August 2, 2020 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Council races head to the wire Tuesday BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Chandler’s six City Council candidates have collectively spent nearly $123,000 campaigning during the last couple months as the Aug. 4 election heads into the final stretch. Early voting to fill three seats has been underway since July 8 and the six candidates ramped up their campaigns as the weeks have rolled by. Incumbent council members Mark Stewart and Jeremy McClymonds face challenges from one former council member, Rick Heumann, and three newcomers. Those newcomers are OD Harris, an
entrepreneur and military veteran; Beth Brizel, a businesswoman and former Kyrene Governing Board member; and Christine Ellis, who has worked in the assisted-living field for several years. Stewart, who owns a digital marketing company, is seeking a second term while McClymonds, appointed to a council vacancy in 2018, is running his first campaign for a full term. Heumann, who served on the council from 2009 to 2016, is attempting to win his old seat back; the city’s term limits prevented him from serving a third consecutive term. Campaign contributions can be one factor potentially indicating how much community support a candidate has
and give an inkling of their chances of winning. “Money is always important in politics,” said Paul Bentz, senior vice president of research and strategy for HighGround, a Republican consulting firm. “But there’s been lots of candidates spending lots of money and don’t win.” Bentz said other factors also comprise a potentially winning formula. “Having been on the Council is beneficial,” he said. “Especially during this pandemic, incumbency and name ID are very helpful. Candidates without it can’t go door-to-door or hold events or go to typical places you go in public to meet people when running for office.”
Final pre-election campaign finance reports filed last week showing where they’ve been getting their financial support and how much the candidates are spending to win. Final pre-primary reports for Stewart and Harris were not available to review before deadline. Between April and July, Heumann drew nearly $28,000 in donations – the most of any candidate. According to finance reports, he garnered support from several law enforcement and firefighter unions across the Valley. The Phoenix Law Enforcement and See
ELECTIONS on page 2
Pandemic fuels fears of more child pool drownings BY JIM WALSH Staff Writer
The emphasis on online learning has made a big impact on his profession,. Casteel High teacher Michael Buist says, as Chandler Unified prepares to start a new school year. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
Chandler ready for a very different school year BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Michael Buist feels ready to start the new school year. It will be a year unlike any other when Chandler Unified students start online classes Wednesday, Aug. 5, the Casteel High School math teacher acknowledged, but he’s prepared for the changes that are ahead. Buist has been spending his summer thinking about how to adapt his teaching style to fit with the virtual landscape that’s become more ubiquitous
during the COVID-19 pandemic. After teachers were forced to suddenly shift to online instruction at the end of the last school year, Buist said he and his colleagues were forced to reassess what it means to be a teacher in the 21st century and consider revamping methods that have long been outdated. “Teachers were really forced to think about their practice, think about their pedagogy, and really evaluate what’s important,” he said. See
SCHOOL on page 6
Firefighters and water safety advocates fear the COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to a troubling spike in pediatric drownings in the East Valley and Maricopa County by introducing more distractions into an already dangerous scenario. Chandler Fire Department officials have toughened their water safety messaging, Battalion Chief Jeff West said. A child drowned earlier this year and two others were involved in water-related incidents. “We can list the messages and we can recite them, but what are you doing to prevent drownings? This life is on you,’’ West said. “We put the emphasis on those with the ability to prevent’’ fatal and non-fatal drownings. The pandemic closed schools in March, hampering efforts by the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona to drive home an annually repeated safety campaign to watch children with undivided attention around water. While most drowning prevention events were cancelled, parents found themselves dealing with the new distraction of working from home, juggling time on laptops with the need to watch
their children and avoid potentially fatal trips to a backyard pool. “As soon as COVID hit and we saw that more kids were staying home, we knew our numbers were going up,’’ said Tracey Fejt, trauma outreach injury prevention coordinator for Banner Cardon Children’s Hospital. “The distraction is huge. They are trying to work,’’ Fejt said. Mesa has recorded three pediatric drownings this year, compared with two a year ago. The city has recorded 17 water-related incidents, with 10 of them involving pediatric children less than six years old, according to the Children’s Safety Zone website. In all, there are have been nine fatalities, with six of them adults. No one wants to see the tragic record of six pediatric drownings in 2007 repeated ever again. In Maricopa and Pinal counties, the same pattern becomes apparent. The website lists 70 water-related incidents through July 13, involving 36 pediatrics, two children, two teens and 24 adults. It lists 29 deaths, with nine of them pediatric and 20 of them adults. Firefighters and drowning prevention advocates are alarmed because there See
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Chandler woman accused of terrorist aid . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 5 Doctor making house calls in Chandler . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . Page 26 Chandler's Bellinger sees no season repeat. . . . . . . SPORTS . . . . . . . . . Page 31 Girls Who Code rock in pandemic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . Page 34 Sicilian Butcher owner pivots with market . . . . . . . EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 42
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Rick Heumann
ELECTIONS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Mark Stewart
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Tempe Officer associations each kicked in $500 to his campaign and firefighter unions in Glendale, Surprise and Phoenix each contributed $700. Heumann was endorsed by the Chandler Law Enforcement Association as well as the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, for which he chaired the organization’s public policy committee for several years. Finance records show McClymonds spent about $41,000 – nearly $7,000 more than what Heumann spent – on advertising and campaign materials. Not long after his appointment, McClymonds got to work on running for a full term and collected about $42,000 in contributions through 2019, records show. One of his biggest donations was $6,450 from Bernard Anderson, the chief executive officer of the American Bicycle Association. Over the last couple months, McClymonds has attracted nearly $9,000 in contributions and ended the most recent quarter with a cash balance of $34,500. Some of his notable contributors include Dignity Health CEO Jane Hanson, who gave $500, and $250 from a managing director of JLL Phoenix, a real
Beth Brizel
estate management firm that recently brokered the sale of Chandler Pavilions Mall. Stewart spent $14,000 this last quarter and collected nearly $14,000 in donations. He also loaned $15,000 of his own money to his campaign. Some of his donors have included businessmen who have had projects reviewed by the city in recent years. Jason Weber, a vice president of Maracay Homes, donated $250 to Stewart on June 21 – a month after Council approved Maracay’s plans for a new 86-lot subdivision near McQueen and Chandler Heights roads. Stewart also got $500 from the founder of Spike Lawrence Ventures, the development firm that made a deal with the city in 2018 to turn a piece of vacant land into the New Square retail complex. Ellis reported spending $16,700 over the last four months and receiving nearly $20,000 in contributions. In her final pre-primary report, Ellis disclosed having to refund $500 given to her campaign in July by Hot Pot Carribean Cuisine, a local Jamaican restaurant. Arizona’s campaign finance laws strictly prohibit private businesses from directly donating to a candidate’s campaign. The Chandler City Clerk’s Office opened an investigation into Ellis’s finances last week after a Chandler
OD Harris
Jeremy McClymonds
resident filed a complaint highlighting multiple donations Ellis got from private entities. Brizel received about $9,000 in contributions and spent $9,800. She also has received endorsements and donations from several of the Valley’s law enforcement unions. The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association donated $1,000 to her campaign last quarter and Brizel got contributions from the Glendale and Phoenix firefighter unions. Harris took in $10,000 this past quarter and spent $7,200 on his campaign. According to finance reports, Harris notably received a flood of donations on June 26 – the same day he reported on social media that several of his campaign signs had been tampered with and destroyed. The rest of the primary election for Chandler features few party competitions as candidates for county, legislative and congressional seats prepare for the Nov. 4 ballot battle. One of the few contests of local interest is a three-way race for the Republican nomination in the 9th Congressional District for a chance to take on incumbent U.S. Rep Greg Stanton. Chandler City Councilman Sam Huang, whose first term expires at the end of this year, chose not to run for reelection and is instead running in that race.
Christine Ellis
A formula based on the total number of votes cast in the council elections will determine whether any or three candidates win a seat outright and avoid a runoff election in November. On Election Day, voted ballots may also be dropped off at City Hall from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. To vote in person early or on Election Day, registered voters must present identification. A list of acceptable IDs is available at chandleraz.gov/elections, under Frequently Asked Questions. It’s too late to request – or even mail – an early ballot. Maricopa County Elections recommends that ballots be returned by mail no later than July 29. It’s not clear what type of impact the pandemic might have on turnout, but preliminary data shows more than 22,000 early ballots have been cast in Chandler. County election officials have been taking steps to ensure all residents will still be able to easily vote in a safe environment by requiring poll workers to wear masks and gloves. The county also is allowing voters to ignore precinct rules and attend any polling place they want on Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m.-7p.m. and anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be permitted to cast a ballot. For other polling locations, go to recorder.maricopa.gov/pollingplace.
Council candidate accused of campaign finance violations BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
As the days leading up to Election Day wind down, some of Chandler’s political candidates have found themselves caught up in complaints of improper campaign donations and vandalism. The Chandler City Clerk’s Office is currently reviewing allegations made against City Council candidate Christine Ellis, accusing her of filing “shabby” campaign finance documents in the last couple months. The Clerk’s Office has begun reviewing reports filed by Ellis that appear to show her accepting donations from private companies – a violation of the state’s campaign finance laws. According to a report Ellis filed earlier this month, the candidate reported receiving $1,000 from Good Samaritan Home Care, $1,000 from Options for Senior Living, and $300 from Integrity Matters. In another report she filed in April,
Ellis disclosed receiving $500 from Pastalino Manor, an assisted-living facility. Based on how Ellis filed the reports, it’s unclear whether these donations came from the business or someone affiliated with the company. In the section where Ellis should have listed the donor’s name, she instead listed the name of the company. If the money came directly from a private company and not a donor’s personal account, then the donor could be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor offense. Arizona law allows a candidate to correct any possible filing mistakes within 20 days of being notified of a violation. Ellis said she’s been in contact with the Clerk’s Office and is already in the process of remedying any possible errors made in her reports. “We’re going back and we’re going to fix it,” the candidate said. The Clerk’s Office initiated their review of Ellis’s reports after a complaint was filed on July 21 by Chandler resident
James Jurnak. In addition to the allegations of improper donations, Jurnak faulted Ellis for leaving out the last names and addresses of some donors. That omission, he said, prevents the public from knowing who is financially supporting the candidate’s campaign. “It is a disservice to, as well as deliberately misleading of, the voters in Chandler when a candidate who, if elected, would be charged with overseeing the hundreds of millions of dollars in the Chandler city budget, completes these relatively-straightforward forms as these finance reports in such a shabby manner,” Jurnak wrote in his complaint. Ellis said many of her contributions are transmitted online and donors sometimes don’t provide all their personal information when filling out the virtual form. She said she intends to go back and obtain the full identity of these donors. Ellis, whose background includes working in the healthcare industry, is a
political newcomer and her council bid is her first run for any public office in Chandler. She said she knows it is improper to accept campaign donations from corporations and had been careful about receiving money from private entities. “It’s not like we weren’t paying attention,” she added. “We were paying attention.” A couple of the questionable donors mentioned in Jurnak’s complaints did not present themselves as a company, Ellis said, because they appeared to be a limited liability partnership. It wasn’t until her staff recently checked the Arizona Corporation Commission’s public records that, Ellis said, she realized these donors were registered as private companies. If it turns out these contributions were improper, Ellis said she will quickly return the donations or do whatever is recommended by the City Clerk’s Office. Ellis was not the only council candiSee
ELECTION SIDE on page 3
COMMUNITY NEWS
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ELECTION SIDE
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date listed in Jurnak’s complaint. Rick Heumann and Councilman Mark Stewart were briefly mentioned for allegedly committing minor discrepancies in their finance records. Chandler City Clerk Dana DeLong said the investigation into Jurnak’s complaint is ongoing. If a violation has been detected and Ellis chooses not to fix it, then DeLong can forward the matter to City Attorney Kelly Schwab, who can exercise any necessary legal enforcement. As the city’s early voters begin mailing in their ballots for next month’s primary election, another local candidate has filed a complaint with law enforcement alleging his campaign signs have been intentionally destroyed by an unknown vandal. Councilman Sam Huang, who is running for the Republican nomination in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District race, claims a number of his campaign signs in Chandler have been vandalized over the last couple weeks. Huang’s face and name have been visibly blacked out with spray paint on signs stationed along Alma School Road and Chandler Boulevard. Signs belonging to other candidates posted near Huang’s were not defaced, leading the candidate to believe he’s being targeted. Huang said he’s not quite sure why anyone would single him out, but he’s notably the only candidate of Asian descent running in the congressional race.
City Councilman Sam Huang, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 9th Congressional District, has filed a complaint with Chandler police over the defacing of his political signs. Only his have been targeted, he said. (Sam Huang)
Huang is in a three-way Republican primary with the winner going up in November against incumbent Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton in a district that encompasses most of northern Chandler. Huang said he encountered similar incidents of vandalism when he ran for
the Chandler City Council in 2016. He informed the local authorities of his damaged campaign signs and no suspects were ever apprehended, Huang said. Another of Huang’s signs was recently burned by a drunken man in Tempe on July 17. A 32-year-old man was
later apprehended by authorities and charged with arson. A Tempe Police spokesperson said the suspect was heavily under the influence of alcohol during the incident and had no political motivation for burning Huang’s sign.
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
City rejects license for Chandler bar open during shutdown BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
The Chandler City Council has taken the rare step of disapproving a liquor license application submitted by a local bar that was busted for hosting a party during the COVID-19 shutdown. In a unanimous vote July 16, Council followed the advice of Chandler Police by recommending that the state not grant a liquor license to El Coyote Sports Bar. It was an unusual course of action for a city that typically recommends almost every application it receives before forwarding them to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses for final review. Chandler last voted down a liquor license request in 2007. The main source for the city’s dissent stemmed from a party allegedly held at El Coyote on March 21 – one day after Gov. Doug Ducey closed all bars in Arizona to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Up to 30 patrons were inside El Coyote on Arizona Avenue near Oakland Street that night and some reported paying $20 to gain entry, police said. El Coyote co-owner Shawn Hoover has said the event was a private party scheduled before Ducey’s shutdown order and insisted he hadn’t been aware of it. “It was an honest, clear misunderstanding,” Hoover told city officials in
Chandler City Council won't recommend a liquor license for the El Coyote Sports Bar on Arizona Avenue. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
April, “and we’d definitely like a second chance.” But Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan thinks Hoover and his colleagues had behaved antagonistically toward officers who tried to break up the party. He said officers could not gain entry into El Coyote because doors were locked and employees blocked the entrance. Once they got inside, he said, officers noticed several customers drinking alcohol and one was seen carrying a firearm – a violation of the state’s liquor laws.
The bar’s staff lied repeatedly to officers, Duggan said, and acted belligerently when confronted about the party. “The position of the Police Department has not changed since the events on March 21,” the chief told Council. “Both owners were deceptive to police about conducting a business in violation of the governor’s executive order.” A few days after the party, the state revoked a temporary liquor license issued to El Coyote in January and Duggan said it should not be reinstated. Duggan first encouraged Council to
disapprove of El Coyote’s application to renew its license back in April, but councilmen were torn about hurting a local business during the pandemic. Council deferred action for several months until it became clear the city had few options; they either had to recommend approval, disapproval or make no recommendation at all. Council’s decision was made easier after it learned of some recent incidents involving El Coyote’s owners that involved other city code violations. On June 7, a fire was reported at El Coyote and firefighters noticed some kitchen appliances and one of the bar’s walls had been moved. The Chandler Fire Department later found out the bar’s owners had not obtained a building permit before starting a renovation of El Coyote’s kitchen. The bar’s owners had been advised in May they would need a permit before starting any planned renovations, according to the department. Hoover told a different story. He claimed the city’s Development Services Department told him he would not need any permits for minor renovations because they only involved removing a short wall unconnected to any plumbing or electricals. The contrasting story wasn’t enough to sway council members, who all seemed to accept the word of city staff.
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EL COYOTE on page 8
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
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Chandler woman accused of aiding al Qaeda BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
A Chandler woman has been arrested by federal authorities for allegedly attempting to aid al Qaeda terrorists by funneling funds she assumed would be used to kill American soldiers. Jill Marie Jones, 35, was detained by FBI agents at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport on July 22 shortly before she tried boarding a flight destined for Syria. The suspect is now facing criminal charges in federal court on suspicion of corresponding online with undercover FBI agents she presumed were members of a foreign terrorist organization. A preliminary hearing that includes a request to keep her in jail until her trial was delayed until Aug. 3 after her public defender told a judge that jail authorities would not let him speak to her by phone in enough time for him to prepare for the next proceeding. According to documents filed by federal prosecutors, investigators scanned Jones’s online activity and uncovered social media posts espousing her allegiance with extremist Islamic ideologies. “It revealed that Jones supports jihad, Sharia Law and retaliation against the U.S. military and government actions occurring outside of the United States,” prosecutors said. Jones allegedly initiated contact with two undercover agents in March
on a social media website. She revealed how Jones refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school as a child and dreamed of relocating to countries occupied by al Qaeda. “I want to go and I am aware of the dangers involved in it,” Jones allegedly wrote the undercover agents. “But I know it’s worth it. If I were ever to have a family, I couldn’t imagine raising them here. The jobs I do here still feel empty.” Al Qaeda is a militant organization founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, and consists of several affiliate groups stationed throughout Europe and the Middle East. Several Americans have broken allegiance with their homeland over the years by volunteering their services for terrorists planning attacks against Western countries. The expanding presence of the internet has allowed groups like al Qaeda to more easily recruit and indoctrinate new members and invite them to join their ranks. By early May, Jones was expressing an urgent desire to leave Arizona and asked the undercover agents for assistance in relocating to Afghanistan. She allegedly planned to assist terrorists develop websites, translate texts and help them recruit new members. “Jones also told (the FBI) that she had
at least one prior chance to leave the United States but it was too risky and she didn’t want to be kidnapped,” the FBI wrote in a court affidavit. On May 18, an undercover agent told Jones several al Qaeda members were getting killed and asked if she’d be willing to help finance a mission against American soldiers. Jones said she had previously thought of helping al Qaeda from her home in Chandler, but had limited resources to make any meaningful contribution. In her messages to the FBI, Jones eventually concluded she’d be willing to help al Qaeda in whatever capacity was requested. “Well I won’t lie -- this world holds nothing for me. I’m ready to go home. It’s a reason I’m not scared of this journey,” Jones allegedly told the FBI. The undercover operative asked Jones to send over money terrorists would use to purchase weapons and explosives. Jones then began to suspect she was falling victim to some sort of trap. The FBI agent told Jones her reaction made it appear she was coming from a “place of non-believers.” Jones allegedly reiterated her loyalty to the cause and agreed to send over some money. Jones noted how most Americans had recently received stimulus checks from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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She acknowledged how cruel it would be for her to use some of that money to help al Qaeda. “It would be most ironic the money from that goes for this ... They give us free money, and I turn it around on them,” Jones allegedly told the FBI. Jones allegedly traveled to a local Walmart and purchased a $500 prepaid Visa card and sent screenshots of her purchase to the FBI agents. “May it help them to be victorious,” Jones allegedly wrote after sending the money. Jones then began planning her move to the Middle East. She said goodbye to her relatives, searched the web for plane tickets and picked out a new name she wished to be called once she arrived in Afghanistan. Jones followed the advice of the undercover agents and began deleting her text messages and social media profiles. She was further advised to back up her files onto a cloud network. Her plan was to fly to Los Angeles on July 22 and then take a flight to Turkey before waiting for another flight into Syria. On the day of her departure, Jones was stopped by FBI agents after she checked in her baggage and passed through airport security. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Jones with one count of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, an offense that can result in a 20-year prison sentence.
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SCHOOL
from page 1
Even before the shutdown, Buist was trying to introduce his students to more digital tools they could use to challenge their mathematical wits. His frequent use of one particular software program, Mathspace, was prevalent enough for the company to name Buist one its most “esteemed educators” this year. The honor was meant to demonstrate Buist’s dedication and compulsion to prepare for teaching in a more tech-dependent future. Whenever he finds a new tool, Buist said he’s always eager to test the program out – it might just come in handy when a pandemic unexpectedly closes school, he said. Buist said he has spent his summer break participating in webinars, taking online courses on blended learning and trying out new video applications like Flipgrid – anything that might help him adjust to becoming a virtual teacher. “I’ve basically been trying to keep my mind fresh,” he said. Buist is one of hundreds of teachers at the Chandler Unified who have recently undergone professional development to be better equipped at navigating the virtual world. Larry Rother, the district’s senior executive director for K-12 services, said very few CUSD teachers had ever had to instruct their classes entirely online before the pandemic hit. Once Chandler Unified realized its campuses wouldn’t reopen for the end of its spring semester, Rother said administrators immediately started training teachers on Google Classrooms and other online tools. So much of what happened during the last semester was done in reaction to the pandemic, he said, and there wasn’t time to flush out all the unexpected challenges of educating 47,000 students online. The district hadn’t been sure how many students even had access to a computer at home – forcing some families to rely on paper assignments they’d have to regularly pick up from their school site. Chandler Unified has since spent millions purchasing hundreds of extra laptops for the upcoming school year and district officials say they are confident they’ll have enough to avoid any students having to depend on paper packets again.
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
The district’s additionally allowing some students to use computers located at their respective school campus. These in-person computer sessions would be supervised by staff and students are expected to keep a safe distance from others. The expanded access to technology and retraining of teachers will make this upcoming semester much different than how the last one ended, Rother said. Chandler Unified has spent the summer preparing for a semester that will be more comprehensive and structured than what students had to endure at the end of last year. “Our schools are going to be up and running come Aug. 5 and it will look very much different than the fourth quarter,” Rother added. Like many districts in Arizona, Chandler Unified will spend the first couple weeks teaching all its students virtually and eventually open up its campuses for in-person learning on Aug. 17. That date is still tentative, district officials said, since it could be pushed back after Gov. Doug Ducey two weeks ago gave districts the authority to decide when to start in-classroom learning after Aug. 17. “It’s not reasonable to set a date,’’ state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said at a July 23 press conference. She said she doubts that any school would be ready to actually begin classroom instruction by that original target date. Instead, the new executive order signed by the governor directs school boards and charter school operators to begin some sort of operations – even if just online – on what would have been their regular start date. In the meantime, the Department of Health Services is supposed to come up with “public health benchmarks’’ by Aug. 7 school officials will be required to consider when determining whether to open classrooms. But it will remain up to each entity to determine when they are ready for in-person learning. That can mean continuing with online and remote instruction for as long as the school officials believe is necessary. But requirements remain. The biggest is that these districts must provide somewhere for students to go. These could be youngsters whose parents work as well as students who do not have access to computers at home. And the governor has a particular
focus on “at risk’’ children from low-income households, special education students and those who go to school with limited English proficiency. According to the most recent report by the state Auditor General, about 10 percent of Chandler Unified’s approximate 45,000 students are in special education programs and another 2 percent are English Learners. There are other conditions Ducey set – including requirements for “social distancing’’ and for all adults and most students to wear masks. But there’s also a carrot with all this: a 5 percent boost in state aid. Under normal circumstances, the state pays only 95 percent of normal aid for students who are being taught only online. That means only about $5,000 per student versus $5,300, the average figure for traditional public schools. This plan erases that gap. But it also would provide an identical bonus to qualifying school districts who agree to actually put youngsters into seats. They will get 105 percent of state aid, or an extra $265.At least two members of the Chandler Unified Governing Board – Lindsay Love and David Evans – had spoken out against Ducey’s earlier mandate to open in-person classes on Aug. 17 and petitioned the governor to delay it until October. Regardless of when CUSD campuses reopen, at least 13,000 students are planning to enroll in the district’s online curriculum for at least the first half of the upcoming semester. About 2,500 of these students have indicated they plan to learn online for the entire year. The district will permit online students to switch to in-person learning at the end of each quarter. Nearly 7,800 students are planning to return to their campuses when the second quarter starts. Since only 13,000 students have committed to online learning, that means a large majority of Chandler’s 47,000 students intend to return to the classroom whenever campuses reopen. In the meantime, students will be assigned a schedule and begin corresponding with their teachers through Google Classrooms. When students arrive to campus to begin in-person learning, they’ll have the same teachers as during the virtual period. Rother said this initial virtual period for the in-person students will be quite different than what the district’s online students will experience. The Chandler Online Academy, which is the platform online students
will enroll through, operates with a specific curriculum developed by Florida Virtual School. The Academy’s secondary students work at their own pace to get through six assigned courses and can virtually chat with online instructors. The Academy’s elementary students will be given a more structured schedule with times set out for when they’re expected to start and finish a lesson. Students are guaranteed to have at least three live interactions with an Academy instructor each day. Teachers will provide skill-based instruction based on each student’s needs, driven by data collected from the Academy’s self-paced content and other assessment protocols. Elementary students will additionally be assigned virtual classmates they’ll engage with in community-building activities, group projects, and social emotional curriculum. If an Academy student wishes to switch to in-person learning, Rother said then they would return to their respective campus and be assigned new teachers. The district is trying to avoid in-person teachers from having to teach virtual students simultaneously to their classroom students and vice versa for the Academy’s instructors. “Our hope is to make the transition as seamless as we can for students who leave Chandler Online Academy and come back to the homesite,” Rother said. Buist said he’s trying not to think of in-person and online teaching as two separate realms. There’s not much difference between the two, he said, because the content doesn’t change when it’s delivered virtually. Though Buist seems fairly confident about how he’ll handle teaching content this year, he worries about how he’ll build relationships with his new students. It will be difficult creating a sense of community during those first couple weeks when every student will be learning online, Buist said. He’d like to figure out a way for him and his students to feel connected without being in the same room together. But accomplishing that goal may be easier said than done. “I don’t know if I ever figure things out,” Buist joked. Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services contributed to this report.
Cox offers two-month free internet to qualifying families SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Cox has announced that new customers who qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company’s low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up By Sept. 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support. “Distance learning is the new normal, and we’re focused on removing
barriers so all kids can advance in this environment,” said John Wolfe, Cox southwest region manager and senior vice president. “The internet levels the playing field and there are kids that need us now more than ever.” Noting that computers are part of virtual learning, Cox also is partnering with local schools and organizations to distribute refurbished computers to students. Families can also receive informa-
tion on discounted, refurbished computer equipment available through our association with PCs for People at cox.pcsrefurbished.com. Cox also is providing free WiFi modem rental to qualifying families and access to 1,600 hotspots in the Valley. The monthly cost will be $9.95 after the two-month free period ends. The Cox Connect2Compete program is available to families who: have at least one child that is a K-12 student
at home; participate in the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP or live in public housing. Families can qualify for Connect2Compete on their mobile device or desktop by visiting cox.com/c2c. To help parents help their children learn from home, Cox has provided several tips and resources available on the company’s content hub Converge. Click here to learn more.
COMMUNITY NEWS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
7
Chandler author’s book de-stigmatizes illness for kids BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
A Chandler woman has written a new children’s book intended to teach young readers not to associate negative stigmas with medical illnesses. Rachel Leland’s book, “Ava Ann Makes Art: The Story of a Rabbit with Diabetes,” chronicles the adventures of a sweet, kindhearted rabbit trying to come to terms with a recent medical diagnosis. She struggles at first to navigate her new reality of doctor visits, medications, and constant monitoring of her insulin levels. But the protagonist ultimately comes to accept her condition and tries not to let it control her entire identity. Ava Ann’s journey of self-discovery ends with her completing an art project that illustrates how she’s been able to not allow her illness overpower other aspects of her personality. Leland, who works as a speech therapist at a Queen Creek school, said she was motivated to write a children’s book that accurately captures the struggles of living with a disability at a young age. “I chose to write the story of Ava Ann because I relate to her,” Leland said. “Although I don’t have type 1 diabetes, I became seriously ill with Lyme disease when I was 13 years old and spent most of my teens bedridden and in a wheelchair. I know it’s hard to be different from your friends. I wanted to
these medical conditions and help children not feel ashamed about their bodies. There’s not much in popular culture depicting children with disabilities, she added, so there’s definitely a market out there for this type of merchandise. As someone who’s experienced several bouts of illness herself, Leland said she personally understands what it feels like to not see oneself portrayed in the media. “You want to see Chandler author Rachel Leland, pictured with some of the dolls she has made that have physical disabilities, has written a book someone who looks like aimed at teaching kids not to stigmatize children with medical issues. (File photo) you,” she said, “you want to have representation.” several more dolls that visibly suffered explore that idea in a children’s book.” Leland eventually made from a physical disability or ailment. Leland has spent much of her adult a plush rabbit with an insulin pump She created monkeys with cochlear life examining how illnesses and disabiliattached to its abdomen, which would implants attached to their ears and ties affect the human psyche. later serve as inspiration for the main While she was recovering from an expo- moose with tracheostomy tubes sewn character in Leland’s new book. to their throats. sure to black mold a few years ago, Leland Like her dolls, Leland hopes her book The dolls were instantly popular taught herself to crochet stuffed animals will provide some comfort to children with parents and Leland spent the next and started a small doll-making business. out there feeling embarrassed or isolatcouple years attempting to crochet a She started with a bunny rabbit and ed by a medical condition. diverse lineup of animals who represecretly wondered what it might look It’s time for this demographic to sented a wide cross section of disabillike without one of its limbs. start feeling some more pride in themities. Some dolls walked on crutches. “I had no idea why I was doing it,” selves, she added. Some sat in wheelchairs. Some were Leland said, “but I was bored and I just “Ava Ann Makes Art: The Story of a hooked up to oxygen tanks. wanted to see if I could do it.” Rabbit with Diabetes” is available in paLeland said the goal was to normalize perback and Kindle on Amazon.com. Leland went on to stitch together
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COMMUNITY NEWS
DROWNINGS
from page 1
were five pediatric drownings recorded in Maricopa and Pinal counties all of last year, according to the website. In all, there were 150 water-related incidents in the two counties during 2019, involving 72 pediatric-aged children and 63 adults. The website recorded 30 adult deaths and one teenager’s death. The non-fatal drowning incidents are essentially close calls, where deaths were prevented by someone noticing a victim under water and rendering assistance in time to save them. However, some of these close calls leave behind a lifetime of pain, deficits, anxiety and even guilt. “I think what we’re starting to see is that there is more opportunity (for tragedy) and we need the ABC’s of water safety,’’ said Deputy Gilbert Fire Chief Mark Justus. “The number one advice is awareness, knowing where your kids are.’’ Manny longtime Valley residents probably have memorized the ABCs of drowning prevention: – A for adult, B for barriers and C for swimming classes and lifejackets. Gilbert has been fortunate so far, with six water-related incidents and no fatalities. But there have been five non-fatal incidents involving pediatric children and one involving an adult. “These families are the best resource I have to deliver that message. They understand,’’ Justus said. He has dealt with families who have experienced the ultimate loss, the loss of a child in a drowning that is usually preventable. “I have looked in their eyes. They would give you everything they have to take back that tragedy,’’ he said, and the non-fatal drownings should not be confused with having no impact on a family. Justus also has seen the medical consequences of having oxygen cut off from the brain, even if it miraculously wasn’t long enough to kill someone. “These are things that can affect them for weeks, months, or their entire lifetime. Even though they survived it doesn’t mean they are out of the woods,’’ he said. Fejt and Melissa Sutton, the coalition’s president, are worried that the trend is heading in the wrong direction after years of progress on the drowning issue. “Because of COVID, we were unable to reach the community as we have in the past,’’ Sutton said.
EL COYOTE
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
from page 4
Councilman Matt Orlando said it appears El Coyote’s owners have displayed a pattern of behavior that’s troubling and warrants some intervention from the city. “I think you really are trying to do the right thing but in some cases, you’re just not doing the right thing,” Orlando told the owners. Councilman Mark Stewart said he had
While the pandemic prevented most drowning prevention campaigns from being held, Chandler first responders pulled one off in June with an emphasis on teaching parents talk to their children about dos and don'ts where swimming pools are concerned. (City of Chandler)
She said one of the few drowning prevention events was in Chandler in June, when the police and fire departments staged a mini-parade of public service vehicles at several schools. The coalition passed out safety literature and extolled the necessity of drowning prevention. “We are seeing an uptick here. Parents are now home. The kids are now home. The parent has to take a Zoom call or to get that report done,’’ Sutton said. “We’re seeing the repercussions of it.’’ “The kids are usually in the care of someone else,’’ such as attending a summer camp, she said. “Those things are not happening right now.’’ One disturbing trend Fejt has noted is that about half of the pediatric incidents involved children wearing “floaties,’’ cheap inflatable devices that are considered unreliable toys rather than true floatation devices, such as lifejackets. “They are cheap and parents have a false sense of security,’’ Fejt said. Although lifejackets can cost $30 compared with a $6 floatie, parents need to consider the overwhelming consequences of potentially losing a child’s life before pinching pennies on
safety devices, she said. Nothing takes the place of adequate adult supervision, including a “water-watcher’’ whose sole job is to watch children in the water without interruption for about 20-minute intervals. The ideal is to have sober adults take turns giving children their undivided attention, similar to a lifeguard. “It’s hard to keep your eyes on a child 24-7,’’ Fejt said, making barriers such as pool fences and extra-attentive supervision vital. A tragic Mesa drowning of a 2 ½ year-old boy earlier this month demonstrates Fejt’s argument for the importance of water watchers, although her focus is always on saving other children and not on being judgmental. Mesa police said the tragedy occurred at a family party, at the child’s grandparents’ home. “They were eating and realized the child was missing. That’s when they found the child in the pool,’’ said Detective Jason Flam, a Mesa police spokesman. The boy was pulled from the bottom of the pool and family members administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but it was sadly too late to save him, despite their best efforts, police said.
Authorities were hopeful when it appeared the child was breathing on his own, but his condition worsened after he was taken to the hospital and he eventually was pronounced dead. Mesa Deputy Fire Chief Forrest Smith said he believes the combination of more children at home, with more parents working from home, is contributing to an already chronic problem. He said distractions, such as a parent working on a computer, can cause tragic consequences very quickly. Firefighters are sounding a warning that undivided supervision – and barriers to compensate for predictable human failings in watching children – have never been more important. “We have to talk about with injuries to children, a lot of it is a lapse in adult supervision,’’ Smith said. “The only reason that we have fences is because we don’t have the ability to just stare at kids.’’ He said it can be frustrating for firefighters to know how to reach people about the importance of water safety as they see the tragic consequences year after year of preventable deaths. “We struggle at determining what message is impacting people,’’ Smith said.
been reluctant to take any action against a local business during the pandemic but the issue was a quality-of-life matter and neighboring residents expect the city to protect their neighborhood. According to Chandler Police, officers were dispatched to El Coyote at least nine times in the weeks leading up to the March 21 incident. Stewart also noted that the city does not have final authority on the bar’s license.
El Coyote will take its application to the Arizona State Board of Liquor at the agency’s next meeting on Aug. 6. Jeffery Trillo, a spokesman for the Department of Liquor Licenses, said he could not predict how much of an impact Chandler’s disapproval will have. Each application brought before the board has varying impact based on the facts and arguments presented, Trillo said, and decisions are made on a caseby-case basis.
Over the last couple months, the Board of Liquor has received several complaints from cities and counties regarding local bars that have violated pandemic-related guidelines. Pima County has reported at least 11 bars to the board for not complying with the governor’s executive orders. Tempe’s Varsity Tavern was under investigation for allegedly not informing the public it had staff members test positive for COVID-19.
COMMUNITY NEWS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
9
Chandler nonprofit promotes concerts, faith BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer
Brian Cole never envisioned or had aspirations to work in event production. Then God came calling. “God had a plan and opened all the doors for me,” Cole said. “I did do some event marketing before that, but it didn’t have anything to do with music or concerts or anything Christian.” Eighteen years ago, that message from God turned into Extreme Faith Productions, a Chandler nonprofit with a desire to bring quality Christian events to Arizona and the Southwest. Cole built his organization by building partnerships with churches, local artists, promoters and charities. Nearly two decades later, Cole hosts 75 to 100 concerts per year. “It’s a blessing to serve the Christian community and to help a generation so desperately needing to know the love of Jesus Christ,” he said. To celebrate the 18 years, Extreme Faith Productions is hosting several concerts throughout Arizona with Jonny Diaz, Amberly Neese, Leland Klassen, Mia Koehne, Brian Weaver and Scott Macintyre from “American Idol.” Shows are Aug. 7 at Living Word Bible Church in Mesa; Aug. 8 at Calvary Prescott Church in Prescott; and Aug. 9 at Phoenix Christian Preparatory School in Phoenix. Tickets at extremefaithproductions.com. Cole assures that social distancing will take place.
Leland Klassen
Jonny Diaz
Amberly Neese
“We’re doing dinners,” he said. “We’re only letting 50 people there because of the current executive order. We may go to 100 if the order is lifted between now and then. “We’re doing to serve the people at round tables. There’s going to be a little bit of music and comedy, then the appetizers. Music and comedy and then the salad, etc. Each one will take about 15 minutes to perform and talk a little bit about their experience with Extreme Faith Productions. Some of them have been with us for a very long time.” That includes Diaz. “I haven’t even tallied up how many times Extreme Faith Productions has brought me to the Phoenix area and around the state,” Diaz said.
“It truly feels like a second home. Artists want their fans to grow with them. When I started doing shows with Extreme Faith Productions, I had no children and I was only just married. Now I have three kids and I’ve been married for 12 years. They get gifts for my kids and that doesn’t normally happen.” At the show, Diaz hopes to really connect with the audience through storytelling. “My biggest goal is to be a storyteller,” he said. “I love to share stories between songs and through my songs. My biggest story is what Jesus has done in my life and blessed me with my family.” Through his shows, Cole hopes to introduce those who fear or feel uncomfortable with church to the blessings it
has to offer. “We’re still encouraging people and giving people to opportunity to invite others who don’t go to church and expose them to Christian music, comedy or speakers,” he said. Cole, who was baptized in 2001 and started his company in 2002, has 50 events planned in the fall and is hoping he can still hold them. He’s also prepared to stage an online fundraiser. “We’re in about 15 different states,” he said. “In 2021, I’m hoping to go back to our normal 150 a year. They’re mostly in 500-person churches. We need to share this message. We’re not doing it for the money.” Information: extremefaithproductions.com
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COMMUNITY NEWS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Around Chandler Sun Lakes Rotary hosting COVID-19 update
Former Arizona health director Will Humble, now executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA) will present a COVID-19 update at the Sun Lakes Rotary Club virtual meeting beginning at 7 a.m. Aug. 11. Humble, a long-time public health advocate, spent more than two decades with the Arizona Department of Health Services, including as director from 2009 to 2015. He is a believer in using evidence-based health policy to improve health outcomes. A link to the Zoom-based meeting will be provided to nonmembers. For information and to register, email cghawkins.ch@gmail.com. Humble will speak for 15 minutes and then open a question-and-answer period. The meeting will be presided by new club President Jon Lyons, who replaces previous club president Bill Crump. Currently, Sun Lakes Rotary holds weekly Tuesday meetings for its more than 80 members through Zoom, alternating between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Information: sunlakesrotary.com or facebook.com/groups/SunLakesRotaryClub. Sun Lakes Rotary Club, chartered in 1986,is a leadership organization made up of men and women who undertake community projects in Sun Lakes. It supports Chandler Unified schools and literacy through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and water access and sustainability
through the Navajo Nation Water Project.
Deadline Aug. 5 for special election arguments
The City of Chandler will hold a special election on Nov. 3 on a franchise agreement with Southwest Gas Corporation. The agreement will allow the utility to construct, maintain and operate its natural gas system in the City-owned public rights-of-way. The special franchise election will be held in conjunction with the General Election. The public may submit an argument in favor of or in opposition of the franchise agreement. The deadline to submit arguments is 5 p.m. Aug. 5. The cost to file an argument is $150 and arguments are limited to 300 words. Completed arguments may be delivered in person to Chandler City Hall, City Clerk’s Office, 175 S. Arizona Ave., first floor, Chandler, Ariz,; or sent by mail to Chandler City Hall, Mail Stop 606, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008. Each argument filed should also be submitted in electronic format to the City Clerk’s Office at dana.delong@chandleraz.gov. Information: City Clerk Dana DeLong at 480-782-2181, email dana. delong@chandleraz.gov or chandleraz.gov/elections.
Chandler escape room reopens with new safety protocols
Escape the Room has reopened its Chandler location with stringent safety protocols and offering a safe live entertainment
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experience during the COVID pandemic. Escape the Room puts groups in a real-life escape game where players work together to find their way out in 60 minutes. Like similar entertainment venues, escape rooms were forced to shut down all locations in March due to widespread quarantines. All escape rooms are private. Guests do not share rooms with strangers. Guests are called or texted at their time to enter the lobby. Extra time is added between games to allow for cleaning and sanitizing between games. All escape rooms are disinfected between games with antimicrobial solutions and a professional atomizing mist system. All employees have their temperature taken, wear masks, and stay six feet away from customers and other employees. Hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves are available for all guests. “We’re seeing people coming back and thanking us for reopening,” said Escape the Room CEO Steve Kopelman. “With entertainment options so limited due to coronavirus, we’re happy we can continue to provide a safe environment for everyone to come have fun in, which we need now more than ever.” Escape The Room started in New York City in October 2013 and has grown into the premiere live game and entertainment company in the United States, with escape rooms in over 20 major cities nationwide. Information: escapetheroom.com/phoenix.
ICAN receives $20,000 in grant funding from foundation
ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth has received a $20,000 grant funding from the ISA Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on nutrition and support for underserved children, wellness education, aid for those affected by natural disasters, and the pursuit of racial equality. The grant will support ICAN’s Healthy Lifestyles program, which serves 500 youth a year with basic nutrition, structured sports and life skills training through ICAN’s out-of-schooltime programs. ICAN serves an area of Chandler where the majority of youth live in extreme poverty. ISA Foundation also recently supported ICAN families with a substantial product donation, including 1,400 servings of IsaKids® Super Smoothie, a nutritious snack for kids, along with 100 blenders for mixing the smoothies. The donation came at the start of the COVID crisis, when many ICAN families found themselves out of work and out of school, where many kids get meals. Shelby Pedersen, CEO of ICAN, noted, “ISA Foundation supports organizations across the globe, but ICAN is located just a few miles from their international headquarters. “Their dedication and continued support of our local program has made an incredible impact on the youth of our community, and their support of our families with product donation during the COVID crisis was so greatly appreciated.” The ISA Foundation is operated by global health and wellness company Isagenix International in Gilbert. ICAN is a free youth center in Chan-
dler that offers programming for youth, teens, families and the community. It teaches disadvantaged youth real-life skills including goal setting, positive decision making and how to avoid the risky behaviors. It also offers parenting classes and substance abuse education. Information: 480-821-4207 or icanaz.org.
Ground broken for new buildings at Park Place
The Douglas Allred Company recently broke ground on two additional office buildings at their Park Place Development on Price Corridor. Both three-story buildings will be 150,000 square feet and located on the northeast corner of Price and Willis roads. These buildings will have the capacity to bring approximately 1,800 jobs to Chandler, the city said. In the past few years, the Douglas Allred Company has completed multiple significant leases in Chandler at the Park Place Development. Some of these leases include Northrop Grumman (633,000 square feet), Voya Financial and Allstate (both 150,000 square feet), CVS Health (98,000 square feet), Toyota Financial (63,000 square feet) and LoanDepot (53,000 square feet). Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said, “Chandler’s ability to develop talent locally and attract talent from around the world is a significant factor in the continued corporate site selection momentum we are experiencing.” Designed by Balmer Architectural Group, the project is another partnership between Willmeng and Douglas Allred Co., adding to the already planned and built 1.53 million square feet in Park Place, comprising office, manufacturing and retail buildings. Willmeng Construction is the general contractor and also will build an 800-stall parking structure. “We are thrilled to be moving dirt and developing another 300,000 square feet on Price Corridor,” said Vice President Cathy Exeter. “There is no other land like this left on Price Road when it comes to proximity to freeways, retail, restaurants and hotels.” Completion is expected by September 2021.
Serrano’s restaurant seeking new employees
Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants is now hiring for a variety of full-time positions ranging from management to entry level. The Chandler family owned business recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary – including 40 in the restaurant industry. Qualified candidates must provide high-quality food, service and an excellent dining experience to customers. Other requirements include being a team player, having a passion for service and a strong commitment to each guest. Serrano’s offers competitive compensation, paid vacation and healthcare coverage. All of the family’s five East Valley restaurants are closed on Sundays. Open positions include back and front of the house managers, line and prep cooks and dishwashers. Apply at SerranosAZ.com/Jobs.
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
11
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COMMUNITY NEWS
12
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
25 years after ADA’s signing, disabled still face challenges BY LISA DIETHELM Cronkite News
April Reed remembers what it used to be like before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. Reed remembers her father, who wears hearing aids, telling her how he was turned away from a job interview. She remembers a colleague hoping every day that the bus would be wheelchair-accessible when it came by, so she could go about her day. She remembers another colleague with a master’s degree but an obvious physical disability that cost him his job. The ADA, signed 30 years ago July 26, changed all that. “That’s what the ADA did,” said Reed, the vice president of advocacy at Ability360. “It released people from some of these limitations and gave them the basis of civil rights to go into a job interview and have those protections or expect for a bus to roll up and be accessible.” But the act did more than force physical and legal protections – in the words of one advocate, it forced Americans to see people with disabilities “as fully human” for the first time. Despite the gains of the last 30 years, however, advocates say there is still work to improve what one called a “baby law” if the country wants to fully guarantee the rights of people with disabilities. “Every day there are court cases that further expand … the ADA so that people understand their rights and then employers and public accommodations understand their responsibilities,” said J.J Rico, CEO of the Arizona Center for Disability Law. For decades, Chandler has implemented programs to make municipal facilities and amenities accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
Accomodations for physically handicapped people at public facilities such as the Chandler Center of the Arts, above, are among the fruits of the American With Disabities Act signed by the late President George H.W. Bush in 1990. (Special to Santan Sun News)
and infrastructure.” The hearings focused on issues affecting people with disabilities in the public right-of-way, parks and other facilities. While the last hearing was in March, the city is still working on the update. The personal finance website wallethub.com rated Chandler the 14th best place in the nation for people with disabilities. In Arizona, Chandler ranked behind Scottsdale, which ranked second; Peoria, which ranked second; Gilbert, sixth; and Mesa, which ranked 39th. Wallethub analyzed 21 different metrics for the nation’s 150 most populated cities to determine economic environ-
“
Civil rights have always been taken – by women, by African Americans, by Native Americans, by people with disabilities, by the LGBTQ community, none of these communities have just been given rights. They had to speak up, and demand them and take them.
”
– Arizona Rep. Jennifer Longdon During the past six years, the city says Chandler has reviewed and evaluated every existing public facility, park, and curb ramp to assure that all met the minimum federal and state accessibility requirements. The city held a round of hearings earlier this year to gather public input on an updated ADA Transition Plan. “As we move into the next decade,” it said on its website, “the city will adopt an updated ADA Transition Plan to identify facilities and amenities that do not currently meet accessibility requirements and therefore prevent full access to City programs and services. The plan will also recommend processes and goals for correcting these shortcomings in programming, facilities
ment, quality of life and healthcare for disabled people. President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. It prohibited discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, transportation and more for the disabled community. The law defines a person with a disability as someone who has physical or mental impairment “that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” The Census Bureau estimates that 12.6 percent of Americans were categorized as having a disability in 2018, the latest year for which numbers were available, while the rate in Arizona was 13.3 percent. Jon Meyers, the executive director of
the Arc of Arizona, said that before the law was passed, people with disabilities were considered an afterthought and accommodating them was considered “too much work.” The act “completely remade the world,” at least in terms of accommodations, he said. “I would say we as a society are now viewing individuals with disabilities, Arizonans with disabilities, as fully human – as people who deserve the respect and the equal level of access to public accommodations and to public benefits that everybody else deserves,” Meyers said. It’s been a struggle, but he said the “awareness and the advocacy have snowballed … over the last several decades, and will continue to snowball.” “There is no fairy dust that we can sprinkle that’s going to change everybody’s attitude immediately but we’ve come so far,” Meyers said. “We’re going to start seeing what each individual needs and how we can meet those needs to help them become better employed, better educated, and have more opportunity for inclusion in their communities.” But hurdles remain. Meyers noted that in addition to providing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with services, the Arc of Arizona also actively works with state legislators to tackle laws and bills that expand, or defend, the purpose of the ADA. Legislators like Arizona Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, who uses a wheelchair. “I still encounter barriers on a
daily basis – barriers that you would think, 30 years post-ADA, wouldn’t exist,” Longdon said. “It’s going to be a continued fight to bring awareness and visibility of this particular community to the typically abled community.” Longdon, who was paralyzed in a random drive-by shooting in 2004, has been working on bills focusing on people with disabilities since she was elected to the House in 2018. She sees it as part of the larger struggle for civil rights. “Civil rights have always been taken – by women, by African Americans, by Native Americans, by people with disabilities, by the LGBTQ community,” Longdon said. “None of these communities have just been given rights. They had to speak up, and demand them and take them.” And the community faces new challenges today that could not have been dreamed of when the act was passed in 1990 – like access to the internet, a problem that has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As society has transitioned to remote work and online shopping, the challenges that people with disabilities face with utilizing the internet have become obvious. What’s not obvious, Rico said, is how far the ADA goes to accommodations for online services. “We’re talking about a pandemic that has been restricting us to our homes,” Rico said. “So how do we shop? We use the internet. We have Instacart and other delivery services. And so I think the ADA has to clearly apply to websites.” Rico said the pandemic has also put a damper on what should have been in-person 30th anniversary celebrations for the ADA, but he has been pleased to see virtual celebrations. “I would have loved to see people with disabilities out celebrating the progress and sharing the stories out in public,” Rico said. “But I’m hoping that some of these virtual ADA celebrations get attention so that people with disabilities can share their stories.” Reed sees the fact that people have taken to social media with hashtags and pictures to share their stories for the 30th anniversary is more proof of the support for the ADA. “Just those simple signs – it really does remind you of what the ADA has done,” she said. “And again, we are not done. There is still much work to do,” Reed said. “But certainly being grateful for where we are, knowing this is the foundation, this is the basis for what work we will do in the future.”
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
13
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COMMUNITY NEWS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Courts to hear challenges to gym, bar shutdowns BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
A judge has agreed to hear arguments by gyms that Gov. Doug Ducey has essentially moved the goalposts in what they need to do to reopen. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Thomason last week refused to immediately overturn his earlier ruling upholding the governor’s authority to order gyms and fitness centers to close back up. The judge said that Ducey has wide latitude in how he can deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. But Thomason acknowledged that when he issued his first ruling three weeks ago, the governor’s attorney had represented there would be a set of protocols in place by now and that any of the facilities that could meet those standards would be allowed to reopen. The Department of Health Services released those standards last week, but Ducey said the gyms and fitness centers still have to remain closed for another two weeks – if not longer. Joel Sannes, attorney for Mountainside Fitness, said his client is ready to meet those standards and reopen. But now, he said, that’s not an option despite what the governor had promised. “This fits the definition of arbitrary,’’ he told Thomason. And Robert Zelms, who represents EoS Fitness, pointed out that Ducey’s decision to shutter gyms and fitness centers came at the same time the gov-
Mountainside Fitness in the Germann Towne Center in Chandler has been closed a second time this year by Gov. Doug Ducey in an effort to curb COVID-19 spread. The gym chain lost a court effort to overturn the order and must stay closed for at least another week pending a review by the Ducey Administration of new virus data. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
ernor decided that bars are not safe. “Only the state of Arizona ... equates gyms to bars,’’ he said, saying California closed down restaurants before they closed gyms. “My clients has implemented the highest and most stringent safety protocols they can possibly have for any type of indoor large facility,’’ Zelms said. He specifically noted that the state already is taking steps to allow schools to reopen, evaluating the safety measures they are taking, like limited capacity and physical distancing. Yet gyms remain totally off limits, no matter what they can show they are doing. And that, he told the judge, makes the process for gyms to follow to reopen “illusory.’’
Thomason said he wants to hear more from both sides Aug. 3. On one hand, the judge said, the governor is getting input from health professionals telling him to keep these facilities closed. Central to the debate are the rights of fitness centers and gyms. When Ducey issued his closure order in June for a month, he did leave room for extending it. But that order also set up a procedure for them to reopen, requiring them to complete and submit a form, crafted by the health department “that attests the entity is in compliance with guidance issued by Arizona Department of Health Services related to COVID-19 business operations.’’
That was issued late last week. But now it’s being called a “draft’’ document. Brett Johnson, the private attorney hired by the governor, told the judge that the process outlined by the governor for reviewing the actions gyms and fitness centers have taken comes into play only after health officials decide that reopening them is appropriate. In the interim, he said, the affected facilities get to review the draft standards and comment on them. The problem with all that, said Sannes, is that fitness centers and gyms remain closed – all without the chance to appeal the governor’s edict. “What is the governor’s rational basis for saying that fitness centers that will attest to their protocols cannot open because they are not safe?’’ he asked. “The governor simply can’t articulate a rational basis for saying that his own protocols are not safe,’’ he said. Johnson disagreed, saying it’s a question of balancing the public good to protect health with the interests of the fitness centers. “No one here that I’ve heard has disagreed that it’s a legitimate government interest to avoid death,’’ he told the judge. And Johnson said Ducey is being guided by not just federal recommendations but “the top medical minds in the state of Arizona that say, ‘Governor, this is what you need to do.’’ Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court See
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Court tosses challenge to school funding law BY ELLIE BORST Cronkite News
A federal appeals court last week rejected a long-simmering challenge to Proposition 123, the voter-approved 2016 measure that redirects an estimated $3.5 billion to Arizona public schools over a decade. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling in the case, which has been pending since the day after Prop 123 was passed by a margin of just 1.5 percent. Phoenix resident Michael Pierce had argued that the state could not transfer funds from the state’s land trust, as the proposition does, without congressional approval and a federal district court agreed. But the appeals court said that Congress made the necessary approvals in 2018, leaving Pierce “without a case or controversy,” and it reversed the lower court. The legal challenges did not hold up the school money, but Chris Thomas, general counsel for the Arizona School Boards Association, said it is still “good to get this chapter behind us.” Gov. Doug Ducey’s office hailed it as “a victory for our public schools and students and the people of Arizona.” Pierce’s attorney, Andrew Jacob,
said the decision comes as no surprise since the appeal turned on the narrow question of whether Pierce even had standing to sue. “It’s always difficult to show standing in federal court when you have the same relationship in the issue that a large number of people have,” Jacob said. “Our position was that every
school funding from the Permanent State School Fund from 2.5 percent a year to 6.9 percent a year for a period of 10 years. Pierce said the 2016 law was approved without congressional approval and U.S. District Judge Neil Wake agreed on Sept. 30, 2019. On appeal, Pierce argued that until
It would be worth it for the governor and state “policy makers to be thinking about how they are going to figure out how they are going to get additional funding from the state’s general fund to cover that cost.
”
citizen has standing to enforce the Enabling Act.” The “Enabling Act” is the 1910 law that led to statehood for both Arizona and New Mexico. It set land into trust for the states to use on schools, but required that they get congressional approval before spending money from the fund. Prop 123 increased the amount of
– Chris Thomas
Congress votes that it no longer wants oversight on what the state does with the money in the fund, future spending needs to be approved. “The governor is still insisting that he didn’t have to go to Congress to change it,” Jacob said. “We’re just looking for a court to say, ‘No, Governor Ducey, you’re wrong. If you try to change the formula, you do need to go to Con-
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
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Study ranks state third last among nation’s schools BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
The way WalletHub sees things, Arizona has the third worst school system in the entire country. An analysis of various factors considered by the financial advice website released Monday puts only Louisiana and New Mexico further down on the list. And no state has a higher ratio of pupils to teachers. Arizona is not at or near the bottom on everything. The state has a higher than average number of public schools in the U.S. News & World Report list of the Top 700 schools in the nation. SAT scores are above average though ACT scores are below. And the state had a below-average number of school shootings and bullying instances. But all that it is outweighed by Arizona’s place at or near the bottom on other factors, like graduation rates. The study does not factor in classroom spending and how it relates to the scores. Several studies have put Arizona at or near the bottom when it comes to how much the state is spending on a per-pupil basis. That includes Education Week whose most recent figures put Arizona second from the bottom; only Utah spends less on public education. And it also comes as voters are being asked to increase taxes on earnings above $250,000 a year for individuals and $500,000 on couples, a move that would raise an additional $940 million a year for K-12 education. The report drew disparate reaction between the top two state officials involved in education. Patrick Ptak, press aide to Gov. Doug Ducey, said none of this considers how far Arizona has come. “Arizona schools are making signif-
GYMS
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has not yet scheduled a hearing on a separate lawsuit challenging Ducey’s shutdown that has been filed by 22 drinking establishments across Arizona, including BrewHaus in Chandler. Lawyers for Ducey want the high court top throw out that suit. Johnson told the justices there is nothing constitutionally wrong with state lawmakers giving broad authority to governors to act in cases where they declare an emergency. Ducey did that back in March. But Johnson said that power is not absolute. And that, he said, makes the grant of authority legal. “The legislature, in preparation for this moment in history, provided statutory guidance on the scope and limitations of the executive’s authority during an emergency,’’ he wrote. He said bars present “a uniquely high-risk environment’’ for transmission of the virus. “They are often cramped indoor spaces with poor ventilation and unlike restaurants that can space tables apart,
icant improvement,’’ he said. “If you look at testing scores over the last few years and even over the last 20 years, Arizona’s improvements are some of the best in the country.’’ The report does take that into account. In 2015, for example, the same survey found that fourth and eighth graders were scoring 36 out of 50 states plus
But much of the new money is are in areas like “district additional assistance,’’ a fund that schools use for things like textbooks, computers and buses. All that has happened is the state restored funding levels to where they were before the last recession when dollars were cut, including by Ducey, to balance the state budget.
Arizona schools are making significant “ improvement,’’ he said. “If you look at testing
scores over the last few years and even over the last 20 years, Arizona’s improvements are some of the best in the country.
’’
– Patrick Ptak
the District of Columbia in the National Association of Education Progress math tests. Arizona currently is at 31. Ditto with the NAEP reading tests where Arizona went from 46th in the nation to 39 now. But that still wasn’t enough to get Arizona out of its position of third worst. By contrast, state schools chief Kathy Hoffman looks at the WalletHub report as an indication of how far the state has to go. “Arizona has significant room for improvement,’’ she said in a prepared statement. And she said that’s a condition that predates the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on schools. “The pandemic has only exacerbated these problems for school communities across the state,’’ Hoffman said. Her press aide Morgan Dick said “equitable’’ means not just divided more fairly but having more to divide up. There has been an increase in state dollars since Ducey became governor in 2015. That includes an average 20 percent pay hike for teachers.
The result according to legislative budget analysts, is that on an inflation-adjusted basis state aid on a per-student basis is less now than it was in the 2007-2008 school year. Funding does have an impact. WalletHub says that the average classroom of all types has 23.5 students for each teacher. Arizona edged out California, reversing the Golden State’s 2015 ranking at the bottom of the list. Arizona also has a lower share of licensed and certified K-12 teachers in public schools than almost anywhere else. The study also figures at 21.3 percent of students won’t make it through graduation, putting Arizona at No. 47 nationally and tying the state with Oregon. Alaska, New Mexico and the District of Columbia did worse. Using projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, WalletHub figures that the graduation rate between now and the 2031-2032 school year actually will decline by nearly 9.7 percent.
bars often have fixed bar stool seating,’’ he continued. “Loud music or ambient noise can exacerbate the risk because it forces ... persons to talk louder or closer to one another.’’ And then there’s the fact that drinking is not compatible with wearing a mask. This lawsuit is substantially different from those involving gyms and fitness centers. The outcome of this case brought by bar owners will determine the scope of gubernatorial power. Attorney Ilan Wurman, representing bar owners from around the state, said none of his clients are arguing that government cannot close down their businesses in “appropriate circumstances.’’ “The question is who within our constitutional system of government has that power,’’ Wurman said. “That person is not the governor,’’ he continued. “The state legislators have that power,’’ one Wurman said they cannot constitutionally delegate to the governor. Johnson pointed out that the law giving the governor emergency powers also allows lawmakers to vote to end the emergency – and the powers that go along with it – “should the time come when a governor overstepped.’’
“A litany of legal challenges have been brought to enjoin Gov. Ducey’s emergency orders,’’ Johnson said. “None have succeeded.’’ Wurman acknowledged there are circumstances where the legislature can empower the governor to act in cases of emergency. But he told the justices these have to be specific and constrained and not unlimited. “Nothing in (health law) authorizes the governor to close down petitioners’ businesses,’’ Wurman said. Johnson disagreed. “A temporary pause on people congregating in bars is rationally related to mitigating the public health emergency of COVID-19,’’ he wrote. Johnson has a backup argument of sorts. He told the justices that if they’re inclined to allow Wurman and his clients to proceed, the case should be heard not immediately by them but instead sent to a trial judge. That, Johnson said, would allow all of the issues to be developed. What it also would do is slow up the process to the point that, by the time the case made its way back to the Supreme Court, the emergency might be over.
There are some areas where WalletHub rates Arizona education better than the national average. For example, Arizona is No. 17 among states where parents believe it is safe to send their children to school, a metric that was determined before the COVID-19 outbreak. Arizona also was among the states with the fewest students going to high school while armed and below average in school shootings. Ptak noted the report fails to state how well Arizona schools are doing financially in the middle of the pandemic, at least compared with other states. He said there have been no virus-related cuts to K-12 education. By contrast, Ptak said Colorado is cutting public school funding by $621 million. And he said Ohio and Oklahoma both are making significant cuts. “We haven’t had to do that by being responsible with our budget and not spending more than is sustainable,’’ he said. Ptak pointed out that Ducey is using some of his federal pandemic relief funds for K-12, including a $370 million to help schools deal with the additional costs of having to teach during the outbreak. The WalletHub report acknowledges that dollars don’t necessarily translate into better schools. For example, both Alaska and the District of Columbia are among the top spending states. But both rank in the bottom 10 of quality. Conversely, Utah spends even less per student than Arizona but still comes out at No. 18.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Chandler woman helping virus-ravaged Navajos BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
A Chandler woman hopes to distribute mobile handwashing stations to residents living on the pandemic-ravaged Navajo Nation who don’t have access to running water. Yolanda Tso of Chandler is hoping to curb the virus’s spread by delivering water and handwashing stations to the tribe’s 174,000 residents. The Native American reservation, which stretches across the Arizona-Utah border line, has had one of the country’s highest infection rates for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Nearly 9,000 Navajo residents have already contracted the virus and 441 have died. “I really do believe that handwashing is one of the key ways to mitigate the spread of disease,” Tso said. Up to 30 percent of Navajo households don’t have a working sink or toilet in their home, according to the Navajo Water Project, and the price for hooking every home up to safe tap water is estimated to cost $700 million. The lack of water infrastructure has been an issue on the reservation for decades and has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has routinely testified before Congress, urging the government to formalize water rights that have gone unsettled between Utah and the tribe. Though Congress currently has some pending bills addressing the Navajo Nation’s water dilemma, the tribe’s leadership has emphasized how this inadequacy has existed long before the pandemic and must be permanently remedied. Last month, Nez told a congressional committee he was aware of at least 3,400 Navajo homes that are currently deprived of water and sewer facilities. The residents of these households must travel long distances to haul barrels of water, he testified. Tso, a member of the Navajo Nation, has family members on the reservation. She grew up learning how its water scarcity would likely jeopardize the safety of her neighbors. “It’s one of the worst oversights I can think of in a pandemic right now because water shouldn’t be a luxury in this day and age,” Tso said. “I think everyone should have the same ability to have things that we take for granted in an urban setting.” The Navajo culture is communal, Tso said, and households often have multiple generations of one family living together. These circumstances are the ingredients for a “perfect storm” for the virus to rapidly spread, she added. “It’s an interdependent culture. It’s an interdependent society that they live in,” Tso said. “There’s an understanding that everyone does link to everyone else.” The Navajo Nation is expected to receive more than $650 million through the government’s Coronavirus Aid,
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To help Navajo Nation residents who have no access to tap water, Chandler resident Yolanda Tso is seeking donations to buy them these portable sinks so they can wash their hands and stem the COVID-19 spread that has plagued their community. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
State’s highways contribute to fatalities, report claims BY BLAKE FREAS Cronkite News
Arizona’s interstate highways are in generally good shape but experienced the highest rate of fatalities in the nation in 2018, according to a national report released recently. The report by The Road Information Program said that Arizona recorded 1.09 highway deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled on the state’s interstate highways in 2018, almost twice the national average of 0.58 deaths that year. Authors of the TRIP report – titled “Restoring the Interstate Highway System” – called for more funding to rebuild and modernize the nation’s 64-year-old interstate system, claiming that deteriorating roads pose a threat to commerce and to safety. “Deteriorating conditions and fatality rate are because of poor funding,” said Carolyn Bonifas Kelly, director of communications and research at TRIP. But public and private officials in Arizona said it’s not the roads that are the issue, it’s driver behaviors. “The problem is many acknowledge that it’s wrong and dangerous and they do it anyway,” said Aldo Vazquez, a spokesman for AAA Arizona. “People need to be aware of the consequences of dangerous driving and change course to prevent tragedy.” Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that drivers who have been in at least one crash
Widening of the Loop 101 Price Freeway is expected to be completed soon, but some of the state's longer term projects are jeopardized by the state of Arizona's finances, which have been battered by declines in revenue from sales and gas taxes. (Arizona Department of Transportation)
in the past two years are significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding or texting, even when they think the police may catch them. The Arizona Department of Transportation pointed to its 2019 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, released two weeks ago – which showed traffic fatalities on all Arizona roads reached a three-year low in 2019. In a statement, ADOT also singled out risky behaviors in many of those crashes. “From 2015 to 2019, 642 people were killed in crashes on interstates in Arizona. At least 43 percent of those killed were in crashes where speeding was a factor; at least 36 percent were killed in crashes where impairment was a factor and at least 41 percent of those killed weren’t wearing a safety device (seat belt or a
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child safety seat),” according to ADOT. “These are preventable deaths and everyone needs to make better decisions behind the wheel,” the statement said. Kelly did not comment on Arizona specifically, but pointed to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research that shows the roadways themselves contribute to one-third of all crashes nationwide. The TRIP report said interstate highways are among the safest roads in the nation, and estimated that as many as 113 lives may have been saved in Arizona in 2018 because of safety features built into the interstates. But Rocky Moretti, TRIP’s director of policy and research, said states still need to continue to make road safety improvements to the roads. “We have an aging interstate sys-
tem, routine repairs are not adequate,” Moretti said. That may not be easy: Moretti pointed to significant reduction in transportation revenue because of COVID-19, with TRIP estimating that $50 billion in highway funds will be lost nationwide over the next 18 months. ADOT officials have expressed concern about its own five-year plan for highway improvements and new construction in meetings the past few months of the State Transportation Board. They have called attention to state projections of a decline in hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales tax revenue this year as a result of business shutdowns and concern for the impact of unemployment on state income tax revenue over the next few years. The TRIP report said that travel on Arizona’s interstates grew 15 percent from 2000 to 2018 and that 12 percent of interstate travel in Arizona is by combination trucks. That makes keeping interstates up to par all the more important, with the introduction this month of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, said Arizona Chamber of Commerce President Glenn Hamer. “The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry believes that U.S. highway infrastructure must be modernized to support freight mobility and what we anticipate will be increased cargo volumes, especially in border states like ours,” Hamer said in a statement with the report.
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Chandler High School head swim coach Kerry Croswhite lost his life to COVID-19 Tuesday night after nearly a month-long battle at 61 years old. (Courtesy Laurie Croswhite)
Chandler swim coach loses life to COVID-19 BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor
Kerry Croswhite, who spent the 15 years as the head swim coach and assistant softball coach at Chandler High School, passed away July 21 after nearly a month-long battle with COVID-19. He was 61. “This is a hard one,” his wife, Laurie, wrote in her online Caring Bridge journal, where she kept regular updates. “Kerry lost his battle at 6:01pm this evening. He fought so hard. “The song ‘These Are the Days’ by Van Morrison was playing on his Pandora when he passed. Think of him whenever you hear it.” Coach Croswhite had become a staple in the prep swimming community in Arizona during his 15 years leading the Wolves. He coached at Highland High School for a number of years before Chandler and had his own swimming career at Western State University. He was also well-known for his bagpipes, which he played before every competition while leading his team on to the pool deck and at events across the Valley. But his love and admiration for his
swimmers endeared them to him. During a swim practice in 2008, Coach Croswhite jumped into the water to save one of his swimmers that had a seizure and was at the bottom of the pool. His quick action saved her life. “One of the gals had epilepsy and had a seizure,” Laurie said in an interview on July 13. “He noticed she was at the bottom and wasn’t playing around. He jumped in and got her out.” Students, administrators and those representing other programs took to social media July 21 when word of his passing spread. Many posted pictures of Coach Croswhite, all of which he had a smile on his face. Several others posted heartfelt messages for Laurie and the rest of his family. “This is a devastating loss for our community,” Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Director David Hines tweeted. “Kerry Croswhite, an incredible husband, father, friend, teacher, coach and mentor passed away this evening,” the official Twitter account for Chandler See
COACH on page 22
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High athletics tweeted. “The Chandler High community will truly miss a man who truly impacted so many and was always willing to go out of his way to help others. RIP Kerry Croswhite.” Coach Croswhite began feeling ill with a fever, chills and body aches on June 22 – the day after Father’s Day. Out of precaution, he isolated himself in the bedroom of their home and was given Tylenol and vitamins.
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
He received a COVID-19 test from his doctor shortly after symptoms began. The test came back negative. But on June 30, he told his wife he could feel the illness had moved into his chest and his cough was becoming worse. On July 3, he was admitted into Banner Desert where he received a positive test for the virus. He was placed on a BiPap machine before being moved to the ICU on July 7 and put on a ventilator the next day. Coach Croswhite showed signs of im-
Serving abroad
U.S. Navy Mineman Seaman Peter Birnstihl is serving our country by hunting mines aboard the USS Pioneer during wartime exercise off the coast of Japan. (U.S. Navy)
provement up until the morning of July 17, when nurses called Laurie and the rest of the family to the hospital as he was declining quickly. The family rushed to the hospital knowing that might have been their last chance to say goodbye. However, Coach Croswhite continued fighting despite possible damage to his kidneys, lungs, heart and brain. Laurie and his family were called to the hospital a second time July 21 and at that time doctors informed them there was nothing left they could do medically. “We stayed at his bedside to assure him he was so brave and has fought so hard and how proud we are of him,” Laurie wrote. “We were able to share how much we love him, and he will always be with us. We told him again about the amounts of people that have been praying of him. He knows he is truly loved.” A GoFundMe to help with the family’s medical costs was set up by Laurie’s sister, Megan Jarvis July 9 and within hours, thousands of dollars had been raised. As of July 28, nearly $59,000 had been donated to the family. “We could not have made it this far without all of you and your prayers,” Laurie wrote. “We are so broken, but we will be okay. Toast a scotch to Kerry.” Coach Croswhite is survived by his widow, Laurie; sons Kassidy Steele Croswhite and his wife Morgan, Kagan James and his wife Claire Ann Lunden and Dusten Derek; daughters Ky Brittany and Bristyn Steele; three grandchildren; sisters Pamela (Dave) Croswhite-Yocom, Melissa Croswhite, Vanessa (Randy) Crosswhite-Keller and DeeD-
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We stayed at his “ bedside to assure him he was so brave and has fought so hard and how proud we are of him, we were able to share how much we love him, and he will always be with us. We told him again about the amounts of people that have been praying of him. He knows he is truly loved.
”
– Laurie Croswhite
ee (Dwayne) Croswhite Palmer; and a brother, Joddy (Beth) Croswhite. He was preceded in death by his parents, William D. Croswhite Jr. and Barbra Steele Croswhite. And brother William D. (Suzanne) Croswhite III. Laurie said she wanted to have a big celebration of her husband’s life and will wait till social-distancing guidelines are relaxed. To make a donation: gofundme. com/f/medical-expenses-for-kerry-croswhite.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Zany duo to perform pop-up events in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
A popular comedy duo is bringing its traveling comedy pop-up drive-in show for the first time to the Est Valley this month and they’ve picked Chandler as they place to do it. Following their sold-out performances in May and June, comediennes Marlene Strang and Leanne Schmidt, billing themselves as “The Ladies,” are bringing their pop-up drive-in show, “Ladies in the Headlights!” Aug. 7- 8, 14 -15 with show times at 7:45 pm and 8:15 pm on Fridays and 7:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 8:45 pm on Saturdays. Co-produced with the Chandler Center for the Arts, “Ladies in the Headlights” is a 15 minute performance designed for parking lots. Audience members reserve a parking spot, drive in, and watch The Ladies perform by the light of their high-beams and to the soundtrack broadcast through their car radios. The catch is that when you buy a ticket, you won’t know where to go until 24 hours before the actual show. All that their publicist would say was “The Ladies will be performing in some of Chandler’s iconic locales.” Participants tune their car radios to 88.1 FM to hear the performance and curbside food orders will be available to complete the live experience. Tickets are $19.99 per car and on sale at wearetheladies.net. “Set in a parking lot and performed
Marlene Strang and Leanne Schmidt are bringing a series of comedic pop-up events to Chandler this month. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
to a soundtrack as varied as Kenny G and Ultra Lounge, The Ladies break free from the pressures of motherhood and housework by expressing themselves with their best moves,” the publicist said, adding: “The result is an utterly wacky and uproarious show as audiences delight in their zany physical comedy, laugh at their charming awkwardness and see what happens when we can be released from taking life too seriously.” Shuttered since mid-March, the
Chandler Center for the Arts is an enthusiastic partner. “We are so excited to bring this fun show to locations around Chandler. ‘The Ladies’ have found a way for people to experience a live show while promoting local businesses at the same time,” said Michelle Mac Lennan, the center’s general manager. The Ladies are described as “a zany, awkward pair of moms, clinging to the past to get through today.” Strang and Schmidt have been per-
forming together since 2017. Professionally trained dancers, they have been featured at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn, the Beta Dance Festival in Phoenix, Center for Visual Arts in Denver, the Regional Alternative Dance Festival in Kalamazoo and were showcased at the 50th Anniversary of Dance at ASU. Previous productions include “Ladies Gone Mild” and “Let Your Lady Out” in venues around the Valley. Schmidt describes herself as “incredibly good at hiding vegetables in her toddler’s baked goods” and often presented shows that were comical in nature with her dance company for nine years in New York City. When she moved to Phoenix, she thought it was time to “settle down,” so she became an adjunct professor of dance. Strang is an educator, choreographer and performer based in Arizona. She teaches dance at Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University. She served as the director of curriculum and instruction for Colorado Ballet and dance programming associate at the Kennedy Center. She also has been a guest artist at the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest), the Dance and Film Festival at Triskelion Arts, Denver Art Museum, Cherry Creek Art Denver Festival, Anne Green Gilbert’s Kaleidoscope Dance Company, Colorado Ballet, Metropolitan State University and Beta Dance Festival.
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
For more community news visit SanTanSun.com
Airbnb de-lists some Chandler short-term rentals SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
An unspecified number of Chandler homes used as short-term rentals were among 50 in Arizona that Airbnb suspended from its platform for breaking its rules on parties. While Chandler officials ponder changes to city code regulations shortterm rentals, Airbnb recently took the initiative to reduce the neighborhood nuisance factor among some of its members that have become party houses. It followed up by delisting homes in Vail, Bisbee, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Surprise, Tempe and Tucson. “This move follows Airbnb’s ban on party houses and commitment to safe and responsible travel,” Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit said. Stressing that “the vast majority of hosts in Arizona take important steps to prevent unauthorized parties – like establishing house rules, quiet hours, and communicating in advance with their guests,” Breit said the action was addressing “the small minority of hosts who have previously received warnings about hosting responsibly.” In late 2019, Airbnb announced a 24/7 Neighborhood Support Hotline in the United States, where neighbors can
A disturbance in June 2019 left a 26-year-old man shot and killed during a party at an Airbnb rental in Chandler on Ray Road near McClintock Drive. (File photo)
call us anytime and reach a real person at Airbnb. The hotline is staffed with a rapid response team so that neighbors can reach Airbnb directly with their concerns. Issues raised by Arizonans through this hotline led directly to many of the listing suspensions announced last month. “It’s critical for hosts to prioritize safety and ensure their guests are behaving in a way that respects the public’s health,” said John Choi, Arizona
public policy director for Airbnb. “We know that there is more work to be done, and we ask that neighbors of properties allowing irresponsible behavior contact us as soon as possible through our Neighborhood Support Hotline and help us effectively enforce our party house ban.” There’s also a public health component to the tougher approach to party houses, Airbnb noted, given warnings on large gatherings during the pandemic.
Airbnb recently announced that U.S. guests under the age of 25 with less than three positive reviews are not able to book entire homes that are close to where they live. These guests can still book any type of listing outside their local area. “If we identify a 20-year old guest who is located in Scottsdale, our systems are set up to restrict that user from booking a house, apartment or other entire home listing in Scottsdale for a one-night reservation the following weekend unless they have a history of positive reviews on Airbnb,” Breit explained. “However, if that same 20-year-old is booking a stay to visit family in Tucson, the restriction would not apply.” The city of Chandler is considering new regulations designed to better track short-term rental properties advertised on home-sharing platforms like Airbnb. The proposed requirements would obligate owners of Chandler’s shortterm rental properties to obtain a state tax license and register the homeowner’s name and contact information with the city. Homeowners would be obligated to appear at the property within one hour See
RENTALS on page 27
Doctor revives old-fashioned house visits to Chandler BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new business serving Chandler and Ahwatukee has been born that couldn’t be timelier. Dr. Norbert Adame, a 20-year Ahwatukee resident, launched HouseCallsMD that does just what its name says. He makes house calls in Chandler and Ahwatukee. Adame, who graduated from Boston University School of Medicine after serving in the U.S. Army in the latter years of the Vietnam War, completed his residency in emergency medicine at Maricopa Medical Center. For the past six years, he has taught anatomy and physiology at Gateway Community College, then decided to start HouseCallsMD after determining the pandemic could have an debilitating effect on his community. “I decided to start my business after realizing that there was going to be a healthcare crisis as more people were losing their jobs and medical insurance coverage,” he explained. There is a need within our community to provide another venue to receive medical attention because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that lies ahead,” Adame added. He said he was also concerned about the many seniors in Ahwatukee and
Dr. Norbert Adame is reviving the once-commonplace home visits in Chandler and Ahwatukee. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
Chandler and determined he could be of help to them. “As a result of the pandemic, more people, especially the elderly, are confining themselves to their homes because they cannot take the risk of getting infected – whether visiting their primary physician, clinic or emergency room,” he said. “While telemedicine and telephone calls have been a viable alternative to face-to-face time in an office, I feel that there is still a need to assess a person’s concern in person, and help them decide whether they need to seek further care before their condition worsens.” Adame also said some health issues that might not require office visits can be addressed by utilizing HouseCallsMD, an independently-owned business not affiliated with national companies with similar names. “There are those
simple ailments that can be managed at home with the proper guidance,” he said. “Furthermore, I’ve always believed that being a member of the community means contributing in some small way that enhances the well-being of everyone.” Targeting Ahwatukee and Chandler, he said, “I’m not a company where profit drives the motivation” but rather one individual “taking small steps to hopefully make a large impact in a void created by the pandemic.” Becoming a medical doctor involved determination, years of intense study and hard work and, for Adame, a bit of serendipity as he’d entered college planning to become a teacher. He was born Norberto Adame, Jr. in Kingsville, Texas, a city located in the historic Wild Horse Desert and named for Richard King, founder of the largest ranch in the country. “My family came from humble beginnings,” Adame recalled, noting that his maternal grandfather and great uncle lived and worked on the King Ranch. “My mother’s family were migrant workers who would pack the family in the car and drive to California to pick fruits and vegetables,” he said. “My father came from a farming family in northern Texas, and when he got out of See
DOCTOR on page 28
BUSINESS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
RENTALS
from page 26
upon request from local law enforcement and short-term rentals would be prohibited from any nonresidential uses, according to a draft of new city codes. Most of the proposed regulations conform to legislation passed last year that gave municipalities some more leeway in how they monitored and managed short-term rentals. House Bill 2672 offered local and state governments more autonomy with how it could penalize short-term rentals that had become a nuisance to surrounding neighbors by becoming a hub for raucous, late-night gatherings. These so-called “party houses” have earned a negative reputation across the Valley as rental homes that essentially operate as mini, revolving-door motels. Ryan Peters, Chandler’s governmental relations manager, said in June that cities have been finding it challenging to enforce any type of nuisance code with these rental “because the laws are typically enforced against people and not properties.” Law enforcement can cite the tenant, he added, but that does little to prevent future disturbances since the rental might have a new occupant the following week. Chandler’s proposed additions to its city enforcement codes are intended to add another layer of accountability by requiring a registration of all homeown-
ers who rent out their properties for stays lasting less than 30 days. “It provides us with a tool to address the bad actors,” Peters added. Chandler currently has nearly 600 short-term rentals listed through Airbnb and VRBO, he said, and at least 100 already have a tax license issued through the Arizona Department of Revenue. Peters said these 100 tax licenses have generated about $150,000 in revenue over the last two years. If a homeowner is found to be in violation of the city’s proposed codes, they could be subject to a $500 fine and the Department of Revenue would be notified of the infraction. A homeowner who commits three code violations within a two-year period could be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The idea is to raise the stakes for homeowners, Peters added, so they have an incentive to discourage their tenants from causing any nuisance problems. Although the city still is seeking public input on the proposed changes, City Council appeared to be in agreement with them as no member objected to the rules during a discussion on June 8. The new rules come at a time when the short-term rental industry is attempting to recover from the chaos that’s been recently caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reservations made through websites like Airbnb suddenly started to diminish in March as tourism events started to shut down and countries began restrict-
ing the movement of travelers. But Airbnb said it’s begun to rebound from the economic slump and the website has started to see bookings return to pre-pandemic levels. Over the last 30 days, the company said Arizona’s occupancy rate for Airbnb properties has nearly doubled. The topic of short-term rentals has been a recurring one at the Arizona Legislature as Airbnb has become increasingly popular in recent years for vacationers seeking alternative options. In 2016, Gov. Doug Ducey limited local control over these properties after he signed a bill that prohibited cities from banning the listing of short-term rentals within their communities. As a result, Valley neighborhoods found little recourse from their local governments when dealing with a residence that had been turned into a party house. Residents subsequently began showing up at the legislature and telling lawmakers how their communities were being disrupted by a steady stream of rowdy parties. One disturbance turned deadly last year in Chandler. In June 2019, a 26-yearold man was shot and killed during a party at an Airbnb rental near Ray Road and McClintock Drive. The shooting came only a few weeks after Ducey signed the legislation that allows cities to amend code regulations for short-term rentals. “Most short-term rental homeowners are good neighbors,” Ducey said in May 2019. “HB 2672 provides a
straight-forward enforcement mechanism to penalize ‘party house’ operators for not upholding existing laws on their properties.” Though the bill passed through the legislature with bipartisan support, Chandler’s elected representatives were split on their support for the new state regulations. Republicans J.D. Mesnard and Jeff Weninger voted against HB 2672, while Chandler’s four Democratic lawmakers – Sean Bowie, Jennifer Pawlik, Mitzi Epstein, and Jennifer Jermaine – voted in favor of the bill. Mesnard, who represents District 17, introduced new legislation this year that would have reclassified the tax status of short-term rentals as a class 1 property, which are assessed at a rate of 18 percent. But the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended this year’s legislative session sooner than expected and didn’t give Mesnard’s bill a chance to move through the House of Representatives. State Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, also introduced new legislation this year that would have given cities greater authority to crack down on short-term rentals. That bill failed to earn enough votes to pass through the House after some of Kavanagh’s fellow Republicans joined some Democrats in opposing more controls as a violation of property rights. The city of Chandler expressed support for both bills before legislators adjourned in May.
The Area Agency on Aging Virtual Hoarding Therapy The Area Agency Groups will run on Aging Virtual The Area Agency from September Hoarding Therapy onthrough Aging Virtual December. Groups will run
The Area Agency on Aging is offering a 14-week Hoarding Therapy The AreaHoarding AgencyTherapy on Aging is offering a 14-week Group Too Many Treasures from September Groups will run The Area Agency on Aging is offering a 14-week through December. designed to Too educate and gently guide individuals Many Treasures Hoardingfrom Therapy Group September To complete the Many Treasures Hoarding Therapy Group The Too Area Agency on Aging is offering a 14-week through December. who self-identify with hoarding behaviors. designed to educate and gently guide individuals to educateHoarding and gently Therapy guide individuals Many Treasures Group Too designed intake process, call To complete the who self-identify with hoarding behaviors. designed to educate and gently guide individuals who self-identify with hoarding behaviors. Participants must: (602) 241-5577 intake process, call To complete the who self-identify with hoarding behaviors. no later than intake process, call Participants must: (602) 241-5577 Participants must: • Be 60 years of age and older Participants must: (602) no later241-5577 than August 15th • •• Be 60 years of age and older Participate in group interactions no later15than th • • Be years of older •inage Beand 60interactions years of age and older August • 60 Participate group August 15th • and home assignments • Participate in group interactions and home•assignments Participate in group interactions
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BUSINESS
DOCTOR
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the Army, he became a carpenter and housebuilder.” Adame spent many summers as a youth in Kingsville with his grandparents. “They instilled in me the work ethic and compassion that quilted the fabric for who I am,” he said. While enrolling at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, then known as Texas A&I University, his plans for his future took a turn because education classes he sought were unavailable. “I went in to register and the teaching classes were full, so they steered me toward science and biology, and I said, ‘okay, I’ll do that,” he remembered. “As I started down that route, I began hanging out with the wrong crowd – people in pre-med, dentistry and such – and found myself leaning toward science and medicine.”
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
He was one of four from his college graduating class accepted by medical schools. Having served with the U.S. Army from 1973-1976, Adame was a bit older than others enrolled in his medical school class. “I was probably a little more mature than my fellow classmates, but I think it was more difficult for me having to compete with students from the Northeast who’d gone to Ivy League schools,” said Adame, who graduated in 1989. “It was a challenge, but I did great. I was in the top quarter of my class.” After completing his residency in Boston, Adame joined the faculty at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, serving as medical director and division chief for its emergency department. He and his wife moved back to Arizona, where he served as a University of Arizona School of Medicine clinical
faculty member while working and teaching at Maricopa Medical Center and in the private sector. His student’s reviews at Gateway Community College repeatedly refer to him as “passionate” – which he calls an apt description. “The accolades I’ve received for my clinical teaching are reflective of my desire to educate and help produce quality physicians. I believe teaching at any level helps a physician foster better relationships with his or her patients,” he said. Adame hopes to continue in the classroom “because students find that a clinical correlation to the material they are learning gives it more meaning and it’s not just the routine of memorizing ‘stuff ’ to pass an exam.” And he sees himself as part of “a continuum from learning medicine to practicing medicine to teaching and now returning to the practice of medicine.” As he launches his new business, he was
asked to describe his bedside manner. “In two words – compassion and empathy,” he said. “Without going into details, I’ve had first-hand experience in being a patient so I know how an apathetic expression can cause distress, and how a compassionate touch of the shoulder can provide comfort to the pain and fear.” At 65, Adame is a big believer in remaining physically active. “I started running 5Ks and half marathons at the age of 50 because I wanted to follow the same advice I was giving my patients,” he said. “And I ran my first marathon at the age of 60.” He’s also written a fiction eBook, “The Exit From My Dreams,” available on Amazon. Information: housecallsmd-ahwatukee.com, Doctor visits are $135, and payable in cash, by credit card or PayPal. Dr. Adame said he doesn’t accept Medicare or insurance plans at this time.
Gilbert wellness center offers cold comfort BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer
A Google search for pain relief brought Angelo Aquino to the doors of a wellness center on Gilbert Road that offers healing through full-body freezing. A Cryoshift franchise opened in April, providing pain relief, muscle recovery, weight loss, and mental clarity
with the use of an Impact Cryotherapy chamber filled with nitrogen vapor for a controlled dry chill that lowers the ambient temperature from minus-30 to minus-184 degrees during the three-minute treatment. “It’s like taking an ice bath but not getting wet,” Aquino said. “It helps with relaxation, stress relief and I use it a lot because I’ve had surgery on my neck, shoulders and lower back and
have stiffness. I didn’t want to go to a chiropractor because they charge $200 to $300 a month and, sometimes, they hurt you.” The Gilbert man, who has high-blood pressure, works as a route salesman for Frito-Lay that has him on his feet 12 to 14 hours a shift. He has had 13 surgeries. Aquino said he purchased a monthly membership at the end of May after
he got hooked from a complimentary session. The center also offers NormaTec compression therapy that compresses air to enhance blood flow and speed muscle recovery for the legs, arms, and hips, and an infrared sauna – both of which Aquino uses. He said an infrared dry sauna is betSee
CROSHIFT on page 30
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Be careful selecting help to dump your timeshare BY TESS DUMLAO Guest Writer
Valley seasonal residents Ron and Teddy Smidt were first reluctant to share their story in fear of looking foolish to friends and family. They then realized their story might prevent others from becoming a victim and losing thousands of dollars in the process. Now finally out of their timeshare, they have a message to share with anyone looking for a legitimate option. “We bought our timeshare in Branson, Missouri twenty years ago for our family to enjoy,” said Teddy, a retired school teacher. “But life changes, our kids are grown and they didn’t want it. Today with Airbnb and VRBO, you can rent a condo anytime, anywhere in the world.” Alexandra Olson, CEO of Give Up My Time, says her company has seen a 300 percent increase in calls, referrals and website visitors since the COVID-19 outbreak. Olson’s company has an “A” rating with BBB. Her concern is if calls have spiked with her company, they’ve also spiked with companies that may not be legitimate. “Some seniors are afraid to travel,” she explained. “Others are tired of paying the increasing annual fees and still not get the availability they want.
For many, it’s more of a burden than a blessing.” Olson knows the industry well as she once sold timeshare before the emergence of Airbnb and VRBO. “Back then, timeshare was a fair exchange. But that may not be the case anymore. Many changes to the industry have led to the fact that availability isn’t what it used to be.” In October 2019, the Smidts paid
be lied to or cheated out their hardearned money,” said Teddy. Give Up My Timeshare, unlike the majority of timeshare exit companies, does not ask for a deposit or payment information until after the title has transferred out of the client’s name. There is a fee the clients are aware of from the start of the entire transaction that’s completed in about 45 days. Olson warns people wanting out of
Some seniors are afraid to travel, others are tired “ of paying the increasing annual fees and still not get the availability they want. For many, it’s more of a burden than a blessing. ”
– Alexandra Olson
$6,000 to a company that promised to take over their timeshare and all its financial obligations. Fifteen months later, the Smidts received a maintenance fee bill from their timeshare resort confirming that no transfer of the title was ever done. They lost the $6,000 and still owned the timeshare they so badly wanted to get rid of. “It was an awful feeling. I don’t want another senior couple or family to
their timeshare, “You wouldn’t pay a real estate agent before your house has sold, so don’t be pressured into giving money before the title has transferred.” Ron Smidt, a retired sheriff’s deputy, was skeptical of Olson and Give Up My Timeshare after attending a seminar. “Teddy and I kept working with their people, providing our timeshare information, knowing we could back out the moment they ask for money, but that never happened,” he said. “When we
got the phone call that the timeshare was out of hands, Teddy and I cheered and clapped like kids. We were beyond happy.” Olson has these tips against being scammed by timeshare exit companies: Never give any money upfront or provide any payment info. She said it’s an easy transaction. “If they can’t wait a few weeks to get paid, you may not want to do business with them,” Olson said. Don’t fall for the “buyer in the wings” tactic where a company claims someone wants to buy your exact week. You will be offered a big sum of money but told you will first need to pay a “transaction fee” first. Be aware of bad legal counsel. Some attorneys will tell clients to just stop paying the maintenance fee as a leverage for negotiations to get out. Just like home ownership, you can’t just stop making payments without risking impact to credit and other assets. “The ultimate question to ask of any exit company is to understand their business model,” Olson added. “Ask yourself, is this sustainable? Are they maintaining integrity to the industry or trying to pull a scam here? We have a platform for maximizing these otherwise unwanted timeshares and repurposing them into vacation rentals so that the resort is not harmed by the ownership being transferred.” Information: GiveUpMyTimeshare.com.
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CRYOSHIFT
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
But as soon as she stepped out of the chamber, she said in a news release, she started to immediately see benefits. “I began doing it daily and noticed that I have improved memory and focus, improved mood, slept better and had less pain overall,” she said. Aquino also noticed he is experiencing less stress and can sleep better these days since going to Cryoshift. “I work crazy hours and I have a 2 ½-year-old that I take care of when her mom is at work,” he said. “My sleep schedule is messed up. I couldn’t relax and my brain could not shut down. I’m more easily able to be relaxed.” And, given the triple-digit temperatures in the Valley, there’s an added benefit with cryotherapy. “When it’s 110 outside, your body is still cool,” he said. “It takes six to seven minutes to drive home and I’m cool.”
from page 28
ter than a wet sauna because it removes 20 percent of the toxins from the body compared with 3-5 percent for the wet. According to Cryoshift’s website, the infrared therapy, which uses light to create heat, helps people relax with an invigorating deep tissue sweat” that leaves them fully refreshed, rejuvenated and renewed. According to the Mayo Clinic, several studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, headache, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and found some evidence of benefit. However, larger and more-rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results, the medical website added. Aquino goes five to six times a week for the whole-body cryotherapy, two to three times a week for the compression treatment and, if he has time, the infrared sauna. Center Manager Sunny Settlers said cryotherapy is the most popular offering for customers. Cryoshift has a monthly membership of 200 people, she said. Medical News Today reported research on cryotherapy is as new as is the trend for the treatment. That said, it stated cryotherapy can help with muscle pain and some joint and muscle disorders like arthritis and may promote faster healing of athletic injuries. Marathoners are known to take an ice bath after a race. The online source for medical news cited a 2017 study that supports the
IF YOU GO
Cryoshift opened in April at 3755 S Gilbert Road, Suite 107 at the Crossroads Town Center. For non-members, the first session is complimentary but afterward, drop-ins are charged $25. If a person signs up for a membership the same day as the free session, the monthly membership is discounted to $149. Otherwise, a monthly membership is $179 and includes 30 sessions of any combination of whole-body cryotherapy, compression therapy or infrared therapy. Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m.4 p.m., Saturday and noon- 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to book an appointment, go to gilbert.cryoshift.com or call 480-207-1435.
Mindee Lee helps Angelo Aquino prepare for his entry into the Impact Cryotherapy chamber in Gilbert. The controlled dry chill lowers the ambient temperature from -30F to -184 F for a three-minute session. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
benefits of cryotherapy for relieving muscle pain and speeding healing. However, the study found that cold water immersion was more effective than whole-body cryotherapy and it noted not all studies support the role of cryotherapy in muscle healing. When it comes to weight loss, it could support the process in that being cold forces a body to work harder to
stay warm, Medical News Today said. It also said cryotherapy, which reduces inflammation, could reduce the risk of developing dementia and treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Kris Price, co-owner and franchisee of the Cryoshift in Gilbert, said when she tried cryotherapy the first time, it was a little uncomfortable.
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Chandler’s Bellinger not looking to duplicate 2019 BY DAVE HOGG
Contributor
Cody Bellinger is the reigning National League Most Valuable Player after a monster 2019 season that saw him lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a seventh straight NL West title. The Chandler native and Hamilton High grad is a two-time All-Star, played in two World Series and he’s got a Jackie Robinson Award next to his MVP trophy on the mantel. That’s a good career haul for most players, but Bellinger only turned 25 on July 13. He might be the best baseball player on the planet not named Mike Trout, and he could just be getting warmed up. Bellinger, the 6’4″ 210-pound son of former New York Yankees and Anaheim Angels utility infielder/outfielder Clay Bellinger, was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Hamilton With the addition of former Red Sox star Mookie Betts and one of baseball’s best products in Gavin Lux, the Dodgers’ everyday lineup already looks unstoppable. What happens, though, if Bellinger gets as hot for the 60-game schedule as he did for the first two months of the 2019 season? On June 2, 2019, the Dodgers were 4119 and already had a nine-game division lead over the Colorado Rockies. Bellinger, who played in 58 of the 60 games, was hitting .376 with 20 homers and 52 RBIs—the equivalent of 56 home runs and 146 RBI in 162 games. “I don’t know if anyone will hit 20 this year—that would be crazy—but I saw someone predicted 17 would lead the National League,” Bellinger said in a Zoom call with the Dodgers media. “That seems like a good target.” Bellinger didn’t exactly slump after the first 60 games—he finished the season with a .305 average, 47 homers and 115 RBI—but now he’s had three extra months to get ready to defend his MVP. “There are always small things you want to fix about your swing—not major adjustments, but stuff you want to do on a more consistent basis,” he said. “With all of this extra time, I decided I was never going to have a better chance to work on them in a stress-free environment.” Bellinger thinks the work has paid off, but he’s not trying to duplicate the 2019 season. “I don’t want to be the identical player I was a year ago, because you always want to be growing and evolving as a hitter,” he said. “I tried to remem-
Cody Bellinger, shown below when he was an ace player for Hamilton High and above as a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, doesn’t think this year’s truncated baseball season will be like 2019. (File photos)
hard to stay focused every day when all “I wasIt was hearing were the notifications about things
between the owners and the union,” he said. “You have to be mentally prepared to go out and work out not knowing what was going to happen. I’m just glad it finally came to a conclusion.
”
– Cody Bellinger
ber how it felt and build off that. Right now, I’m feeling really good about where I am.” Obviously, Bellinger’s extra workouts came because his sport had been shut down to the COVID-19 pandemic. He wasn’t worried about his own health, even as things got worse in his home state, but he acknowledged it was strange not knowing when or if the season might get underway. “It was hard to stay focused every day when all I was hearing were the notifications about things between the owners and the union,” he said. “You
have to be mentally prepared to go out and work out not knowing what was going to happen. I’m just glad it finally came to a conclusion.” While he was excited to get back to Dodger Stadium, he was disappointed it wasn’t in time to start the season with the All-Star Game scheduled to be played in his home park. The game will now be played in Los Angeles during the 2022 season. “I’ve gotten to play in two All-Star Games, and they’ve both been awesome, but everyone will tell you there’s no bigger rush than playing in one at
your own stadium,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll get that chance in a couple years.” Bellinger got used to wearing a mask while working out in Arizona, but nothing could prepare him for the other strangeness of the 2020 season – playing Major League baseball without fans. “I think it is going to be fun, because it is such a unique experience,” he said. “We’re obviously taking it very seriously, but we’re still having some fun with it. “It’s never going to happen again, but it is almost bringing the game back to when we were kids.”
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
Chandler’s Duncan Shin hopes journey leads to NHL BY TRAVIS WHITTAKER
Cronkite News
Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Jack Johnson all had something in common before becoming hockey superstars. The trio are alumni of the prestigious Shattuck-Saint Mary’s school and hockey program in Minnesota. Duncan Shin, a 15-year-old from Chandler, attends the elite school where those players once roamed and is following in their skates. The dream of every young hockey player is to make it to the National Hockey League. Shin’s dream moved a step closer on March 25, when he was selected by the Vancouver Giants out of the Western Hockey League with the 38th pick in the inaugural WHL U.S. Prospects draft. “We were thrilled that he was still there in the second round,” said Daryl Anning, the scouting director for the Vancouver Giants. “I was just incredibly honored as there is so much talent in the western region of the United States,” Shin said. Shin learned to skate around the age of 4, picked up a stick a few years later and, despite Arizona’s burgeoning hockey culture, was barely a teen when he decided to move halfway across the country to take his skills to the next level. “I just wanted to go to the best possible place for my development and Shattuck-Saint Mary’s is universally known as a very elite hockey school not
Although Shin still has much to learn before leaving Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, Anning said one of the things that intrigued the Giants organization when they were scouting the Arizona youngster was his hockey IQ. “He’s a very mature young man,” Anning said. “In conjunction with his high skill level (that) makes him an exciting type of player.” Shin compares his style of play to Trevor Zegras, who was drafted last year by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the NHL entry draft. “My strongest attributes I contribute to my team is my passing abilities and my abilities to set up other players for quality scoring chances,” Shin said. Shin has yet to sign a contract with the Vancouver Giants organization, he and his family are weighing all of his options to best suit his develChandler’s Duncan Shin was drafted in the second round of the inaugural WHL U.S. Prospects draft by the Vancouver opment moving forward. Giants of the Western Hockey League. (Courtesy of Laurant Dick) “The college route, the CHL route and the junior’s route only for their hockey but their academ- COVID-19 pandemic, but in 58 games are all viable options to get to for the U14 team, Shin had 25 goals and ics as well,” Shin said. my ultimate goal in the NHL,” Shin said. 40 assists along with 18 penalty minutes. “We take it season by season and year Shattuck-Saint Mary’s has a strong The team had three games left on its by year. I’m grateful for the Vancouver tradition of bringing top talent into schedule and was then slated to play in their hockey program. The “Shads” Giants that I secured a viable option en the USA Hockey Nationals in Chicago. 2020 season was cut short due to the route to the NHL.”
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2020 on course to top the horror of 1347 BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Columnist
When it comes to bad years, it’s pretty tough to top 1347. That was the year the Black Death kicked into overdrive, contaminating major cities in Europe and Asia. Ultimately, that epidemic killed more than 50 million people over the next few years. By any estimation, that’s an epically horrendous year. Though 2020 seems ready to jump up and shout, “What, you think that’s miserable? Dude, hold my beer.” One measure of tracking how awful a year is tracking the folks we lose over time. 2020 started off on a downer note just a few days after New Year’s when brain cancer took Neil Peart, the drummer and lyricist from Rush. If you’re a rock fan between the ages of 20 and Methuselah, you’ve madly airdrummed in time to Peart’s riffs in “Tom Sawyer” or the instrumental “YYZ.”
Named the fourth-greatest drummer ever by Rolling Stone, Peart was only 67 when he passed. Speaking of too young, three weeks later 2020 took Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash that killed nine people in all. Bryant, 41 at the time of his death, arguably belongs on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore as a five-time champion, an 18-time All Star and the league’s 2008 Most Valuable Player. Personally, I loved to despise Bryant, but there’s no denying he was a transcendent talent. By March, 2020 shifted from targeting famous people to killing the masses. You can blame the COVID-19 fatalities on a perfect storm: a lethal virus meeting clueless elected leaders and an inattentive populace, or you can chalk it up to 2020 doing more 2020 things. The pandemic count at press time? Over 15 million cases worldwide and 620,000 dead. I’ll spare you the latest from Arizona, which seems determined
to add World Covid Champion 2020 to that lonely Arizona Diamondbacks 2001 World Series crown. On the positive side, I’m halfway through this column and I haven’t mentioned President Trump. I’m trying to stay away from that subject to cut down on my hate mail. The big boss, Maryniak, likes to send me the missives he gets. Plus, there’s the folks who track me down online to let me have it every time I mention the President. Had Donald Trump been king in 1347, I absolutely believe his court jester would have put out a parchment press release longer than the Silk Road. It would have labeled the Black Death the “Mongol Flu,” and proclaimed that the world was “better off without that other half of the population, because they weren’t our best people anyway.” Then Trump would have raided France and given himself credit for “ending the 100 Years War more than 90 years ahead
of schedule.” I still wouldn’t put that past him if things get desperate heading into Election Day. Meanwhile, 2020 continues to pick off some of America’s best and brightest. Hugh Downs, as smart and classy a newsman as has walked God’s green Earth, passed away July 1 in Scottsdale. Downs was everything today’s network anchor clowns are not: Fair, strong-minded and able to probe without being a jerk. Strength was also the hallmark of civil rights icon John Lewis, 80, who left us last week at a moment when we need his dignity and unerring instinct for justice. Lewis was 23 when he spoke at the 1963 March on Washington. He survived police batons, segregationist attacks and 33 years in Congress to emerge a legend. I don’t imagine Lewis quit a day in his life, which is inspiration enough not to give up on 2020. This year is surely a test, however. And to this point, we are being stretched near to breaking.
Technology helps foster children connect with others BY CLINT WILLIAMS Guest Writer
Ron Adelson knows relationships matter. “That’s not just warm and fuzzy poster material,” says the CEO of Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK). “It’s science.” Positive relationships change the biology of the brain, regulate the brain’s stress response system and promote healthy development in children, Adelson says. “Secure, loving relationships repair of the brains of children scarred by trauma and that healing can be seen with medical imaging,” he says. In a time of uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing and strengthening relationships has never been more important for children in foster care. AASK professionals have adapted to meet that need using tech-
nology and imagination. The AASK Sibling Connection program brings together brothers and sisters separated by foster care – usually through monthly events such as roller skating or a trip to a water park. Since the COVID-19 related safety restrictions went into effect, Amanda Gonzales has brought fun to the children. Gonzales coordinates weekly online visits and virtual fun and games for the children in the program. It’s important work, she says. “Sibling relationships are among the strongest bonds any of us have, but most children in foster care who have siblings are separated from at least one of their siblings,” Gonzales says. “Sibling relationships are especially important for children in foster because they share common experiences.” Gonzales sets up video chats between separated siblings, often delivering a
board game to each place so the kids can play a game. “It’s always fun to see them together,” Gonzales says. Some siblings are now pen pals, sending each other hand-made cards, letters and care packages with Gonzales serving as courier to deliver envelopes and boxes to siblings across the Valley. “We’re doing a lot of little things to keep everyone connected,” Gonzales says. While the visits are virtual, the greater frequency – once a week instead of a monthly outing – seems to meet the needs of the children, Gonzales says. Adults and teens in the AASK Mentoring Program are also making more frequent connections thanks to technology, says Mentor Program Coordinator Mike Weddle. One mentor dropped fast food off at the group home of a teen and the two
enjoyed lunch together through FaceTime as the mentor sat in his car outside the house. Another mentor dropped off the board game Battleship and the two now have regular naval battles via Zoom. Because everything is now being done remotely, Weddle says, mentors are more able to participate in – or at least watch – court hearings and meetings conducted by state Department of Child Safety case workers. Without having to budget travel time and such, Weddle says mentors are able to participate more fully in the child’s case and learn more about the child. “Mentors can be more effective because they can understand why the kid sees the world the way they do,” Weddle says. For more information about adoption, foster care, mentoring and volunteer opportunities, call Aid to Adoption of Special Kids at 602-930-4900, or visit aask-az.org.
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Girls Who Code carries on amid pandemic BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Anika Attaluri already has a plan in place to keep her school’s coding club up and running if and when classes resume on Aug. 17. The Hamilton High School senior will be spending the first quarter of this school year learning from home – an option afforded to students worried about the COVID-19 – and intends to have the members of her club, Girls Who Code, stay productive by hosting their meetings online. In the midst of Arizona’s campus reopening debate, extracurriculars and club activities haven’t always been at the forefront of the conversation. Chandler Unified School District officials have said they will try to reconfigure extracurricular activities to meet social-distancing guidelines, yet it’s not clear to Anika how a club like hers factors into the equation. Anika decided to take the initiative and begin planning her tech club’s operation during the upcoming semester. She said she’ll teach the computer coding curriculum over video-conferencing software like Zoom and offer one-onone mentoring sessions through FaceTime for her club’s 30 members. See
CODE on page 35
Girls Who Code members include, from left: top row: Janelle Mori, Kiyra Tibke, Anahita Senobari, Anika Attaluri, Nidhi Athreya and Abigail Canfield; bottom: Yasmine Muraweh, Teresa Nguyen, Sarah Tran, Colleen Buliag and Anvi Joshi. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
Chandler Police get big facemask donation BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
The Chinese-American COVID-19 Relief group has given Chandler Police their largest donation of disposable masks to help shield officers and citizens from the coronavirus. The group that donated 4,000 masks comprises local individuals who have been supplying several hospitals and police departments with protective gear since the pandemic began. The donation came at a crucial time for police, said Sgt. Jason McClimans, because the department’s supply has become notably depleted and it hoped to avoid pulling from the city’s reserves. Officers burn through about 50 masks a day during all their interactions with the public, he explained, adding the donation brings the supply back to a more comfortable level. The Chinese-American COVID-19 Relief has collected more than $50,000 to purchase over 150,000 masks. It already delivered masks to Mesa Police, Dignity Health, the Mayo Clinic, Banner Health and the Navajo Nation. Susan Liu, of Chandler, helped organize the group when the pandemic started in March and said most of the donors reside in Chandler and Gilbert.
the international supply chain of protective gear during the first few weeks of the pandemic as demand for masks outpaced the global supply. “Meeting demand for face masks has become one of the main issues for governments fighting the pandemic,” the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development wrote in a policy statement. “Masks may play an even greater role in the next phase of the crisis, when lockdowns are gradually lifted and economic activity resumes.” The Chinese-American Relief group had little trouble finding donors to pay for new masks, Liu said, but the real challenge was getting masks to first-responders and health care workers. Flights kept getting cancelled Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan received a welcomed gift of 4,000 facemasks from Sam Wang and Susan Liu of the and the government’s shipping Chinese-American COVID-19 relief group. (Pablo Robles / Staff Photographer) policies were changing on a daily This region is their home, she said, and said. basis. Getting the masks to their recipients the group feels a responsibility to protect More than 100 distributors were has not been an easy task. the community during one of the worst contacted before the group got the Liu said her group encountered sevhealth crises in modern history. first batches of masks imported into eral transportation problems in March “When the community – our neighArizona. and struggled to find distributors willing bors, our friends, our coworkers, our The whole operation essentially beto deliver their supplies. doctors, our police – is facing challengThe COVID-19 outbreak disrupted es – it’s up to us to unite together,” Liu See on page 35
FACEMASK
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
CODE
from page 34
It probably won’t be as stimulating as working in-person with her team of coders, the teenager acknowledged, yet it’s better than not coding at all. “It’s harder to build those relationships virtually,” she said. Anika considers it essential for Girls Who Code to continue offering a chance for young women to explore their scientific curiosities. The pandemic is not going to stop them from building a community of female coders and scientists, she said. When the COVID-19 crisis abruptly forced Anika to cancel a coding camp, she had been planning to offer this summer, she quickly rebounded and found a way to still provide some programming from the confines of her bedroom. She has spent the past couple months tutoring a handful of students through live video chats, guiding them virtually through complex algorithms and coding structures.
FACEMASK
from page 34
came another full-time job for this group of volunteers, said Liu, who works at Intel. Chandler Police appreciated the group’s efforts. “We know how special we have it in Chandler -- especially compared to other communities in the country,” said Police Chief Sean Duggan.
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The one-on-one sessions wound up being an enjoyable distraction from the turmoil taking place in Arizona this summer, she said. No one quite knows what the future or upcoming school year will look like, Anika said, but Girls Who Code is committed to maintaining a presence in the community. The Hamilton High chapter is part of a national organization aimed at closing the noticeable gender gap that’s long existed in science-based industries. The nonprofit provides guidance to thousands of clubs across the country and hopes its efforts will result in women taking up half of all entry-level tech jobs by 2027. Women currently make up about 28 percent of the country’s science and engineering workforce, according to the National Science Board, and that rate shrinks even more for African-American, Hispanic, and Native American women. In 2015, women earned only 18 percent of the country’s undergraduate degrees in computer sciences and 20 percent of the nation’s engineering degrees. Anika said she discovered this gender disparity at a young age while attending sci-
ence camps at the Chandler Public Library. Whenever the class was told to break up into groups, she recalled, the boys instantly hung together and made little effort to include any of the few girls enrolled in the class. They were made to feel like the “leftovers,” she said – deemed worthy enough to work alongside the boys. Anika hoped to boost the confidence of aspiring female scientists on a local level by introducing a chapter of Girls Who Code at Hamilton High a couple years ago. The goal was to not only help close the gender gap, she said, but demonstrate to young women the relevancy and value of pursuing a career in STEM-related fields. “I wanted to show how getting involved in tech can be fun and it can be used to solve issues that people care about,” she said. Her members spend the school year working on coding projects that serve a specific need in the community. Members work off of a general theme – such as entertainment or health – that is decided on by the whole group. The
girls then branch out to find a project that matches their interests. Previous projects have involved a phone app that helps users find food banks in their neighborhoods and the creation of online games that challenge a player’s nutritional knowledge. “We allow a lot of flexibility as to what the project can be to ensure we don’t restrict our participants’s skill level or interests,” Anika said. In addition to the service projects, Girls Who Code dedicates time to learning about women who have successfully pioneered the STEM fields and invite experts to lecture in front of the club’s members. Part of the club’s mission is to mold its members into becoming role models for their younger peers, Anika noted, so that new members feel like they belong to a sisterhood. “It’s a pretty supportive and inclusive club,” she added, “and it provides a strong, supportive network to our members.” Local students interested in learning more about Girls Who Code can email gwchamilton@gmail.com.
Community policing is based on trust, the chief added, and officers can only maintain it by meeting with people one-on-one. The pandemic has made these types of interactions more challenging, Duggan said, but having access to protective gear makes the task a bit easier. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Chandler has grown from 3,893 to 5,070 within the last two weeks, according to the Arizona Department of
Health Services. ZIP code 85225, which is home to the main Chandler Police station, has been the site of some of the city’s biggest transmission spikes; its total number of virus cases tripled between June and July. As the number of local cases continues to increase, the police department said it’s been taking steps to try to prevent officers from contracting the virus. The agency has canceled several community events, curbed activity at
its main headquarters and officers are instructed to keep their face covered whenever walking through a public area. These circumstances are alien to the concept of community policing, Duggan said, but officers continue to be uplifted by the support of citizens with generous donations like the one made by Chinese-American COVID-19 Relief. “Who knows how long this will continue?” he said. “But certainly, this puts us in better footing to help protect our folks.”
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100+ Women Who Care supports our veterans BY LEANN LANDBERG AND SUSAN BARLOW Guest Writers
Everyone understands the importance of honoring our veterans. We acknowledge them for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Yet, most people do not comprehend the day to day struggle our injured veterans face in their lives. In April, members of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun learned how Arizona Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America (AZPVA) champions and honors US veterans. This nonprofit takes action to improve the lives of U.S. military veterans who have suffered spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease/dysfunction and disability. AZPVA is critical to our state which is home to more than half a million men and women who have served our country. That’s about 1 in 10 adults in Arizona. Over 50 percent of Arizona veterans are 65 and older – higher than the national average. Arizona ranks 13th in total veteran population out of a total of 18.8 million veterans in the United States. The AZPVA serves the community through advocacy for proper health care, improving public accessibility, communication, education, and the See
WOMEN on page 37
Members of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun display an enlarged check for $6,650 they raised to benefit the Arizona chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, (Courtesy 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun)
Hospice of Valley’s veterans program honors service BY LIN SUE COONEY Guest Writer
Denny Bash’s military career is one of steely dedication. The Vietnam-era Veteran served 32 years in the Navy – spending nearly half of that time providing medical support for the Marines. And when his children joined the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, he joined it too. Bash is a pretty tough cookie. But each time he pays a tribute visit to a fellow veteran at end of life, the Hospice of the Valley volunteer gets emotional. “I cry at every one of them,” he confesses. “I love the service. The military has given me every break in my life and that’s the reason I’m giving back.” Bash is one of 45 volunteers, all veterans, with Hospice of the Valley’s Saluting Our Veterans program. Since its inception in 2011, the program has honored more than 2,700 veteran patients for their service to our country. These volunteers normally provide special recognition in a face-to-face visit, but all that has changed in recent months due to the coronavirus. Instead of being there in person to present a ceremonial pin and small flag, volunteers like Bash are invited into a family’s home through a video screen. Just like before, the two veterans are able to spend time reminiscing about their service – one last chance to share experiences. It’s obvious how much pride and
Due to COVID-19, Hospice of the Valley volunteer Denny Bash performs virtual tribute visits to our veteran patients. The Saluting Our Veterans program honors veteran hospice patients with a commemorative pin, small flag from their branch of service and gratitude for their courageous service and sacrifice. (Hospice of the Valley.)
gratitude veteran patients feel, as they recall special times of camaraderie and accomplishment. And their families are grateful to have some precious new memories to treasure after their loved one has passed. “Even during a global crisis, we want to make sure our veteran families
know how grateful we are for their service and sacrifice,” says Stacia Ortega, director of volunteer services at Hospice of the Valley. “We knew we could find a way to make that happen.” COVID-19 has certainly caused some challenges – but our volunteers agree: Virtual visits still provide a beautiful
way to honor the brave men and women in our community who are facing an end-of-life journey. “The veteran-to-veteran connection gives our hospice patients an opportunity to unpack some things they’ve never shared with anyone, things they will only tell another veteran,” Bash said. “When I ask them if they would like to talk about their service, they jump at the opportunity to discuss what they’ve done, where they’ve been, what the service meant to them.” Arizona is home to more than half a million veterans. Many were never recognized or thanked for their courage. That’s particularly true for the men and women who fought in Vietnam. The We Honor Veterans national program has recognized Hospice of the Valley for providing superb care to all veterans, with special emphasis on the unique needs of Vietnam-era and combat veterans. “In good times and hard times, it’s our extraordinary honor to pay tribute to these heroes in our community!” says teary-eyed volunteer, Bash. “It feels incredibly rewarding.” If you are a veteran, and think you’d enjoy volunteering for Hospice of the Valley’s Saluting Our Veterans program, please visit hov.org/volunteer/saluting-our-veterans or call (602) 636-6336 to find out more. Lin Sue Cooney is community engagement director at Hospice of the Valley.
NEIGHBORS
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
WOMEN
from page 36
promotion of activities and sports. Their goal is to be an effective partner for life. They want to ensure each veteran receives the full benefits they have earned through their service to our nation. One of the many services it provides is a medical supply loan closet – one of the largest in the state – that provides durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, toilet risers, tub transfer bench, commodes and more. If a veteran is unable to get the equipment they need through the VA or their insurance, they can get it through the closet at no cost. In the last fiscal year, AZPVA donated 1,150 pieces of medical equipment valued at over $1 million to veterans and their family members. The members 100+ Women Who Care East Valley presented the AZPVA a donation of $6,650 at the end of May. These funds will help maintain and repair the equipment in the loan closet. “We are so excited to be receive the donations from 100+ Women Who Care and cannot wait to continue our work assisting Veterans and other members of the disabled community with these funds,” said Dawn Quinn, donation and outreach coordinator for AZPVA. To learn more about the group: azpva.org The AZPVA closet also accepts medical equipment that is new or gently used and less than five years old. Equipment must be in good working condition or easily repaired.
We are so excited to “ be receive the donations from 100+ Women Who Care and cannot wait to continue our work assisting Veterans and other members of the disabled community with these funds.
”
– Dawn Quinn,
AZPVA may make an exception to these guidelines if the equipment is in high demand, of high value or unusual to access. The loan closet address is 5015 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix. 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun is a group of like-minded, passionate women who want to connect to one another and to their communities. The ladies are leveraging their resources so their small quarterly gifts of $100 per member add up to a significant donation to a local charity. Since the chapter’s inception in 2015, 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun has donated over $550,000 to local nonprofits. The chapter comprises three sister groups in the East Valley, Ahwatukee and Scottsdale. Please consider joining us for an upcoming giving circle. Information: 100wwcvalleyofthesun.org.
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Pandemic a struggle for area children’s theaters BY SRIANTHI PERERA
Contributor
Presenting theater doesn’t work in tandem with social distancing and the dilemma gets worse when the actors are children. “I like the theater because I like performing in front of audiences and with quarantining it’s hard to do that. For me it’s hard because I like performing and being with my friends,” said 14-year-old Kaitlyn Woodward, a student of Gilbert Christian School who has attended Studio Three Performing Arts in Gilbert for three years. Sadly, with the pandemic situation not showing signs of waning any time soon, Kaitlyn, and hundreds of others like her, will have to bide their time. “Theater kids are by nature huggers and ‘in your face’ kinds of kids,” said Karen Rolston, producing artistic director of East Valley Children’s Theatre in Mesa. “Some are doing better than others.” With cancellations and postponements of scheduled concerts and classes, new methods of performance, smaller purses and larger expenses and dozens of new rules to carefully adhere to, children’s theater in the East Valley is walking a tightrope. “It’s frustrating, sad, discouraging, scary, and heartbreaking on many levels,” said Karli Kemper, co-artistic director and music director of State 48 Theatre Company of Mesa. “We also, however, feel a huge sense of commitment to our community and families to be supportive of safety precautions so that we can actually see an end to this awful time we are all experiencing. “We want nothing more than to get back to our ‘normal’ and we are trying to stay positive and be creative in order to
Studio 3 Performing Arts students Mckenna Henry, Ava Wright and Zoe Hatziathanassiou (top row) and Shayla Forero, Kaitlyn Woodward and Peyton Shoffner (bottom row) perform via Zoom in “The Social Diva Game.” (Special to the San Tan Sun News)
Students were brought to the recording studio in small groups to record the audio and the theater did a professional film shoot for the visuals. The movie is being edited and will be shown as a drive-in movie in September. The process was socially distanced and provided a safe environment. Studio 3 also ventured into doing a virtual show called “The Isolation Project,” featuring two original plays by Colleen Porter that are performed online. One is a drama dealing with the emotions and situations that arose from the sudden stay-at-home order and the
“
I like the theater because I like performing in front of audiences and with quarantining it’s hard to do that. For me it’s hard because I like performing and being with my friends.
”
– Kaitlyn Woodward
survive until that happens,” she added. Emma England, who runs Studio 3 Performing Arts Academy and Limelight Performing Arts, said, “This is the hardest hurdle I have ever had to jump over, but I am growing every day.” “I have put in more work the last few months than I ever would have imagined, but seeing the way we are making a difference for these kids and families is worth every second,” England said. Undeterred by the challenge, Studio 3 Performing Arts Academy launched an online academy and may have set standards for the local industry. After canceling “Wizard of Oz,” the children’s theater finished the last season with “Wonderland” – its original musical based on the story of Alice in Wonderland – via film.
other is a comedy in which teens try to win an online social media contest. East Valley Children’s Theatre also recorded “Alice in Wonderland” via the online program Zoom, a radio play and a cabaret with live filming of the host and adding the kids’ pre-recorded videos. State 48 Theatre Company is presenting “The (Possibly) True Tales of Little Red Riding Hood” and “Romeo and Juliet” as films as well. The theater plans to do a live stream of the movies with the actors in small groups in the theatre answering questions and providing commentary on their experience during the stream. Viewers are expected to donate. As expected, earning the dollars to keep operating has been a challenge across the organizations. Studio 3 Performing Arts Acade-
my, which offers sold-out summer camps that provide an outlet for 40-70 kids each summer, found its earnings dropped drastically because the camps are much smaller to incorporate social distancing. Its sister organization, Limelight Performing Arts, has no earnings because it’s temporarily closed. At East Valley Children’s Theatre, the impact has been huge despite a successful virtual silent auction in lieu of its spring fundraiser. Attendance dropped in just the one summer camp it offered. Even when the rest of the classes went online, there aren’t as many children enrolled. The group performs at Mesa Arts Center, which is closed until Oct. 1 or beyond. This meant no performances in the spring or summer while fall is “up in the air.” “We are not bringing in as much revenue, and we have had to reduce the number of teaching artists that normally work for us,” Rolston said. “In the long term, we worry about keeping the theatre solvent while we wait to get back into the theatre space to perform.” State 48 is hurting similarly and is hoping to boost donations with the film release of “The (Possibly) True Tales of Little Red Riding Hood.” “Our ticket sales are everything,” Kemper said. “We are both a youth and a community theatre, so when we cannot sell tickets, we are in real financial straits. Currently we have been able to raise enough through donations to cover a few months of rent and bills, but we are most definitely concerned for the future.” Not everyone has found success with using Zoom either. Studio 3 has found it unsuitable for children ages 3-5, and those children have left the school. State 48 finds the challenge comes in many forms. “It has removed the actors’ ability for on-stage chemistry and rapport
with each other, the physical movement itself and contact in person, and then of course the timing—to be able to deliver a back-and-forth with impact and tension,” Kemper said. “There is a lot of lag and awkwardness over the internet.” Still, acting on Zoom is better than nothing. Kempe said managed three weeks of online rehearsals from home using Zoom, then came in person to the theatre in small groups by scene. Safety protocols included masks, hand sanitizing and cleaning after each rehearsal. “They have been remarkably patient and respectful and have worked through the hardships of the new protocols. So many of them were so anxious to be a part of something that they are more than willing to respect the safety measures,” she added. And always, a silver lining shines through the direst situations. For the children’s theater, it’s the support it receives from parents and the extended community. “They donate, they show up to work and wear a mask, they paint with us and sew costumes, and they bring their kids to rehearsals prepared and respectful of all of our policies—which has made this tough time both bearable and rewarding,” Kemper said. “It’s truly humbling to be surrounded by so much love and support in this current climate.” Rolston has a similar experience. “People seem to be more receptive to helping each other and wanting everyone to be successful. It has been heartwarming too, to see our teaching artists step up and just figure out how to be successful teaching classes on line,” she said. Details: East Valley Children’s Theatre at evct.org; Studio 3 Performing Arts Academy: va.studio3arts.com; State 48 Theatre Company: state48theatre.com
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Understanding the path that leads to a full life BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. Guest Writer
The events we are experiencing – the nightmare of an uncontrollable disease; the indiscriminate killing of innocent adults and children; the inability to participate in a meaningful dialogue with both sides listening; the torment of extremism – should give us the understanding that we are in this thing together, and only together can we overcome. How many lives need to be lost before we understand that only we can make this happen? The one thing we all find comforting is the “blame game.” We somehow refuse to accept responsibility for our actions and look for someone to point a finger at. Our expectations seem to have gotten a little out of whack. People we consider responsible disappoint us and then the accusations – “if only…” – ring out in a chorus that drowns out reality. I wish there were some magic formula that would allow us to concentrate on the “life” we are supposed to live and exclude the tragic difficulties we are experiencing. I am left with the understanding that “life” requires us to follow the path that
leads to a full “life.” We can accomplish this by doing what is expected such as following the directions given us in the Book revealed through Divine inspiration. Open to any page and we can find comfort and solace and the true value of the gifts given to us by a caring and loving God... A God who now cries at what we are doing to each other. Perhaps then we will understand that there is a magic formula that seems to allude us, and it can also be found in hope and faith. The Prophet Micah
attempts to codify the obligations and meaning of faith with a simple statement: “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.” Think about it. If we are just in our dealings with each other and cease being judgmental then civility will be the result. If we are merciful in our dealings with each other and not acting as though compassion was a weakness, then our understanding will be enhanced. If we walk humbly with God, then for sure we will be accepting of others
regardless of the color of their skin, or their origin, or the way they demonstrate their fealty to God, we can then accomplish so many things that will bring laughter and joy and solidarity into our lives. All of us should pray for courage and conscience as we aim to support our country’s highest values and aspirations: the hard-won rights that define us as a people, and the responsibilities that they entail. Our founding fathers, human as they were, also knew that proclaiming Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, was not going to be accomplished with a slogan, but rather with hard work and the strength needed to make the effort a success. Let us pray that their wisdom and attempt at moral strength will be the incentive we need to remain guardians of these rights bequeathed us – and all people. This is the greatest gift we have brought to civilization. Have we lost sight of all we have meant to so many? Have we forgotten the value of life we emphasized with each stroke of our pen, with each drop of blood shed in behalf of these ideals? Have we abandoned God? I certainly hope not! Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.
Comet viewing teaches a lesson in being content BY LYNNE HARTKE Guest Writer
“I can’t believe I forgot my binoculars!” I double-checked the backseat, searching under the dog blanket. I unearthed cracker crumbs, dog hair, and granola bar wrappers, but no binoculars. Discouraged, I debated going home, but knew if I did, I would not return to this location, miles from ambient city lights. Grumbling, I grabbed a water bottle and my phone as I stepped out of the car. With social distancing a priority, I chose a spot on the stone wall far away from six other people at the scenic overlook as they set up expensive cameras, folding chairs and binoculars. One couple even had a cooler. My mood was not helped as I realized everyone else had come more prepared for viewing the Neowise comet. The comet was first discovered on March 27, 2020 by NASA’S Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE), from which it derived its name. My social media posts had been filled for several days with pictures of the comet taken by other sky watchers, stirring my desire to capture my own glimpse before the comet disappeared for 6800 years. Jupiter was the first light I noticed
in the east, heralding the arrival of the night. Archturus appeared next, followed by a few stars introducing Libra and Scorpius. As the minutes passed, it soon became impossible to name the individual stars, as hundreds, and then thousands, polka-dotted the evening fabric. “There’s the Big Dipper,” said an elderly man with his fancy camera on a tripod. “The comet should be under that.” “It is supposed to be visible from 8:30 to 11 pm,” said a young woman, checking her phone. I glanced at my watch. Almost 9. “There it is,” said the man as he pushed a button on his camera. “It’s playing hide-and-seek with that cloud. Cameras clicked around me as I squinted to where he pointed to the
northwestern horizon. I followed the ladle of the Big Dipper downward, stopping at what appeared to be a fuzzy star. A fuzzy object with a tail! The Comet Neowise! For the next thirty minutes, the comet continued its peek-a-boo ways with the clouds while a pair of bats divebombed over our heads. I was disappointed I had not brought my binoculars
but realized that if the global pandemic had taught me anything, it was that life didn’t need to be perfect, to be beautiful – a hard-fought lesson, I wanted to remember. With more hours stuck at home, my heart had struggled with discontent, either by the posting of angst by other exhausted people in quarantine – or on the flip side – all the posts of those who had it “better” than I did. A continuous cycle of I saw. I wanted. I tried. I failed. I felt depressed. “Be content with what you have,” the Bible says in Hebrews 13:5. No binoculars? Ah, but a night under the stars. No great photos? Oh, but a memory tucked in my heart. No comet for 6,800 years? Ah, but a fuzzy view today. An owl hooted in the distance as I focused my eyes heavenward. Lynne Hartke is the author of Under a Desert Sky and the wife of pastor and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. She blogs atlynnehartke.com.
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Commercial & Residential • Licensed & Insured • Owner Operator
Not a licensed contractor.
CLEANING SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Free estimates at 480-802-1992 or dennis@ simplygrand cleaningaz.com
CLEANING SERVICES
Five Acres of Plants
480.266.4589 josedominguez0224@gmail.com
• Weekly, biweekly, tri-weekly, or monthly; same talented crew each visit • Flexible, customized services to meet individual needs of each client • GREEN eco-friendly products used to clean and sanitize • Move-in/move-out and seasonal deep cleans • Small, family-owned company with GUARANTEED high quality services • Always dependable, excellent references, bonded, and insured
Since 1968
(480) 963-1061
David Cole • 480-215-4757
arizonacactussales.com
LANDSCAPE/MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPING
General Contacting, Inc. One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 www.miguelslandscapinginc.com
JENNIFER BEEBE References Available 20 Years Experience Bonded & Insured
Now Accepting all major credit cards
SUN LAKES PEST CONTROL
Lic# 8314
Protecting Homes Since 1975
480.895.8234
sunlakespestcontrol.com
Eliminating crawling pests, termites and weeds
55
$
Every-Other-Month
Control Service PLUMBING
24-HOUR SERVICE PLUMBING
480-892-5000 480-726-1600 24 HOUR SERVICE & DRAIN CLEANING &PLUMBING Rooter ABC & ROOTER 24/7
Best Senior Discount
Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!
Remodeling License ROC #183369 • Bonded, Insured
A+
HOME IMPROVEMENT
PAINTING
PAVERS, WATER FEATURES, FLAGSTONE, FIREPLACE, SOD, BBQ, SYNTHETIC GRASS, ROCK AND IRRIGATION
Since 1968
ROC#153202/213288
PLUMBING
CURE ALL PLUMBING FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Plans By Design AZ LLC
It’s a Clear Choice!
Family Owned & Operated
20% OFF
Quality Professional Cleaning
(480) 833-1027
480-688-4770
www.eastvalleypainters.com
mi.landscapinginc@hotmail.com
All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.
Not Enough Time in the Day? Call
Weekly, Bi-Weekly & Monthly
Free Estimates • Home of the 10 Year Warranty!
ABC Plumbing SAN TAN PLUMBING 480-726-1600
Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198
Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists
We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality
PEST CONTROL
QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL! 15 Years Experience • Free Estimates
10% OFF Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131
CARPET CLEANING
— SPRING SPECIALS —
Bonded & Insured
PAINTING
IRRIGATION
ROC# 195213 • Licensed & Bonded
CARPET/GROUT & TILE CLEANING
PAINTING
Considering a remodel, Need plans? Rodger Anderson • 480-223-3123 plansbydesignaz@outlook.com
Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs
We Are State Licensed and Reliable!
Free Estimates • Senior Discounts
480-338-4011
ROC#309706
Full Service Plumbing ★ No Job Too Small! • Drain & Sewer Cleaning • Water Heaters • Faucets • Fixtures • Electronic Leak Locating • Slab Leaks • Repiping - Free Estimates • Sewer Video & Locating - Senior Discounts! • Backflow Testing & Repair RESIDENTIAL & • Sprinkler Systems & Repairs • Water Treatment Sales & Service COMMERCIAL
480-895-9838
ROC #204797
DIRECTORY
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
41
DIRECTORY / CLASSIFIED PLUMBING
PLUMBING
1 HOUR RESPONSE
480-726-1600 $
5000 OFF
Work Completed!
ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER
SINCE 1968
PLUMBING
REPAIR or INSTALL Water Heaters • Faucets • Sinks Toilets • Disposals • Rooter Services Licensed • Bonded $ Insured
35 Off
PLUMBING
WINDOW CLEANING
• A licensed plumbing contractor for over 40 years • No Employees - Owner operated • Specializes in water heaters and all plumbing repairs • Located in Chandler
480-968-1371
Service Call
ROC #272721
Lic. ROC153202/213278, Bonded & Insured *CALL OFFICE FOR DETAILS
Plumbing C O
ROC 035930
John’s Window Cleaning The Owners Clean Your Windows!
1-Story $145 2-Story $165 Inside & Out Up To 30 Panes Screens Cleaned $3 each Additional Panes $3 each
Mobile Re-Screening
480.201.6471 SEWER AND DRAIN
PLUMBING
SEWER/DRAIN/SEPTIC
Affinity Plumbing LLC
ABC Plumbing & Rooter
480-487-5541
480-726-1600 FREE
affinityplumber@gmail.com
www.affinityplumbingaz.com
Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor
CARPET CLEANING
BIG JOHN'S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues. Upholstery cleaning also available. Tile and grout cleaning. For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 John Downs, Owner/Operator Ocotillo Resident. Call for Monthly Specials.
Email Your Job Post to: class@times publications.com or Call
480-898-6465
PLUMBING abcplumbingandrooter.com ROC 153202 Where Integrity Isn’t Watered Down. Since 1968 - 480-726-1600 1 hour response Emergency Response 24/7 A rated BBB *Free flush of water heater *Best senior discount: 20% off labor *$50.00 off with work done mention this ad Flood restoration, Water heaters, drain clogs, faucets, toilets, slab leaks, leak locating, & water main.
Stuff for Sale? Your Neighbors are ready to buy! Place your Ad today!
480-898-6465
Oooh, MORE ads online! Check Our Online Classifieds Too!
Licensed/Bonded/Insured
Since 1968 ROC#153202/213278
0 Financing Fast* 020%Financing Fast* 20% *Call for details. *Call for details. Senior Senior Discount! Discount! %
Not a licensed contractor
%
Classifieds St. Francis Cemetery Plots (48th St/Oak) 3 companion plots, section STA, plot 74, row 2, spaces 2, 3, 4 $5500 each o.b.o. easy to find. Lydia (619) 996-6147
People are looking at the Classifieds Every day!
Professional, hardworking, excellent service. No hidden fees. Whether you are moving in or moving out LEAVE THE LIFTING TO US! Serving the East Valley. www.inoroutmovers phoenixmetro.com Call Terry at 602-653-5367
48 YEARS In Business
35 OFF
CEMETERY LOTS
IN OR OUT MOVERS
Hotwater Heater Flush
• Anything Plumbing • Water Heaters • Inside & Out Leaks • Toilets, Faucets, Disposals • Same Day Service • Available 24/7 • Bonded & Insured • Estimates Available
$ Any Service
HIRING?
Four ads for $116.73 480-704-5422
EMERGENCY SERVICE www.abcplumbingandrooter.com
Kent Mortensen
MOVING
GLASS/ MIRROR GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS
Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates
WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113
Call Classifieds Today!
480.898.6465
CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM
Puzzle
WORD SEARCH: Time for Ice Cream!
LANDSCAPE/ MAINTENANCE
MANUFACTURED HOMES
A+ SPRINKLER REPAIR SERVICE Are you tired of fixing drip system leaks? 20 years exp repairing and replacing drip systems, valves, wire troubleshooting & timers. All repairs! Honest and reliable. East Valley Native. Call and compare prices! 602-826-4717 www.AplusSprinkler Repair.com
BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $58,900 Financing Available
Classifieds 480-898-6465
55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Loc. Call Kim 480-233-2035
HOME FOR RENT? Place it here! 81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!
Call Classifieds 480-898-6465
HANDYMAN A FRIEND IN ME HANDYMAN
Sell Your Stuff!
SanTanSun.com
Honey-Do List Electrical, Plumbing, Drywall, Painting & Home Renovations. Not a licensed contractor.
Call Greg 480-510-2664 AFriendInMeHandyman@gmail.com
Being home a lot right now means there’s more time for ice cream! Can’t find the flavor you want at the store? Make your own! Even if you don’t have a hand crank or electric ice cream maker, you can make an easy ice cream using zip bags. Put ice and salt in a gallon size bag, and the ice cream mixture in a quart size bag. Seal the small bag and place inside the bigger ice bag. Seal the big bag, then shake 5-10 minutes. Then it’s time for ice cream! FIND THE 10 ICE CREAM FLAVORS: Vanilla Strawberry Chocolate Coconut Peach Rocky Road Mint Chip Moose Tracks Carmel Pecan Raspberry Swirl
CB
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
For more community news visit SanTanSun.com
Sicilian Butcher pivots with Italian market SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
When the Sicilian Butcher opened in December at Chandler Fashion Center, owner Joey Maggiore was intent on bringing to the East Valley the same Italian cuisine that brought plaudits to his original restaurant in Phoenix near north Scottsdale. But then the pandemic struck the restaurant industry and the Sicilian Butcher is still serving up its craft meatballs, homemade pasta and other Italian delights – but in a way Maggiore could never have imagined last Christmas season. Maggiore has changed its business model -- from having a booming dining room that was once a place for family dinners and large gatherings to limited capacity for social distancing. To keep its doors open, he has come up with creative solutions to employ its staff and service the community amid a greater reluctance these days to dine-in. “We had an immense amount of support from the businesses and residents of Chandler as it was an anticipated location,” Maggiore said. When the pandemic struck, he explained, “as a family-operated, independently-owned restaurant group, we were fortunate to make quick decisions while planning how to reopen during the shutdown to quickly adapt to the changes and keep the dining room and kitchen open while keeping our staff employed. “We didn’t give up but instead became creative to conform to current times as the pandemic changed how the restaurant industry operates.” Instead of partnering with a thirdparty delivery service, Maggiore said, “We made the agile decision to provide an in-house delivery service for our customers who choose to dine at home.” The delivery team consists of a
Joey Maggiore, owner of the Sicilian Butcher and its adjacent Sicilian Baker at Chandler Fashion Center, boasts of some of the Italian pastries and other desserts he sells as well as the pasta that is made fresh at the restaaurant. (Facebook)
pasta – as well as curated olive oils, artisanal meats, cheeses, olives and more. “We rotate the grab-and-go items in the refrigerated section on a daily basis,” Maggiore said. “Guests can find pasta such as paccheri, mafalde or campanelle and sauces such as tomato herb, pesto, or parmesan.
“
We are humbled and inspired to have the opportunity to prioritize our faith and loving our neighbors through business ownership, and we look forward to welcoming guests into our shop and servicing their vehicles to ensure their safety on the road.
”
– Joey Maggiore
couple employees designated for all delivery phone orders and deliveries within a 10-mile radius – a service exclusive to the Chandler location. “We gave our front-of-the-house staff such as servers the opportunity to make extra income with the delivery service position,” Maggiore said. Maggiore also started a “grab-andgo market” at its sister restaurant next door, The Sicilian Baker. It offers pre-made family meals such as lasagna, meatballs, pasta sauces and
“We keep the Italian market at The Sicilian Baker fully stocked and fresh with new items added frequently. We recently brought in yellow tomatoes from one of our favorite producers.” “These are things we are making inhouse and we feel that the best Sicilian meals are made from fresh ingredients,” he continued. As it happened, he was in the process of creating a family style to-go menu before the shutdown, “so the decreased demand for prepared meals allowed us to reimagine the space for the market,
package some of our favorite pastas and pre-cooked ingredients and order some of our favorite Italian goods,” Maggiore said. “Our creative team has always wanted to have a grab-and-go Italian market at The Sicilian Baker,” he explained. “However, we didn’t have the space for it.” When the pandemic hit, “We moved the cafe tables outdoors and replaced the sitting area with the Italian market. During the shut-down, we quickly curated our favorite products from the top producers in Italy for the nonrefrigerated/dried goods section such as imported olives, olive oil, dried pasta, wine and coffee.” The market offers an assortment of pastries and other baked goods, sandwiches, and Sicilian desserts as well as fresh-made pasta and pasta sauces, hand rolled meatballs, chicken cutlets and take-and-bake lasagna in the refrigerated section. For in-house diners, The Sicilian Butcher is following all safety protocols and has a certified “disinfector,” employee testing and weekly disinfecting services. “These are an astronomical cost to the business, but it is now a reality they need to face if they want to keep operating,” Maggiore added. “We are covering employee testing,
weekly sanitation and virus vaporizing services, additional cleaning supplies, masks, paid sick leave as well as food costs from the times we have had to open and close without notice,” he added. Maggiore said there is still “definitely a large portion of the population that is reluctant to eat out, especially during the middle of summer when it is often too hot to eat on the patio.” But he said the Sicilian Butcher’s misting system, the enhanced safety protocols – and the restaurant’s reputation – is luring back patrons. “We have seen a lot of our clientele return for dine-in,” he said. “They appreciate the extra levels of care we are taking to keep them safe and the transparency we showed when we had early exposures.” And the Italian market has opened a new vista for the restaurant. “Families immediately responded to the gourmet grab-and-go meals,” he said. “They like having a different option from traditional grocery stores. Our customers have been purchasing our made-from-scratch fresh pasta, meatballs, sauces, and lasagna and can easily heat up these meals at the comforts of home. While they are picking up their meals, they also have been grabbing desserts like cannoli and gelato or coffee as a pick-me-up.” The Sicilian Butcher is located at 3151 W. Frye Road, Chandler. Information: 480-573-8550 or thesicilianbutcher.com Do you maintain social distancing at the bar and how do patrons seem to react to that? Yes, we do the best we can to monitor this. This is one of the reasons we have our disinfector. There has been some negative feedback at times, but overall people respect the need to keep other members of the community safe.
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020
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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 2, 2020