When watching incredible feats of strength and agility, such as the NBC show “American Ninja Warrior,” most people sit back and marvel while muttering to themselves, “Never in a million years...”
However, there are a few people out there who watch others scale walls and dangle from their fingertips and say, “Why not?!”
April Gould is one of those people.
The 37-year-old Gilbert mother of three is a dental hygienist by trade, but her resume also includes professional water skier, goat farmer and trapeze artist. It’s safe to say that she has a full plate—or maybe multiple plates, all spinning on tall sticks.
“I like to do a lot of fun things,” Gould said with a laugh. “I like to juggle. I like to juggle my family and I try to have fun
and keep my life interesting so that I stay young. That’s my ultimate goal, I think— just try to stay young.”
So how did this East Valley native, who already has a job, three kids and 47 goats to keep her busy, decide to try out for NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior,” a competition TV show in which athletes attempt to complete a series of very intense obstacle courses?
“My family loves to watch ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and every time we watch, my kids would say, ‘Mom—you should do that!’ So I was like, ‘Why not?!’”
Gould sent in a video and an application to the show and a little while later, she was contacted and told that of the 50,000 applicants, she was one of the 130 chosen to run the course.
Although Gould’s daily activities and challenges keep her in shape, she still needed to train and didn’t have much
time to do it.
“When I got the call that they wanted me to actually run the course, I went to my local gym and I was like, “I’m going to be on ‘American Ninja Warrior!’” and they were like, ‘That’s great! When?’ And I was like, ‘I have two and a half weeks!’ So they took me under their wing and I worked out every day, twice a day for two and a half weeks and they completely transformed me. They took me from being in-shape to strong.”
Gould’s family was completely supportive and behind her. Her husband, Russell, helped out when he could and their three kids, Autumn, Summer and Lincoln, understood what their mom was doing and that there was an end in sight. Together they made it work.
“Wow! Those are big shoes to fill!”
She pauses and thinks through the next words.
“For my girls, I just want to prove to them that they can do anything that they put their mind to no matter how big the obstacle, no matter how out there it may seem.”
Of the 130 people chosen to run the “American Ninja Warrior” course, only 12, including Gould, were women—a fact that really resonated with Gould. However, when the words “role model” were said and when she was asked about what her two daughters think of their warrior mother, Gould’s usually infectiously perky attitude quiets.
But Gould doesn’t let it get to her head, “People looking at me as a role model— that’s unexpected. I’m honored by that. [But] I’m not going into this to be like ‘I want to be a role model!’ I’m just trying to be the person that I am.” While she can’t reveal how she did on the “American Ninja Warrior,” viewers can find out at 8 p.m. Monday, May 25, on NBC.
There is one thing that Gould is absolutely positive about.
“I definitely am going to want to do it again next year. (It’s) so addictive. You have no idea. The people there are incredible. All the other ninjas—meeting everybody and seeing these people that I had been admiring their skills on TV and meeting them in person—they’re even greater in person. So just to be part of the ‘Ninja’ family is so amazing.”
April Gould was one of 130 people chosen to run the course of “American Ninja Warrior.” There were 50,000 applications. GSN photos by Sam Nalven
Gould trains in preparation for the NBC competition TV show. April Gould.
Doctor returns from medical mission in Tanzania
BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Dr. David Warkentin saw it all when he traveled to Mwanza, a port city in Tanzania, on behalf of Lighthouse Medical Missions. Whether it was childbirth or back pain, the 28 doctors and support staff who traveled to the African nation lent a hand.
“I saw everything from A to Z,” said Warkentin, a Gilbert resident who is CEO and owner of Verve Wellness Center.
Warkentin performed general medical and chiropractic procedures in a temporary clinic that was set up on what was essentially a covered patio. He admitted it was a struggle.
loads and walking a lot.”
Hamilton said he doesn’t often have a chiropractor on his team, so having Warkentin with the group was a rare treat.
“He was very adaptable and a wonderful guy to hang with,” Hamilton said. “He fit in, worked within the scope of what he does and he was very effective at addressing a lot of the issues that came out.”
“Everybody is a new patient and everybody speaks Swahili so there was an interpreter,” he said.
“Some spoke French so that was easy for me because I speak French. My scribe, Felipe Rodriguez, would take all my notes.”
Clinics in Mwanza are gated and protected by armed guards. No one leaves without paying.
“Tanzania is in a welfare state, obviously,” Warkentin said. “So if you don’t have money for medication, you die. If you give birth in a hospital and your family doesn’t bring you food, you starve. If you have an appendicitis and can’t afford a surgeon, you die.”
He witnessed disturbing conditions, including a maternity ward with 10 beds and 16 patients. On average, the hospital delivers 1,100 babies per month.
“To put that in perspective, St. John’s Hospital and UCLA Medical in Santa Monica combined deliver 300 babies a month,” Warkentin explained.
Pediatrician Dr. Robert Hamilton, coordinator for Lighthouse Medical Missions, worked alongside Warkentin during the trip.
“He was wonderful,” Hamilton said of Warkentin. “He’s a hard-working guy and he’s very good. He taught me a couple things. It turns out that chiropractors are very helpful in Africa because everybody has back pain, neck pain and hip pain from carrying heavy
Warkentin was tipped about the work of Lighthouse Medical Missions by a family member.
“My father-in-law Dr. Bill Wright from Houston, Missouri, has been involved with them for several years and has done several missions with them,” Warkentin explained.
The Santa Monica, California-based organization is relatively small, said Hamilton. Doctors affiliated with Lighthouse Medical Missions have primarily made trips to western Africa since 1998.
“This was our first trip ever to Tanzania,” Hamilton said. “We had about 1,000 to 1,200 people show up at the clinic.”
Warkentin plans to return to Africa on future medical missions.
“They are the kindest, most polite people,” Warkentin said. “They’re always smiling and they were very appreciative we were there with a clinic.”
Those interested in future African medical missions should call Dr. Robert Hamilton of Lighthouse Medical Missions at (310) 2642100. Visit www.lighthousemedicalmissions. com for additional information.
Dr. David Warkentin and a 100-year-old patient at the temporary clinic set up by Lighthouse Medical Missions in Mwanza, Tanzania. Photo by Susie Scribner
Dr. David Warkentin adjusted the hips of a woman who could not walk well. After her treatment, she walked out of the clinic without a limp. Photo by Susie Scribner
Life with hearing loss poses variety of challenges
BY ALISON STANTON
For Daisy Jasmine of Gilbert, having hearing loss means overcoming a variety of challenges every day.
“It can be nearly impossible for me to communicate in loud public environments, and I often resort to talking in text using the Notes app on my phone instead,” Jasmine said.
Jasmine has a sensorineural hearing loss, caused by childhood illness, that ranges from mild to moderate in the low frequencies to profound in the high frequencies. She has about 40 percent of her hearing.
While the Disability Resource Center at ASU, where Jasmine is a student, has provided her with support in getting needed accommodations, she has still encountered some issues.
student before, and consequently reacted badly to my need for accommodations,” she said.
Daisy Jasmine, who lost part of her hearing due to childhood illness, said she has experienced some challenges getting needed accommodations at school.
Submitted photo
“I have often had professors who had never worked with a hard-of-hearing
Some professors refused to provide transcripts for their audio-only lectures, because they insisted it would ruin the effectiveness of their presentations.
“Other classes are simply arranged in a way that there’s no accommodations that could realistically be provided, such as in choir, so I resort to sitting front and center and trusting the professor to stay in my line of sight.”
Michele Michaels, hard of hearing specialist with the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, said that Jasmine is one of around 1.1 million people in Arizona who have some type of hearing loss.
Michaels said the commission is conducting a statewide campaign to
encourage everyone to get their hearing tested, as part of Better Hearing and Speech Month in May.
While some people, like Jasmine, lose part or all of their hearing due to an illness, Michaels said the No. 1 cause of hearing loss is noise.
“Our environment is much noisier now than it was in the olden days,” she said. Earbuds, which direct sounds right next to the eardrum and are popular, also can cause damage over time.
In many cases, Michaels said, a person who has a hearing loss might not realize there is a problem. A spouse, friend or coworker often will notice that something is amiss.
“People who have a hearing loss may complain that other people are mumbling, or that they cannot hear talking from another room, or that they cannot hear their grandkids’ little voices,” she said.
These are definite signs that it’s time for a hearing test.
Before making an appointment with an audiologist, Michaels said people should go see their primary care physician.
“The PCP can look in the person’s ears and might say, ‘Oh, you have wax blocking your ear canal’ or ‘You have an irritated or perforated ear drum.’ Or, the PCP might say everything is OK and there are no problems, so let’s refer you to someone.”
Michaels, who was diagnosed in her early 30s with a bilateral and progressive hearing loss, said that the best way for most people to preserve their hearing is to use ear plugs when they are around noise.
“When they are mowing the lawn, using a leaf blower or riding a motorcycle or ATV they should wear ear plugs, and if women dry their hair every morning they should keep the dryer on low and keep it far away from their ears,” she said.
Despite her occasional issues at school, Jasmine said ASU has a range of services. This includes note takers who take notes during class for her, and a remote communication access realtime translation transcriber, who listens to the lecture through a microphone on the professor’s collar and transcribes it in realtime for Jasmine on an online message board that she can view on her laptop.
“At home, I have a CaptionCall phone that enables me to communicate on the phone when I need to, and keep the closed captions on the television at all times”, Jasmine said.
One piece of technology that Jasmine said she does not need is a light-flickering doorbell.
“The doorbell is low-pitched enough to be within my hearing range, and even if it wasn’t, my five dogs can certainly hear it and they never hesitate to loudly let me know that there’s someone at the door.”
Diabetes classes available at Mercy Gilbert
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in four Americans with diabetes doesn’t know he or she has the disease. More than 29 million individuals in the United States have diabetes, up from the previous estimate of 26 million in 2010.
• Type 1 Diabetes: 9 a.m. Mondays
According to Jeanne Cahill, RD, CDE, manager of the Center for Diabetes Management at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, there are a number of reasons as to why more individuals are acquiring the chronic condition.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Classes are offered at various times throughout the week
“Diabetes prevalence is increasing every year and we’re finding that it’s due to a number of reasons including genetic triggers, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle,” Cahill said.
The Center for Diabetes Management at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center offers a variety of education classes and support groups for individuals with Type 1, Type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes. The hospital also offers insulin management and diabetes refresher courses. Classes include:
• Gestational Diabetes: 2 p.m. Thursdays
• Pre-Diabetes: 1 p.m. Mondays
• Insulin management: 2 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. Fridays
• Diabetes refresher course: 9 a.m. Fridays.
“Diabetes is a serious disease but it can often be controlled by adopting healthy lifestyle habits,” Cahill said. “The classes we offer at Mercy Gilbert provide participants with the proper education and tools to help them effectively manage their diabetes.”
For more information or to register for classes, call (480) 728-3535.
Library events scheduled throughout May
An array of events is scheduled at Maricopa County Library District’s Southeast Regional and Perry Branch libraries throughout May. Select programs are listed below.
In observance of Memorial Day, the Perry Branch and Southeast Regional libraries will be closed Monday, May 25.
The Perry Branch Library is located at 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd.; the Southeast Regional Library is located at 775 N. Greenfield Rd. For information, call (602) 652-3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.
For Adults
No One Needs to Go Through This Journey Alone: The Basics on Alzheimer’s Disease
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at Southeast Regional
Learn about risk factors, research, treatments, support and steps to a proper diagnosis and assessment during the onehour workshop that explores memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Essential Oils Workshop
1 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Perry Branch
The hands-on workshop for ages 18 and older will teach attendees about essential oils. Note: No children will be allowed in the workshop.
Author Visit: Shona Patel
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at Southeast Regional
Author Shona Patel will talk about her debut novel “Teatime for the Firefly,” which is the first book of her trilogy.
“Hands On” Orchid Program
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Perry Branch
The program, which is geared toward ages 18 and older, is a hands-on repotting program of Phalaenopsis seedlings. Note: Participants must bring an empty plastic gallon milk or water jug for a mini greenhouse. Children are not allowed.
For All Ages
Explore the Night Sky
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, at Southeast Regional
The East Valley Astronomy Club will present a learning experience about the universe through an educational session and observatory viewing for ages 7 and older.
Create an Orchid Mini-Greenhouse
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Southeast Regional
The Orchid Society of Arizona will provide advice and answer questions about orchids. The program will also feature the proper
techniques in repotting orchids and what to do to keep them blooming for years. Note: Materials will be provided for ages 8 and older. Children under 12 will need to have an adult present to assist in assembly.
For Children
Family Yoga
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, at Southeast Regional
Learn simple stretching and breathing exercises for enhancing mindfulness and participate in fun activities that promote focus and concentration during this oneon-one parent and child program. Yoga also increases the connection between parents and children. Note: Program limited to 20 children. Feel free to bring water, a towel and a yoga mat.
Story Time with Parenting Arizona
11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Southeast Regional
The interactive story time is for toddlers and preschool-aged children. It features stories, songs, finger plays and a simple craft or activity. Note: Limited space. Latecomers will not be admitted once program has started.
For Teens
Introduction to Forensic Science
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Southeast Regional
This is an interactive adventure program for future crime solvers who will have the opportunity to explore a variety of crime scene topics and discover the many uses of science.
Teen Karaoke
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Perry Branch
Solos, duets and group performances are welcome.
For Tweens
Spy Science
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Southeast Regional
Hands-on activities will be provided to explore the hidden world of symbols and codes as attendees learn about the fascinating topic of communication.
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Doula program provides support to women during childbirth
BY ALISON STANTON
Thanks to MomDoc Charities, women who are giving birth at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center will have access to emotional and physical support from trained doulas.
MomDoc Charities launched its MomDoc volunteer doula program earlier this year. So far, about 10 people have started training to become a doula.
As Amanda Becerra, a certified nurse midwife with the program, said a doula provides nonclinical support in the hospital during childbirth. In addition to the support, doulas coach the moms-to-be and their partners throughout childbirth.
“MomDoc Charities realizes how valuable labor support is and how valuable doulas are to be able to give the mom access to this support,” Becerra said.
Statistically, a mom who uses the services of a trained doula may have a shorter labor, and a lower rate of cesarean sections and epidurals.
Becerra, who also helps teach and prepare the volunteer doulas during fullday training sessions, said there have been two trainings since February.
“During the training we go over what labor support is and what it isn’t, and what we are allowed to do and what is out of our scope in terms of non-clinical support,” Becerra said.
The volunteers also learn a great deal about birth physiology including the effacement of the cervix during labor and how care differs with an epidural.
One of the key ways a doula can help during childbirth, Becerra said, is by getting the husband or partner involved in the process. In many cases, she said, dads-tobe want to be helpful but may not be sure what they should be doing. A trained doula can help with that.
“We also go over the different types of birth positions and how to interact with the hospital staff. It’s really a well-rounded course,” Becerra said.
The volunteers who have signed up for the doula program so far come from a full spectrum of backgrounds, Becerra said.
“Some have had negative birth experiences and so they were inspired to help other moms, and other women have had beautiful birth experiences. And some have never had kids but are drawn to
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childbirth,” she said.
Ketera Buckley recently finished the MomDoc volunteer doula training. Buckley said her negative birth experiences inspired her to become a doula.
“I had my first child when I was 18 and I had no support, and then I also had an emergency C-section and again I had no support,” Buckley said. She is especially interested in helping teen moms through labor.
Buckley said the training program was extremely thorough and definitely helps prepare the volunteers to be doulas.
“They talked us through anything that can happen and everyone shared her own experiences. We all learned hands-on pressure points and we also learned how to support a mom who is having a still birth,” Buckley said.
Once the volunteer doulas are trained, Becerra said they are shadowed during two or three births by a doctor or midwife before helping on their own.
“One of the beautiful things about the
program is that it gives the mom the ability to have a doula regardless of her financial situation. She and her partner can have support and not worry about paying for it,” Becerra said.
For more information about the MomDoc volunteer doula program, visit momdocvolunteerdoulaprogram.org.
Amanda Becerra, a certified nurse midwife, said one of the best things about the MomDoc volunteer doula program is that it allows women to have access to emotional and physical support during labor at no cost. Submitted photo
Copper Still Grill offers stellar food with an Arizona twist
BY KATHY KERBY
My favorite restaurants to review are locally owned by passionate people who love what they do. Copper Still Moonshine Grill fits this description perfectly.
Owners Chuck Smeriglio and Stephen Wipf along with their wives have worked in the food industry for most of their careers. Chuck started at age 16 as a busboy and has worked in every capacity from bartender to general manager and now owner/ operator. When deciding what to name their new establishment, the owners didn’t want to go with just the worn-out neighborhood bar and grill label. Instead, they made it a fun family affair and researched their options. Because the owners love Arizona (some are natives, some transplants), they decided to focus on the five C’s. (Remember your Arizona history class? The answer is copper, climate, citrus, cattle and cotton.) Copper seemed the perfect element and, when combined with moonshine, a new restaurant identity was born.
and sandwiches. We noted the Arizona influence on the menu with names such as the scorpion burger, Grand Canyon burger and steak Phoenix.
When the food was served, it looked and smelled delicious. My husband Lou dug right into the grilled cheese burger ($9.50) and pronounced it fabulous. Grilled sourdough bread, American and cheddar cheese and a huge juicy burger in the middle, this is a burger even Bobby Flay would love. The side of waffle fries was also very tasty. The massive Moonshine Philly ($9.75) included sautéed bell peppers, mushroom, onions, provolone cheese and beef, marinated in moonshine, so tender it just melted in his mouth. The side of grilled vegetables (zucchini, red peppers, green peppers, mushrooms, onions) added crunch, flavor and nutrition.
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Copper Still Moonshine Grill, located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Williams Field roads, opened in November 2013. The large open dining room has a massive copper clad bar on the right and comfortable booths and tables to the left. A garage-type door leads to an inviting patio complete with televisions, lights and misters. The fun art on the walls reflects the Arizona theme and a feeling of pride in our beautiful Arizona flag with its starburst of color. Yes, there is a copper still in one corner. Our server, Tara, told us that we could sit wherever we wanted and promptly brought our menus. She emphasized that most of the food, sauces, dressings and marinades are made fresh in-house and the produce and meat are from local growers whenever possible. All we could think is “Wow! Everything sounds so good.” With difficulty, we chose four items from the expansive list of appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, flatbreads, tacos, sliders, burgers
Tara told us that the chicken poblano penne pasta ($10.75) is one of the house favorites, so we sampled it as well. This was a delicious blend of grilled chicken, roasted poblano cream sauce and pasta garnished with tomatoes and cilantro and served with a garlic baguette. From the lunch menu, we sampled the Churrasco chicken tacos with Spanish rice ($6.50). Each tasty bite was spicy and very flavorful.
We didn’t have dessert, but we will be back for the dessert nachos ($5.50). All the flavors, textures and colors of tortillas, cinnamon, ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and caramel sauce sound very decadent.
If you are looking for a fun family gathering place, a bar to watch sports on one of 15 televisions or happy hour with drinks in copper mugs and moonshine martinis, drive to Copper Still Moonshine Grill for delicious food and excellent service with an Arizona twist.
Moonshine Philly with a side of grilled vegetables and Churrasco chicken tacos with Spanish rice are sure to please. GSN photo by Lou Kerby
Moonshine is the central theme. GSN photo by Lou Kerby
Cuisine and Wine Bistro offers French influence, flair
When Fabrice and Mairead Buschtetz set foot in a beautiful wine bar for sale in Gilbert, it felt like home. The couple quickly decided to buy it and rename it.
Cuisine and Wine Bistro has emerged with a French flair, courtesy of the Buschtetz family, who moved to the Valley from France a few years ago.
“One day we were on our motorbike and we were on Indian School and Scottsdale roads and Fabrice turned around to me and said, ‘I want to go back to working in the kitchen.’ I was the happiest woman,” Mairead said.
retains that business, the culinary arts are his passion. The Buschtetzs began their search for a restaurant earlier this year and found that Cuisine and Wine Bistro’s space was not far from Desert Car Care.
“It was destiny,” Mairead said. “We’re very lucky. The place is beautiful.”
The Buschtetzs’ first order of business upon the restaurant’s purchase in March was to revamp the wine list.
Noir from Burgundy France, Seven Falls Merlot from Wahluke Slope, Washington and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. The owners are also particularly proud of the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne from France. The wine list is arranged from milder to stronger in most instances to provide an easier way to follow the selections.
“Champagne goes with everything,” Mairead added.
Son and daughter Killian and Laura Buschtetz also work at Cuisine and Wine Bistro along with their parents’ future daughter-in-law, Clementine Eckert.
As for the menu at Cuisine and Wine Bistro, it changes every two weeks.
“Fabrice is very inventive and he likes to walk in and say, ‘Hey, I got a great price on this type of fish and I’m going to make this type of recipe,’” Mairead said.
One particular dish that is a standout is the pave de cabillaude a la tomate avec un croustillant. The dish is cod with a layer of tangy tomato sauce, crowned with a layer of prosciutto and served over ratatouille.
every
Fabrice was trained in the culinary arts in France and when they moved to Arizona, he and Mairead bought the Desert Car Care Center in Gilbert. Although he loves cars and
“We’ve been working on the list and now we’re ready,” she said. “It was a better idea to see which wines were really working and which wines weren’t.”
She kept the ones that were working, including Bouchard Aine and Fils Pinot
“Again, we try to do the menu intelligently and the dishes that work, stay,” Mairead said.
As for escargot, Fabrice said customers are suggesting it stay on the menu permanently.
“When we offered escargot, we had so many people asking for it that we couldn’t keep up,” he said. “We were amazed.”
The menu also includes meat and cheese boards, bruschettas, salads, appetizers, chef’s recommendations and desserts such as the poached pear in white wine sauce and dunked in fine chocolate with grilled almonds and whipped cream.
“This restaurant fits our family perfectly,” Mairead said. “It’s like a well-fitting shoe. This is really what we’re all about.”
Cuisine and Wine Bistro 1422 W. Warner Rd., Suite A100 Gilbert 85233 (480) 497-1422 www.facebook.com/cuisineandwinebistro
STORY AND PHOTOS BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
The Cuisine and Wine Bistro menu changes
two weeks and includes unique dishes such as the cod complemented with a layer of tangy tomato sauce, crowned with a layer of prosciutto and served over ratatouille. Submitted photo
Mairead and Fabrice Buschtetz own Cuisine and Wine Bistro. Submitted photo
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
For Rolfs Salon of the East Valley, it was a logical choice to pair up with Mesa Community College for the school’s 50th anniversary.
“Where Mesa Community College and us come together is we support intelligent beauty,” said Francis Tesmer, CEO and co-owner of Rolfs.
“Beauty is education. Beauty is self-confidence. Beauty is giving back.”
Rolfs, which has a Rolfs Euro Salon location at Village Square at Dana Park in East Mesa, was a premier sponsor for MCC’s 50th anniversary. The celebration attracted about 420 guests and more than 50 of them came from elsewhere in the United States, she said. Three former MCC presidents attended the event, according to Tesmer.
in Arizona with Tesmer serving on the board of major organizations, including the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“The most important thing is we believe as a brand in intelligent beauty versus superficial beauty,” she said. “We look at every client and we want to match their outer beauty with their inner beauty.
The salon and the school’s attitudes reflect what Rolfs’ management team believes. Rolfs’ employees are heavily involved in the community. Throughout the company’s 27 years, Rolfs has sponsored more than 6,000 organizations
“Nobody needs to look like movie stars or anyone else in this world—just themselves. We believe that beauty is brain deep. Beauty is education deep. Beauty is being involved in your community and giving back.”
Tesmer said Rolfs is expanding its belief system as well as its business. It also created a new concept, “a very, very European concept.”
“In today’s world, people want luxury. They want value. They want great things. They want or can’t pay a ton of money for it. So how do you bring luxury and quality things to masses of people? We want every woman to have access to luxury, not just the top 3 or 10 percent.”
MCC President Dr. Shouan Pan and his wife, Queenie Chen, pose with Rolfs’ Francis Tesmer and Rolf Lohse. The salon helped the college celebrate its 50th anniversary. Submitted photo
Francis Tesmer signs the guest book during the festivities. Submitted photo
