SanTan Sun June 15, 2019

June 15 - July 5, 2019 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities

As temperatures rise, pools become loaded guns

BY JIM WALSH Staff Writer

As temperatures begin to soar, drowning prevention advocates are warning that the backyard swimming pool poses about the same threat to toddlers as a loaded gun.

But the pool can also become a deadly weapon for adults, as demonstrated annually by a chronic toll of avoidable deaths.

Far fewer children are drowning in Arizona than 30 years ago — when the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona formed to spearhead safety campaigns.

Nevertheless, the prevention advocates say their goal of zero drownings remains largely unrealized — even if Scottsdale hit this elusive target last year.

In a society full of distractions, they warn, complacency remains a chronic problem.

Statistics show a regular pattern of children and adults perishing throughout the East Valley and across the state each year, their deaths changing the lives of grieving relatives and even first responders forever.

Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe recorded 18 fatal drownings last year in 63 water-re-

Lana Whitehead of SWIMkids USA in Mesa is president of a national organization that advocates, along with many local pediatricians, teaching infants how to swim. Here she’s working with 7-month-old Kinsley Sky Harper (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

lated incidents, according to the Children’s Safety Zone website. Phoenix recorded an-

Before she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, 7-year-old Leighton Accardo of Chandler loved playing baseball and her team has rallied around her during her ordea. (Cronkite News)

17 fatal drownings in 49 water-related incidents. Phoenix had 14 fatal drownings in 2017 in 55 water-related incidents.

The number of adults drowning was higher or equal to the number of children in all East Valley cities as well as Phoenix.

The adult drowning problem is far different than the classic case of a toddler tragically going under in the pool.

Drowning prevention advocates urge adults to swim with another person, to not over-estimate their prowess in the pool and to limit the use of alcohol and other impairing substances around water. They say physical emergencies can inflate the numbers, such as a victim suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Because of cooler than normal temperatures, some prevention advocates believe the summer pool season has been off to a slow start.

So far this year, two adults have drowned in Mesa, one adult has drowned in Chandler, one adult has drowned in Gilbert, four adults

other 11 deaths in 56 water-related incidents.

In 2017, the same East Valley cities recorded

See

DROWNINGS on page 10

Baby booties for migrant toddlers and shoes for their older siblings and parents are among the items of clothing that various East Valley churches collect for distribution to the dozens of families who come to them through ICE. (Devan Sauer/Contributor)

Teammates rally around Chandler churches help Chandler cancer victim, 7 as immigrants surge

BY SEBASTIAN EMANUEL Cronkite News

With her head freshly shaved, and her friends providing a protective cocoon, 7-year-old Leighton Accardo of Chandler looked down at her wrist and read the words on her bracelet.

“You are strong. You are brave. You got this.”

That moment on May 28 told the story of a young player battling her toughest opponent yet — with an all-girls baseball team there for continuous support.

“Knowing that she has so many people that love her and care for her and show up and do this,” said her father, Jeremy Accardo.

“This” was a head-shaving party for Leighton, who has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Surrounding her were teammates from the Peaches, an all-girls baseball team that is part of the East Val-

ley Baseball league.

The league is a true community. Leighton’s mother, Carly, started and continued to grow the league’s all-girls baseball teams, of which there are 12 out of 89 teams. Leighton helped start the Peaches.

The difficult news hit the Accardo family this spring when they took Leighton into the emergency room after she said that her stomach hurt. Doctors took a CT scan.

“They discovered multiple masses throughout her abdomen, in her liver and on her lungs,” Carly Accardo said. “They sent us to the children’s hospital and she was later diagnosed after the biopsies with germ cell tumors.”

Germ cell tumors are growths that form from reproductive cells and may be cancerous or noncancerous, according to mayoclinic.org. Leighton has malignant germ cell tumors that are not located in See

PEACHES on page 14

BY DEVAN SAUER Contributor

On the first week of the month, white Homeland Security buses pull into the parking lot of the Grove Church in Chandler, unloading dozens of migrant families.

They had surrendered to Border Patrol agents after traveling thousands of miles from disadvantaged, often violent situa-

tions in Central America.

Some arrive carrying children as young as a year old.

When the families arrive at the Grove, they see a cluster of gray buildings, topped with wooden panels that form the shape of a triangle at every entrance, making the scene resemble a village of cabins.

F E AT U R E STO R I E S All Chandler lawmakers opposed pay hike . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 18 Chandler Chamber salutes the best . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . Page 28 The wrap-up on Chandler champs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPORTS . . . . . . . . . Page 42 Miss Arizona becomes a Lioness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . Page 47 Craft 64 can quench your thirst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOOD . . . . . . . . . . Page 68

Clip It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Section

See

MIGRANTS on page 7

More Community . . . . 1-27 Business . . . . . 28-34 Sports . . . . . . . 39-42 Opinion . . . . . 43-46 Neighbors . . . 47-55 Arts . . . . . . . . . .56-61 Faith. . . . . . . . . 62-64 Directory . . . . 65-66 Classifieds . . . . . . 67 Where to eat. 68-70

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3

Summer feeding program open in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Children in need will not have to go hungry in Chandler this summer, even though school is out.

The Chandler Unified School District and Mesa Public Schools have opened dozens of sites in the city where underprivileged kids 18 and younger can get breakfast and lunch without cost — and several where even their parents can eat at minimal cost.

The sites, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program, provide food relief for financially disadvantaged families. Though Chandler sites do not require proof of eligibility, Mesa requires parents to apply for participation at mpsaz.org/food/mealapplications.

“Hunger doesn’t take a vacation in the summer,” said Mesa Public Schools Food and Nutrition Director Loretta Zullo. “The school meal program provides a safety net for a lot of families that might be experiencing some food insecurity.”

Jenny Bracamonte, Chandler schools’ food and nutrition director, agreed.

“We know we have students in our district that count on us for meals every day, and just because it is summer, that need doesn’t go away,” Bracamonte said.

“Our summer program allows us to serve free meals to any child 18 or younger at several different sites throughout our district.”

The summer meals programs ensure

students continue to eat nutritious meals when school is not in session.

“For our high-need areas in the state it’s critical,” said Stefan Swiat, department spokesman. “When you look at certain portions of the state there are areas where students only receive their meals from school.

“If you are on the breakfast and lunch program during the school year and it goes away in the summer, you need to supplant that food,” Swiat added. “That program gives students the opportunity to receive nutritional substance throughout the summer.”

In Arizona, there was a 3 percent increase in students participating in the program for 2018 from the year before, according to Swiat.

Last summer about 59,000 meals were served to children and teens in the Chandler school district — an increase from about 49,000 meals served in the summer of 2017.

The meals are similar to what is offered during the school year. They must meet federal nutrition standards with lunch, including milk, two servings of fruits and vegetables, a grain and a protein.

MPS will serve at 47 of its schools in Mesa and Chandler, and offer meals that were considered “popular” during the school year — including crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chef’s salad, ham and cheese sandwiches and full servings of fruits and vegetables.

In Chandler, breakfast foods at

Destination College, 1525 W. Frye Road, include French toast sticks, maple syrup, mixed fruit, apple juice, 1-percent milk and chocolate skim milk.

The lunch choices can include burritos, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, string cheese, cheddar Goldfish crackers, baby carrots, side salads, apple slices, apple juice and milk.

All meals in both cities are based on federal guidelines.

Generally, a school qualifies as a feeding site if more than 50 percent of its population are eligible for the reduced meal program during the school year.

Chandler is feeding kids and teens free meals at 12 sites — including schools, as well as the Chandler/Gilbert Family YMCA, the nonprofit ICAN office, The Salvation Army, Folley Pool and Arrowhead Pool.

Some locations offer breakfast and lunch while others offer just lunch and some provide lunch and a snack – all prepared under the direction of CUSD Executive Chef Todd Ganatta. Folley Pool is the only spot in the Chandler district that will serve dinner.

Adults can buy a meal for $3.60 at Folley Pool, at 600 E. Fairview St., and Arrowhead Pool at 1475 W. Erie St. “We are very excited to have our new food truck, Nosh + Nomad, serve at the pool sites this year,” Bracamonte said.

“This is a first for our district and we are sure it will attract a larger audience.”

She said Nosh + Nomad is part of

the school district’s food and nutrition program and has been serving high school students since January.

About 24 percent of students in Chandler Unified qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

Although Mesa Public Schools served over 51,000 breakfasts and 87,000 lunches to children last summer, Zullo thinks the program is still being “underutilized.”

“We always try to figure out where the barriers are coming from that are keeping families from participating,” she said. “Our strategy is that we provide the meals at the sites where the kids are, like summer schools or something that is bringing the children to the school.”

Factors like transportation could contribute to decreased participation, she added, especially when it’s too hot to walk during the summer months.

Households where both parents work during the day could also impact whether a student could attend, she said.

“Some children might not be allowed to leave home if their parents are working,” said Zullo. “There are a lot of situations that could keep participation down.”

Statewide, 56 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-priced meals.

Overall for summer 2018, the federal program provided over 1.5 million meals and snacks to children around the country, according to the U.S. Department of See

FEED on page 8

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“It’s about what happens when there are some challenge experiences that complicate what’s happening in the presIn a state where children experience ent,” he continued. “You discovered what more abuse, divorce, neglect, poverit looks like when your expectations ty and violence than anywhere else in aren’t met and when your experiences the country, more than 150 education communicate something different than professionals flocked to Arizona State what’s being said in the present.”

University last week to learn about the Griffin touched how ACEs can cause importance of creating trauma-sensitive toxic stress, saying it can cause a child to schools. go into “fight, flight or freeze mode” that Hosted by Kohl’s Mindful Me at Phoeresults in “reactionary” coping skills and nix Children’s Hospital and ASU’s Sanford behaviors, said Griffin.

School of Social and Family Dynamics, These coping skills can include yelling, the 2019 Trauma Sensitive Schools Symphysically lashing out, shutting down posium sought to explore “best pracemotionally or working hard to appease tices” for providing trauma-informed everyone, he told the audience. care to students while also emphasizing “What about the defense mechanisms teaching with empathy. of a 3-year-old against an adult male who AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Around 31 percent of Arizona children wants to put him on his lap?’” he asked.

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REG. $99 RESIDENTIAL ONLY ACEs, are defined as an emotional reGriffin also discussed how knowledge sponse to a “less-than nurturing” life of a child’s traumatic event is crucial to event. supporting them, but that under“There is an epidemic of standing how the child interstudents who are strugprets it is key.

G gling with a lot of He explained that challenges, and we because not everyall know schools body interprets are mostly unevents in the same der-funded,” way, cautioning said Kohl’s that a caretaker Mindful Me or teacher could program re-traumatize a AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Co-Organizer child if they fail Beheir Johnson.

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6 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS

Gilbert’s MD Anderson center celebrates survivors

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Josh Critser was just starting his nursing studies at school when he said he heard the life-changing news: “You’ve got cancer.”

Critser was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was told his tumor had a 25 percent chance of returning when it was removed.

“My cancer was an overachiever,” he said. “By the time I finished my first semester, the cancer had returned.”

He underwent 21 cycles of chemotherapy, eight hours of surgery and spent 12 days in the hospital in his fight against stage 2 cancer.

Today, the 34-year-old Mesa man is able to tell his story — and credits the staff and treatment he received from Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert.

Criter’s story was one of several that survivors who owe their life to the center told at its third annual Cancer Survivorship Day last week.

“There’s been many victories here, some defeats but through it all we never lost hope (while) in this building,” said Critser, who’s been cancer-free for a little over a year “I’m a nursing student, a volunteer and a survivor.”

With much fanfare, Banner MD Anderson opened it doors in September 2011 at Banner Gateway Medical Center campus in Gilbert, a partnership between Banner Health and MD Anderson, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

B-cell lymphoma.

Also, the first patient in Arizona was treated with Lu-DOTA-Tyr-Octreotate (Lutathera), a novel radionuclide therapy on site under Advanced Accelerator Application’s Expanded Access Program for patients with inoperable neuroendocrine tumors.

2017: Becomes among only a handful of sites in the United States to offer a new diagnostic imaging tool to identify neuroendocrine tumors. These rare tumors, which can be benign or malignant, historically have been difficult to diagnose. This process better detects tumors not seen on many other standard imaging scans.

2017: Opened the T.W. Lewis Melanoma Center of Excellence for melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and research in the Southwest. Support from donors and a matching gift from the T.W. Lewis Singer Evie, who sang at the event, lost her father to cancer on the day she competed in the finals of the 2017 Foundation generated $3.5 million to Americas Got Talent show. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer) create the center. By the end of its first full year of operation, the Center treated The fanfare turned out to be more than was performed, part of the Stem Cell approximately 450 melanoma patients. warranted.

Transplantation and Cellular Therapy 2017: Received full FACT accreditation From 2011 to 2018, the center recorded Program at MD Anderson, according to for allogeneic stem-cell transplants and 813,030 patient visits and is on track for Schubert cellular effector therapy. Participated in nearly 200,000 visits in 2019, according The cancer center has taken part in a trial leading to FDA approval for the to Corey Schubert, a Banner Health a multitude of cutting-edge research treatment of follicular lymphoma. spokesman. projects and clinical trials, many of which 2018: Launched a pilot program to bring At its debut, officials heralded the $109 have led to drugs and treatments that Arizona State million state-of-the-art facility would University usher in a new era of unprecedented pre-med cancer care in Arizona. students into In 2013, the first stem-cell transplant an emergency in a patient with multiple myeloma department to learn the best ways to communicate with patients. Also participated in clinical trials for oncology therapies, which Cancer victims who owe their survival to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center gathered received FDA to help the Gilbert hospital celebrate its ninth anniversary last week. (Kimberly Carrillo/ approval, for Staff Photographer) the treatment have since become FDA approved, he said. of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma The center’s accomplishments included: and refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

2014: Started a tissue bank, where 2019: Performed the first cord-blood medical experts are collecting and storing transplant in a national phase I clinical trial a variety of cancerous tissue samples by using an investigational treatment in to research the causes of cancer and patients with colorectal cancer and other better fight the disease. Tissue banks, or advanced solid tumors. biobanks, are facilities that collect, store Over time, the center has grown, and manage the use of biological samples expanding its radiation-oncology program for current and future research. in 2014 to Banner Thunderbird Medical 2014: Received Foundation for the Center in Glendale, Banner Boswell Accreditation of Cellular Therapy Medical Center in Sun City and Banner accreditation for autologous stem-cell Desert Medical Center in Mesa. transplants. This type of transplant In April of that year, it also opened its involves collecting stem cells from the second phase of its outpatient facility, patient to harvest, freeze and store in a major addition that greatly expanded order to return them to the patient after specialty cancer treatment services and intensive therapy. prevention programs in Arizona.

2015: Began offering blue-light The three-story addition includes cystoscopy to detect papillary cancer of the James M. Cox Center for Cancer the bladder. The innovative procedure Prevention and Integrative Oncology, enables a doctor to use blue light to additional clinic and infusion space, a better view certain bladder cancers, separate hematology/stem cell transplant similar to the way black light makes clinic, and expanded radiation oncology scorpions luminescent. space.

White light cystoscopy had been the Every year, the number of survivors primary method used to view suspicious grows for the event, said Lynn Schuster, lesions during surgery to remove bladder an acute care nurse practitioner who leads tumors. However, when used on its own, the center’s Survivorship Program. harder-to-see tumors can be missed.

“Today is a day we celebrate those who 2016: Opened the first CAR T-cell trial survived, those who passed and those still in Arizona with CAR T-cell therapy for the treatment of relapsed/refractory large See on page 14

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

MIGRANTS

from cover

The buildings are surrounded by fences made out of stacked rocks, packed together and bound by wire. The fences part in the center, revealing a coffee shop that sells locally baked goods and coffee sourced from Guatemala.

To the migrants, who have by then spent days in the custody of immigration authorities without a shower or clean clothes, the place may well seem like a piece of heaven.

The Grove in Chandler is one of the 15 Arizona churches receiving migrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Those churches — and the volunteers who help feed and clothe the migrants — have been subjected to harassment by anti-immigration groups that were sued in federal court last week by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Although The Grove is not mentioned in the suit, the center cited the Alliance of Christian Leaders of the East Valley — which organized the efforts at The Grove and at least one other East Valley Church

ly a house of God; you’re a cash machine;’ ‘You’re not providing aid; you’re making bank;’ and ‘I guess you don’t get $1,800 per head for conservatives, huh? Americans just don’t pay as much as illegal aliens.’”

They also are accused of videotaping the women and children and posting the videos on social media, calling the churches part of a “federal funded human-trafficking ring,” the suit charges.

A monthly visit One afternoon, a group of volunteers formed two lines at the entrance to the complex, holding donated stuffed animals in their hands as they waited to welcome a fresh group of migrants.

It’s what these volunteers do every month.

But this drop-off doesn’t go smoothly like it has before. Two protesters followed the buses to the church and were at-

Agents review the families’ plans, ensuring that they have a place to stay in the United States while they await a resolution on their petitions.

ICE will contact relatives who are already in the U.S. and confirm the family’s bus routes.

This is a time- and resource-intensive process that may take several weeks. ICE did not respond to a request for comment.

Migrants can be held in the detention facilities for up to 40 days while their cases are being resolved, ICE Executive Associate Director Matthew T. Albence.

However, ICE can’t hold minors in their facilities for more than 20 days because of limitations that are part of a settlement to a lawsuit. In 2015, this requirement was extended to include minors and their parents.

Volunteers at churches throughout the East Valley collect clothing that can be given to migrants, many of whom arrive without having had a shower or change in clothes for days. (Devon Sauer/Contributor)

tempting to film the families as they got off the buses.

The drivers tried to avoid them, steering the buses to a back entrance as church members scrambled to create a makeshift barrier out of posters and blankets to protect the families’ identities.

Although this wasn’t the first time The Grove has received push back, this was the first time protesters stepped foot on the church grounds over this issue.

The Grove’s mission pastor, Paul Gunther Jr., is undeterred, though.

“My belief is a church is called to love people and keep politics out of it,” Gunther said.

To the volunteers, this is nothing more than doing God’s work.

Feeding and clothing those in need, they say, is the Christian way.

“We believe that Jesus has called his believers to go out into the community and serve others, whether that is locally or globally,” said Gina Nasta, ministry coordinator of The Grove.

Valley churches first decided to open their doors to migrants last Grove Church Pastor Paul Gunther Jr. wanted his Chandler church October as the number of Central involved in helping migrants who are released by ICE. (Facebook) American migrants fleeing poverty, corruption and violence in their home countries began to skyrocket. in the aid effort — as victims of the Since then, thousands have traveled harassment. through Mexico to the border, where they “Through a megaphone,” the lawsuit turn themselves in to federal agents.

From alleges, the demonstrators “yelled insults there, they are transferred into the custoand accusations including ‘You’re not realdy of ICE, where their asylum case begins.

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ICE sought churches’ help Because of the large number of immigrant families arriving at the border, the system is stretched to its limit.

In early October, the agency began reaching out to nongovernmental organizations, asking for their assistance with housing, transporting and providing other services for the families.

Magdalena Schwartz, a Mesa pastor and member of the Alliance of Christian Leaders, said that she was first contacted by ICE on Oct. 12 and asked if she could find a church that could house 11 migrants.

Schwartz and other Alliance leaders began calling churches in Arizona, in hopes of finding the help they needed. In the end, 15 churches agreed to open their doors.

Thus began Schwartz’s rigorous schedule of coordinating the drop-offs with each church. Some churches open their doors once a month, others every other week.

Schwartz is identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center in its lawsuit as one of the victims of harassment by anti-immigration demonstrators, who call themselves part of Patriot Movement AZ, identified by the center as a hate group.

“The claims of sex and human trafficking were completely unsubstantiated,” the lawsuit states. “Defendants made these claims specifically because they were highly offensive and would further their anti-immigrant social and political agenda. Defendants had no proof to support these allegations but persisted in spreading these falsehoods deliberately or

7

recklessly.”

Personal experiences drive pastors Schwartz knows what it’s like to be forced out of your homeland. Thirty years ago, she left Chile for the United States, fleeing economic hardships. She had two young children and worried they would have no future there.

Her family arrived here with nothing, she said, and relied on the goodwill of her sister, Elizabeth, who opened a room in her home for Schwartz’s family to stay.

“I’m doing this because I’m grateful,” Schwartz said. “If somebody did (this) for me, I like to do for others.”

This issue is close to home for Gunther as well, who has lived in Guatemala and adopted two children from there.

“Just seeing how they’re sometimes treated obviously makes it a little personal,” Gunther said.

When Gunther heard about churches stepping up to help house migrant families, he wanted The Grove to be involved.

Days of preparation To prepare for the families, volunteers work together to transform a multi-use room that usually hosts Bible study groups and basketball practice into a sanctuary for the families.

The preparation begins days before they’re expected to arrive. The drop-offs are always planned for the first week of the month, however, church staff and volunteers don’t know what time the migrants will arrive or how many families to expect.

Schwartz will contact the church by texting them days, sometimes the night before the scheduled drop-off.

The Grove relies heavily on their church’s community to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Nasta will send out an email to community and church members about a week before the drop-off, asking for volunteers.

When additional donations are needed, church staff will reach out to the congregation through social media, asking for help. They receive supplies such as backpacks and toiletries.

When the first migrants came, community members were so eager to help that some of them brought catering-sized portions of beans and rice to feed them.

The migrants, who up until this point hadn’t eaten much food besides the peanut butter sandwiches supplied by ICE, would sometimes get sick from overeat-

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ing, Gunther said.

These days, the meals are cooked by Gunther or Grove staff members in the church’s kitchen, which has a small fridge, a microwave and a four-burner stove. The meals consist of beans, rice, tortillas and some kind of protein, commonly chicken.

Once the families step off the bus, volunteers greet them with “bienvenidos” and “welcome” and hand the children stuffed elephants and teddy bears. Gunther said that the families often break into singing, seemingly relieved to have found a welcoming place.

“The church is called to be a light to the community, we’re called to be a safe haven, we’re...called to be that foundation for people to come to and just feel okay and to feel safe,” Nasta said.

The families filter into the multi-purpose room and sit down at the dozen round tables.

Schwartz stands on a small platform at the front of the room and starts talking to the immigrant families.

The first thing she asks is if anyone is sick, knowing well that some won’t admit to it because they’re afraid they will be separated from those who traveled with them. Three volunteer nurses are in a nearby room, waiting to assist the migrants.

She then asks the migrants where they are from. “Raise your hand if you’re from Guatemala. What about El Salvador?” she asks. The majority of the families raise their hands.

Then, she leads everyone in a prayer, and the migrants thank Jesus for a new life.

Meals are served from a small circular table in the back corner of the room, by volunteers with large plastic gloves on their hands.

Schwartz continues to talk with the migrant families and asks where their final destination is. Some of the families will travel as far as Virginia and Vermont, and Schwartz tells them to grab winter jackets from the pile of donated clothes.

The families are called one by one to speak with an Alliance Leader to buy bus or plane tickets. Relatives who are already in the United States pay for the new arrivals’ tickets, according to Schwartz. If they need a place to stay before they depart, they will be matched with hosts who have volunteered to house them for a night or two.

As the donation process begins, each

FEED

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Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Agency.

Although there are Valley food banks, not all families can get to them, Swiat said.

“What you see throughout the state are schools, specifically district sites that are very convenient locations for students who don’t have access to transportation and can’t get to a food bank,” he said.

“Schools are the cornerstone of a community and is more accessible to students than one off-site like a food bank,” Swiat said. “In addition, a lot of schools provide transportation to students. They pick you up and drop off at certain schools.”

Locations where the program can be offered also include camps, parks,

family receives a backpack with reusable water bottles, a comb, pen, a towel, toiletries and a wad of note cards for the kids to draw on.

Each family takes a turn with the donation tables, wading through the piles for clean clothes and new shoes.

At this point the host families begin to arrive, some with their own young children.

The families who finished sorting through donations, with their new backpacks overstuffed with the donations, wait to be paired with a host family.

As the migrant families leave with their hosts, everyone in the room gives them a round of applause — a Grove tradition that signals the end of their difficult journey and the beginning of their lives in the U.S. Denise is one of the sponsor families who opened her home to five families on three different occasions. She asked to be identified by her first name because of the push back from the protesters.

The families have rooms of their own at her home, with clean bed sheets and some granola bars, fruits and water bottles.

She always makes sure to supply them with extra toiletries in their bedroom.

“You know, just normal things you do when any house guests are coming,” Denise said.

Denise does not speak any Spanish, so she relies heavily on Google Translate.

Sometimes, she’ll call one of her husband’s coworkers, who is bilingual, and ask for help.

The migrants normally stay for a night or two where they sleep for the most of their stay after their exhausting journey, according to Denise.

It’s when the families leave the homes of hosts like Denise that their new life in a new country truly begins to take shape.

Denise said that she has kept in touch with some of the families she has hosted. She will help them find churches in their new communities, get their children signed up for school and figure out how and where to get their vaccinations.

She knows that more migrants will come. And when they do, she will be ready to receive them.

“We just have a heart for people in this situation and so when our church shared with us that we were going to start hosting families through here, we immediately signed up,” Denise said. “We are always looking for ways that we can meet people...and share the love of Jesus with them.” playgrounds, housing projects, community centers, churches and other public sites where children hang out during the summer.

Swiat said in Arizona, 55 to 60 percent of the sites are on school campuses.

“I just encourage people to take advantage of the program that are in need and for schools to reach out to people that it’s available,” he said.

Where to find sites A list of the sites and times in the Mesa Public Schools district is at mpsaz.org/food/files/ mps2019summer.pdf. For hours and locations of the Chandler Unified School District, as well as menus, visit cusd80.com/Page/34395.

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10 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS

DROWNINGS

from cover

have drowned in Phoenix and no one has drowned in Tempe or Scottsdale, according to Drowning Prevention Coalition.

“It comes down to supervision with the pediatrics. The only reason they are drowning is because we are not watching them’’ as they plunge below the water, said coalition President Melissa Sutton.

“I think it’s just mindfulness. If they choose to be a pool owner, there is a higher level of responsibility. It’s like being a gun owner,’’ Sutton said.

Sutton and other drowning prevention advocates strongly support the use of barriers, generally fences around pools that are required by most Maricopa County cities, although there are exemptions that allow pool covers and other devices instead.

Although the Gilbert Fire Department has an extensive water safety program, Gilbert is one of the few towns and cities in the state that only require a fence around a yard, rather than a fence around the pool.

While nothing replaces the value of supervision with undivided attention, barriers create an important cushion to protect against a momentary lapse that could cost a child’s life, Sutton said.

“In almost every case we review, if there was a pool fence, the child would be alive today,’’ said Sutton, who sits on a Maricopa County child fatality review board.

She said drownings in Arizona have dropped significantly in the past 30 years, from 64.8 per 100,000 residents in 1988 to 8.4 in 2015 and 4.4 in 2017.

A July 2018 report by the state Department of Health Services said Arizona ranked first in drownings nationally for preschoolers in the mid-1980s, but now ranks fourth. Unusually long summers and about 300,000 residential pools statewide combine to create the threat.

The 2018 state Child Fatality Review report

Scottsdale Fire Department spokeswoman Judy Schmidt said the city isn’t resting on its laurels after going through 2018 without a drowning death. Aleady this year, the city has had two close calls.

(Special to the SanTan Sun News)

found that 35 children drowned in 2017, with the highest risk to children 1-4 years old.

Twice as many males drowned as females.

The report recommended parent-child swim classes as early as 3 months old, alert parental supervision and barriers.

With the chronic problem continuing to linger, prevention advocates are focusing on the quality of supervision and overcoming complacency as residents hear the same message decade after decade. A new wave of residents and parents also need to be educated about drowning prevention.

Lori Schmidt, a spokeswoman for the Scottsdale Fire Department, said she’s gratified about Scottsdale’s year without a drowning.

But Schmidt she knows such achievements can vanish in only a few heartbreaking seconds. The coalition reported that Scottsdale has had two pediatric water incidents so far this year though neither was fatal.

“It’s a lot of work and a lot of vigilance. I

don’t know if there is a magic bullet to keep it from happening,’’ Schmidt said.

She added that Scottsdale preaches the same message as other cities about undivided supervision and layers of safety through pool barriers.

Schmidt, a past coalition president, said she sometimes hears disturbing comments from children about the lack of adequate supervision when she conducts pool safety classes in Scottsdale schools for kindergarten and firstgrade students, about 5 to 7 years old.

“Every time I go to a classroom, I will have a kid say, ‘I know how to swim so my parents don’t watch me,’’’ she said. “The kids are telling me their parents are not watching their child in the pool.’’

She said this point of view is not correct because there are swimming mishaps all the time and even good swimmers encounter accidents that can prove fatal.

Schmidt said another student told her that her parent watches her from inside the house through a window — a dangerous and ineffective practice.

Authorities recommend that parents either be inside the pool with children 5 or younger or within easy touching distance, she said. At a minimum, an alert parent has to be poolside and not staring at a cellphone or grilling hamburgers.

At any pool party, there needs to be a sober adult who is a capable swimmer watching out for other swimmers, Schmidt said.

“It’s a major issue, all the distractions,’’ said Michele Long, the Mesa Fire Department’s safety coordinator. “Everyone thinks they are watching their kids but life happens. I think people don’t understand the level of supervision.’’

Gilbert Deputy Chief Mark Justus recommends barriers — even if they are not required by his town — and an adult performing the same functions of a lifeguard at a public pool. He said the pool supervisor acts like a designated driver.

“The reason they drown is because we don’t have eyes on them when they go

under the water,’’ he said.

Justus said barriers can “create a false sense of security,’’ if someone were to mistakenly think they take the place of supervision since children can be remarkably creative in overcoming obstacles to jump into the pool.

But Justus agreed that barriers also form an important additional layer of protection that can eliminate a tragedy.

“I’m for any barrier because seconds count,’’ Justus said. “The barrier is for when supervision breaks down.’’

“If you have a pool and you don’t know where your child is, go there first,’’ he said.

Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale all require that pools be enclosed.

A state law also requires pool fences, but Schmidt said advocates believed it had too many loopholes, so cities passed laws of their own. The laws are outlined on preventdrownings.org.

In the summer, children tend to drown from a lack of supervision and are found wearing their bathing suit, Schmidt said.

Barriers become even more important in the winter, when children are found in pools wearing their usual clothes and no one is paying attention.

Battalion Chief Jeff West, a Chandler Fire Department spokesman, said the city experienced a near tragedy in March during a birthday party at a hotel pool. A 12-year-old boy was swimming in the pool and noticed a six-year-old girl floating face down in the water.

The boy grabbed the girl’s arm and swam her to the side of the pool, where his father pulled her out of the water. A family friend administered CPR and the girl fully recovered.

The boy was honored for his heroism by the fire department and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke.

“I think this shows that none of us are immune to this happening. He took action and engaged in a rescue,’’ West said. “As parents and pool watchers, we are never going to catch everything, but we need to be there and to be diligent.’’

Former football player, Hamilton coach pens book SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The road from homelessness to motivational speaker took Norris Thomas through the heartache of a homeless teen and the triumph of sports-related accomplishments.

Along the way was a side trip as he searched for his biological father — a journey that is part of the Chandler man’s new book, “In His Image: Fatherless to Fatherhood.”

Thomas — who is holding a special Father’s Day book signing at 2:30 p.m. today, June 15, at the Barnes & Noble Store in Chandler Fashion Center — said he wrote the book to give a very personal reflection on “the importance of the role of a father in a child’s life regardless of circumstances.”

“I wrote it from a place of pain, but I knew it would bring healing and inspiration to the world when I shared the story from the platform about the importance of making a decision and sticking to it no matter what age you are. The book inspired my platform message, “Your Why Defines Your Try.” Thomas is a motivational speaker and a Realtor.

The former head track and field coach for Hamilton High School, he also is a host of “Arizona Prep Spotlight” that airs on Fox Sports Arizona.

He was an All-American football player for the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, for which he eventually was admitted to the

Former Hamilton High football star and current Chandler Realtor and motivational speaker will hold a book signing today for his new book.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

school’s Wall of Fame and played two seasons in the Canadian Football League before retiring from football in 1996.

A chance meeting with a woman who had heard him speak at a school in Minnesota —

where he lived before moving to Chandler in 2000 — inspired him to become a motivational speaker before individuals and organizations.

He was homeless as a teen after his family moved to Wisconsin when he was 13.

But he had a dream, he said, since he was a little boy.

“From the age of 6 I have always had the microphone in my hand and I consider it a gift to be able to run my mouth,” he said.

He speaks to companies and groups with a message built around the 1992 championship University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team: “Pride in understanding you are part of a large organization; poise as begin great at what you do; and pursuit, or relentlessly focusing your energy on achieving success.”

With young people, he encourages them to consider “who’s on their team and the obstacles that they face in life where choice is governed by a decision.”

Thomas, the father of two teenagers and a 24-year-old daughter who is married, said his book is meant to inspire readers and call them to action.

“I wrote ‘In His Image: From Fatherless to Fatherhood’ because I wanted to do more than just tell my story about meeting my dad. I also wanted to challenge parents to stand for their children. Whether you’re single parent single dad single mom or dad both parents, it’s so important to be involved in your children’s lives both academically — whether it’s a school play, school recital, athletically, however it is,” he explained.

Information: norristhomas.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

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Ex-Mesa woman who lost son touts Waymo vehicles

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Waymo’s latest pitch for driverless vehicles focuses on a Gilbert woman whose 14-year-old son was killed by a red-light runner.

Michael Allanson died blocks from his Mesa home when an 82-year-old man ran a red light and hit the ninth-grader who was in a crosswalk at 64th Street.

“If the man who killed Michael was in a self-driving car, Michael would be here today,” said Barbara Hoffman in the video that is now airing. “Michael would be 29.”

Hoffman is the executive director for Red Means Stop Traffic Safety Alliance, which has partnered with self-driving technology company Waymo on a public education campaign called “Let’s Talk Self-Driving.”

Other partners include national and local organizations, such as the Foundation for Blind Children and Foundation for Senior Living.

Hoffman, who moved to Gilbert a year after Michael’s death in 2004, said human error causes 94 percent of all traffic crashes.

“If self-driving cars are on the road, we would be much safer because human error is taken out of the equation,” Hoffman said last week.

Red-light runners cause hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported.

In 2017, 890 people in the country were killed and an estimated 132,000 people were injured in red-light running crashes, according to the institute’s latest data.

Over half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles who were hit by the red-light runners, the data said.

Most recently in late April, a 79-yearold man died after his car was T-boned in a Scottsdale intersection by a driver who ran a red light.

Hoffman said when Red Means Stop Traffic Safety Alliance began in 1991, Phoenix was No. 1 in the country for most red-light running fatalities. Since then, there has been some improvement but

Former Mesa resident Barbara Hoffman, who moved to Gilbert recently, believes her son would be alive to day had the car that killed her son been an autonomous vehicle. (Waymo) Michael Allanson was struck and killed in Mesa by a red-light runner when he was 14 while he was in a crosswalk at 64th Street. That accident 15 years ago has become a rallying cry by Waymo as it touts the safety of autonomous vehicles. (Waymo)

the Phoenix metropolitan area still ranks in the top 10 metro areas for those fatalities, she added.

“I think the flat street roads give the condition you want to speed, not that you want to, but you end up speeding,” Hoffman said.

She added she grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the roads are curvy and hilly and drivers can’t pick up the speed too much.

She said drivers here end up going 15 mph over the speed limit and when a traffic signal changes to red, they can’t stop safely and push on the gas instead to power through the intersection.

The Valley’s weather also plays a role, Hoffman said.

“If you live in an area where there’s rain, snow and ice, you have to drive slower,” she said. “Here the weather is great most days of the year so it contributes to erratic and faster driving.”

Hoffman joined the Alliance in 2004, first as a volunteer after her son was killed because she felt justice was not served.

The driver who killed Michael was ticketed for running a red light and received a $250 fine, Hoffman said.

“He wasn’t punished much at all (because) he stopped, was not drunk or

speeding” she said. “It was hard for me.

He didn’t just run a red light; he killed my son.”

Waymo kicked off its public education campaign in 2017 to increase awareness and understanding about the new technology, touting it has driven over 10 million miles since 2009.

The company serves Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and Mesa and has plans to double the size of its East Valley operations later this year by opening a new service center in Mesa.

Hoffman said her Scottsdale-based nonprofit reached out to Waymo to participate in its education campaign.

Hoffman was part of the company’s early riders program and is now a Waymo One rider. “I feel safer in one of those cars than if one of my friends picked me up,” she said.

Unlike people who can become easily distracted behind the wheel, a self-driving car obeys all traffic laws and stops at all stop signs and red lights, said Hoffman, who talks about her loss to help change drivers’ bad habits.

“Lots of people think they can multitask and when they hear the story that people do get killed, whenever you hear a personal story and meet someone, it

means more than driving by a crash where there’s no personal connection,” she said.

“There are people who won’t change until maybe they lose a loved one or cause the death of someone.”

Hoffman acknowledged the public is still reluctant to embrace autonomous vehicles but will eventually come around once they see the number of vehicle-related deaths drop.

She said autonomous vehicles would curb accidents such as those caused by wrong-way drivers and drunken drivers.

“I know a lot of people are resisting this change but everyone resisted against elevators when it became automated,” she said. “People were afraid of that, no human manning it.”

She said people are fearful that computers are driving their cars but in fact, computer systems are already in cars. She said the mindset is already changing with the younger generation.

“They have no interest in driving but would rather take Uber,” she said.

Although it’s been 15 years since her only son’s death, not a day goes by when Hoffman doesn’t think about him.

She said many parents who lose a child feel the children will be forgotten because they never become adults.

“I do have his photo on the back of my phone,” she said. “I feel everything I do for traffic safety is done in the memory of Michael.”

Chandler ready to celebrate Independence Day

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

In just a few weeks a crowd will hit Tumbleweed Park to celebrate Independence Day with games and, of course, fireworks.

The City of Chandler’s July 4th Fireworks Spectacular will run 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the park at 2250 S. McQueen Road.

About 15,000 to 20,000 people are expected for the annual, family-friendly tradition.

Riviera Broadcasting will bring a DJ to play three hours of music while Arizona State Fair will provide games for children and adults, as well as a coloring station.

A variety of food trucks and snack booths selling hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones, ice cream and other popular foods will be on hand.

Fireworks Productions of Arizona will shoot the fireworks starting at 9 p.m. with the light show lasting about 20 minutes.

“They’ve been doing it for years,”

Hermelinda Llamas, city special events coordinator. “They’ve been awesome every year. They really know we like great, big grand finales.”

It is free to attend the fireworks show but it costs $5 to park at Tumbleweed Park.

People are encouraged to bring gloves and balls to play on the open fields and to take advantage of the playground equipment.

No alcohol is allowed, but people may bring water or other non-alcoholic drinks in plastic bottles or cans and coolers.

Glass containers are not allowed.

Also forbidden are personal stashes of fireworks, including sparklers.

Folks are urged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on since the gathering is in the grass. They are advised not to bring pets because the noise from the fireworks can disrupt them.

“It’s very popular,” Llamas said. “It gives the community a place to go here in the East Valley. We always tend to have a good crowd out there.”

Fireworks are a popular attraction at the City of Chandler’s July 4th Fireworks Spectacular. Arizona State Fair will provide games and food will be sold, while the fireworks show will start about 9 p.m.

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14 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS

PEACHES

from cover

her blood or bones, her family said.

“It is a cancer (so far) from other cases that reacts very well to chemo,” Carly Accardo said. “They started (chemo) the next day. They had her going five straight nights of chemo the next day. Every three weeks she goes in for five nights a week.”

When Leighton decided she wanted to shave her head instead of having her hair fall out, her mom was all for it. So were her baseball teammates on both the league’s boys and girls teams.

Despite the challenges facing the Accardo family, the event brought joy.

When two of Leighton’s friends, Katie and Emily, shaved their heads in support, it made the Accardo family feel good about the person their daughter has become.

It “shows a lot of what we did to raise her and the people we surround her with,” Jeremy Accardo said. “The baseball teams, hockey teams, soccer teams, everything she does. It’s such a great thing to have her in all these sports and have friends that will show up and do this.”

As challenging as the news is, the Accardo family said they are ready for the fight.

And that type of cancer is often treatable with Stage IV having an 82 percent cure rate, according to the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at John Hopkins.

“We have one of the toughest daughters on the planet and we are very, very honest with her on everything,” Jeremy Accardo said, adding: “We tell her exactly what is going on, we told exactly that her hair is going to fall out. She deals with it pretty good. She gets hurt for a moment and sad but then she’s right back.”

After Leighton’s story started trending on social media, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe invited the Accardo family to Omaha to watch the Women’s College World Series. Her parents didn’t think it was a good time for Leighton to travel.

“We were actually supposed to go but Leighton was a little lethargic, pretty tired so (doctors) had her in,” Carly Accardo said, noting they were “checking her blood levels and she’s going to be back in.”

Members of the East Valley community said they will continue to keep Leighton and the Accardo family in their thoughts as the spring baseball season ends.

East Valley Baseball, which is based at Espee Park in Chandler, is an independent youth league that allows complete teams to register and stay together as they progress through the divisions.

In 2003, the league was founded by Mike Fritz and his wife Joanna. Originally named after Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams, the Fritz family changed the name to East Valley in 2007, Mike Fritz said. Since then, the East Valley league has continuously grown in the community with

BANNER

from page 6

fighting,” she told the crowd.

Lamont Yoder, CEO of Banner Gateway Medical Center and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, also recognized cancer survivors and patients.

“Each of you inspire me in what I do every day to create a place of refuge, hope and inspiration,” he said.

The survivors were entertained by Evelyn Clair Abplanalp, a singer and songwriter from Florence who competed

89 teams in the league now.

Originally a gymnastics family, the Fritz family never planned on being involved in baseball until they had their son, Tom. Since the creation of the independent baseball league, Mike and Joanna have worked hard to make sure the league continues to grow.

“I pretty much do everything that I can for these kids, coaches and parents,” Mike Fritz said. “I try to facilitate baseball for all the kids that are all out there. I want to see them grow and really love the game of baseball.

My main focus and goal is for these kids to have fun playing ball.”

Joanna added that she does registration for the league as well as run the concession stand and work as the treasurer.

The red trailer there has been a showcase at Espee Park over the years.

“The red trailer is our concessions stand and it’s also our mobile office,” Mike Fritz said.

“It’s the standings board. When we are backing it in, we get a line of kids to see where their team is ranked and how well they are doing and it’s been with us since East Valley baseball started.”

In recent years, the league has seen a significant increase in all-girls baseball, thanks to help from Carly Accardo and Leighton.

“Leighton had been playing tee ball with boys but she was the only girl on her team,” Carly Accardo said. “When I asked her if she wanted to play tee ball again going into the next season, she had asked to be moved to another team because she had noticed there was another girl on

in the 2017 season of America’s Got Talent when she was 13.

The teen, who goes by the stage name Evie Clair, sang and played the piano and later said her father was treated at MD Anderson for colon cancer and died as she was appearing for the talent show’s finals.

Mesa resident Dave Thigpen also shared his journey battling stage 4 melanoma. He was diagnosed in 2015 when he was 71.

“I’m a Vietnam vet, a husband, a father, a volunteer but I’m also a survivor,” he said.

The cancer started on his foot and in a matter of seven weeks, it had

The Peaches team, has stood solidly behind young Leighton, shown here when she was playing T-ball.

Her mother Carly Accardo started the all-girls team.

(Cronkite News)

that team. I told her, if you want to play with girls, I’ll get all the girls together and (create) an all-girls team.”

Accardo was able to group together 12 girls and start a tee ball team. Now with the growth of all-girls teams, the Peaches have 12 teams across the divisions with the continuing goal of reaching coach pitch Triple A. As the regular season wrapped up, Accardo’s Peaches Black coach pitch Rookie A team won the division with a record of

9-1. It beat eight all-boys teams and one other Peaches team.

Joanna Fritz is grateful for the Accardo family and their assistance in growing the league.

“She knew that girls were strong enough to play the boys and beat the boys and she’s turned one little team and its grown into 12 teams right now,” Joanna Fritz said.

“With the girls program continuing to grow like it is, I have no doubt that it will get bigger and bigger.”

metastasized from his foot to his leg, traveled to his groin, up to his hip and then to the left side of his neck and finally his brain, he said.

His treatment included 19 months of chemotherapy every two weeks.

Thigpen said he thought he would need to send his wife to therapy to deal with his diagnosis and assured her if he could survive Vietnam, he could survive cancer.

He also jokingly told her if he were to die, it would be in a bar fight.

Now that he is cancer-free, his wife has been asking him once a week if he wanted

to go to bar, he said.

“I suspect strongly she has found my (life) insurance,” joked Thigpen, who turns 75 next month.

For those facing cancer, he gave a world of advice. During his chemo sessions, the thing he saw with those who excelled in their treatments were they all had a positive attitude, faith and humor.

Doctors and treatment can only do so much, the rest is up to the patient, he said.

“Once you’ve been told you got to get treatment for cancer, you must put your best foot forward to fight it,” he said.

COMMUNITY NEWS SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

15

Longtime Pita Jungle Jazz Jam to play July 4

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A jazz jam session that has been adding flavor to the ambiance at Pita Jungle in Chandler for 19 years will bring something special to its menu of musical treats on the Fourth of July.

Pita Jungle Jazz Jam Session has been performing Thursday nights at the restaurant at 1949 W. Ray Road since 2000.

Usually the core group playing is Pete Gitlin of Ahwatukee on bass and guitar; Cleve Huff on drums and Dave Ihlenfeld of Scottsdale on keyboards.

Then any musicians and singers in the restaurant can join the trio to help play or sing jazz songs. Usually the jam session is from 7 to 9:45 p.m. every Thursday but on July 4 it will take the stage from 6 to 9 p.m.

Gitlin has been playing in the jam session at Pita Jungle since it started in 2000 while Huff joined the group four years ago and Ihlenfeld jumped in about 15 years ago.

Bart Salzman, a trumpet player who spearheaded the Chandler Jazz Festival, organized the first jam session 19 years ago though he did not participate.

“He wasn’t in the original group but worked with Pita Jungle,” Gitlin said. “They thought doing jazz one night a week would bring people in. We have our core group of fans that will come as often as they can.

“We are so incredibly appreciative and

Jammers at Pita Jungle include, from left: keyboard player Dave Ihlenfeld, drummer Cleve Huff, and bass player and guitarist Pete Gitlin. (Pita Jungle)

thankful to the owners of Pita Jungle. To keep a music night going for 19 years, it’s almost unheard of in this business and they’ve been so incredibly supportive. The food’s fantastic. We get a great meal every Thursday.”

Expect a taste of patriotism in the jam session on the Fourth of July. That might include the group playing jazz versions of “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”

That night Michael Powers from Seattle

will be playing guitar, Gitlin will play bass and Huff will be on drums. Ihlenfeld is in Maine, where he lives for part of the summer, and will return in August.

“Michael’s a tremendous guitar player, very well-known,” Gitlin said.

Huff is also well-known in the jazz world and has been playing in major venues in the Phoenix area with convention support groups and has performed as a show player since 1981, according to his website.

As a show player he has hit the stage with Roger Williams, Maureen McGovern, the Lawrence Welk troupe, Bob Hope, George Burns, Jerry Vale and Al Martino — among many other stars.

He also has played with The Harry James Tribute Band, Guy Lombardo Royal Canadian Band, Les Brown Tribute Band, Jimmy Dorsey Tribute Band and many other groups.

Ihlenfeld is also a longtime musician who has performed with Clark Terry, Rich Matteson, the St. Louis Symphony and many other, diverse musicians.

He formed the NuWrld Jazz Project, a group that he writes music for, and his compositions have been featured on “All Things Considered” on NPR. “I like to experiment with different musical styles from all over the Americas,” Ihlenfeld said. “I love the music of Brazil, the music of Chile, Cuban rhythms. I like mixing them together with the different kinds of jazz I’ve learned. I grew up as a jazz musician playing a lot of bossa novas.

Bossa nova is a Brazilian style of music.

The phrase translates to "new wave."

“I went back and relearned to play the way Brazilians do. I love the research and learning more about the musical styles. I’ll incorporate them into my writing.”

He said Pita Jungle’s staff members are supportive.

“The people that work there are great,” Ihlenfeld said. “They love having us there See

JAZZ JAM on page 16

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16

JAZZ JAM

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and talking us up and everything. As a guy who’s played a lot of bars where they try to not pay you, they’re (Pita Jungle) very professional to work with…they recognize the value of live music. People who come there on Thursday nights are there for it.”

Bassel Osmani, co-founder of Pita Jungle, returned the compliment.

“We are proud to host the longest lasting jazz jam in the Valley as art is a huge part of the Pita Jungle brand,” Osmani said. “It really compliments the local art on our walls and our tagline, The Art of Eating Healthy. It reaffirms the bond of Pita Jungle with the neighborhood and the community and reflects the passion of the owners about Jazz.”

He said he has also met many great musicians from other countries and cities that have showed up to play with the

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

group and Huff and Gitlin are also great to perform with at Pita Jungle.

“Cleve’s played with everybody, one of the best drummers in the Valley,” Ihlenfeld said. “He’s so solid and plays really great.

Pete is so good with the audience and sequencing the music.”

Ihlenfeld has a bachelor’s degree in music education from DePaul University in Chicago and a master’s degree and doctorate in tuba performance from Indiana University.

Gitlin started playing guitar at 7 years old and has been a musician for more than 50 years. When the jazz jam at Pita Jungle was starting, a bass player was needed so he learned to play the bass for that. He plays bass when needed and guitar the rest of the time.

“Playing bass when you’ve played guitar a long time, it’s not an enormous leap,” Gitlin said.

He has played all around the Valley and is the lead guitarist in a James Taylor

tribute band, Fire & Rain. Gitlin has also released many CDs of its original music, with his latest one called “Amplify.”

He and singer Lea Cappelli recently released a new single, “This Silver Day,” which he said has more of a pop feel to it. Gitlin wrote the lyrics and plays all the instruments in the song and Cappelli sings it.

“I did have my corporate career,” Gitlin said. “I’ve played all over the Valley in various groups.”

During the Pita Jungle Jazz Jam Session the group plays a lot of classic jazz by artists including Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, as well as some bossa nova songs including “The Girl from Ipanema.”

The musicians also will often play some songs by The Beatles in a jazz style. They have at least 8,000 songs ready to play in their collections that they keep on their iPads.

“When singers come in we’ll go ahead and play whatever they wanna do,” Gitlin

said.

There are limits — the band does not play Taylor Swift and Britney Spears’ songs.

“We know each other really well,” Gitlin said. “We do some original jazz, too, that Dave has written. We’ll mix some original songs. It’s really the great American songbook. It’s a lot of fun.”

The musicians and singers who come sit in with the trio to play or sing are different ages including professionals, as well as high school and college students. A professor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College assigns his students to do reports on the jazz jam.

One of those students seven years ago was Morgan Montemayor, who brought his mother, Tina, with him. Gitlin and Tina started talking at the jam session and ended up dating, then got married two and a half years ago.

“She’s one of our biggest fans,” Gitlin said. “She’s there almost every week.”

New software to aid study of local school performance

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

Newly developed interactive software may be putting Arizona at the forefront of modernized decision-making for K-12 education. The technology could have a positive impact on the state’s graduation and college-entry rates.

Arizona State University and the Helios Education Foundation last week unveiled the product of their effort to give public officials and administrators a more effective use of education data.

“The goal is transparency — trying to put the data out there so that you can look at it and decide in your own communities, in your own schools and your own districts what needs to be changed or how you need to go about affecting change and move it forward,” said Vince Yanez, Helios’ senior vice president of Arizona Community Engagement.

Yanez addressed a large gathering of municipal, school district and other officials from across the state in unveiling the software.

Arizona is the only state in the nation to have captured enough data and compile it into software that produces a real-time, interactive K-12 modeling of data for schools — both public and charter.

The data includes students’ performance and graduation rates, income levels of their families and school financial data

Joseph O’Reilly, director of the Decision Center for Educational Excellence, explains how the new software will help officials at all government levels better anlayze Arizona schools’ performance so they can make more effective policy decisions. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

and even health statistics such as leadpaint exposure.

The software, though still in its infancy, can be used by officials to identify ways they could improve student performance as well as highlight which schools are good examples to follow, Yanez said.

It also will help state legislators better analyze differences in performance among urban and rural school districts and assess the impact of variations in funding levels among districts.

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It can also show how income levels impact the number of high school grads who continue their education. The percentage of high school graduates who go on to further their education has been a a majopr concern in many districts.

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no way to determine their own standards based on data from their schools.

“If I was a city council person, I would want data on how my area is doing,” said O’Reilly.

He said if officials can determine “where individual schools are and where they are going,” they can develop ways to meet or exceed state standards. Users can select the criteria they want to examine — such as poverty rates — and series of statistics follow and detailed reports follow.

In a matter of seconds, users are exposed to data compiled from the Arizona Department of Education, U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Educational Statistics, FBI, Environmental Protection Administration, U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and individual Arizona schools.

Users can then probe everything from which jobs are most popular in certain areas and what level of education they require, to how exposure to lead paint and violence can affect graduation and college-going rates throughout the state.

The tool can also show trends over time and compare schools, districts and regions in regard to testing scores, literacy rates, graduation percentages and likelihood of college attendance.

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three major discoveries since compiling the data from the agencies utilized in the software.

There is no correlation between poverty rates and high school graduation rates throughout the state.

For every 10 percent increase in college aid application completions, there is a 2.7 percent increase in the rate of high school graduates who actually continue their education.

Accelerated learning in one-third of Arizona schools is stunted by inadequate student access to programs such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment or calculus courses.

The software’s user-friendly design makes digesting the information less daunting to users and more compelling to city officials, said Chandler City Council Member Matt Orlando, who attended the session.

“This is powerful, it’s a powerful tool,” said Orlando. “Chandler does have a lot of industries and they are clamoring for

the next generation’s scientists and engineers…So we are actively looking at how to improve our graduation rates and work with the school district and this a great way to do that.”

The center currently utilizes data from the class of 2016 because it takes time for the various types of schools the state has — public, charter, specialty and online — to collect and publish information, O’Reilly said.

As new information from the class of 2017 is published the database will be

17

updated, which will help track trends over time, O’Reilly said.

While ASU and Helios have made strides in making Arizona’s education data more accessible and easier to understand, the software is not available to the public.

Those seeking to access the tool must make an appointment with O’Reilly for the time being, as the Decision Center has not yet decided if the software will be made available to the public or if it will only be accessible to officials and education-related experts.

City staff wins first fitness recognition To be considered for platinum status, applicants have to attend special training, submit letters of support, complete a CDC Worksite Health Scorecard, develop an improvement plan and demonstrate policy change and implementation.

Chandler achieved gold status, a level below the platinum award, in 2017 and 2018.

Boley said to get the highest award offered by the organization this year, the department focused on making health and wellness opportunities more accessible to city employees through a web portal. “[The online wellness portal for city workers] helps make our programs and events more available to our all of our employees. We needed people to be able to participate when it worked for them. It has improved participation and employee engagement in things that are interesting

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

For the first time in Chandler’s history the city has received the Platinum Healthy Arizona Worksite Award.

The award recognizes employers for their efforts to support the health and wellness of staff.

With 1,650 employees under the city’s belt, Chandler’s wellness coordinator Kara Boley said the award marked a year of producing a happy workforce.

“All of those people serve our residents and so my goal is always to have healthy, happy employees so were serving our residents in the best way that we can,” said Boley.

To obtain the recognition, Boley along with the Wellness Committee that comprises city department heads, collaborated to complete a rigorous application.

Some Chandler city employees celebrate winning the Plantinum Healthy Arizona Worksite Award for their employer. (City of Chandler)

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Chandler senator helps undo part of predecessor’s program

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Arizona is finally ready to curtail — but not stop — the ability of corporations to divert what they owe in state income tax to instead help send children to private and parochial schools, a system of credits that threatened to reduce corporate tax collections to zero.

Legislation signed last week by Gov. Doug Ducey will rein in a decade-old law that allows corporations to get a dollar-for-dollar credit against their income taxes for money they donate to “scholarship tuition organizations.’’

The legislation, sponsored by Chandler Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard, partially undoes legislation that was pushed by a retired Chandler senator, Steve Yarbrough.

The STOs provide funds parents can use to pay the tuition and fees of their children at private schools.

The credit remains. But what is changing with the new law is the amount of dollars that can be diverted.

It originally started out with a $10 million cap. But it was engineered so that could increase by 20 percent a year.

For the current year, the amount of diverted dollars has ballooned to $89.2 million. Left unabated, it would reach nearly $222 million by the 2023-2024 school year.

More to the point, there is no limit.

And given that corporate tax collections are not increasing at 20

While they were still in th State Legislature, then House Majority Leader J.D. Mesnard, left, now Chandler's senator, and then Senate President Steve Yarbrough, now retired, were close allies.

(Capitol Media Services)

percent a year — revenue estimates for this year are at $427 million — they could owe the state nothing before the end of the decade.

“It’s reaching a growing number of our corporate dollars,’’ noted Mesnard.

The new law curbs the annual increase to 15 percent beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, dropping to 10 percent the year after that, 5 percent the following year and then settling at 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater, in the 2023-2024 school year.

The financial difference is significant: By that year, the $222 million that

corporations would otherwise have been allowed to divert will be reduced to just $145 million. And with the new cap, annual increases in foregone corporate revenues after that will be in the $3 million range.

David Lujan, executive director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, asked lawmakers to impose that 2 percent cap immediately, arguing that would generate $67 million for the state in the next three years. That plea proved a nonstarter.

The scholarship program predates — and is different from — the vouchers that provide state funds directly to parents

to pay for tuition and other expenses at private and parochial schools.

With scholarships, donor organizations, many of them linked to specific schools or religious groups, determine the dollars given to any student. By contrast, the amount of the voucher is limited by state law.

It originally started out as a program to allow individuals to divert some income tax dollars to these STOs. Under current law, individual taxpayers can get a credit of up to $555 — double that for couples — for amounts donated.

Former Senate President Yarbrough the executive director and general counsel of the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization led the fight to open the door for corporate donations to generate more scholarship dollars.

Yarbrough, while selling the change as having just a $10 million price tag, also inserted that 20 percent annual inflation increase that has boosted the cost to that $89.2 million. And it was Yarbrough who, until his retirement last year, blocked efforts to reduce that inflation factor.

He told Capitol Media Services several years ago that his sponsorship of that legislation — and his defense against having the annual increases scaled back — was based on his personal belief that more dollars meant more educational opportunity for students who otherwise could not afford to attend a private or See

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Christine Marsh testifies about the bill, ultimately vetoed, that would have given legislators a huge increase in their daily allowance while in session. The 2016 Teacher of the Year criticized lawmakers for considering it when they haven't full funded public schools. (AzLeg.gov)

Veto kills pay hike opposed

by Chandler lawmakers

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Arizona lawmakers won’t be getting a sharp increase in their living allowances, at least not this year — and not next year, either.

But legislators representing Chandler couldn’t care less because the city’s Democrat and Republican delegation all voted against it in the first place.

Gov. Doug Ducey last week vetoed legislation which would have given lawmakers living outside of Maricopa County $190 a day, seven days a week, for the time the Legislature is in session. That is more than triple the current $60 figure set in law.

Among those who voted no last month were Senators J.D. Mesnard of Chandler, a Republican, and Sean Bowie of Ahwatukee, a Democrat. Also voting against it were Republican Rep. Jeff Weninger and Democratic Reps. Jennifer Jermaine of Chandler and Mitzi Epstein of Tempe.

All six lawmakers’ districts include portions of Chandler.

Ducey, in his veto message, said he agreed with supporters that out-county lawmakers need more money because they have to find lodging during the legislative session.

That can mean a hotel. But for many legislators it has meant having to rent — or buy housing in the Phoenix area, as sessions can and have run for five or six months and it is difficult to get a half-year lease.

“Arizona is the sixth largest state in terms of land area,’’ the governor wrote. “So, for rural legislators and those representing areas outside of Maricopa County, there is a strong case to be made for ensuring we are appropriately recognizing what is required for them to be here at the state Capitol in Phoenix during session.’’

But the governor clearly was turned off by the fact that the bill that reached his desk also boosted the daily allowance collected by lawmakers who live in Maricopa County from $35 a day to $92.50. These are lawmakers who can go home every night and have no need for local lodging.

Ducey had another objection to the bill: It would have taken effect later this year, meaning that the lawmakers who voted for it would be the ones who benefit.

“Any change in the per diem rate should also be prospective, and apply to the next Legislature, which will be sworn in on Jan. 11, 2021, following the 2020 election,’’ the governor wrote to legislative leaders. “I am open to working with legislators on such a change next session.’’

The veto — and the governor’s conclusion that Maricopa County lawmakers don’t deserve an allowance increase — annoyed Sen. David Livingston, R-Peoria. He defended the provision.

“It’s part of the overall compensation package,’’ Livingston said, even though it’s listed in statute as a “subsistence allowance.’’

Livingston also suggested that the Republican governor may have done himself harm with the Legislature.

“He could have done something like this that would have benefited the 90 members, that would have made working relationships better,’’ the Peoria lawmaker said. “This makes it more strained.’’

Rep. Noel Campbell, R-Prescott, who sponsored one of the versions of the measure, had no immediate comment.

During floor debate, Campbell, one of those out-county lawmakers, called the boost in the allowance “the right thing to do.’’

“We’re only asking to be reimbursed for our expenses,’’ he said.

But it wasn’t just Ducey who was hesitant about increasing the $35-a-day allowance to in-county lawmakers, those who do not need a Phoenix apartment.

That allowance is paid for every day the Legislature is “in session.’’ That includes Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays when lawmakers generally do not meet.

And legislators even get reimbursed for the mileage between their homes and the Capitol for every day there is an actual session.

Among the foes of the change was Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, who said his driving distance to the Capitol was See

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such that he didn’t need to be paid $92.50 a day.

Kern also questioned the “optics’’ of lawmakers approving a sharp increase in their allowance and doing so during the last days of the session.

The political risk of voting for a sharp increase in allowance did not escape Rep. Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff. But he urged colleagues to ignore that possibility.

“Let’s rip off the Band-Aid,’’ he said.

“Let’s ignore the folks that will beat us up over it, ‘cause it will go away,’’ Thorpe argued. “This will be forgotten.”

Livingston, for his part, said he’s not concerned about the political fallout of being a Maricopa County lawmaker seeking to boost his allowance.

“I’m very strong in my district,’’ he said.

“I go to a lot of things in my district,’’ Livingston continued. “So I figured I can take the arrows easier than anybody else.’’

Campbell had urged unanimous support, saying it would “give (political) cover to anybody who has questions about it...and threaten us with retaliation because we voted to raise our per diem rate.’’

He didn’t get his wish.

The Senate vote was 22-7. There was even more doubt in the House where 23 of the 60 members voted against it.

Livingston also said there’s another reason that lawmakers, both in- and outcounty, need a bump in their allowance: the Tax Cut and Jobs Act signed in late 2017 by President Donald Trump.

On one hand, that law cut tax rates and increased the standard deduction.

But it also repealed a section of the tax code that, until this year, gave employees a deduction for the amount of out-ofpocket expenses they incurred that were not reimbursed by their employer.

The net result, said Livingston, is that lawmakers whose actual expenses exceed the current per diem rates no longer can deduct the difference from their adjusted income in computing their federal and

During legislative hearings on the allowance-increase bill, some lawmakers expressed reservations about considering it just before the session ended. Gov. Doug Ducey vetoed the bill anyway on June 7. (AzLeg.gov)

state taxes.

During the debate on the bill last month, Rep. Aaron Lieberman, D-Phoenix, questioned the idea of lawmakers approving more money for themselves even when they refused just last week to restore all of the funds that have been cut during the recession in state aid to public schools.

The whole idea of the vote — particularly on what is shaping up to be the last day of the legislative session — drew raised eyebrows from teachers who have been at the Capitol monitoring the votes on spending bills.

“I can’t get beyond the irony of your plight and how it is so incredibly parallel to what is going on with teachers,’’ testified Christine Marsh. She was named the 2016 teacher of the year and was one of the prime proponents of higher pay for educators.

Marsh pointed out that proponents of the allowance hike, like Rep. Charlene Fernandez, D-Yuma, have said the legislators’ $24,000 annual salary — coupled with the lack of adequate reimbursement — has resulted in few

people telling her they are interested in running for the Legislature.

“And yet that, of course, is what teachers are facing,’’ Marsh said.

She said lawmakers voting to hike their expenses should be ready for other parallels, like people telling them they knew what the job paid when they took it and they shouldn’t complain about the pay.

“That’s what we hear,’’ Marsh said. “And it’s offensive and not very cool.’’

Storm Gerlock had her own take on the move.

“I empathize and can find similarities with what is being said about the challenges of not being adequately compensated for the work that is being done,’’ she told lawmakers. “As an education support professional who is paid hourly, I know the struggles of working two jobs and still not making a living wage.’’

Rep. Bret Roberts, R-Maricopa, argued that this is different, as the allowance for lawmakers comes out of the House and Senate budgets, not the state general fund which is where the dollars

are allocated for teacher pay raises.

That, however, drew a verbal slap from Fernandez who pointed out that all of the cash, whether for teacher salaries or legislative payments, comes from the same pocket of tax dollars.

Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, said that, under different circumstances, she might have opposed the hike in allowance.

But she pointed out that lawmakers last year approved a 9 percent increase in the average pay for teachers, with another 5 percent in the budget for this coming school year and 5 percent more earmarked for the following year.

“Having done that in the past year and the past days, I think this is appropriate,’’ Udall said.

Identical language was approved last week in the Senate Appropriations Committee, with both measures now awaiting full votes in their respective chambers.

Nothing in the measure affects the $24,000 salary, as that can be raised only with voter approval. That last occurred in 1998; subsequent ballot measures for a salary increase have been defeated.

Chandler libraries encourage summertime reading

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

Chandler libraries have kicked off their summer reading programs to combat “reading skill loss” over summer recess.

The programs share the same goal: to get kids reading for at least 20 minutes a day.

“Twenty minutes is kind of the sweet spot. If kids read for that long they can maintain the literacy skills they gained throughout the school year, so teachers don’t have to spend time next year getting them caught back up to where they were,” said Karrie Wicks, adult services librarian at the Chandler Public Library.

According to Oxford Learning, about two months of reading skills are lost over the summer — meaning the first six weeks of the new school year are spent re-learning old material to get kids back on track.

Oxford Learning also found students that experience summer learning loss, also known as the summer slide, are two years behind their peers academically by the end of sixth grade.

The Chandler libraries' summer reading program is built around the a space theme and there are activities for kids and adults that also deal with the great beyond.

(Maricopa County Library system)

As part of the free program designed to combat the summer slide, everyone from newborns to adults can win prizes depending on how many minutes they spend reading every day.

After reaching an ultimate goal of reading 1,000 minutes this summer, or 20

minutes per day, participants can choose a book of their own to keep or donate to a school through their online account.

The free book gifted to those that complete the 1,000 minute goal is to show children how to share their love for reading with others, or grow their own

at-home library.

Wicks said when looking for a book this summer, in the library or anywhere else, parents should let kids choose whatever engages them and not worry See

READNG on page 22

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about how challenging the book is.

A general rule of thumb, Wicks said, is if a child has chosen a book with more than two or three words that they do not know and cannot figure out using context clues, the book may be too challenging for them.

However, if they pick a book lower than their reading level but have expressed interest in the material, the goal of maintaining literacy progress will be accomplished.

“It’s really about keeping them engaged for those 20 minutes, we’re not pushing them to learn new skills we just want to maintain the skills they already have,” said Wicks.

Andrea Guzman, youth services librarian at the Scottsdale Public Library, agreed with Wicks and added parents can also play a role in preventing summer learning loss for their children by picking up a book themselves.

“When the little ones see mom and dad reading, they’re going to want to do that too. Kids model parent behavior so if families dedicate 20 minutes to reading together or reading their own books the kids will be inclined to get their reading time in,” said Guzman.

The program’s theme this year is A Universe of Stories, and will be hosted alongside various space-themed events that vary from one library to the next.

Children and adults that attend any

of the events for the libraries across the valley will receive a secret code. When redeemed online through participant’s summer reading log accounts, the code tacks on points to the user’s overall score.

“The events aren’t worth as much as the actual minutes they get reading because we really want to stress leisure reading. But it’s a great way to get families to our free events and give them something they can do together,” said Guzman.

Wicks said you do not need to be library a card holder to participate in the summer reading program. She added anyone can use the library’s resources without a card so long as they stay in the building and do not leave with a book.

Those interested in checking out books

from the library will need to sign up for a card using an ID and proof of residency.

Summer reading program participants will need to create an online account that will be used to log minutes read at read20az.com or stop in at any of the valley’s libraries to create an account with a librarian.

“The great thing about the online accounts is that you can log your reading from anywhere at any time, and you never lose track of how far you’ve come,” said Wicks.

For more information on events and the reading program, Guzman and Wicks encourage valley residents to visit their local library’s website or visit the library for posted flyers.

Chandler officers make history with tourney win

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

The Chandler Police Department pulled the trigger and made history for the department this year when officers took home first place at the Silent Witness sporting clays tournament at the Ben Avery Shooting Range.

The department’s team was pulled together at the last minute after sponsorship from Silent Witness board member Terry Donnelly and support from Chandler’s Vice Mayor Terry Roe. Officers Cody Meade and Nate Townsend, Det. Paul Kee and his son Andre Kee shot consistently throughout the day, but Detective Kee said the win was a total surprise.

“It was just so comical because we’re just a rag tag group of hunters. We didn’t have any fancy equipment,” said Kee. “There were teams that seemed much more organized than us. They knew what they were doing and we still came out on top,” he added.

Kee said he was “dumb founded and completely surprised” after hearing the matching scores of two competing teams that did rock, paper, scissors for second

know each other a little better and support a good cause,” Kee said.

Silent Witness, a non-profit, serves as a medium for the Valley’s police agencies to share information about unsolved cases to community members.

Citizens can safely submit tips to Silent Witness and obtain monetary rewards, up to $1,000, for valuable information.

Roe said he was proud of the department’s first place win, as well as the partnership the city has with Silent Witness. He said the mutual goal they share to catch Celebrating their win are, from left, Det. Paul Kee, Officers Cody Meade and lawbreakers plays a key Nate Townsend and the detective's son, Andre Kee. role in keeping the streets (Special to SanTan Sun News ) of Chandler safe.

“Silent Witness by place had a lower score than the Chandler itself is not very effective. But when it has team by a handful of points. people in the community that call in, or “We had no intention of winning. We send a picture, or a video of a crime being just went up there to have fun and get to committed and identify somebody that’s

how crime can help get solved,” Roe said.

“And on top of all that if our departments don’t get involved, we’re at a disadvantage, but Chandler is very active with our Silent Witness program and our officers, our detectives, are also sending tips over to them to figure out who done it,” Roe added.

Kee said during his time as a sex crimes detective, Silent Witness helped connect the department to a citizen with a tip on a serial rapist. The tip lead to the eventual arrest of the suspect.

“In a case like that we need to catch the suspect as fast as possible, and by utilizing Silent Witness we were able to do that,” said Kee. In addition to donating to a good cause, the competition also served as a time for the team to bond, which, Kee said, is vital in his line of work.

“There was a mutual comradery we had that day. Doing this job can be rough, but being surrounded by these guys and getting to know them at the competition, well now at work it’s not just an obligatory ‘hello’ in the halls. We have this shared experience,” said Kee. The team plans on competing at next year’s competition, where they hope to defend their title as champions.

Chandler Police get their men after years on the run SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Police may not always get their man but two arrests the department made in two unrelated cold cases recently suggest criminals should think twice about whether they can get away with a crime or not.

One arrest involved a fatal shooting while the other involved two rapes.

The homicide involved 15-year-old Luis Andrea Parra, who died from a single gunshot wound inside a residence in the 400 block of North Delaware Street.

The alleged gunman, 21-year-old Venancio Cortez Miramontes, fled the residence and then left the country.

Earlier this year, a Chandler Police detective assigned to the U.S. Marshal’s Service task force developed information that Miramontes was in Virginia.

Acting on this break, marshals conducted surveillance on the location and 22 years to the day of Parra’s death, finally caught Miramontes without incident.

“Miramontes was on the run for over twenty years, traveling through two

Cold case fugitives Luis Andrea Parra, left, and Adan Lopez-Perez, were eventually tracked down by Chandler Police's dogged investigators.

(Chandler Police)

countries, and found hiding half way across the country,” said Marshal David Gonzales. “He now knows firsthand that the United States Marshal WANTED Task Force will not stop until every fugitive

from justice sees their day in court. We hope his capture helps to bring some peace to the victim’s family.”

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said, “The tenacious efforts of our

robbery/homicide unit when investigating cold cases has been highly successful.

This particular effort once again shows the men and women of the Chandler Police Department are determined in their pursuit of justice.”

Miramontes was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of manslaughter.

Earlier last month, a break in yet another cold case finally led to the arrest of an undocumented immigrant who is accused of the rape of a 22-year-old woman in Hoopes Park, near Alma School and Elliot roads, and a second rape of an 18-year-old woman 10 days later in her home near Arizona and Ray roads.

Det. Seth Tyler said DNA tied Adan Lopez-Perez, 43, to the crime.

Lopez-Perez is a Mexican national who lived in Chandler in 1997 at the time of the crimes. When he was arrested last month he was already in custody for unlawful entry into the county. He was serving a sentence after being convicted of crossing into the U.S. illegally.

See

ARRESTS on page 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

ARRESTS

from page 22

“This evidence essentially sat for almost four years until the technology developed to where we could send it off for it to be entered into the database and

then for it to be analyzed,” said Tyler.

It took years to find a match.

“When Lopez-Perez was placed into federal custody, law required that he submit to a DNA sample and that’s how we were able to get that DNA sample,” he explained.

Tyler told reporters Lopez-Perez had

been in jail for several months and was four days away from release when he was busted for the rapes.

“Our detectives actually worked around the clock,” he told Channel 3 News. “The time, the clock....it’s ticking, because there’s a time where this

23

individual could be released and we’d have to start the process all over again.”

On April 8, Lopez-Perez was arrested for his involvement in both sexual assaults. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail on multiple felony counts.

Fulton Homes gives Chandler woman free fence SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Chandler woman was treated to a new pool fence by Fulton Homes and KMLE radio after her mother told them she can’t relax after work because she worries about her kids drowning.

Jessica Hill of the 1100 block of Orchard Lane “works long, strenuous days at a Phoenix hospital to provide for her family, and when she isn’t helping others, she is at home with her two young children,” Fulton Homes said.

“It can be hard to relax after a long day at the hospital with the looming threat of her kids falling into the pool in their backyard. This is why her mother, Donna, nominated Jessica to receive a free pool fence, the company added.

Crews last weekend installed the fence, prompting the company to say Hill and her family can “ease their minds about the safety of their children.”

Now in its 17th consecutive year, Fulton Homes Fence Patrol highlights the importance of always watching children

Steven Hill stands near the new pool fence that Fulton Homes last weekend installed for him and his wife Jessica.

(Fulton Homes)

around water, and acts as a reminder that water emergencies can happen in seconds.

“Fulton Homes strongly believes that even close calls can be avoided when the community as a whole puts an emphasis

on water safety. We started our Fence Patrol program 17 years ago to put more protective fences around pools with the goal of making Valley families safer,” said company CEO Doug Fulton.

“The dangers are real, and we want to continue doing everything we can to prevent another family tragedy,” he added. “One is one too many.”

Every Tuesday throughout the summer months, a new pool fence will be installed at the home of a needy family, courtesy of Fulton Homes.

Nominations can be submitted on the KMLE Country Radio website, in the contests section at kmle1079.radio.com/ contest/fulton-homes-fence-patrol-2019.

Each week, one winner is chosen from the dozens of entries that are submitted.

Founded in 1975, Fulton Homes is the largest privately owned and familyoperated builder in Arizona and has built 30,000 single-family homes over the past 40 years in the Valley Information: 602-452-1000 or fultonhomes.com.

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24 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS

Basha High grad never missed a day of school

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A Basha High School graduate with excellent grades is gearing up for Arizona State University, where he will use a scholarship to study robotics engineering after celebrating an unusual accomplishment 13 years in the making.

Matthew Tucker, 18, of Chandler, not only graduated with a grade-point average of 4.675 last month, but also registered perfect attendance from kindergarten through the last day of his senior year of high school.

He also worked 30 hours a week at Panera Bread his senior year and earned the AP + PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Achievement for his scores in advanced courses.

Matthew took all the engineering classes available at Basha High.

He said his father, Mark Tucker, emphasized to him at a young age the importance of attending every class every day of school.

As an incentive, Mark promised Matthew he would buy him a new car when he graduated high school if he had not missed any class time in K-12 grades.

Matthew is thrilled to be the proud owner of a new 2019 Toyota Tacoma — his first vehicle ever.

“It feels nice,” Matthew said. “I’m very excited and happy to have it finished.”

The teen will start at ASU’s Barrett, the Honors College in the fall, and he has earned the New American University Scholarship, President’s Award, which will provide $10,000 a year over four years.

For now, he is enjoying his new wheels.

“We bought it during spring break,” Matthew said. “It sat in the garage for the fourth quarter taunting me. I’ve already

Matthew Tucker, 18, of Chandler, graduated from Basha High School last month with perfect attendance all the way from kindergarten through the last day of his senior year. (Marcia Tucker)

put several hundred miles on it, going places with my friends and stuff. I can go camping. I like doing outdoorsy things.”

He took four AP classes his senior year, so his academic day would end at 11:44 a.m. and then head to Panera Bread at 3991 S. Arizona Ave. Matthew would work five to eight hours a day taking customers’ orders and working in the dining room.

“It doesn’t even feel like work because I love all my employees,” Matthew said. “I love the managers. It’s not super stressful.”

He participated in the Engineering and Math clubs and Relay for Life Club at Basha.

He also took part in robotics

competitions on teams in fifth and sixth grades and studied robotics in eighth grade at Santan Junior High School.

Outside of school, he played soccer and did blacksmithing.

Matthew got into blacksmithing his sophomore year and has made knives, hooks, necklaces and crosses with the help of blacksmithing supplies that he bought at yard sales.

While there were hectic times trying to get his homework done Matthew said he likes going to work and “for the most part it wasn’t really much of an issue.”

He said he stays healthy most of the time so he was not tempted to miss school.

Matthew did get a cold once over Thanksgiving break and pneumonia over winter break on another occasion. He broke his arm one time when he fell while climbing the bleachers during school but went to the school nurse and finished all his classes for the day.

“It didn’t really hurt that bad,” Matthew said. “It was near the end of the day. I went to the doctor immediately after school. I just have a really good immune system.”

His parents are proud.

“I always wanted to get…perfect attendance,” his father said said. “We set this goal and I told him I wanted it to be his goal. I basically drilled that into him. I thought it was very, very important to be in school. It wasn’t always easy. I told him that we don’t believe in getting sick.”

Mark, a retired facilities management director for Pinal County, said his wife, Matthew’s mother Marcia Tucker, was valedictorian of her high school class.

Marcia helped Matthew with homework while Mark stressed the importance of

having a good work ethic.

Mark said he did not go to college and he is thrilled Matthew got a scholarship.

“I think that’s just wonderful,” Mark said. “We always had a goal to have Matt go to school. Trying to have a goal and insight is kind of the secret to success in my book, when you know where you’re going and you know what the road is to get there.”

Marcia, who is a chemical engineer, quality manager at Hexcel Corporation in Casa Grande, is also happy her son met his goal of achieving perfect attendance.

She has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at The University of Arizona.

“It’s a pretty amazing accomplishment,” Marcia said. “It’s something that his dad talked to him about when he was really little.

“We made sure not to interrupt his schooling with doctors’ appointments or vacations or things like that. It was kind of an exciting goal to put out there early on.

It wasn’t easy. There were probably a lot of days that he wasn’t feeling up to going in. He managed to work through it. It’s a pretty significant accomplishment.”

Marcia said she and Mark talked to Matthew about how he could save money on college tuition if he earned good grades in high school.

“One of the things that we have talked to him about is furthering his education, really to maximize the benefit he had to him through high schools,” she said. “If you put the effort in now it will pay off financially and with a career.”

Matthew has some advice for other students in grades K-12.

“Don’t get sick and plan doctors’ appointments ahead of time,” Matthew said.

Copper Creek Inn offering unique fundraiser SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Copper Creek Inn Memory Care Community in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual The Longest Day is hosting a Virtual Reality fundraiser to support research into the disease.

For a $5 donation, people can “ride a roller coaster” by simply strapping on a special pair of goggles 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June

21 at the inn, 2200 E. Fairview St., Chandler.

“Riding a roller coaster is one of life’s fondest memories,” said Chris Frere, executive director of Copper Creek Inn. He goes on by saying, “We wants folks to relive their childhood and also raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association at The Longest Day Event at

Copper Creek Inn Memory Care.”

If they don’t want to go on a coaster, they can fly over the Grand Canyon or fly a jet with the Oculus headset in the comfort of a recliner.

“Typically, as technology develops, older adults and people living with dementia are often the last to benefit.

However, with the recent momentum in virtual reality development across the

globe, people living with dementia are a significant focus. A variety of technologists are designing their virtual reality systems specifically to engage people living with dementia,” said Benjamin Surmi, director of people and culture for Koelsch Communities.

Copper Creek is one of 31 Koelsch communities in eight state.

Information: 480-634-4191

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

25

Chamber panel discussion focuses on environmental regulations

BY CASEY FLANAGAN

Contributor

U.S. Sen. Martha McSally said federal plans for environmental conservation are too generalized and the push towards clean energy must be done at a state level to be truly effective.

“One-size-fits-all mandates coming from Washington really are not the way to go,” McSally said during a panel discussion with two local congressmen that was co-sponsored by the Ahwatukee Foothills and Chandler chambers of commerce.

U.S. Reps. Greg Stanton and Andy Biggs also were on the “Update from Washington” panel May 29 that represented a first for the two chambers.

McSally cited the state’s drought contingency plan as a model of localized legislation.

The plan is a conservation effort between Arizona and six adjacent states that helps to conserve and distribute water from the Colorado River Basin.

McSally said had that agreement not been reached, “there was going to be a very heavy-handed approach coming out of the federal government telling them how to deal with it.”

McSally pointed to the Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the United States rule as examples of what she termed harmful government oversight.

The Clean Power Plan was an Obama-administration initiative to lower carbon emissions by assigning each state a target for cutting emissions.

Arizona would have been required to lower their emissions by 52 percent under the plan. Arizona sued the EPA over the plan in 2015, with the Arizona Attorney General’s office claiming that it would dramatically raise electricity bills and services.

The plan was scrapped by the EPA in 2017, but officials in Arizona vowed to keep working on lowering emissions.

The Waters of the United States rule defined which waterways were protected from pollution or obstruction under the Clean Water Act, and faced fierce criticism from the agriculture, oil and home-building industries.

Opponents argued that it was an overreach of power and would severely harm business.

McSally said that for a developer or rancher with a wash running through their property, “these would be really negatively impactful.”

U.S. Sen. Martha McSally and Congressmen Greg Stanton and Andy Biggs were panelists in a special presentation by the Ahwatukee Foothills and Chandler chambers of commerce last week. (Casey Flanagan/Contributor)

The event marked the second time in recent months featuring Stanton, a Democrat and former mayor of Phoenix, and Biggs, a Mesa Republican and former state legislator. Both also were the featured speakers at the East Valley Partnership’s annual Statesperson’s Luncheon in April.

Stanton suggested that the best way to protect the environment in Arizona is through stimulus packages.

He harkened back to the first bill he took part in as a freshman congressman: a block-grant that would “renovate old buildings and make them more energy efficient.”

He said that the most effective way to lower Arizona’s carbon footprint and fight climate change would be to “pass a significant infrastructure package that does advance green technology and green thinking.”

He also called for changes in public transportation and increased infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Stanton pointed out that China is on the way to become a world-leader in renewable energy.

“That has traditionally been the United States’ leadership role; it needs to continue to be the United States’ leadership

role,” he said.

China increased its capacity for renewable energy by 12 percent just in 2018, according to published reports.

Biggs criticized federal mandates for the environment, recalling how he and colleagues at the State Legislature confronted federal mandates that contained strict rules and lackluster funding.

That approach, he said, “is not going to inspire individual businesses, or quite frankly, states, to want to comply.”

Biggs also touted incentives for local businesses to adopt green technology.

He suggested a tax-credit mechanism in which “good behavior is going to get relief from the tax code.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Chandler seeks public comment on e-scooters

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

Electric scooters and shared bikes could be allowed in Chandler if residents and business owners are on board with allowing the services here.

The city Department of Transportation posted surveys on the city’s website asking for community members’ input on the issue. The surveys are expected to close in early to mid-July.

Residents have seen scooters in the area and while some may see them as the future of transportation, others may not share the same enthusiasm.

Government relations and policy manager Ryan Peters said the city has talked to scooter companies about holding off on opening shop just yet “because we don’t have a policy in place and ask that they respect that while we

hear from the public and also look toward a policy framework that makes sense and is reflective of public.”

The scooter and bike-sharing companies say they provide affordable alternatives to residents that reduce traffic and carbon emissions.

Riders use mobile apps, linked to a debit or credit card, to locate an available scooter or bike and pay per each minute the device is used.

Though sharing services sound promising in theory, neighboring areas including Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa and Gilbert have had mixed results after introducing pay-as-you-go modes of transport — especially scooters.

Scooter-related injuries are becoming a common occurrence in East Valley emergency room, while users often ditch their scooters in residential neighborhoods and in front of stores in

neighboring municipalities and Scottsdale.

The latter problem has provoked complaints from residents and business owners alike.

“Sharing programs have proven to be popular and somewhat controversial,” Chandler’s survey reads, before prompting users to answer questions about their previous experiences with electric scooters and shared bikes.

Though scooters and shared bikes may be controversial, Peters has said at past public meetings on city’s transportation master plan that many community members consider the sharing programs “the next generation of transportation.”

Perhaps one of the most important questions being left to the public is whether the city should limit the total number of scooters and bikes in the city, or if the market should dictate how many units are necessary.

“We’re respecting the market and we want to have a plan in place for this, for the future of transportation, but we also want to provide the residents options.

Give them choices,” said Peters.

Peters said if residents express interest in having companies come in, scooters and bikes could appear throughout the city as soon as winter.

But before that, the city would have to set policies including companies having to pay fees for using public sidewalks or roadways for commercial use and adjusting and updating current ordinances regarding “motorized play vehicles.”

“We’re excited to hear back from the public and we certainly want to know how our residents feel about it,” said Peters.

To access the survey, residents and business members can visit chandleraz. gov/transportation.

High court to consider 2 old Chandler murders

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether someone convicted decades ago of two brutal Chandler murders will get a chance now to present evidence of his abusive childhood to a jury.

In a brief order, the justices said they will decide whether James McKinney is entitled to be resentenced under the law as it existed in 1991 when he committed the burglaries and murders, or the law as it exists now.

The difference could be a matter of life and death.

A federal appeals court already has ruled that McKinney should have been able to argue that what happened to him as a child — described by the trial judge as “horrific’’ and “beyond the comprehension and understanding of most people’’ — should have been considered at that time. But the trial judge did not, saying state law at that time allowed him to weigh only specific factors in deciding whether to spare McKinney’s life, which he did not do.

That limit was declared unconstitutional by the federal appellate court, ruling McKinney, on death row, was

entitled to be resentenced.

However, prosecutors — rather than send the case back to the trial court — simply asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review the record. And the state’s high court concluded that the death sentence was merited, even after looking at the additional information.

Attorney Neal Katyal, who is representing McKinney, told the U.S. Supreme Court that was wrong, and not only for the failure to send the case back to the trial court. He also pointed out that in 2002 the justices voided another Arizona law, one that allowed judges and not juries to determine whether a death sentence should be imposed.

With Monday’s order, the nation’s high court will determine whether McKinney does get a new sentencing hearing to try to escape the death penalty, and whether he’s entitled to make his case to a jury even though that wasn’t a requirement at the time of his original trial or appeal.

What the justices rule is likely to have implications beyond this case.

It would set the precedent for other old cases where a defendant is trying to get a federal court to review the propriety of a sentence. That includes co-defendant

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and half-brother Charles Hedlund whose own public defender is seeking Supreme Court review.

And it comes as courts in different states have reached disparate conclusions.

In documents filed by Assistant Attorney General David Cole, McKinney and Hedlund committed a series of five residential burglaries in less than a month in the Phoenix area.

The two at issue are the fourth and fifth, both in Chandler.

In No. 4 they broke into the home of Christine Mertens, beating and stabbing her, with McKinney ultimately holding her face down to the floor and shooting her in the back of the head. They escaped with about $120 in cash.

In the fifth they broke into the home of Jim McClain, with Hedlund shooting him in the head while he was sleeping.

They took his watch, three hand guns and his car.

Both were sentenced to death.

Katyal told the justices there was massive evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder based on McKinney’s childhood.

McKinney’s aunt said he, Hedlund and McKinney’s two sisters shared a room where there were no sheets on the

bed, with dogs, cats, snakes, a goat and a monkey kept in the room where they “regularly defecated and urinated.’’ There also was evidence of extensive physical, verbal and emotional abuse, including a beating with a garden hose.

At his sentencing before a trial judge, a psychologist testified McKinney had PTSD “resulting from the horrific childhood’’ he had suffered, leaving him “susceptible to manipulation and exploitation.’’

The trial judge acknowledged the abuse but said that, under Arizona law at that time, he could not consider any of that in deciding whether leniency was appropriate.

That led to the first appeal and the ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court affirming the sentence — the procedure that Katyal now wants the U.S. Supreme Court to rule was improper.

Ryan Anderson, a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said his agency believes the Arizona Supreme Court did nothing wrong when it affirmed McKinney’s sentence without sending the case back to a trial court.

“We feel confident in our arguments and believe we will ultimately prevail at the federal level as well,’’ he said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

27

How to help with Chandler back-to-school event SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The City of Chandler Diversity Office, along with For Our City-Chandler and a volunteer committee, is gearing up for another Operation Back to School event on July 20, at Chandler High School, 350 N. Arizona Ave. Operation Back to School is a one-day event where kids receive a free, brand-new backpack filled with school supplies to ensure Chandler students are ready with the supplies they need for the first day of school.

Haircuts, uniforms, socks, shoes and underwear also are a few of the freebies students receive during the event.

There are several ways to get involved for this year’s upcoming event: corporate sponsorships that range from $500 to $20,000; make an online financial contribution (100 percent of monetary donations are used to purchase supplies

for students); donate school supplies, shoes, socks, underwear or empty backpacks, for any size or gender, K-12.

Please note all donated items must be brand new; or volunteer to assist with inventory and backpack stuffing prior to the event or the day-of event assistance.

People also can donate a new backpack filled with supplies, or conduct a backpack/supply drive at your workplace or organization.

Stylists will be needed to cut boys and girls hair from 6:30-10:30 a.m.

Nearly 2,200 families and students from 43 of the 47 Chandler Unified schools attended last year and more are expected to attend this coming year.

In addition, more than 307 residents provided volunteer service to prepare for the event and nearly 50 nonprofits and local businesses made cash and in-kind

donations.

Complete information is bit. ly/2019OBTSChandler, niki.tapia@ chandleraz.gov or 480-782-2214.

Drop-off locations for donations are: To view a complete list of sponsorship opportunities, school supplies needed or volunteer opportunities, visit bit. ly/2019OBTSChandler. The website also has information on how to donate online.

In addition, supplies can be dropped off at any of these collection sites in Chandler: · E nvironmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ·T umbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Road Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. · Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday: 1-5 p.m. · Flix Brewhouse, 1 W. Chandler Blvd.

Visit flixbrewhouse.com/chandler for hours · Snedigar Recreation Center, 4500 S. Basha Road Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. · West Chandler Police Substation, 251 N. Desert Breeze Blvd.

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. · Hilton Chandler Mall, 2929 W. Frye Road Open 24 hours Collection sites for backpacks and school supplies will be open until Wednesday, July 11.

Chandler couple fenced baby formula, police allege

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

A Chandler couple has been arrested on suspicion they acted as middle men in fencing stolen baby formula.

In the aftermath of what Chandler Police called their largest undercover operation to date, police arrested Rafid Khoshi, 46, and Manal Sulaiman, 43, at their Sun Groves home.

Police said couple was purchased stolen formula and shipped it to a dealer in El Cajon, California.

In total the couple shipped over 25,000 cans of baby formula worth about $425,000 to California via freight trucks.

The investigation began in September 2018, when two subjects were taken into custody for stealing formula from a Walmart in Chandler.

The subjects told detectives they had stolen the formula with intent of selling it to Khoshi and Sulaiman, who had requested to purchase upwards of 1,000 cans at a time, police said.

Five days later, an undercover cop met with Khoshi and Sulaiman to sell baby formula. By May this the officer had sold formula to the couple 13 times and worth over $25,000, though Khoshi had knowledge the formula had been stolen, police said.

Throughout the investigation it was discovered the Khoshi was recruiting drug

City employees take a break after a work-out. (City of Chandler)

SENATORS

from page 18

parochial school.

But Yarbrough, until he stepped down from ACSTO in late 2017, also had a personal and financial interest in scholarships.

ACSTO was the second-largest tuition organization in the state, behind only the program run by the Catholic church.

It collected more than $200 million in donations between 1998 and 2017, giving

out $173 million of that in scholarships as Arizona law allows sponsoring organizations to keep up to 10 percent for costs.

Yarbrough said he had nothing to gain from his sponsorship of the corporate tax credits, saying all the money he gave out came from private and not corporate donations.

In his last year in office — and after stepping aside from ACSTO — Yarbrough did offer to support reducing that 20

addicts and users of the app “Offer Up,” a buying and selling app comparable to Craigslist, to steal the formula and bring it to him.

Khoshi was known to text lists of preferred formula brands to shoplifters, and told the undercover detective he had a buyer for those brands because they were “top sellers” for his business.

Khoshi told police he had minimal involvement in the trafficking ring and simply buys about 20 cans of formula per week as a hobby.

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said, “The financial losses to the victims were great and so was the reach this criminal enterprise had in the community.

I commend our Property Crimes detectives for their relentless pursuit to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.”

Various national news agencies have reported on the lucrative the black market for baby formula.

Legitimate sales of formula exceed $4 billion annually and that basic cans can run $20 apiece while special recipes can sell for as much as three times that for a three-to-four-day supply.

Around the country, law enforcement agencies in recent years have reported heists ranging from thousands to several million dollars’ worth of baby formula.

WELLNESS

The bike ride is hosted by the transportation policy division, but Boley said the Wellness Committee promoted the event because it is a great way for families to be active together.

“Sometimes we start living in our own bubble. I think it also gives people an opportunity to discover trails and get out and discover more of their own community. Were lucky in Chandler we have exceptional parks and trails, jogging paths and bike lanes in a lot of areas,” said Boley.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke added, “our Wellness Team has been working hard to develop programs to engage our employees to make health and wellness a priority. I’m pleased that their efforts were recognized with a Healthy Arizona Worksite Platinum Award.”

Boley said she is excited to see the wellness and health efforts of the city expand next year.

from page 17

to them because it’s not a one size fits all,” said Boley.

She added an app has also been developed to keep employees connected from their phone to the portal no matter where they are.

The portal grants online access to seminars on the various aspects of wellness including; nutrition, mental health, fitness, retirement and finances.

“Not everyone can make it to lunch and learn at noon. So we made it available electronically,” said Boley.

Some of the events city employees have participated in this year involved a mindful meditation session, national walk at lunch day, a resistance bands fitness class, and Chandler’s annual family bike ride event.

percent year-over-year inflator. But that died when he insisted it be paired with actually increasing the amounts of some other tax credits available for these private and parochial school scholarships.

This year’s version, sponsored by Mesnard, had no such trade-off. It gained unanimous approval of both the House and Senate.

During 2017, the most recent year for which records are available, Internal Revenue Service filings by ACSTO

show that out of the $21.3 million the organization collected, Yarbrough was paid $98,241 in annual salary plus another $27,840 in what was listed as the cost of fringe benefits and life insurance.

On top of that, the organization paid another $659,300 to HY Processing, a firm owned by Yarbrough and his wife, Linda, to handle the accounting and paperwork for the scholarships.

And ACSTO was renting space in a building owned by Yarbrough.

28 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Business

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

A rendering shows what The Steelyard will look like when the new retail center opens on the southeast corner of Gilbert Road and Chandler Heights Road. The Steelyard will have restaurants and is expected to have a day spa and possibly a dentist’s office and insurance office.

Steelyard will bring retail to former Riggs land

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Southeast Chandler residents can expect more dining and retail options when a new commercial center is built on land the legendary Riggs family previously owned.

Capital Development Group, the development arm of Capital Asset Management Phoenix, will be building The Steelyard on the southeast corner of Gilbert Road and Chandler Heights Road.

The 26,020-square-feet group of three

integrated and freestanding multi-tenant buildings is being built in response to high demand from the neighborhood, residential growth and the desire for unusual retail in the area, according to Capital Development Group.

The company bought the property from the Riggs family and the land had been an active steel yard until the deal closed in April.

Officials expect to break ground in the third quarter of this year and within a year.

Some of the tenants in the retail

center will be Pita Jungle, the Arizona healthy food staple, as well as High Tide Seafood Bar & Grill, which will be the second location for the upscale seafood eatery that specializes in steam kettle cooking.

Jason Hersker, a partner with Capital Development Group and leasing director said a Jersey Mike’s Subs will also set up shop.

A day spa is expected to sign a lease and other tenants may include a dentist’s office and insurance office. About 60

percent of the building space has been pre-leased.

“It’s a very underserved retail trade area with extremely high household incomes and a very affluent demographic,” Hersker said. “It’s an agrarian take on an industrial design.”

Suite 6 Architecture + Planning of Scottsdale is providing architectural services and will keep the water tower — See

STEELYARD on page 30

Chandler Chamber salutes community, business leaders SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Scores of community and business leaders came together May 31 to congratulate this year’s winners of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce Community Awards.

The awards salute distinguished performers in local government, business, education and community service.

The 32nd annual gala at Gila River Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino offered some frivolity along with well-wishes for the winners, as it opened with a take-off on the TV show “Family Feud” with a version called “Chamber Feud.”

“It is wonderful to have such remarkable people and organizations here in Chandler and it is our pleasure to honor these exceptional businesses, organizations, educators and volunteers. They each make unique and valuable contributions to our community and Chamber,” said Chamber President/CEO Terri Kimble.

Here is a list of the winners.

Community Cup

Longtime developer Michael A. Pollack, founder of Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments, won the Community Cup, which salutes an organization, or individuals to show appreciation for outstanding volunteerism and/or other

commitments to the community.

The award is open to individuals who have been actively involved in the community for a long period of time.

Although many community leaders generously lend their name to assist various activities, the Chandler Cup requires that the recipient be actively involved in these activities and make “a significant difference in the quality of life in Chandler and exhibit a high degree of willingness to help others.”

Chamber Cup

Quantum Helicopters received this award, which goes to a Chamber member to show appreciation for outstanding effort and support on behalf of the organization.

Recipients have been actively involved in the Chamber a minimum of two years and “produced a significant difference in the welfare of the Chamber.”

They are considered strong supporters of the organization and its goals; demonstrate the following leadership skills: follow through and responsibility for activities and projects; work effectively with other participants; encourage the participation of others; and solve problems and exhibit innovative thinking.

Chandler Cup

Northrop Grumman won this award, and the recipient is named by the mayor

in honor of the winner’s “support and partnership with the City of Chandler.”

James R. Snedigar Public Service Award Police Commander W. David Ramer won this award, named after the late Chandler Office James R. Snedigar.

It recognizes someone working in the public sector who is “making significant differences in the quality of life for an individual or group in Chandler.”

Recipients have been involved in the community for a long period of time and “demonstrated exceptional concern for the well-being and/or safety of others.”

Business Diversity Award

Intel Corp. won this award, which honors a company that demonstrates “commitments to promoting a diverse workplace environment” and “maintains a record of accomplishments in areas of diverse management, recruiting, and leadership.”

The winner has a “proven track record of sound policies and practices that support positive environmental, employee, economic, community, and social impact” as well as a “growing commitment to using the power of corporate decision making as a tool for sustainability and corporate citizenship” and a “demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders and value ‘bottom lines.’”

Ambassador of the Year

Ray Rodriguez Jr., of OneTen Entertainment, won this award for his many hours of volunteering at Chamber events and activities.

Educator of the Year

Ricque Pekara, of CTA Freedom Elementary, received this award, which goes to a teacher who displays “a genuine concern for students;” encourages parental involvement; and participates “in extracurricular activities involving students, business and the community.”

It also recognizes an individual for imparting “significant educational growth and (helping to) build a positive self-image in students” and who maintains “a high standard of professionalism” as well as demonstrates “initiative and creativity to improve instruction” and strives for personal and professional growth.”

School Administrator of the Year

Lynn Weed, Knox Gifted Academy principal, won this award, which recognizes a school administrator who can “manage and administrate effectively,” “demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation” and “foster cooperation between the school, business and the See

AWARDS on page 29

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

29

Drivers will have to buy more insurance next year

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Arizona motorists who purchase just the bare minimum liability insurance now required are going to have to spend a bit more.

But not until next year.

Legislation signed last week by Gov. Doug Ducey mandates that vehicle owners purchase policies which provide for at least $25,000 worth of coverage for injuries caused to any one person. The current minimum is just $15,000, a figure that was put in place in 1972.

The new law also boosts total coverage for all injuries in any one mishap from $30,000 to $50,000. And the property coverage — essentially damage to someone else’s vehicle — would go from $10,000 to $15,000.

It would apply to policies purchased or renewed after July 1, 2020.

How much more that will cost, however, remains a bit unclear.

Lobbyist Rob Dalager who represents groups backing the higher limits told lawmakers earlier this year he has heard figures of anywhere from $3 to $8 a month.

He said, though, the only people who should be affected are those who buy the bare minimum. The bills for those who already purchase more extensive coverage

t? o G ws Ne

would remain unchanged.

Ducey vetoed a similar measure last year which would have boosted the minimum property damage to $25,000.

The governor expressed concern on how higher liability limits would make insurance less affordable for those at the bottom of the income scale. And that, he said at the time, could result in some motorists choosing to drop coverage altogether, even though it’s required under state law and first-time violators face a $500 minimum penalty.

Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, the sponsor of last year’s bill, responded

by scaling back that property damage coverage to $15,000.

That, however, still left some foes. Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, said he had philosophical objections to the whole concept.

“I’m not a big fan of mandatory insurance,’’ he said.

“Nobody mandates you have insurance in business,’’ Farnsworth said. “And you can do a lot of damage that way.’’

Sen. Lupe Contreras, D-Avondale, acknowledged during the debate the increased financial burden on some of his constituents. But he said he sees this as

providing protection for those who get into accidents.

Contreras said that many of the vehicles on the road cannot be replaced for the $10,000 maximum that an errant motorist’s insurance company would have to pay out. Any additional costs would be borne by the at-fault driver, assuming that person actually has the finances to make up the difference.

“I would want to protect them in a sense of them paying $3 to $8 more a month to make sure that they’re getting what they need out of their vehicles,’’ he said.

But Contreras said he is under no illusion that higher coverage for personal injury is going to make a significant dent in the kind of medical costs after a major accident. And that, he said, comes from personal experience.

“The limits were nothing close to my million-dollar bills from the hospital from being revived twice,’’ he said. That same 1990 accident also claimed the life of his 18-year-old sister.

“These liability limits, it doesn’t bring a person back, doesn’t do anything,’’ Contreras said, but does provide at least some additional coverage. “You can’t put a price on a life when you’re talking about a few dollars a month.’’

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AWARDS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

continuing to play an active role in the classroom.

from page 28

community.”

It recognizes someone who “encourages a continuing partnership among students and parents as well as faculty and staff ” and keeps “abreast of developments in the field of education” while encouraging team spirit, demonstrating leadership and exemplifying commitment while

School Support Staff of the Year

STEELYARD

Management.

Stephen Herman, partner with CDG and vice-president of development for Capital Asset Management, said the design for The Steelyard is consistent with Chandler’s Southeast Chandler Area Plan and cultivates an atmosphere reminiscent of the area’s rural character.

“The Steelyard is going to be a special place for the growing neighborhood,” Herman said. “We have gone to great lengths to bring amenities to the area through a unique blend of retail uses and an emphasis on a modern-industrial agrarian design.”

Hersker said CDG went through a yearlong process to rezone the property to prepare for the new development.

“The owner of the property was really great to work with and helped us along with all of our neighborhood outreach meetings,” he said.

“There were some things that we needed to account for and be cognizant of,” he added. “There’s a neighborhood directly behind us. We wanted to make

Diana Perez, a noontime aide at Weinberg Elementary, won this award.

Recipients “display an outstanding manner that significantly contributed to the CUSD” and provide “truly outstanding” service to the overall purposes of the school district.

from page 28

an iconic landmark on the property.

The design attributes are “in line with Chandler’s agrarian general plan but with more of a raw take with the architecture,” Hersker said. Corrugated steel will be part of the development.

“It’s a very modern design and it certainly doesn’t look like anything in the area,” Hersker said.

The new Taylor Morrison Valencia II Homes subdivision is just behind the development and Maracay Homes announced it is going to build five new developments in the area.

“This development is a reflection of our continued focus of creating community while adding quality projects to our portfolio, including the most recent 7th Street and Townley Walgreens retail center redevelopment and other projects throughout the Valley,” said Rachelle Strole, development partner with CDG and owner of Capital Asset

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sure we were listening to them and that our design and overall development wasn’t going to be invasive and that it was going to be something that was accepted and that people would be excited about.”

Hersker said he and his partners in CDG listened to homeowners’ concerns regarding lights, noise and having a drivethru on the site and are making sure everything will be screened properly.

“We felt that we spoke with each individual homeowner there and really listened to what their needs were and tried to accommodate,” he said.

The drive-thru will be for a fast-casual restaurant but Hersker did not want to reveal the name yet.

The Riggs family is well-known and has deep roots in Chandler.

Lyle Riggs was born in 1916 in Mesa and his father farmed at Jep Peterson’s land, which was a mile and a half south of Williams Field Road on Gilbert Road, according to an oral history from the Chandler Museum.

Willetta, who was Lyle’s wife, was born

in 1917 on the John and Fanny Nelson farm at Gilbert Road and Chandler Heights Road, according to “Driving Chandler’s Streets, The History of Chandler’s Streets as told by CGCC Students” out of Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Lyle and Willetta met at Chandler High School and both have since passed away.

Lyle’s family moved to different farms between Gilbert and Chandler and as a young man Lyle worked for some of them, including harvesting hay for the Chandler Improvement Company, the CGCC historical report said.

CDG has offices in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles and is a division of Capital Asset Management, which is a full-service real estate firm that specializes in the management, brokerage and development of commercial assets.

Capital Asset Management has established a history as a competitive, connected and conscientious real estate firm, since 1994, with partnerships in the industries it serves.

Information: camcre.com

Dan Kuiper, Valley Christian Schools, won this award.

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BUSINESS SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Chamber honors

Honors were accorded by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce on May 31 to a group of individuals and businesses for their achievements and contributions to the organization and the community. All IDS are from left. Among the honorees and other attendees were 1) scholarship winners Angel Delveccio, Jaimarie Hernandez and Jonah Benavides; 2) Ray Rodriguez of One Ten Entertainment, left, who was surprised with the Ambassador of the Year Award; 3) Red Apple Award winner Dan Kuiper of Valley Christian Schools; 4) Chandler Police Commander W. David Ramer, who won the James R. Snedigar Award; 5) Jake Schmidt and Pam Parkinson, who participated in the “Chamber Feud” game; 6) Knox Gifted Academy Principal Lynn Weed, winner of the Administrator of the Year award; 7) Educator of the Year Ricque Pekara of CTA Freedom Elementary School; 8) Bob Bauer of Intel picks up his company’s diversity award; 9) Diane Perez of Weinberg Elementary took the Support Staff of the Year honors. 10) The awards followed a fun version of the TV show “Family Feud.”

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All photographs by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Women lead downtown Chandler garage project SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Construction is not a man’s world anymore.

Just ask McCarthy Building Companies Inc., which recently topped out construction on the new $20 million, five-level, 293,000-square-foot Oregon Street parking garage for Chandler that includes a road realignment along Oregon Street as well as intersection improvements at Arizona Avenue and Chicago Street.

Four women are leading the project that will give downtown Chandler its largest parking structure to date.

The four leaders — Brittany Calbert with McCarthy Building Companies, Kim Moyers with the City of Chandler, Ashlee Pounds with Kitchell CEM and Jackeline Kafie with PK Associates — rose through the ranks and lead significant parts of the project.

Moyers, who was the city’s downtown redevelopment manager when the project started, is excited by the prospects that this project brings to downtown.

“This will be Downtown Chandler’s largest parking garage. To provide the much needed parking on the west side of Arizona Avenue will be such a benefit to the downtown businesses,” Moyers said. “But the ability to convert the first floor into retail uses in the future as well as to aid in the redevelopment efforts to the south is also very exciting.”

The parking garage is being built as part of a design-build process that allowed the project team to design, price and permit the project in less than five months, which is an accelerated timeframe compared with traditional project delivery methods.

The team that’s leading the Oregon Street Garage project at the right, includes, from left: Kim Moyers of the City of Chandler; Brittany Calbert of McCarthy Building Companies; Ashlee Pounds of Kitchell CEM and Jackeline Kafie of PK Associates.

(City of Chandler)

Project Manager Brittany Calbert is on site managing the design and construction, including the self-perform concrete scope of the new parking garage, which will bring 932 new parking spots.

“Calbert plays a critical role in ensuring employees and trade partners execute the plan needed to build out the garage on schedule and within budget, while also managing communications between the

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City and the project partners,” a McCarthy spokeswoman said.

Calbert grew up around construction. Her spent 35 years with McCarthy and, although in college she initially pursued architecture, she decided to follow in his footsteps.

“I highly recommend construction management as a career path for women,”

Calbert said. “My best advice is to focus on building relationships in the industry just as much as you focus on gaining technical knowledge early on. It’s very important to build a tribe of mentors and advocates within the field.”

Pounds, senior project engineer at Kitchell CEM, feels not being stuck at a computer desk all day was a major factor in her career decision.

“Seeing females in hard hats is less an anomaly today than it has been, but we are still definitely in the minority,” Pounds said.

“There are more and more women coming into our industry and finding that sun and dirt isn’t only for the boys.”

With a parking garage project, structural engineering is key and Kafie, who holds a Ph.D. in structural engineering, served as the structural technical designer.

“My father is an electrical engineer and I have visited construction sites since I was very young. I enjoy challenges and being able to overcome them,” Kafie said. “The construction of this parking garage means the city is developing and growing, and that translates to a city in progress and a healthy economy. I will be thrilled to see the project come to life when it completes in the fall.”

Long thought of as a male-dominated field with few promotional opportunities for women, the four project leaders said mentorship and growth opportunities have existed at every point of their careers.

Last year, the Associated General Contractors of America noted 80 percent of construction firms reported difficulties in

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Global medical firm bringing 200 jobs to Park Place

It boasts of serving 325,000 renal patients through 3,800 dialysis clinics. “At the same time, we operate more than 40 production sites on all continents, to provide dialysis products such as dialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposables,” the company says on its website. It is the largest company in the world that makes products and provides services for dialysis patients.

Company spokesman Brad Puffer said the $6 million investment in the corporation’s newest Chandler-based center is ideal for its employees due to its location at the intersection of Loop 101 and Loop 202.

“We wanted to minimize the impact

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

A new medical business center at Park Place will bring 200 new jobs to the Chandler area in the fall.

The 40,000-square-foot facility will house administrative services for Fresenius Medical Care North America, a national provider of kidney care products, services and treatment options for people living with kidney failure.

In addition to the company’s 60 other centers in Arizona, Fresenius also has its regional headquarters in Chandler.

Fresenius is an international company whose roots date back to the foundation of a pharmacy in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1462.

CONSTRUCTION

from page 32

recruiting construction craft workers for job sites. And, despite diversity pushes throughout the industry, only 939,000 women — roughly 9 percent — were in the construction industry, according to the National Association of Women in Construction.

The project is slated for completion in November.

“The downtown is the heart and urban core of our city,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “With New Square opening later this year, along with the new additions to our Historic Square, free parking will always

This new addition to Park Place in Chandler will house 200 employees of the global company Fresenius Medical Care. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

be a welcomed and important amenity for our residents, businesses and visitors.

Congratulations to McCarthy on this milestone and we’re looking forward to celebrating the garage’s opening this fall.”

Now that topping out is completed, the team will focus on interior rough-in, exterior skin, site work and off-site improvements with the most critical being the completion of the Arizona Avenue intersection improvements that will take place over the summer.

“The topping out represents a critical milestone in the project meaning we’ve reached structural completion for all five floors of the garage,” said Calbert.

“Additionally, McCarthy has been able to utilize our self-perform team for cast-in-place

concrete as well as electrical and mechanical work, which has provided added value in the form of cost savings, quality control and schedule acceleration to the city,” she said.

The garage has more architectural and art elements than any other garage McCarthy has built in the southwest.

Features include a concrete form liner along the perimeter walls, as well as three different types of metal panels including mesh fabric along the stairs where color changing LED lighting will be displayed.

Chandler requires art in every downtown project, and the team allocated funds toward functional aspects that include pedestrian benches and louvered canopies designed by coLab Studio and Jeff Zischke.

See

MEDCENTER on page 34

Construction of the garage and adjacent New Square development took away surface parking that had been available on these parcels.

A free shuttle service that takes people from the garages to downtown establishments also is available from 5-9 p.m.

Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country — with more than 150 years in the industry. spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. It is ranked the 20th largest domestic general contractor with 1,700 salaried employees.

BUSINESS 34 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Vegan cinnamon rolls coming to Gilbert

BY CECILLA CHAN Staff Writer

A bakery offering vegan cinnamon rolls tailored to suit just about any taste bud is coming to Gilbert.

Cinnaholic is opening its first location in Arizona this month at SanTan Village at Williams Field Road and Santan Village Parkway.

“It’s build-your-own bakery cinnamon rolls customized with 20 flavors and 20 different toppings,” said Gilbert resident Shanntel Hobbensiefken, who co-owns the franchise with her husband Aaron.

“What’s unique about it is it’s plantbased,” she said. “It’s dairy-free, egg-free, cholesterol-free and half the calories of our competitor. Our typical Old Skool Roll is 450 calories.”

However, the various toppings will increase that calorie count and cost, she added. The average cost of a regular roll is $5.50, according to Hobbensiefken.

Despite eschewing the traditional ingredients such as eggs, milk and butter that go into a cinnamon roll, there is no sacrifice in taste, according to Hobbensiefken, who’s eaten the baked goods at the Cinnaholic Bakery in Brea, California, near where she used to live.

“People are shocked when they are told it’s plant-based,” she said. “Lot of people don’t realize it’s vegan.”

Co-founders Shannon and Florian Radke launched the California-based company in 2010 with their first bakery in downtown Berkeley. Today, with the Gilbert bakery, there are 31 locations in the United States and Canada.

Shannon Radke called the couple “the perfect team to grow the Cinnaholic brand in Arizona.”

Cinnaholic is scoring rave reviews from customers, even from non-vegans.

“I’m a full on, bacon-eating omnivore and I will destroy a Cinnaholic cinnamon roll,” wrote one customer on Yelp, a crowdsourced review forum. “Seriously, whether you are vegan or not, you will want one of these things in your face.”

Another customer wrote “it blew my mind” when she found out she was eating a vegan cinnamon roll.

Above: Aaron and Shanntel Hobbensiefken stand in what will soon be the Gilbert Cinnaholic bakery with their three children. The franchise features vegan cinnamon rolls. (Kimberly

Florian amd Shannon Radke founded the Cinnhaloic franchise in Berkeley, California. (Cinnaholic)

Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

Right: Cinnaholic’s frosting comes in numerous flavors and customers can also order special fruit toppomgs as well.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

“This is the first in Arizona to open, there’s really nothing that is like us,” Hobbensiefken said. “Our closest competitive is Cinnabon, where it’s not scratch-made or customized gourmet.”

Cinnaholic’s frosting flavors include lemon, chai, peanut butter, cake batter and amaretto while toppings include apples, caramel sauce and marshmallows.

Customers can stick with the classic cinnamon roll or build their own creation.

Some popular cinnamon roll combinations include Blueberry Pie, Strawberries and Cream and Cookie Monster, according to the company’s website.

Other menu items include bite-sized Baby Buns, cookies, brownies and raw, edible cookie dough.

Hobbensiefken said she is working with a Gilbert coffee roaster to offer locally sourced coffee at the bakery.

Choosing to go with Cinnaholic was easy for the mom of three boys, ages 3,

4 and 5. She said no one in the family has diet issues but she knows plenty of people who do.

“I have a lot of friends who have kids with dietary restrictions, like egg and dairy intolerances,” Hobbensiefken said, adding: “They were always struggling to find a place to take their kids. (And) I’m a mom that likes the idea of high-quality ingredients and freshness and it worked out well for our family.”

The couple is throwing 100 percent of their time into their new endeavor. Hobbensiefken’s husband left behind a career as a high school history teacher for his new gig.

“We will be working the front of the house and the back of the house,” Hobbensiefken said. “My husband and I are fully committed and will be spending lot of

time baking.”

Baking is right up Hobbensiefken’s alley.

“I like to bake and to cook for my family,” she said. “I would like to bake unique things for my kids’ birthday parties, for friends and families and events. It’s always been a fun, creative outlet for me.”

The couple plans on hiring 20 to 25 part-time employees. The bakery also will offer catering for occasions such as weddings, office parties and business meetings.

“We are looking at mid-June for opening,” Hobbensiefken said.

The bakery was still under construction last week so an official opening was not yet set. But on opening day, Cinnaholic will treat customers to $1 gourmet rolls.

“I have young, very active boys that can’t wait,” Hobbensiefken said. “They’ve been a part of it and why we are doing this.”

Vegan lovin’ from the oven What: Cinnaholic Bakery Where: Opening in mid-June at Suite 103, 1887 E.Williams Field Road, Gilbert Contact: 480-809-9068 Information: cinnaholic.com

Western State Bank names 2 vice presidents SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Western Bank has named two new vice presidents.

The bank, which has offices in Chandler as well as other Valley cities, named Susan Kubis vice president/cash management officer.

Kubis is responsible for the development of new cash management business, the expansion of existing relationships and delivery of cash

MEDCENTER

from page XX

on the commute for our current employees while also creating the opportunity to attract additional qualified job applicants from the central and west valley areas,” said Puffer.

The company has not yet released what positions will be available or when such openings will be announced.

management services to Western’s new and existing customers in Arizona and provide product support to Western’s other bank locations.

She has been in cash management for over 10 years in Minnesota and Arizona. She is originally from Cloquet, Minnesota, but lived in the Twin Cities since graduating and earned an Associate of Arts degree in accounting.

Kubis has been a member and is the immediate past president of the

Minnesota Association for Financial Professionals as well as a member of Arizona’s local chapter, AFPA. She also volunteers for Junior Achievement and currently resides in Gilbert with her husband.

Meanwhile, Kurt Johansen recently joined Western State Bank as executive vice president/commercial lending director. His duties include leading and supporting the business banking officers and cash management officers in Arizona, and overseeing commercial lending.

Johansen has 30 years of banking experience, serving in various positions and most recently was vice president at Great Western Bank.

A Tempe native, Johansen and earned his degree in business from the University of Phoenix. He serves on the Chandler IDA Board and volunteers for the Chandler Compadres.

Western State Bank is a 117-year-old employee-owned, community bank with assets totaling over $1 billion.

However, new employees can look forward to a central courtyard area between buildings that is shared building residents and an outdoor patio dedicated to employees only.

Fresenius has more than sixty centers in Arizona, but chose Chandler to open yet another because the city has been a “great partner” and “supportive” of the company.

CEO Bill Valle said he is “excited”

to expand the company’s presence in Chandler.

“We have made a strong commitment in Arizona to support individuals living with kidney failure with the highest quality care. This business center will further our mission to improve the lives of all our patients and help us offer the best options for treatment available including access to home dialysis,” Valle said.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said the opportunity to have yet another large corporation settle into the area is promising for the community. He added he is thankful for their investment in Chandler.

“Fresenius Medical Care joins an impressive roster of employers expanding in [the] Price Corridor. This area offers a central location and access to a talented workforce,” said Hartke.

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Sports & Recreation

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Spring wrap-up: Chandler schools impressed

BY ZACH ALVIRA STSN Sports Editor

Champions have been crowned, seniors have graduated and fall prep sports teams have begun preparations for the upcoming season in August.

Now that the school year has officially come to a close, it presents an opportunity to look back at some of the top programs from each school this spring.

season, and the Huskies proved why in the state tournament. After waiting three hours and 40 minutes to play, the Huskies dominated Corona del Sol High to win its seventh in program history. Hamilton’s girls tennis team advanced to the state title game in the division I tournament, but lost to Xavier Prep. Neil Bhardwaja and Rahul Bhat won the boys doubles title by beating Brophy.

Basha High

The Chandler High girls track and field team was one of three programs at the school that captured state titles this spring. The boys track and field team sprinted away from competition while the boys volleyball program beat Mountain View in five sets. (Zach Alvira/STSN Staff)

Here’s a look at how all the Chandler high schools fared this spring.

Chandler High

Chandler added three more championship trophies this spring, as the boys volleyball team and both the boys and girls track and field teams won state titles. It was the fourth straight title for the girls, which has evolved into one of the most dominant programs in the state. The boys volleyball program got redemption from last season by beating Mountain View in five sets.

Hamilton High

Hamilton’s baseball program was one of the teams to beat heading into the 2019

Basha’s beach volleyball program nearly took home a state title in the pairs tournament, as Haley Carrington and Sam Drewry fell to Desert Vista’s pairs team to take home the second-place trophy. Camden Mateen anchored Basha’s boys track and field team at the state meet in May with a gold-medal win in long jump.

His teammate, Connor Ivie, placed second in triple jump.

Basha finished eighth overall at the meet with 33 points.

Casteel High

Several boys and girls in Casteel’s track and field program medaled at the state meet in May. The boys relay team placed first in the 4x100-meter relay and second in the 4x400. Matthew Abramson took silver in the 400-meter, while Taylor Starkey and Tyla Biggs each placed first in pole vault and javelin. The boys finished second overall, while the girls finished third. Other notable performances include the boys volleyball program, which advanced to the 5A semifinals but lost to eventual champion Campo Verde High.

Perry High

Like Casteel, Perry’s athletics program has become one of the best in the state in short

Hamilton High School’s baseball team celebrated their seventh state title. (Zach Alvira/Sports Editor)

order. The beach volleyball program advanced to the division I state championship for the second year in a row, but fell to Xavier in five sets. The Pumas won the title last season.

The baseball program, playing with heavy hearts all season as Jacob Medina, a former player, battled leukemia, made it to the 6A tournament but fell to Basha High in the first round.

Valley Christian

Valley Christian’s track and field program stood among the top in the state once again, as the boys captured their second straight title and the girls finished third. The boys relay team placed first in the 4x100-meter and 4x400 to help clinch the title. Logan Kelley also played a vital role with his first-place finish in pole vault.

On the girls’ side, Rebecca Smith also won the pole vault title, while Chloe Fraley took first in javelin.

Seton Catholic

Seton Catholic’s boys track and field team won gold in the 4x100-meter relay at the state meet. The win set the stage for the Sentinels to place seventh overall

in the team standings. Seton Catholic’s baseball program advanced to the 4A semifinals before falling to rival Mesquite High.

Arizona College Prep

Arizona College Prep’s beach volleyball team pushed Fountain Hills, the previous two-time defending champion, to five sets in the semifinals before losing. Krista Rowan and Daria Sukhareva advanced to the pairs state title game but finished second after losing to Salpointe Catholic’s pairs.

Chandler Prep

Chandler Prep’s Sangeet Bhalla represented the Titans in the division III tennis singles championships match.

The second-ranked player heading into the tournament, Bhalla ran the table but ultimately fell to top-seeded Sofia Fetsis from Pusch Ridge Christian Academy.

At the state track and field meet in May, Isaiah Usher placed first in division IV javelin. On the girls’ side, Olivia Mountain placed second in the 800-meter run and third in the 1600m. Nicole SpencerWalters placed second in discus.

Nike GBAC 7-on-7 maintains success in 7th year

BY ZACH ALVIRA STSN Sports Editor

The end of the school year signals the start of summer football training for high schools all across Arizona, as many begin workout programs and field work throughout the week.

While some teams take the weekends off, others enter 7-on-7 passing tournaments to hone their skills against local competition before the pads come on. The Nike GBAC 7-on-7 is the first big passing tournament of the summer, bringing together several programs from every division to compete.

“This is one of the best tournaments in the state and even this side of the Mississippi (river),” said Chad DeGrenier, Mesa High School’s football coach. “All of the coaches that come here, it’s the best of the best.

Everyone enjoys it.”

DeGrenier, who was hired at Mesa in December, is the founder of Gotta Believe Athletic Club, a non-profit organization based in Scottsdale that focuses on training, conditioning and motivation for young athletes.

Through Gotta Believe, DeGrenier and

Mesa High football coach Chad DeGrenier, the founder of Gotta Believe it Athletic Club in Scottsdale, has partnered with Dan DeChesaro the past seven years to put on the Nike GBAC 7-on-7 passing tournament.

More than 40 teams competed in the tournament on Saturday, May 25 at Scottsdale Sports Complex. (Zach Alvira/Tribune Staff)

Dan DeChesaro have put on the Nike GBAC 7-on-7 tournament the past seven years. It has become a mainstay for college coaches who want to see some of the top talent in the state in action against other schools.

A former quarterback for the Arizona Rattlers from 1998-2002, DeGrenier has paid close attention to the rise in division I caliber quarterbacks in the state the past few seasons. Several quarterbacks with multiple division I offers took part in the tournament on Saturday, including Chaparral’s Jack Miller, an Ohio State commit, Pinnacle’s JD Johnson, a Michigan commit, and Gilbert’s Will Plummer, an Arizona commit. “(Will) is doing good,” said Derek Zellner, Gilbert High’s coach. “I’m pleased with how we did. Sometimes you run into teams that have more guys than you do and that’s just the case.”

Plummer led Gilbert into the gold bracket of the tournament, designated for teams that won their four-team pool. The Tigers went on to beat Seton Catholic before running into Miller and Chaparral high schools.

The Firebirds depth took over in the match up, but it presented Zellner an oppor-

tunity to see where his team is at this point in the summer, another added bonus for several teams in the tournament.

“There’s some teams here that are at the top and others who are maybe in that second tier like us,” DeGrenier said of his Mesa team. “This tournament just provides an opportunity to really see how you stack up against tough competition and see what you need to work on.”

Among the top teams competing in the tournament was three-time defending 6A state champion Chandler. Former offensive assistant Rick Garretson took over as head coach of the Wolves after Shaun Aguano was hired to be the running backs coach at Arizona State.

Chandler has plenty of returning talent to make another run at the title, but it was also the first time against other competition for players taking over starting roles on both sides of the ball.

“You come here to improve,” Garretson said. “Having the ability to come play against teams like Pinnacle, Hamilton and Chaparral, See

7-ON-7 on page 41

40 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

The Chandler Chamber honored local businesses, individuals and educators for their outstanding contributions to the community, at the 32nd Annual Chandler Chamber Community Awards.

Congratulations to all the winners as we appreciate your efforts for making Chandler a great place to live, work and play. Thank you to all our sponsors who make this event possible.

Medium Business of the Year

Large Business of the Year

Optima Tax Relief

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Business Diversity in Action

Small Business of the Year

Sibley’s West: The Chandler & AZ Gift Shop

Micro Business of the Year

Chandler Lifestyle Magazine

Chandler Cup

Chamber Cup

Intel Corporation

Quantum Helicopters

Northrop Grumman

Community Cup

James R. Snedigar Public Service Award

Ambassador of the Year

Michael A. Pollack Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments

Educator of the Year

Commander W. David Ramer Chandler Police Department

Ricque Pekara CTA Freedom Elementary

Red Apple Award

Dan Kuiper Valley Christian Schools

School Support Staff Award Diana Perez

Scholarship Recipient Jonah Benavides

Ray Rodriguez Jr. OneTen Entertainment

School Administrator of the Year Lynn Weed Knox Gifted Academy

Scholarship Recipient Jaimarie HernĂĄndez

Scholarship Recipient Angel Delveccio

Photos by Everardo Keeme Photography

SPORTS & RECREATION SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

7-on-7

from page 40

it helps us learn. Chad puts on a great tournament. I think it’s the best in Arizona.”

Chaparral and Saguaro high schools went on to play for the tournament championship, with the Sabercats coming out on top.

Every team brought a high level of intensity that could be seen and heard across the

entire Scottsdale complex. While winning the tournament was the goal for each team, even those who fell short walked away having improved in some capacity.

“It’s about the kids and providing a great

41

tournament,” DeGrenier said. “We want the teams to be able to come in and get their work in a safe environment on quality fields.

“I want to continue providing good opportunities for kids.”

Mountain Pointe High hosting football camp

BY ZACH ALVIRA

STSN Sports Editor

A high-intensity football camp targeting Southeast Valley high school football players will take place on June 22-23 at Mountain Pointe High School.

The camp will be the first by Level Up, an Ahwatukee-based organization under the umbrella of 1st Place Tutoring and powered by Dayton, Ohio-based Enhance U Sports Performance Academy.

“This camp is different because it is not a celebrity football camp,” said Michael Bond, Executive Director of Level Up and owner and operator of 1st Place Tutoring.

“This camp is specifically designed to give high-level instruction to student-athletes to give them the tools to reach the next level.”

Campers will be coached by professionals with several years of experience at every level.

Mountain Pointe head coach Rich Wellbrock is the camp host and will also coach the offensive line. Ron Aiken, a former assistant coach at the University of Iowa, University of Oregon and the Arizona Cardinals, will coach the defensive line. Luke Matthews and Derek Deardorff, assistants at the University of Hawaii, will coach wide receivers and quarterbacks.

Other coaches at the camp include former New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tramain Hall, who is the founder of Enhance U Sports Perfor-

MICHAEL BOND

mance Academy.

Jake Peterson, the defensive coordinator at Valley Christian High School in Chandler will coach defensive backs alongside Cuyahoga (Ohio) High assistant Jeff Klusti and Brandon Wirrig, a professional performance trainer.

Campers will go through extensive drills specific to their position, as well as learn the necessary fundamentals to be successful both on and off the field.

An emphasis will be put on success in the classroom, as Bond and the other coaches will stress the importance of maintaining academic success in order to

TREMAINE HALL

RICH WELLBROCK

move on to the next level.

Coaches will also encourage players to set goals for themselves, as well as prepare them for college.

“Athletes who are freshmen learn what it takes and what they must do to become junior varsity players,” Bond said. “Varsity players will learn what they must do for the next level up, in order to become highly recruited athletes prepared to contribute in college.

“We want to train mind, body and soul so they are not only better players but also better people when they leave us.”

While Level Up is targeting Southeast

Valley prep football players, all are encouraged to register for the camp. Registration is still open for those wanting to participate in the two-day camp.

More information about the Level Up football camp, as well as how to register, can be found at levelup-az.com.

“Our student-athletes are a source of pride and an asset to our community,” Bond said. “This camp will not be all Xs and Os. It is focused on learning. There will be periods set aside for discussion of the importance of academics, keeping up with school and what to do and where to get help if needed.”

Cardinals’ camps aim to enlighten Arizona youth

BY ZACH ALVIRA

STSN Sports Editor

The Arizona Cardinals have long made it a priority to make a difference in the youth across Arizona through camps.

Several times throughout the year, the Cardinals’ community relations department — along with several volunteers — come together to provide an outlet for kids to learn the game of football as well as important life lessons revolving around education and staying on the right path.

The latest installment of these camps took place on Saturday, June 1 at Gilbert Christian High School, as several former players came together for the Football Skills and Education Camp presented by Gatorade and Dignity Health.

“It’s an event that has been going on for a while now and it’s something we want to continue to offer for the kids,” said Horace Raymond, the director of community relations for the Cardinals. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to get an hour of classroom instruction learning about the game and character building as well as getting out here on the field with former players and coaches.

“It’s a big deal for us to offer it to the masses.”

Several kids from all across the Valley and state ranging from 7th to 12th grade took part in the camp at Gilbert Christian.

Some had experience playing football for a youth team or high school. Others had never played before.

Raymond and Adam Richman, the Cardinals community relations and alumni program coordinator, made it a priority to target kids who had little to no experience playing football. To them, it is important to show that the camps are for everyone, regardless of skill level.

“We want to really target that audience the most,” Richman said. “Letting them get the opportunity to learn from guys who have played in the NFL is a great experience.”

The camp began with an hour-long classroom session centered around hydration and the importance of maintaining good grades in school.

Once finished, the campers made their way out to the field, where Mo Streety, the Cardinals manager of youth football, led them in stretching and plyometrics before breaking off into each drill led by several former Cardinals players.

From throwing drills for the quarterbacks, to route running and pass deflections for the wide receivers and defensive backs, each position group learned from former pros how to properly play their respective position.

Among the coaches was former running back Marcel Shipp (200107), former offensive linemen Rick Cunningham (1994), Jerome Daniels (1998)

and Anthony Clement (1998-2004). Former Cardinals tight end Lorenzo Diamond (2004), defensive back Robert Tate (200406), defensive back Carlos Brooks (1995), as well as kicker Neil Rackers (2003-09) also helped coach. Ray Perkins, former linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and current athletic director at Tolleson Union High School, was also present along with Qualen Cunningham, Rick’s son and Hamilton High alum who recently graduated from Texas A&M where he played defensive end for four seasons.

“It’s really important for guys like us who have played at a high level to be here for them,” Cunningham said. “A lot of these guys that are younger than us look up to us as icons.

“Some of the stuff we need to be doing is laying the brick for them to go on and become good people and do great things.”

During a Q & A session after the field work completed, Cunningham explained how he was still just a 17-year-old kid when he arrived to Texas A&M. He played against grown men, but had trust in his ability and became successful for the Aggies.

“That’s the biggest thing,” Cunningham said. “Stay true to who you are. At the end of the day, I think we all know what we should or shouldn’t be doing and we know what is good enough. Don’t let anybody manipulate you into something

you aren’t.”

Brooks, whose son, DeCarlos, just graduated from Chandler High as one of the top running backs in the state, shared much of what he taught his own kids to those at the camp.

To him, it’s about being confident. A trait he believes football helps develop.

“I want them to believe in themselves,” Brooks said. “I think that is what is missing with a lot of these kids. They get discouraged or quit. Whatever you do, compete like you do on the football field.

“Whether it’s in the classroom or on the field, take the same tenacity and work as hard as you can.”

Several campers personally thanked each player following the conclusion of the camp. Some even asked for extra pointers to use in the classroom and on the field. All walked away with smiles on their faces, projecting a sense of confidence and motivation to be in the same position as the former pros.

It’s that type of motivation to succeed the Cardinals hope will leave a lasting impact.

“There’s a lot of opportunities here to enlighten communities and make a difference,” Raymond said. “We want to use our brand to make a difference in the community.

“We want all of these kids that come here to become our friends, fans and just good people in the community.”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

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A father’s love provides comfort to kids in need

BY DAN SHUFELT Guest Writer

Foster parents are constantly coming to the doors of Arizona Helping Hands seeking assistance for boys and girls who are placed in their care. I love it when I have a few minutes to talk to them and to hear their stories. One recent chat with a foster dad left an indelible image in my mind.

Pedro and his wife have been fostering for just a few months. In that time, they have had three placements, the first of which was for just 24 hours. Pedro shared how difficult it was, even after just a day to have that youngster leave, especially not even having a chance to say goodbye.

Such are the challenges that foster parents open themselves up for, and the risk of hurt that they take on.

Pedro told me of their newest placement. Abandoned and in need, the baby boy is believed to be 18 months old.

He came to the house with no belongings, a vocabulary of only three words, and a world filled with fear and uncertainty.

On the day he was placed, Pedro took the day off to be with the baby. Even at such a young age, children know when their world is upended. Scared and afraid, the baby experiences night terrors, waking up in fear and not being able to sleep.

It was Pedro’s hand that provided the reassurance. He told me he sits by the bed and holds the boy’s hand for a long time until he can fall asleep. It’s that image that stays in my mind. A dad changing his life for a child in need, a dad giving his love knowing full well that he might not have that hand to hold tomorrow.

With the first placement, Pedro and his wife cried when the little boy left

their care. They had to take time off from fostering to regroup and gather the courage to try again. This could happen again with their current baby, but in the meantime, they hold hands, love and comfort a wounded little one.

I give thanks for Pedro, his wife and all courageous foster parents.

At Arizona Helping Hands, we loaded up the car to assist with this little boy. The crib, diapers, clothing, building blocks and more will help the family adjust to a new member. There was no notice this child was coming to them and no time to prepare — that’s why our work is so important.

Pedro told us that he is so grateful for our help, and even more grateful for the welcoming and helpful staff that greets families every time someone walks in the door. We are here to lend our helping hands in any way we can.

I think of my kids and grandkids. I’m

thankful that they have safety, comfort and consistency in their lives. With 14,000 children in foster care in Arizona, there are great needs to be filled in order to aid frightened and hurting children.

Dads like Pedro and foster families such as his, are playing an incredibly important role for boys and girls who desperately need them. I am grateful that our Helping Hands can lend a bit of support, and pray that one little boys’ terrors will ease, thanks to the love and support of a dedicated Dad. Happy Fathers’ Day to all dads.

Whether foster, biological or adopted, the love you share is a truly precious gift.

-Dan Shufelt is President & CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, the largest provider of basic needs to Arizona’s children in foster care. Information: azhelpinghands.org or dshufelt@ azhelpinghands.org.

Civic-minded seniors needed to combat Medicare fraud

BY CHRISTY ABRAMS

Guest Writer

It’s estimated that Medicare fraud and abuse costs taxpayers more than $60 billion a year nationally.

About 1.2 million Arizona seniors are eligible to receive Medicare benefits today.

A dense population of Medicare-eligible seniors creates a breeding ground for Medicare fraud, and a greater need for Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) volunteers to protect this vulnerable population in our state.

Scammers typically gain their victim’s trust by claiming to be a credible professional such as a social worker or doctor, and prey on senior’s emotions by pretending to be their friend.

Furthermore, older adults who have experienced healthcare fraud may feel uncomfortable reporting the crime.

Arizona is ramping up its efforts to fight Medicare fraud with an awareness and

volunteer recruitment campaign seeking retired and semi-retired professionals and others for its SMP project. SMP volunteers help preserve the Medicare benefit for their peers and generations to come.

They empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse through community outreach, one-on-one peer counseling and education.

Volunteers receive a 30-hour training that covers the patrol’s mission, Medicare basics, how to recognize Medicare fraud and abuse and what to do about it.

For example, Medicare beneficiaries should be aware of durable medical equipment (DME) fraud schemes involving items like walkers; wheelchairs; and back, neck and knee braces. DME sent by a supplier must be prescribed by a doctor.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), fraudulent telemarketing and DME supplies contribute to the estimated $60 billion in fraudu-

lent Medicare payments each year.

Though it may end up being no cost to the person, it is costing Medicare, and until the abuse is reported, scammers will continue to get away with it.

To protect yourself: • If you receive a call pressuring you to buy medical equipment you don’t want or need, HANG UP! • If you received items in the mail you didn’t order, refuse the delivery or send the items back and report the incident to your local SMP office at 1-800-432-4040.

Medicare beneficiaries also should be cautious of getting billed for genetic testing or cancer screenings performed at community events and senior centers.

Representatives of genetic testing companies including insurance agents representing these companies, attend healthcare events at senior centers and housing complexes offering to perform screening and tests.

To protect yourself: • Do not give out your Medicare number or Social Security number and be cautious of unsolicited requests for this information. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.

• Do not consent to any lab tests at senior centers, health fairs or in your home. Be wary of claims that genetic tests and cancer screenings will be at no cost to you.

• All x-rays, laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests must be ordered by the physician who is treating the beneficiary.

For more information on the SMP volunteer program, if you suspect Medicare fraud or would like more information on how to avoid a scam, call 1-800-432-4040 or visit smpresource.org Christy Abrams coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol as well as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Aging and Adult Services.

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OPINION 44 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Despite scary stats, stroke is not a death sentence

BY DR. MICHAEL LAWTON Guest Writer

As we observe National Stroke Awareness Month, we must recognize that someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies from stroke every four minutes.

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans, accounting for 140,000 fatalities each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s about one out of every 20 deaths.

More than 795,000 Americans, and more than 8,000 Maricopa County residents, have a stroke each year. While ranked only fifth as cause of death, stroke ranks first as cause of disability.

The numbers are scary. But the good

news is that thanks to advances in treatment, a stroke is no longer a death sentence.

Strokes are largely preventable. While genetics and age can increase stroke risk, the risk may be diminished with lifestyle alterations, including controlling blood pressure, quitting smoking and reducing cholesterol.

Quitting smoking is critically important: smokers have a vastly increased risk of stroke compared to nonsmokers or those who have quit for longer than 10 years.

I urge the public to consider their stroke risk factors and make at least one lifestyle change that will reduce stroke risk. There’s no time like the present.

And speaking of time: with stroke, time matters. You must act immediately if you or someone around you suddenly has a weak face or arm, can’t speak properly or

becomes numb.

Rapid response is key to successful stroke outcomes because speedy treatment can greatly reduce the effects of a stroke.

Today, Phoenix residents are benefitting from a partnership between Barrow Neurological Institute and the Phoenix Fire Department to deploy a large emergency service vehicle, Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit, around the clock to treat stroke curbside.

Phoenix is the first U.S. city with a population greater than a million to address this public health need. Bringing treatments to patients, rather than waiting for patients to get to an emergency room, accelerates intervention.

Strokes are diagnosed curb-side, clots are dissolved en route to the hospital and the endovascular neurosurgeons begin the intervention to retrieve the clot as soon

as the truck reaches our doors.

Revolutionizing stroke treatment is not just about big trucks, but also about new therapies — from strokes caused by blocked arteries to bleeding strokes caused by ruptured brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and high blood pressure.

Stroke prevention and treatment is critically important work for one simple reason: a stroke can affect a person for the rest of his or her life.

Every time I walk through the Barrow Stroke Center, I marvel at the resilience of our patients and the skill of our physicians and researchers — and those stroke statistics don’t seem quite so scary.

--Michael Lawton, MD, is the president/ CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute and the chair of Barrow’s Department of Neurosurgery.

LETTERS ADOT should fix signage on its freeways in the Valley In the spirit of the motto “no pain, no gain,” your article in the June 1-14, 2019 issue, “For now, it’s the pain as 101 widening begins,” I highly hope someone thinks about sign verbiage as this freeway comes to fruition.

We find fault with Loop 202 (Red Mountain) and Loop 202 (SanTan)

nomenclature. Many visitors come to the East Valley from Sky Harbor Airport but find the freeway transitions confusing, taking the wrong loop because of mistaken phraseology.

To reduce the confusion, it would be clearer to rename Loop 202 (Red Mountain) to Loop 202 N and Loop 202 (SanTan) to Loop 202 S. This change then should be called out on freeway signs, maps, internet searches, etc.

Out-of-town relatives have experienced taking Loop 202 (first time mentioned off I10 East of Sky Harbor), going through Mesa the long way around to Chandler, when in reality they wanted the second Loop 202 sign onto 101 South, then East on Loop 202 S to Chandler. Yes, even writing this discourse gets somewhat bewildering.

Improve state government cheaply: change lawmakers

To improve many things in life usually requires money. Education, social services, law enforcement, public health, prisons,

-Fran Horton

See

LETTERS on page 45

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OPINION

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

45

Tax law changes hurting Arizona's nonprofits

BY KRISTEN MERRIFIELD Guest Writer

While the economy is booming, some nonprofits are seeing a downturn in donations — a worrisome trend.

An Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits survey of 501c3 organizations statewide showed year-end and tax-deadline donations are down. We attribute this decline to the federal changes, which were, in principle, designed to save taxpayers money.

The new law nearly doubled the federal standard deduction for single and married taxpayers, eliminating the financial incentive to donate to non-profit organizations because taxpayers can’t claim — and don’t need — the deduction on their federal returns.

We are encouraged by Arizona legisla-

tors’ efforts to adjust Arizona tax laws to allow individuals to deduct donations to non-profit organizations even if they don’t itemize their tax returns, but we believe it’s important to understand the actual impact of federal tax laws changes on those organizations.

And, it’s not good.

Two Arizona nonprofits underscore the challenge.

Feed Our Babies USA works with school districts to provide nutritious meals to low-income children and their families who are not eligible for public funding or food boxes from state-mandated food banks.

This all-volunteer organization operates on an annual budget of less than $120,000 and helped more than 20,000 families last year with support from over 150 volunteers Valleywide.

Feed Our Babies USA is funded solely by individuals and corporate gifts.

Two years ago, Feed Our Babies USA generated $15,000 in donations. This year, the total was $7,000.

“The loss of funding was huge for us, said founder/board Chair Joni Navarro Sucato. “We cut down our weekend lunch program to once a month because we didn’t have the funding. We’re a very small organization and we rely on every single dollar we get to buy food.”

Junior Achievement of Arizona serves 83,000 students statewide with programs designed to prepare them to succeed in work and life by teaching them how to manage their money, be ready to enter the workplace and think innovatively.

Donations to JA dropped 13 percent from the previous 12 months.

“Our cost average is $30 per child. For every $100 we don’t get, three children don’t get served,” said JA President Katherine Kemmeries Cecala. “The number of kids we serve

is directly tied to donations we receive.

“We are providing life-changing programs to kids and our programs are proven to make a difference,” she continued. “Our kids are 34 percent more likely to graduate college and will earn 20 percent more.”

JA relies entirely on donations and its 9,000 statewide volunteers, and the organization doesn’t charge the schools they work with.

Feed Our Babies USA and Junior Achievement are just two examples of the impact we’re seeing on nonprofits because of the tax-law changes.

There are many, many more.

Our sincere hope is that our legislators continue on the path they’ve taken to adjust Arizona tax laws to benefit both the taxpayers and the non-profit organizations they stand behind.

Kristen Merrifield is Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits arizonanonprofits.org, 602) 279-2966.

LETTERS

LETTERS

from page 44

highway safety are all societal obligations and responsibilities that require large amounts of resources to maintain and improve.

However, there are some things in government that can be enhanced without spending much, if any, money. For

example, flipping the balance of power in our State Legislature from one party to another would be a no-cost way of infusing new ideas and approaches into our political system.

The GOP has an advantage of 31-29 in the State House and a little wider margin in the State Senate. The point is that Republican total control in our State has lasted for so

long that their policies and attitudes have become stale, one-sided and myopic.

Why wouldn’t we want open discussions on our state budget, tighter accountability for charter schools AND their owners, and at least a vote on ratifying the ERA? The expenses are fixed for voting, so a no-cost solution to the malaise that has

permeated out state’s politics would be to turn over the reins of power to another party to see if their solutions and policies would better serve the needs of our increasingly diverse state.

-Richard Meszar

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Neighbors

47

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Musician from Israel inspires day campers

BY COLLEEN SPARKS

Managing Editor

A musician born and raised in Israel is infusing cultural lessons and fun into camps at the East Valley Jewish Community Center in Chandler this summer.

Erez Kessler, who is originally from Dimona, Israel; is the new music specialist for the children and teens at Camp Rimon at the community center at 908 N. Alma School Road in Chandler. The camp, which began last month runs through Aug. 2.

Camp Rimon Katan is a day camp for youths ages 2 to pre-kindergarten and Camp Rimon Gadol serves youths in kindergarten through ninth grades. “Katan” is Hebrew for small and “gadol” means big in Hebrew.

“Rimon” means “pomegranate” in Hebrew and also signifies abundance as pomegranates have many seeds.

Kessler, 40, who sings and plays guitar, has taught music and worked as a camp counselor around the United States. He is teaching music to all the campers.

Recently he sang “The Wheels on the Bus” with younger children and in another session the oldest campers, in sixth through ninth grades, asked to sing a Taylor Swift song.

Kessler has been teaching music to children for more than 16 years and married his wife and moved to the United States permanently about ten years ago.

He grew up listening to Israeli singers

Erez Kessler, who is originally from Dimona, Israel; is the new music specialist for the children and teens at Camp Rimon at the East Valley Jewish Community Center. {Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer}

whose music his parents played in their home and then he began listening to European and American music on MTV. Kessler loves U2, Guns N’ Roses and

Queen.

He started playing the recorder in fourth grade and then learned on his own and from friends how to play guitar.

He played in a rock band and was its lead singer from ages 16 to 18 and loves See

CAMP on page 49

Chandler’s Miss Arizona to lead Lions Club

marketing with minors in communications and dance from Arizona State University, works in marketing at Insight, a high technology solutions company in Tempe.

She is working on her master’s degree in business administration at ASU. Empowering the visually impaired is her passion.

“It’s something that we don’t think about every day because most of us are born with our sight,” she said. “There are 200,000 people in Arizona who are visually impaired. I can’t imagine what that would be like one day to lose that… to one day wake up and not be able to see your kids’ faces.

“I’ve met so many people who lost their vision later in life. Adapting to that is terrifying, it’s frustrating. The solutions we can provide; whether they’re prevention solutions or adaptive ones it helps to lessen that pain.”

Ticlo enjoys helping her fellow Lions provide vision tests and glasses for students in need in Chandler Unified.

Vision became a big part of the international Lions clubs’ philanthropy after Helen Keller, an author and activist who became deaf and blind at a young age urged them to champion vision as a cause in 1925.

Ticlo also loves the Chandler Lions Club’s “Blinded by De-Light” events which

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Isabel Ticlo’s reign as Miss Arizona 2018 may soon be over but the dedicated volunteer who is passionate about helping the visually impaired is getting warmed up for her next crowning achievement — serving as president of the Chandler Lions Club.

Ticlo, 25, of Chandler, will begin her one-year term as president on July 1, taking over from Ruth Jon Wick, who served in the position for three years.

Wick said everyone in the club encouraged Ticlo to step up as president and she was unanimously elected. She added she hopes Ticlo will want to be president for at least another year after that.

Ticlo had served as one of the organization’s vice-presidents last year and first got her feet wet with the Chandler Lions Club 10 years ago while a student at Hamilton High School.

She had been a member of the Leo Club for high school students who work with the Lions and learn about community service.

Her platform as Miss Arizona was to support people with vision impairment, which also is a big focus of the Lions Clubs International and its local chapters.

Ticlo, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in

Isabel Ticlo, 25, will start her term as the Chandler Lions Club president on July 1. Her platform as Miss Arizona, and a big focus of the Chandler Lions Club, is helping people who have visual impairments. (Harvey Ticlo)

See

MISS ARIZONA on page 50

48

NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Center for the Arts volunteer honored by city

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

Four years ago Diane Parkins began volunteering for the Chandler Center for the Arts. Last month, she was recognized by the city council for completing over 500 hours of service.

After spending 36 years as an elementary and middle school teacher, working in special education classes, and as school superintendent in California, Parkins said she wasn’t ready to give up her passion for supporting children after retirement.

“Even as a superintendent I always wanted to be close with the kids because even up there that’s who you’re serving,” said Parkins.

Parkins’ daughter moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University. Soon after her grandson was born, so she moved to Chandler to be closer to her growing family.

Once arriving to the state, Parkins said she began looking for volunteer opportunities almost immediately — that’s when she came across the Chandler Center for the Arts.

“When I heard the center was used in partnership with [Chandler Unified School District] for classes I knew that’s where I needed to be,” she said.

The Center’s 126 volunteers can choose which events they work at a potluck every quarter. Parkins is sure to sign up

BEFORE

Diana Parkins was recognized by the Chandler City Council for completing 500 hours of volunteer service at the Chandler Center for the Arts. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

for CUSD related events or dance studios’ ballet concerts where she gets to see kids “shine.”

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In addition to her time spent volunteering, Parkins also serves on the Center’s steering committee.

Members on the committee must be elected by their peers, and each serve a two-year term. Committee members

oversee communication between the volunteers and the full-time staff.

During her time in the position, Parkins has contributed to starting a newsletter which highlights seasonal and new volunteers, and the decision to take last names off of employee badges for staff safety.

“It has been beneficial to me to serve in this position because I get to be a communicator between our volunteers and the regular staff. It’s a great thing to be a part of,” said Parkins.

The volunteer said she donates her time about eight days per month.

When she is not at the center, she can probably be found on her way out of town catching a cruise ship with her husband.

Together the two have traveled the world, including places like Australia, Russia and Norway.

However, no matter how far Parkins travels, she said her heart is always here in Chandler.

“I think that it’s important to give back to your community when you can. I have some time now that I can donate because I’m retired. Even though I wasn’t raised here the community has given me and my family so much, so I feel the need to give it back somehow,” Parkins said.

She added that the center currently has a diverse team of retirees, high school students and everyone in between.

Information: chandlercenter.org/ support-us/volunteer.

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CAMP

49

from page 47

working with children and teens.

Kessler is thrilled to work in the position at the East Valley Jewish Community Center this summer.

“I love this,” he said. “I like the people here. I really enjoy the kids. Everything’s new for them. Music was not so big over here before. All my songs I teach they hear it for the first time. Music is the best way to develop kids.”

He and his wife have two sons: Evan, 6, and Aidan, 4 and live in Phoenix.

When he was 21 and 22 years old he worked as a counselor at a community center in Dimona, Israel, helping at-risk teenagers find constructive things to do like painting houses.

Kessler also performed songs and dances in a hotel and at community centers in Israel.

He wanted to be an actor originally and started studying drama at a small college in Tel Aviv but missed home and left the college to go back to Dimona.

In 2003 Kessler signed up with a Jewish Israeli agency to work in a Jewish summer camp in the United States. He worked at a summer day camp in Georgia as a music specialist, bringing his guitar to play for the youths.

The next summer the CEO of the Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale came to Israel and interviewed Kessler to be a music specialist at a camp in Scottsdale. When he took the job, he fell in love with Arizona.

Kessler returned in 2005 to teach even more summer campers, a group of 800 youths, at the Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale.

After returning to Israel and mourning the death of a close friend, who he said “pushed me to be on stage,” he thought he would not return to the United States.

But he returned to the United States to chaperone two Israeli teenagers who traveled to Pennsylvania to stay with a host family and then competed in the Maccabi Games, in which Jewish athletes participate.

In 2008 he got a call from the head of the Jewish Community Center in

Kids like Erez Kessler’s musical interaction as he teaches them Hebrew and English language songs and plays guitar. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Scottsdale again, asking if he would serve as emcee and master of ceremony for an Israel Independence Day celebration and then stay to work at a day camp.

While staying in the Valley, his host family set up a Shabbat dinner and introduced him to a woman, Anna. The two started dating and she later visited him in Israel. Kessler and Anna eventually got married and Kessler moved to the Valley permanently.

For a while he sold fruit from a stand in downtown Phoenix. Later he began working as a music specialist and teacher of the “Ones” class at Chanen Preschool at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale.

In summer 2016 he began working, teaching music to preschoolers at the Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale.

He has been there ever since and will return there after finishing at the summer

t? o G ws Ne

camp at East Valley Jewish Community Center.

His youngest son will graduate from preschool there this year and his oldest son already graduated from the program.

In the camps at East Valley Jewish Community Center, Kessler teaches youths about Israel, including where it is on the map, what food people eat there and what the terrain is like.

The children learn to play traditional Israeli games and Kessler plays Hebrew and English songs and the campers often sing with him.

“I like it all,” Kessler said. “I enjoy the youngest. It’s amazing, their faces and everything, their expressions. They just enjoy the music and really sing with me. I love the kids. I’m not pushing the religion, I’m pushing the culture. They love it.”

Pam Morris, director of Camp Rimon

Katan and the EVJCC’s Early Childhood Education Director, praised Kessler.

“An important part of our summer camp is music and movement!” Morris said. “From our Two’s all the way to our oldest campers, Erez Kessler infuses each day with ‘ruach,’ which is ‘spirit’ in Hebrew.

“When our preschool children are with him, you see the joy on their faces when they are marching to the Train song and playing ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ in Hebrew and English. Our oldest campers jump, stomp and sing along, losing their self-consciousness and just having fun. Our Camp Rimon is richer because Erez has joined our staff this summer.”

Youths may sign up for the camps one week at a time if they like. Information: evjcc.org

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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NEIGHBORS 50 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

MISS ARIZONA

from page 47

enable people to feel what it’s be like to be sightless. Last year at one such event, people sat in a movie theater and heard sounds and descriptions of a movie via earphones with no picture on the screen.

The Chandler Lions also sponsor vision forums, free events focusing on macular degeneration and diabetes on vision.

“We want to make sure everyone has the resources they need and be unafraid,” Ticlo said.

During her reign as Miss Arizona, Ticlo volunteered with the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Foundation for Blind Children, the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

She joined people making beaded bracelets at the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and handing out medals to those who took part in a 5K run.

In that run, children who are blind would hold onto a pole and a runner with vision would guide them as they ran.

“I was there to hang out with kids and let them have fun,” Ticlo said. “I like to talk to the children.”

She is also excited to tell people about the Be My Eyes free app that links people with blindness or limited vision with sighted volunteers and company representatives who help them do things through live video calls.

Ticlo was thrilled to help a man in Scottsdale figure out how to cook his dinner as he could not see the directions on a bag of rice.

“It was amazing,” she said. “That’s something I would love more people to sign up for.”

When she spoke and met people who had brain injuries during a Rays of Hope 2019 conference in Phoenix, Ticlo was especially touched by a man who had suffered a brain injury when he was struck by lightning. He showed her a mask he painted to tell his story.

Sometimes people believe people who are blind or visually impaired can’t work, she said.

“That’s absolutely not true,” Ticlo said.

“I spoke about my experience working with Chandler Lions Club and belief people who are blind or visually impaired aren’t limited by their disability. They are some of the most adaptive and resilient people I have ever met. Any qualified

Isabel Ticlo performed a Bollywood dance at the Miss America competition in New Jersey and also did the same when competing in the Arizona scholarship programs. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

applicant should have the opportunity to pursue the career of their dreams.”

She received the coveted Melvin Jones Award from the Chandler Lions for outstanding contributions to the community.

“It was pretty amazing,” Ticlo said.

“You do the work with the intention of just doing good in the world. You don’t expect to win any awards. It’s surreal.”

Wick said Ticlo is well-deserving of honors and is proud of her work in the club and as Miss Arizona.

“She’s been like a walking billboard for not only our Chandler Lions but all the Lions,” Wick said. “It’s been amazing what she has added to our organization… it’s been just a joy to watch her step up and take a leadership role with the high school Leo Club and then join our Lions Club while still attending college and working and still having time to volunteer.

I think she’s done an amazing job.

“For the people that meet her, the thing with Isabel that stands out is she is so genuine. Her heart is as good as

her beauty. People just find she’s so warm and welcoming and enthusiastic about anything she tackles. I know that all of the members in my club are so excited that she has decided to take on leadership.”

She said Ticlo will likely encourage more young adults to join the Chandler Lions.

“Her youth and enthusiasm will help to bring more youth into our aging Lions organization,” Wick said.

Ticlo said it is intimidating but she is excited to serve as the Chandler Lions president.

“It was intimidating at first because I had really big shoes to fill,” she said. “Ruth Jon Wick has been an amazing president.

The Chandler Lions Club is like my second family. I feel inspired by all their stories.

Blind people joined. One of my goals is to recruit younger, new members, bring them back and show them we’re still here; we could use their help.”

Ticlo was born in Iowa and moved around often as a child due to her father’s job.

Her father, Harvey, is from India, and her mother, Ganjana, is from Thailand, and she has two sisters. She has an older sister, Genevieve, 27, and a younger sister, Tiffany, 17, who is Miss Glendale’s Outstanding Teen.

As a nod to her heritage, Ticlo performed Bollywood dances while competing as Miss Arizona and at the Miss America competition. She started dancing at 13, doing jazz and hip-hop and then took classes in Bollywood dancing with her mother starting three years ago.

“I moved around a lot as a child and I needed a constant in my life,” Ticlo said.

“Dance became my constant and my emotional outlet.”

She started competing in pageants at about 21 and was in the Miss Arizona competition twice previously before winning.

“Every candidate has the opportunity to win a scholarship just by competing on the stage,” Ticlo said. “That was a wonderful bonus. The sisterhood was great. You meet these amazing women.”

Serving as Miss Arizona 2018 also helped her, teaching her how to balance different activities and gave her a chance to make more contacts in the volunteer world.

Lions Clubs International has clubs in over 200 countries and geographic regions and started in 1917. Information: e-clubhouse.org/sites/chandlera

Chandler boy with cancer gets to meet his hero

BY LIN SUE COONEY Guest Writer

Parker Young caught the basketball bug early on. He began playing at age 9 and has been a fan ever since — high school to pro ball. At 5 feet 9 inches, the 14-yearold is in his element on a basketball court.

“He lived, breathed, walked and talked basketball,” Cindy Olvera says of her only child.

Faced with bone cancer that has spread to his lungs, the Chandler teen can no longer play. But the young Hospice of the Valley patient still roots passionately for Nico Mannion, an 18-year-old basketball phenom from Scottsdale.

As a senior, the 6-foot-3, toprated point guard led Pinnacle High School’s team to victory in the 6A Boys

Championship this year. He’ll play for The University of Arizona this fall.

Though Parker had been to games to cheer him on, he had never met Nico.

As luck would have it, Parker’s social worker, Pamela Ruzi ran into HOV volunteer Deb Behrendt and asked if the high school English teacher knew Nico.

Deb was overjoyed to share that Nico had been in her class last year and was sure the “sweet young man” with a “beautiful heart” would be happy to meet Parker.

She reached out to coaches, who reached out to Nico and the rest of the team. Of course, it was game on!

On an early May afternoon, Parker and Parker Young, right, was overjoyed to get a visit from basketball phenom Nico Mannion.

(Hospice of the Valley)

Nico met on the basketball court. Within minutes, they were chatting and shooting hoops like old gym buddies.

“His left hand is better than my right hand,” Nico remarks while practicing free throws.

“You shoot better than some of my teammates!” he tells Parker. They laugh and keep shooting.

But here’s the real game plan: Nico wants Parker to know he’s there for him — the whole team is.

“He’s been in all of our prayers,” Nico says.

Then the final play — Parker gets to meet Nico’s teammates and several football stars. One by one, they greet Parker.

See

PARKER on page 51

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51

Seton junior heading to Big Apple for big opportunity SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Seton Catholic Preparatory junior from Chandler is heading to the Big Apple to participate in a prestigious summer program.

Valeria Juvera Cruz will join a four-week Oxbrridge Academic Program, which its organizers say “has welcomed intellectually adventurous students to historic learning centers in the U.S., Great Britain, France and Spain for more than 30 years.”

Valeria initially thought she missed the opportunity to apply for the program because she missed a presentation by a representative from Oxbridge.

A classmate who attended urged her to apply anyway, saying she would be a perfect candidate.

The classmate was correct.

As an incoming freshman, the straight-A student scored high on standardized tests, qualified for the school’s rigorous science and engineering program and was placed into three

PARKER

Seton Prep junior Valeria Juvera Cruz is heading to a prestigious program in New York City.

(Couresy Seton Prep)

from page 50

“I wasn’t expecting all of this,” Parker says. “I got to meet the whole team, it’s even better!”

But there’s more. Parker gets seated in front of the team’s shiny 2018-19 championship trophy and Nico’s Pinnacle Pioneers jersey for a photo op.

“Keep your head up and spirits high,” Nico writes on the white No. 1 jersey that he gifts Parker.

The players sign a basketball and a football

honors classes.

“I find Valeria to be hard-working, eager to learn and always looking for opportunities to enhance her education,” her counselor, Jerry Mullins, noted in his recommendation letter.

Valeria will depart June 27 for Manhattan, where she will stay in the dorms of Barnard College. She received a full scholarship for the program, which costs $8,550.

Oxbridge attendees may choose two immersive areas of study, including medicine, law, business, international relations and political science.

Valeria said her passion has always been medicine ever since her 5-year-old sister, Valentina, underwent surgery to repair a hole in her heart.

The Oxbridge medical program will introduce her to the principles of human anatomy and physiology, the pathology and significance of certain diseases, the challenges of modern medical science

and the variety of careers in medicine.

Valeria just won’t be poring over medical texts for a month. Oxbridge organizers have other activities in mind, listing possible excursions to the Empire State Building, the 9-11 Memorial, Central Park, Broadway shows, museums and Fifth Avenue.

But she also looks at this trip as a great educational opportunity.

“My dream has always been to study at Johns Hopkins University with the goal of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon,” said Valeria, who is working to be the first in her family to graduate from college. “I’ve always thought it would be so cool to perform life-saving surgery.”

For more than 60 years, Seton Catholic has served the East Valley of Phoenix as the only Catholic college preparatory high school, serving young men and women from parochial, private, charter, public and home schooling backgrounds.

Information: setoncatholic.org.

for their new “bro,” and take group pictures.

Parker and Nico exchange phone numbers and hug — and a friendship is cemented.

Longtime Pinnacle boys basketball coach Charlie Wilde and his players couldn’t have been happier to make Parker’s day. Deb, who has taught many of

these young athletes, saw it as a win-win.

“It was nice to see Parker being a boy.

He’s been through so much,” she says.

“I had a lot of fun!” Parker says. So did the whole team.

“This is a really big deal for us,” Nico says. “To be a part of his journey is a blessing for us.”

Lin Sue Cooney is director of community engagement for Hospice of the Valley. Visit hov.org or call 602-5306900 for more information.

Cancer prevents 14-year-old Parker Young of Chandler from playing basketbal.

(Hospice of the Valley)

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NEIGHBORS 52 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

GI Bill’s 75th anniversary special for Chandler man

BY SUZANNE JAMESON

Staff Writer

Peter Drucker, the founder of modern management once called GI Bill of Rights the impetus for “the shift to the knowledge society” and that historians might one day “consider it the most important event of the 20th century.”

Since it was signed into law in 1944, millions of deserving veterans have received their educations, zero-down, low-interest home and business loans and other benefits through the GI Bill of Rights.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary on June 22, few know of Arizonan Ernest W. McFarland’s relentless fight to get the bill passed into law, but his grandson who lives in Chandler has made efforts to get that story out.

Born in 1894 in a log cabin in Oklahoma, Ernest W. McFarland, or “Mac” as he was known, came to Arizona in 1919 for his health after nearly losing his life to illness during a brief stint in the Navy.

With only $10 in his pocket, the recovering sailor began life in his adoptive state first as a farmer to later rise to the ranks of US Senator, U.S. Senate majority leader, governor, chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, founder of KTVK in Phoenix.

Instead of facing unrelenting unemployment and standing in soup lines as returning World War I veterans had, the GI Bill allowed World War II vets to come back to a land of opportunity, where higher education, home ownership and business loans were not just entitlements for the privileged, but realistic goals for the common man.

John D. Lewis of Chandler, above, is proud to be the grandson of Ernest W,. “Mac” McFarland, considered the father of the G.I. Bill. A book published last fall recounts his storied life.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

First elected to the Senate in 1940, Mac felt the first duty of Congress was not only to win WWII but to also help veterans readjust to civilian life after the war.

McFarland, along with 1943-1944 American Legion Commander Warren Atherton, shepherded the legislation through Congress and are jointly considered the “Fathers of the GI Bill.”

According to American RadioWorks, “The GI Bill increased the country’s intellectual capital exponentially. The bill funded the educations of 22,000 dentists, 67,000 doctors, 91,000 scientists, 238,000 teachers, 240,000 accountants, and 450,000 engineers, as well as three Supreme Court justices, three presidents,

a dozen senators, 14 Nobel Prize winners, and two dozen Pulitzer Prize Winners.”

The GI Bill provision for low-cost mortgages written by McFarland also allowed returning veterans to purchase houses. From 1944 to 1952, the VA backed nearly 2.4 million home loans.”

John D. Lewis of Chandler, McFarland’s grandson, added that “This created a housing boom. This, and the increased earning capacity of veterans due to their ability to get an education, coupled with pent-up demand for consumer goods, resulted in the prosperity of the 1950 and 1960s.”

McFarland was recently celebrated on March 30 in Florence, where he began his

political career.

On Arizona Statehood Day, Feb. 14, 2015, a new memorial entitled “Ernest W. McFarland and the American Dream” was dedicated at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix.

“Mac was so humble that he wouldn’t have wanted a memorial – he always considered himself just a public servant,” Lewis said. “ For this reason, we designed the monument to represent the hopes and dreams of all Americans – and not just one man.”

A recently published book, Ernest W. McFarland – The Arizona Years was commissioned by the McFarland Historical State Park Advisory Committee and was officially released by the U. of A. Press on Oct. 16, 2018.

The book outlines the untold story of the early Arizona years of Mac as a young farmer, lawyer, judge, his ascent to higher office and how he overcame personal tragedies, including the loss of his first wife and three young children to illness within a two-year period.

McFarland sponsored an additional 40 bills to benefit veterans and fought equally hard for Arizona’s water rights.

He was instrumental in the development of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a portion of which still bears his name, and is credited with creating the Arizona Parks System.

Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble said Mac rose from humble beginnings “to become one of the most distinguished political figures in 20th century America. He was an original.”

Information: ewmcfarland.org, info@ ewmcfarland.org or 602-466-3333.

Gilbert vet recalls his role in Normandy Invasion

BY DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

Seventy-five years ago, Henry DuBay helped save the world from Nazi domination.

The 95-year-old Gilbert man piloted a C-47 transport during the Normandy Invasion that began June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord, which began the Allied effort to retake Europe from Hitler’s occupation forces.

On the morning of June 6, massive Allied forces assaulted five codenamed beachheads with unprecedented air, land and sea force as Americans landed on Omaha and Utah, the British on Gold and Sword and the Canadians on Juno beaches.

Free French forces also participated, as did fighters from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. More than 100,000 took part; of these, an estimated 10,000 died or were wounded.

“He is my hero, as every soldier in World War II is. I have such admiration for these men who risked their lives for freedom,” said his daughter, Dr. Holly West, a resident of Val Vista Lakes in Gilbert.

Her siblings are Hayden, in Virginia, and Hestin, Maryland. DuBay has six grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

World War II veteran Henry DuBay of Gilbert will get an Honor Flight to the war's museum in New Orleans later this month. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

“My father tells stories of flying through air so thick with smoke that staying in formation was nearly impossible, because you couldn’t see the other planes 15 feet away,” she added.

“With one navigator for every eight planes, finding your target was your one consuming thought. There was no time to be afraid.”

DuBay was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in northern New York State, where his father was an immigration officer.

Just out of high school, he signed up for a new pilot training program in Chateaugay, New York, just across the border from Canada, which had already been at war for more than a year as a member of the British Commonwealth.

It was July 1941, six months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

DuBay trained at various bases, including Lawson Field, Georgia — now in Fort Benning — where he was trained in dropping paratroopers.

During his 2 and a half years of active service, he piloted a variety of C-47s in North Africa and throughout Europe, for which he received various honors, including the Air Medal and eight Bronze Stars.

He delivered supplies to Gen. George Patton’s Third Army and the Red Ball Express, dropped paratroopers, tugged See

NORMANDY on page 53

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NORMANDY

from page 52

gliders and, during the Battle of the Bulge, landed at night and in bitter cold with only the lights of runway jeeps to assist him.

He said his guardian angel helped him as he went through a tour of duty that brought him in proximity with men and women who became legends during and after the war.

His first mission for the U.S. Army Air Force was flying supplies from Africa to Sicily in July 1943. During this time, 64 C-47s were shot down in a “friendly fire” incident

by Allied naval vessels and shore troops, costing more than 465 lives, he recalled.

DuBay was on the ground that day.

A month later, he was in Palermo after that island was freed from the Axis and became Allied headquarters for the campaign.

One day, he saw a vehicle coming along the road, carrying some of the military titans of the Allied forces — Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Patton, Omar Bradley, James Doolittle and British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery.

“I stood up and saluted,” he recalled.

While in Africa, he got a pass to Algiers, the French colony, and went to a “Red Cross Club,” where soldiers could dance with local women.

While dancing with one of the women, he received a courtesy shoulder tap from a man not in uniform who wanted to

dance with her.

“I let him dance with her for 30 seconds and then cut back in,” DuBay said.

It was U.S. Sen. Albert Benjamin Chandler, eventual governor of Kentucky and commissioner of Major League Baseball, who was on a congressional tour.

stores.

He never saw her again but years later recognized the woman on television and in the press with other history makers such as the late President Ronald Reagan.

“She married a guy named ‘Thatcher,’” DuBay said with a chuckle, recalling the

My father tells stories of flying through air “ so thick with smoke that staying in formation was nearly impossible, because you couldn’t see the other planes 15 feet away. With one navigator for every eight planes, finding your target was your one consuming thought. There was no time to be afraid.

”

–Dr. Holly West, Daughter At the end of the decade, Chandler approved Jackie Robinson’s contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, which integrated the league and changed baseball, and sports in general, forever.

As the Allies prepared for the Normandy Invasion, troops, vehicles, armaments and supplies were shipped to Great Britain.

There, while awaiting his orders, DuBay went on a date with a young woman in Folkingham, not too far from London.

Her name was Margaret Roberts, who was attending school to become a scientist; her dad, Albert, owned grocery

“Iron Lady” Britain’s prime minister from 1979 to 1990.

The night before D-Day, the base was locked down with no passes, an indication that Eisenhower had given his famous, “Let’s go.”

When DuBay arose early in the morning of June 6, the field was covered with infantrymen and planes that had flown in overnight from bases throughout England, painted with black invasion stripes.

“I don’t know how they did it,” he recalled.

Then, he waited for his orders to fly.

DuBay, this month, will be honored

for his role in the war as the world marks the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.

“Henry DuBay certainly qualifies as a member of ‘The Greatest Generation’ and as a true war hero, delivering troops, supplies and fuel, often behind enemy lines,” said Rick Hardina, president of Honor Flight Arizona, the state chapter hub of the national nonprofit founded in 2005 one year after the WWII Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. The group will be taking DuBay to the World War II Museum in New Orleans in June, where he will be honored as a Normandy combatant.

Completing his duty in September 1945 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, DuBay married Hazel Instone and earned his architectural degree from North Dakota State.

He designed international airports and worked on the intercontinental ballistic missiles and the Apollo Project for NASA, which 50 years ago this July put Americans on the moon.

But DuBay said he doesn’t think much about World War II, saying, “We had a duty that had to be done.”

But his daughter remains awed.

“Looking beneath him, he saw men swarming the beaches of Normandy and saw with his own eyes what you and I can only imagine from D-Day films,” his daughter said.

“How these men had such bravery I cannot imagine or ever understand, but thank God they did, thank God they did.”

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NEIGHBORS 54 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Salsa kids

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Children in the Chandler Environmental Education Centers Nature Camp did something that didn’t necessary come naturally. They learned salsa dancing. 1) As the class got into the rhythm of the class, 2) Siddharth Achanya held on to his hips as 3) Lila Shah waited for the next move and 4) Niharika Ghali watched the instructor and 5)Camila Suerez-Venot, left, and Braeden McWilliams learned hand gestures. 6) Kayla Garrido and an unidentified boy swayed a bit to the music as 7) Ariana Diaz learned arm movements and 8) Aiden Glassmyer learned a few new steps.

9) Kadin Shah, flanked by two boys, knew how to sway to the sounds and 10) Andrew Glassmeyer was all smiles over what he was learning that day.

6 All photographs by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

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NEWS+Events

chandleraz.gov/news–center

EVENTS 15 19 21 24 27

4 4 8 11 13 17

JUNE One World Many Voices: Our People of the South with Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, Sunset Library, 782-2800 Family Night at the TRC – Splash-tastic Summer, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 782-2900 Movie Under the Stars – “Wreck-it Ralph,” Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, 855-3539 City Council Study Session, Council Chambers, 782-2180 City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 782-2180

july City of Chandler offices closed for the Independence Day holiday Chandler July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, Tumbleweed Park, 782-2735 City Council Meeting and Study Session, Council Chambers, 782-2180 City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 782-2180 Melissa Etheridge, Center for the Arts, 782-2680 Family Night at the TRC – Emoji Extravaganza, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 782-2900

august

2 3 5 7

8

8 9 16 21

23

24 25

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at Tumbleweed Park

Free Summer Concert Series – Caro Pierotto, Center for the Arts, 782-2680 Verano Sano – Safe Summer, Arrowhead Pool, 782-2630 City Council Meeting and Study Session, Council Chambers, 782-2180 Family Night at the TRC – Marvel Mania Superhero Universal, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 782-2900 Homeschool Days at the EEC – Matter and Energy, Environmental Education Center, 782-2890 City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 782-2180 Free Summer Concert Series – Wynchester, Center for the Arts, 782-2680 Free Summer Concert Series – Elektric Voodoo, Center for the Arts, 782-2680 Family Night at the TRC – Cool Creations Ice Cream Social, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 782-2900 Free Summer Concert Series – Jácome Flamenco presents SOL y LUNA, Center for the Arts, 782-2680 Strangelove – The Depeche Mode Experience, Center for the Arts, 782-2680 Live Conversation with John Cusack, Center for the Arts, 782-2680

For event details, visit

chandleraz.gov/events or call the

Chandler Special Events Hotline at

782-2735

Know the rules covering the sale, purchase & use of fireworks within Chandler city limits

The Chandler Fire Department (CFD) is reminding residents that while some types of fireworks are legal to sell and purchase at local businesses, the use and misuse of fireworks can lead to personal injury, injury to others, harm to pets, property damage, and destruction of the environment.

Under Arizona law, the sale of permissible consumer fireworks is allowed from May 20 through July 6, and from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3. The use of permissible consumer fireworks is allowed June 24 through July 6, and from Dec. 24 through Jan. 3 on private property, with the permission of the property owner. Chandler prohibits the use of permissible consumer fireworks in any public park within Chandler City limits.

Additional firework rules and safety tips are available on the CFD website at chandleraz.gov/fireworks.

Chandler’s Tumbleweed Park will once again host a fantastic Independence Day celebration and fireworks display on Thursday, July 4. Tumbleweed Park is on the southwest corner of McQueen and Germann roads. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. Admission is free and on-site event parking is $5 per vehicle. Pack your bags, bring your blankets and chair, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Enjoy the award-winning park and all it has to offer: Playtopia, sand volleyball, horseshoes and cornhole. Or, bring the fun from home: kites, Frisbees, sports balls, bikes, bubbles, jump ropes and so much more.

Grilling, alcoholic beverages and personal fireworks are prohibited within the park, but the public is welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening. After all the family-made fun, sit back, relax and watch the 20-minute fireworks show, presented by the City of Chandler. For more information, call the City’s special events hotline at 782-2735, or go to chandleraz.gov/4thofjuly.

Best source for news and information about what is happening in Chandler is the City of Chandler

One thing you can do to ensure that important news and information from the City reaches your inbox is to follow the City on social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to Chandler’s official YouTube channel – youtube.com/cityofchandler. Chandler’s YouTube channel has hundreds of shows on a variety of subjects, and new programs are being added to the channel almost every day. The channel content also is broken down into video playlists to help people quickly find what they are interested in viewing; for example, tourism videos are under the “Visit Chandler” playlist. In the “Chandler Newsroom” playlist you will find videos highlighting upcoming events, City facilities and City employees and their important jobs serving the people of Chandler. We encourage you to explore the various Chandler YouTube playlists to find the topics most appealing to you.

Everyone has a role in controlling mosquitoes

The arrival of Arizona’s monsoon season brings afternoon thunderstorms and rainfall, as well as an increase in mosquitoes. The responsibility for controlling mosquitoes lies with all of us. The single most important thing to do to protect yourself and your family from getting bit by mosquitoes is to eliminate breeding sites and standing water on our property. Mosquitoes must have water to complete their life cycle. Rain and irrigation water can produce hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes if larvae are allowed to remain in stagnant water for as little as three days.

Here are a few tips from Maricopa County: • When possible, stay inside between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active.

• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.

• Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothes. Always follow label instructions.

• Fix broken screens in windows and doors.

• Eliminate places where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Empty standing water from places like buckets, flower pots, old tires, wheelbarrows, etc.

• It is important to keep swimming pools, spas and fountains clean and operational.

• Empty and refresh water in pet dishes and bird baths every two days.

• Property owners also may elect to contract with a local pest control company for regular mosquito spraying and treatment, especially during the summer months.

More tips and information is available from Maricopa County Vector Control at maricopa.gov and through the Mosquito Surveillance Hotline at 602-506-0700 to report concentrations of mosquitoes.

Mayor Kevin Hartke & City Council

56 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Arts

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Young cast brings energy to ‘Newsies’ musical

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Teens and young adults in Chandler and other parts of the Valley will bring to life a turn-of-the-century story about news boys and girls who fight for their rights in a highenergy musical.

Actor’s Youth Theatre, with a cast of 41 actors ages 13 to 20, will perform in Disney’s “Newsies” June 19-23 at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

The young cast has been dancing, singing and acting out dramatic scenes during rehearsals at The Tuscany Theatre, 861 N. Higley Road in Gilbert, where Actor’s Youth Theatre is based.

“Newsies” is the story of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy who heads a group of teenagers who also sell newspapers to go on strike against unfair conditions in New York City.

Jack rallies them to strike when the titans of publishing raise distribution prices, which hurts the “newsies” who hawk the papers for a living. The musical is based on the 1992 movie and a true story inspired it.

Tracie Jones, executive director of Actor’s Youth Theatre and co-director and co-musical director of “Newsies” said she loves the musical.

“I have loved this show since I was a little girl,” Jones said. “I would sing the stuff over and over. The orchestration’s beautiful, the singing. It’s like a musical theater dream.

I love kids. They stand up for themselves and make their own future.”

Jones even took students from a

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1) Max Meeker, 14, of Chandler, dances on stage during a rehearsal of Actor’s Youth Theatre’s “Newsies.” 2) Dylan Romero, 20, of Chandler, rehearses a scene as the character Jack Kelly in Actor’s Youth Theatre’s production of Disney’s “Newsies.” 3) Gracie Gamble, 15, of Chandler, plays Hannah, a secretary, as well as a newsie, a nun and one of “The Bowery Beauties,” who are female dancers. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer) 4) Zachary Taylor, 14, of Chandler, is a musical theater veteran who will be playing two roles in the performance. 5) Isabella “Peaches” Lesinski, 14, of Chandler, works as an intern for Actor’s Youth Theatre’s production of “Newsies.”

6) Eric O’Dell, 17, of Chandler, plays Seitz, an editor, as well as Mr. Jacobi, who runs a deli; Theodore Roosevelt when he was governor and a goon in a fight scene .

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

different studio where she used to work to see “Newsies” on Broadway in New York City.

She is proud of the real-life young actors, who live around the Valley including in Chandler, Mesa, Apache Junction and Laveen. Jones cast a few more actors than needed because of their enthusiasm.

“We had so many awesome kids” audition, she said. “I’m so about education.

They’re such a great cast of kids. They work so hard. I think it will be interesting because there will be girls in it.”

She said Tempe Arts Center is “such a beautiful theater” and she believes the audience will be blown away when they see the actors on stage.

“They’re just going to be impressed because there are kids ages 13 to 20 and

they’re awesome,” Jones said.

Bruce Goolsby is co-director and choreographer for “Newsies” and he also is the co-dance director at Actor’s Youth Theatre. Bailey Gorman is stage manager and lighting designer for “Newsies” and works as Actor’s Youth Theatre operations manager.

CJ O’Hara is the orchestra conductor for “Newsies” and co-music director. A live orchestra with youths and adults will perform at all the shows.

Isabella “Peaches” Lesinski, 14, of Chandler, who will be a freshman at Perry High School in the fall, works as an intern, helping the directors.

The star of the show, Dylan Romero, 20, of Chandler, plays Jack Kelly, and he also loves “Newsies.”

“I love how it tells a story,” Romero said.

“It kind of gets a sense of (how) you can make friends everywhere; you can make your own family. There is a lot of dancing and singing.”

A graduate of a high school in Joseph City, he plans to start classes at ChandlerGilbert Community College in the fall.

Romero plans to major in business with a minor in theater and said he would love to be a full-time actor someday.

He described Jack Kelly as someone who “tries to be grisly” but really is softhearted. Romero said in the second act, Jack “figures out who he really is” after going through an “inner character struggle.”

“He wears his emotions on his sleeve most of the time,” he said.

See

NEWSIES on page 57

Fox Crossing artist represented in Arizona exhibit SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF When it comes to the arts, Fox Crossing resident Laurie Fagen has a widfely varied resume.

Actress, novelist and mixed media artist are all areas where Fagen has a long list of accomplishments.

Starting today, a piece of her fiber art can be seen in the “All Art Arizona” show at Art Intersection, 207 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 201, Gilbert.

Fagen will be displaying a piece from her fiber art collection — a wall art quilt replicating a scene from Glacier National Park.

“The image was transferred to fabric, then heavily quilted with a few miles of thread,” Fagen said. “It’s a serene landscape of the mountains, but we were surprised how little glacial snow was left.”

Fagen, who also designs jewelry and writes crime fiction mysteries, is the former publisher of the SanTan Sun News.

She and her late husband, Geoff Hancock, founded the paper.

Her piece at Art Intersection started with a photograph taken on a family vacation.

Fagen, whose private studio is called Fagen Designs, is an award-winning multimedia fiber artist who designs and creates contemporary fiber art and wearable art.

For her jewelry, she works in fine silver and polymer clay.

Her work has been seen in galleries and

nine years and aims to give exposure to “well-known and emerging artists living in our own back yard.”

It highlights “the breadth and diversity of art created by Arizona artists” in virtually every medium — including sculpture, glass, photography, painting, Laurie Fagen’s wall art replication of Glacier National Park will be in a special ceramics, wood, exhibition at Art Intersection in Gilbert that features the works of Arizona artists printmaking, (Courtesy Fagen Designs) mixed media, exhibits in Arizona, California, Iowa and artist books, and North Carolina. more,” a studio release said.

Fagen also teaches a variety of The opening reception draws artists, classes and workshops, and is available art collectors and art lovers from across to share her classes in surface design the state and is one of Art Intersection’s embellishment, metal clay, polymer clay best attended exhibitions of the year. and other techniques and projects.

Visitors also will be able to cast their The Art Intersection shows celebrates vote for the Viewer’s Choice Award, which “the diversity of artwork created by both the studio announces at the end of the well-known and emerging artists in Arizona” exhibition. and opens with a reception for artists and For details about the show, call the public from 5-8 p.m. today, June 15, The 480-361-1118 or visit artintersection. free exhibition runs through Aug. 3. com. For more on Fagen’s art, check out The studio has presented a special FagenDesigns.com. exhibition on Arizona artists for the last All Art Arizona 2019 Featured Artists

Scott E. Adams, Joan Baron & Ali Mariles, David Lloyd Bradley, Iveta Butler, Jerry Cagle, Rebecca Cameron, Tony Celentano, Diana Clauss, Annemarie A Comes, Danielle Conti, Ronald J Cox, Diana Creighton, Joe Dickens, Ximena Echeverria, Sue Eddy, Ariana Enriquez, Laurie Fagen, Jeffrey Falk, Gary A Fife, Tara Gamel, Allen Garns, Rick Gayle and Pam Golden.

Also, Gerry C Groeber, Isadora Hale, Brit Hansen, Melanie Harman, Chase Harter, Lisa Hastreiter-Lamb, Art Holeman, Crystal Huckey, John Isner, Jodi Koller-Smee, Jo Kubran, Alex Kutchins, Barbara Kuzara, DC Laroche, Wayne Reed Lougee, Luigi Luccarelli, Sandra Luehrsen, Angel Olegario Luna, Rachael Lyn, Peter Martori, Donald Matthews, Kathryn Maxwell, Judy Mc Cullough, Joan McGue, Terry Melser, Carlos Mendoza, Devon Meyer.

Others include Nancy Miiller, Neil A. Miller, Marlene Moore, Jaira Joshue Munoz Zavala, Amy Novotny, Pamela A Pachmayr, Dino Paul, Cyd Peroni, Kirby Plessas, Roy Pope, Michael Pierre Price, Joanna Proffitt, Penelope Quinn, Cheri Reckers, Geoff Reed, Nicole Richardson, Anita Ries, Maureen Rooney, Christina Rosepapa, Susan Rae Ruscetti, Roman Sanchez, Steven Scales, Jon Sharer, Beth Shook, Edlynne M. Sillman, Martina J.Skobic, J.Speer, Rachel Srinivasan, Vicky Stromee, Summer Strother, Ira Thomas, Joseph Trevino, Rosalie Trulli Vaccaro, Brianna Voron, Jeff Williams, Reid Woodward, Angela Yamauchi and Hyewon Yoon.

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

NEWSIES

from page 56

Romero performed in two musicals when he was in high school and this is his first musical at Actor’s Youth Theatre.

Gracie Gamble, 15, of Chandler, is enjoying playing Hannah, a secretary; as well as a newsie, a nun and one of “The Bowery Beauties,” who are female dancers.

She will be a sophomore at Williams Field High School in Gilbert in the fall and has performed in many musicals at various theaters but this is her first show at Actor’s Youth Theatre.

“It’s really fun,” she said. “The people are so great. Everyone wants to do ‘Newsies.’

It’s a great show. I like the trueness of it. We’re (doing) the people in the strike justice. I think the score is great. I love the

music. I love the costumes.”

Gracie also said she likes how organized things are at the Gilbert theater and she has made many friends there.

“I like how friendly they are and accepting of everyone,” she said. “They’re very open to helping you grow.”

Max Meeker, 14, of Chandler, who will be in ninth grade at Heritage Academy in Mesa, also is having a good time performing in “Newsies.” He plays one of the newsies, Henry.

“I’ve been doing theater for like six years,” Max said. “It gets to be this kind of big family. The actors are really cool.”

He is also a fan of the music in “Newsies.”

“I’ve always liked the songs,” Max said.

“The dancing is more of a challenge. I’m more an actor. I just like being able to

indulge into a different character.”

Eric O’Dell, 17, of Chandler, who will be a junior at Perry High School in Gilbert in the fall, plays many roles in “Newsies.” He plays Seitz, an editor, as well as Mr. Jacobi, who runs a deli where the newsies hang out; Theodore Roosevelt when he was governor and a goon in a fight scene.

Eric has played prominent politicians before as he took on the role of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in “Annie,” a previous musical.

Eric said he has always liked “Newsies” as it is unusual for having a large male cast, whereas often musicals have more females performing.

“The music is just great,” he said. “The dancing is really high energy. You get lost in the show. It reflects onto what happens in today’s world.”

57

This is the fourth show Eric has performed in at Actor’s Youth Theatre and he loves being part of it.

“It’s very happy and outgoing,” Eric said.

“It’s very inclusive. I love how this theater, they’re very supportive of what I do.”

Zachary Taylor, 14, of Chandler, is also a musical theater veteran, who recently played Shrek in “Shrek The Musical JR” at Payne Junior High School in Queen Creek.

He just finished eighth grade at Payne Junior High and he will be a freshman in the fall at American Leadership Academy in Queen Creek.

Zachary is playing two characters: a “scab,” one of the workers who take over the newsies’ jobs when they go on strike, and Darcy, a character whose father owns See

NEWSIES on page 61

Hootie & the Blowfish reunite this summer ALAN SCULLEY Contributor

Hootie & the Blowfish could easily have made their return after a decade-long hiatus with a tour on which they simply played their hits and fan-favorite album cuts.

Instead, the group will have a new studio album to go with this summer’s reunion tour. Singer Darius Rucker said the need for new music to go with the return of Hootie & the Blowfish was obvious.

“The new album is for those people who are really, really die-hard fans who just loved the music and just want

something new,” Rucker said.

The Hootie & the Blowfish reunion has been anticipated for some time. Even as Rucker’s country career took off, he said in multiple interviews that the band would someday tour again and make another album.

It was after the touring cycle for Rucker’s most recent country album, 2017’s “When Was The Last Time,” that things went into motion for the return of Hootie & the Blowfish. Timing played a key role in the choice of 2019 for the big reunion.

Indeed, there seems to have been a reawakening to Hootie & the Blowfish, which includes vocalist/guitarist Rucker,

Coming Soon!

guitarist/pianist Mark Bryan, bass/piano Dean Felber and drummer Jim Sonefeld, in recent years.

If you were a music fan in the ’90s, you know the story. In 1994, Hootie & the Blowfish’s major label debut, the aforementioned “Cracked Rear View,” became as ubiquitous as any album in rock history, selling an astonishing 16 million copies.

The band’s solid follow-up album, “Fairweather Johnson,” did reasonably well, moving 2.3 million units.

But by then a backlash had started to gain steam and before long Hootie & the Blowfish were getting branded as

the most uncool band going. The group soldiered on, releasing three more albums, while doing decent business on tours until the 2008 hiatus.

As a recent “Esquire” article — and the sell-out business the reunion tour has been doing — suggests, even some of the more vocal Hootie haters now seem to realize Hootie & the Blowfish weren’t that bad after all.

That’s not news to Rucker, who chalks up the popularity to him including Hootie’s biggest hits in his country shows.

See

HOOTIE on page 58

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ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Splash into the Valley’s hottest pool parties event entry is 21 and older and pricing for all events varies.

Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, Various times, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

BY OLIVIA MUNSON Contributor

Spring has sprung, and summer is just around the corner. It will only be a matter of days before Arizona weather reaches triple digits. But have no fear! We have a list of the best pool parties coming to the Valley this season. So, feel free to kick back, relax and enjoy the hot-hot summer.

Release Pool Parties

BLK Live

The Aqua lounge is the place to be if you want to experience live music and fine dining by the pool. Concerts can be viewed from the indoor or outdoor bar, in addition to private cabanas that surround BLK Live’s signature pool. Both national and local musicians make stops at BLK Live and with their recently expanded outdoor stage, there should be more to come. The outdoor lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a poolside cocktail or play a round of volleyball.

BLK Live, 7301 E. Butherus Drive, Scottsdale, 480-494-5069, blkliveaz.com, various times and prices.

Hotel Adeline’s Liquid Sunshine

Every Saturday, Liquid Sunshine is sure to make a splash. This pool party series features signature cocktails, giant food platters and inflatable floats. All of these combined make the perfect Instagramma-

Pool parties at area hotels and resorts have been growing in popularity in recent years. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

free. If guests wish to treat themselves to a slice of paradise, daybeds ($250) or cabanas ($500) with food and drink services are available. For Memorial Day and Labor Day, the festivities extend into Sunday for a nonstop party.

Hotel Adeline, 5101 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-284-7700, hoteladeline. com/play/, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, free.

entertainment, poolside facials, signature Chandon Rosé Frose.

OH Pool’s events and specials run from March to September. On Saturdays, as well as Sundays of holiday weekends, guests will only be admitted to the pool if they have booked a hotel room, daybed or cabana.

For other days, be sure to check in with the front desk for availability.

Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480-376-2600, hotelvalleyho. com, various times, packages available.

Lustre Rooftop Bar

The pool at the Lustre Bar has something for every taste. A skyline view of Phoenix pairs well with laying back and catching sun. Relaxation is important, but if you are feeling social, take a seat at the bar with the best poolside happy hour. It runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and features food and drink specials.

During the afternoon and evening, live DJs and artists perform on Saturdays and Sundays with musical styles ranging from Top 40 to alternative rock hits. An upscale beachwear dress code is enforced with no jeans, basketball shorts or inappropriate graphic tees allowed.

Lustre Bar, Palomar, 2 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602-258-0231, lustrerooftopbar. com, various times, packages available.

HOOTIE

from page 57

It introduced a new generation to the group, and that may be contributing to this summer’s sell-out numbers.

He also thinks it certainly hasn’t hurt to have the Barenaked Ladies — another band with a string of hits from the 1990s and into the 2000s — also on the bill.

Rucker said Hootie & the Blowfish will vary their set lists on tour, generally deciding what songs — including new material — to play on the day of each

Soaked! Saturdays

Soaked! Saturdays are sure to liven up your normal week. The Maya Day and Nightclub gives Arizona residents and visitors the biggest Vegas-style pool party every Saturday. At Maya, bigger is better with large cocktails and crowds, and an impressive pool.

Live music sets are performed by Maya resident DJs, including David Anthony and Javin. VIP tables or cabanas can be reserved to amp up your party experience. Tickets are $15, and the pool party is 21 and older.

A dress code is strictly enforced with no sweats, jeans, basketball shorts or sports jerseys allowed in the day club.

Maya Day and Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480-625-0528, mayaclubaz.com, noon, various prices.

WET Deck at W Scottsdale Hotel

The fun never seems to stop at Hotel Valley Ho’s OH Pool. From Frosé Fridays to Recovery Sundays, there is enough to keep you keep coming back. Live DJ

There is no better place to watch an outdoor concert than at the Pool at Talking Stick Resort. Just steps away from the Main Pool, the concert stage can be viewed while lazing in the water. Upcoming artists include Hollywood Vampires, Foreigner and Bad Company. Concert and

The WET Deck has found a way to bring the beach to the deserts of Arizona, and it could not be more perfect. A beach bar, frozen drinks, delicious snacks and chilled cucumbers for your eyes — what could be more relaxing?

Daybeds and lounging pods are available to the public but to truly have an unforgettable experience, reserve a private cabana complete with a flat-screen TV, individually controlled sound, personal service and internet access. You won’t even have to lift a finger. Poolside service is ready to help.

W Scottsdale Hotel, 7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480-970-2119, w-hotels. marriott.com, various times, packages available.

show.

The new Hootie & the Blowfish album, which is being produced by Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Joe Cocker) came together quite seamlessly from the sound of things, with the band choosing from 80 songs that were in play for the album.

Rucker said that even though the group had gone a decade and a half since making new music, the four band members settled right back into their collaborative writing routine.

“It’s so funny for us,” he said. “We can go forever, and when we get in a room

together, we’re back in that same dynamic we had since we were 19. So, it’s the same thing for us. We write the way we write.”

The band members also wrote with outside songwriters. One notable artist who joined in the writing was Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote a pair of songs with Rucker for the new Hootie & the Blowfish album and a third song that Rucker may record on his next country album.

Rucker and Sheeran met well before the latter became a household name to music fans.

“Rucker, who will focus on his country

career in 2020, hinted that this year’s Hootie & the Blowfish reunion won’t be a one-time event. But the band will have to pick its spots for tours and making more music.

“We can’t do Hootie & the Blowfish every summer. If we’re going to do this, then do it the right way,” he said. “We have to do it like other bands do it. Bands that are at our level and where we are in our career don’t go out every summer. Go out every four years, every five years.”

DETAILS: Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, livenation.com, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 19, $20 and up.

You may have to get early to get a good recliner and even a spot in the water at some of these Valley pool parties, some of which have DJs spinning dance tunes. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

ble moment. Live DJ entertainment will be at each party with appearances from DJ Starmars and DJ Slippe.

Hotel guests and the public are welcome to experience Liquid Sunshine for

All summer long Talking Stick Resorts hosts a pool party you do not want to miss. On Saturdays and some Sundays during holiday weekends, come out and enjoy the Scottsdale sun, crystal blue water and live entertainment from noon to 6 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older, and tickets and ID are required for entry.

In addition, the West Pool is open to the public, which gives a more intimate alternative to the happenings at the main pool. Poolside drinks and dining are available throughout the event. VIP cabanas and canopy daybeds can be rented for a relaxing and luxury escape. The season kicks off with a concert by DJ Deorro on May 4.

Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480-850-7777, releasevip. com, various times and prices.

Hotel Valley Ho

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

ARTS

59

Actor turned playwright debuts first work SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF M. Tanner Morris is the kind of theater buff who looks at it from a variety of angles.

When he was 15, the Mesa man, then a freshman at Red Mountain High School, joined the East Valley Children’s theatre, getting roles in nearly a dozen productions.

He won an AriZONI for his performance in 2016 a lead role — as Prince Dalliance in “67 Cinderellas.”

But when he turned 17, he got interested in the inner workings of the theater — and how stage managers make the backstage activity work with the prevision of a Swiss clock.

He started as an assistant stage manager, working with Karen Rolston, the theater company’s producing artistic director, workshop instructor and mainstage director.

Then he graduated to stage manager — and liked it even more than acting.

“I stopped acting at 17,” said Morris, now 20, and noting he could have hung on to acting until he “aged out” of the 19-yearold age limit for cast members.

“I don’t know what it is but the whole technical side of theater really fascinates me. I love it.”

Now, Morris has taken on yet another side of the theater — playwright.

He wrote an original script, “The Lost Boys of Neverland,” that the East Valley Children’s Theatre will present June 13-16 and June 20-23 at the Mesa Arts Center.

Show times are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. The production features a

Among the cast of about 30 in the original play “The Lost Boys of Neverland” are, from left, Elizabeth Schaible of Mesa, Dillon Indillicato of Gilbert, Mason Brummond and Marco Velasquez of Gilbert. (Penrod Photography)

number of Gilbert kids and teens.

The cast of about 30 actors and actresses ages 8 to 18 will play out something that occurred to Morris when he was still an actor.

He started rethinking the story of Peter Pan, wondering what happened when the

flying boy left Neverland. Then he imagined Captain Hook taking control of Neverland — and how a foster girl from New York City might undo the infamous cad.

Part of the reason he was rethinking “Peter Pan” was because his stage manager

brain kicked in gear.

Because of various issues, “we can’t have kids flying in the air.” So without a flying Peter Pan, why have one at all?

Morris wrote the first draft two years ago and worked with Rolston to refine it.

“Where we are now with it is very different from where I started, but we’re both very happy to be there. We’re in a very good place,” he said.

As stage manager, Morris normally has a lot on his plate. He has to make sure everything is in sync from before the curtain is raised until the final bows.

Among those responsibilities is making sure the young cast members are where they’re supposed to be and that they are behaving and paying attention throughout rehearsals and every presentation.

Though any given production can involve pretty young cast members, he said, “You’d be surprised how professional everyone is.”

This month, however, Morris won’t be behind the curtains weaving his magic.

He’ll be in the audience, watching how the boys and girls, children and teens give voice and movement to his words.

“I’ll see it on opening night,” he said, although he admitted getting a sneak preview of one rehearsal and liked what he had seen so far.

Morris isn’t getting out of stage managing, but rather adding to his resume to take another step toward his goal — writing scripts and making movies.

Tickets for “Lost Boys” are $15 and can be purchased by calling 480-644-6500 or going to mesaartscenter.com.

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60

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Flotsam and Jetsam rolls into EV tonight exact year.

“I base everything on when records came out,” he said with a laugh. “I moved when ‘For Those About to Rock’ came out — ’81.”

The Dobson High School graduate recalled, too, when he realized he wanted to be a musician. Again, an AC/DC reference: the first time he heard “The Jack.”

“I had headphones on and I said, ‘OK. I’m going to play guitar. I’m going to learn how to do this,’” he said. “My mom bought me a guitar for $20 at Kmart. I still have it. It’s not that bad of a guitar. I learned on that.

“That’s when my parents knew I was serious about it. I’ve been collecting guitars since then. I can’t have enough. I have around 20, but I can only play one at a time, unless I’m Rick Nielsen (of Cheap Trick).”

When he’s home, Gilbert said he enjoys going to Diamondbacks games and eating at Los Dos Molinos in Mesa.

“If you like super spicy Mexican food, that is the place to go,” he said. “Plus, they have great margaritas.”

CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

Flotsam and Jetsam have performed around the world, but nothing feels like a hometown show.

“We always get a warm welcome when we return to the Valley,” said guitarist Michael Gilbert of Chandler. “We always try to make our last shows of our tours our hometown shows. It’s the big release. There’s always tons of energy. It’s great. It’s hard to explain the energy that’s there.”

Flotsam and Jetsam have, for the most part, stuck around the Valley. Vocalist Eric “A.K.” Knutson lives in Gilbert; guitarist Steve Conley in Glendale; and new drummer Ken Mary in Fountain Hills. Bassist Michael Spencer resides in Sacramento.

The band will perform at Club Red in Mesa on tonight, June 15, to promote its latest album, “The End of Chaos,” for which the band wrote “a ton of songs.”

“We each wrote 25 songs a piece,” Gilbert said. “A.K. picks and chooses the songs and a lot of them get tossed to the side. It’s all good, though. We get the best possible songs we can out of it.”

The formula has worked. Flotsam and Jetsam are witnessing a revival of sorts, as the band is seeing old school fans revisiting its music.

“We’re making a bit of a comeback,” Gilbert said. “They’re starting to revisit and buy the new stuff as well. We’re seeing a lot of younger people at the show. They’re in the front row, singing songs that were out 20

Chandler resident Michael Gilbert of Chandler and the rest of Flotsam and Jetsam will be playing tonight, June 15, at Club Red in Mesa. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

years before they were born.

“It gets us all excited. That was happening when we did the self-titled album. There’s this spark again. The power metal music fans are digging A.K.’s voice.”

After its U.S. tour, Flotsam and Jetsam — whose alumni include former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted — have three short European runs.

“What sucks is flying back and forth, but it’s totally worth it,” he said. “As tired as we are when we get there, when we see 4,000 people or more than that — sometimes up to 80,000 — it wakes you up really quick.”

LONGTIME MUSICIAN

Gilbert moved from California to the Valley when he was 15 years old. He knows the

CHAOS REBORN

The five-piece band was founded in the early 1980s and critics have called 1986’s “Doomsday for the Deceiver” a “game changer.” English rock magazine Kerrang! gave it a 6K rating; its sixth and only accolade of that nature.

After the debut was released, Newsted joined Metallica. The musical landscape changed, but Flotsam and Jetsam’s mission See

FLOTSAM on page 61

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

ARTS

61

Hale Theatre hawking ‘Newsies’ this month SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

You don’t have to read all about it this month at the Hale Theatre, but rather watch a musical based on the kids who used to yell that request on city streets just before the 20th century began.

Through June 29, the Gilbert theater will be presenting “Newsies,” the 1992 Broadway hit based on the 1899 New York City newsboys’ strike.

The story revolves around a newsboy named Jack Kelly who organizes a strike against the owner, Joseph Pulitzer, after he raises the price of newspapers that the boys hawk to make a living.

With the help of a young reporter, the strike spreads.

Directed and choreographed by Cambrian James, with musical direction by

FLOTSAM

from page 60

stayed the same.

“A.K.’s vocals are what makes our band and who we are,” gilbert said. “He’s very unique, there is nobody else like him. He’s a fantastic singer. But the dude gets better and better.”

“The End of Chaos” has 12 songs that clock in at around 50 minutes, kicking off with “Prisoner of Time.” Knutson screams the signature line, “Live your life without regret; don’t be a prisoner of time.”

The singer summed up Flotsam and Jetsam’s career perfectly.

Elizabeth Spencer, the Hale production promises “rousing songs and iconic, high energy, dance numbers,” a theater spokeswoman said.

Kade Bailey stars as Jack Kelly, Kaitlyn Russell plays Katherine Plumber and Joey Morrison plays the greedy newspaper owner.

“Newsies: is produced by David and Corrin Dietlein.

Performance times are 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees are 3 p.m. Saturdays and some Fridays.

Tickets are $40 for adults and $22 for kids 5-17 and are available at HaleTheatreArizona.com, 480-497-1181 or 50 West Page Ave., Gilbert. Simply click on the Information tab and choose Directions and Parking from the pull down menu.

“We’ve been through a lot of crap,” he said. “For a while I had a lineup with me who was just together to go out on vacations then have the promoters pay for it. And it’s a little different now, we are back to a real band making a stab at growing and becoming a bigger entity in the music industry. Our goal in writing a record, is to put out the coolest music we can. ‘The End of Chaos’ hits the mark.”

Flotsam and Jetsam w/Dead by Wednesday, Footer, Condemned Till Dawn and Black Phantom Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa, 480.200.7529, clubredrocks.com, 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 15, $20-$25.

A colorful cast with rousing tunes and high-energy dance numbers highlight the Hale Theatre’s current production of the Broadway hit “Newsies.” (Hale Theater)

NEWSIES

from page 57 the newspaper but who helps Jack.

“This is probably my second favorite” musical, he said. The favorite musical he performed in was “Anything Goes.”

“The dancing’s pretty fun,” in ‘Newsies,’” Zachary said. “It’s a very energetic musical.

This is my first performance here and I made a bunch of new friends.”

Isabella, who goes by the nickname “Peaches,” has performed in musicals and likes getting a different perspective now as an intern for “Newsies.”

She will be a freshman at Perry High School in Gilbert in the fall and just finished

eighth grade at Casteel High School, which serves students in seventh through 12th grades in Queen Creek.

“I write down blocking,” Isabella said.

“Sometimes the director will tell me notes to write down. I’ve been in ten musicals. It’s definitely different. You get close with the cast, too. I love this musical so much. I’m a dancer. ‘Newsies’ has really good dancing.”

“Newsies” will be on stage at 7 p.m. on June 19, at 7 p.m. on June 20; at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 21; at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 22 and at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on June 23 at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. Information: tempecenterforthearts.com

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62 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Faith God speaks to us in different ways

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER

Guest Columnist

Ever since the beginning when Abraham argued with God regarding the salvation of Sodom and Gomorrah, we have always had dialogue with God in one form or another.

Some of us speak to God in our hearts, some through written words and some in deeds. Either of these connections form the basis for a concept called faith.

Then there is hope.

Faith and hope are connected because hope gives us the ability to have faith in our lives. We hope for various things and we have faith that our hopes will be fulfilled. This has been the distinctive aspect of our lives as human beings.

We know and understand that if we talk to God, in whatever form, God will listen. And, just as there are times when we listen but do not hear when others talk to us, so too God may at times appear to be listening but not hearing.

The simple truth is that God speaks to us in different ways and listens differently.

Things may not seem so clear, but the

answer can be there and not be visible.

There again, we need to have faith that our needs and desires regarding our welfare will be heard so that our lives will have meaning.

Each of us attends to this in varying ways. Some affiliate with a house of worship to look for that connection that brings comfort. Togetherness is what this will bring us and helps in our desire to share the burdens and fulfillments of life with others.

When we are sad, we rush to each other’s aid, when we have joy in our lives we want everyone to share in our happiness in the hope that it will spill over into their lives too.

Some of us find this attraction through social or other institutional involvement.

Some of us find contentment with acknowledging our heritage with support through charitable endeavors.

There are so many reasons to remember who we are, where we came from and hope that faith in ourselves and our companions and friends will ensure our future.

Then there are times when our world seems to be in turmoil. Our community needs our participation to guarantee that our society will thrive in peace and harmony. Organizations cry out for support

so that their mission can be achieved.

Families and friends flock to our side to remind us of our need for love and appreciation. Our church or synagogue needs our help to ensure that this generation and the next and the next will be there to remind us that without hope and faith, our existence has no meaning.

Many congregations have members who have accepted the responsibility for people’s continuation and success, and have joined together to do just that.

The task, at times, can be daunting.

And there are times when we lift our heads and realize that the good of the whole is what brings satisfaction to us as individuals.

I have heard numerous times the expression, “been there, and done that.”

Well, our obligations as a people do not end when we gain elder statesmen status.

Rather, reaching that milestone adds to our responsibilities.

The past brought us here and we need to remember that we need to ensure tomorrow.

We all come from different areas and different expressions, but the one thing that is constant is people have survived unimaginable tragedies, and we are here to talk about it and know the hope and faith of those who preceded us gave us a future.

We can do no less for the next generation.

When God whispered to the people assembled at the Mount as the laws of society were formed, all cried in unison, “We will do and we will listen.”

We, all humanity, accepted the rule of law and survival and then worried about the content because we knew that without a civilized world there is no future for any of us. Laws were not intended to be a burden but rather a discipline. Without discipline we are no better than the monsters existing today or those from the past.

As we continue life’s celebrations, let us remember that what we have built upon those words spoken thousands of year ago, emphasizing our acceptance of the continuity of the human spirit given to us by God and nurtured through the progression of understanding, is the ability to achieve salvation by remembering the past.

May we continue to be blessed with a concern for caring, sharing, loving and, connection. “We will do, and we will listen,” this is humanity’s mandate and obligation.

Dr. Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. is National Chaplain of Jewish War Veterans-USA and he is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Here’s the good news: Love is life in Christ.

BY REV. SUSAN WILMOT

Guest Columnist

I pretty much grew up with Kim Casali’s cute single frame “Love is….” cartoon. About the time the movie “Love Story” was released with the tag line “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” Kim’s strip featured the classic line, “Love is… being able to say you’re sorry” that was printed worldwide on posters, greeting cards and souvenirs.

Kim’s syndicated cartoon (now produced by Bill Asprey) remains popular today, probably because it touches on two profound Biblical truths: love is relational and love is a verb.

In almost every single frame, the characters model situations and actions that show one another in tangible ways what love encompasses. It’s not just happy times, or fuzzy emotional stuff either.

There is heartache and sadness, selfsacrifice and selflessness, amidst the joy and abundance of love made manifest in how we share ourselves with others to the glory of God’s name.

Those loving everyday interactions are what we call faith in action. To love our neighbors as ourselves is a moment by moment decision. To live in love means consistently rejecting all things that are not of love like fear and violence, hate and anger, prejudice, injustice, and idolatry.

Choosing a life of love became Jesus’ new commandment to His disciples. Of all the things he could have said, Jesus chose

these words “… love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

The disciples must have pondered Jesus’ words in their hearts for the rest of their lives. It sounds so simple doesn’t it?

That little four-letter word that is forever associated with the eye-searing image of the Word made flesh nailed to a cross.

That little four-letter word irrevocably bound to responsibilities that can feel as weighty as a tombstone. Yet, that little four-letter word also encompasses limitless freedom, profound healing and vast oceans of joy.

Sure, we can love one another — that is, until the reality of what love means starts to sink in. As followers of Jesus, being known by our love for one another is one of the hardest vocations we’ll ever live into.

Jesus knows how hard it is to love those who hurt and betray us. Judas was

a member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, a trusted brother.

The bitter sting of betrayed trust, of relationships ripped apart at the seams, colors our capacity and ability to love as Christ loved us.

But it also reminds us that we really can’t love at all, without being firmly connected to the source of all love: Christ Jesus our Lord. Above all else in our lives, we need God in Christ Jesus, because we’re nothing

without Him. The only essential dynamic for love is relationship. That is a relationship with God, and relationships with one another. We know it when we see it and experience it, but it isn’t always easy to define.

We live it daily caring for one another and refusing to take advantage of others; by sharing our spiritual gifts and resources willingly and generously to promote God’s kingdom equity and justice; and through mutuality, truly desiring the very best for one another.

As Jesus showed us most clearly on the cross, love is selfless. It moves us from concern for ourselves to care and compassion for others, expressed in tangible ways.

To love one another as Jesus loves us is to welcome Christ’s love as a shaping force within us. Love made manifest through our faith in action will always

bring us into a closer relationship with the Lord, and with one another.

No wonder one of the most popular passages read at weddings is from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Take a few minutes to insert your own name wherever that lesson says or references ‘love’ in verses 4-8.

Paul gives us clarity on what’s at stake in Jesus’ new commandment, and what it looks like in the life of a disciple.

To remain connected and obedient to the divine presence and source of love, Jesus constantly prayed for God’s guidance throughout His earthly life.

Prayer is like the key that unlocks the door to the potter’s shed, where we wait in the dark like lumps of clay for the Master’s hand to shape us.

Prayer is like opening a window to our soul, so that the Holy Spirit can breeze through and reorder the thoughts and the desires of our hearts to align with God’s will.

The Holy Spirit has the power to transform our fear, hate and anger into compassion, and fill us with God’s peace and love. To pray is to embody Christlikeness as we wait patiently and listen for the Lord’s guidance that lends new perspective, new vision, and a new way of living.

Here’s the good news: Love is… life in Christ.

The Rev. Susan E. Wilmot is vicar at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church & Preschool, 975 E. Warner Rd., Tempe.

Susan can be reached at rector@ stjamestempe.org or at 480-345-2686. .stjamestempe.org.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

FAITH

63

Best Western-Mezona, 250 W. Main St., Mesa. 480-232-3773

Spiritual Connections Call ahead to confirm as details occasionally change after print.

If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting to list in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to news@santansun.com.

SUNDAYS

Celebration Service 10:30 a.m. Sundays All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community. Join the group at 10 a.m., preceding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa, 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques.

Cost is $99.

Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler 480-855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com

TUESDAYS

Silva Class and Meditation

10 to 11 a.m. Sundays Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays Learn the Silva method with Lois Britland.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Lift Your Spirit

Career Connectors

Kids’ Sunday School

10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Traditional and Contemporary Services 7:30 a.m. daybreak contemplative worship, 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music, 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band. There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

MONDAYS

The Art of Parenting 7:30 p.m. Mondays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish

8:30 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month. Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits.

Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/ Student Center, 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert, 480-442-5806, careerconnectors.org

Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com

Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:45 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month. Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Chandler Christian Church, Building B, Room 202 1825 S. Alma School Road, Chandler Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com

HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p.m. Tuesdays Free, weekly small-group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church 19620 S. McQueen Road, Room 106, Chandler, hope4all@comcast.net, helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org

Shalom Chapter of Hadassah 11:30 a.m. second Tuesday of each month Iron Oaks (Oakwood) Clubhouse 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes Cyril, 480-802-0243; Kathy, 480-895-5194; Shirley, 480-883-9159; or Joyce, 480-802-4902

Christian Business Networking

Monthly Women’s Fellowship

Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa

6:15 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.”

Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon), Chandler Chapter 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church 1125 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, nar-anon.org

WEDNESDAYS Panic Healing

7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday Receive a 15-minute energetic tuneup.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master.

Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

“A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

The Art of Parenting 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques.

Cost is $99.

Chandler Jewish Community Center 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 480-855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com

Grief Care 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone.

Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Road, Room 325, Chandler, griefcareaz@gmail. com

Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in

FAITH 64 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

their lives. Love offering requested.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Meditation Moments 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday of the month An interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for beginners or longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church 12 p.m. Healing and Eucharist service St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church 901 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

THURSDAYS

Women’s Empowerment & Awakening 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Thursday Release negative beliefs.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

A Course in Miracles 7 p.m. first, second and fourth Thursday Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Empower Model for Men 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays The three-class series is taught by author Scott E. Clark and designed to offer practical wisdom and tools to help men shift into their higher consciousness, based on the seven-step empower model detailed in Clark’s book, “Empower Model for Men.” Cost is $85.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Real Love Support Group 6:30 p.m. Thursdays

For those who have a desire to acquire more “real love” and in the process find great personal happiness and more fulfilling relationships. Love offering requested.

Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

FRIDAYS

Temple Havurat Emet 7:30 p.m. first Friday of each month Lecky Center, Robson Library 9330 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, templehavuratemet.org

SATURDAYS

Spirit Night – Psychic Fair 4 to 8 p.m. third Saturday of each month The “Lightworkers” offer a wide range of services, including Reiki, facials, mediums, drumming, tarot, angel messages and more. Services range from $20 to $30.

Cash only.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa interfaith-community.org heatherposey70@gmail.com

Unity Drumming and Healing Circle 6:30 to 8 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month Beginner, expert drummers and observers welcome. Bring snack, appetizer or dessert to share. Love donation accepted.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

OTHER

GriefShare Support Group GriefShare is a caring group of people who will walk alongside others through one of life’s most difficult experiences.

Participants can gain access to help them recover from their loss and rebuild their lives through this 13-week program starting Jan. 27.

6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Thursday Evenings: Aug 1st - Sept 26th, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

SUNDAY WORSHIP

At 8:30 am & 10 am

Purchase Materials at https://fpu.com/1091269

480-963-3360 | www.chandlermethodist.org | 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

739 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-963-4127 htlutheran.com

Jewish Women International Avodah Chapter 1581 Monthly luncheon. Social Box Eateries, 1371 N. Alma School Road, Chandler RSVP: 480-802-9304, 480-655-8812

Moms in Prayer International A group of mothers who meet one hour each week to intercede for their children and schools through prayer. Liane Wright, 480-699-7887, momsinprayer.org

Mondays: 7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesdays: 10 a.m. Prayer Group (Pastor’s Office)(except 3rd Tuesday of month) 1 p.m. Chandler I Am Project Room 3 Wednesdays: 10 a.m. Peter and Paul Bible Study 6 p.m. Men’s Spiritual Stag 6:15 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7 p.m. Church Chorale Rehearsal 6 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (Women only) 7:30 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (Men) Thursdays: 6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study 7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (Men) Every 1st and 3rd Friday...I-HELP @ 6:00 p.m. Dinner/Showers and a place to sleep for the homeless

Bible Study

Regular monthly activities: Lois

Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life Group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives. Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, Chandler.

Jan Olson: 480-802-7457, Joy King 480-588-1882

(Women) Circle: Every 3rd Tuesday 10 a.m. Spirits Willing Lunches Out (over 55) 11:30 a.m., 4th Fridays All events are at Chandler Presbyterian Church at 1900 S. Arrowhead Drive except for Spirits Willing and lunches. chandlerpres.org

East Valley Jewish Couples Club

Let us help you publicize your church or temple’s events in the Spirituality section by emailing details to news@ santansun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies and plays for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range. Melissa, 480-785-0744, beadlover@cox.net

Chandler Presbyterian Goings On: Sundays: 9:15 a.m. Kids’ Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study Room 3 10:00 a.m. Walking the Walk (Youth) 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service Noon: Lenten Jesus Bible Study and Food!

3:00 p.m. Kenyan Fellowship/Language

Worship Service 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous

GOT NEWS? CONTACT PAUL MARYNIAK

480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

Come, Worship the Lord

Praise Him

Glorify His Name

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

Where To Eat

69

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Craft 64 brings mixes pizza with local brews

BY COLLEEN SPARKS

Managing Editor

People no longer have to travel to Scottsdale to indulge in artisan, woodfired pizza made with house-made mozzarella cheese and Arizona vegetables, along with an eclectic variety of local craft beers.

That’s because Craft 64 is now operating at 68 W. Buffalo St., five years after it opened its Scottsdale location at 6922 E. Main St. Owners James Swann, Josh Ivey, Roger Carpenter and Scott Hagan keep the menu small but focused on quality and providing local brews and made-fromscratch pizzas, sandwiches, salads and bruschetta with most vegetables coming from McClendon’s Select, a farm in Peoria.

Craft 64 in Chandler offers 30 local beers on tap, all made in Arizona, from popular brewers including OHSO Distillery, Grand Canyon Distillery, SanTan Distilling and by Craft 64 itself.

About half the spirits are locally made and Craft 64 makes its own pinot noir.

SanTan Brewing Company, which is just down the street, makes special bitters for Craft 64. Swann had previously worked as general manager there for several years.

Carpenter used to own the now-closed DownUnder Wine Bar at the Chandler Fashion Center.

The menu at the Chandler restaurant is basically the same as the one in Scottsdale, but slightly expanded. Also, unlike the Scottsdale Craft 64, which has one wood-fired oven, the Chandler Craft 64 has two.

Craft 64 took over the space previously occupied by La Stalla Rustica Cucina, across the street from San Marcos Resort.

Craft 64 co-owner James Swann previously worked as general manager for SanTan Brewing Company. He pours one of the 30 local beers that Craft 64 has on tap. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

Craft 64 has no microwaves and no freezers. One oven cooks focaccia bread at 500 degrees while the other heats pizza at 700 to 750 degrees.

The restaurant’s pizzas are 12 inches, thin crust with many traditional toppings including pepperoni, fennel sausage and

little more char and a little more chew,” to the pizza dough, Swann said.

Swann said his favorite pizza on the menu is Aji, at $19. Fresh Arizona jalapenos are emulsified with lemon juice, olive oil, cracked peppers and sea salt to create a spicy Aji jalapeno sauce for the pizza.

Craft 64 co-owner Josh Ivey, left, also is a wine expert while Justin Gordecki knows something about spinning a pizza pie the old-fashioned way.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

The building got a major overhaul with new fixtures, including lots of wood accents and two patios.

The owners have long been familiar with Chandler as two of them, Hagan and Ivey, live there, while Swann and Carpenter live in Tempe.

“We all knew the area well,” Swann said. “We have a lot of friends down here.

Our local focus is something I’m hoping people will embrace; beer and spirits and what we do in the kitchen. We like to offer a few things and do them well.”

smoked sausage, along with some unusual twists such as eggs. The cured pepperoni and other meats come from a small business in Italy.

One of Craft 64’s popular pizzas, the Margarita for $15, comes with mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, tomato sauce and basil.

The crusts on all the restaurant’s pizzas are made in the “Neapolitan-style,” though not with the same type of flour used for that type of crust.

One of our trademarks is that we use a

The Aji also has fennel sausage, sautéed onions, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano.

“It’s got some kick because it’s got some fresh Arizona jalapenos,” Swann said.

The Smokehouse has mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, house-smoked sausage and house-smoked onions, at $19.

Customers also love Uovo, a pizza with mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta, spinach, cherrywood-smoked bacon and two over-medium fried eggs.

The savory Combinazioni, at $18,

combines mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, roasted red pepper, sautéed onions, Cremini mushrooms, oregano and basil.

Those who prefer a white sauce on their pizza can try the Blanco, at $16, which has mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta, spinach and garlic.

Vegans can satisfy their dietary needs with Craft 64’s Senza Formaggio, for $12, which has tomato sauce, basil, oregano and rosemary.

Craft 64 also aims to satisfy customers’ cravings for sandwiches with its Caprese, Italian and BLT sammys made on woodfired, focaccia bread.

The BLT sandwich has house-made mozzarella, tomatoes, caramelized onions, basil, extra virgin olive oil and cherrywood-smoked bacon, Swann said.

Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil and caramelized onions are also on the Caprese sandwich. The Italian sandwich blends tomatoes, mozzarella, caramelized onions, basil, pepperoni, salami and extra virgin olive oil.

The Chandler restaurant also strives to make customers salivate over its salads. Its Caprese salad, which is $10, mixes sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil, cracked pepper and sea salt.

Bacon lovers can enjoy the hearty, Bistro Bacon salad for $13, filled with frisée, spinach, olives, sizzling cherrywood-smoked bacon, an ovenroasted egg and classic Dijon Vinaigrette.

For dessert, there’s Nutella Indulgence, made with pizza dough drizzled with sugar and stuffed with Nutella, bananas, hazelnuts and Arizona honey for dessert.

See

CRAFT64 on page 70

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WHERE TO EAT

CRAFT64

SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019

from page 69

The classic Italian dessert tiramisu, which is rich ladyfingers with mascarpone, Marsala, dark rum and Espresso, is also on the menu.

To wash down the rich pizzas, sandwiches, salads and bruschetta, Craft 64 offers a little something for everyone when it comes to beers, wines and cocktails.

Craft 64 brews many beers at SunUp Brewing Company in Phoenix and customers can order the diverse beverages with fun names at the Chandler and Scottsdale restaurants.

Some examples include Craft 64’s Rocky Point Blonde, an American Light lager and a Wake Me Up Before You Mango, a shandy Swann described as “very refreshing.” Rocky Point Blonde is available in the summer while in the winter, starting around October, Craft 64 will offer its Sweet Lovin’ brew, a heavier, chocolate coffee porter.

“Variety is the spice of life when it comes to beer,” Swann said.

Hazy Hoperator and Grapefruit Haze are IPAs Craft 64 makes.

Craft 64 now is selling SanTan Mountain Berry HARD Seltzer, O.H.S.O. Chocolate Milk Stout, Huss’ Papago Orange Blossom and many other beers but the line-up changes constantly.

The wines at Craft 64 change with the seasons. Its Craft 64 Pinot Noir concocted by owner Ivey has dark cherry, mulberry and a long finish sourced with grapes from Oregon. It carries wines from all over the world including Australia, Italy, France,

Craft 64’s pizzas are 12 inches and come with a variety of topping options.(Kimberly Carrillo/Saff Photographer)

business, at Craft 64.

Happy hour is every day from 3 to 6 p.m., during which time customers can get $1 off all draft beers and order five different wines for $6 each. For $8, customers can order several foods — the Caprese salad, olive bowl, charcuterie board or garlic cheese bread.

People are eating up the food and

service at Craft 64 in Chandler.

“First time @ Craft 64 and we will definitely be returning!” Yesenia Quinones George posted on the Craft 64 Chandler Facebook page. “Amazing food, friendly staff, and great drink selection!”

Gina Accurso-Donnelly also savored her experience at Craft 64 in Chandler.

“Just tried the new location in downtown Chandler,” Accurso-Donnelly posted on the Craft 64 Chandler Facebook page. “EXCELLENT pizza. I am a pizza snob and I highly recommend this place. We will be back for sure!”

Craft 64 in Chandler is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Information: craft64.com

Oregon and California.

Swann has first-level certification through Cicerone, online training on beer service and styles, and all employees at Craft 64 must complete that same coursework within 30 days of starting work there.

Craft 64 also quenches customers’ thirst with its signature mules including the Cucumber Goddess, which is Arcadia Cucumber Vodka from Arcadia Spirits, the brand owned by OHSO Distillery, and Bitters with Meyer Lemon (from Arcadia Vodkas owned by OHSO Distillery).

Guests also love The “64,” a mule with Arcadia Grapefruit (also from OHSO Distillery) and lemon vodkas and lemon.

Some of the mules feature Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine Tequila including The Peacemaker and The Revolver.

Those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks can try another local favorite, iced tea from Passport Coffee & Tea, a Scottsdale

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72 SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 15 - JULY 5, 2019