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www.ahwatukee.com
WATER TRAGEDIES
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
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For ACT, the show must go on – and it did BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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FIRST TIME GLOBAL HELPER NOVELIST
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A GOOD I.D.E.A.
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FULL CIRCLE
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t’s nearly impossible to expect anything good to come from a vicious act of vandalism and thievery. But over five days after an unknown individual or individuals trashed the Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre’s (ACT) offices and stole thousands of dollars worth of electrical equipment, there was little doubt that far more good emerged from the crime than anyone could ever expect. For one thing, there was the response of three communities — ACT’s own community of supporters, the Valley’s broader theater community and the community that is Ahwatukee. Once word got out about the crime, which occurred the night between June 23 and June 24, scores of people came forward to offer monetary and other support. For another thing, there was the resilient professionalism of the children. They pulled out of their shock and distress over the incident to present two flawless performances of “Mary Poppins” last Saturday — five days after the crime was discovered June 24. And most of all, there was ACT co-founder
Undaunted by the disturbing burglary and vandalism at Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre, co-owner/co-founder Michelle Rubino, right, was all smiles Saturday at a fundraiser at Five Guys in Ahwatukee, where her mother Mary Tucci, son Mikey, behind Rubino, and family friend Collin Bridge gathered with about 50 other supporters and friends. (Kimberly Carfrillo/AFN
Staff Photographer)
and co-owner Michelle Rubino, who quickly overcame her initial shock, rallied the youngsters and even made the incident a teachable moment for them. “Some of the kids were saying things like
‘I’d like to beat them up.’ But I used it as a life lesson,” she said. She said she explained to them that the
of nearby events, one Fourth of July tradition that still is going strong here is Mountain Park Ranch’s kids parade. The parade — open only to Mountain Park Ranch HOA members and their families and guests — promises to be as colorful and festive a birthday party as Uncle Sam could want. Jim Welch, executive director of the Mountain Park Ranch Homeowners Association, said the HOA organizes the event, with the Phoenix Police and Fire departments leading
the parade of colorfully dressed children riding decorated bikes and wagons. Matthew Figueroa of Figueroa DJ Services will spin the music; Slide & Bounce Around, is supplying the inflatable bounce houses, inflatable slides, water slides and other games; and Bad Dog Hotdogs will provide the hotdogs, chips and soda. Ironically, a key figure in making sure the parade is a festive time for all is Andrew
see THEATER page 6
Plenty of fireworks show options surround Ahwatukee BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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hwatukee’s community-wide Independence Day celebration vanished after 2016 when the cash-strapped Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce dropped its Red White and Boom event for lack of a moneyed partner. And while anyone in Ahwatukee who wants to see a mega-fireworks show tomorrow night will have to drive to any number
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