SanTan Sun News - May 10 2020

May 10, 2020 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Chandler emerging from pandemic lockdown City maps 3-part plan to Local stores, restaurants jump-start its services getting back to business

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The city of Chandler has devised a three-phased process for opening up public facilities once state and federal officials begin lifting restrictions put in place to subdue the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each of the city’s departments have determined how it will gradually return to normal operations as the number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona starts to dwindle and public health officials determine its safe for residents to freely move about.

Once Gov. Doug Ducey gives the greenlight that Arizona’s safe to reopen, City Manager Marsha Reed said Chandler would then initiate the first

step of its three-tiered plan to resume public services.

Each phase is projected to last about two weeks, depending on how Arizona meets health benchmarks and the pandemic starts to wind down.

Staffers have been preparing this plan throughout the statewide shutdown, the city manager added, and it may change or be modified as new developments occur.

“It’s a lot harder to start up than it is to shut down,” Reed said.

Several elements of the plan involve sanitizing public places and installing new infrastructure that would help create physical barriers between city employees and residents.

See

REOPEN-CITY on page 10

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Some Chandler businesses have begun the process of reopening their stores and returning to a sense of normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Arizona’s economy.

But while restaurants, retail shops and hair salons can reopen under new social distancing and hygiene practices, th state has yet to give guidance on pools, bars and malls - including Chandler Fashion Center.

Currently, only mall stores that have a entry and exit from and to the parking lot can be open, leaving dozens of stores and kiosks closed.

For restaurants, inside dining will be allowed, but in an evironment and with

practices radically different from the way they were when 2020 began.

Shortly after Gov. Doug Ducey told restaurant owners they could start serving customers inside their stores again on May 11, Alma Kerby immediately started making plans for resuming a regular level of operations.

Kerby opened The Drowning Taco in Chandler a few months ago and, like all other restaurants, has been forced to limit her service to only curbside pickups or deliveries since mid-March.

She had been hoping to open up her dining area sometime this month and was relieved to hear Ducey had lifted portions of his stay-at-home order that forbade on-site dining.

See

REOPEN-BUSINESS on page 4

Virtual graduations upset Chandler parents, seniors

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

To the chagrin of some parents and seniors, the Chandler Unified School District is planning to go online with graduation ceremonies and summer school classes.

The district had been waiting to see if the COVID-19 pandemic might subside in time but Superintendent Camille Casteel said an in-person graduation ceremony no longer appears to be a realistic option.

“It just isn’t a wise move if we’re going to maintain quality health,” the superintendent said.

Each of the district’s six high schools will host a digital ceremony, including a commencement address, pre-recorded speeches and a reading of student names. Yearbook photos of the graduating seniors will accompany the grad’s name as it is called.

A paper program listing out all the graduates will be mailed home for families to save as a keepsake. Diplomas and graduation gowns would have to be picked up by students at their respec-

tive campus.

Monday’s announcement was immediately met with complaints from upset parents who had hoped to see the graduation ceremonies postponed a few weeks.

“Calling out names while flashing a picture of the kids sounds more like a memorial than a celebration,” one parent wrote online.

On Tuesday, Superintendent Casteel announced CUSD would also explore the possibility of hosting a voluntary, in-person ceremony at each high school campus no later than the first week of June.

The virtual ceremonies would still take place, but the district might offer a separate ceremony for students wanting to receive their diploma in-person.

The decision to add an onsite ceremony was made shortly after Gov. Doug Ducey announced plans to begin reopening Arizona’s economy, Casteel said.

An on-site ceremony might require See

GRADS on page 2

Quarantine fueling thefts of vehicles in Chandler

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

An elderly man pulled into the Circle K near Arizona Avenue and Riggs Road in Chandler shortly after midnight on April 9 to pump some gas.

As he stood there waiting for the fuel to finish dispensing, 21-year-old Jordan Sullivan allegedly came up from behind and assaulted him.

Sullivan grabbed the elderly man by See

CARTHEFTS on page 3

McKenzie Singer, a senior at Great Hearts Academy's Chandler Preparatory Academy had a sense of humor about the heartbreaking way the Class of 2020 ended their high school career with a funny sign during a senior parade the school held May 1. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

F E AT U R E STO R I E S No virus tests for all on horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 12 Chandler tutor pulls doble-duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . Page 26 Taekwondo star in Chandler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPORTS . . . . . . . . . .Page 31 Hamilton senior a Flinn Scholar . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . Page 35 The show must go on downtown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . Page 41

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

colors of their future colleges, as teachers and administrators cheered them from the sidelines. students to wear masks and be seated Bill Haley, the school’s asseveral feet apart. The district said it sistant headmaster, said Great will provide more information about Hearts regularly celebrates the graduation by May 15. college plans of its seniors at Assistant Superintendent Craig Gilthe end of each year and the bert, whose son is graduating this year, COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t said he understands the frustration going to stop this tradition. parents must be feeling and insisted a “While we are not presvirtual ceremony was the best way to ent together as a school, our keep the community safe. school community’s love for Most East Valley School Districts these seniors needed to be exare going only with virtual ceremonies, pressed,” Haley stated. “These although Higley Unified, Gilbert Pubic are the last few weeks we have Schools and Tempe Union are doing with our seniors.” things a bit differently.

Chandler Unified has also Higley and GPS will be taping each begun adapting its summer graduate walking across a stage to pick coursework to fit an online up their diploma and those videos instructional model.

Also part of the Chandler Preparatory Academy parade for seniors was Hamoor Sodhi, proudly displaying his next academic will be incorporated into the virtual The district’s looking to destination - ASU. presentation of their high schools’ (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) spend up to $243,000 for ceremonies. new software that will help Tempe Union is holding virtual gradChandler Unified transition its already been scheduled to take place “We are still working through all the uation for each of its seven high schools particulars to make sure that we don’t in-person summer academy over to a in June and would likely conflict with this month, but also has tentatively virtual format. a ceremony that’s postponed further run into any snags,” Gilbert said. set July 19 for an on-site ceremony, More than 600 elementary students into the summer.

Though district officials acknowlalthough district officials said they have edged the lackluster feel of a virtual “I think this is really the only feasible have been identified as potential candino solidified plans and that whether dates to enroll in the district’s summer solution,” Bruner said. ceremony, many felt it was the option those events will actually take place academy, based on how they’ve recentBut not everyone appears to be that best limits the risk of students and depends on social-distancing guidelines parents contracting the COVID-19 virus. pleased with the district’s plans and are ly performed on academic assessments. that might be in effect.

These students would have tradiGoverning Board member Lara Brun- trying to reverse the decision.

Chandler Unified officials are attionally received remedial instruction Not long after Chandler Unified er said neither hosting a small-scaled tempting to ensure the ceremonies through a brick-and-mortar format, said announced its decision this week, parversion of the ceremony nor pushing can be accessed remotely by everyone Jessica Edgar, the district’s director of ents and students began circulating an graduation back to June or July seemed – including at Gilbert households – and practical options. elementary curriculum. But the current online petition demanding the district have contingencies in place in case still hold an in-person ceremony. Nearly state of the world is forcing Chandler A $4-million renovation of parking someone isn’t able to watch the event Unified to provide an online-only 1,000 people signed it within the first lots at the district’s high schools has online. model. few hours of its creation.

All summer classes offered to sec“We beg of you, just postpone it,” the petition states, “We don’t care if it’s ondary students, whether it’s to get ahead or to make up failing grades, will by another month or two or six.”

A Basha High School student posted also be done online and the district a YouTube video on Monday, asking her may not charge a fee for enrollment.

If Chandler Unified is able to track classmates to stop doing their schoolhow many hours students are engaged work as a form of protest. online throughout the summer, then Until Chandler Unified makes a plan the state could reimburse the district to postpone graduation, the student the fees that would have normally been declared, she wouldn’t be completing charged to the student. any more assignments for the rest of Though the district has been the semester and encouraged her peers attempting to smoothly wrap up the to do the same. current academic year without any maAssignments submitted virtually jor hiccups, there are still several issues during the school closure are only beChandler Unified will have to contend ing graded if they benefit the student’s 2040 S.ALMA SCHOOL RD #18 CHANDLER, AZ 85286 with once the summer ends and the overall grade. new school year begins.

“We need to send a message to the (S.W. CORNER ALMA SCHOOL RD & GERMANN RD) The district is assembling a COVID-19 district,” the student. “Why are we task force that’s been examining the going to use our brain power to carry various ways Chandler Unified may on their work if they don’t even care open up its schools again in the fall. If enough to give us the graduation that operations were to completely return we’ve been working our entire lives to normal, then the district may initiate for?” a phased cleaning process at each campus Some charter schools in the Chanthat would include disinfecting all surfaces. dler area are planning to modify their Elementary students may be instructgraduation ceremonies so that seniors ed to wash their hands before entering can still have the experience being classrooms and teachers may have to handed their diplomas. rearrange desks to ensure students are Great Hearts Chandler Preparatory at least three feet apart, according to a Academy will host a “drive-in” gradudraft of the district’s cleaning plan. ation that will allow students to exit District officials recognized how diftheir cars and pick up their diploma in ficult it will be for teachers to regulate front of the school. the movements and hygiene habits of As each of the school’s 72 seniors all their students. walk up, a message pre-recorded by “Enforcement will be a challenge,” one of their teachers will be broadcast Casteel conceded. for the audience to hear.

The district said it would routinely Earlier this month, Great Hearts monitor every student’s health, but recognized its graduating class with a special car parade around its campus. Seniors showed up dressed in the on page 3 See from page 1

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

CARTHEFTS

from page 1

the neck and threw him to the ground, according to Chandler Police, before rifling through the victim’s pockets and grabbing his car keys.

Sullivan then allegedly jumped in the man’s car and sped off, leaving the victim lying helplessly on the ground for 20 minutes before a bystander noticed him.

Sullivan’s arrest is one of the many car thefts and burglaries that have been taking place across Chandler since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than a month ago.

The number of vehicle thefts reported over this last month has increased by 75 percent, according to Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan.

It’s one of the most notable crime trends observed in the city since Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency on March 11.

Chandler Police recorded 124 cases of vehicle theft between January and March of this year, which is substantially higher than the 64 cases recorded during the first three months of 2018.

GRADS

from page 2

acknowledged it doesn’t have the resources in place to check temperatures at the start of each school day.

Lyndsay Hartley, the district’s manager of health services, said Chandler Unified only has access to oral thermometers and re-using these every day

During a presentation before the Chandler City Council, Duggan noted how his department has experienced a 20-percent decline in calls for service since the pandemic began, but vehicle thefts have stood out as one crime type that’s been trending upward.

Car burglaries, which only involves the act of breaking into a car, have additionally been on the rise during the pandemic -- increasing by about 20 percent.

“We’re monitoring the patterns,” Chief Duggan said, “we’re deploying resources accordingly and everyday we’re shifting our personnel to help address some of these crime spikes.”

Duggan further noted how residential burglaries have decreased by nearly 30 percent, suggesting that thieves are possibly steering their attention toward structures they know will be unoccupied.

The governor’s stay-at-home orders have forced most Chandler residents to remain indoors for several weeks -allowing for unattended cars to sit idly for long stretches of time.

Since so many businesses and restau-

rants have been closed by the pandemic, there’s suddenly not as much of a need to drive anywhere and this lack of activity has been observed locally by a sudden drop in auto accidents.

Chief Duggan said his department has experienced a 58-percent decrease in car collisions.

Crime trends observed elsewhere in the country indicate burglars are seeking out structures they know will be empty since Americans are spending most of their time at home.

The Public Policy Institute of California has observed an uptick in commercial burglaries in four of the state’s biggest cities, while most other types of property crimes have been decreasing in the Golden State.

Police departments in New Mexico have also seen more break-ins at restaurants and businesses, but home and car burglaries appeared to be trending downward in that region.

Chandler’s fluctuating crime trends have not put too much of a strain on the police department, Chief Duggan added, since the agency’s found some ways to shuffle around resources. For

example, the department’s school-resource officers have been re-assigned to patrol since all of Chandler’s schools have been closed since March.

“We actually have more officers out in the street today than we did pre-pandemic,” Duggan added.

Two hours later, Chandler Police observed the stolen car at another Circle K and attempted to arrest Sullivan. A chase ensued that eventually spilled over onto the Gila River Indian Community.

The tribal police continued tracking Sullivan until the alleged carjacker crashed and rolled the stolen vehicle several times. The suspect then fled on foot, climbing through a water canal before authorities caught up to detain him.

As for Jordan Sullivan’s alleged carjacking from April 9, the suspect was indicted on charges of assault, theft, and unlawful flight in Superior Court.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office added a charge of first-degree murder on April 28 after Sullivan’s elderly victim died from injuries sustained during the assault.

on hundreds of students could be risky.

“We wouldn’t want to have screening in place with oral thermometers,” Hartley said.

Even if the schools were to fully reopen, Chandler Unified is planning to still provide enough technology to the staff and students who need to remain at home and continue working remotely.

Governing Board President Barbara Mozdzen said she’s worried the district won’t be able to obtain enough computers in the coming months and hopes some contingency plans will be in place.

The technological supply chain has been severely disrupted by this pandemic, she said, and could impact the district’s ability to service students.

“I think there’s going to be shortages

because a lot of this stuff is assembled overseas,” Mozdzen said.

The COVID-19 task force is also preparing for the scenarios if schools remain closed or the district has to abruptly shut down again after reopening its campuses.

The district plans to present an official reopening plan to its Governing Board by the end of May or early June.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

City girds for major revenue hit from pandemic

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The City of Chandler’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year makes a number of contingencies in case the COVID-19 pandemic wrecks the local economy but still adds millions of funding for infrastructure projects that officials say need to be done.

The city’s proposed budget of $901 million totals $27 million less than the current fiscal year and accounts for projected revenues losses expected to come as a result of the public health crisis that’s been ravaging the state since early March.

Dawn Lang, the city’s management services director, said several spending requests submitted by the city’s departments had to be removed from the proposed budget because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic’s impact on Chandler’s finances.

“We pulled out a lot of those new requests and tried to keep the budget as even as possible,” she said.

Requests for new pool equipment, extra Christmas lights and a tourism coordinator position are some of items going unfunded in the fiscal year beginning July 1, according to budget documents.

The city is not intending to eliminate any existing positions and has proposed

Whiloe Chandler City Council is cutting operaational expenses in the coming year to prepare for declines in revenue triggered by business closings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasing capital expenditures for necessary repairs, including continuuation of its road maintenance program. In the long run, officials say, that maintenance prevents costlier repairs down the road. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

adding two jobs – a new school-resource officer that will be offset by grant money and a police commander position that had been previously funded through temporary funds.

REOPEN-BUSINESS from page 1

“We miss our customers,” Kerby said. “We miss the liveliness that they bring and we can’t wait to get back to normal.”

The Drowning Taco’s seating area is relatively small, she added, so she said her staff will do its best to seat customers at a safe distance from each other.

Ducey’s office advised restaurants to only use disposable menus, avoid having patrons share condiment containers like ketchup bottles and screen employees for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of their shifts.

Lisette Li, co-owner of Downtown Chandler Cafe and Bakery, said her staff will follow all recommended guidelines to make sure it’s dining area is as safe as possible for customers.

The popular breakfast spot will probably move some furniture around and disinfect all the surfaces of its dining room before it welcomes back customers on May 11, Li said.

The first couple weeks of the pandemic were slow for Chandler Cafe since nearly 90 percent of its sales came from dine-in customers. Business started to pick up after the restaurant added more delivery options, Li said, and those will continue even after the dining room reopens.

The restaurant had been closing an hour earlier than normal throughout the week and Li they’re still deciding whether it was best to return to Chandler Cafe’s regular schedule.

“We might leave it that way because

Sibley's West co-owner John Wolfe looks on as Pat Logan peruses his extensive Arizona-centric merchandise. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

we’re not going to go to full-on regular service like it was before,” Li said. “It’s not just about the money. It’s about making sure everybody is safe.”

Scott Morgan, owner of Chandler’s Sozo Coffeehouse, said he was taking a gradual approach to reopening.

The cafe will slowly start opening up its dining area over the next couple weeks, he said, until Sozo gets back to regular operations by early June.

Sozo is known as a hip hangout spot, where musicians and college students congregate for hours at a time while sipping on lattes.

The pandemic obviously adjusted how Sozo served its patrons but Morgan said they remained loyal by ordering their coffees in to-go cups.

The community’s ongoing support during this ordeal has prevented Sozo from having to furlough or layoff any employees, Morgan added.

Also among the restaurants that are reopening is Chompie's at 3481 W. Frye Road, where virus protections such as

In comparison, Chandler last year added five new positions in the current spending plan.

Because the current state of affairs is so unprecedented, the city opted to

adopt a “phased” approach to its budgeting process.

Revenues will be continuously

hand-sanitizing stations and other modifications have been added.

Like many other restaurants,.

Chompies also will continue delivery and takeout when it reopens May. 11.

Not all Chandler restaurants will be reopening.

El Zocalo Mexican Grille, which has been a downtown landmark for 20 years, announced on its Facebook page last week that it was closing, though it is unclear whether it was solely because of the pandemic-fueled business shutdowns.

Owners Pam and Obed de la Cruz advised fans to "stay connected when we find our new Zocalo home and we'll get together and celebrate the start of our new chapter."

They also own El Sol Cafe & Bakery in Chandler and eateries in Mesa and Phoenix, all of which apparently will remain in business.

Some retail shops in Chandler also welcomed Ducey’s reopening schedule that he laid out for them.

Sibley’s West, 72 S. San Marcos Place - just a few doors down from El Zocalo - allowed customers to browse their collection of 4,000 items by 230 Arizonan craftspeople, artists, authors and businesses by appointment beginning May 4.

At-risk individuals also can contact the store for “virtual shopping” options from the safety of their home.

“Our team is excited to get back together and to serve our guests,” said Michelle Wolfe, who owns the store with her husband John.

“To make this a safe experience for

everyone, we ask that individuals use good judgment in determining if they are comfortable with their own health status to be visiting community establishments.”

John said a few customers started trickling in as soon as Sibley’s opened limited hours last week, adding “Online business is through the roof.”

Online sales at the expanded sibleyswest.com website will continue, along with the new curbside pickup.

Sibley’s West received some federal pandemic-relief funds that allowed it to keep its eight employees working for eight weeks.

Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants, which has locations throughout the East Valley, including downtown Chandler, said it was not planning to reopen its dining rooms on May 11 and would instead continue offering delivery and curbside options for the time being.

Ducey also authorized barbershops and hair salons to start serving clients again by May 8.

Anthony Colello, owner of Touch Ups salon in Chandler, said he was planning to open his doors again after several weeks of closure.

There is much that Touch Ups will be doing to keep clients safe, he said, which include limiting the salon’s occupants and requiring staff to wear face masks.

“We want our guests to feel comfortable coming back,” Colello said, “but we understand not everyone is ready or is medically-stable enough to join us in the salon.”

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from page 4

monitored by staff and council will be consulted to discuss any adjustments that need to be throughout the year.

If revenue losses turn out to be even worse than the city’s projections, Lang said, then some expenditures can be strategically removed or delayed.

But there’s still a big question surrounding how long the city would have to continuously reduce its spending, Lang added.

“That’s what we don’t know right now,” she said.

The proposed budget breaks down to $387 million for department operations, $151 million for new capital projects, $194 million for capital carryforward, $60 million for debt service, $7 million for technology replacement and $102 million held in reserves.

The budget’s expenditures for new capital spending is notably $40 million more than the current fiscal year. The total operating budget is 6 percent lower than the current spending plan.

City Manager Marsha Reed said a greater emphasis on improving Chandler’s aging utilities in the coming year accounts for the expanded capital spending.

“As we look to strive to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” Reed said during a budget meeting April 24.

“It is vital that we continue to provide well-designed and maintained infrastructure and amenities.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Among the 35 capital projects the city plans to bankroll through its general fund, nearly half have been flagged as expenditures that could be delayed by six months if the economy suddenly takes a bigger nose dive in the next fiscal year.

Some of these “Group B” projects include $500,000 on landscaping upgrades, $300,000 on sign replacements, $285,000 for improvements to the Center for the Arts, $800,000 for rebuilding one of the city’s fire stations and $2.1 million for creating a veteran’s memorial.

Reed said the Group B projects have the same level of necessity as the budget’s other proposed projects but that it’s only a matter of what could be pushed off until later in the year if revenue continues to decline.

“They’re all important projects, she said, “but they are projects that we could hold if the funding does not come in.”

The projects categorized as “Group A” are mostly renovations and repairs to the city’s existing buildings.

Some infrastructure projects have had to be modified in recent weeks to help mitigate the financial impacts felt

by COVID-19.

The Public Works and Utilities Department has proposed spending $500,000 – half of what was originally requested before the pandemic hit – on paving and maintaining the city’s streets.

John Knudson, the department’s

director, said it’s crucial for the city to proceed with this scheduled maintenance or else the lifespan of Chandler’s roads will shorten.

“If we get behind,” he said, “we’ll never catch up.”

Chandler has always prioritized road maintenance over the years, Knudson said, and it’s why he believes the city’s streets have a better quality than its neighbors.

“I wouldn’t want Mesa’s roads,” he added.

A good chunk of Public Works services are funded by Chandler residents paying monthly utility fees. They go into an enterprise fund that’s projected to take a $5-million hit.

The city is not planning to raise water or trash fees in the upcoming year but those may start to climb in fiscal year 2022.

One of the city’s most vulnerable revenue sources are all the retail transactions that have not taken place for weeks. Bars, theatres and shops have been closed, preventing residents from spending money that would have generated sales tax revenue.

Local sales taxes account for 51 percent of the city’s general fund and have been predicted to shrink by $15 million due to anticipated disruptions caused

by COVID-19.

Chandler’s hotel industry reportedly had 35,500 fewer rooms booked in March than the previous year, according to the city.

Though the loss of economic activity

is expected to cost the city millions in revenue, Economic Development Director Micah Miranda thinks Chandler’s industry sectors are still diverse enough to help the city weather through the pandemic’s repercussions.

Many of the city’s biggest employers are still seeing a demand for services and haven’t been hurt as much by the pandemic.

“We don’t have all our eggs in one basket and this is really where Chandler’s economic climate is going to serve us well during this particular instance,” Miranda said.

Some city leaders are nervous Chandler’s proposed budget may not be conservative enough to handle the devastation that may come in the next year.

Councilman Terry Roe said he thought some of the budget’s projections were too optimistic and don’t account for the pandemic’s full impact.

“This is a little rosier than I believe it will be,” Roe said during a budget meeting.

Councilman Jeremy McClymonds said he thinks the proposed budget needs some flexibility in order to adapt to whatever changes or volatility may occur in the coming months.

“What I’m hopeful for is that we can toe the line between the worst and the best,” McClymonds said. “So, if we do get the best, we don’t kneecap our city.”

The council is scheduled to tentatively adopt the proposed budget on May 28.

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8

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Chandler bar may lose license over party

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A Chandler bar may not get its liquor license after the owners allegedly violated the governor’s “stay-at-home” order in March by hosting a large private party.

The owners of El Coyote Sports Bar on Arizona Avenue claim they were unaware of all the restrictions listed in Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order when they welcomed up to 30 patrons for a party on March 21.

The day before the party, Ducey ordered all gyms, movie theatres and bars to immediately close in one of his first executive orders intended to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

El Coyote owner Shawn Hoover said he didn’t know about the order and thought a party complied with the advisories in place at that time.

“It was an honest, clear misunderstanding,” Hoover said, “and we’d definitely like a second chance.”

But Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan accused the bar’s owners of acting deceitfully and has recommended El Coyote not be given a new liquor license.

Duggan said one of his officers drove by the bar on March 21 and noticed people standing outside its entrance.

El Coyote on Arizona Avenue just north of downtown Chandler could lose out on a bid to renew its liquor license. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

The chief said the officer had trouble gaining entry because doors were locked and employees were blocking the entrance. Once inside, said the officer noticed a large group of guests sipping alcoholic drinks and was told by one bartender that they were aware of Ducey’s recent executive order, according to Duggan.

The owners then became “belligerent” and “antagonistic” toward the officer, Duggan added, and argued they were holding a private gathering that involved no monetary transactions.

At least three guests told police they had paid $20 to get in, the chief said.

A few days after the party, the state revoked a temporary liquor license issued to El Coyote in January and Duggan thinks it shouldn’t be reinstated.

Duggan took the rare stance of encouraging the Chandler City Council to not recommend El Coyote for a license by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses.

Cities can support or oppose licenses the state plans to issue within its jurisdiction and Chandler Council will

soon have to decide whether El Coyote’s closure violations warrant a denial.

The city has not denied a recommendation since 2007.

Duggan said he’s never recommended the denial of a liquor license in Chandler since assuming his position in 2014. He’s previously recommended denials while working for other agencies, but those cases almost always involved bars that had too many rowdy customers.

“That is not the case here,” Duggan said. “This is even more egregious because it was the actions of the owners that drew our attention.”

The recommendation has put the council members the awkward position of either supporting Duggan or a local business that’s already been hurt by the pandemic.

If the state was to follow Duggan’s recommendation and not grant a liquor license, Hoover said he likely faces foreclosure on his site.

He said he and his business partner have invested $25,000 in renovating the bar since they bought it last November and were in the midst of rebranding El Coyote’s image.

Hoover said he’s had all bar employees undergo training on the state’s liquor laws and has tried to repair their See

EL COYOTE on page 17

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

9

Chandler Cancer Network pivots to aid kids

BY KATY SPRINGER Guest Writer

COVID-19 has forced many nonprofit organizations into a difficult quandary: halt services temporarily or rethink the way they’re supporting those in need.

For Patti Luttrell, executive director for Children’s Cancer Network, the decision to continue serving families was easy – even if the solution required some real doing.

Luttrell and her staff quickly organized a series of drive-through events at CCN’s resource center in Chandler where families could pick up “essentials and distractions” packages.

The packages include gas gift cards to help them get to and from chemotherapy treatments, grocery gift cards for food, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, cleaning supplies and activities for the kids.

The packages couldn’t have come at a better time.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, one parent typically quits working in order to manage hospital visits and treatment schedules.

With the economy in freefall as a result of COVID-19, some of these families have been victim to layoffs or furloughs, cutting off their income altogether.

“CCN’s goal is to help families navi-

scheduled drive-through events in May and beyond.

Since families whose children are hospitalized cannot bring food inside – a precaution given the current health crisis – CCN also donated $5,000 in hospital cafeteria passes.

“We wanted to make sure parents wouldn’t have to leave the hospital to get a bite to eat,” added Luttrell. “It’s costly to eat out, but it’s also hard for moms and dads to leave their children’s side.”

But it’s more than just financial support. Last month, CCN launched a Facebook Live series to offer discussion on a variety of hot topics for childhood cancer families.

The Children's Cancer Network directed parents to a spot where they Called “CCN Live,” the could pick up essentials for their family and some games for kids.

(Special to SanTan Sun News) series is hosted by Valley radio personality Bruce St. gate a very difficult time,” said Luttrell.

James and features special “More than ever, many of the families guests who cover topics like caring for we serve are financially distressed and a child with cancer amid COVID-19, parneed support meeting basic needs.” enting during stressful times, and how In April, the organization distributed mindfulness can benefit families facing 120 essentials and distractions packages a nightmare disease.

– including $12,500 in gas and grocery The series is not CCN’s first foray gift cards – with plans to continue the into online outreach.

Since many kids with cancer are isolated while in treatment – chemotherapy and other treatments weaken their immune systems and put them at high risk for infection – CCN already had experience connecting with children stuck at home through the nonprofit’s CCN Connect program.

“Just like kids everywhere, children with cancer are bored at home right now and eager for things to do,” said Luttrell. “We’ve built out this program to reach all of our families with virtual games, activities, opportunities to socialize, and to give them all a break from cancer.”

CCN serves hundreds of Arizona families each year, providing gas and grocery gift cards, hospital admission kits to help new families navigate the road ahead and adopt-a-family programs for back-to-school and the holidays.

The organization also hosts activities to boost self-confidence in young cancer fighters, programs to help siblings cope with cancer, and provide a multitude of other services and resources.

“Our focus right now is adapting our programs for the world we’re living in today,” said Luttrell.

For more information, to make a donation or to inquire about volunteer opportunities: childrenscancernetwork.org.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

REOPEN-CITY

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

from page 1

Phase One would involve installing plexiglass and sneeze guards inside certain city buildings, opening library lobbies for picking up new materials, and providing protective gear for recreation staff.

We want to have at least “ some level of comfort that we’re practicing everything we possibly can to keep our seniors safe.

– Leah Powell

”

Reed disclosed that Chandler may not have enough masks and gloves to fully stock each of the city’s departments, so it’s likely that public safety and customer service personnel will be prioritized first in receiving protective gear.

“We do not have a supply chain to provide everyone in the city with a mask,” Reed told City Council.

The city has already begun opening some park amenities in advance of initiating the first phase. Skate parks, tennis courts, and dog parks were all reopened by early May in order to provide some recreation opportunities for residents.

All of the city’s remaining parks, pools, and recreation centers are not expected to fully open until phase three, according to city documents.

Some of Tumbleweed Recreation Cen-

Signs like these likely will be common at many Chandler facilities as the city gradually reopens parks, libraries and other places.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

ter’s amenities are scheduled to open during the second phase.

Some departments have chosen to delay conducting building inspections or code enforcement these last few weeks in order to not burden residents and businesses during a chaotic time.

Leah Powell, the city’s director of Neighborhood Resources, said regular code enforcement would likely resume during phase two and staff plans to mail violation notices rather than leave a pamphlet on the resident’s door.

“People are nervous about door

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hangers – not knowing how long a virus possibly could live on paper,” Powell said.

The city likely wouldn’t resume code enforcements of local businesses until phase three, Powell added, so as to limit the stress felt by business owners during the pandemic.

Powell’s department additionally maintains all of Chandler’s public housing units and is preparing to take extra precautions for when staff have to conduct inspections and maintenance checks.

Every employee will be instructed to wear masks and gloves during every visit to a housing unit, Powell said, and will be extra careful when dealing with the unit’s elderly residents.

“We want to have at least some level of comfort that we’re practicing everything we possibly can to keep our seniors safe,” Powell added.

The City Clerk’s Office would begin accepting a limited number of applications for new passports in phase two before opening up the service fully.

The city’s libraries would start offering limited access to its public computers in phase two and then all sections of the libraries will be open by phase three.

The Chandler Center for the Arts may resume hosting small events in the second phase and begin installing standalone hand-sanitizer stations around the entertainment venue.

One of the biggest challenges of implementing this reopening plan will be logistics, said Chandler Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins, because the city will have to figure out how to deliver all the needs of its departments in the coming weeks.

This plan is more of a “living document,” Dwiggins added, that’s subject to change as more information and data is collected.

“We’re trying to think long-term,” the chief said. “Not just three phases, but where are we in the fall.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Virus tests expanding, but limits remain SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler residents may find it a little easier to get a COVID-19 test after the state began a three-Saturday blitz yesterday aimed at collecting samples from at least 60,000 Arizonans so officials can better determine how many people in the state are infected.

But the tests still aren’t available to anyone who wants one.

Gov. Doug Ducey two weeks ago announced that the state is working with Banner Health to provide testing in Mesa and Gilbert and at some facilities in Phoenix and West Valley – including the State Fairgrounds.

But like Walgreens, which also began offering COVID-19 tests, Banner Health is prioritizing categories of people eligible for tests and is requiring an initial screening over the phone before it will schedule anyone for a test. Walgreens’ drive-through testing requires a pre-screening online at walgreens.com.

State health officials are reaching out to other providers to offer tests.

Banner is charging $75 for testing those without insurance, but said it will not be collecting fees at sites and will not deny a test to someone who can’t afford it. Walgreens' test is free for those who meet the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Luckily, we know there is additional capacity at our laboratories across the state to test more Arizonans,” state Health Director Cara Christ said in a

blog last week. “Laboratories like Sonora Quest, Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic have indicated they have the ability to run more tests… However, up until now, the limited supply of personal protective equipment and test collection supplies, such as nasal swabs and viral transport media, has been a significant barrier to increased testing.

“Arizona is not alone; there continues to be a national shortage of those supplies. The good news is that our partners have indicated they are now able to obtain the supplies needed to perform additional testing because the supply chain is opening up,” Christ said.

The tests are largely limited “to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with COVID-19,” Christ stressed. “Previously, this order was limited to high-risk individuals and those with specific symptoms.”

The CDC gives top priority for test eligibility to healthcare workers and hospitalized patients with symptoms.

The second level of eligibility includes first responders and people over 65 with symptoms while the third priority level includes “critical infrastructure workers” and others with symptoms as well as first responders with no symptoms.

The last category of eligibility are people with no symptoms – and they likely won’t be able to get a test at this time.

Christ said she told labs statewide “to remove any restrictions on testing if they have adequate testing supplies and PPE” and that the state distributed 15 rapid

testing machines throughout Arizona to provide results within 15 minutes.

The COVID-19 tests are different from blood testing for antibodies. Other facilities are offering those tests, but Christ said, “It is unknown if a positive serologic test for COVID-19 means that someone is immune to COVID-19 or how long that immunity might last.”

As for COVID-19 tests, Christ said Arizonans who believe they have been exposed can now get tested.

But be prepared to stay home, at least while you’re waiting for the results if not longer. Banner said it takes up to five days to get results.

The new order is a major shift from what had been the state’s policy of reserving tests for those who either had a doctor’s order or had specific symptoms.

But it still doesn’t rise to the level of "anyone who wants a test can get a test" There are strings attached for those who are eligible based on suspected exposure.

First, those seeking tests under her new order will first have to sign a “voluntary isolation agreement’’ to not go anywhere until the results come back.

If the results are negative, no problem. But if there is a positive result, then it gets more complicated.

A spokeswoman for the health department said that means no travel anywhere until there has been no fever for at least 72 hours without any medicine that reduces fever and that other symptoms – such as coughing and shortness of breath – have improved.

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Even if the symptoms are gone, the person who got the positive test result still cannot go out until at least seven days have passed since the specimen was collected.

Christ acknowledged the importance of knowing who has the virus and can spread it.

“We know that rapidly identifying cases, case follow up, and contact tracing will help slow the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities,’’ she said. “Success in these areas requires an increase in our testing capacity.’’

More than 67,000 Arizonans have been infected – but less than 1 percent of the total population has been tested.

Only Virginia has had a lower testing rate, according to the Pew Foundation.

Sites where testing is being offered

by Banner in the East Valley are at 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert, and 525 W. Brown Road, Mesa. Walgreens had not listed its Arizona test sites as of Thursday, but additional information will be posted at its website.

“Banner’s drive-thru sites will not accept walk-ins,” the provider advised.

“Everyone must be phone screened in advance and scheduled for an appointment.

Those who arrive without an appointment will be asked to leave and call in to complete the phone screening process.”

More information on Banner’s test: bannerhealth.com/patients/patient-resources/covid-19/testing.

To be screened for eligibility for a Banner test: 1-844-549-1851.

Capitol Media Services contributed to this report.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

13

Some uncertainties surround antibody tests

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A move by the University of Arizona to test 250,000 Arizonans for COVID-19 antibodies comes as scientists are still debating how much protection against future infection a positive result means – and for how long.

“The first infections came out in December,’’ said Deepta Bhattacharya, an associate professor at the Department of Immunobiology at the school’s college of medicine. “And so, we really don’t have any way to know ahead of time how long immunity’s going to last.’’

Bhattacharya acknowledged a recent study finding that a majority of tests now on the market have accuracy rates that make them effectively useless. But he said that the UA test will be more accurate.

He added that the test is designed to make it “very unlikely’’ to return a false positive and is crafted to err on the side of telling someone who actually may have some antibodies that they do not, in fact, have protection.

Bhattacharya said the whole belief that these provide some level of immunity is based on what he called the “garden-variety coronaviruses’’ which have been around and where there are studies.

In the worst case, he said, “it’s probably not lasting for too much longer than a year,’’ he said. “A year ain’t too

Several University of Arizona research teams, including one co-led by Michael Johnson, assistant professor of immunobiology, are also investigating novel COVID-19 treatments. (Nicole Swinteck/Department of Immunobiology)

bad, though…From an epidemiological standpoint, if that’s what this confers, that’s not terrible.’’

All that presumes, Bhattacharya said, that the antibodies do confer some immunity.

He pointed out that the World Health Organization earlier this month

said there was no evidence that antibodies prevent reinfection.

“And then I think they heard from many irritated scientists such as myself saying, ‘What do you mean by no evidence?’ ‘’ Bhattacharya said. He said it might have been more accurate for WHO to say that they “need more

evidence.’’

WHO later backed down, Bhattacharya said, modifying their statement to say that most people will generate antibodies when they get infected, and that those antibodies are “expected to See

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Chandler Census response rate better than many

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

With millions of federal dollars and boundary lines for congressional and legislative districts at stake, U.S. Census self-response rates in Chandler and nearby municipalities are past the half-way mark.

But they’re not anywhere as comprehensive a tally as officials need to ensure they get all the money they’re entitled to.

Census Bureau data show 64.3 percent of Chandler residents have responded to the simple online questionnaire at 2020census.gov. That percentage is well above Arizona’s 53.7 percent response rate and ahead of the 56.8 rate for the nation.

The leader in the East Valley is Gilbert, with a 68.4 percent response rate.

Mesa is at 57.1 percent and Phoenix is at 55.2 percent while Queen Creek is at 60 percent and Scottsdale 58.6 percent.

Maricopa County’s 58.2 response rate could spell big trouble, according to the Fair Census Project and Civis Analytics – a national consultant-software company that helps government, agencies, nonprofits and businesses with data analytics.

They estimated that Maricopa County would sustain the second most serious financial impact from an under-

count among all counties in the nation.

Getting an accurate and complete count in the once-a-decade census is even more difficult this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Census Bureau last month delayed at least until Aug. 11 door-todoor visits in Arizona to pick up the many stragglers who have failed to go online and complete the brief questionnaire at 2020Census.gov.

“Because the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be highly unpredictable, it’s critical (people) are reminded of the easy option to self-report to the Census online,” Census Bureau supervisor Nuvia Enriquez said.

“The more people self-report right now, the lower the risk will be for Census workers later on.”

“It’s imperative that we get an accurate count,” Enriquez added. “Data collected from the Census will be used over the next decade to determine funding allocations for social services, disaster relief, education, and more. As millions of Americans are sheltering at home, one of the most important civic duties that we can all do is self-respond to the Census.”

She stressed that the results also determine “how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated

to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”

Enriquez said that because this is the first time the Census Bureau has taken the census online, it's impossible to compare the response rates in the previous census.

Terri Ann Lowenthal, a nationally recognized census expert in Connecticut who was a senior staffer to the congressional committee overseeing the Census, said the Covid-19 crisis has created an “unprecedented challenge” to an accurate count – and at precisely the worst time.

“The Census Bureau was just launching its peak operations, and within days had to pull back from any activities involving personal contact,” she said.

Besides citizens who might not want to open their doors to Census workers – just as they were reluctant to answer when candidates for political office knocked to get signatures for their ballot petitions – the bureau could find few staff willing to venture into the field and risk coronavirus exposure, she said.

In addition, workers are being stymied in their efforts to reach traditionally undercounted minority and immigrant populations because tradi-

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tional gathering places like churches have been shut down.

Lowenthal called those closings “equally consequential” to fewer door-to-door visits that could lead to a “significant distortion of the count.”

“A vast and unprecedented network of national, state and local organizations was going to team up when the Covid response had to end much of those plans,” she said. “This massive effort in the works for years came to a halt. “The public health crisis clearly has had an effect on this crisis.”

Ironically, an undercount also will affect future disaster aid from FEMA, which is currently trying to address shortages of protective gear and other issues related to the pandemic.

The Trump administration has asked Congress for a 120-day data collection extension and delivery of redistricting data to the state by July 31, 2021.

A Census Bureau spokeswoman also said her office “is adapting or delaying some of our operations to protect the health and safety of our staff and the public and make sure we get the same population counted another way.”

Current plans are for all Census employees to return to their workplaces but rely on “the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public.”

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

15

Virus-related scams bedevil law enforcement

BY JOSHUA GERARD GARGIULO Cronkite News

To get an idea of how fast scams are developing around the coronavirus, just ask Katie Conner, a spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

“It seems like every day … a new scam pops up,” said Conner, who said her office has been closely monitoring consumer fraud claims. “And we are really trying to stay ahead and get these warnings out there.”

But Brnovich’s office and other consumer groups said the threat of COVID-19 and the national focus on it have combined with the speed and anonymity of the internet to spread scams that have left watchdogs across the country scrambling.

“We are updating our site about every 30 minutes, working to provide tips to consumers and information to consumers as frequently as possible,” said Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group.

Groups say the scams themselves are not new, coming in the form of phishing emails, investment scams and supposed miracle products.

What’s different, they say, is the intense focus on COVID-19 and the “creative” use of the internet to spread messages, often false, about it.

we really want consumers to remember there is no cure for COVID-19.”

Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean of public health at Johns Hopkins University, said that sham treatment can be fatal.

That was the case where a Mesa man last month died after he and his wife drank fish-tank cleaner because it contained a chemical that President Donald Trump had cited as a possible treatment.

“We have had these horrible reports of people ingesting these large quantities of different chemicals, in hopes they might protect themselves, and actually getting very sick or dying from that,” Sharfstein said.

Sharfstein and U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert Hur said in a recent online conference that people Online and other scams are nothing new but they have accelerated in need to “stay skeptical” and recent months as a result of the pandemic. look to reputable sources (Rusty Clark/100K Photos/Creative Commons) for information.

“There is a lot of fraud “With social media, scammers can and misleading information out there quickly spread the news about a fake about different types of things people miracle cure or fake product. We have can do with … medicines, or suppleseen just about everything in the last couple weeks,” Conner said. “That’s why ments or vitamins to protect them-

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Prosecutors in Missouri recently sued televangelist Jim Bakker for promoting the sale of colloidal silver as a possible COVID-19 treatment. It came two days after the Food and Drug Administration issued cease-and-desist letters to Bakker and six other companies for selling unapproved coronavirus treatments.

Chuck Bell, programs director of Consumer Reports, believes part of the problem is that no one has the time to check claims as was done in the past.

When Trump cited hydroxychloroquine, the chemical implicated in the Arizona death as a possible treatment and later suggested that bleach might be used to defeat the disease, the comments went out live.

Trump later claimed he was being sarcastic with his bleach statement, but not before the makers of Lysol issued a statement that “under no circumstance” should disinfectants be used on the body.

“There is less mediation, there’s not necessarily a doctor or a journalist that is standing between that product and the consumer,” Bell said. “In the old days … you would have a lot of reporters that would criticize a fraudulent product. But what has happened is, the See

SCAM on page 16

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SCAM

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

from page 15

sellers and retailers can go right to the consumer.”

Consumers have to bear some of the blame as well, he said.

“Consumers are very trusting,” Bell said. “We are assuming that that doctor has our own best health interests at stake. So you have to look behind it and realize there is a commercial interest.”

Brown said Arizona PIRG is constantly updating its website in hopes of keeping consumers aware of the latest

ANTIBODY

from page 13

generate some degree of protection.’’

“Now that’s vague,’’ he acknowledged. “But that’s essentially the data on the ground.’’

A lot of the research, Bhattacharya said, is occurring with scientists extracting the plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 and giving it to people in intensive-care units who are having trouble controlling the virus.

He said the number of such tests are limited, meaning the sample size may not be enough to draw any major

t? o G ws Ne

scams. But it is also working to pull together information consumers can rely on, she said.

“Arizona PIRG is also working to compile trusted resources in the state,” she said. “We may not have all the answers, but we are trying to compile them.”

She said her group is “working to provide tips for consumers and make sure that government officials are aware of false advertising or any potential illegal schemes.”

In recent weeks, the Arizona Attorney General’s office has posted notices of three potential scams, and members

of the state’s congressional delegation have also posted online warnings on their websites.

Hur said the best defense for consumers is a healthy dose of skepticism.

“Please be skeptical, please be leery,” Hur said. “If you think you have a lead on some helpful information, go directly to the source. Don’t click your way through something that reports to be from Johns Hopkins, go directly to the Johns Hopkins website. There, you can be assured that you are getting accurate genuine information.”

Conner added that slowing the

spread of misinformation can be as simple as thinking before clicking “send.”

“It is very easy for posts to share, and for people to like and comment. So that is why consumers need to keep their guard up,” she said. “If people can remember this it will be helpful – if you did not initiate the contact, it is probably a scammer.

“We need consumers to be as vigilant as possible during this very difficult time, do their research and consult with health experts and their doctors about any cures or medicines,” Conner said.

“And if you have been a victim of fraud, don’t hesitate to call.”

conclusions.

“But at least in those small studies it seems like that actually has quite a bit of benefit,’’ Bhattacharya said. He also said there have been some non-human studies in primates like macaques where they’ve infected the animals intentionally and then been unable to reinfect them later.

“What we’re seeing is that people who have antibodies have at least some degree of neutralizing the virus, meaning preventing it from getting into cells,’’ he said.

But he stressed, “I would never be comfortable saying, ‘Well, you have an antibody test, go do whatever you want.’’’

But Bhattacharya said some of the accuracy issue comes down to how a test is administered.

“One of them are called these pointof-care or ‘finger-prick’ antibody test,’’ he said. The advantage of those, he said, is it involves just a small amount of blood and that yes-or-no results can come back within an hour.

“From a logistical standpoint and getting many people tested, there’s a lot of upside to having a test like that,’’ Bhattacharya said. But as the research found, “a majority of them are really quite bad.’’

He said tests run by central labs – like UA’s – are more accurate. But they have their own drawbacks.

“That requires a blood draw,’ Bhattacharya said. “And so, there are some logistical issues with that in testing large numbers of people.’’

“You’re not relying on the human eye,’’ Bhattacharya said. And that, in turn, allows scientists to set “very strict cutoffs’’ for telling people whether they have a positive antibody test.

“What that means, also, is we err on the side of false negatives, meaning someone who may have some low levels of antibodies, our tests might call them negative. And that, he said, comes back to the decision on “the lesser of two evils’’ to not give people that false sense of security.

Contact Paul C Contact Paul P l Maryniak Maryniak M y i k at at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com p pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications y i k@ i p bli i com 480 898 5647 or

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

17

Chandler Chamber to grill council hopefuls online SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual forum for the six candidates vying for three City Council seats and it’s giving the public a chance to submit questions for the candidates.

The forum, at 5 p.m. May 19, will be broadcast on Channel 11 and the city’s website with candidates gathering virtually from their homes or offices for the session.

Chamber CEO/President Terri Kimble said the forum will include introductory remarks from each candidate, several questions requiring perhaps a somewhat detailed but succinct responses and a “lightning round” of around 20 questions requiring a “yes” or “no” response.

While the Chamber Public Policy Committee has also been formulating questions for the candidates, Kimble said she’s also interested in hearing

EL COYOTE

from page 8

relationship with Chandler Police, apologizing for their behavior on March 21.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “I just hope that I can at least redeem myself.”

Council members expressed multiple opinions on how they should advise the Department of Liquor Licenses to

from Chandler citizens. People can send their questions to terri@chandlerchamber.com.

The Chamber sent a short questionnaire to all candidates that touched on their background and also asked why they are running, the top three issues they want to focus on if elected, how will their campaign will “embody the values of the Chandler Chamber” and how will the Chamber’s endorsement help their race.

The candidates in the Aug. 4 election are former Chandler City Council member Rick Heumann and Registered Nurse Christie Ellis, incumbents Jeremy McClymonds and Mark Stewart; Beth Brizel, a former Kyrene Governing Board member who owns a commercial real estate business; and OD Harris, a pastor and longtime community activist who founded a seven-state chain of 35 tax-and-accounting businesses before selling it to his major competitor.

Stating that during his years living

in Chandler, “I have contributed to the city economically, charitably and politically, McClymonds said his three top issues are “economic development, disciplined fiscal sustainability, leading technology and innovation> Noting his six years on the Chamber board, including a year as chairman, he said the Chamber “is in my DNA and my campaign plan will have significant focus on driving business prosperity to foster a stellar community.”

Brizel said her top three issues are economic development and continuing Chandler’s “sound economic policies”; public safety and neighborhoods and quality of life.

Besides hiring more police and giving firefighters cancer screening and treatment as part of her public safety concerns, Brizel also wants to hire more school resource officers. Her quality of life issues include a “focus on offering affordable housing options – especially for first time homeowners and emp-

ty” and finding “new uses for failed or vacant retail centers.”

“The Chamber’s support of local small businesses and education, recognizing that excellent school districts attract companies to Chandler, is something that aligns with my core beliefs,” she said. “I will work to facilitate partnerships that produce college or work force ready graduates.”

Stewart said his top three issues include growing high-wage jobs, “stabilize our budget and focus on core services as we move through these challenging economic times: and “ensure our City Hall delivers value, champions cooperation and creates a ‘facilitation of opportunity.’”

As for embodying Chamber values, he said the organization “is a major reason why Chandler is recognized as a top entrepreneurial and start up community and a top10 Wallet Hub hardest-working city.”

proceed.

Councilman Sam Huang favored granting El Coyote a second chance while Councilman Matt Orlando proposed taking a neutral stance and not recommending anything to the state.

After a lengthy discussion on April 23, the council voted to delay a final decision until its next regular meeting later this month.

Mayor Kevin Hartke and Huang voted

not to postpone the council’s recommendation.

Councilman Mark Stewart said the city needs more time to figure out whether stipulations or requirements can be added to the council’s recommendation.

Local businesses are under much distress because of the pandemic, the councilman added, saying Chandler should be helping El Coyote find a path

to move forward.

“We need to provide them options under the guise that this COVID thing is unique,” Stewart said.

Several residents submitted emails in support of El Coyote.

“Please keep El Coyote Bar open,” one Chandler resident wrote. “It is a small business, but one that feels safe and where I can enjoy myself without any problems.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Chandler student making deaf-friendly masks

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A Chandler student is sewing special face masks designed to help deaf people safely communicate with others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neil Pandey, a ninth grader at American Leadership Academy, hopes to make hundreds of masks that will help deaf individuals read lips and detect facial cues.

Not long after the pandemic began, Neil said his family started sewing masks and donating them to health care workers. But the teenager began wondering about the individuals who depend on reading facial expressions to communicate.

Neil has taken classes in American Sign Language and learned how crucial it is for deaf people to see another person’s face to have a conversation with them.

“I understand and empathize with the communication challenges the community faces,” Neil said.

He found a template for special masks that have a see-through window stitched across the wearer’s mouth.

Neil made a prototype with this additional feature and is gearing up to donate masks to local grocery stores and medical offices.

He hopes their employees will switch to the see-through mask whenever a

Howard Rosenblum, the association’s chief executive officer, said the deaf community’s access to health services has become increasingly difficult because some of the nation’s hospitals are not allowing sign language interpreters to accompany deaf patients.

“This makes it difficult for us to have communication access at the hospital,” Rosenblum said. “There have been some hospitals that allow interpreters in but do Neil Pandey models the special masks he is making to help hearingnot provide them with impaired people protect themselves from COVID-19. any personal protective (Special to SanTan Sun News) equipment.” deaf customer walks through the door, A lack of protective Neil said. gear for interpreters jeopardizes their Neil said the problem probably goes health and may scare them from the unnoticed by those outside of the deaf assignment, Rosenblum added, leaving community. the deaf to fend for themselves.

“All of us are going through challengThe NAD recently drafted an advoes during the pandemic that we have cacy letter that warns members that never faced before,” Neil said. “The they need to prepare for a scenario hearing impaired have to deal with adwhere they won’t be able to read the ditional communication challenges on lips of their health care providers. top with the masks.”

“Most doctors and nurses in hosThe National Association of the Deaf pitals now wear masks and gloves and has been outspoken about the unique may talk to you from behind a window challenges impacting hearing-impaired or curtain,” the letter stated, “so it may citizens in the pandemic. be harder for you to understand them.”

Some manufacturers have been producing masks with windows across the mouth, but demand for these specialty products appears to be outpacing supply. One supplier doesn’t expect to have these masks in stock until at least August, according to its website.

Neil said he hopes his homemade will help fill the gap until more companies improve their manufacturing.

The high school student has essentially transformed his family’s home into a one-man assembly operation -cutting, measuring, and stitching several pieces of fabric atop his family’s dining room table. Neil utilizes laminated covers as the windows that are inserted inside the masks.

The whole operation took some time to figure out, he said.

Learning to use the sewing machine was intimidating at first, Neil said, but a little practice helped him nail down a rhythm to potentially make hundreds of masks.

“My stitches used to be a lot more crooked than they are now,” Neil joked.

Neil is collecting donations through a GoFundMe.com page for fabric and supplies and any leftover funds may be spent on buying commercially-made masks, if or when they become available again on the market.

“I will keep on making the clear-windowed masks until the commercially-made masks become available,” Neil said.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

As you’re soaking up every second of the sunny weather and family time it’s important to remember the ABC’s of Water Safety . Safety measures go a long way towards preventing drownings. Know your weaknesses and how to combat them.

While you stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19 do your best to minimize potential distractions and take extra steps to ensure kiddie pools, buckets, and bath tubs are emptied after ever use. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of your loved ones.

Adult Supervision

Water safety begins with you.

Be within arm’s reach and ensure there is a designated water watcher at all times when your family is in, on, or around water

Barriers

Children are fascinated by and attracted to water. Maintain ‘layers of protection’ by creating pool barriers such as a pool fence with a self-closing, selflatching gate.

Everyone should know how to swim! CPR and first aid classes for adults, and swimming lessons and water safety classes for kids will ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

21

Speech pathologist: tech can harm kids SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A majority of speech-language pathologists say children’s preoccupation with personal technology is qualitatively different and potentially more harmful than previous generations’ distractions.

And for Chandler speech-language Jan Libera, that means households need some basic rules to make time for verbal communication.

Libera, who works at Ridge Zeller Therapy at 3160 N. Arizona Ave., said her advice is particularly timely since May is Better Hearing & Speech Month.

A survey of speech-language pathologists showed that excessive technology use by children is replacing conversation and human interaction.

The most basic of activities, such conversation and interaction is essential to children’s speech and language development as well as future academic and social success, Libera said, adding that the availability and convenience of tablets and other kid-friendly devices may be supplanting time for talking, reading, and interactive play.

“This is where the concerns to communication development come into play,” Ridge Zeller said in a release.

“A trip to the supermarket, downtime in a doctor’s waiting room, or a ride in the car are ideal times to point out new objects, ask your child questions, and generally converse—all of which contribute to children’s speech

Ridge Zeller Therapy founders JoAnn Ridge, left, and Meghan Zeller have operated their private Chandler clinic for a decade. (Facebook)

and language development,” said Libera.

“It’s important that parents stay mindful of these learning opportunities, and not allow tech time to encroach on such daily opportunities – tempting

as it may be to keep a child occupied,” she added. “Even if a child is playing an ‘educational’ game on a device, nothing replaces what is learned through person-to-person communication.”

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Maintaining a realistic approach, a vast majority of speech-language pathologists say the solution to children’s tech overuse is to encourage parents to set reasonable parameters and model safe technology usage at home A small number advocated for tightly restricting children’s technology usage.

“We know that technology is here to stay, but consider when you can carve out some dedicated tech-free time each day,” Libera said.

In addition to implementing basic tech measures, Libera asks parents, especially those of young children, to use May as a time to assess their children’s communication development and familiarize themselves with the signs of speech/language disorders.

“These are among the most common conditions young children experience, and they are highly treatable,” Ridge Zeller said. “However, it is important that parents not delay should they have concerns.”

“Some parents may not take action about a speech delay until a child is 3 or older, even though they may have had concerns for a year or longer at that point,” Libera said. “Any parents with a concern should seek an assessment from a speech-language pathologist right away for the best possible outcome.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Around Chandler City outlines programs for pandemic help to vulnerable The City of Chandler Community Development Division has launched various programs to help vulnerable and homeless people during the pandemic.

“It’s critical to ensure residents without housing have access to the information and tools they need to stay healthy and safe,” said Community Resources Manager Riann Balch.

They programs include: •Cell phones to clients for daily wellchecks and continued progress towards housing and service goals.

•Placed three portable hand washing stations and restrooms in strategic locations in partnership with local faith organizations. Two local nonprofits also agreed to keep their restrooms open during their hours of service.

•Entered into a partnership with Maricopa County, the cities of Tempe and Mesa, and Community Bridges, Inc. to place the most vulnerable persons experiencing homelessness in an East Valley hotel.

•Partnering with ProtectAZ, Haitian Disaster Relief of Arizona and the Salvation Army Chandler Corps to provide 100 COVID-19 tests for persons experiencing homelessness. The free tests are at the Salvation Army, 73 E. Saragosa St. •Distributing information and providing emergency supplies, including masks and hand sanitizer as needed to

persons experiencing homelessness.

If Chandler residents see someone experiencing homelessness and in need of assistance, they are asked to call 480782-4349 or email homeless.outreach@ chandleraz.gov. Provide a description of the location including cross streets and persons in need.

City opens short-term spots for downtown parking The City of Chandler and Downtown Chandler Community Partnership businesses have agreed to temporary 30-minute parking signage in the Downtown Historic Square.

The free parking will provide customers and visitors with a convenient way to pick up takeout from local eateries or a quick shopping trip.

The 30-minute parking is located along San Marcos Place, from Boston Street to Commonwealth Avenue and along Boston Street, from Arizona Avenue to mid-block Oregon Street.

John Carter Owens, Chandler’s downtown redevelopment specialist noted that businesses are preparing to open their doors in the coming weeks and “this will provide customers easier access to support our Downtown merchants.”

A list of Downtown businesses, along with hours of operation and online menus, is at downtownchandler.org/ takeout.

Chandler firm offers discount laptops, free delivery Computer teachers Ken and Linda Chan’s Chandler company, The Mighty PC, has been providing discounted refurbished PC’s to families, schools and businesses throughout the Valley since 2010 and now it’s offering curbside pickup and free delivery to homes and offices.

Each laptop or PC is customized to the client’s needs, fully tested and includes a one-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support.

Information: themightypc.com or 480-550-9078.

Chandler charity selling whiskey to help nonprofits Bourbon Charity, a Chandler nonprofit that uses online events to raise money for various charities, is selling holding a “private whiskey barrel” fundraiser to benefit key organizations within the hospitality industry, including the James Beard Foundation, U.S. Bartenders Guild and several local restaurants and retail stores in Arizona.

Currently it is offering 198 bottles of Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey, a bottled-in-bond, 100-proof release aged for 47, for $49 a bottle and beginning May 15, will also have 88 bottles of Barrell Craft Spirits TN Whiskey aged for 14 years at $90 a bottle.

Participants will be able to arrange for picking up the bottles or have them delivered.

Information: bourboncharity.org.

Chandler firm donates 20 learning kits to kids

Locally based Empower Educational Consulting recently donated 200 educational learning kits to at-risk children through the Future For Kids nonprofit.

The company’s Spark Kits “provide a fun and engaging way for kids pre-K through third grade to learn at home and will provide assistance with homework,” said Empower founder Sue Yocum.

Each Spark Math kit comes with 40+ activity cards that “make math feel more like a game than an assignment,” Yocum said. “Adults at home can help their children with math and school work in a way that eliminates power struggles and puts the fun back into practicing math skills at home.”

She said the kits also “create deeply rooted math strategies for students to use when solving future math problems.”

17 Coldwell Banker Realty agents in Chandler honored

The Chandler office of Coldwell Banker Realty has 17 affiliate agents who have received awards for their performance.

The International President’s Elite See

AROUND on page 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

23

Around Chandler

AROUND

from page 22

award given to the top 2 percent of all sales associates/representatives internationally went to Rich Johnson.

The International President’s Circle award for the top 5 percent of all sales associates went to Ty Green and Gigi Roberts-Roach.

The International Diamond Society

award, given to the top 10 percent of agents was given to David Courtright, Suzanne and Scott Klinkenberg, Melissa Lopez, Johannes Rath, Azita Sajjadi and Renee and Jason Slagter.

The International Sterling Society award for the top 15 percent went to Jeanine Duran, Kim Gillespie, Dorothy Harrison, Lori and George Klindera II and Sara Waide.

Ex-con accused of shooting 3 Chandler officers SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A convicted felon is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly shot at three Chandler police officers during a series of chaotic events on April 27.

Rigoberto P. Jimenez, 35, is accused of a number of destructive crimes as he attempted to evade authorities during a lengthy pursuit that ended in a house going up in flames.

It all began at about 1 a.m. when a police officer observed a suspicious man trying to burglarize parked vehicles near Delaware and Erie streets. When the officer approached the suspect, later identified as Jimenez, he fled and a chase ensued.

During the pursuit, Jimenez pulled out a handgun and fired multiple rounds at the officer, striking him once in the leg. Jimenez then fled to an unknown location.

As the officer was treated for his non-life-threatening injuries, Chandler Police initiated a search for Jimenez in the neighborhoods surrounding Erie Street.

Shortly after 7 a.m. that morning, of-

There were tense moments April 27 as Chandler Police surrounded a house where a man who shot three officers had holed up for a while before setting it on fire and trying to flee. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

ficers visited a residence located in the 500 block of Delaware Street and were ambushed by someone from inside.

Two officers were struck by gunfire and the remaining officers retreated by taking cover outside. Officers fired back at the residence while the occupant inside barricaded himself.

The residents of nearby homes were

instructed to evacuate as a team of SWAT officers were dispatched to the scene.

Throughout the standoff, officers attempted to negotiate with Jimenez and carried out a number of non-lethal measures to get him to come out.

A fire was eventually started from within the residence and Jimenez was then seen hopping a fence and fleeing

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The SWAT officers surrounded the complex and Jimenez eventually surrendered. He was taken to the hospital and briefly treated for smoke inhalation.

Chandler Police booked the suspect on felony charges of arson, assault, criminal damage, endangerment, and six counts of attempted second-degree murder. Jimenez is additionally facing more charges for illegally possessing weapons at a time when he’s not authorized to do so.

Public records show Jimenez was released from the Arizona Department of Corrections in April 2019 after serving a lengthy sentence for armed robbery and aggravated assault.

Sgt. Jason McClimans said the three injured officers are recovering well and could have been more severely injured if they had not been wearing protective gear during the incident.

The bulletproof vest worn by one of the officers likely saved them from a deadly gunshot wound.

“It basically saved his life,” McClimans told reporters shortly after the standoff.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler mom’s tutor firm offers remote-learning guide

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

School closures created double-duty as a tutor for Candace Heiken of Chandler.

On the one hand, she is the founder and CEO of Lively Minds Tutoring, overseeing 45 professional tutors who work with students.

On the other, she’s a mother of four girls who has been working with her daughters as they have been finishing the last part of their school year learning remotely.

So it’s not surprising that Heiken has developed a guide on her company’s website, livelymindstutoring.com, that aims to help both parents and their children make the most out of their virtual classroom experience.

“We have been listening closely as parents try to transition to this new learning environment,” Heiken explained, citing “a common theme of misunderstanding, confusion, frustration and anxiety as parents attempt to help their students.”

The guide walks children and their

Candace Heiken of Chandler founded Lively Minds Tutoring eight years ago.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

parents through a checklist that addresses a youngster’s personality traits as they related to effective learning and provides helpful tips on how to get the most from virtual classes.

The 10-page guide, she said, can help parents “know how they can help empower their students and set them up to succeed in this new at-home learning.”

Just as the pandemic-fueled school closures have presented new challenges for Heiken and untold numbers of other parents, they also have posed new challenges to her business.

“We are still busy, but in a different way,” said the Colorado native, who moved to Chandler six years ago and brought not only her family but her business with her.

“We have offered virtual tutoring for students in the past but our tutoring has been primarily in person,” Heiken said. “We trained each of our tutors to make the transition to virtual, and with the exception of a few hiccups, it is going quite well.”

She also has used the guide she developed to work with her daughters,

who range in age from 12 to 20, and whose grade level ranges from seventh grade to college.

“I printed both the guide and checklist and went through them with each of my daughters,” Heiken said. “They are very different students, so some of the suggestions were more relevant for each of them. For instance, one is a natural planner, so she already had a proposed study schedule, but another struggles more with time management and I had to give her more guidance to work out a good schedule.”

An educator for 20 years with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education, Heiken has taught in both elementary and high school classes.

She privately tutored when her daughters were younger and eight years ago started Lively Minds, offering an array of services to students from Pre-K through college.

“I started the business because I love the idea of providing dedicated help to students who are struggling,” Heiken See

TUTOR on page 28

Chandler marketplace offers outlet for farmers

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

An online farmers market based in Chandler has been experiencing an influx of customers during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting shopping patterns.

Kerry Bashi, owner of Your Farm Foods, said her digital marketplace of local produce and baked goods has seen a notable spike in activity since businesses and schools started closing.

Her website, yourfarmfoods.com, had been attracting about 50 shoppers on a monthly basis, the Chandler resident said, but that number has soared this past month.

About 30 vendors from across the Valley advertise their foods, drinks and hygiene products on Your Farm Foods and Bashie’s team will home-deliver every item that’s purchased from within the Maricopa County region.

This farm-to-doorstep process has proven to come in handy when Arizonans are self-isolating.

“This service is helping people not go to the grocery store or get out of their house,” Bashi said.

Bashi started the business last summer as an alternative for patrons wishing to buy locally-grown products from their own home.

As a health-conscious shopper herself, Bashi loved visiting Chandler’s farmer markets every weekend to stock

Kerry Bashi of Chandler owns Your Farm Foods and her online marketplace gives people a chance to buy fresh produce without going to the store.

(Special to the San Tan Sun News)

up on fresh fruits and vegetables.

“But to get there every Saturday for a whole week’s worth of food was very

difficult for me with young children so that’s how the idea came about,” she recalled.

Your Farm Foods has a wide variety of unique goods that range from avocado-based ice cream to bars of soap made to look like the Arizona flag.

Bashi said she allows local growers and makers to create a profile on Your Farm Foods and she’ll conduct a background check before their products can be sold.

The open process has allowed for some genuinely one-of-a-kind products to find their way onto the digital marketplace, she said, and has helped vendors expand their customer base.

As someone who mostly ate nothing but junk food throughout her youth, Bashi said she didn’t always have a taste for the types of foods found on Your

Farm Foods.

A series of fainting spells pushed her

to consult a nutritionist, who took Bashi off her pizza-only diet and introduced her to a healthier meal plan.

The change cured Bashi of her dizziness and awakened a curiosity to continue learning how the body reacts to different foods.

Your Farm Foods is almost an extension of that curiosity, Bashi said, because it allows local residents to discover flavors they may have never tasted before.

Bashi admitted the early days of the pandemic made her nervous. She worried whether shoppers would still be willing to buy eggs, meats or potatoes online rather than at their local supermarket.

But the opposite happened. New shoppers began visiting the Your Farm Foods website and placing orders for deliveries. The customers seemed to appreciate the cleaner and sustainable aspects of buying products from neighboring farms, Bashi said.

A vegetable on display in the grocery store could have been shipped into Arizona from another state, where it would have been touched by multiple handlers before arriving at its final destination.

Your Farm Foods allows for a shorter supply chain, Bashi said, which some might appreciate in a time when epidemiologists are warning citizens to refrain from any hand-to-hand contact.

See

FARMERS on page 28

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

27

Don’t be a fool over ‘gold,’ Mesa jeweler advises Nelson said disappointed people who have come through the store have included someone who bought what he thought was “a quality, heavygold chain” from a guy selling jewelry out of a car trunk and showed a receipt purporting its authenticity.

Another cheated client purchased a ring from Craigslist

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

As times get tough, Mesa jeweler David Nelson is warning people not to be taken for a fool over gold.

The owner of Nelson Estate Jewelers at 2051 S. Dobson Road, he said there are two ways people are being taken by unscrupulous individuals.

The first is taking genuine gold pieces to a pawn shop – and getting a fraction of their worth in exchange.

“I recently had a client come in and sell us a coin,” Nelson related. “I looked at it, and gave him a price of $1,425. Immediately after paying him he informed us that he was offered $150 at a pawn shop up the street on the same day.”

Worse are people trying to sell shiny baubles, claiming they’re the real thing.

He said one patron told him he was approached at a gas station by someone with “a sob story on how they have fallen on hard times” and offered “a nice heavy gold ring or chain in exchange for cash.”

Later it turned out to be a fake.

“These fake gold pieces are often heavy pieces of brass or gold-plated brass stamped 18K or 18KT that have enough weight to feel legitimate,” he warned.

“This is looking like it is becoming a real problem,” Nelson said. “Unfortunately, it always tends to be the elderly that get hurt the most by these kinds

fake gold pieces “areThese often heavy pieces of brass or gold-plated brass stamped 18K or 18KT that have enough weight to feel legitimate.

– David Nelson

”

of scams.”

Nelson said his business pays market price for all unwanted jewelry, scrap gold, silver, coins and fine collectibles.

He also provides free evaluations.

He said that while his store is small, he’s observing social distancing guidelines by allowing only one person or one couple inside at a time and that “we wipe down everything after every client.”

“With gold being at an all-time high, it only makes sense for people to want

to buy gold for below-market value if they have the opportunity,” Nelson said.

“A lot of fake stuff coming out of China. For example, tungsten has a similar specific gravity to gold, so a piece of tungsten can be plated or encapsulated in gold, meaning a thin gold sheet is placed above and below a tungsten piece and then stamped together. This makes it incredibly difficult to tell the difference without physically testing the piece.”

that was “stamped 18K in the pictures.”

“Any of these private seller deals are always a ‘buyer beware’ situation where you have zero recourse because you will never see them again,” he said. “Sometimes these sellers genuinely don’t know that what they are selling is fake, but there are some professional con artists out there whose only goal is to get as much out of the deal as they can.”

Information: 480-459-9867, nelsonestatejewelers.com.

BUSINESS

28

TUTOR

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

from page 26

said, “and I enjoy making those connections between students and educators.”

Lively Minds offers academic tutoring in specific subject areas and also provides “executive function and study skills coaching that teaches particular skills.”

Of the latter services, she explained, “We have seen that students who are struggling in specific content areas are having challenges with not having that live, direct instruction and it is even more necessary for them to have some additional support.”

Remote learning presents new challenges for students who already had been challenged by poor study skills, such as organization and time management, she noted.

FARMERS

“It is extremely important for those students to set up the structure that they will need to be successful with distance learning because it requires considerably more independence and accountability,” Heiken said.

“The biggest hurdle that we have with the younger students is simply helping them stay focused in a such a different learning environment,” she continued. “The expectations for learning are clear in their classrooms and they know what to do each day. That has all changed quickly, and the expectations aren’t as clear now.

“They are being easily distracted by siblings, electronics, and any number of other things that aren’t normally issues in their daily learning.”

To help students become strong learners, Lively Minds creates individualized plans with “measurable goals.”

And during this challenging time, Heiken added, “we keep the lines of communication open with teachers, tutors and parents so that everyone can work together to help students succeed.”

Remote learning has posed “a huge challenge for parents who have almost instantly found themselves in all sorts of new roles, and especially as they are dealing with the additional stressors of working from home or not working at all,” Heiken said.

“I think that it is important to remember that most parents are struggling with this, and that students are going to recover from this academic setback,” she added, noting different districts and different schools set different expectations for learning, schoolwork and grades.

Heiken said her age-appropriate

Though these last few weeks have been quite tumultuous, Bashi said she enjoys providing an outlet for growers to continue selling their food – particularly in an era when not as many businesses are buying from food vendors.

Many local farms saw their revenues drop significantly after the restaurants started closing, she said, and needed to find new buyers for their products.

“Our goal is to be a good outlet for them so that we can offset their loss a little bit,” Bashi said.

When the pandemic’s impact starts to subside, Bashi hopes to expand her service territory and find more vendors willing to promote their products on her website.

from page 26

“When you buy from small local farms, you don’t get as much hands on the food,” she said.

Bashi’s delivery drivers have had to take some precautions to ensure foods won’t be contaminated when placed on a patron’s doorstep.

Anyone handling food must wear masks and gloves, Bashi said, and they are instructed to not make face-to-face contact with customers. The deliverer rings the recipient’s doorbell and waits in their car to make sure the food’s picked up before driving off.

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guides provides convenient checklists with clear daily expectations “so that everyone can feel satisfied that they accomplished something.”

“Parents should also recognize that a day of learning at home will not look like a day of learning at school, and they should not expect their students to sit at a desk for six or seven hours,” Heiken said, suggesting they dedicate enough time to finish the school projects but also let children learning “by taking a virtual tour online or making a new craft or cooking something new.”

“Parents don’t have to know how to teach Singapore math or consonant blends to continue keeping their kids learning and engaged,” Heiken added. “Chances are good that they are already teaching their kids something new each day.”

For the guide or information: livelymindstutoring.com or 480-406-8114.

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BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

55 Years Strong

Investment opportunities exist in virus’ wake

BY DR. HAROLD WONG Guest Writer

On March 19, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state-wide “stay at home” order, shutting down all non-essential businesses.

California was the first state to take this measure, which affects 40 million people.

Many other states have strongly encouraged residents to stay at home except for getting essential supplies and services. Many schools, libraries, beaches, and public parks have been closed.

Hospitals, doctors and dentists were told to cancel non-emergency procedures.

With much of America following these orders, around 27 million have filed for unemployment in the last five weeks and thousands of businesses have closed. This is not just a coronavirus pandemic health crisis, but also a major economic and financial crisis.

While many businesses are collapsing, the grocery and trucking business have been booming. For many grocery stores, normally two large food trailers delivered every week are enough to stock a grocery store.

However, due to panic buying, it now takes six large trailers delivered and there are still empty shelves. Shortages of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, pasta, and many other items are common.

Whenever there is major societal upheaval, there can be great financial opportunities.

When the internet became a new technology, new companies such as Yahoo and eBay made their founders billionaires and early investors mega-millionaires. When buying online became widely acceptable, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos became the richest person in the world. The social media craze has made Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg rich.

When it became clear how polluted air caused major medical problems, Elon Musk started Tesla, the market leader in electric cars.

On June 29, 2010, Tesla stock went public at $17 per share and reached an

all-time high of $917 per share on Feb. 29, 2020. Its market capitalization (total stock value) exceeded General Motors and Ford combined.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the shutdown of much of the world’s economy. People in terribly polluted cities in India and California are seeing nearby mountains clearly for the first time in decades.

In Venice, Italy, canals, you now see dolphins swimming instead of tourists in gondolas. In a town in Wales, England, mountain goats now roam the streets.

Heavy air pollution attacks humans and results in chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer. Lung cancer kills more Americans than the next three leading causes of cancer combined (colon, breast, and prostate).

The World Health Organization estimates that bad air pollution is an invisible killer that causes: 29 percent of deaths from lung cancer; 24 percent from stroke; 25 percent from heart disease; and 43 percent of deaths from lung disease.

Once the body and especially the lungs are weakened by air pollution, coronavirus can kill you.

There is a solution. California is the leading clean energy environmental state.

In 2020, every new home built anywhere must have solar. By 2030, California wants to have 50 percent of its energy to shift from dirty fossil fuels to clean solar, wind, or geothermal.

The California Air Resources Board is taxing heavy users of fossil fuels, such as oil refineries and utility companies, and issuing millions of grants for new clean energy technology.

There are opportunities to save the planet and be rewarded by good investment returns and tax benefits such as the 26 percent solar tax credit.

Free webinar: A free webinar on solar investment opportunities in California will be held 6-7 p.m. May 13 and 6-7 p.m. May 19.

RSVP by contacting Dr. Harold Wong at 480706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com.

Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

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Your communities love you. And so do we.

To all our nurses and hospital workers: Thank you for giving us hope.

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Taekwondo school virtually staying ready for nationals

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Sports Editor

A Chandler martial arts school has moved all of its training to a virtual setting in an effort to stay prepared it be able to compete in a national tournament.

First Taekwondo deployed its virtual classes in March after other businesses began to close their doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Along with offering traditional classes for beginner and intermediate students online, the school has also begun to train its most advanced students in that setting.

Master Rubben Lolly, the founder of First Taekwondo AZ, still hosts training sessions for his competitive team throughout the week. Every student has taken to accepting a new normal for their training. They had hoped to compete in the U.S. Open Championships which were scheduled for July. But the event has been canceled in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Regardless, Lolly said they will stay ready for when competition can resume.

“It’s very challenging,” Lolly said. “I tried to give them the mindset that nationals were going to happen in July. I challenged them all to prepare for it by giving them personal goals and exercises to do. I am responsible for keeping them motivated with everything happening.”

First Taekwondo’s students are

are current national champions and there are 10 total overall. At the state level, more than 10 students have won.

Many other students have medaled at the U.S. Open Championships in years past. Dr. Mara Baier, a family pediatrician by day and fifth degree black belt by night, is one of five master trainers at First Taekwondo AZ. She won silver at last year’s U.S. Open Championships.

She believes the success of students from the school directly relates to the atmosphere Lolly has created.

“I think the big draw for us is Master Rubben,” Baier said. “He really pushes people to be the best.

He looks at someone’s weakest part and sees it as an opportunity.

He offers such a sense of unity that makes students and other masters want to stick around.”

Lolly first learned taekwonMaster Rubben Lolly, owner of First Taekwondo in Chandler, has transitioned to virtual classes for all of his do while growing up in Ghana. students in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo It’s there he was able to obtain courtesy First Taekwondo) his black belt before he started teaching taekwondo in Arizona in anywhere from ages 3-and-a-half to 62 2001.

When he opened First Taekwondo years old. Many of its students have in Chandler, his brother, Master Aaron been with the school for several of Lolly joined in his effort to grow the its 11-year-history. The school has also school from the ground up. become home to several top-ranked Along with running First Taekwondo, martial artists in the country.

Lolly is also a licensed international In total, the school has 10 students ranked in the top-10 of their designated master instructor by the World Tae Kwon Do Academy in Korea. He is also sparring age group. Two of its students

an international referee and has been responsible for several international and collegiate champions.

Lolly spends his days as an engineer for the City of Phoenix, returning home at night to prepare to teach virtual classes.

He admits it has been difficult so far to not be face-to-face with students and instructing them in normal fashion.

But his experience has helped him get by and students have welcomed the virtual training.

“It was very challenging for me to accept we could do everything online,” Lolly said. “It keeps the kids more engaged than before. Because now we are not there to hold their hand. You notice a lot of kids are really paying attention more to what is going on.”

First Taekwondo is offering free two-week classes for anyone interested in trying taekwondo. Lolly encourages anyone who may be interested in finding an at-home workout solution to consider martial arts. Not only does it provide an individual to stay active, it also teaches self-defense.

“Taekwondo gives you the excitement that you might be missing by being home,” Lolly said. “It can allow you to free yourself from everything you’re thinking about and learn something new and sweat everything out.

“I think taekwondo will keep your mind in a healthy place and it will keep your body limber to stay younger longer.”

Running back Eli Sanders thriving at Chandler High

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Sports Editor

There was once a point during his high school football career that Eli Sanders aimed to be the best running back to ever come out of the Mountain Pointe program.

But nearly two years and a transfer to Chandler later, his mindset of chasing personal success has changed. Now, he aims to do what he can to help the team succeed as a unit.

“I think you just mature and your focus changes,” said Sanders, who will enter his senior year with the Wolves in the fall. “I just want to be the best person and teammate I can be for the team. Whether it be blocking, receiving or running. I want to help the team succeed.”

Sanders transferred to Chandler after his sophomore year. He spent one season at the varsity level for Mountain Pointe, and quickly showed his ability to impact the outcome of games with his combination of speed and strength out of the backfield.

He spent a majority of the 2018 season as the backup to 1,000-yard rusher Jakim McKinney. But often got the chance to showcase his talent. His breakout performance came in the

Chandler running back Eli Sanders has his mind set on doing whatever it takes to help Chandler capture its fifth straight championship next season. (Chris Mortenson/Contributor)

final game of the regular season against Corona del Sol, in which he rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns.

That, plus two additional postseason games, helped Sanders finish his soph-

omore campaign with 878 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns. But in January after his family moved, he enrolled at Chandler.

“We moved into the area for Chan-

dler and it was the perfect opportunity,” Sanders said. “They made me feel at home right when I got there. They pushed me to be the best player I can be.”

Chandler coach Rick Garretson, who had just taken over as head coach for Shaun Aguano after he departed for Arizona State, already knew the level of talent his program was getting in Sanders.

“He played against us in the quarterfinals when he was with Mountain Pointe and he earned every yard that game,” Garretson said. “He’s just a really good kid. He takes everything on the field and in the classroom serious, he’s respectful, he has really good parents, he fit in well with our program right away.”

Garretson and running backs coach Eric Richardson immediately divulged a plan to keep Sanders involved so he would be ready come time he was eligible after sitting the first five games of the season.

Sanders worked in with the firstteam offense during spring practices and throughout the summer. By the time the program went up to NAU for its football camp, he had already See

SANDERS on page 32

32

SANDERS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

from page 31

become comfortable with Chandler’s offense. He continued to work with the first-team offense during regular-season practices despite not yet being eligible for games. On a regular basis, he went up against Chandler’s starting defense, widely regarded as the best in the state last year.

Sanders said going up against top-tier talent every day prepared him for when his number was called in the sixth game of the season. By then, he had already established himself as part of a three, sometimes four-man rotation in the backfield.

Against Perry on Oct. 4, he was finally unleashed. Sanders recorded 11 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns in his first game of the 2019 season. He also had one receiving touchdown.

“We let him loose,” Garretson said.

“We had seen what he is able to do in practice, so we knew what to expect from him. He’s a practice player, which you have to be when you go good-ongood, ones-on-ones every day.”

Sanders still remembers his first touchdown with Chandler in great detail.

“It was an inside run and we had our guard pulling through,” Sanders said. “I saw the gap and accelerated. I felt like it relieved some stress. It felt amazing.”

The performance set the stage for what would be an impressive season on the ground for Sanders, as he rushed for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns while sharing the workload. But most impor-

tantly, he helped lead Chandler to the inaugural Open Division title against 4A powerhouse Saguaro.

It was the Wolves fourth straight championship.

“Winning a championship was always a goal for me,” Sanders said. “It was always something I wanted and hoped I could do. When I did it with Chandler, it took my breath away. I was just so happy.”

With the coronavirus pandemic bringing all schools to a halt for the remainder of the year, Sanders has spent time working out with teammates in small groups. He regularly runs routes with Chandler quarterback Mikey Keene and wideouts Jalen Richmond and Kyion Grayes.

He is also at tight end Eli Swope’s house on a daily basis using his home gym. His offseason has also been met with an uptick in his recruiting.

Sanders’ received his first scholarship offer from the University of Nevada on Feb. 21. Since then, he’s received offers from all three Arizona universities, Boise State, Idaho, New Mexico State, Dartmouth and Tulane.

Sanders hopes and expects more offers will come in. But his main focus is doing everything in his power to help Chandler capture its fifth straight title and second straight Open Division championship next season to conclude his high school career.

“I want to do everything in my power to help others and improve my game,” Sanders said. “We all just need to stay together as a unit and don’t let anyone come in between us.”

Sanders, who transferred from Mountain Pointe at the end of the 2018 season, felt welcomed into the Chandler program right away and was able to make an impact on last year’s state-championship team.

(Zach Alvira/Staff )

Nick Barker set to take over Hamilton soccer program on from Hamilton.”

Barker led the Coronado soccer program to a 104-2612 overall record in seven seasons. The Dons never missed the playoffs under Barker, winning a state title in 2013, 2017 and 2019. Coronado was the top-ranked team in 3A heading into the tournament this past season, but lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Veritas Prep.

Barker stepped down from his position as head coach at Coronado two weeks ago to pursue the

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Sports Editor

Former Coronado boys soccer coach Nick Barker, who led the Dons to three state titles, is set to become the new head coach of the Hamilton program, pending board approval.

The Chandler Unified School District governing board is expected to vote on Barker’s hire at one of its upcoming meetings.

“My time at Coronado was so special and one that I will cherish,” Barker said.

“There was tremendous buy-in from the players, the administration and the community. I leave Coronado with a heavy and full heart but also a lot of excitement and eagerness to jump into a new role with Hamilton.”

Barker takes over after former Hamilton coach Lance Thompson stepped down following the 2019-20 season to become the associate athletic director at the College of Southern Nevada.

In his two seasons leading the Huskies, Thompson coached the program to a 6A state title appearance his first year and to the semifinals this past season. He left behind a program littered with talent, including sophomore Luke Schaefer who led the Huskies with 15 goals scored.

“The Hamilton boys soccer program is one of the elite programs in Arizona and has the potential to be one of the elite programs in the nation,” Barker

Former Coronado boys soccer coach Nick Barker, who led the Dons to three state titles, is set to become the new head coach of the Hamilton program. (Photo courtesy Nick Barker)

said. “The draw to Hamilton was to work in the highest level Arizona soccer provided but to also work with young men that have opportunities to do amazing and big things once they move

Hamilton job. He had to inform players of his decision via zoom after schools across the state closed for the year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Now as he is set to take over the Hamilton program, he will once again

The Hamilton boys soccer “program is one of the elite programs in Arizona and has the potential to be one of the elite programs in the nation.

– Nick Barker

”

have to rely on video chat to get to know his new players. But that is yet another challenge he is prepared to face along with the jump to the top conference in the state.

“The mindset is championship or bust. We want to step into every match wanting to win,” Barker said. “So much of culture is built off of trust. Coming in cold and during this unique situation we are in, the next step is getting to know players as much as possible through different platforms.

“I want to know their ambitions, their goals and things that go beyond soccer. I want to hear each player’s passion and what they want to achieve and then start getting to work to help them reach their goals.”

33

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Working together to reopen Chandler’s economy

BY COUNCILMAN MARK STEWART Guest Writer

With plans to reopen the economy on the horizon, many may be wondering what steps can be taken to make the transition into opening businesses and resuming normal activities a smooth one.

Nearly half of Arizona’s private workforce is employed by small business owners which have dealt with massive financial strain due to the coronavirus pandemic, so reopening the economy is a big step in the right direction, but must be done so in the right way.

Now, more than ever, it’s important for businesses, cities and communities to come together and support each other through this recovery.

Though it may be difficult during these uncertain times, what Arizonans need to do right now is keep their confidence in our communities and small businesses.

City leaders, local Chambers, economic development departments, concerned citizens and small business owners are already working together to prepare for our recovery.

As businesses begin to open their doors, they must recognize that safety is the new brand. Customers want and need to know what precautions are being taken to keep them safe.

Whether that’s providing face masks to customers as they enter or adding a plexiglass barrier between works and guests, owners must overcommunicate their new protocols.

Organizations who prioritize and invest in safety protocols and training will come out on top as we navigate through the pandemic. Setting a good example for the community on what this temporary normal looks like will benefit consumers and encourage other businesses to do the same.

In addition, business owners should trust and lean on their chambers of commerce, and their city’s economic

development departments for help, resources and guidance.

The Paycheck Protection Program has limited funds that many have had difficulties accessing, so it’s critical that businesses continue to reach out for help. Mayors and city councils are on the frontlines and can take major concerns directly with our senators and congressmen.

Now is the time for cities to organize with their Chamber of Commerce and medical community. It’s their duty to stay up to date on the latest coronavirus guidelines and communicate best practices with the community and businesses.

As the pandemic wanes and we learn more about coronavirus, cities need to have an open dialogue to discuss next steps for the public.

As many people understand, shopping local will be a major key to recovery following the pandemic. I challenge residents to go beyond their community and into those that may be seeing

less traffic.

Explore the city and try that lesser known restaurant or shop at that smaller boutique. Let’s venture out of our comfort zone and truly make an effort to support those who need it most.

Chandler leads the way in innovation and the businesses and residents that call Chandler home are thoughtful and resilient. The city is led on a foundation of trust and transparency, which is more important than ever when navigating a worldwide crisis.

We will make it through this difficult time together and come out stronger than ever. Empowering our mom-andpop business owners is how we will continue to get meaningful opportunities on the table for companies of all sizes and the first step toward recovery of a stronger Arizona.

Mark Stewart is a Chandler councilman, state ambassador for the Jobs Creator Network and co-founder of micro- and small-business accelerator Concept2Completion.

Ducey used his head, now some want it off

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Columnist

Statistics report we have 3.6 million jobs in Arizona.

You know which one sucks the most right now, in the middle of the pandemic? Governor.

Sure, Doug Ducey gets paid 95 grand and has a state plane at his disposal.

There’s a sweet office on the ninth floor and he gets driven to work by state troopers, so traffic’s never an issue.

Regardless, Ducey has a lousy gig, as evidenced by the screeching that accompanied his April 29 press conference, where he extended his stayat-home order to May 15 with some modifications.

Presented with an extraordinarily difficult decision, one that pitted the possibility of sickness and death on one hand and extended economic harm and financial ruin on the other, Ducey did what most logical people would do under the circumstances.

He exercised caution. He chose carefully.

For this, Ducey was immediately criticized by people on both sides of the argument and the political aisle.

Many Democrats played the “yes, but?” card, offering tepid support for Ducey’s decision while demanding more testing, more flattening of the curve, more data, more transparency, more … everything.

As for Republicans – the folks who have elected Ducey governor twice – many lost their minds over the thought of waiting another few weeks for a haircut or mani-pedi.

The farther right you traveled along the political spectrum, the more inflamed the rhetoric. A Twitter sampling: @deserthoover: “Ducey just put a knife in our back. He caved to the Dems and advice from millionaires vs those who elected him. He’s despicable. He wants to kill small business.” @KBINAZ: “Bulls**t #OpenAZ we are not VA, NYC, Chicago, San Fran or LA stop playing games with peoples lives you piece of %^$ Doug Ducey.”

As a politician, Ducey has long been criticized for playing “small ball.”

The former ice cream CEO is the opposite of President Donald Trump, whose hunch-driven response to coronavirus often looks more decisive than Ducey’s – at least when Trump isn’t forced to backtrack 48 hours later.

In March, Ducey was criticized for being slow to close businesses and for not immediately shutting beauty salons (closed a few days later) and golf courses (still open and hallelujah for it).

Again, he chose cautiously, but I’d argue caution was warranted then and it’s warranted now. Early predictions about the pandemic included the risk of overwhelming the state’s hospitals and sick people dying for lack of ventilators.

The fact that these risks have diminished shouldn’t mean now’s the time to throw open the doors of every business in t he state.

I’m not discounting the financial damage to shops, restaurants, movie theaters and the like – and I don’t get the sense Ducey is either.

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He appears to be doing what we elected him to do: Make rational decisions based on the best available information and with the best interests of seven million people held firmly in mind and heart.

So, retail stores can reopen May 4 for delivery, drive-through or curbside pickup, to be expanded on May 8 to include allowing a limited number of customers back into stores – provided everyone practices strict social distancing and safety protocols.

Ducey’s “best case scenario” for restaurants reopening limited dine-in service is May 12. As for gyms and nail salons, etc. maybe that comes later in May, Ducey explained.

“I have a sense of urgency to reopen, and I want to do that,” the Governor said. “I just want to do it at the right time, and I want it to be successful.”

He chose cautiously, using his head above all else, and took criticism for it. That’s my definition of an awful job, even with the plane and chauffeur service.

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Basha alum racks up honors as ASU grad

BY JENNY GREEN Guest Writer

Basha High School alumna Madeleine Howell is the spring 2020 School of Molecular Sciences Dean’s Medalist and also the University Outstanding Undergraduate student for the Natural Sciences Division in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University.

This Monday, she will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry with minors in materials science, engineering and mathematics.

Howell has a plethora of prestigious awards to her name, including the national Goldwater Scholarship and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She has been a Barrett, The Honors College student and earned a 4.0 GPA while at ASU. “Congratulations go to Maddie for so many exemplary undergraduate achievements,” said President’s Professor Ian Gould, interim director of the School of Molecular Sciences. “I am very happy to see her recognized with these outstanding and richly-deserved awards.”

Basha High alumna Madeleine Howell graduates from ASU Monday with honors.

(Courtesy ASU)

“I was fortunate to have Maddie as a student in three consecutive courses, and she consistently impressed me with her performance and desire to learn as much as possible about the topics being covered,” said Associate Professor Ryan Trovitch, also at the School of Molecular Sciences.

“Maddie stands out as a once-in-adecade talent and I believe she will be highly successful in her pursuit of an advanced degree in physical chemistry from Harvard University, and ultimately a career in academia,” Trovitch added. “I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish.”

“I feel honored to have been selected to receive the Dean’s Medal and I am very grateful to the incredible SMS faculty who have taught and mentored me during my time at ASU,” Howell said. “Being recognized in this way has allowed me to reflect on my academic achievements and will provide a source of motivation moving forward.”

“I actually started at ASU as a biomedical engineering freshman. It wasn’t until I started doing research in Assistant Professor Barbara Smith’s lab in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering that I discovered my interest in spectroscopy, and chemistry more broadly, and decided to change my major.”

Howell’s research in the Smith lab focused on developing novel optical feedback systems for navigating patchclamp electrodes inside the living brain.

Patch-clamp electrophysiology is the

highest-resolution technique currently available for understanding neuronal dynamics. She also collaborated on a project on detecting circulating ovarian tumor cells, which resulted in a publication in ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering.

“During her time in the lab, I have gotten to know Maddie as the exceptional student and person that she is,” explained Smith. “Maddie places great effort into firmly understanding the depth underlying her research and academic studies.

“Her dedication to undergraduate research has been recognized through her receipt of the National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates, Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative (FURI) at ASU, the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, and most recently, through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program which will be funding her upcoming PhD position at Harvard University.

“In addition, Maddie embodies the STEM approach and mentality, and aspires to motivate the greater community through her impactful scientific See

HOWELL on page 37

Hamilton senior’s Flinn Scholarship more than magic

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

In his scholarship application to the Flinn Foundation, Maxwell Bregman was asked to imagine the title of his own autobiography.

The 18-year-old Hamilton High School student pondered the question and crafted a suitable response: “If You Want Something, You Have to Work for It.” The fake book title was meant to encompass the grit and tenacity Maxwell has been deploying while tackling his long list of endeavors.

Tennis, photography and Model United Nations club are some of the activities that have occupied Maxwell’s time on top of his full academic schedule of Advanced Placement classes.

“I like to push myself with whatever I do,” the high school student said.

Now he can add Flinn Scholar to his list of accomplishments after becoming one of only 19 seniors in Arizona’s Class of 2020 to win the prestigious scholarship.

Maxwell’s diverse interests in and outside the classroom must have appealed to the Flinn Foundation, since Bregman was recently awarded a free scholarship to Arizona State University that covers all four years of tuition, lodging, meals and related expenses.

He also will participate in a threeweek summer seminar; will have a chance to study abroad for a time later in their university career; get person-

Hamilton High senior Maxwell Bergman is one of only 19 Arizonans to be named a Flinn Scholar (Courtesy ASU)

al mentoring from top faculty and exposure to Arizona and global leaders in business, government, science, and the arts; and be part of a community of about 650 current and former Flinn Scholars.

Maxwell was one of 1,014 students in Arizona to apply for the highly-coveted scholarships – which are only awarded to usually no more than 20 top students in Arizona high schools and can be used for any of the three state universities.

Beyond his school pursuits, Maxwell also co-owns a DJ business with a friend and regularly puts on magic shows for large crowds of spectators.

He’s spent years building up his

repertoire of tricks, knowing that good magicians had to put in the work if they wanted to earn the audience’s respect.

Maxwell said he’s excited to start his studies next year at ASU, but he’s equally thrilled about the networking opportunities offered by the Flinn Foundation.

He now belongs to an exclusive club of talented scholars who can help open doors and share expertise in their respective fields.

As soon as he found out he was a Flinn finalist, he said he began thinking how it might benefit his long-term goals of becoming an entrepreneur.

“I was very excited because of the networking capabilities from it,” Maxwell said The teen hopes to start his own tech company within the next five years, which is why he plans to study engineering or computer science at ASU. The university has lots of resources for aspiring entrepreneurs, he noted, making it his top choice among Arizona’s three public universities.

This past year, Maxwell’s been flexing his business skills by forming a local chapter of Launch X, a national organization that teaches high school students how to start their own businesses.

The club unexpectedly lost its financial support early on, forcing him to find ways to innovatively supplement the resources they had expected to receive.

It ended up being a great learning

lesson, Maxwell said, as it pushed them to almost educate themselves about the business world.

Maxwell’s may seem to be all about business, but his first passion in life was more of a disappearing act.

His grandparents gave him a magic kit when he was 5 and he quickly became enamored by the process of creating the perfect illusion.

Maxwell said he was always curious to know how every magic trick was done. He wasn’t so much dazzled by the spectacle of rabbits appearing out of hats, as was interested in observing how the human mind is manipulated into believing the facade.

When he’s able to change an audience member’s perspective, Maxwell said, that’s when the magic really becomes exciting.

“I really like the psychology aspect behind that,” he said.

His favorite magic trick involves getting three spectators to volunteer three random numbers. Maxwell multiplies them together and his assistant then pulls out a book.

If the number is 29, then Maxwell guesses the 29th word listed on the 29th line of the book’s 29th page.

“That one’s probably my favorite one to do,” he said.

Even though Maxwell has big dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, he hopes to always keep up his magic and continue learning new tricks.

“It’s kind of a stress-reliever for me,” he said.

36

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Music Maker Workshops find antidote to quarantine

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Music Maker Workshops, a family-owned and operated music school that opened their doors in Ahwatukee in 1997, has created an answer for people feeling restless as the stay-at-home order drags on: Community Cabin Fever Busters.

The online classes, free to the public, vary weekly and range from singalongs for elementary school students and preschool story times to music workshops like a recent “How to Play Spoons” class led by instructor David Libman.

Like many small businesses, Music Maker was unprepared when the stayat-home order was imposed March 20.

Yet, Music Maker Workshops was quick to react, closing the doors on their 4,000 square foot, 16-classroom studio at 3233 E. Chandler Blvd. but refusing to abandon their 589 music students.

They opted to conduct virtual music lessons.

“We knew that the new normal was quickly changing and as a business, we needed to pivot rapidly to help families stay home and stay safe. So, within 24 hours we switched all our in-studio lessons to virtual lessons using the platform Zoom,” said Shelly Yakubow, co-director of Music Makers Workshop with her sister Kim Steedman.

The directors and staff weren’t with-

“Her vision was to have a place where adults and children could learn music all under one roof,” said Steedman.

In 2000, after earning her bachelor’s degree in education, Yakubow joined her mother teaching music.

Five years later, Steedman left her full-time nursing career to also be a part of the workshops, concentrating on directing the Kindermusik program and co-directing the family business.

Beverly Bigam, who resides in Sun Lakes with her husband of 51 years, Larry Kim Steedman and Shelley Yakubow, co-directors of family-owned Music Maker Workshops in Ahwatukee, flank long-time employee Bigam, retired in 2015 but Jess Libman. (Courtesy of Kevin Poleyumptewa/Moonlit Dreams Photography.) still teaches adult piano once weekly. how best to engage students virtually. out trepidations.

In the ensuing years, Music Maker “But we adapted quickly, and each “The truth is we were very nervous.

Workshops has expanded its offers week our instructors started sharing We didn’t know how families would with lessons in a variety of instruments with the team what worked, what respond,” Yakubow recalled. “We – guitar, ukelele, saxophone, drum/ didn’t, and what new apps helped to contacted them with their Zoom login percussion, clarinet and flute as well as teach various concepts,” she said. information and held our breath. voice lessons and song writing.

Yakubow, who resides in Chandler, “Then it happened; the ding on the They have a staff of 32 mostly partand her sister Steedman of Ahwatukee computer screens started dinging and time instructors, and since the stay-atco-direct Music Makers Workshop, the the students were logging in for their home order, say they’ve “been blessed” 23-year-old music studio founded by lessons. We were so excited; It was that many of their music students have their mother, Beverly Bigam. working. These bright-eyed students opted to continue via virtual lessons.

A nurse by trade, Bigam was an acwere greeting us from the safety of “We’ve been able to retain, tocomplished pianist and upon moving to their homes.”

Arizona from British Columbia in 1997, There were bugs to be worked out, See on page 37 she wanted to open a studio. including audio controls and learning

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

HOWELL

from page 35

outreach endeavors,” Smith said.

After a year of research in the Smith group on noninvasive diagnostic technologies, Howell decided to delve into the field of ultrafast spectroscopy and participated in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates in the lab of Professor Theodore Goodson III at the University of Michigan.

She had the opportunity to characterize candidate materials for organic

MUSIC

from page 36

date, approximately 80 percent of our student body. We’re so thankful for the students that continue during COVID-19,’ Yakubow said.

“We’re so thankful for the parents who’ve been sending messages of gratitude for their teachers who not only provide appropriate instruction but encouragement, motivation and bring joy to music-making,” she continued, adding: “Parents are so happy their children have a creative outlet during these unprecedented times. On our social media, students started posting their music, sharing their accomplishments, and so many of them haven’t missed a beat with the virtual option.”

Among those students is Amanda Waxberg, a sophomore at Horizon Honors High School who is a violinist and also played flute and piccolo in the Horizon band.

“Even with everything going on in the world today, lessons with my online violin teacher have been one of the things I look forward to every week,” the 16-year-old said.

“Since I have so much more time on my hands, I’ve been able to practice violin for almost an hour every other day, which is a lot more time than I usually get since I’m so busy with homework and other extracurriculars.”

Amanda said one of her favorite things about violin lessons online “is that I can still be pushed to do my best and to work my hardest.

“I’m so grateful my teacher is still

37

light emitting diodes using ultrafast and nonlinear spectroscopic techniques.

Question: What sparked your interest in doing research at ASU? Answer: In high school I took honors science research and we each wrote a white paper and sent it to researchers at local universities. We partnered with a researcher at ASU and carried out what was pretty much a science fair project, which we presented at the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. That experience in research got me really excited about it and that’s why I sought it out my freshmen year.

Aside from the research opportu-

nities at ASU, what also drew me was being close to home. … I’m a triplet and all three of us are here (at ASU).

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: I actually started at ASU as a biomedical engineering freshman. It wasn’t until I started doing research in assistant professor Barbara Smith’s lab that I discovered my interest in spectroscopy and chemistry more broadly, and decided to change my major.

Question: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

Answer: My advice would be to approach school as a means of discovering what you are passionate about and to be fearless in your pursuits inside and outside of the classroom.

Question: What are your plans after graduation?

Answer: In the fall, I will start a physical chemistry PhD program in Harvard’s chemistry and chemical biology department. Afterwards, I plan to pursue a post-doctoral position and future research career in academia.

- Jenny Green is a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University’s School of Molecular Sciences.

able and willing to work with me and that Music Makers is working to make sure that we all get the help and encouragement that we need to get better during these difficult times,” she said.

Her father, David Waxberg, said he appreciates how the virtual lessons have kept his daughter focused on music “throughout a challenging time in

the studio.”

“We brainstormed on how can we provide music relief to the families during this time of home isolation. Kids were bored, parents were overwhelmed trying to balance work and home obligations; so, in addition to weekly lessons, what could we do for these families?” said Yakubow.

A team of instructors put together a variety of free workshops for kids and teens that are free and designed to make them accessible.

They include things like music production, story time, “Drummin’ Around the House” and singalongs.

“We wanted to be a beacon of light in a dark time,” said Yakubow, adding that the first few weeks of free classes were filled to capacity.

“Then, we found out that many of the school-aged children started getting their own school assignments and were swamped. So currently, we provide Community Cabin Fever Busters mainly to preschool-aged children who really need activities to do,” said Yakubow.

The wide-ranging Cabin Fever Buster classes and regular class times are injected with a dose of levity by the offering of weekly contests.

Last week the Creative Hat Contest encouraged participants to photograph and post themselves online wearing their hats.

One of the initial and best attended Cabin Fever Busters was a “How to Play Spoons” segment taught by David Libman, a percussion teacher and professional musician.

“Spoons are not something I play all

the time,” Libman said.

“I learned to play them for fun, and people do tend to get a kick out of it because you don’t see it often. The kids and parents really seemed to love the novelty of it. Actually, it’s a great instrument because you can literally play them anywhere,” said Libman.

“I even had some adults playing along and got some great feedback from everyone,” he added.

Though he has taught at Music Makers Workshops for six years, he said, “This was my first time teaching spoons, so it was a little intimidating, but I may do another one in the future.”

Music Maker Workshops’ full-day and half-day Summer Camps remain in limbo. All June camps were cancelled but reservations for July are still open.

Yakubow said.

No matter the future brings, there are positive lessons to be gleaned, said the sisters.

“This experience has helped us to improve and grow and I believe we’ll continue to use virtual options in the future when we reopen studio classrooms,” said Yakubow.

“The convenience of at-home lessons are an excellent option for busy parents or when a student is feeling sick. I know that COVID-19 will not break us and we’ll use this experience to learn how we can serve our students better.”

Steedman said they’re fielding more inquiries from adults who say now that they have more time, they’d like try a new instrument or enroll in voice or music production classes.

Information: MMWAZ.com.

Parents are so happy their “ children have a creative outlet during these unprecedented times.

On our social media, students started posting their music, sharing their accomplishments, and so many of them haven’t missed a beat with the virtual option.

– Shelly Yakubow

”

our lives.”

“Amanda is self-motivated and would play regardless, but having that weekly touch-base has definitely helped maintain momentum,” said Waxberg, an Ahwatukee resident of 10 years.

“Additionally, this has been the first time I’ve been able to observe a lesson,” he added, “and I’ve really enjoyed hearing her take the feedback, interact with her instructor and make immediate improvements.”

Besides the regular schedule of music lessons, Music Makers Workshop set a new goal: “turn COVID-19 into the most positive defining experience of

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NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Chandler ASU grad studied families

BY JOHN KEENEY Guest Writer

Kenedy Schneeberger of Chandler, a family and human development major graduating with honors from the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics at Arizona State University, recently discussed about studying family structures and the importance of opening up and being well organized.

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: As a child, I always thought that I wanted to be an OB/GYN or labor and delivery nurse due to my passion of loving babies and children.

As a teenager I was always babysitting or putting in time at my childcare job, because I truly enjoyed interacting with young kids and their families.

When I started my ASU application process, I had no interest in attending nursing school or working to become a doctor, so I started to explore other options.

I came across the family and human development major and upon researching it further, I knew that it was the one for me. It has been the best decision that I could have made!

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or

Kenedy Schneeberger of Chandler will be graduating Monday with honors from Arizona State University. (Courtesy ASU)

changed your perspective?

A: While at ASU, I found great interest in studying family dynamics and the way in which people interact. Prior to my education, I was unaware of the multitude of family structures and the diversity among them.

However, engaging in my studies changed my perspective. Working with families is something that I will be doing throughout my career and it is important for me to be aware of these dynamics.

Q: Why did you choose ASU? A: As someone who is extremely close with my family, I could not get myself to move far from home. ASU was a great school within 30 minutes of my family and that

was perfect for me.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: The best piece of advice that I have to offer to those still in school is to use a planner and avoid procrastinating. Using a planner allowed me to keep track of my assignments and encouraged me to avoid procrastination. By working on projects early, I was able to feel much more at ease throughout the week of the due date. Organization is key!

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I will be attending ASU’s Master of Social Work program in downtown Phoenix. I am joining the program in hopes of becoming a social worker within a hospital or working with grief.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: There are many vulnerable children, adults and families within our population that are unable to receive services such as proper medical care, nutrition, housing and education.

I would choose to put the $40 million towards funding to provide more resources and services for these individuals.

- John Keeney is media relations coordinator for ASU’s T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

39

Mentors helping foster children ‘Thrive’ sity in June with a masters of philosophy in comparative social policy, which he attained on a full-ride scholarship.

Duke Lucas entered the foster care “That isn’t a normal story for a system in Virginia when he was 8 in 2008. child that’s involved in the foster When his aunt and uncle heard he care system,” Smith explained. was to be moved to a new family on “A lot of foster children, they’re Christmas, they moved him to Arizona kind of expected to pack up all and adopted him. of their belongings in a black garAt 16, Lucas ran into some trouble bage bag and are kind of thrown with the law, which placed him in the out into the world. Transitioning, juvenile system. When he was released, it’s not much of a transition. It’s he was placed into the Department of like brute force and saying ‘good Child Safety’s custody. luck.’’”

After he spent two years in DCS’s Smith believes the key to his custody, Lucas’ case worker introduced success was having someone that him to a local program for foster youth. invested time in him to make “Starting from that point, that’s sure he knew of all the opporwhen my life has changed,” Lucas said. tunities available to him so he Arizona Children’s Association, a could pursue his dreams.

Duke Lucas, left, attributes his change in attitude to David Schlinkert’s mentorship. Schlinkert started mentoring Lukas in child welfare and behavioral health According to Michael 2018 and over time their relationship has evolved into a friendship as well. (Special to SanTan Sun News) nonprofit located in all 15 counties of Shreeves, a psychology professor Arizona, aims to help break the mold at Arizona State University, studies program. ful because you don’t want to change for many young adults in the system show that adolescents who have tranLucas describes his relationship with them, you want them to be themselves. through a mentorship program named sitioned out of the foster care system Schlinkert as more than just a mentor: So being able to facilitate that brings Thrive. successfully usually have had a positive he thinks of him as more of a father Navigating the transition to adult life me a lot of joy.” relationship with a mentor. figure and friend.

David Schlinkert, who lives in Scottis difficult under all circumstances, but “If you don’t have your parents or Schlinkert says it warms his heart sdale and is a senior policy analyst at many lose their way without parents mentor in your life, it is harder for you that Lucas believes he has made a posThe Morrison Institute at Arizona State to guide them on the road to success, to build trusting relationships with itive impact in his life, but emphasized University, was looking to invest his according to advocates providing help adults. You are going to have lower that the world needs more people to time into something impactful for his to older foster youth. social confidence usually and less ability dedicate their time to helping these community.

There are nearly 15,000 children to regulate your negative emotions,” children.

In September 2018, Schlinkert, 36, in the foster care system in Arizona.

Shreeves said.

“There is a shortage of especially and Lucas began their journey together Before the age of 19, 23 percent expe“We know that late adolescents and male mentors to come up and say ‘I as mentor and mentee. rienced homelessness, 13 percent were early adults who are in foster care have am a success and I can help somebody In the first year, Schlinkert said, there incarcerated and 58 percent finished all these risk factors: they are more else think about their life in a different wasn’t a week that went by that they high school, according to the National likely to have problems with educaway,’” Schlinkert said, adding: did not meet.

Youth in Transition Database. tion, problems with unemployment “Everyone can read about the big Lucas explained that while Schlinkert The mentorship program is designed or abuse,” Shreeves said. “They are at problems in the world, but it really is helped him complete technical tasks to aid foster care youth ages 16 to 21 much higher risk for that, but we know the one-on-one experiences that will change the way people behave and how that some children thrive despite those risks.” we transform our society into someLooking past the statistics, these are all young individuals in real need While explaining how his mentee has thing we are happy with.” of support from caring adults. We believe everyone deserves to have a transformed over the years, Schlinkert Dalton Walker, a mentor match used the same word to describe Lucas: mentor or role model in their life, which is why there will always be a specialist for Arizona Children’s Associresilient. ation, said 800 young people aged out need for more volunteers.

“He knows how to bounce back fastof the foster care system last year.

– Dalton Walker er than anyone I know and I think that “Looking past the statistics, these is something that I try to keep in mind are all young individuals in real need and think about in my own life: not to of support from caring adults,” Walker like tailoring his resume and learning transitioning out of state or tribal fosdwell on stuff,” Schlinkert said. “You get said. “We believe everyone deserves to saving strategies, not all of the meetings ter care. up and you figure it out the next day.” have a mentor or role model in their were educational.

It provides skills and support to Before COVID-19, Lucas worked life, which is why there will always be a They went to the park to play footmore than 1,000 young adults in their at the Hyatt Hotel in Phoenix and is need for more volunteers.” ball or took trips to batting cages and transition to independence. optimistic he will return to his position Frank Smith III, 25, of Mesa, lived in A specialist works to pair each young driving ranges. when business closures cease.

27 different homes throughout his time Schlinkert explained that after each person in the system with a mentor in Today, Lucas works for UberEats, in the foster care system. “hangout,” Lucas began to trust him hopes they will form a strong connecdelivering food on a bicycle. He hopes He explained that mentorship is more and that is when their connection tion and that will help them succeed in to attend college in the next year and incredibly important, especially for truly flourished. all aspects of life. plans to study what he is most pasLucas began to open up to Schlinkert children who do not have a traditional When Lucas committed to the sionate about: photography and hotel support system. about every detail of his life and the program, Christian Barrie, a mentor management.

“Life is challenging,” Smith said. “I match specialist for the program began obstacles he was facing.

“Down the line, I’ve had bad organiAlthough the main purpose of Thrive think we all need parents or someone searching for his best match. zation skills, there was always a hole in that’s a mentor figure to kind of guide is to help youth in foster care gain “I think that there’s this whole idea my pocket and I could never get my life them through the complexities of life.” of working with youth and young adults skills that will help them throughout on track,” Lucas said. “I went into this With his mentor’s guidance, Smith their adult lives, Schlinkert and Lucas and the idea of creating their own idenprogram and it has probably been one of have formed a connection they believe was able to graduate from ASU in 2018 tity,” Barrie said. “You have to be carethe best decisions I have made so far.” and will graduate from Oxford Univerwill last far beyond their time in the

BY KACEY WILSON AND JACQUELINE ROBLEDO Contributors

“

”

t? o G ws Ne

Contact Paul C Contact Paul P l Maryniak Maryniak M y i k at at 480-898-5647 480 898 5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com p pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications y i k@ i p bli i com

40

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

The show is going on in downtown Chandler

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

When musician Joe Salamone ascended the stage in downtown Chandler for a live concert on May 1, he quickly acknowledged the unusual circumstances under which he was performing.

There was no audience, no welcoming applause and no guitar player to accompany Salamone.

The frontman for The Rave, a Phoenix cover band known for playing hits from the 1960s and 1970s, is more comfortable playing the bass.

But Salamone was obligated to switch to the guitar for this particular concert since half his band wasn’t able to fit on the stage.

Only two of The Rave’s four members were present – affording Salamone and his drummer just enough space to perform while standing six feet from each other.

“We’re far enough to be safe,” joked Salamone, alluding to the social-distancing guidelines that have become part of the common vernacular.

Despite the awkward arrangement, The Rave still managed to put on an entertaining 30-minute set before a webcam audience of about 200 online viewers.

It’s become a standard practice for musicians all across the Valley as they attempt to adapt to the new societal rules put in place by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because the health crisis has essentially eliminated all events and public gatherings in Arizona, artists have begun broadcasting their work virtually and engaging with their fans through social media.

The Downtown Chandler Community Partnership is trying to help musicians like Salamone stay connected with audiences by providing a platform to let them keep playing.

Before the pandemic hit, Downtown Chandler had been hosting a live concert on the third Friday of every month.

The events not only got residents to come down to A.J. Chandler Park once a month, but it helped promote the many businesses and restaurants in the surrounding area.

Once COVID-19 swooped in and shut down the city, there was suddenly a notable disconnect between the community, entertainers and local

The Rave normally consists of six musicians but a live concert in downtown Chandler during the pandemic pared down that number pretty significantly.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

businesses.

Mary Murphy-Bessler, executive director of Downtown Chandler, said music has always been the great unifier for fractured communities and would be needed at a time when residents are looking to connect with each other.

So, her team got to work figuring out how to continue staging live concerts amid the pandemic.

“We felt the music would be just as important, if not more important during difficult times,” Murphy-Bessler said.

They booked some local bands and set up camera equipment that would record the musicians and stream their performance live through Facebook.

The first couple concerts undoubtedly felt a bit strange, Murphy-Bessler said, since the bands weren’t able to feed off of the audience’s energy.

“They’re basically playing to no one,” she said.

But the concerts have gradually accumulated a devoted following that has a weekly viewership ranging in the

routine, Murphy-Bessler added, as residents grasp for some semblance of normalcy during this unusual time.

She recalled spotting a family picnicking in the park one recent Friday night with a laptop perched on their blanket. They were streaming the downtown concert while enjoying a meal together.

“It made my day,” Murphy-Bessler said. “People are figuring this out.”

Downtown Chandler is not the only local organization that’s been transferring its content onto a virtual platform.

ImprovMania, which regularly stages comedy shows every weekend at its downtown theater, has been broadcasting a live sketch show through its Facebook page since its theater was forced to temporarily close down.

Done in the spirit of “Saturday Night Live,” ImprovMania’s weekly comedy show spotlights local businesses throughout the program and reports on how they’ve been adapting to the pandemic.

Downtown Chandler has also been using

hundreds.

These Friday events have almost become a staple in everyone’s

its digital concerts as means to support all the local businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some bars and businesses have begun inviting bands to perform on their properties and the musicians regularly remind viewers to continue ordering goods online.

This whole experience has been tough on the downtown community, Murphy-Bessler added, and has highlighted the value small businesses bring to the local economy.

“I think in some ways it’s kind of grounded us and made us realize the importance of what we have and the importance of supporting it,” she said.

Live concerts have been booked through the end of May and Downtown Chandler plans to continue hosting them for however long the pandemic lasts.

Upcoming musical acts include Shallow Water on May 15, Black Beard’s Delight on May 22, and Jacob Morris on May 29.

Even after it’s safe again for residents to leave their homes, Murphy-Bessler thinks Downtown Chandler might continue offering virtual experiences for residents not quite ready to venture outside yet.

The downtown region will probably take a methodical approach in getting back to regular operations, she said, because this pandemic has completely changed how everyone navigates the world.

42

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(480) 257-4640 Rodent Control Mosquito Control (480) 255-4949 Scorpion Control azshieldpestcontrol.com Ant Control azshieldpestcontrol@gmail.com • Owner Operated Plumbing

480-895-9838

1 HOUR RESPONSE

PLUMBING

5000 OFF

$

Work Completed!

ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER

SINCE 1968 EMERGENCY SERVICE www.abcplumbingandrooter.com Lic. ROC153202/213278, Bonded & Insured *CALL OFFICE FOR DETAILS

Plumbing

480-704-5422 REPAIR or INSTALL Water Heaters • Faucets • Sinks Toilets • Disposals • Rooter Services Licensed • Bonded $ Insured

35 Off

ROC #272721

Service Call

Pool/Spa Services

Kent Mortensen

Plumbing C

O

• A licensed plumbing contractor for over 40 years • No Employees - Owner operated • Specializes in water heaters and all plumbing repairs • Located in Chandler

480-968-1371

ROC 035930

Plumbing

HOME ABA REMODELING

KITCHEN • WINDOWS • BATHROOMS

DON’T OVER PAY! Call or text us TODAY!

480.988.1903

BONDED & INSURED • ROC#271056

25 $ 500

$

Gift card to Lowe’s with Quote off project

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST NO PAYMENTS

Classifieds

Plumbing

480-726-1600

• TUB TO SHOWER CONVERSIONS • KITCHEN & BATHROOM REMODELS • MASTER BATHROOM WALK IN SHOWERS

www.abahomeremodeling.com

ROC #204797

WEEKLY SERVICE CHECKLIST:

• Brush Walls & Benches • Remove All Debris From Surface Of Water • Empty All Baskets (skimmer, leaf canister, pump baskets, etc.)

• Inspect Equipment For Any Repairs, Leaks, Etc., and Report to Customer If Anything Is Needed • Backwash As Needed • Check & Balance Chemicals • Basic Chemicals Included With Monthly Service!

Monthly Service Starting at $89

Lifetime East Valley Arizona Native!

Locally Owned & Operated • Honest & Reliable

TONY ALMADA OWNER

602.574.7690 • WINGMANPOOLS@YAHOO.COM

Remodeling

Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541

Inside & Out Up To 30 Panes Screens Cleaned $3 each Additional Panes $3 each

Mobile Re-Screening

480.201.6471 Manufactured Homes

Full Service Plumbing ★ No Job Too Small!

• Drain & Sewer Cleaning • Water Heaters • Faucets • Fixtures • Electronic Leak Locating • Slab Leaks • Repiping - Free Estimates • Sewer Video & Locating - Senior Discounts!

• Backflow Testing & Repair RESIDENTIAL & • Sprinkler Systems & Repairs • Water Treatment Sales & Service COMMERCIAL

1-Story $145 2-Story $165

Classifieds

CURE ALL PLUMBING FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Our family would be proud to be your pest control solution.

The Owners Clean Your Windows!

Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning Services

BIG JOHN'S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues.

Upholstery cleaning also available.

Tile and grout cleaning.

For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 or 602-989-8311 John Downs, Owner/Operator Ocotillo Resident.

Call for Monthly Specials.

CLEANING SERVICE Bi-weekly, Monthly.

Move-in, Move-out.

Ten Years Exp. 602-459-2481

Cleaning Services HOUSE CLEANING The lowest prices in the Valley! We provide all cleaning supplies. 20 years exp. Trustworthy and dependable. We pay attention to details.

Excellent Refs!

Call Vicky 480-227-1890

Glass/Mirror GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices.

FREE Estimates

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $58,900 Financing Available Also Available Affordable Homes Between $5K - $15K 55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Loc. Call Kim 480-233-2035

Landscape/ Maintenance A+ SPRINKLER REPAIR SERVICE Are you tired of fixing drip system leaks?

20 years exp repairing and replacing drip systems, valves, wire troubleshooting & timers. All repairs!

Honest and reliable.

East Valley Native.

Call and compare prices!

602-826-4717 www.AplusSprinkler Repair.com

Moving IN OR OUT MOVERS

Professional, hardworking, excellent service. No hidden fees.

Whether you are moving in or moving out LEAVE THE LIFTING TO US! Serving the East Valley. www.inoroutmovers phoenixmetro.com Call Terry at 602-653-5367

Rooms For Rent Ocotillo Lakes

Queen sized bedroom Shared Kitchen. Private bath.. Snedigar Park.

Deposit req'd No smoking. $600 a month 480-883-1315

Window Cleaning DIRTY WINDOWS? Call Fish Window Cleaning 480-962-4688 And you will have the cleanest windows and screens on the block.

Below is the list of services we offer: Windows – Interior & Exterior Screens – Sunscreens and Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing Your driveway, sidewalks and patios.

InstaGram @FISH_WCEAST VALLEYAZ

MOM WAS RIGHT Appearance Counts!

PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING Detailed Service and Tidy Inside Your Home! 1 Story-$110 & 2 Story-$150 - Up to 30 Panes. Price Includes Inside and Out. Screens Pressure Washed $3 Each. Light Fixture and Fan Cleaning Also Available. Professional Services Since 1995!

CALL RON at 480-5841643 A+ Member of BBB Bonded & Insured

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online!

Call 480-898-6465

Plumbing

affinityplumber@gmail.com

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor • Anything Plumbing • Water Heaters • Inside & Out Leaks • Toilets, Faucets, Disposals • Same Day Service • Available 24/7 • Bonded & Insured • Estimates Available

• TUB TO SHOWER CONVERSIONS • KITCHEN & BATHROOM REMODELS • MASTER BATHROOM WALK IN SHOWERS

ABA

HOME REMODELING

KITCHEN • WINDOWS • BATHROOMS

DON’T OVER PAY! Call or text us TODAY!

480.988.1903

35 OFF

$ Any Service

Handyman

Not a licensed contractor

www.abahomeremodeling.com

BONDED & INSURED • ROC#271056

25 $ 500

$

Gift card to Lowe’s with Quote off project

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST NO PAYMENTS

A FRIEND IN ME HANDYMAN

Honey-Do List Electrical, Plumbing, Drywall, Painting & Home Renovations.

Not a licensed contractor.

Call Greg 480-510-2664 AFriendInMeHandyman@gmail.com

abcplumbingandrooter.com ROC 153202 Where Integrity Isn’t Watered Down.

Since 1968 - 480-726-1600 1 hour response Emergency Response 24/7 A rated BBB *Free flush of water heater *Best senior discount: 20% off labor *$50.00 off with work done mention this ad Flood restoration, Water heaters, drain clogs, faucets, toilets, slab leaks, leak locating, & water main.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

Stone Creek Furniture is a licensed general contractor and manufacturer with an A+ BBB Rating. AZ ROC 208075 & 279455

Se Habla Espanol!

59

$

Cleaning, Exam & X-rays

1

$ - OR -

Take-Home Whitening

1

$ - OR -

General Dentist

4920 S Alma School Rd, Ste. 1 Chandler, AZ 85248

LakesideDentalCareAZ.com

Call Today!

602-563-3570 SNEDIGAR RECREATION CENTER

LAKESIDE DENTAL CARE

S FULTON RANCH BLVD S ALMA SCHOOL RD

Photo credit Greatest Love Photography

• General Dentistry • Teeth Cleanings • Cosmetic Dentistry • Teeth Whitening • Crowns • Invisalign® Clear Aligners • Emergency Dental Care • Implants • Dentures

John Lopez, DMD

Emergency Exam

(Reg. $321) Offer expires in 30 days

(Reg. up to $199) Offer expires in 30 days

(Reg. $70) Offer expires in 30 days

Includes exam, cleaning (prophylaxis) & x-rays. New patients only. Advertised fee is the minimum fee, subject to clinical need. One or more of the following ADA codes may reflect the treatment rendered under this offer. D0150, D0330, D0272, D0210, D1110.

Includes exam, cleaning (prophylaxis) & x-rays. New patients only. Advertised fee is the minimum fee, subject to clinical need. One or more of the following ADA codes may reflect the treatment rendered under this offer. D0150, D0330, D0272, D0210, D1110.

Includes exam, cleaning (prophylaxis) & x-rays. New patients only. Advertised fee is the minimum fee, subject to clinical need. One or more of the following ADA codes may reflect the treatment rendered under this offer. D0150, D0330, D0272, D0210, D1110.

Offers not to be applied toward account balances or dental services already delivered and not in conjunction with any other offers, discounts or reduced-fee plans. Services provided by an Arizona licensed general dentist. FLR39920MA

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

FIND YOUR PURPOSE Private. Christian. Affordable.

SCHOLARSHIPSAND EARLY GRADUATION OPPORTUNITIES

66% of graduates did so in less than four years*

AFFORDABLE TO ATTEND

tuition has remained unchanged for the last 11 years

GRADUATE WITH LESS DEBT GCU students graduate with less debt than the national average†

AVERAGE INCOMING GPA OF 3.55 Fall 2019 incoming students

#19 BEST COLLEGE CAMPUS IN AMERICA IN 2020 Rated by Niche.com

APPLY FOR FREE TODAY! 855-428-7884 | apply.gcu.edu

*2016 and 2017 **Average tuition after scholarships is approximately $8,700. Scholarships may be awarded based on 6th semester transcripts. At the time in which final, official transcripts are received, GCU reserves the right to rescind or modify the scholarship if it is determined that eligibility was not achieved. GCU reserves the right to decline scholarship awards for any reason. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. GCU reserves the right to change scholarship awards at any time without notice. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. Prices based on 2018-19 rate and are subject to change. † GCU students graduate with less debt on average ($18,750 according to College Scorecard) than the average at public and private nonprofit universities ($28,650 according to 2017 data from the Institute for College Access and Success).

For more information about the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (800-621-7440; http://hlcommission. org/). Pre-licensure nursing students who begin or resume attendance in Fall 2020 and beyond will be ineligible to utilize most GCU institutional aid/scholarships for tuition and fees once accepted into the clinical portion of the program. Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at https://www.gcu.edu/academics/ academic-policies.php. The information printed in this material is accurate as of JANUARY 2020. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. GCU, while reserving its lawful rights in light of its Christian mission, is committed to maintaining an academic environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. Further detail on GCU’s Non-Discrimination policies can be found at gcu.edu/titleIX. ©2020 Grand Canyon University 19GTR0965

46

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Is pandemic a punishment or a clarion call?

BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. Guest Writer

There have been many theories as to why this pandemic has occurred.

Some would have us believe that it is some sort of punishment for the evil that exists in the world – a flood that covers the world, only this time it is not water, but rather sickness.

Others will attempt to convince us that every so often a calamity occurs to flatten out the world population.

Finally, there are some insisting that our neglect of this planet and the disregard for nature has made our lives tenuous to the point of possible extinction.

Perhaps all are correct.

If we remain oblivious to the obvious, we certainly will cause havoc, the likes of which has not been seen in our lifetime.

Perhaps we should look at this horrible experience that has us frightened and ashamed as a clarion call to remind us that we have, for too long, ignored the cry for help coming from the Earth.

Perhaps we should consider massive flooding, burning forests, enormous hurricanes, unbelievable tornadoes, as an alarm ringing throughout the world

telling us we are not listening to the signs of disaster.

There are non-stop wars, there is greed that is uncontrollable, and we just keep going on with our lives. We witness hate and killings.

We watch our wildlife disappear because of pollution. Our ice caps are melting at an alarming rate. We cannot feed ourselves because of drought.

Have we learned anything from these signs given to us as an indication

Sun Lakes Counseling Services A ministry providing confidential individual, couples and family counseling services by experienced professionals on a sliding fee scale.

Anxiety/Fear • Depression • Stress • Grief/Loss Veterans and/or Family Members

Dr. Julian Pickens, EdD, LISAC, LMFT, BRl-11

Licensed in Arizona as an Independent Substance Abuse Counselor and Marriage and Family Th erapist. Specializes in couple and family counseling and substance abuse counseling.

Mary Sievert, MA, LPC, LISAC

Licensed in Arizona as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Independent Substance Abuse Counselor. Specializes in life adjustments, family dynamics, anxiety and depression.

Call 480-895-8766 today for a complimentary initial consultation. A counselor will promptly return your call.

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Rd.,Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 www.sunlakescounselingservices.org

of tragedies yet to unfold because of negligence?

Now we are experiencing isolation.

No longer are we able to join together to celebrate life with all its blessings. We look at each other with suspicion.

Should we wear a mask? Is it necessary to complain that some do, and some don’t heed the warnings of sickness and death?

It seems that neighbor turns against neighbor in search of survival.

The most positive thing to come out of this turmoil is that the air is purer, the sky seems to be clearer, our water appears to be purer.

Most of all, we are now given the time to reflect on what is important in life.

So, I would suggest that this is not a punishment but an opportunity to reflect on what is important in our lives and continue to listen to what is being taught: Save the Earth by not polluting.

Stop killing each other because of hate.

Share the blessings with others less fortunate.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Look to God who is here to partner with us in designing a new beginning.

Maybe, just maybe, after all is settled and this nightmare has ended, we will find ourselves in a better place filled with the beauty of the gifts bequeathed to us by a loving God. Then we should all come together, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, to express our gratitude to God for showing us the way, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this new beginning with faith even stronger than before.

- Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

SUNDAY WORSHIP At 8:30 am & 10:00 am Childcare Provided • All Welcome!

480-963-3360 | www.chandlermethodist.org | 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

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The industry leader in hardscape & landscape materials

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MarvelMasonry.com

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020

E WE AR

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CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY GROUP

Marvel- Mesa | 1113 S. Country Club Dr. | Mesa, AZ 85210 | P: 480.833.5885 Paver + Brick + Veeners + Travertine + Turf Outdoor Lighting + Block Landscape Materials Sealers + Tools + Barbecues + Fireplaces

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 10, 2020