26, has worked with the coop’s dancers for eight years and has been dancing for 14, winning regional and national awards.

Trained in ballet, tap, modern, character

See FARMERS on page 29

*Some

from page 26

flight they most likely mate with the Africanized drones and the colony becomes Africanized.”

But it’s not just killer bees. There’s also another pest in town this spring: barn swallows.

First, the nests affix to stucco and paint and cause damage. Second, the nests bring infestations of tiny bugs, not to mention droppings. And third, if you allow a swallow to nest this year, next year they come back with friends in triple the numbers, meaning triple the mess and damage.

start dive-bombing and swooping down to protect their turf. They’re also going to start rebuilding almost immediately. Keep after them. After a few tries, they’ll get the message.

There’s one additional important reason not to let the swallows finish building their nests: Swallows are protected wildlife.

They start out constructing these interesting little mud nests for laying eggs under high roofs in spaces like tall, outdoor porches and entryways. The area allows for the nests to be built up high to keep them safe from predators on the ground, but also have a roof to protect them from hawks and other dangers from above.

The swallows that build the nests seem cute and harmless, but they’re absolutely pests that you need to deal immediately

“Because of cliff swallows’ nature to build clustered mud nests, they can do a lot of damage to a structure aesthetically,” according to local bird control company Southwest Avian Solutions’ website. “They also cause a health hazard around humans because of the heavy infestation of swallow bugs, mites, and ticks.”

The nests are easily brought down with a hose on the “jet” setting. The mud should fall in clumps.

But beware: While you’re knocking down the nests, the swallows are going to

According to Southwest Avian Solutions, once the swallows’ nests are complete and they lay their eggs, you aren’t permitted to disturb it.

It’s easy to forget that Ahwatukee, for all its well-manicured landscapes and suburbanization, is a habitat for all sorts of wild creatures. And while the natural beauty of the area will continue to be one of its greatest assets, it’s just as important to know when it’s time to push back and protect yourself and your property.

(Special to AFN)

Martie Swann, right, and her assistants at her Farmers Insurance Agency want to help their strip-mall neighbor, the Phoenix Dance Cooperative.

Frames for Families campaign continues for YMCA

BY DEBBIE MACKENZIE AFN Guest Writer

The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA’s Community Support Campaign continued with its annual bowling event, Frames for Families, April 25.

Sixteen Frames for Families teams, with members including the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA Board of Managers, YMCA staff, and community leaders and volunteers rolled strikes as they committed to raise a minimum of $5,000 each.

“Once again, the Ahwatukee community is coming together with the YMCA Board and helping us reach our $185,000 fundraising goal,” said Sandra Franks, YMCA executive director, adding: “The support and enthusiasm we see year in and year out for this fun event is wonderful. With this financial and community support, we can meet 100 percent of the needs that come to the Ahwatukee

Foothills YMCA this year.”

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.

“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-today 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 lifesaving outreach program that brings YMCA swim instructors to area apartment complexes.

Eligible residents receive an entire month of free swimming lessons.

“All of the bowling captains energized their teams and everyone was more than ready to bowl their way to raising money for scholarships and more outreach. The Ahwatukee community is always generous,” said Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA Frame for Families chair Dori Eden.

YMCA board chair Jim Hunt added, “Giving to Frames for Families is an easy way to make a positive change in our community. Help us leave no pin standing and support Ahwatukee families in need.”

You can help set up our community for success by donating to this year’s Frames for Families. Donations may be made at valleyymca.org/ahwatukee/ donate. Or contact Sandra Franks at svfranks@vosymca.org.

All donations go directly to help local families in need.

-The author is the YMCA board communications liaison.

FARMERS

and also jazz, hip-hop and lyrical, she holds a bachelor’s degree in dance studies from Arizona State University, where she belonged to the Sun Devil Dance Team. Olds didn’t start dancing until he was 18, and studied under such teachers/ choreographers as Joe Lanteri, A.C Cuila, Joey Dowling, Mark Meismer and Jason Parsons.

At age 20, he started the dance company Independent Dance Xtreme and was its artistic director.

His choreography has won numerous awards at both the regional and national levels, including one presented by worldrenowned choreographer Brian Friedman. Some of his students have become professional dancers and been featured on Fox’s TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

The co-op also touts eight professional and accomplished dancers on its staff. Information on the coop and its summer camp: phxdancecoopoffice@ gmail.com or 480-264-2929.

Ambassador Academy to hold two open houses on campus

Ambassador Academy, 3820 East Ray Road, Ahwatukee will hold open houses 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, and Saturday, May 13. It will include tours of the school, refreshments and games for the kids.

Ambassador Academy is a free private charter that has been around since 2007. Its mission “is to prepare individuals who can excel in their present and future society, enhance their self-confidence, motivation and self-worth and formulate positive personal values,” Principal Elizabeth Melter said.

Ranked second in reading and third in math in Arizona’s rankings of 1,115 elementary schools, it prides itself on providing “opportunities for academic success through instruction and activities that foster inquiry and selfmediation of learning in a context of social interactions,” she added.

“We also believe that leadership and character qualities are developed as children have opportunities to observe and practice those qualities, as they have opportunities to learn how to give and accept critique, and as they engage in community-service projects that foster social responsibility,” Melter said.

Information: ambassadoracademy. us, Greatschools.org, 480-961-2214 or emmelter@ambassadoracademy.us

Local woman plans benefit for Parkinson’s victims

Janet Berge of Club West has organized a concert featuring Christian recording artist Fernando Ortego to benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, a National Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.

The Dove Award-winning performer will be at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 515 E. Continental Drive, Tempe at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that is chronic and progressive and affects nearly a million Americans,

Berge said. There is no cure.

AROUND AHWATUKEE

“Many people close to me have or had Parkinson’s, including my dad, who suffered from its debilitating effects for the last 10 years of his life, my fatherin-law, my aunt and two of my clients, She said.

“Both my clients were diagnosed earlier in life and one has even been put on medical disability and is no longer allowed to work or to drive. The other client is an artist, who is struggling through continuing to work despite the shaking and hallucinations caused by the disease,” she added.

She called Ortega “a very talented musician with national recognition whose music is very comforting and will especially appeal to the demographic who would be interested in supporting this cause.”

Desert Vista Football Boosters seek gear to benefit team

The Desert Vista High School Football Boosters is holding a fundraiser and benefit breakfast.

It’s collecting gently used or new football gear – including cleats, pads and helmets as well as other equipment – that will be resold to anyone interested in suiting up for the spring/summer season.

The sale will be held in conjunction with a free pancake breakfast 8-10 a.m. May 6 at the high school football stadium. The breakfast will be cooked and served by boosters and donations are sought to benefit the 3-year-old football program at Arizona State University Preparatory Academy in downtown Phoenix.

Gear can be dropped off after football practice at Desert Vista High from April 24 to the day of the sale/breakfast.

Information: Valerie Myers at 480204-4408 or valmyers04@gmail.com.

Preschoolers preparing for special graduation

Pre-kindergarten students at Ahwatukee Kinder Care on Ranch Circle

North, Ahwatukee, are preparing for their graduation ceremony at Mountain Pointe High School on May 12.

“They’ve learned letter names and sounds, as well as blending sounds to form words and recognizing some common sight words and Spanish words,” said lead pre-K teacher Jane Messacar, adding:

“The students have worked on their social and emotional skills and enjoy helping out their classmates to clean up, deal with disappointment and feel better when they’re sad, as well as demonstrate confidence in themselves.

“If you ask them, they’ll tell you that the most important rule is just be nice. Their teachers and parents are very proud of them.”

Ahwatukee Republicans plan a ‘tax relief’ party on Friday

The Ahwatukee Republican Women and Legislative District 18 GOP will hold a Tax Relief Beer, Wine & Soda Tasting fundraiser 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, April 28, at 4025 E. Tamaya St., Ahwatukee.

A variety of beer, wine and soda will be available to taste. Burgers, hot dogs and brats will be available for dinner in addition to tasty side dishes and desserts.

Advance tickets are $20 for 20 tickets. If you pay at the door, it will be $25. Additional tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

Tickets can be used for beverage tastings and main dishes. People are asked to buy tickets early so organizers can plan for food accordingly. Also, attendees are asked to bring a bottle of wine or two bottles of specialty beer as a donation.

Info: ahwatukeerepublicanwomen.com

Desert Foothills Methodist slates ‘Care for the Caregiver’

Caregivers often feel stressed and tired, forgetting or feeling guilty about taking care of themselves. Desert Foothills United Methodist Church’s Stephen Ministry will present a panel of area agency professionals to help caregivers

focus on their physical, emotional and spiritual needs while taking care of others.

The panel includes: Scott Hawthornwaite from the Area Agency on Aging, Cindy Findley of the Arizona Caregiver’s Coalition, Sandra Brinkley, registered nurse and the Rev. Dr. Kristin Hansen, Pastor of Desert Foothills Methodist.

The panel is at 7 p.m. Monday, May 1, at Desert Foothills United Methodist Church, 2156 E. Liberty Lane, Ahwatukee. RSVP is required: 480-460-1025 or office@desertfoothills.org.

Kyrene Foundation needs dresses for eighth grade girls

The Kyrene Foundation is asking the community for help in providing donations for its Wishes Come True drive. Not every eighth-grade student can afford a one-time dress for a special occasion, such as an eighth-grade promotion ceremony.

To help meet this need, the Kyrene Foundation is collecting gently used dresses for eighth-grade girls in need for upcoming promotion ceremonies. New or like-new attire that is appropriate, such as semi-formal dresses, can be donated through Thursday, April 27, at the Kyrene School District Office, 8700 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe, or the Kyrene Family Resource Center, 1330 E. Dava Drive, Tempe. Volunteers are needed for the April 29 dress selection. Information: tward@kyrene.org or signup.com/go/gFJURS.

Ahwatukee YMCA offers fitness for cancer victims

Livestrong is a free small-group fitness program at the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA for adult cancer survivors aimed at easing them back into fitness and improve their quality of life.

Each 12-week session meets for 75 minutes twice a week and a free YMCA membership for the duration of the program. Class size is limited to six people. said.

from page 19

Having raised daughters, Sirrine understood how difficult it was to find dresses for special occasions that were not revealing.

“They can’t see the rest of you if they only see skin,” Sirrine said.

Sirrine said she won’t carry anything

that she believes is inappropriate and won’t change the image of her store.

“There are some dresses that I honestly find offensive,” she said.

Carol McDowell, a junior at Mountain View High School, was brought up in the LDS church and chooses to dress modestly.

“When I dress modestly, it’s telling people that this is the way I choose to live and I’m just protecting my body,”

McDowell said.

When McDowell first started looking for non-revealing dresses, she made the mistake of searching in the mall, she said.

“We went to all of the department stores and I only found one dress that was modest,” she said. “It was a motherof-the-bride dress.”

The dress also came with a price tag of $300, McDowell said.

McDowell was hesitant to shop in stores that specialized in modest gowns because she was afraid they would be filled with “flour sack” dresses. But, she said, Modest Wedding and Prom surprised her.

“This store showed me that there are so many beautiful options,” McDowell said.

TUESDAY, MAY 2

The 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun, a local philanthropic group of women who meet quarterly to contribute to and connect personally with deserving local charities will gather. Guests are welcome.

DETAILS >> 5:30-7:30 p.m. Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive, Ahwatukee. Information: 100WWCValleyOfTheSun.org.

SATURDAY, May 6

Thunder football seeks gear

The Desert Vista High School Football Boosters Club is collecting old football gear to sell and raise money for the team. A free pancake breakfast also will be served.

DETAILS >> 8-10 a.m., Desert Vista High parking lot, 16440 S. 32nd St., Ahwatukee. Donations for breakfast accepted on behalf of the ASU Prep Academy team. Gear also can be dropped off at the school football field through May 4. Info: Valerie Myers, 480-204-4408 or valmyers@gmail.com

SUNDAYS

‘TinkerTime’ open for kids

A makerspace for children to design, experiment, and invent as they explore hands-on STEAM activities through self-guided tinkering.

DETAILS >> 1-4 p.m. every Sunday, Ironwood Library 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Ages 6-11. Free; No registration required.

MONDAYS

Chamber offers networking

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group is open to chamber members.

A

CALENDAR

DETAILS >> Noon, Native Grill and Wings, 5030 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee. Devida Lewis, 480-753-7676.

TUESDAYS

Chair yoga featured

Inner Vision Yoga Studio offers chair yoga to help seniors and people recovering from injuries to stay fit.

DETAILS >> 1:30-2:30 p.m., 4025 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. $5 per class. Information: donna@ innervisionyoga.com or 480-330-2015.

Toastmasters sharpen skills

Improve your speaking skills and meet interesting people at Ahwatukee Toastmasters meetings

DETAILS >> 6:45-8 a.m at the Dignity Health Community Room, 4545 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee.

Power Partners available

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group is open to chamber members.

DETAILS >> 8-9 a.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 10831 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee. Dorothy Abril, 480-753-7676.

WEDNESDAYS

Watercolor classes available

Watercolor classes that teach both bold and beautiful as well as soft and subtle approaches to the art are available twice a week for beginners and intermediate students who are at least 15 years old. Step-by-step instruction and personal help are provided.

DETAILS >> 2:30-5 Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays at Hobby Lobby, 46th Street and Ray Road, Ahwatukee. Cost: $25 per class, $80 for four classes. Registration required: jlokits@yahoo.com or 480-471-8505.

Montessori holds open house

Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori holds an open house weekly. It includes a short talk about Montessori education, followed by a tour of its campus.

DETAILS >> 4 p.m. Wednesdays, 3221 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Information: 480-759-3810

Grief support is free

Hospice of the Valley offers a free ongoing grief support group for adults and is open to any adult who has experienced a loss through death. No registration required.

DETAILS >> 6-7 p.m. first and third Wednesdays, Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St. 602-636-5390 or HOV. org.

‘Dems and Donuts’ set

Legislative District 18 Democrats gather for an informal chat.

DETAILS >> Free and open to the public 7:30-9 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at Denny’s, 7400 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. RSVP: marie9@q.com or 480-592-0052.

LD 18 Dems meet in Tempe

The Legislative District 18 Democrats meet the second Monday of the month.

DETAILS >> 6:30 p.m. social time, 7-8:30 p.m. meeting time. Because the location may be different from month to month, see ld18democrats.org. Information: ld18demsinfo@ gmail.com. Free and open to the public.

Special networking offered

Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce has a networking and leads group is open to chamber members.

DETAILS >> 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel, 7475 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Devida Lewis, 480-753-7676.

THURSDAYS

Kiwanis meets weekly

The Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club meets weekly and welcomes newcomers.

DETAILS >> 7:30 a.m. Biscuits Restaurant, 4623 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee. Information: mike.maloney2003@gmail. com.

FRIDAYS

‘Gentle yoga’ offered

Inner Vision Yoga Studio offers “gentle floor yoga” for core strengthening and healthy backs.

DETAILS >> 1:30-2:30 p.m. 4025 E. Chandler, Ahwatukee. $5 per class. Information: 480-330-2015 or donna@ innervisionyoga.com.

SATURDAYS

Alzheimer’s support group meets

Caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients can find suppor.

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.

Bosom Buddies slates meetings

Ahwatukee/Chandler nonprofit breast cancer support group.

DETAILS >> 10 a.m. to noon, second Saturday of the month. Morrison Boardroom next to Chandler Regional Medical Center, 1875 W. Frye Road, Chandler. Contact Patti Lynch at 480-893-8900 or tomklynch@msn.com or Cele Ludig at 480-330-4301.

— Email calendar items to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com

www.ahwatukee.com

Teacher appreciation days carry an urgency in Arizona these days

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Ilearned some indelible lessons as a newspaper reporter and editor in Philadelphia before moving here in 1999, but there is one that stands out among them all.

Teaching is hard.

My decade-long sideline as an adjunct professor in journalism at Temple University and full-time teacher/ co-director in a two-week summer journalism program for high school students was tougher than documenting the actions of crooked politicians and wayward public agencies.

Yes, both teaching gigs had their gratifying moments.

Mostly, though, I was most grateful I didn’t depend on either for a living.

That’s one reason I have so much respect for teachers, especially those in Arizona.

Frankly, few people have any idea what a teacher faces unless they’ve sweated out preparing lessons so they wouldn’t face

rows of kids nodding off or doodling.

They’d have no idea what many teachers do after school as they come home to a ream of paperwork (or Word documents) that they must assess in a meaningful and often time-consuming way.

And in Arizona, I have no idea what it must be like to sit down to a sea of bills for student loans and basic necessities and measure it against the pittance we pay so many teachers today.

Someone recently wrote about running into a teacher working in a Walmart because she couldn’t make ends meet on her public-school salary.

Last week, the respected Morrison Institute for Public Policy issued the summary of a hair-raising report it will release next month on the “crisis levels” that Arizona teacher recruitment, retention and pay have reached.

It found:

• 42 percent of Arizona teachers hired in 2013 left the profession within three years.

• 74 percent of Arizona school administrators say they are experiencing a shortage of teachers.

• When adjusted for cost of living, Arizona elementary school teacher pay is the lowest in the nation. High school teacher pay ranks 48th of the 50 states.

“Teacher pay and support is a proxy for how highly we think of students and their education,” said Steve Seleznow, president and CEO of Arizona Community Foundation. “When we undervalue our educators, we undereducate our children.”

The report comes as the Arizona Legislature heads into its usual end-ofsession budget consternations.

Our reporter at the Capitol said Republican lawmakers are working to give teachers more than the 0.4 percent raise offered in January by Gov. Doug Ducey.

That decimal is in the right place: four pennies on the dollar.

That 0.4 percent hike on the average $45,477 salary reported by the National Education Association translates into $181 a year, or about a dollar a day for the typical school year. And that’s before taxes.

To a large degree, we are talking about

paying that to workers who usually have to continue their education well after they get their degrees just to enhance their own careers – and continually improve the quality of their work in the classroom.

To a large degree, we’re talking about men and women who have young families to support.

To a large degree, we’re talking about people we entrust with the future of our children – and, ultimately, that of society in general.

While the Legislature haggles over pennies and the school year races to a close, most Ahwatukee schools are readying teacher appreciation days.

Maybe people can show their appreciation through a note to a legislator about what they think should be done for teachers.

Or maybe they could send a thank you to a teacher for the hard work they put in this year.

All I know is that if we as a society don’t start showing our appreciation for teachers in a meaningful way, the day may come when we won’t have many to appreciate any more.

Make public education a legitimate, viable and beneficial school choice

BY REV. ANNE K. ELLSWORTH AFN Guest Writer

Iam the mother of two children in the Kyrene School district. I cherish public education, and I deeply value private religious education as a legitimate choice for families to make.

I believe our communities do best when there is a healthy mix of robust public, public charter and private school choice options.

But today our public schools are neither healthy nor robust.

Per our state constitution, Article 11, Section 10: Arizona state legislators have a constitutional obligation to fund public schools by adequate taxation. Funding public schools through

adequate taxation is a constitutional obligation. An obligation our lawmakers are failing to meet.

Otherwise, we would not be in the crisis we’re in now: overcrowded classrooms, a devastating teacher shortage, loss of arts and music education, shamefully low teacher pay and buildings that are overdue for necessary maintenance.

Our family is fortunate because we attend a public school in a wealthy district. But, even in Kyrene, there is great funding disparity among our schools. Why?

Because some of our schools can partially make up for inadequate taxation through adequate tax credits.

Our school has a parent base willing and able to hustle for tax credits. So, we look shiny and bright and have many of the “extras” that used to be part of

public education at every school, when they were funded through adequate taxation.

Additionally, parents in wealthier schools like ours spend a lot of our own money supporting school fundraisers. We who have more privilege and wealth often have more flexible work schedules and so we can spend more time in the classroom aiding our teachers in crowded classrooms.

We spend a lot of our own money financing basic classroom supplies: typing paper, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, pencils, crayons, snacks for teachers to keep on hand for hungry children.

Our “Grade A,” excelling Kyrene public school would not have that status if it weren’t so heavily subsidized by tax credits and parent donations of money, time and in-kind contributions.

But the charade is almost up: Even in the resource-rich Kyrene district, unless drastic cuts are made, our school board has concluded that we will be out of money in three years.

That’s right: due to flat growth rates, the projected loss of students from the ESA expansion and inadequate funding of public schools through taxation, the Kyrene School District will be out of funds in three years unless drastic cuts are made.

So, what will the cuts be? Teachers? Their salaries? Art? Music? The last remaining school counselors? Reading programs? Field trips? Air conditioning? Will we go to four school days a week?

Will parents rally and keep emptying

nearly $2.5 million, Warpaint Drive home a technology marvel

BY PAUL MARYNIAK

AFN Executive Editor

The home that Chris and Anette Brown have built on Warpaint Drive in Ahwatukee has a couple claims to fame.

It may be the only home in the world that can be operated by an iPhone.

It is likely the first spec home built in Ahwatukee in at least a decade.

And it is the latest entry in the Ahwatukee market of high-end luxury homes.

Priced at just under $2.5 million, the

home combines a sleek contemporary look with hi-tech convenience.

Verbal and keyboard commands operate the doors and locks, the 24-foot floor-to-ceiling glass patio doors, every light fixture inside and out as well as the home’s 182 switches, the thermostat and fireplaces, the blinds and the fire features along the portion of the balcony running alongside the gravity-edge pool.

“ ere is not a house in the world that has voice command,” Anette Brown said. Say “sunset,” and the interior lights

Mendoza

dim, the horizontal blinds lower slightly and you’re ready to enjoy the sun as it sets behind South Mountain, which is virtually the home’s backyard.

Say “bedtime” and the lights go out, the locks click on and the security system is engaged.

Say “movie time” and the theater dims and the huge, 100-inch screen and video system start to come alive.

Indeed, the house was practically built around Apple’s Home Kit, which hit the market in November – just as the Browns were a little more than halfway through the year it took them to build the house.

“My husband is into tech and we built this knowing the Apple Home Kit was coming on the market,” she said. With six bedrooms and six baths, the 6,004-square-foot, two-story home was designed by Chris Brown, a retired commercial airline pilot whose company, Christopher David Design, built it in one year.

When they started construction in March 2016, the Browns encountered blue granite and “excavation was a challenge” as they prepared the nearly one-acre hilltop lot. “Once we got the foundation down, it came along pretty quickly,” Anette Brown added. e home marked a major change from what the Seattle couple have been doing since moving to Ahwatukee in 2000.

eir business focuses on remodeling and reselling older homes, mostly in North Phoenix. “We’ve done 82 remodels and the last two were newbuilds,” she said.

But they had never built a spec home – a house that is not built for a buyer but rather built in the hope it will find a buyer.

“We looked at these lots 15 years ago and always wanted to do something,”

she said of Ahwatukee Custom estates, where the home is in the same neighborhood as homes owned by professional athletes.

“ ere has been no spec homes built in Ahwatukee for over a decade,” Anette Brown said. “ ere’ve been homes built for individuals but never one that’s new build.”

No matter where you look, the home

offers jaw-dropping accents, like a glass

floor-to-ceiling wine cabinet, a gourmet kitchen with two islands, a large walkin pantry and Sub Zero refrigerator and Wolf appliances.

e master bedroom has a bath and walk in closet larger than some studio apartments and every bedroom has a private bath.

With three balconies and a huge patio with an outdoor living room and builtin barbecue, the house also is made for sunsets, Anette Brown said.

And don’t worry about the iPhone app that runs the place.

“It’s really easy to use,” Anette Brown said. Besides, “My husband said whoever buys it, he’ll give them a lesson for free.”

(thewarpaintestate.com)

The home that Anette and Chris Brown built on Warpaint Drive, Ahwatukee, sits atop a hill across from South Mountain.

$317,500

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Shane Christopher, a six-year Ahwatukee resident and a loan officer at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. for the last four years, is a contender for a major award in his profession.

He’s a nominee for Loan Officer of the Year, which will be announced on Friday, April 28, at the gala held by the Arizona School of Real Estate & Business. Candidates are nominated by their industry peers, but it’s somewhat different than many given in the business, Christopher said.

“ ey factor community involvement and charitable action heavier than just production numbers. Most industry awards are given by production only,” he said.

A native of Western New York who moved to Prescott as a teenager and then to Phoenix after high school, Christopher spent 14 years working at Century Link until he fell victim to massive layoffsd in the company about six years ago.

A loan officer the last four years, he’s excited about being nominated for the award.

“It’s a big deal to me because I started in this industry during a time when the market was still recovering,” he said. “I did not have a single industry connection and had to cultivate all my business partner relationships, especially with Realtors, in a very populated and hungry field.

$515,000

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“I started doing mobile notary going to make ends meet,” he said, and was working with homeowners signing their refinancing documents.

“Several loan officers I did signings for mentioned that I was quite adept at understanding the documents and worked well with the clients, so they recommended I get licensed. After looking into it, I got my license and was fortunate enough to be hired by an amazing company right out the gate and have been at Fairway since. ey’ve supported my growth 100 percent every step of the way.”

“ is all occurred over a period in my life where I had no choice but to succeed, so I I’ve worked 18 hour days for four years straight to build my business. I do not pay for leads, everything is relationship based. It’s more work, and a lot of communication, but I find it generates higher quality in the long run.” Christopher said he likes to exceed the expectations of his customers, both his Realtor partners and borrowers because “it gives me oure satisfaction for the work that went into the loan and knowing we got to the finish line. Setting up clear expectations for clients and coworkers is essential to making the process stressfree.”

“I’m now at a point in my career I never would have believed possible four years ago,” he added. “So, yes, this is a big deal for me, whether I win or not. As they say in Hollywood, it’s nice to be nominated.”

AFN News Staff

SPOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

Mountain Park Ranch

Oversized secondary bedrooms upstairs – one boasting an in-suite bath plus hardwood flooring that could be utilized as another master suite. Loft area is perfect for a computer station. Two new Trane A/C units in 2014. New roof in 2015. Recently painted interior and exterior. Mature landscaping plus extended covered patio. 2013 remodeled Pebble Tec pool and tile in backyard with privacy and view of gorgeous hillside preserve.

Stunning curb appeal on this quality built home located in gated finesterra!

Single level 4 bedroom, 2.5 Bath, with an open floorplan, n/s exposure gated courtyard entry, grand foyer formal living & dining, family room w/ fireplace & built-ins stone-look tile flooring, sculptured carpet shutters kitchen includes: rich dark cabinets, s/s jenn-air appliances, slab granite, island, & pendant lighting breakfast nook, large master suite w/walk-in closet, spa-like master bath w/soaking tub & glass shower, paradise perfect backyard w/ pebbletec pool, putting green, gazebo, patio, pavers, & tropical landscaping, 3-car garage, community park w/ playground, ramada, grass area, & basketball court, walking distance to top rated schools, located close to shopping & dining!

Listed for $539,500 This is a rare find!

Listed for $589,000

Key economic factors say this is the time to buy, sell

BY STACEY LYKINS AFN Guest Writer

If you are considering purchasing a new home, now is the time to pull the trigger. ere is positive pressure on interest rates, home prices and employment. All of these factors are positive, but could potentially price the average buyer out of the market, if they wait too long.

Here is a look at the current economic climate. e Fed raised its benchmark Federal Funds Rate 0.25 percent in March as expected. e Fed Funds rate is the rate at which banks lend money to each other overnight and it is not directly tied to home loan rates.

Economic growth, maximum employment and price stability are key factors the Fed weighs in its decisions. So, given the fact that the Fed raised rates, these indicators are moving in the positive direction.

As we look at the Ahwatukee Foothills market, homes that are priced well and move in ready are selling very quickly. ere are even certain neighborhoods where homes are selling before hitting the market because buyer demand is so high.

is is more reason to use a local realtor that is well known and well networked in the local market. You want someone representing you that will know about all listings coming to the market before they hit the market. Can you imagine as seller, not having to do showings because your realtor brought you a buyer, before the house went live on MLS?

is means no showings, no staging and no hassle.

Your situation does not get much better than this as a seller. Also, as a buyer, wouldn’t it be great to get to see a house before it goes on the market? You have your eye on that special neighborhood, the preserve lot, the remodeled kitchen on the cul-de-sac lot and it would be nice to get to see it before anyone else.

No bidding wars, no stress. Now this does not happen that often, but the chance to make it happen is well worth using a local specialist to represent you.

Here are a few things as a seller you can do to understand the market.

Have your agent take you to see competing listings. Understanding the competition will help you market, stage and price your home competitively. Make sure you tell your agent what you like about your home.

ese intangibles can make a difference when finalizing the listing verbiage and determining price. Talk about the positives, the neighbors, the view, the location on the street, the special lighting, etc. You have lived in the home and know its attributes the best.

If you are a buyer or seller, the good news is that home loan rates remain historically attractive for those in the market to buy a home.

Don’t wait too long and regret pricing yourself out of the market. Get out there and look at all the opportunities.

Ahwatukee resident and associate broker Stacey Lykins, West USA, can be reached at 602-616-9971, S.Lykins@LykinsProperties.com or LykinsProperties. com.

Adults living at home with parents hits 75-year high

BY ANDY WARREN AFN Guest Writer

With rising stock prices, low unemployment and a housing market that closed out 2016 as the best year since the financial crisis, it appears all signs point to an economy moving in the right direction. So, why are so many young adults still living with their parents?

According to data collected in December by Trulia, a real estate analytics company, almost 40 percent of young adults lived with their parents, step-parents, grandparents and other relatives last year.

at’s the highest point in 75 years –when the U.S. economy was on the heels of the Great Depression, just one year prior to the country’s entry into World War II.

e new research reflects previous findings from the Pew Research Center, which early last year gathered data from 2014 that revealed an unprecedented tipping point in modern history in which more 18- to 34-year-olds lived at home with their parents than who were married or living with a partner in their own household.

Richard Fry, a senior researcher at Pew. noted: “In previous generations, setting up

new families was a basic thing young adults were doing. Even in the 1980s, half of them were married. Today’s young adults are moving away from that.”

Builders have not ignored this trend.

Many, in fact, are now designing house layouts for multiple generations co-existing under one roof, placing a heightened priority on more private areas for independent living.

Some multi-generational layouts offer two master suites, while others feature a den or a family room that can be converted into a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.

Still others include additional flex spaces and separate casitas for various situations.

Despite the decline of homeownership rates for Americans under the age of 35, which has dropped 8 percent since 2004, according to Pew, millennials still make up the largest share of first-time homebuyers simply because there are so many of them.

Eventually, millennials will trade in the couch for a place of their own but no one quite knows when. New-house formations help drive the housing market.

Likewise, the formation of new households also boosts the economy as a whole, as they typically must purchase the furnishings to go along with their first home.

-Andy Warren is president of Maracay Homes. maracayhomes.com.

our pockets and writing checks –further subsidizing school funding that, according to the Arizona Constitution, ought to come from adequate taxation?

Education policy that serves the common good has been in the past and can be again a non-partisan issue.

Arizona Republican, Democrat and independent voters want public education to be a viable, attractive and beneficial school choice for families.

It won’t be unless we, the people, actively work to elect public servants who choose to fund public education through adequate taxation, per the statutes of our state constitution.

-The Rev. Anne K. Ellsworth is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.

Share Your Thoughts:

Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@ ahwatukee.com

‘True Life appears to be reaching the true end of the road’ on Farms plan

BY BEN HOLT, JERRY BRYAN AND DEBORAH KARKOSKY AFN Guest Writers

Attorneys for developers seeking to turn The Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course into a 300-unit, $100 million housing tract and make millions for themselves are now asking a judge to change CC&Rs that block the project, after Ahwatukee residents refused to give their permission.

In a telephone hearing April 20, Judge John Hannah agreed both to hear the developers’ latest argument and to try the full case on which he ruled last year, now set for Oct. 23-25.

Until the developers’ latest pleading, the case had been set for June 12.

Judge Hannah ruled against developer The True Life Companies last summer, declaring that the CC&Rs require that The Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course be operated as a golf course.

The point of the developers’ latest

Message of legislators: You deserve an 'F' on education

I am a proud product of public schools, from K-12 in Indianapolis to my undergrad at Indiana University to my law degree from ASU. My mother and grandmother were both public school teachers. My three children attend public schools in the Kyrene district.

I live in a fairly affluent area in Ahwatukee where there are many popular charter and private schools. But I still choose our district public schools because they are excelling at educating my children, all of whom have different educational needs.

I have one child who has been identified as gifted, one who is a typical learner and one who is both autistic and highly gifted in math. Our Kyrene schools have welcomed each of my children and worked hard to meet their needs. I have always felt like a partner in education with my children’s hardworking teachers. I value that they are certified and have both the training and experience necessary to make each child successful in

pleading seems to be to ask the judge to reverse himself because of what True Life’s attorneys now claim to be a “material change in….circumstances.”

The only change in circumstances we see is that True Life failed to get the permission of 51 percent of Ahwatukee residents to change the CC&Rs.

True Life lost their motion to dismiss the case when Judge Hannah ruled against them last year.

Since they’ve also failed to earn our community’s support, True Life now looks to be asking the judge to rule against the community and change the CC&Rs, because the developers claim it will cost them too much to reconstruct the golf course that the judge ordered be operated.

Save the Lakes co-plaintiffs Linda Swain and Eileen Breslin said:

“The delay of the trial is another test of our community’s patience. But it also indicates that our case remains strong. While we regret the further delay, we’re grateful for the signs that

LETTERS

school. I love that public schools place a value on equity in education, recognizing that not all students come from the same backgrounds.

Despite being in one of the best schools in a very strong district, I’ve seen the damage caused by the systematic underfunding and devaluing of public education.

Just two years ago, I sat as PTO president in a meeting where our principal had to explain to parents that due to the legislature, our school suddenly had to cut $80,000 from the next school year’s budget.

Our elementary school, which has consistently ranked in the Top 25 schools in the state for AZ Merit results, was faced with the miserable choice of cutting important programs like music and PE or cutting teachers.

Most public schools in Arizona are not as fortunate to have a strong PTO and parents with the means to fill those gaps. Those schools often educate our most vulnerable students and those with great needs, and are forced to do so much more with so much less, year after year.

True Life appears to be reaching the true end of the road.

“We remain confident in our case and in our legal team. Most of all, we’re grateful that our community saw through True Life and its plan, which would produce more traffic jams, overcrowding, and more potential for flooding – instead of a renewed golf course and open space.”

“We are deeply grateful to our community for refusing to sign True Life’s petition, and for standing behind us in this effort to save the heart of Ahwatukee. We welcome and will very much appreciate our community’s further financial support, to help us win the case.”

Contributions may be sent to: Lakes Golf Course Legal Defense Fund, c/o Timothy H. Barnes, P.C., 428 E. Thunderbird Road, #150, Phoenix, Arizona 85022. 602-492-1528.

-Ben Holt is president of Save the Lakes; Jerry Bryan is vice president and Deborah Karkosky is treasurer.

And with the disastrous vote to expand vouchers, these schools stand to take even greater hits. Telling a poor family they can have $4,000 to go to a private school that costs $12,000 and is 30 minutes away with no transportation is like giving me $10,000 and a flight coupon and telling me to move to a villa in France.

Instead, those students will stay in underfunded and undervalued schools, while the few students of privilege leave, further harming the reputation of public education.

My school district will be hurt by voucher expansion, too, as there are many affluent families for whom $4,000 WILL be enough to tip the scales and send their kids to private schools. As students leave public schools, enrollment shrinks, class sizes rise and beloved teachers lose their jobs.

My son was already eligible for a voucher due to his special needs. But I choose to keep him in public school, because they have always seen his potential and have done everything they can to make sure he reaches it.

They took a 3-year-old child who barely

spoke and had been a daily disruption in his private preschool and loved him. They offered me solutions and hugs when I cried over the intense struggles of raising a child with special needs. Today, he is a happy, verbal second grader who is fully mainstreamed.

You had a chance to be a hero to our most vulnerable citizens and our most precious resource – our children. You had a chance to honor the wishes of the 85 percent of Arizona families who choose public education. If your vote on vouchers were being graded, the Arizona Legislature would receive an F. But you have a chance to raise your grade. You have a chance to show that support for public education isn’t just an empty campaign slogan, that you understand that ALL children deserve to learn.

As you negotiate the budget, do the right thing. Properly fund public education. Show teachers you value their dedication and sacrifice by giving them a decent raise. Be a hero. Don’t fail our future.

-Monica Gellman

Shoe-leather approach got financial advisor started in Ahwatukee

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Joseph Ortiz got his start as a financial advisor for Edward Jones in Ahwatukee the old-fashioned way.

He walked it. Literally.

“When I got to Edward Jones in 2008, they said, ‘Go out into the community and knock on all the doors,’” recalled Ortiz.

His office was at Ray Road and 48th Street at the time and so, “I drew a circle and went all the way to Chandler and to Warner.”

“I kept records of every house I visited on Excel sheets. Some days I would see sometimes more than 100 houses. I was not very good at it because I felt it wasn’t my natural thing. I was quick with anyone who met me. I’d say, ‘Here’s my card; I’m sorry to bother you. I was polite, didn’t try to come in.’” at experience taught Ortiz, now at the Edward Jones office at 4902 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee.

“Slowly but surely, people started to phone me,” he said. “ e first guy I talked to had been working on his car and we just started talking about cars. He became a client.” Besides the importance of a face-to-

face introduction, he also learned “how surprisingly warm Ahwatukee is.”

“I started in July and a lot of really nice Ahwatukee folks offered me water,” he said. “One guy driving down the street asked me if I wanted to stick my head in his car because I had a suit on.”

Ortiz, a Southern California native who has lived in Ahwatukee with his wife and three children since 2008, still knocks on doors – though not as often as he’d like to because he also has a lot of clients.

He supplements the door-knocking with a coffee-and-chat meeting with anyone who wants to drop by at 8:30 a.m. the second Friday of the month at the Four Points by Sheraton Phoenix on 51st Street near Elliot Road.

His job demands both a command of an unending stream of data and a good bedside manner with clients who have a variety of financial needs and desires. He developed the command of data at an early age.

Born in 1976, well before the internet and the invention of Excel, Ortiz as a youngster became fascinated with financial data through the influence of his mother, a career bank employee who handled loans, and his father, who

Pet-sitter finds Ahwatukee an animal-friendly place for business

Bridget Freidhoff has found that she doesn’t have to leave Ahwatukee often to find clients for her petsitting business, 4Paw Sitting

“I primarily work with Ahwatukee residents, and I don’t market outside of Ahwatukee,” she said.

While there are exceptions, she has found that “I have to be in close proximity to my clients to stay competitive with my services.”

But there’s another reason she likes servicing people who live in the community she and her husband have called home since 2011.

“I’ve found that the Ahwatukee pet community has a special bond with their furry friends and understands the value or

finds comfort in knowing their treasures are watched over by a professional,” she explained.

A Midwest native who moved to the East Valley 16 years ago, the graduate of Ball State University in Indiana is all about animals – and not just mammals.

“Animals are my passion and I typically have three to four small rescue dogs that I’ve adopted,” she said. “Right now, I have a 12-year-old, 5-year-old and 6-month-old,” said Friedhoff, the mother of a 5-year-old boy.

“We also rescued a desert tortoise 15 years ago that’s just as outgoing as our dogs,” she added. “Although the tortoise is our only reptile right now, we’ve raised a baby snake and had plenty of lizards and fish over the years.”

4Paw Sitting was in some ways a logical

progression for Friedhoff, who professes, “I have always had a passion for animal care and rescue services.”

She worked for eight years at a Scottsdale animal hospital “treating dogs and cats of all breeds, assisting in surgeries and exams, performing dentals, lab work, blood panels, and educating owners on wellness. I also helped friends and family with pet sitting and rescue services on the side.”

See PET-SITTER on page 35

(Special to AFN)

Bridget Freidhoff says her eight years with an animal hospital gives her considerable expertise that many pet-sitters lack.

AFN NEWS STAFF

(Special to AFN)

Financial advisor Joseph Ortiz and Edward Jones branch office administrator Terri McKibben have worked together in their Ahwatukee office since October. See

Real estate becoming attractive option for IRA investments, lawyer says

BY MELODY BIRKETT AFN Contributor

There’s a growing trend toward real estate investing, according to a local attorney who has advised federal officials on retirement accounts and the tax code.

“You’ve always been able to buy real estate with a retirement account — whether it’s an IRA or 401(k),” said attorney Matt Sorensen, adding people don’t do it or don’t know about it.

Sorensen has advised over a thousand clients with self-directed retirement plans.

He is a partner at KKOS Lawyers and an associate broker for Arizona's thirdlargest brokerage firm, which serves Ahwatukee. He’s also the author of the Amazon best-seller “Self-Directed IRA Handbook.”

Sorensen also has been a consultant for the federal government on tax code changes and retirement account regulations.

e Mesa lawyer is not all about crunching numbers. e father of three girls is an avid cyclist and races road, cyclocross, and mountain bikes. He also was a guitarist in a classic rock cover band called Spilbeedog.

Sorensen said many investors don’t know about a real estate option for their money because of financial advisors.

“Financial institutions sell financial products so they typically tell you what’s on the menu and you just buy what’s on the menu,” he said. “But in reality, retirement accounts can buy small business stock, real estate,

precious metals, oil futures…a lot of non-standard or unconventional investments.”

Sorensen said with the internet, there has been a growth in the last 10 years in the number of companies that allow retirement accounts to buy real estate.

With the memory of the housing market crash in 2008 still fresh in their memory, investors could be fearful of investing their retirement money in real estate, Sorenson said.

“ e stock market dropped, too, with the real estate market as well,” explained Sorensen. “If your retirement account was in stocks, you were affected either way.”

Sorensen admits that investing in real estate isn’t for everyone.

He doesn’t recommend investors abandoning the more typical retirement account investments unless they have expertise in real estate.

“You can buy a bad real estate investment just like you can buy a bad financial investment like a stock or a mutual fund,” said Sorensen. “So you don’t want to jump into it, you want to get educated and maybe start out with a property first before you go buy five or six.”

“Just like buying stocks and mutual funds, with real estate, some clients do really well, some do ok, some clients do bad,” he added. “So, it just depends on what they put it into when it comes to real estate.”

Sorensen said some people are more comfortable investing in real estate since it’s a tangible asset.

“You still own a piece of real estate

CARPET CLEANING SPECIAL

so it doesn’t go for broke or zero like maybe an investment in a tech start-up that could go to zero,” he said “ ere’s a floor on it so at least it’s going to have some value.”

Sorenson said interested investors should do research or get into a real estate investing group where they can learn.

“Self-directed retirement accounts are different than investing in real estate in your personal name or even investing your retirement account with your broker or through your 401(k) with your company,” said Sorensen. “ e rules aren’t complicated, but they’re just a little unique and new.”

A good idea is to seek out a professional such as an attorney or CPA, he said, because there are common things that are easy to make mistakes on.

Her desire to “find a way to make a difference” led to a realization: “Boarding an animal can cause a lot of stress on your pet and cause kennel-related diseases. I know I can offer a safe alternative in this area.”

She said, “I try to customize my services for clients.”

“ ere are always different needs to consider, so I try to be as flexible as possible,” she said. “I offer at-home sitting, in-my-home” sitting, overnight stays, dog walks, nail trims” and other services.

She says experience sets her apart from many similar services.

“Unfortunately, there aren’t many local pet-sitting services that have the extensive animal care background that I bring. at peace of mind makes a big difference in my clients’ eyes. I update everyone with video and photos of their loved ones while I’m there so they can stay in touch. I try to create an interactive experience,” she said.

“ e animals come first,” she added. “I want to provide safe and affordable pet care services by an experienced professional.”

To say Friedhoff enjoys her work is an understatement.

“Pet-sitting is so gratifying,” she said. “I’ve built some great relationships with amazing people in Ahwatukee. It’s a pleasure to get to know their furry family members. I love working with pets, they all have different personalities. No job is ever the same.”

And even if your family friend isn’t furry, Friedhoff is willing to take it on.

“If you have a pet, I’ll be happy to visit and care for them,” she said. “Paws or claws.”

Information: 480-430-1353, bridget@ 4pawsitting.com, 4pawsitting.com.

(Melody Birkett/AFN Contributor)

Attorney Matt Sorenson says real estate can be a good investment for an IRA.

Shops at Kohl’s strip mall sold for $2.7 million to Hawaiian firm

The Shop's at Kohls at Chandler Boulevard and 46th Street in Ahwatukee have a new owner.

e NAI Horizon investment sales team of senior vice presidents Lane Neville and Barbara Lloyd represented DROF I-1 LLC of Phoenix in selling the retail property for $2.7 million.

e site totals 11,400 square feet and is fully occupied, a spokesman for NAI Horizon said.

e infill location was built in 2003 and is anchored by Kohl’s department store. Tenants include State Farm, Sport Clips, Payless Shoes, ai Delight, Bamboo Nails and Arizona School of Rock.

“Our seller built value in this asset by committing capital investment and pursuit of a quality new leasing campaign,” Neville said. “ e repositioning of this asset over the past few years, through full occupancy, was memorialized this week with the sale to a good buyer at market price.

“ is asset sale was a nationally based competitive process where multiple potential buyers were ultimately

eliminated by the eventual buyer,” he added. “Being part of the disposition of a quality asset, it is nice to see your client’s hard work pay off with a successful sale.”

e buyer, Koloa Ventures II, LLC of Honolulu was represented by CBRE.

Established in 1992, NAI Horizon is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and management firm and is one of the few broker-owned and operated full-service commercial real estate firms in Arizona. It is part of NAI Global, the largest international network of owner-operated commercial real estate brokerage firms.

Founded in 1978, NAI Global has more than 375 offices throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, with over 6,700 local market professionals managing over 380 million square feet of property.

NAI Global was acquired in 2012 by C-III Capital Partners, a commercial real estate services company engaged in a broad range of activities, including primary and special loan servicing, loan origination, fund management, CDO management, principal investment, title services and multifamily property management.

Governor signs measure that curbs ‘surprise’ hospital bills

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State lawmakers have voted to give hospital patients at least some protection against facing a nasty financial surprise when they get their bills. And Gov. Doug Ducey agreed, signing into law a measure introduced by state Sen. Sean Bowie, D-Ahwatukee. It aims to help a patient who are notified after a medical procedure that one or more of the doctors providing the services are not within their in-network insurance coverage.

at leaves the patients out of luck as the doctor demands payment and the insurance company won’t cough up any cash.

e legislation, approved by the House on a 40-19 margin, does not guarantee such situations will never happen. But it provides a method of getting at least some of disputes resolved – and in a way that caps the patient’s liability.

Central to the issue is the change in how hospitals operate.

It used to be that a patient who specifically chose a hospital within his or her insurance coverage for elective surgery could pretty much be guaranteed that all costs would be picked up, above and beyond what would be the person’s normal copay or deductible.

But the current practice of many hospitals is to contract with outside doctors for everything from emergency room care to anesthesiology.

And it is only after patients get a bill that they find out that medical provider has billed for and wants the full amount – and the insurance company refuses to pay any of it.

e legislation says patients who get one of these “surprise” bills for at least $1,000 can ask the state Department of Insurance to set up a teleconference to see if something can be worked out.

But if there’s no meeting of the minds, there’s an arbitration between the insurer and the out-of-network doctor. And the patient’s maximum liability would be only what he or she would normally have to pay in deductibles.

Rep. Pamela Powers Hanley, D-Tucson, said patients are currently at a disadvantage, but voted against the measure, saying it does not go far enough to protect patients and lets the hospital off the financial hook for the surprise bill. e legislation also was fought from the other side of the issue by lawmakers who said the state has no business telling medical professionals how much they can charge and forcing them to accept whatever payment an arbitrator determines is appropriate.

“ is is going to have a chilling effect on health care, on doctors,” said Rep. Maria Syms, R-Paradise Valley, particularly those in rural communities.

She asserted that people in rural areas of the state would be especially hurt by the new law.

Syms, whose husband is a doctor, called the measure “very anti-free market” and said government has no business getting involved in disputes between doctors and patients.

But House Majority Leader John Allen, R-Scottsdale, said, “ e patient shouldn't be a victim of not knowing everybody who works in the hospital at the time they have the procedure.” Democrats also scoffed at some legislators' opposition.

AFN News Staff

worked for the paint giant PPG and invested in his employer’s stock.

“I got in the habit of watching his stock price, then started looking at other companies’ stock. He used to ask me to find an article in the newspaper that I liked. I’d read Fortune Magazine and use to circle the companies I liked. My father took me to work with him, showed me a lot of things about business.”

“I grew up in the old style,” he added. “My mother had to type all kinds of loan stuff, and I’d sit with her and mess with calculators and ask her things.”

Over time, he became so proficient with financial data that he got a job for a real estate company analyzing its clients, checking credit ratings and other records to give his employer a clearer idea of whom they were dealing with.

Today, he can talk to people in terms of the national and global financial challenges their generation has gone through – as well as their personal dreams and hurdles.

At age 41, he noted, he has lived through two major market cataclysms –the burst in the internet bubble in the 1990s and the crash of 2008 – though the savings-and-loan crash of 1987 also registered deeply with him because “my mother made me promise not to ever go into real estate.”

Such peaks and dips on Wall Street have convinced him that volatility in the market is here to stay.

Yet, he said, “I think the number one mistake is the volatility shaking people out of their long-term goals.’

Just look at last year, he said. February 2016 saw one of the worst overall market conditions for that time period ever, yet the market ended having one of its best years ever.

Simultaneously, market volatility may be making many people more nervous than ever – and for a good reason.

“Our net worth as a household is the highest it's ever been,” Ortiz noted. “If you think of what we have to lose, it’s never been bigger. It’s natural for us to overreact, but it’s nicer to have a pragmatic conversation through that process. … If we think we’re nervous now, wait till there are a few more digits in our accounts.”

at’s why it’s important to have goals – and to review them frequently, Ortiz said, noting, “Today, we’re fighting for every penny we have.”

“Our firm is very committed to revisiting someone’s financial goals,” said Ortiz, who keeps his own goals on a sheet of paper in his backpack because “it gives me the vigor to know why I am saving, why I am doing what I am doing, even if I don’t want to do it.”

“One of the things I highly recommend is reviewing your long-term goals even on a monthly basis,” he said. “When I pay all my bills, I want to remember why I am doing that.”

He said his job is to help his clients establish and continually reassess those goals so that he can help them customize an approach to saving and investing that will achieve what they want.

“One of the most empowering things is for them to see 20 or 30 years out from where they’re at now,” Ortiz added. “We have a tendency to look back too much.”

“People kind of know when it’s time to sit down with me or someone like me,” he added.

And that’s why Ortiz says he won’t ever give up knocking on doors: Sooner or later, he hopes, people will look for him – if they know about him.

“Meeting them is the key.”

Information: 480-753-7664 or joseph.ortiz@edwardjones.com,

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SPIRITUAL SIDE

‘God usually finds a way to open doors, sometimes at unexpected moments’

BY REV. SUSAN WILMOT AFN Guest Writer

Let’s talk evangelism. For some, the “e” word is terrifying. For others, it’s a natural part of their faith, a genuine spiritual gift, perhaps honed a little by practice in sharing our own experiences of how our faith in Christ Jesus has transformed our lives.

Just to be clear, the transformation we’re talking about here doesn’t translate to Christ’s having made my life instantly perfect, and without suffering or sin. But, it does mean that as a follower of Jesus, we have divine help and guidance to deal differently with disappointment, pain and suffering, fear and anger and loss.

e benefits of living faith far outweigh life’s inevitable challenges, stresses and tragedies. But how do we share that with others? Well, not surprising, God usually finds a way to open doors, sometimes at unexpected moments.

“Ah, so you’re religious then?” she said, with that carefully modulated tone reserved purely for dealing with those likely to have dubious sanity, be potentially unstable or perhaps even dangerous.

“You might say that,” I replied, trying hard to put an encouraging inflection

in my voice, while hoping at once to assure her of my calm, nonviolent nature, all the while simultaneously wondering what I was going to say in the 10 minutes I knew it would take for her to finish cutting my hair.

e good news is that with God, all things are possible. However, for an introvert like myself, 10 minutes can seem like an eternity, especially when you’re bound to a chair by a large black cape and at the mercy of a woman wielding a sharp implement.

Dangerous is a good word here. e word of God is dangerous, even though it was the hairdresser who had the scissors. As a rule of thumb, it’s not smart to mess with your hairdresser’s mind until after your hair is done. On the other hand, “religious” is not a good word to describe a follower of Jesus. In fact, it’s the same word Paul uses to describe the Athenians, who worship all kinds of gods. You can read the story in the Book of Acts 17:21-34. Paul had already seen the numerous shrines, altars and objects of worship to Roman and Greek gods, and so his comment isn’t a compliment.

e word translated as “religious” in this portion of Acts, can also be translated as “superstitious.” In other parts of the New Testament, the word “religious” is translated from another Greek word that has positive overtones

of a person whose life is oriented toward God in obedience.

Even considering his deep distaste for what he sees in Athens, it doesn’t deter Paul from sharing the good news of Christ Jesus, and echoing both John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ call to repentance.

It takes a lot of humility to repent and turn away from our prideful and egoistic ways. It takes a lot of courage to admit we’re wrong and to turn to God, with hearts and minds open to change with God’s help.

Nonetheless, the instant we turn to God, the door to reconciliation is open, which in turn makes it possible to receive the power of God’s love in our hearts and in our lives, and to accept the gifts of forgiveness and healing.

“Ah, so you’re religious,” said the hairdresser. It sounds like an accusation, and I wonder again what God wants me to say. Yet, isn’t this what we’re all called to do and be as agents of God’s love and grace in the world? Doesn’t the Lord equip us to share our faith through worship, Bible study, prayer and other spiritual practices?

As Peter writes (1 Peter 3:15), “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” Paul eloquently and brilliantly outlines the entire basis of his faith and hope in Christ Jesus in less time than it takes to

FAITH CALENDAR

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

SHIRER TO BE SIMULCAST

Priscilla Shirer Simulcast for women and teen girls will focus on the power of prayer and learning to study God’s Word for yourself.

DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Bridgeway Community Church, 2420 E. Liberty Lane, Ahwatukee. Cost: $15 (includes refreshments), plus $8 for lunch (optional). Register: bridgewaycc.org.

SUNDAYS

BIBLE EXPLORED

This biblical scripture study embraces a spirit-filled, intellectually honest and understandable exploration of God’s Word. Lessons will combine Christian and Jewish theology along with Bible history,

archaeology and linguistics for a rich learning experience.

DETAILS>> 9:15 a.m. Mountain View Lutheran Church. 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. 480-893-2579, mvlutheran.org.

HORIZON SEEKS YOUNG PEOPLE

High school and middle school students meet to worship and do life together.

DETAILS>> 5 p.m. at Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. 480-460-1480 or email joel@ horizonchurch.com.

KIDS CAN LEARN JEWISH LIFE

Children can learn and experience Jewish life. Chabad Hebrew School focuses on Jewish heritage, culture and holidays.

DETAILS>> 9:30 a.m. to noon, for children ages 5-13 at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. 480-855-4333, info@ chabadcenter.com, or chabadcenter.com.

SUNDAY CELEBRATION SERVICE

Inspirational messages and music to lift your spirit. A welcoming community committed to living from the heart. Many classes and events offered. We welcome you!

DETAILS>> 10 a.m. Sundays at Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe. Information: 480-792-1800, unityoftempe.com.

MONDAYS

JOIN CHRIST-CENTERED YOGA

drink a cup of coffee. By a miracle of grace, we realize again that God is never far from us.

As followers of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit is with us: mighty counselor, guide and teacher, as gentle as a dove, as light as a breeze and as dangerous as tongues of fire.

Many people are indeed religious. But the question remains what or who is being worshipped? e extremely religious Athenians had many shrines and gods. ere’re still lots of gods in the world today.

ey’re not called Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, or Aphrodite; they have names like the almighty dollar, alcohol or heroin, sex, overwork, anger, fear or overeating.

We can be very religious. But being a follower of Jesus is different.

“Ah, so you’re religious,” she said. “Not me,” I reply, “I’m in love with Jesus, and it’s the most amazing relationship anyone can have.” Love is the nature and character of God and love is at the heart of all healthy relationships.

To risk love is to live dangerously indeed, but what else will win the world for Christ?

- e Rev. Susan E. Wilmot is vicar at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church & Preschool, 975 E. Warner Road, Tempe. Reach her: rector@stjamestempe.org, 480-345-2686, stjamestempe.org.

This Flow 1-2 class (intermediate) is free and open to the community. DETAILS>> 6-7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. Greg Battle at 480-759-6200 or gbattle@moutainpark.org.

CLASS TARGETS THE GRIEVING

Classes for those grieving over death or divorce. DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. 480-963-4127.

TUESDAYS

GRIEFSHARE

Mountain Park Community Church is offering an ongoing GriefShare programs to help people deal with the pain of losing a loved one.

CALENDAR

DETAILS>> 6:30-8 p.m., 2408 E. Pecos Road, Ahwatukee. To register: mountainpark.org and click on Launch. Information: Alex at 480-759-6200

FINDING HEALING FOR PAIN

HOPE, an acronym for “Help Overcome Painful Experiences,” offers support for men and women who seek God’s grace and healing.

DETAILS>> 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. mountainpark.org.

SENIORS ENJOY ‘TERRIFIC TUESDAYS’

The program is free and includes bagels and coffee and a different speaker or theme each week. Registration not needed.

DETAILS>> 10-11 a.m., Barness Family East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. evjcc.org or 480-897-0588.

WEDNESDAYS

CHIMING CHERUBS

For younger kids, grades 2 and 3, who love music and want to learn to ring the handbells.

DETAILS>> 5:45 p.m. Mountain View Lutheran Church. 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. 480-893-2579. mvlutheran.org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Celebrate Recovery is a Biblical 12-step program that helps you find hope and healing from all of life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups.

DETAILS>> 6:20 p.m. Mountain View Lutheran Church. 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. 480-893-2579. mvlutheran.org.

DIVORCE CARE

DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group that will walk alongside you and provide support through divorce or separation.

DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m. Mountain View Lutheran Church. 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. 480-893-2579. mvlutheran.org.

SANCTUARY CHOIR

This choir sings regularly at the 9:15 a.m. worship services and is a part of the Cantata Choir that presents around Christmas and Easter. DETAILS>> 6:45 p.m. Mountain View Lutheran Church. 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. 480-893-2579. mvlutheran.org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY MEETS

Celebrate Recovery says it “brings your relationship with the Lord closer to your heart as it heals your hurts, habits and hang-ups.” Participants can discuss issues ranging from feeling left out to addictions. “Nothing is too small or too large.”

DETAILS>> 6:20 p.m. at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. mvlutheran. org/celebraterecovery or email cr@alphamvlc.com.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY OFFERED

Living Word Ahwatukee women’s Bible study and fellowship that offers “a short, low-key time of praise and worship in music and message.” It’s also an opportunity to meet other Christian women in Ahwatukee.

DETAILS>> 10-11:30 a.m., Living Word Ahwatukee, 14647 W. 50th St., Suite 165, Ahwatukee. Free child care.

THURSDAYS

SLEEPING BAGS FOR THE HOMELESS

Ugly Quilts has made more than 15,500 sleeping

bags for the area homeless, and continues to do so at First United Methodist Church every Thursday. Quilters stitch donated fabric, comforters, sheets and blankets into sleeping bags. Those are then distributed to the Salvation Army, churches and veterans’ organizations.

DETAILS>> 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 15 E. 1st Ave., Mesa. Information: 480-969-5577.

KIDS CAN FIND SUPPORT

Support group for children ages 6 to 12 coping with a separation or divorce in the family. One-time $10 fee includes snacks and workbook.

DETAILS>> 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1825 S. Alma School Road, Room C202, Chandler. Pastor Larry Daily, 480-963-3997, ext. 141, larrydaily@chandlercc.org or chandlercc.org.

FRIDAYS

NEFESHSOUL HOLDS SERVICES

Congregation NefeshSoul holds Shabbat services the second Friday of every month on the campus of the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

DETAILS>> 6:15 p.m., 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler. Information: nefeshsoul.org.

TOTS TAUGHT TORAH

Hosted by Chabad of the East Valley for children ages 2 to 5. Features hands-on activities about the Shabbat, songs, stories and crafts. Children will make and braid their own challah.

DETAILS>> 10:15-11 a.m., members’ homes. 480-785-5831.

SATURDAYS

WEEKLY SERVICES SCHEDULED

International, nondenominational church offers weekly Sabbath services. Congregational meeting in

the morning and Bible study in the afternoon. DETAILS>> 10:30 a.m.-noon; 1:30-2:45 p.m. at True Jesus Church, 2640 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. 480-899-1488 or tjcphoenix@tjc.org.

JEWISH KIDS PROGRAM AVAILABLE

Shabbat Yeladim is a free Shabbat program for Jewish children ages 3-7 sponsored by Ahwatukee’s NefeshSoul Jewish Community. Shabbat Yeladim is on the second Saturday of the month. Songs, stories and art project each month.

DETAILS>> 10-11 a.m. on the Valley Unitarian Universalist Campus, 6400 W. Del Rio, Chandler. Contact Rabbi Susan Schanerman at rabbi@nefeshsoul.org or nefeshsoul.org.

Get Out

Ahwatukee musical family pulls no strings in concert

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

Like many of today’s kids, weekends for Ahwatukee brothers Allen and Ivan Pan are chock-full of activities.

But even though they might prefer being outdoors taking photos (Allen) or playing soccer (Ivan) or playing with their new Beagle-blend puppy Rondo (both), they’re often preparing for – or performing in –area concerts.

Allen, 14, and Ivan, 12 are violinists who play solo in school and area orchestras –and with their parents, renowned violinists Lan Qui and Joy Pan.

The family’s next performance is a matinee concert Sunday, April 30 at Beth Ami Temple, located inside Paradise Valley’s Palo Christian Church – where the reform synagogue and church have amicably shared space for 38 years.

The 3 p.m. concert will feature a variety of music from classical to Baroque, Romantic to Jewish favorites.

While the family attends the First Chinese Baptist Church – where son Allen plays on the worship team – the Pans are honorary members of Beth Ami Temple.

The family members express pleasure in playing their instruments together, whether at home or in concerts.

“Music is a universal language, which unites people together from all over the world. Different music expresses so many different feelings, spiritual and powerful,” said Lan Qui Pan, now in his 14th season as a full-time member of the Phoenix Symphony.

“Playing music with my loved ones is a very special way for me to express my love for them,” he added.

As she stood by a baby grand piano in their living room, Joy Pan said: “Music is like a centerpiece in our home. We practice, we teach, we perform, we listen to it. It’s almost everywhere and at any time.”

And while this family plays together and stays together, it is nevertheless still a family, she added.

“Like any normal families, we have our ups and downs, smiles and tears,” said Joy Pan. “Family is like music: some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song.”

Both Pan and her husband have inspiring backstories. Like their sons, both began their musical careers at young ages.

Born in Wuhan, China, Lan Qiu was 7 when his self-taught violinist uncle began teaching his nephew. By age 9, Qiu started playing in youth orchestras that entertained international visitors.

Shanghai-born Joy Pan was just 4 when her musical career began. At age 13 she won the National Entrance Competition for Shanghai Conservatory, one of China’s most prestigious music schools.

Lan Qiu’s early life was filled with accomplishments. A year following his 1989 graduation from Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music, he won the China National Youth Violinist Competition.

He joined the first violin section of the China National Symphony Orchestra, now known as the China Central Philharmonic Orchestra, serving as acting concertmaster until 1996, the same year he was elected Outstanding Young Artist of China.

During his time with the symphony, he toured the world and performed in Europe, Asia and North America.

In 2003, three years after coming to the United States, Qiu joined the first violin section of the Phoenix Symphony.

In 2009, he “proudly became a U.S. citizen” and was thrilled to walk onto Chase Field to perform the National Anthem at an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

Joy Pan is equally renowned as a violinist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music at Andrews University in Michigan, and her master’s degree in violin performance at Arizona State University.

She’s served as concertmaster for the Chandler Symphony Orchestra and the

ASU Chamber Orchestra. She’s currently concertmaster for Scottsdale’s La Forza Chamber Orchestra and MusicaNova Orchestra.

While in Michigan, she also held the concertmaster honor for Michiana Symphony Orchestra and the St. Joseph Pro Music Chamber Orchestra, often appearing as a soloist; and she won Michigan’s Young Artist Competition.

In 2009, she was named Musician of the Year with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra.

She and her husband have two separate private teaching studios in their Ahwatukee home.

(Dianne Ross/AFN Contributor)

Playing violins in their Ahwatukee home is family time for Joy Pan and her husband Lan Qiu and their two sons, Allen, second from left, and Ivan.

“The Joy Strings is the name of our business. It combines two functions, teaching and performing,” she said. “With many commitments in our lives, we can only use a limited amount of hours each week to teach our private violin students. “

The few private student slots available are reserved for committed and talented students, she said.

Allen and Ivan – who are instructed in violin by their parents – have already amassed their own honors.

A Desert Vista High School freshman, Allen Pan has studied violin with his mother for five years.

Aging out, he’s in his last year with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, where he serves as concertmaster for its top division and plays in the MYS quartet.

He’s also concertmaster for Desert Vista’s Symphony Orchestra and was honored, as a freshman, to perform in the 2017 All-State Honor Festival held at ASU’s Gammage Auditorium.

His electric violin varies from his concert violin, though he’s played both in concerts and uses the electric version in his church’s worship team and to play pop and jazz favorites on his own.

“I enjoy playing with my family. I feel it’s a good bonding experience for all of us to work together as a team,” said Allen, who will perform Saturday, May 20 at MusicNova Orchestra’s Young Artist Series Concert.

Ivan, an Altadena Middle School sixthgrader, is in his fourth year with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Taught violin by his father, he is a well-rounded 12-year-old who loves soccer and chess.

Chinese language, history and culture and then another hour of advanced math.

“If I had a day off, I’d spend half of it with friends playing video games and the rest I’d spend with my dog and reading books,” Ivan said.

He said practicing violin and playing regularly at various venues and events with his family is “a little bit tiring and sometimes a little bit boring, but also fun.”

“Music is the best gift we could give to our children,” said Joy Pan, smiling after overhearing her boys’ responses to a reporter’s questions. “I mainly work with Allen, and Lan works with Ivan. Teaching our next generation great techniques isn’t our main purpose.

“Through learning the violin, this challenging instrument, we want to develop our children’s sensitivity, discipline, endurance and appreciation for life. I hope playing and sharing music with others will become their lifetime journey and commitment.”

The couple said they feel playing violin duets is like “complete harmony.”

“For us, music is all about sharing love and healing of souls, the language of the spirit and strongest form of magic,” said Lan Qui who often quotes a metaphor, one he originated after moving to arid Arizona:

“Without music, life is a journey through a desert.”

IF YOU GO

What: The Joy Strings perform for temple fundraiser.

When: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 30.

Finding time for these pursuits is difficult, though, with his performance schedule and academics.

Besides public school, Ivan and his brother attend the Contemporary Chinese School of Arizona at ASU each Saturday. There, they are instructed for two hours in

Where: Beth Ami Temple, 3535 E. Lincoln Drive, southwest corner of 36th Street and Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley.

Tickets: $25.

Information: bethamitemple.org or 602-956-0805.

Dr. Kelly de Simone

Dr. Monica Sawitzke

On stage tonight

(Special to AFN)

Mountain Pointe High School’s thespians will wrap up their season with a presentation of Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night” at 3 and 7 p.m. today, April 26, and Thursday, April 27, in the school’s new Black Box Theater, 44th Street and Knox Road, Ahwatukee. Rehearsing a scene from the hilarious play are, from left, Michael Williams, Ethan Briant, Ali Stookey, Lexi Powers, Cory Drozdowski, Michael Rodriguez, Taylor Simmonds, Lexi Artusa-Sirota, Andre Presume, Alayjia Marcellin, Jack Rupp and Kaya Sciaudone. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and the school’s improv club, Rebels Without Applause, will perform for free.

Ben Dorman swings at DJing after baseball career

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GET OUT Staff Writer

After countless days in the hot Arizona sun playing indie league baseball, Ben Dorman was ready for a change.

“I had played baseball my whole life,” said Dorman, who pitched for Paradise Valley Community College and the Arizona Centennials. “In November 2015, I had an opportunity where I was able to quit my day job and do music full time.”

DJ Bijou was born. Managed by Relentless Beats, the Tempe native is to play Phoenix Lights in Phoenix and Wet Electric at Big Surf this month.

Calling from the middle of a U.S. tour, Dorman has brought his G-House sound to the upper echelon of festivals, including Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), Coachella and Holy Ship.

“G-House stands for ‘ghetto house,’ which is a mesh of house music and hiphop vocals,” Dorman said. “It’s still coming

Mountain Pointe High grad plans Pecos Park concert

BY AFN NEWS STAFF

Randy Brownlee, a 2015 Mountain Pointe High School grad, plays and sings in a style reminiscent of the 1960s folk song balladeers.

You’ll have a chance to hear him at a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at Pecos Park in Ahwatukee in celebration of his self-released first album, “City Lights.”

Brownlee, who goes by the stage name of Randy the Poet, only asks listeners to bring a can of food for St, Mary’s Food Bank.

Also playing is Javaughn Marshall, a Christian rap artist.

Brownlee played guitar for the school’s marching and jazz bands and started writing music when he was with a band called The Brochachos.

“The story behind the name Randy the Poet is I was doing an open-mic night at Tempe Center for the Arts, and Walt Richardson, of the Walt Richardson and the Morning Star Band, gave me the name, because he liked the lyrics I was writing,” he said.

“I consider myself more of a musician than a poet, but I like to tell stories. My long-range ambition is to have a viable career playing music,” he added.

Brownlee, who also likes to play basketball and hang out with friends, released “City Lights” a month ago.

around in the U.S., but it’s hot right now. It’s a sound that I brought to Arizona in 2013 that people weren’t familiar with. I bring a variation of commercial and underground music.”

Music is in Dorman’s genes, as his father was a school teacher who managed bands and hip-hop artists in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Dorman has released songs on Night Bass, Fool’s Gold and Prep School Recordings, and collaborated with Dr. Fresch on the track “Hello,” which received the support of AC Slater, Destructo, Don Diablo, Drezo, Malaa, Party Favor and Wax Motif.

“The electronic music scene is so strong right now,” he said. “We keep pushing music out and working, working, working.”

“DJs are the rock stars of the modern day. The music has been commercialized with all of the festivals. The kids need it.”

Information: Wet Electric, Big Surf, 1500 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, tickets start at $15.

“I started writing the songs my senior year of high school and sitting on them until I felt they were ready, and by that time I had written a handful more and had been playing them,” he said. “I wrote the title track ‘City Lights’ about just wanting to get away from everyday life.”

He describes his music as “indie folk,” and says his favorite musicians are people like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Lou Reed.

He said that although they will perform separately Saturday, he and Javaughn Marshall had been “working together a little bit and we just hit it off.”

He hopes they can collaborate in the future.

The album is available at randythepoet. bandcamp.com and downloaders can pay what they want for it.

(Special to AFN)

Randy the Poet Brownlee, a 2015 Mountain Pointe High graduate, is giving a free concert at Pecos Park on Saturday, April 29.

Gilbert bloggers are Valley’s only nominees for James Beard awards

BY MIKE BUTLER AFN Contributor

Although top Valley chefs were snubbed by this year’s James Beard awards, a Gilbert couple is in the running for one of the prestigious 2017 Media Awards.

Michelle Jacoby and Mark Lipczynski, former Arizona Republic staffers who publish a blog called Bite: Eat, Drink, Wander, are finalists for Best Video Webcast, on Location, for producing “Elements.”

The 17-minute film is a series of six video shorts that explores how Arizona chefs and other local food and drink artisans incorporate elements of nature into their work.

“Air,” for example, captures the passion of Derrick Shields, the official beekeeper at The Farm at Agritopia. In “Smoke,” Chef Jeff Kraus of Crepe Bar in Tempe showcases his latest inspiration and flavors using unique smoking techniques.

Elements was filmed by Andrew Gooi, a nine-year resident of the Valley who recently moved to Seattle.

Jacoby and Lipczynski approached Gooi after viewing his film “Binkley’s,” about the legendary restaurant that opened in Cave Creek in 2004. He also had created a stunning video portrait of chef Nobuo Fukuda, awarded the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2007.

“He’s a very genuine and authentic person and that comes through in his work,” said Lipczynski, who handles still photography for the creative team’s projects.

The James Beard Media Awards are just as big a deal as the food/restaurant awards.

They’re a feather in the cap for cookbook authors, TV shows, magazine heavyweights such as The New Yorker and Saveur, and up-and-coming bloggers.

When Jacoby and Gooi take their seats at the awards ceremony at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York on April 25 (they were only given two tickets), they might be rubbing elbows with celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Lidia Bastianich or Ina Garten, who are finalists in their various video categories.

“Us just being in that room – it’s pretty incredible,” Jacoby said. “We thought

they’d never notice us. We’re just three people with a camera.”

“It still hasn’t registered,” Lipczynski added.

Jacoby and Lipczynski received their first validation that Bite was on the right track last year when they were in contention for Saveur’s annual Blog Award, an international competition.

They met when she became editor of the Republic’s AZ Magazine and he became its principal photographer. They grew intensely interested in Arizona’s food scene, and each other, and married two years ago.

After the excitement of the James Beard awards dies down, Jacoby said Bite will turn its lens on a new series called “In Food We Trust,” which celebrates immigrant restaurant owners and makers.

The two are also planning a visit to Brazil to do a feature on the Peixoto family coffee farm.

“Our mission is to tell the story behind the story,” Jacoby said.

The film “Elements” and other stories can be viewed at readbite.com and foodtalkies.com. Gooi’s “Food Talkies” is also nominated for Visual and Technical Excellence.

(Mike Butler/AFN Contributor)

Michelle Jacoby and Mark Lipczynski, finalists for a 2017 James Beard Media Award, take a breather at Peixoto Coffee in downtown Chandler.

Arizona Grand hosting women’s empowerment conference

GET OUT STAFF

The Arizona Grand Resort in Ahwatukee will be hosting the 2017 Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Network Conference next month.

The sixth annual conference, 10 a.m.5 p.m. May 6, is titled “All I Do Is Win” and will feature “presentations on how to eliminate excuses, silence the ‘inner critic’ and challenge women to stop limiting themselves and live their dreams,” a spokeswoman said.

Network founder Sharise L. Erby-Castle said the conference will “celebrate, educate and motivate dynamic women on all levels.

“Our theme this year is about winning because we want attendees to expand their mind-set on what is possible.” She said. “Living your dreams and walking in your purpose is not always easy. This event is about learning to get past selfdoubts and other behaviors to help women give themselves permission to succeed.”

“We want to drive women to unleash their ‘inner winner’ so they finally go for,

and also get, what they truly want in life,” she added.

Founded in 2013, PWEN is a nonprofit organization designed to support, encourage, and empower women of all ages, races and economic strata “in their pursuit of living a healthy emotional, spiritual, professional, physical, and mentally well-balanced life.”

For over 25 years, Erby-Castle has been coaching, leading, teaching, ministering and speaking to women and men in the community, her church and at conferences.

In 2016, she was honored with the Black Wall Street Community Leadership Award in Phoenix. Erby-Castle has written two books, “Just Do You” and “Whole Women Win: Unleashing the Winner from Within” and has been featured on numerous radio and TV shows in Arizona.

Speakers include Rebecca King Crews and Bishop La’Tresa Jester.

King-Crews produces “The Family Crews,” a series on Black Entertainment Television, and will discuss the pitfalls of fame and how to balance a career and family.

Jester is a minister, teacher, advisor and workshop facilitator. Jester was the first African American female to be installed as a Baptist pastor and the first female to serve as vice moderator of the Southern District Association of Arizona.

In 2012, she was appointed the first woman to serve in Arizona as district overseer of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.

Proceeds of the 2017 conference will benefit the Carrie J. Gray Scholarship Foundation, an organization that provides educational programs to local women.

In addition to inspirational presentations, the event will feature a DJ and a live music presentation, onsite interviews and other activities. Information: pwen1@hotmail.com or 480-228-3125.

(Special to AFNr)

Sharise Erby-Castle, founder of the Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Network, said next month’s conference will celebrate women.

We came to Keystone for the authentic Montessori education. We fell in love with Keystone Montessori when we realized it was more than just a school, it was a community.

- Parent Testimonial

Indoor playground turns exercise into play for kids

BY RALPH ZUBIATE AFN Managing Editor

play spaces.

should have a spaceship!”

Like most indoor play places for kids, Urban Jungle can host birthday parties.

Screaming kids running around, jumping and bouncing.

A special location for toddlers is located behind a tall door with a latch high up so only a parent can reach it. That way, toddlers don’t wander off.

Allen said Urban Jungle covers everything in padding for protection.

That’s music to the ears of David Allen, general manager of a new indoor playground called Urban Jungle Fun Park, at 5741 E. McKellips Road in Mesa.

“We can have about 38 birthday parties in a day,” Allen said. “We have three rooms, and a VIP room. One-third of our business is birthday parties.”

The play place opened in March and has been busy ever since.

“We try to make everything soft, because that limits accidents as much as possible,” he said.

But parties and free play days are only extras. Urban Jungle has a bigger goal in mind.

The first Urban Jungle is in Santee, California. The Mesa location is the company’s second.

“The only crying we see is because kids are being taken home and don’t want to leave.”

Kids are playing and learning at the same time, he said.

“We want to get kids off the couch and stop the computer games,” Allen said, emphasizing the exercise part of the playground.

“We were looking at California, Arizona and Nevada for a new location,” Allen said. “We wanted to move into a warmer climate, where we knew we’d have business in summer.”

“We like to think the kids learn life lessons here,” Allen said. “They come back and try again, like with the climbing wall.”

Eventually, Urban Jungle would like to introduce some high-tech to the experience.

“We’re going to try something called FitPlay,” Allen said.

The giant playground, at 18,000 square feet and three levels, is filled with places for kids to explore.

As he was giving a tour, Allen pointed to a girl all rigged up to climb.

“I told that girl that if she could make it all the way up, I’d give her some free passes. She’s been trying all day. She doesn’t want to give up.

The Urban Jungle website describes the indoor playground as a “metropolis packed with a multitude of adrenalinefilled activities built for kids of all ages.”

“Our employees try to encourage every kid like that,” he said.

“We have about eight rock walls, a ninja course, punching bags, pogo sticks, three slides,” Allen said, listing only some of the

Just then, a child dropped down a slide.

“Awesome! Yeah!”

One girl walked by and told Allen, “You

According to a statement from Urban Jungle’s CEO and founder, Bob Krause, “Our goal is to merge together a dynamic adventure park with our innovative FitPlay program that provides adrenaline-filled physical challenges, high-intensity cardio activities and agility-based obstacle routes, tunnels and courses, adapted for

every ability level, that promotes health and fitness while having fun.”

What that means is Urban Jungle will eventually monitor kids’ play and see how they can get more healthful exercise out of it.

The kids will wear body suits and play for 90 minutes. They will be monitored for heart rate and calories burned. When they see the results, Urban Jungle hopes kids and their parents will be encouraged to play more.

Urban Jungle opened at spring break in March.

“We did a lot better than we thought,” Allen said. “We were hoping for 1,500 to 2,000, but we were getting 3,000-plus in a day.”

“There are a lot of return visits. I’ve seen a couple of families come by three times in a week.”

Monday through Friday, prices at Urban Jungle run from $10 for 60 minutes of play to $14 for 120 minutes. On Saturday and Sunday, it’s $12 for an hour to $18 for two hours.

Kids 3-12 seem to be the primary customers, but teenagers are coming in to enjoy the atmosphere, too. Some parents

climb into the spaces to play with their kids. They play for half price.

Another family-friendly option is a parents’ lounge all the way in back. Three massage chairs, sectional couches, three TVs and free Wi-Fi are available for waiting caregivers.

Kelly Hillis and Joy Galati, friends from Christ’s Church of the Valley, were relaxing in the parent room in back as their kids ran free. Hillis brought her children Ashlyn, 8, and Trent, 6. Galati brought grandson Noah, 6.

“I like to get them out to exercise,” Hillis

said. “We usually go to the zoo or the park. This will be good for summer. “They’re not going to get bored.” Galati agreed, “This is wonderful. Especially when we found this room.”

– Contact Ralph Zubiate at 480-898-6825 or rzubiate@timespublications.com.

(Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer)

“We want to have the cleanest and friendliest funhouse in the nation,” said David Allen, general manager of Urban Jungle Fun Park.

(Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer)

Jamie Williams, 10, climbs a rock wall at Urban Jungle Fun Park in Mesa.

Mesa museum lines up games, music and brews

BY DAVE CLARK

GETOUT Contributor

Imagine enjoying local craft beer, playing games and hanging out with dinosaurs, all while raising money for a great cause.

Beer N’ Bones 5 allows patrons to do just that at the Arizona Museum of Natural History from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 28. VIP entry is set for 6 p.m. The event will showcase the best local and national craft breweries. Those confirmed at press time to attend include Uncle Bear’s, Odell’s, Oro Brewing, The Perch, Colorado Brewing Company, Scottsdale Beer Company, College Street, Wren House and O.H.S.O.

Representatives from many of the local breweries will be present, and several of them will bring beer specifically created for the event.

“The breweries love to be part of this event because it is very informal, compared to a typical beer festival, and they get a lot of one-on-one time with their current and potential future customers,” said Kathy Eastman, the museum’s curator of education.

But there’s more than just beer here.

“Speed Dating with Scientists is a game show-like event that pairs patrons with scientists,” Eastman said.

“Though it’s set up like speed dating, the purpose of the event is to learn more about your favorite scientific field.

“A group of scientists are introduced, each describing their area of specialty.

Patrons then get to select which scientist they’d like to sit and chat with, speed dating style.”

For a nominal fee, patrons can purchase a Beer Tasting Passport, which allows them to sample an array of different beers, introducing them to many different styles and flavors. Beer Tasting Passports are automatically included in the VIP package.

Beer, wine, hard cider, gluten-free options and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase along with food provided by local vendors. The admission fee includes the first drink.

The chamber folk ensemble North Brother Island will blend acoustic chamber music with a live band experience on the patio.

Live animal stations will be dispersed

throughout the museum, letting patrons get up close and personal with some of their favorite creatures.

Snake specialists will be present along with experts from The Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Reptile Center and OdySea Aquarium showcasing their beloved animals. Various creepy crawly insects will also make their presence felt.

“The insects really seem to draw a lot of interest and people really seem to enjoy seeing them in this environment,” she said.

New additions this year include Crafting with Craft Beer, Fun Science Activity Stations and Beer Bingo.

VIP tickets, which are $40 in advance, not only feature early admission, but a Beer N’ Bones custom glass, food and drink vouchers as well as the session

Music

fills

“Dino Bytes,” led by Dr. Andrew Farke, a renowned expert in paleontology and archaeology who is also an avid homebrewer.

The Arizona Museum of Natural History is a large indoor museum with a three-story waterfall. It’s open six days a week, except Mondays and major holidays.

IF YOU GO

What: Beer N’ Bones 5 When: 7-11 p.m. Friday, April 28 Where: Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. Tickets: $20-$40

Information: azmnh.org, https://beern-bones.eventbrite.com

the air this

weekend

outside and indoors

8. Water Tower Plaza, 45 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. Cost: Free. gilbertaz.gov.

Learn to swim

Enjoy free swimming and Kona shaved ice as you watch pool safety demonstrations. Plus, meet swim instructors and register for child and adult swim lessons. Also, there will be life-jacket fittings, a sun safety station and a visit from the fire department.

DETAILS>> 1-4 p.m., Sunday, April 29. Ahwatukee Community Swim & Tennis Center, 4700 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee. Free. 480-893-3431, www.ahwatukeehoa.com

Downtown concert series

Gather on Thursdays in the shade of the Gilbert Water Tower for a free concert. This week, MissDmeaner and the Felonies will play covers of classic hits. Feel free to bring blankets and chairs.

DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 27-June

Music under the stars

Join the Arizona Wind Symphony, Desert Vista High School, Corona del Sol High School and The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps for an evening of free music under the stars.

DETAILS>> 7 p.m., Friday, April 28. Tempe Center for the Arts (Art Park Amphitheater), 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Cost: Free. tempe.gov.

Wet Electric

Kick off the water-park season with an adultonly electronic music festival at Big Surf. Acts include big names like Diplo, Borgore and Audien. Party in the pool and then amp up the excitement on the water slides.

DETAILS>> 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, April 29. Big Surf, 1500 N. McClintock, Tempe. Tickets: $55-$3,500. wet-electric.com.

BY JUSTIN FERRIS GETOUT EDITOR

(Special to AFN)

The Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa offers beer aficionados a chance to check out its exhibits and enjoy some craft brews.

Pan-seared pork chop casserole

BY JAN D’ATRI

ISudoku

call this recipe a “double love dish” because it combines two things we love: pork chops and casseroles! If you’re looking for a new twist on the standard

THE PORK CHOPS

Ingredients:

4 (1/2-inch-thick bone-in) pork chops

1 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup flour for dredging

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 cup (1 medium-large) sweet yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, slivered or chopped 1 tablespoon parsley

1 1/2 pounds of fresh white mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup Marsala or sherry wine or chicken broth

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Season pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge pork chops lightly in flour.

grilled pork chop or hungry for a new Sunday supper or weeknight casserole, this one’s a winner!

For step-by-step instructions, I’ve created a video for you right here: jandatri.com/ recipes.

THE APPLE CHUNKS

3. In a nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Place pork chops in skillet and cook over medium high heat until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer pork chops to a plate and cover.

4. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté onions and garlic until soft and golden brown. Stir in mushrooms, parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 10 minutes.

5. Grease an approximately 9-inch casserole dish with oil. Place half of the mushroom mixture on the bottom of casserole. Place cooked pork chops over top of mushroom mixture. Top with remainder of mushrooms.

6. In same skillet, add wine and 1 tablespoon of butter, and gently scrape up all remaining browned bits in pan. Bring liquid to a gentle boil and then pour over top of mushrooms in casserole dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve with homemade apple chunks.

Ingredients:

4-5 firm apples, peeled, cored and sliced thick 1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 dash of fresh grated nutmeg

2 tablespoons brandy, optional

1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

In a medium saucepan on high heat, add all ingredients and cook for about five minutes until apples are soft but still chunky. Serve hot or warm.

Tribune Contributor

New UFC gym in Ahwatukee offers a different workout experience

BY RYAN CLARKE AFN STAFF WRITER

Three blocks southwest of Sun Ray Park, the repetitive sound of punching bags and bass-heavy music fill a long-empty space off Ray Road.

A new way to get and stay fit has arrived in Ahwatukee.

e Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) opened a first-of-its-kind gym in Arizona, occupying a sprawling, twostory space.

Owner Rob Kelly touts the gym’s unique offerings.

“ e exercises we do here are created from the workout routines of UFC fighters,” Kelly said. “You’re flipping tires, jumping up and down off of boxes, and all the non-traditional workouts that you don’t get at a regular gym.”

But you don’t have to be Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey to get the full experience. Kelly said roughly 80 percent of the gym’s members are moms and their kids, and the experience is open to people of all ages and fitness levels.

ere are no long-term contracts for the class-focused operation.

e 50-minute workouts vary from martial arts training to boxing to suspension training and cardio. It’s a fullbody workout with a personal focus that Kelly believes is more beneficial than the average routine.

“It’s very easy to go into a typical gym and find yourself bored because it’s chest day, or it’s leg day, or whatever,” Kelly said. “ is is something that’s unique. Every single time you come in you won’t go through the same workout twice.”

In just over two months, the gym has picked up over 500 members, including some Cardinals and Coyotes players.

UFC fighters Amanda Nunes and Anthony Pettis have also made appearances for meet-and-greets.

But the core of the UFC gym’s business lies within the Ahwatukee community.

Connecting with individuals throughout the area allows Kelly to expand his reach and consider expansion to other locations in the future. His current focus, however, is making sure the word gets out about the Ahwatukee location.

“A lot of people think we’re a fight gym, but we’re absolutely not a fight gym whatsoever,” Kelly said. “ e majority of our memberships are families, and I think that’s great.”

Kelly got word of this business opportunity after leaving the hearing-aid business to pursue other ventures.

After moving to Las Vegas for three years, the longtime Arizona resident returned home to link up with the UFC and open the gym.

Although he’s never competed in mixed martial arts, he’s always been a fan.

“I love the sport, I like to work out,

and UFC is a great partner,” Kelly said. “I just really like the excitement of it. It’s anybody’s fight at any time and it’s not as predictable as boxing sometimes is.” e unpredictability of the workout routines is what sets the UFC gym apart, and that’s what drew Kelly to the business opportunity.

e workout experience serves as a reflection of the sport itself: high intensity, constantly changing and thoroughly entertaining. Kelly said that’s why so many kids are interested in joining — especially with summer coming up soon.

e official grand opening of the UFC gym will be held 5-9 p.m. ursday, May 4, at 3830 East Ray Road. UFC Hall of Fame inductee Matt Hughes will be in attendance to teach a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class for kids.

Information: ufcgym.com/ahwatukee or call at 480-496-4269.

– Contact Ryan Clarke at rclarke@ timespublications.com. Follow him on Twitter @RyanTClarke.

(Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer) Adrian Cortez, left, and Rob Kelly are general manager and owner, respectively, of the new UFC gym that has opened on Ray Road in Ahwatukee.

(Kim Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer) The new AFC gym in Ahwatukee packs plenty of punch with unpredictable workouts and top-rated equipment.

Christofis may return to coach Desert Vista girls’ cross country

AFN News Staff

If all goes according to plan with the Tempe Union High School District governing board next week, Desert Vista High School’s girls’ cross country program will have a new head coach. e administration is asking the board to okay the appointment of Doug Christofis to coach the current Division 1 state champions.

is is the second time Christofis would coach the program. He was coach from 2003 to 2012 before stepping down to spend time with his young children.

In six of those 10 years, his teams were state runners-up and at times were ranked nationally. He has remained a full-time physical education teacher and head of the strength and performance program for all sports at Desert Vista. He also works with students who do not participate in sports but are seeking to improve their bodies and fitness levels.

“It with great pleasure to recommend Doug Christofis to Dr. Baca and the TUHSD Governing Board as our selection for the varsity head girls’ cross country position. Coach Christofis brings many years of experience, passion, and success,” said TJ Snyder, assistant Desert Vista principal for athletics

“Pending board approval, Desert Vista is excited with this selection, and we look forward to the upcoming cross country season,” Snyder added.

Christofis said, “I look forward to embarking on this journey with these amazing student athletes who truly epitomize those humans willing to constantly challenge the human spirit. So much to learn from them and so many destinations to enjoy along the journey. I am blessed to be a part of their lives.”

In the late ’90s, Christofis worked as a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service.

At the U.S. Treasury Academy, he

received a special award for scoring a perfect 500 on his physical battery – an achievement few have accomplished. He also earned the Distinguished Fitness Award at the Secret Service Academy.

“He realized his true passion was education and working with teenagers, so he returned to teaching and coaching,” a district spokeswoman said.

He has taught social studies and language arts for four years at the middle school level. He has coached multiple events at various levels in track, football, wrestling, soccer and cross country.

During summers, he runs camps with athletes of all ages and abilities in the area of strength, conditioning, agility, speed and overall performance.

“Many athletes return to work with him when they have graduated and seek to continue to improve performance at the next level,” the spokeswoman said.

His primary coaching endeavors have been coaching cross country both at the high school and middle school levels.

Christofis has trained in Muay ai kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has coached professional and amateur mixed martial artists. He has competed in adventure races and a full Ironman and continues to train in the martial arts, running, biking, swimming, and multiple types of resistance training. He believes in the saying “the will to win does not compare to the will to train to win.”

Christofis earned a degree in business from Iona College, where he also played football. He went on to earn a master’s in secondary education at Long Island University. He has taken postgraduate classes in athletic performance training and sports performance psychology and has lectured on performance training to coaches, administrators and athletes. e recommendation of Christofis as Desert Vista’s head girls cross country coach is expected to be on the TUHSD Governing Board meeting agenda for May 3.

Rudy Rauls receives Youthfest Courage Award

Rudy Rauls, Mountain Pointe

High’s senior class president and a varsity football star, has received a 2017 Youthfest Courage Award.

Rauls “is everywhere – on campus, at events, on social media, always positive, always supporting others,” Tempe Union High School District Superintendent Kenneth Baca said during the awards ceremony last week.

“He makes it his business to know everyone and make them feel comfortable,” Baca added. “He is the life of the party and, as his nominator said, “the epitome of school spirit.”

Baca noted that Rauls is fond of saying that “rolling with the punches has gotten him where he is today.”

When he was 6 and growing up in Michigan, Rauls’ father was killed in an ambush. His mother sent him to Arizona to live

“As Rudy puts it, ‘I’ve had to be my own parent,’” Baca said.

Rauls, who lives with a relative, “makes his own decisions, like attending summer school and online classes to get ahead. He advocates for himself, asking his counselors for help with clothing and

food,” Baca said, adding:

“And he chooses to be positive. He said it’s simply, ‘you do what it takes to survive,’ and he can’t understand why someone would focus on the negatives.”

Baca said that despite the instability in his life, Rauls is “committed to providing help for others, volunteering with Best Buddies, Make-a-Wish, Relay for Life and feeding the homeless.

“He loves spending time with the Cubbies – Mountain Pointe’s preschoolers – and would stay all day with them if he could,” he said.

“Even at football practice, when someone outside the program approaches the team, he has been known to introduce himself as the class president and welcome the visitor,” Baca added.

“He has a very outgoing personality,” Pride offensive line and assistant head coach Aaron Frana said, “and always has a smile on his face.”

Rauls was the Pride’s starting right guard on the offensive line while playing in the defensive line rotation.

When pressed, he couldn’t decide whether he was more proud to be the class president or a starting offensive lineman for the Pride.

“ at’s a good question,” he said. “I

take pride in being myself and representing the school as much as I can. Being a Mountain Pointe football player means a lot to me.

“It’s huge. I’ve been in student council for over 10 years, from elementary school all the way up.”

e 6-foot-1, 260-pounder was on junior varsity last school year as a junior after he missed some time dealing with family issues.

Scouts started noticing him down the stretch last year. He ended up getting to play in the first round of the playoffs after another player’s injury.

“He got his shot and has run with it since,” Frana said. “When he straps on the pads, he gets after it.”

Baca said Rauls had a big impact on his teammates. “He could fire them up and they could count on him,” Baca said. “College coaches took notice too and offered scholarships,

AFN NEWS STAFF

(Special to AFN)

Mountain Pointe High senior class president and Pride football star received a Youthfest Courage Award.

but Rudy turned them down.”

Rauls said, “I can do bigger and better things than football. I don’t want to go to college and have to be dedicated to that one thing. I want more time to do things in the community. It’s time to stop being a kid and get serious with life.”

Rauls plans to get a job, help care for his grandma and go to community college.

In two years, he wants to move back to Michigan to achieve his dream of earning a degree as a Spartan at Michigan State. en, he hopes to return to Tempe Union as a history teacher.

“He believes God strategically placed Mountain Pointe English teacher Carrie Johnson in his life. Talking to her helps him through challenging times. He trusts her and she inspires him,” Baca said.

He quoted Rauls as saying, “I love her so much. I want to be Miss Johnson to another student.”

Raul was nominated for the award by Mountain Pointe counselor Ricki Cassutt, who called him a role model, leader and true inspiration, always upbeat and wearing a smile.

“She admires his ability to be ‘gracious and humble, kind, considerate and empathetic to all who cross his path,’” Baca said.

Rauls also credits Pastor Warren H. Stewart and the congregation of First Institutional Baptist Church for their support.

“Without that church I would not be Rudy,” he said.

He feels it has helped him mature and open up to possibilities.

“God has gotten me through all my trial and tribulations,” he said. “I have had great guidance. My Uncle Leon, the coaches, teammates and Mountain Pointe have been there for me.”

Pride senior Noah Grover said, “Rudy

is a great kid, whether that’s being in the classroom or on the field. He is very outgoing and positive and is always trying to help others around him.

“In the locker room, Rudy is one person that everyone can always count on to either pump up the team and hype us up or even give an emotional inspirational speech.”

“It’s been amazing. It’s great,” he said. “I’m surprised I’m not crying yet…. I am so thankful to be part of this.

“All my coaches are like fathers to me, especially Coach Frana.”

It is pretty clear in listening to Rauls’ words, and seeing his eyes when talking about his school, that the senior class made the right choice in April in voting for Rauls as their representative.

“I told my school I love Mountain Pointe and I want to be the voice of the Pride,” he said. “Mountain Pointe has been there to help me and support me, push me all the way.

“I try to always be where I want to be and that is Mountain Pointe.”

Rudy loves Mountain Pointe and says no matter what was going outside of school… he found a true family inside.

He wants to be remembered as the kid who took all risks and who embraced his experience at Challenge Day, using it to guide him every day to be more positive and happy.

He’s grateful to the City of Tempe and Tempe Union for providing that support for students and hopes to participate next year as an adult volunteer.

He’s made the most of his high school experience, is hopeful for the future, and satisfied with today.

“ is is the life I was given,” he said. “I wouldn’t change a thing because it’s made me who I am and I am happy.”

Baca praised Rauls’ courage and perseverance in the face of odds that would discourage other young people.

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Sympathy pours in for Heaps after accident

BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer

Teammates, NFL football teams and fans were heartbroken to learn the sad news about the tragic death of Holly Heap, who was accidentally run over by her father, Todd Heap, in their Mesa driveway.

e fatality, which resonated around the nation and world, occurred when Heap pulled his pickup truck forward in the driveway of his Mesa home.

Heap was inducted into the Ravens Ring of Honor in 2014. He finished his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He also starred for Mesa’s Mountain View High School and Arizona State University.

Many people referred to Heap’s devotion to his family and his deep religious faith. Todd and Ashley Heap are the parents of five children, including the victim. Following are some statements and comments published on Twitter and by other media sources:

Joe Flacco, Ravens quarterback, on Ravens.com, on why he was planning to visit the Heaps on ursday in Mesa.

“He’s a friend. Me and my wife want to be there for him.”

“ e Heaps have contributed so much to the Arizona State Sun Devils, Baltimore Ravens, and Arizona Cardinals communities, and we hope their family, friends and our respective communities can provide them with love and support as they work through this unspeakable

heartbreak,” Arizona State University said in a statement.

“My heart is broken for Todd Heap and his family. One of the kindest persons I’ve ever met and a man who lives for his family,’’ tweeted former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely.

“Absolutely gutted for Todd Heap and his family,” Houston Texans star JJ Watt said in a tweet. “ oughts are with them in this incredibly tough time.”

“We cannot imagine the heartbreak and sorrow Todd and Ashley’s family feels right now. is is knee-buckling news and an overwhelmingly sad tragedy. Our prayers, our thoughts and our hearts are with the Heaps, who have contributed so much to the Ravens and Baltimore community.

“We believe their deep faith and tremendous support from friends and family will help them through this unimaginable time,” an official statement from the Baltimore Ravens said.

“Our thoughts go out to Todd, Ashley and the Heap family. It is a grief that is beyond words and one which no family should ever experience. Hopefully the prayers, love and support of their incredible group of friends and family provide them comfort that along with their strong faith will lead them through this unspeakably difficult time,’’ the Arizona Cardinals said in an official statement.

– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@ ahwatukee.com.

(Special to AFN)

Former teammates and friends tweeted sympathy for Todd Heap and his family following his daughter’s tragic death.

Mark Grace returns as game analyst

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Baseball is in Mark Grace’s blood. Everything he has purchased in his adult life has been courtesy of money he made from America’s Pastime.

“I can’t sing. I can’t dance. I can’t play a musical instrument,” the former Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman said. “I don’t really have any other talent besides baseball.”

After a stint coaching in the Diamondbacks organization, Grace is returning to the small screen as a pre- and postgame analyst on Fox Sports Arizona’s “D-backs Live.”

e D-backs’ first baseman from 2001 to 2003 was a key part of the team’s 2001 World Series title and will bring his knowledge, passion and joy for the game to TV.

“I’ve been blessed enough to play it for 16 years, broadcast it for six years and coach it for a few years,” said Grace, who served as hitting coach for the Class-A Hillsboro Hops in 2014, and the D-backs’ assistant hitting coach in 2015 and 2016. “I’ve done just about everything. Now I’m back to doing preand post-.” is marks a return to the TV side of baseball. After he retired from a 16-year playing career in 2003, he was hired by the D-backs as their TV analyst from 2004 to 2012, working alongside om Brennaman and Daron Sutton. From 2007 to 2011, he was also employed by Fox Sports.

Grace will team with hosts Todd Walsh

Flash on the run

Jody

Brandon

and game announcers Steve Berthiaume and Bob Brenly.

“I’m going to enjoy working,” he said. “I have a good friendship with Todd and Jody. Comfort won’t be a problem. I’m pretty close with both of them.”

Grace was a four-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star and Major League Baseball’s hit leader in the 1990s while playing for the Chicago Cubs. roughout his career, he has collected a wealth of knowledge.

“We’re going to have Brandon Webb, who has forgotten more about pitching than I will ever know,” Grace said. “I’ve forgotten more about hitting than he will ever know. at’s the good one-two punch that we’ll have, whether I’m there or Brandon is there.

“Brandon was a highly successful, terrific pitcher. I had a very, very long career as well. I guess what I bring to the table is knowledge of the game that 99 percent of the people don’t have.”

Whatever Grace does, he injects his high-spirited personality.

“I’m not very everybody, but I love what I do and I know it worked pretty well for a while on TV with om Brennaman and Daron Sutton.”

Even though he played for the Cubs as well, Grace stresses it’s the Diamondbacks to whom he is loyal.

“ ey didn’t always have to stand beside me when I made mistakes,” said Grace, referring to his drunken driving arrests. “ ey did and I will forever be grateful to the organization and forever be willing to do anything they want.”

Ahwatukee personal trainer and professional runner Flash Santoro, center, is in Auckland, New Zealand, this week competing at the World Masters Games. He celebrates winning the gold medal for in the 5k race for men 40 to 44 years of age. “It was a nice accomplishment and I had a lot of fun,” Santoro, flanked by silver medalist Jamie Halla of New Zealand, left, and bronze winner Garth Cumming of Canada.

PHOENIX BRAZAS

- Top level APL and State teams

- Professional Coaching Staff

- Convenient locations in both South Tempe and Chandler

AFN Contributor

and

Jackson, analyst

Webb

(Special to AFN)

Mark Grace will be a game analyst on Fox Sports Arizona’s “D-backs Live.”

(Rob Jerome/Special to AFN)

Meetings/Events

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Parkingandaccessareonthewestsideof building.(AdditionalparkingatChaseBank). Doorsopenat6:30pmandmeetingsstart promptlyat7:00pm.

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