West Valley View: East August 23, 2017

Avondale woman fulfills promise

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

As a child in Virginia, Stephanie

Small was fascinated with stories about her family. She remembers her greatgrandmother, Mary Kennedy Rowe, keeping their spirits alive by sharing tales with her nightly in bed as the breeze came in through the windows.

Small was particularly intrigued by her great-uncle Willie Rowe, a corporal in the U.S. Army who went missing at age 22 during the Korean War.

“I used to constantly hear stories about him,” said Small, who now lives in Avondale. “She never believed he perished in Korea. She believed he was injured or had amnesia and that was keeping him from coming home.

“She would cry about it and talk about it. She constantly made me promise to bring her baby home. Being a child, I said, OK, but I had no idea what that really meant.”

Mary Kennedy Rowe died in the mid1980s, but Small made it her mission to bring her great-uncle home.

“At her gravesite, I told her I would figure out how to find him,” she said. “In the mid1990s, I saw an ad in the local newspaper.

It wasn’t a big story. It didn’t have a big photo or headline. It was just a really, really small ad that said, ‘If you have family members missing from any foreign war, just call this number.’”

Small did and from there she embarked on a decadeslong journey.

Fight for great-grandmother

That same day, Small spent hours on the phone, being transferred from one office to another, and trying to prove that she, indeed, had a missing relative overseas.

“They didn’t know me from a hole in the wall,” she said. “Finally, they gave me all of this information about him. That was around 1994.”

Small read witness accounts of what happened to her great-uncle, how he was captured and spent time in a POW camp. She asked for every piece of paper related to him and collected them in two 3-inch, three-ring binders.

Despite learning much about her grandfather’s last days and how he perished,

Avondale Vice Mayor Nielson passes away

By West Valley View staff

Avondale Vice Mayor Sandi Nielson died Saturday, August 19, after a long illness, she died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

“She was my inspiration over these last two years,” said Mayor Kenn Weise. “Every time I wanted to complain about something, I would always think about what she was going through. That slapped me back to reality.

“Her and (her husband) Curtis epitomized what love and faith truly mean. Their love for each other, and their faith in God, were truly inspiring. She will be missed, and I know, as a city, we will never forget how much of herself she gave to Avondale.”

Nielson was elected as councilwoman in 2014, with her four-year term beginning in January. Earlier this year, she was selected by her peers to serve as vice mayor. She has been actively involved in her community. Since 2006, she served as president of her neighborhood homeowners association; and board president of the Littleton Elementary School District Governing Board. Recently, she served on the Contributions Assistance Council Subcommittee and the Boards and Commissions Council Subcommittee. Previously she was a member of the board of directors for the Southwest Valley Chamber and was

chairwoman of the Avondale Interfaith Council. She was also on the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy Committee.

Nielson grew up in an Air Force family and was a Girl Scout when she was younger. She earned the First Class Award, now known

Avondale’s Stephanie Small tirelessly tracked down the remains of her great-uncle, Willie Rowe, who was captured during the Korean War. (West Valley View photo by Ray Thomas)

Sandi Nielson. (Photo courtesy City of Avondale) Nielson...continued on page 6

...continued from page 1

still there was no sign of his remains.

The military encouraged the maternal side of Small’s family—in particular her great aunt, Georgia Redcross—to give blood samples so if remains were found, they could be accurately identified. The military visited Redcross and Small’s mother, Yvonne Perry, to obtain cheek swabs in 2007.

Meanwhile, two years earlier, in 2005, North Korea allowed U.S. officials into the country to recover remains. Bones were found along the side of a road.

“The bones were placed there by someone,” Small said. “Either way, they were happy to recover those remains.”

The bones were sent to Hawaii and Small’s uncle received a call in March. Willie Rowe’s remains had been identified.

“I had been talking to the military on a yearly basis since 1994,” she said. “But the military notifies the oldest surviving member of the family.”

Word spread throughout the extended family. Her cousin, a retired command sergeant major, accompanied the remains from

Hawaii, where he was identifi ed, to Dulles International Airport in Virginia in mid-August. That was followed by a service at Arlington National Cemetery, where Rowe was buried with military honors. He received several medals, including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.

“It was beautiful,” Small said. “The chaplain who performed the military honors gave full accounts about the battle in which he was captured. He talked about the battle that took place that night and the thing my great uncle did to support and protect the other members of his infantry battalion.”

He was captured and later died of pneumonia and dysentery, according to witness accounts.

“When they were released from that POW camp around 1953, they gave their account as to how he perished,” she said. “Some of this was already in his military file.

“I read it over the years, but I think it was different to hear it come from a service member. He spoke about a soldier who did a wonderful, valiant, brave act many years ago. It was very moving for everyone in my family.”

Small wants other families of

missing soldiers to know that closure is possible.

“After 67 years, you want to give up,” she said. “But technology has changed. They are still bringing service members home. It’s extremely critical that family members contact the military and provide the samples they need so they can have something to match those remains to.”

Small is a firm believer in the military

creed of never leaving a soldier behind. “I never met my great uncle,” Small said. “But it was almost like I knew him. “I wanted to keep that promise to my great-grandmother. I loved her so much that, even in death, I wanted to give her that closure. I haven’t met the doctor who identified my great uncle’s remains, but the only thing I can say is there’s a great-niece who never met him who says thank you.”

Vasquez graduates from basic training

By West Valley View staff

U.S. Air Force Airman Kaley R. Vasquez graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland in San Antonio.

The 2017 Youngker High School graduate is the daughter of Keith A. and Julie A. Vasquez of Buckeye.

and skills.

Vasquez completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Roselle trains in military discipline

By West Valley View staff

U.S. Air Force Airman Owen R. Roselle graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio.

Roselle is the grandson of Kenton P. and Darlene Roselle of Goodyear; and Jim and Ramona Howe of Auburn, Washington. He is the son of Ryan O. and Amanda K. Roselle of Orton, Washington.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fit-

ness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Airman Owen R. Roselle is the grandson of Kenton P. and Darlene Roselle of Goodyear. (Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Air Force Airman Kaley R. Vasquez graduated from Youngker High School.

(Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force)

Stephanie Small, of Avondale, arranged to have her great-uncle, Willie Rowe, buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He was held in a POW camp during the Korean War and died from pneumonia and dysentery. (Photo courtesy Stephanie Small)

The West Valley View is a controlled-circulation weekly. It is published every Wednesday, and distributed free-of-charge to homes and in high-traffic locations throughout Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Buckeye and Tolleson.

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Donate blood, receive free taco

Avondale pilot LED streetlight conversion begins

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

“Maximize Your Impact” at any of United Blood Services’ six Valley donor centers through Thursday, August 31, and receive a free taco, courtesy of Rubio’s.

That includes the Goodyear Donor Center at 14270 W. Indian School Road, at Litchfield Road.

“Rubio’s is passionate about supporting the communities in which we operate,” said founder Ralph Rubio. “We are honored to partner with United Blood Services and for the opportunity to thank donors who are helping save lives.”

MAX donors help United Blood Services better meet the daily needs of Arizona hospital patients by giving the automated donation procedure that is most needed based on their blood type and physical attributes.

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially O-negative, the universal blood type that can be substituted for others in emergencies.

To make a donation appointment, call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-827-4376) toll-free or visit bloodhero.com and enter the ZIP code to find the nearest donor center.

Police need help identifying cop impersonator

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Avondale Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who is calling citizens claiming to be Sgt. Chris Cook or Sgt. Jason Cook.

He tells those who answer the phone that they have traffic violations or warrants out for their arrest, Officer Ray Emmett said. The caller doesn’t ask for money or any further personal information, however; he abruptly ends the call. The department does not have employees named Jason or Chris Cook, Emmett said.

Emmett is encouraging those who receive calls from someone claiming to be from police to ask for their name and serial number.

“The Avondale Police Department does not call citizens over the telephone to inform them of any active warrants they may currently have,” Emmett added.

Anyone with information is urged to call the police at 623-333-7000 or 623-333-7003.

By West Valley View staff

The city of Avondale is moving toward a citywide conversion from the existing high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights to light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Transitioning to LED streetlights has several direct benefits to the city and its taxpayers, including reduced annual operating and maintenance expenses, increased nighttime visibility to promote a safer community, and an approximate 50 percent reduction in energy use, which aligns with the city’s sustainability goals.

Residents already will have seen new LEDs on Avondale streets, as the city began installing LED fixtures on capital streets projects throughout 2016. This project will build on that momentum.

As part of this conversion, several pilot areas have been identified in neighborhoods throughout Avondale to display the LED streetlights and gather resident feedback.

Crews, working on the city’s behalf, started changing out the HPS streetlights August 16. Notifications will be sent directly to the homeowners living along

the specific roadways where the LEDs are to be installed. The lights will remain in the pilot areas for close to a month and the City Council will decide later whether to make the conversion permanent.

The neighborhoods included in this project are Rancho Santa Fe, Coldwater Springs, Garden Lakes, Cashion and portions of historic Avondale.

Avondale staff will host a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 18, at the City Hall Main Lobby (11465 W. Civic Center Drive) to share information about the LED Conversion Project in greater detail and gather feedback. Project information is also available at avondaleaz.gov.

Residents who are unable to attend the public meeting may call or email staff with questions, or they may respond to the LED Streetlight Questionnaire posted on the city’s Speak Up Avondale! forum, also located on the city website or by contacting Drew Bryck, environmental program manager, 623333-4220, dbryck@avondale.org.

Commission OKs APS rate hike

By West Valley View staff

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved Arizona Public Service Company’s request to raise electricity rates with a 4-to-1 vote.

APS originally sought a $165.9 million increase in its base revenue. The impact would have meant a 7.96 percent, or $11 monthly, increase on the average customer’s bill. The commissioners approved a lower increase that estimates a 4.54 percent, or $6 monthly, increase.

The new rates took effect August 19. Commissioners introduced several amendments, most that passed unanimously, adding cost-saving options, exploring environmental innovations and expanding technology initiatives.

The approved APS application creates more rate design options, including time of use and demand rates to help customers manage their energy and save money. The company was ordered to create a comprehensive education campaign to help customers understand their choices and make

decisions about what best benefits their families’ needs. Commissioner Boyd Dunn introduced an amendment that orders APS to create an accelerated timeline for the rollout of its consumer education program.

“One major thing I wanted to focus on in one of my amendments was ensuring customers have enough time to try out the options that are out there,” Dunn said. “I felt it was important, also, to extend the time where some current rate options will disappear.”

battery storage. Commissioner Doug Little’s amendment creates an optional storage-friendly rate for businesses and large utility users. Tobin’s amendment instructed APS to do a cost-benefit analysis of getting storage when acquiring new resources and making a full comparison to current resources and technology.

showed who they really work for – not the citizens of Arizona, but a regulated monopoly who invested many millions of dollars to elect its regulators of choice,” he said.

Commissioner Andy Tobin added an amendment that requires APS to develop a program for water utilities that would reduce water loss, improve energy consumption and reduce peak demand.

Several commissioner amendments focused on creating incentives for

“Energy storage is a valuable tool for electric utilities to comply with the state’s energy policies,” Tobin said. “APS should explore these energy storage opportunities on a more regular and specific basis because of the potential of helping utilities manage demand while offering opportunities for new investment and consumer service options.”

Commissioner Bob Burns was the only dissenting vote.

“Today, my fellow commissioners

“As a thank you for the many millions, my allegedly ‘conservative’ colleagues gave APS a $95 million/ year rate increase – all on the backs of Arizona’s families and businesses. An unjustified ‘tax’ of an additional $6 per month for 1.2 million Arizonans is not conservative. Forcing the free market to subsidize a monopoly is not conservative. Forcing captive ratepayers to pay the CEO of a monopoly $50,000 a day is not conservative.”

“Big government,” he said, gives big sums of money to a “big monopoly” drives away free-market companies wanting to come to Arizona and pay low electricity rates.

“These big spending policies are not a win for Arizona ratepayers, but are a big win for APS.”

Commissioner Bob Burns was the only dissenting vote.

(Photo courtesy Bob Burns)

Attorney for freeway opponents encouraged by appeals court order

By Paul Maryniak

The lawyer for one of the groups asking for an immediate temporary halt in further work on the South Mountain Freeway said he is encouraged by the latest order handed down by an appellate court panel considering the request.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit last week ordered that Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children should identify areas in Ahwatukee that would be subjected to blasting before a panel of judges hears oral arguments in the case on October 19.

“I took the order as a very good sign,” PARC attorney Howard Shanker said. “It means that somebody is actually thinking about the environmental harms we are alleging. They also gave us an open-ended invitation to make our reply brief as long as we want.”

The reply brief involves responses by PARC and the Gila River Indian Community to briefs filed last week by federal and state highway agencies that asked the court to reject a request for a temporary halt of bridge work and blasting in Ahwatukee until the appeal is decided.

Lawyers representing the Arizona

Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration said “no damage to nearby structures will occur” from blasting tentatively scheduled this month in areas west of 24th Street and beyond Desert Foothills Parkway.

Both Ahwatukee-based PARC and the Gila Community have claimed that bridge work and the impending blasting will irreparably damage the environment along the Pecos Road corridor.

Both groups and other environmental organizations are appealing a federal judge’s ruling in July 2016 that cleared the way for the $1.7-billion project to begin.

The 22-mile freeway will connect the 59th Avenue I-10 interchange in the West Valley with the Chandler Interchange, giving an estimated 140,000 vehicles a day a bypass around downtown Phoenix and chronically congested Broadway Curve.

“This court has expressly declined to adopt a rule that any potential environmental injury automatically merits an injunction,” the Arizona Attorney General’s office said on behalf of ADOT.

It said PARC sought “a third bite of

the apple” to stop the work, referring to denials of previous injunction requests by both the appellate panel and U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa.

“The only change since this court’s prior ruling is that the previously disclosed construction in the Pecos Road Segment is further along,” the attorney general said.

“The blasting activities will be conducted in accordance with stringent regulations adopted by the City of Phoenix and recommended by the U.S. Bureau of Mines,” it said, citing an expert’s testimony that “no damage to nearby structures will occur.”

“Controlled rock blasting using modern technology and methodology ensures that ground vibrations are well below thresholds that could result in even cosmetic cracking,” it added. “Crews will monitor all controlled blasting activities to ensure that such activities do not result in any harm to structures.”

The agencies also warned that even a temporary halt in construction of the freeway, scheduled to open in late 2019, “has the potential to cause

substantial harm to the public.”

“The harms to the public include an increased cost to the public of $188,000 for each day the project is delayed; increased costs to the traveling public in the form of additional travel time delays; delay of project benefits, including improved regional air quality, reduced energy usage, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased traffic safety, and projection of cultural resources.”

They also contended that as many as 9,900 jobs would be affected, although the actual number of construction workers totals around 1,400.

“These harms are in stark contrast to the insignificant and speculative harms claimed by PARC,” the attorney general said.

They also said PARC knew blasting would occur and that it “never asserted injuries from blasting or bridge construction in its earlier motion, or at any time in the eight months since that motion was denied.

“PARC’s tardiness in alleging injuries from these planned activities undercuts its plea for urgent action by this court,” the attorney general said.

The agencies’ lawyers also noted that “construction commenced on September 12, 2016 with elaborately sequenced activities common to highway projects—surveying, utility identification, plant salvage, clearing, grading, utility relocations, paving, drainage, retaining walls, noise walls and bridge construction.”

The court did not indicate when it might rule on the injunction request, but said that any reply by PARC and the Gila Community to the government agencies’ assertions “shall specifically address the location of the blasting that is anticipated to take place before the scheduled oral argument.”

Nielson...continued from page 1 as the Gold Award, the highest level award that can be achieved. Nielson moved to Arizona in 1976 with her husband, who recently retired from a career as a metallurgical engineer. They lived in Tucson and San Manuel before making Avondale their home in 2004.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nielson is also survived by four children and 15 grandchildren.

Services were not available at press time.

Family. Future. Commitment.

Dear Neighbor:

Please consider these few paragraphs an introduction and an invitation.

My name is Steve Strickbine. My company, Times Media Group, recently bought the West Valley View from its founder, Elliott Freireich and the Freireich family.

As a longtime reader of the View and a fan of its “in the streets” brand of community journalism, I feel an abiding respect for what this publication has delivered to you and your family for decades.

At the same time, all of us at TMG are excited to help the newspaper evolve toward a brighter, better future.

As with every transition, I’m certain that we’ll face a few bumps along the way. That’s why I want to extend to you the invitation mentioned above.

We want to hear from you.

If you don’t receive your newspaper, please be sure to contact our circulation department at: circulation@WestValleyView.com

If you have a story idea, or you see something that we could be doing better, please send your tip to Christina@WestValleyView.com

And if you have a thought for me personally, please drop me a line at Steve@WestValleyView.com

For more than 32 years now, the View has been the voice of the West Valley. Every reporter and editor, every sales team member, and every member of our team has worked hard to bring you stories that matter – and to make our community better and our future brighter.

We will continue that commitment.

Thank you letting us inside your home. Thank you for reading the West Valley View.

We look forward to the future. The best, as the saying goes, is yet to come.

Goodyear police arrest suspect for attempted murder

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

A 21-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to murder his estranged mother in Goodyear, according to police.

Gabriel Anthony Torres was arrested and booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on charges of burglary in the first degree, attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, said Lisa Kutis, Goodyear Police Department spokeswoman. He is being held on $250,000 bond.

Kutis was arrested on Tuesday, August 15, after Goodyear police responded to a reported gunshot wound near 152nd Avenue and Pierson. Torres’ mother called 9-1-1 and was transported to a hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

After police arrived, two other occupants exited unharmed. Torres was eventually arrested.

Avondale Fire, Council discuss fire code

By Israel Gonzalez

The Avondale City Council approved the adoption of a new fire code on August 14 aimed at attracting developers and streamlining local inconsistencies with other cities across the state.

The Avondale Fire Department created the new one based on Phoenix’s code after frequent complaints from contractors and developers. They said Avondale’s fire code was complicated, compared to other cities in Arizona. The new fire code will become effective 30 days after adoption.

“The advantages, obviously, are the Phoenix code is used pretty much by all the various developers and architects,” said Avondale Fire Chief Paul Adams. “I can’t think of any of the architects or developers who will be operating in Avondale who don’t also operate in Phoenix.”

The new code changes fire flow requirements, reduces local alarm requirements and improves fire lane requirements.

The changes to fire flow requirements, which is the estimated amount of water it will take a fire department to contain a fire, will help developers build a variety of buildings in Avondale.

“It allows businesses to build buildings that are a little larger than

they normally would have been or use a different construction method that reduces costs for them,” said Jason Napier, Avondale fire marshal.

Napier explained that a 10,000-square-foot hotel would be limited to three floors under the old code but would be able to build a fourth floor under the new rules without any negative impacts to firefighters.

The new code also eliminates some local alarm requirements, requiring fewer devices in buildings. The local requirements were more restrictive than the state minimum and required more devices than were needed, Napier said.

“All we’re really doing is removing a local amendment that we found is kind of arduous and costly for the business community that was over and above the minimum standard that all other residents of Arizona will have,” Napier said.

Another side effect of having multiple devices was the false alarm rate of the devices, Napier said. The new requirements will lead to fewer business interruptions and reduced false alarm responses for the fire department, he added.

Another big change for developers was reducing the required amount

of fire lane signs. The Main Event Entertainment building in Avondale, for example, requires 14 fire line signs and that hurts aesthetics, Napier said.

“The planners like to refer to that as the ‘porcupine’ because there are so many signs sticking out of the ground,” Napier said. “But it met the code that we had. So, this one, if that were to be built again with a new complex, would have to have about four signs in the red paint.”

The new fire code is written for new buildings and constructions, but current building owners can petition to be under the new code’s umbrella. The council responded positively to the new fire code.

“I’m happy to see that we’re streamlining this,” said Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise. “I know it’s been a complaint of developers and even small business owners if they try and get through that document.”

Other changes include enabling unattended motor vehicle fueling, which would standardize Avondale with statewide practices, and establishing a standard code enforcement process, which outlines and helps city staff understand the process when handling code enforcement complaints.

Avondale seeking input for revitalization

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Avondale’s Neighborhood and Family Services Department is requesting community input on revitalization activities in Cashion, Historic Avondale, Las Ligas and Rio Vista. The information gathered will be used to develop action plans in addition

to cultivating stronger relationships between city officials, residents, business owners and community organizations within the target areas. There are multiple ways to get involved. Visit avondaleaz.gov/neighborhood revitalizationsurvey to take a short survey or visit avondaleaz.gov for upcoming meeting times and locations. For more information, contact Keisha Cyriaano, neighborhood revitalization manager, at kcyriaano@avondaleaz.gov or call 623-333-2725.

Gabriel Anthony Torres. (Photo courtesy Goodyear Police Department)

OUR READERS’ VIEWPOINTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Desperate change needed for Liberty school district

Editor:

In a letter on August 16, Dr. Andrew Rogers stated Liberty Elementary School District’s academic performance is improving. I am not sure what AZ Merit scores he was looking at, but one school in the district went from 85 percent in 2009 to 59 percent in 2016, while another went from 44 percent to 28 percent. Oh, and the pledge of support from the governing board was written by Dr. Rogers himself, as admitted in the West Valley View in March.

Dr. Rogers says our schools are increasing in numbers because of houses being built, but many of our students are leaving for charters. I also question the motives of board members Thad McCloud, Mike Newman and Regina Simmons. McCloud has moved out of state and no longer resides in the district. He refuses to resign and is taking up a seat on our very important governing board. He does not have our children’s best interests at heart.

Since January, Newman and Thad have each missed four meetings and three have been canceled. Newman, McCloud and Simmons (appointed) will not answer phone calls, emails or texts from their constituents. They lack dedication.

Liberty Elementary School District is under investigation with the Arizona ombudsman’s office due to violations that have occurred with public records requests. It is also being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office for violation of open meeting laws under the direction of Dr. Andy Rogers. He continues to get performance raises of 10 percent, while our district is suffering and test scores are falling. Dr. Rogers needs to be held accountable for his devious and unlawful actions. The corruption in this district is like none other!

Emily Snyder Goodyear

Teen workers need support of residents

Editor:

While driving to work, I heard a story about the growing percentage of

teens who don’t work. The major reason? Retail businesses aren’t hiring. Instead, they’re reducing jobs at a rapid pace. Think about that the next time you order just about everything online. We can’t complain about lazy kids if we’re the reason for it! The recent move by Amazon to buy Whole Foods means they could soon start to swallow up grocery chains. Amazon is known for automating almost everything it does. Think about how this could shrink local tax income and retail jobs, especially for teens. Maybe it’s time to put down our electronic devices, actually leave our homes, and support the local community.

Karla Thompson Avondale

School district clarification

Editor:

In response to Rich Kane in the August 9, 2017, West Valley View (“Curious about school districts”), the school districts were here first. Their boundaries have been more or less the same for decades. Every time the city gobbles up more land, it runs the risk of getting another district, such as the 12-student mobile district.

There is no such thing as a bond override, or overrides on current bond elections. They are two separate things. Bonds are like mortgages, a loan to buy buildings for the most part. Districts are limited to having outstanding bonds at a small percentage of the district-assessed valuation. Once the citizens vote for the bond sale, they are all not sold immediately and may not ever be sold if the time frame to sell them runs out before the bonding capacity is available. One thing to remember: If the Legislature properly funded the agency mandated to build the schools, most bonds would not be required for the districts to build or repair their schools.

Overrides are the local communities’ ability to fund their schools at more than the small amount the state gives them. Also limited to a small percentage of a portion of the school district budget, it is used for maintenance and operation of the district – a fancy way of saying employee salaries and ben-

efits, as over 85 percent of the M&O is for that. That additional funding is valid for seven years, but the citizens have to reapprove it after four years or it starts decreasing.

You are not taxed for the six districts, only the two you are within. Sometimes it is every year for one or the other, and sometimes it is not, but it seems like it.

School board elections are coming up. Contact County Superintendent Steve Watson to see how you can serve on your local board.

Richard Hopkins Buckeye

APS increase unwarranted

Editor:

Well, maybe I just fell off of the turnip truck – or not – but why is APS

getting an average $6 rate increase per customer approved by our AZ Corporate Commission?

Maybe it is because APS provides political funds to politicians who are running for election to the Arizona Corporate Commission and other state political offices? I guess they have money to give away in political campaigns to be sure the “right person” gets elected but they now need a “rate increase” to help with energy costs? Is there something wrong with this picture? Don’t be giving money away and then try to make it up on the backs of your customers. Shame on the Arizona Corporate Commission. Try to remember who they are so when election time comes up they get the boot. Just like at the federal level, when money and influence changes hands our representatives do not truly represent their constituents.

Larry Carter Goodyear

Confederate memorials should remain – but only in museums

By David Leibowitz

The first time someone ever mailed me a swastika was back in my New Jersey days, when I made a full-time living peddling opinions in newsprint. Some members of the Aryan Nation announced an upcoming rally to protest gay rights and, to honor the event, I explained that Neo-Nazism seemed to me like a disease begging to be cured at the business end of a Louisville Slugger. We didn’t have email back then, which was a blessing because people who hated you had to draw memes by hand and spend 40-some cents on postage. The mail was more of an event then, full of misspelled vitriol and chicken-scratch hate. Rest assured, when your last name is Leibowitz and you anger the Hitler Youth, you will see swastikas. The ugly symbol never made much of an impression on me. I used to tell myself it was a German mark denoting idiocy – an emblem that said more about the drawer’s lack of intellect than anything about the viewing audience.

Easy for me to say, I see now. Because the hateful images people mailed – the

swastikas, the cut-out pictures of old Adolf, the slurs – were not commissioned as statues displayed on public grounds. I did not have to walk past, say, the Nazi equivalent of the memorial to Confederate soldiers that sits across the street from the Arizona state Capitol. Nor have I ever had to drive on a public highway named after the Third Reich equivalent of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy who has been honored with a stretch of the U.S. 60 southeast of Apache Junction.

That’s why I support the idea of banishing these Civil War memorials to a museum, and erasing Jefferson Davis Highway and also Robert E. Lee Street, which cuts east-west across north Phoenix and Scottsdale north of Bell Road.

You say, “Gosh, people are way too sensitive these days. It’s just a statue, just

a street name, just a reminder of America’s history.” I say, “To you maybe. But to other people, these things are scars, reminders of wounds so deep they still ache generations later.”

Let me be as clear as I know how to be. General Lee and those Confederate soldiers we’re honoring took up arms against this nation in the support of slavery and secession. They were not heroes. They were traitors. Slavers. They killed Union soldiers – Americans.

In a few weeks, when our country pauses on September 11 to honor and recall the civilians, firefighters and police officers murdered in cold blood on that awful day in 2001, we won’t also offer a few kind words and prayers for the 19 murderers who brought the terror.

To do so would be unseemly, unpatriotic, un-American.

Not unlike, say, flying the Rebel flag

over the state Capitol – an event that actually happened in 1961 to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Civil War. That was also the year the Confederate memorial was erected in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

We’re a different Arizona today than we were almost a half-century ago – though perhaps not yet different enough when it comes to the issue of race. You say, well, they’re only statues, markers, streets names. Great. If they’re “only” meaningless words and objects, then let’s remove them. Most of us will never notice the difference. And most of those who do notice will fall into one of two categories:

People who see these memorials as hurtful, unnecessary celebrations of America’s ugliest legacy. Or idiots who think General Lee, Jefferson Davis and those Confederate war dead were a bunch of great guys.

So, friend, which are you?

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@ leibowitzsolo.com.

David Leibowitz. (Photo courtesy Advisor Group)

Luxury camping comes first with Goodyear company

By Tim J. Randall

“Glamping,” or glamorous camping, is for those who love the outdoors but don’t necessarily want the chores that go with it.

Arizona Luxury Expeditions founder Don Stevens seeks to help folks who prefer that way of camping.

“Most guests are not campers,” said Stevens, whose company is based in Estrella Mountain Ranch, Goodyear. “We want them to go beyond a normal vacation and have a true and authentic experience at incredible locations.”

Stevens strives to deliver exceptional amenities to patrons with safari-like camping adventures.

“One of my favorite movies was Out of Africa,” Stevens said. “I wanted to emulate that feeling and set the mood.”

Guests can expect 12-foot-by-12foot luxury exhibition tents with 9-foot ceilings, incredible food and campsites with vintage and authentic memorabilia and recliners and hammocks.

“It is all about comfort,” he said. “I like to think it is Ralph Lauren goes camping. On a recent trip we had a dinner of filet mignon, broccoli, mashed

potatoes and glazed carrots and a breakfast of eggs Benedict.”

Since opening three and a half year ago, Stevens has seen solid growth.

“My wife, Lorraine, and I slowly incubated and built the brand,” he said.

Stevens offers packages like “Natural Wonders and Monuments,” “Jewels of Arizona,” “Fall and Winter Tours” and “Custom Glamping Tours.”

Patrons visit the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Navajo National Monument and Horseshoe Bend among others.

“The Grand Canyon trip is by far the most popular,” Stevens said.

Trips range from two to five days and are led by a professional guide and one camp assistant, both of whom handle the campsite, cooking, cleanup and activities.

“We let the guests enjoy their time and relax,” he said.

Stevens’ idea for the business was born out of his love of camping and backpacking.

“I spent 10 years doing one-day trips to the Grand Canyon,” he said. “By the time you spent eight to nine

Business Briefcase

By Connor Dziawura

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of Business Briefcase! The West Valley business world is booming with news this week, as there is plenty of information about everything ranging from new business launches to funding opportunities for small startups.

The city of Avondale is introducing a Small Business Lending Program

Available throughout the year depending on available funding, the program allows small businesses in Historic Avondale, Cashion, Las Ligas and Rio Vista to seek loans of up to $50,000. The program is a partnership between the City of Avondale Neighborhood & Family Services Department and Prestamos CDFI LLC. Prestamos has more than 30 years of experience funding small businesses, and the program recommends applicants use the funds for furniture, fixture and equipment, among other uses.

DHI Title Agency will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new location in Litchfield Park at noon Friday,

hours driving, guests only had a couple of hours to appreciate the sights,” said Stevens, who formerly worked for a travel company.

“I heard consistently from guests that they wanted more time at these great natural wonders.”

Combining a genuine experience with longer and more meaningful itineraries, the couple averages one or two trips a week.

“She helps with preparation and marketing,” he said. “There are a lot of logistics involved to make these happen.”

Next up: expanded winter trips, including Thanksgiving and Christmas events.

“We had a Thanksgiving trip last year and we cooked two 15-pound turkeys using infrared cookers,” he said.

Geographical expansion will also

involve a Utah presence in Zion and Bryce.

Stevens’ goal is to continue delivering excellence to his customers.

“Our plans are fluid and not as structured as with other companies,” he said. “We want our guests to step out of the ordinary.”

For more information, call 623242-5420 or visit azluxtours.com.

August 25. The branch is at 503 E. Plaza Circle Drive, Suite D. DHI’s other locations include Glendale, Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Rubio’s Coastal Grill will open a new location at 10321 W. McDowell Road, Avondale, on Thursday, August 31. The well-known California restaurant will donate 50 percent of sales to Desert Oasis Elementary School on opening day. Rubio’s will also host contests and opportunities for three lucky patrons to win one year of free Rubio’s. While the popular Mexican grill specializes in fish tacos, Rubio’s also features a variety of items ranging from chicken and steak to nachos and quesadillas.

Buckeye began modifying Monroe Avenue on August 14. The project is expected to be complete near the end of September. Monroe Avenue will be closed to complete the renovations. This historic location will also be updated with stamped asphalt crosswalks and plenty of landscape planters.

Arizona Luxury Expeditions founder Don Stevens is hoping soon to offer trips to Utah. (Photo courtesy Arizona Luxury Expeditions)

Verrado woman’s death leads to ‘sweet’ business

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Richard Elwell speaks adoringly of his late wife, Melinda or “Mindy.” But when he talks about her love of chocolate and her desire to help people, his voice lowers.

“Mindy is my wife,” said Elwell, of Verrado. “She always wanted to help people. It didn’t matter who they were or what they were. She would stop whatever she was doing and say hello, and give them the time and give them the respect.”

When Mindy died in 2016 after a fiveyear battle with brain cancer, Elwell yearned to keep her spirit alive. So, he, Lisa Urrabazo and Adalberto Castellanos combined their careers in the luxury packaging industry with Mindy’s love of chocolate to “create a new way for people to give and spread love.”

This month, the Avondale-based MAE Fine Foods was born. The company, named after Mindy’s initials, is rooted in gift giving at its 2,500-squarefoot, state-of-the-art kitchen.

The corporate-gifting company offers chocolate bonbons and French macarons in flavors like pistachio, sea salt caramel, matcha green tea, chai lovers, passion

fruit, palat d’or and hazelnut crunch.

Elwell is taking MAE Fine Foods’ evolution in phases. The company’s website went live August 1. Organizations wishing to order gifts for their employees or clients, can download addresses to drop ship to up to 1,000 locations.

Next is to partner with charities.

“Who can we help? How can we help? That’s where we’re at right now,” he said. “Beyond that, we’re in the planning stages.”

Also in MAE Fine Foods’ future is a liquor license, so the trio may pair wines and champagne with the chocolates.

Coming to Arizona

Elwell’s luxury packaging company, Global Packing Group, had branches in Boston, Dallas and Phoenix. While living in their hometown of Boston, the Elwells visited Arizona during Christmas 2004. They fell in love with it, bought a house in Verrado and moved in August 2005.

“We were going to come for a year,” said Elwell, the father of three. “It was hot and then it rained for three weeks

WEST VALLEY VISION CENTER

straight. It was humid. We thought, ‘What did we do?’ But then we realized we would be in shorts and flipflops the rest of the year. That was a long time ago.”

During her struggle with cancer, Mindy penned the 211-page book “Defy and Conquer: A State of Mind Against Terminal Brain Cancer” (Balcony Media and Publishing, $17.99). It includes MRI analyses, surgical notes for needle biopsies and tumor removal procedures, pathology reports, educational contributions from a renowned tumor researcher and a comprehensive overview, tips, food choices, menus and guidelines for the Ketogenic Diet, all from her team at Barrow Neurological Institute.

building relationships with the community and other people. You know you’re not alone. There are other people who have gone through it. There is joy in the after. You’re shattered and you’re broken, but there are ways to keep moving forward. You need that community support.”

“She said, ‘It’s not so scary. Here are some of the things I did,’” Elwell said about the book. “The spiritual chapters in there are really from the heart. I’ve given a lot of those books away.”

While Mindy was ill and Elwell served as her caretaker, Urrabazo and Castellanos told him, “We have your back.”

“Caregiving is full time and then some,” Elwell said. “We’re a tight-knit family. We appreciate each other. From that came chocolate because Mindy loved chocolate.”

Urrabazo said she’s amazed by the clients who have come to her through MAE Fine Foods. Many of the connections are through cancer and loss.

“It’s the connectivity,” she said. “We’re

Urrabazo called MAE Fine Foods the perfect avenue to honor Mindy because the company’s goals are “the essence of who she was.”

“The company is going to grow itself,” she said. “Not because we’re trying to manipulate the story. The heart of this is to keep building this legacy for her family. It’s important for his children to see their dad moving forward and keep dreaming.”

MAE Fine Foods’ corporate office is at 1250 N. Fairway Drive, Building C, Suite 105, Avondale. To place orders, call 1-800-454-4MAE, email service@maefinefoods.com or visit maefinefoods.com.

Marques Houser of MAE Fine Foods airbrushes molds before chocolate is poured. (West Valley View photo by Kimberly Carrillo)

MAE Fine Foods was founded by, from left, Adalberto Castellanos, Lisa Urrabazo and Rich Elwell. (West Valley View photo by Kimberly Carrillo)

Phoenix ready to scorch the competition

By Casey Pritchard

There’s excitement in Dustin Johnson’s voice when he talks about his Tonopah Valley football team. The Phoenix head coach has a reason for optimism this season.

“I’ve been preaching and telling our football team that since I’ve been here at Tonopah Valley, this is easily the biggest, fastest and strongest football team we’ve had, including that 9-2 team,” said Johnson, who’s in his fifth year.

head coach. He spent the previous three years at Tonopah as an assistant to Nick Gehrts, who took over the Westview job in 2016. Now, Johnson and his staff have a bit more experience under their belts.

FOOTBALL

“Whether we’re the most athletic and whether we’re the most competitive, we’ll find out. But this is the biggest, fastest and strongest. There’s no doubt.”

Tonopah’s best season came in 2015 when Johnson was an assistant coach. After a 9-1 regular season, the Phoenix lost to Miami in the first round of the 2A state playoffs. This year, Johnson doesn’t know what to expect, but he likes how things are coming together.

“Things are progressing the way we feel like they should,” Johnson said. “The kids we lost, we’ve definitely done a great job of replacing. The ones who have come into those positions are working extremely hard, and a couple transfer kids from other schools will be big helps for us.”

Tonopah is coming off a 5-5 season. They were 5-2 before losing their last three contests. Johnson said 2016 wasn’t easy for a couple of different reasons.

“We had a lot of injuries,” Johnson said. “A big key to our defensive line moved midseason. So, changing things up as much as we had to, it wasn’t super-easy. We had a lot of guys going both ways, and by the time we got to those last three games, we were pretty bruised up and banged up, missing some key people.”

Last year was Johnson’s first as a

“We all learned from (last year),” Johnson said. “We had a lot of firsts last year. We had a lot of kids start for the first time. It was my offensive coordinator’s first time being an offensive coordinator. It was my defensive coordinator’s first time being a defensive coordinator. Me, I was a first-year head coach. We grew as a team through those bumps and bruises.”

With a year of experience for everybody, Johnson said, the team is ready to bounce back.

“The kids’ attitude has been fantastic, and they’re ready to roll,” he said. “Camp was amazing up at Williams.”

The Phoenix spent four days up north, building character and bonding. They also spent time running hills as part of their conditioning.

“Last year when we went, we ran some hills, but we conquered some big hills this year, literally,” Johnson said. “We tried to find the biggest mountains we could climb, and ran up them. A lot of those things built up our team.”

Although Tonopah has new faces this year, there are some key players from last year’s squad who have returned. One of those is senior quarterback Chris Davis, who is totally healthy nearly two years after suffering a season-ending injury as a sophomore, Johnson said.

“He tore pretty much every ligament in his knee,” Johnson said.

The injury happened halfway through the season, but he didn’t have surgery until December 2015, so his recovery

was still in progress by the start of his junior year.

“Having an injury like that kind of affected his head, but he’s back and ready to go,” Johnson said. “He’s slinging the ball all over.”

Davis is a dual-threat quarterback.

In 2016 he passed for 1,015 yards and 10 touchdowns, while running for 345 yards and six scores.

Junior running back Angelo Anderson also returns. His season was cut short because of an ankle injury, but he still managed to rush for 870 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.

“Eight hundred yards in eight games is pretty good,” Johnson said. “He’s just an athlete. He’s as good at basketball as he is at football. He’s just one of those guys who is naturally talented.”

Junior Dalton Thompson is playing wide receiver again. He had only five catches for 51 yards last year, but Thompson has been catching the ball

well, Johnson said.

“He hit his growth spurt and probably grew four, five inches and added 30, 40 pounds just over the offseason,” he said of 6-1, 170-pound junior. “He runs some of the best routes I’ve seen in high school.”

The offensive line also will play an important role for the Phoenix, and they’re big. Every player is more than 200 pounds and can bench-press 200 pounds, Johnson said. The anchor of the line is Pablo Beltran at 6-3, 280.

A transfer student from Peoria Centennial, Tristian Diaz is 250 pounds, while Christian Sanchez is 220 and Cody Isabel is just over 200.

A big help for the Phoenix has been getting Josh Oliver back as the offensive line coach. Oliver spent last season with Gehrts at Westview, but returned to Tonopah.

Cooper Arndt of Tonopah Valley gains a first down during a scrimmage against North Pointe Prep August 17 at Moon Valley High School. (West Valley View photo by Ray Thomas)

Topgolf swinging its way into Glendale

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Thanks to the crowds that Gila River Arena and University of Phoenix Stadium attract, Glendale will be the home to Arizona’s fourth Topgolf facility in 2018.

“Based on the numbers seen coming into the Scottsdale and Gilbert locations, it proved we could support another location in the Phoenix area,” said Morgan Wallace, Topgolf’s senior communications specialist. A Tucson location is opening this fall.

“Glendale is growing quickly, too. It’s a prime spot we’re going to have across from the stadium. That location just made sense for us.”

Topgolf Glendale will be located along the northwest corner of the Loop 101 and Bethany Home Road. The 13.1-acre property was purchased from the city of Glendale. Wallace added that the accessibility to the Loop

101 was ideal. Like the Scottsdale and Gilbert locations, Topgolf in Glendale will be very visible, with its high netting.

Open year-round, the three-level Glendale location will include up to 3,000 square feet of private event space and climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at a time. Officials estimate that Topgolf Glendale will serve approximately 450,000 visitors in its first year.

The move of Topgolf into Glendale will create 500 full- and part-time jobs. Its economic output in Glendale is expected to exceed $264.5 million over a 10-year period, according to a third-party audit.

Residents can track Topgolf’s progress in Glendale at Facebook. com/topgolfglendale and @Topgolf on Twitter and Instagram.

Three things I’ve learned

1. With Spring comes longer and brighter

2. Brighter days mean using more sun

Phoenix...continued from page 13

“Josh Oliver is a major, major cog in our team,” Johnson said. “He’s someone that makes our line 10 times better than it’s ever been.”

wasn’t working correctly, Johnson said.

3. I can still enjoy time outside without giving up my glow

Defensively, one of the standouts is Jess Pennington, who had 150 tackles last season.

Sebastian Young will play strong safety.

“He had heart surgery and so we’re really rallying around Darren,” Johnson said. “He’s someone who is a big part of us, and we want to be there for him. I’ve mentioned these players and what they bench, and what they weigh, but the heart that Darren has really brings us together and really is the glue that can kind of keep us going.”

Don’t let the sunny skies outshine your beauty; choose ThreeForMe laser treatments to get your own glow.

“He’s 5-10, 160 and he’s, hands down, easily the strongest kid in the entire school,” Johnson said. “He’s benching and power cleaning out the gym. He’s another one that’s going to step up and be a huge, huge part of our team.”

Tonopah has 60 athletes in its program and will dress 40 varsity players, Johnson said. Considering the school has fewer than 500 students, that’s a big number.

“That’s pretty good for a school our size,” Johnson said. “The fact that we’re about 475, not all those are boys, we have a big chunk of our boys playing football from our school.”

One member of the team who is an integral part but does not play on the field is team manager Darren Stern. He had surgery because of a heart valve that

Stern is still in the hospital, but Johnson said he’s hopeful Stern will be back for the team’s first home game on September 1.

Tonopah opens the season at 7 p.m. Friday at Morenci. The Phoenix lost 30-14 to Morenci last year.

Although Johnson is excited about the potential of the Phoenix, he’s not looking at the big picture of the season, but rather keeping it simple.

“You always want to start at 10-0 and all of these things, but we’re just going to take it one at a time,” Johnson said. “We’re going to try to go 1-0 every play. That’s all we really can do, what’s in front of us. I think every team goes into it thinking they want to win the whole big show, but unless you see what’s right in front of your nose, all that is wishing.”

The three-level Topgolf in Glendale will have climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at a time. Shown here is the Gilbert Topgolf. (Photo courtesy Topgolf)

GOLF

around the neighborhood

Photos by Ray Thomas

Westview’s varsity football team opened its season at home with a nonconference game against Basha High School of Chandler. Even though the Avondale school’s Knights lost to the Bears by a score of 27-20, there was plenty of spirit at the high school.

1. Westview defensive end Mathew Mendez (44) takes the field in the opening ceremonies; 2. Scott Fallers (12) hands off to Jesus Valdez (52) as Westview faces off with Basha in the first game of the season; 3. Westview’s band and spirit line perform during halftime; 4. Bobby White (10) tries to go around Basha’s defense and head for a first down; 5. Westview’s band and spirit line perform during halftime; 6. Westview’s Joel Zurita (16) has his own cheering section: his family; 7. Westview lines up against Basha as they head into halftime.

3 4 6 2 5 7 1

Thursday

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e West Valley View publishes on Wednesday. e 9 Days a Week calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue.

Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the View’s coverage area, which is south of Northern Avenue, west of Loop 101, plus all of Tolleson, extends to Estrella on the south and Tonopah on the west. Events such as concerts and theatrical performances that fall outside the View’s circulation area will be considered because there are no concert halls or theater venues within our boundaries.

9 Days a Week calendar items print on a space-available basis. e only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Wednesday to be considered for the following Wednesday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to news1@westvalleyview.com or faxed to 623-935-2103.

AUGUST

23 Wednesday

Needle & Thread

The Avondale Civic Center Library at 11350 Civic Center Drive invites adults to bring a coffee mug and materials to join fellow crafters for needlework, knitting and crocheting at 10:30 a.m. For information, call 623-333-2602.

Digital Drop-In

Drop in between 1 and 2 p.m.

to learn how to use tablets or e-readers and borrow library

eBooks at Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren Street. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Tolleson Union High School District No. 214 School Board Meeting

Tolleson Union High School District Board will meet at 6 p.m. at 9801 W. Van Buren Street. For information, call 623-478-4001.

POUND at Fitness in the Park

Fitness in the Park is a free workout program that provides a park where children can play while parents exercise. Wednesday will feature a fast-paced workout with drumsticks from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Buckeye Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road. For information, call 623-349-6350.

Computer Class

Master mouse skills, Microsoft Word, basic internet, eBooks and more at 6 p.m. at the Coyote Branch Library, 21699 W. Yuma Road, Buckeye. For information, call 623-349-6314.

Al-Anon Stepping Stones

The Christ Presbyterian Church at 925 N. Sarival Avenue, Goodyear, hosts a weekly Al-Anon meeting at 7 p.m. Al-Anon seeks to support the friends and families of alcoholics. For information, call 623-882-0721.

Crazy 8s

Litchfield Park Branch Library at 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard invites kids in grades K-2 to join a math program from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. The season will run for seven weeks. Registration is required. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Preschool Time

Help prepare preschoolers for reading through music, books, games and crafts from 10:15 to 11 a.m. at the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Festival Sage Rec Center Bookmobile

The Bookmobile, a library on wheels, will be at 26501 W. Desert Vista Boulevard, Buckeye, from 9 a.m. to noon. Visitors can get library cards and check out and return books. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Biz 2 Biz West Valley Expo 2017

Members from the six West Valley Chambers of Commerce will exhibit their businesses from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Drive. Exhibit space is limited to chamber members, but the event is free and open for others to attend. For information, call 623-930-4300.

Fit & Strong

Come to the Community Center at 201 E. Centre Street, Buckeye, from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. to exercise. This program, for older adults and people with lower extremity osteoarthritis, helps strengthen and improve flexibility. For information, call 623-349-6600.

Quilters

Come down to Skyway Church at 14900 W. Van Buren Street, Goodyear, to spend time with friends making quilts for people in need,

at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 623-935-4858.

Friday

Family Lego Saturday

25

Texas Hold ’Em

Come down to the American Legion Post 53 at 402 E. Narramore Avenue, Buckeye, from 5 to 10 p.m. for Texas Hold ’Em. Games are held in Hazeltion Hall and have a $10 buy-in. For information, call 623-327-0277.

Quarter Auction

The Quarter Auction is a mix of an auction and a raffle. Each item is auctioned for one or two quarters starting at 6 p.m. at the Dr. Saide Recreation Center, 1003 E. Eason Avenue, Buckeye. Tickets are $3. For information, call 623-349-6604.

Not Hungry Tonight

Not Hungry Tonight is a program that seeks to stop hunger and food insecurity in communities. The group meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church’s kitchen, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. For information, call 623-932-2394.

Saturday

Litchfield Park Branch Library at 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard invites families to a creative morning of Lego building from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Writing Workshop: Writer’s Life

Fantasy author Sam Sykes will teach six workshops at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 Civic Center Drive. Sykes is the author of The Aeon’s Gate Trilogy and the Bring Down Heaven series. Don’t miss the session on a writer’s lifestyle at 11:30 a.m. Registration is required. For information, call 623-333-2602.

Buena Vista Bookmobile

The Bookmobile, a library on wheels, will be at 2000 S. Apache Road, Buckeye, from 1 to 2 p.m. Visitors can get library cards and check out and return books. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Saturday Storytime

Goodyear Branch Library at 14455

W. Van Buren Street invites families to a storytelling program complete with stories, songs, activities and a craft at 10:30 a.m. For information, call 602-651-3507.

24-Hour

Desert Survival

The show will be held in a pirate-themed exhibit at Wildlife World Zoo, 16501 W. Northern Avenue, Litchfield Park. This show is free with admission. For information, call 623-935-9453.

Monday

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26

Grandparent Support Group in Goodyear

The Christ Evangelical Lutheran at 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, invites grandparents to a free support group from 9 to 11 a.m. Newcomers are encouraged to call before attending their first meeting. For information, call 602274-5022, Ext 31.

Verrado by Bashas’ Bookmobile

The Bookmobile, a library on wheels, will be at 21064 W. Main Street, Buckeye, from 9 a.m. to noon. Visitors can get library cards and check out and return books. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Paws for Reading

Preschoolers and school-age children can visit Goodyear Branch Library with a parent to practice reading with a registered therapy dog. The Paws for Reading program starts at 2 p.m. at 14455 W. Van Buren Street and has helped improve children’s reading skills and confidence. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Want to learn how pack a survival kit, build a shelter, signal for help or start a fire? Buckeye Park Naturalist Melanie Rauscher will discuss desert survival skills for Arizona campers and hikers at 6 p.m. at Skyline Park, 2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye. Be sure to bring a water bottle, sun protection and a chair. For information, call 623-349-6621.

Sunday

Contemplative Prayer & Meditation

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 400 Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, invites people desiring to deepen their meditation practice or try meditation for the first time to join them from 5 to 6 p.m. Sundays. All faiths are welcome. For information, call 623-935-3279.

Sea Lions at Shipwreck Cove

Come see an educational show starring California sea lions and skilled trainers at 11:30 a.m.

Toddler Time

Help prepare children ages 2-3 for reading through music, books, games and more from 11:15 a.m. to noon at the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Hope

Stop by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Classroom C at 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, for the Hope support group from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The group’s goal is to provide help for those struggling with any mental disorder by sharing experiences and supporting others. For information, call 480-994-4407.

Babies & Books

The Avondale Civic Center Library at 11350 Civic Center Drive invites parents to bring their babies ages 0-2 from 10:15 to 11 a.m. to promote early development. Babies will learn with books, music and playtime activities. For information, call 623-333-2602.

Craft It Up

Join fellow crafters in this needlework/knitting/crochet group at 11 a.m. and work on projects at Sam Garcia Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Avenue, Avondale. Be sure to bring materials and a coffee mug. For information, call 623-333-2601.

Teen Leadership Club Teen Leadership Club is a group that creates and carries out new programs for the Goodyear Branch Library. The team will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren Street. Registration is required. For information, call 602-651-3507.

EON Business Meet-up

Meet fellow businesspeople and entrepreneurs to share ideas, ask questions and receive advice at 6

p.m. at the Buckeye Library Coyote Branch, 21699 W. Yuma Road. For information, call 623-349-6354.

Goodyear City Council Regular Meeting

The Goodyear City Council meets at 6 p.m. in the Goodyear Justice Center, 14455 W. Van Buren Street. For information, call 623-932-3910.

Baby Time

Bring babies through age 2 for an interactive lap-sit program with books and music at 10:15 a.m. at the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Book Discussion Group for Adults

Stop by the Goodyear Branch Library at 14455 W. Van Buren Street to pick up and read a copy of “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry” by Fredrik Backman before the library’s discussion at 1 p.m. For information, call 602-651-3507.

Ignite Yoga at Fitness in the Park Fitness in the Park is a free work-

AUGUST 23, 2017

out program that provides a park where children can play while parents exercise. Monday will feature yogic postures, alignment and breathing from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Buckeye Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road. For information, call 623-349-6350.

Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS)

TOPS is a program designed to help people reach their weight-loss goals in a healthy manner with weekly meetings. TOPS meets at 6 p.m. at Skyway Church, 14900 W. Van Buren Street, Goodyear. For more information, call 623-935-4858.

Tuesday

including Quickie, Early Bird, Double Action and a $1,000 progressive game. Come down to 35 N. Dysart Road, Avondale, to support the area’s youth and veterans. For information, call 623-932-4960.

Chess Club for Tweens & Teens

Buckeye Business Connection

Buckeye Chamber hosts the Buckeye Business Connection 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the chamber office at 508 E. Monroe Avenue. This group serves coffee and a light breakfast and networks with business members. Each week, there will also be a different guest speaker. For information, call 623-386-2727.

Wednesday

games that grow vocabulary at 11:15 a.m. at the Downtown Buckeye Public Library, 310 N. Sixth Street. For information, call 623-349-6300.

mation, call 623-333-2601.

Thursday

Are you a chess wiz? The Litchfield Park Branch Library at 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard invites kids ages 1116 to learn or practice their chess moves from 4 to 5 p.m. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Tolleson City Council Meeting

The Goodyear City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. at Tolleson City Hall, 9555 W. Van Buren Street. For information, call 623-936-7111.

PiYo

at Fitness in the Park

Bingo

The American Legion Post No. 61 hosts bingo at 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays. These bingo nights have 17 games

Fitness in the Park is a free workout program that provides a park where children can play while parents exercise. Tuesday will feature Pilates and yoga from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Buckeye Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road. For information, call 623-349-6350.

30

Teen Volunteer Days (Ages 12-18)

Teens looking to meet new friends and volunteer for school credit can meet at the Avondale Civic Center Library’s Volunteer Days from 3 to 5 p.m. at 11350 Civic Center Drive. For information, call 623-333-2602.

Community Center Bookmobile

The Bookmobile, a library on wheels, will be at 201 E. Centre Avenue, Buckeye, from 11 a.m. to noon. Visitors can get library cards and check out and return books. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Storytime

Bring toddlers ages 2 to 4 to enjoy an interactive story with songs and

Blood Drive

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at azpro, 650 N. 99th Avenue, Avondale. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are available. For information, call 1-800-733-2767.

Family Book Club

Litchfield Park Branch Library at 101 W. Wigwam Boulevard holds a monthly book club for children ages 9-12 and their parents. Come down to the library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to read a great book, discuss and enjoy snacks and activities. Books will be provided for registered families. For information, call 602-652-3456.

Come & Play with Me

Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library hosts a weekly open-play group at 495 E. Western Avenue, Avondale, at 11 a.m. for children through age 5 to have fun and grow their social skills. For infor-

Playgroup (Ages 0-5)

Connect with other parents and caregivers as your children build their social skills during Avondale Civic Center Library’s open-play group at 10 a.m. The library will provide toys and an indoor play space at 11350 Civic Center Drive. For information, call 623-333-2602.

In Stitches in Goodyear

Enjoy tea and coffee and meet fellow crafters and work on crochet, knitting or sewing projects. Come by the Goodyear Branch Library at 14455 W. Van Buren Street from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to join. For information, call 602-652-3000.

CrossFit Fury at Fitness in the Park

Fitness in the Park is a free workout program that provides a park where children can play while parents exercise. Thursday will feature cardio, weightlifting and core training from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Buckeye Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road. For information, call 623-349-6350.

Gema Fernandez, M.D.

Maria R. DiLeo, M.D.

Cari L. Cowling, M.D.

Kim Roberts, W.H.N.P.

James M. Johnson, M.D.

Briggs J. Geier, D.O.

Raymond D. Suarez, M.D.

Children’s orchestra brings the noise to West Valley

By Connor Dziawura

West Valley Youth Orchestra

conductor Claire Gordon is adamant that music is a lifelong gift.

“I always tell students that music is something they can enjoy doing the rest of their lives,” said Gordon, who also serves as the 20-year-old nonprofit’s musical director.

The West Valley Youth Orchestra helps with that. The Litchfield Parkbased organization features two ensembles for aspiring musicians: The Cadet Strings, with 25 intermediate players, and The Youth Orchestra, a 45-piece orchestra with strings, winds, brass and percussion for advanced students.

“We do have students who have gone on to major in music and become professional musicians or music teachers,” she said. “The most important thing, I think, is just to foster a lifelong enjoyment of music.”

Approaching its 2017-2018 season, the West Valley Youth Orchestra is holding auditions from Monday, August 28, to Wednesday, August 30, at Wigwam Creek Middle School. For details, visit wvyo.org/audition.html. Students participating in their school orchestras, as well as homeschool students may try out.

“We do have a policy that if there is

623-298-4200

an orchestra in the school, the student should be a member of their school orchestra,” Gordon said.

“In addition, we’re not trying to replace the school orchestra. A lot of the schools in the West Valley don’t offer orchestra. Most schools offer band, but not many schools offer orchestra as well. That’s really the reason why the West Valley Youth Orchestra was founded, to provide an orchestra for those musicians to play in.”

The West Valley Youth Orchestra accepts children from ages 8 through high school seniors. The organization will make exceptions for college-age students who don’t have access to a school orchestra, Gordon said.

The West Valley Youth Orchestra hosts an annual Chamber Music Summer Camp. This year’s camp, held June 5 to 9, featured Quartet Sabaku, a professional faculty group that coached students. For the past three years, a composer crafted original songs for the students.

“Commissioning the composer to write a piece, which we premiere at the end of the week, has been a really exciting experience for the students,” Gordon said. “The students can meet the composer, and he told us about what inspired him to write the piece.”

Recently, the Arizona Commission on the Arts awarded the orchestra a $3,000 grant that the orchestra will put toward its summer camp and future scholarships. It’s all about promoting a strong musical environment to help grow its students’ talents.

“Of course our goal is to increase their musical skills so that they’re becoming better on their instruments,

and also to increase their love and their appreciation for a variety of styles of music,” Gordon said.

She encourages her musicians to play a variety of music during the year, so they can share their gifts of music with audiences.

“It’s a great privilege, and I think it’s a really special thing for the students,” Gordon added.

The Youth Orchestra, one of two West Valley Youth Orchestra groups, features a full ensemble consisting of strings, winds, brass and percussion. (Photo courtesy West Valley Youth Orchestra)

Palo Verde briefs media on nuclear protocols

By Connor Dziawura

APS and the Palo Verde Generating Station hosted their regularly scheduled procedural media briefing at the Palo Verde Generating Station Energy Education Center in Buckeye on August 16.

Representatives from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management discussed protocols and procedures for dealing with potential incidents at the Palo Verde station.

While incidents at the plant are unlikely, it generates 32 million megawatt-hours of clean and carbonfree energy for more than 4 million people annually, and it is imperative for the station and its many partnering organizations to always be prepared in the event of an incident.

When handling incidents, county, state and federal departments coordinate at the Energy Education Center. The media would also be briefed there.

The center’s Emergency Operations

Facility is the command and control center, as well as the “heartbeat of the operation,” said Kory Raftery of the Palo Verde Generating Station.

“The benefit of having everyone in one room is that we’re getting a diversity in thought and opinion,” Raftery said.

“We’re getting the decision-makers all together so that we can share information and make the decision that’s best for all of our friends and neighbors in the Phoenix area.”

Raftery added that the information should flow freely and quickly.

“Getting everybody in here allows them to speak face to face and make the best decisions,” he said.

Through the Emergency Operations Facility, APS and Palo Verde Generating Station officials meet with the necessary agencies to make decisions when dealing with the plant.

On its 30 screens, images and other information can be broadcast to all onsite officials. That’s a feature Raftery said was lifted through their experience analyzing NASA and FEMA practices.

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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an independent regulator, also has an office where it oversees emergency operations. Additionally, the Palo Verde station has three on-site resident inspectors, and this extra Energy Education Center room gives the Nuclear Regulatory Commission the opportunity to send more officials when necessary. In critical situations, “dose”—or to measure the levels of radiation

received—is an important detail to assess. The Emergency Operations Facility has a dose assessment room where officials can analyze exposure pathway maps, as well as verify that dose is within the proper levels.

“There’s actually two main areas of responsibility,” explained Toby Morales, program manager for the

FREE TO ATTEND EVENT

Hosted by all six West Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Glendale Civic Center, the 2017 Biz 2 Biz Expo offers an unparalleled opportunity for you to meet the business owners who work and live in the community. Free to attend and open to the public, this highly productive event offers the perfect opportunity for maximum impact within an efficient four hour window. While attending, enjoy a cash bar, prices and develop critical relationships with surrounding businesses and leaders throughout Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Tolleson, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun City West, Wickenburg and Youngtown.

The Palo Verde Generating Station is the largest power plant in the country, amassing 32 million megawatt-hours of energy every year. (Photo courtesy APS)

Litchfield Park girl making U.S. Open encore

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Kialani Mills has plenty of experience singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” She has paid tribute to her country in front of sold-out Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns crowds. Now the 11-year-old Litchfield Park girl is making a return visit to the U.S. Open, which attracts more than 700,000 fans over its two-week span in New York.

Mills is one of 12 young performers who will sing inspirational songs during the tennis event. She kicks off the festivities at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday, August 26, in the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York City.

“I’ve been practicing in my room a lot and even just singing in the shower,” said the bubbly preteen. “I’m making sure that I can perfect the song, and really thinking about all the consonants. I’ve been getting advice from my music teacher and getting constructive criticism from my parents. I’m trying to be very prepared.”

Music is innate for Mills, who participated in Alice Cooper’s Proof is in the Pudding contest. She began

piano lessons at age 4, and has been singing since she learned to speak. She has plenty of videos on YouTube of her singing as well.

“My grandpa sings and so does my grandma,” said Mills, who loves to listen to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys. “I’ve been listening to the radio for a really long time. Finally, I asked my mom for singing lessons and it went from there.”

Last year, she made her debut at the U.S. Open performing “America the Beautiful” during the women’s semifinal matches and has also performed the National Anthem at other sporting events.

Music isn’t her only passion. She plays tennis as well, which makes this the perfect event for her. She participates in a youth league in Litchfield Park and her tennis coach, Tracy Lawson at Phoenix Tennis Center, encouraged her to audition for the U.S. Open opportunity.

“I play tennis, so that’s a real relatable experience for me,” she said. “That was

my first really, really big crowd. I was excited about it.”

Mills, who studies music with Angela Anderson at Anderson Institute of Music in Buckeye, attends Las Brisas Academy in Goodyear.

“My favorite subject is math,” said Mills, the daughter of Michael and Kelly Mills. “My school is harder than most schools. It mentally challenges me and I really like it. They’re all really nice. I like the teachers a lot.”

Michael and Kelly fully support their daughter, who is joined by two brothers, 3 and 9.

“She’s accomplished a lot in her short 11 years,” Kelly said. “She was born with the blessing of having this voice. She just lights up. I don’t know how she does it,

but she gets up there and does it.”

Whether she’s performing on TV or in front of rabid Cardinals fans, Mills is happy on stage.

“I just keep calm,” she said about her routine. “I just pretend I’m singing to my family or I pretend I’m all by myself. I just keep that mindset and I stay calm.”

Las Brisas Academy student Kialani Mills sings “The StarSpangled Banner” in front of Arizona Cardinals fans. (Photo courtesy the Mills family)

Luke AFB sergeant participates in chef program

By Jay Lickus

Anastasia Long was surprised when she returned from vacation to find she had been assigned to Birt’s Bistro as part of the Luke Air Force Base “Chef Mentor” program.

The staff sergeant, who lives in Avondale, hadn’t heard of Birt’s Bistro at Benevilla nor was she a chef.

“I am so happy for this experience,” Long said. “All airmen at Luke need to experience what Birt’s Bistro and Benevilla does for the community.”

The “Chef Mentor” program was initiated when Luke AFB officials reached out to the Surprise city officials looking for a local chef to judge its first “Iron Chef” competition

Nuclear...continued from page 20

Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency.

“The first is what we call the EPZ, which is the Plume Exposure Pathway, which is 10 miles.

“And then we have a 50-mile, what we call Ingestion Pathway – IPZ –Zone. It involves the agricultural infrastructure that might be affected

in February. Chef Jeffery Amperse, senior director of food and beverage at Birt’s Bistro, was chosen for this opportunity.

Amperse has nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, having graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 1994. He worked at several prominent Arizona restaurants, including Sedona’s L’Auberge Resort and Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson. Based on the success of the competition, the mentoring

program was developed and Amperse has hosted five Air Force members through the program so far this year.

Long has been in the Air Force for six years, but quickly rose to the rank of staff sergeant, the Air Force’s first noncommissioned officer rank. Originally from St. Louis, Long has lived on several Air Force bases across the country and was stationed in Japan. She has trained in multiple fields including paralegal, fitness, bio-environmental

and education. She works in the flight kitchen at Luke AFB.

Although her work at Birt’s Bistro is similar to her role at Luke AFB, she really enjoyed “experiencing all of the different processes used in food preparation and learning a better way to use the skills needed in a commercial kitchen. The best part of working at Birt’s was getting to know the people and finding out how nice they really are.”

When she returns to duty at Luke AFB, Long will work in the Protocol Office with the base wing commander. Protocol is also the focal point for coordinating all distinguished visitor visits to Luke AFB.

with the accident or incident.”

While the facility focuses on these two main areas, Morales noted the exposure pathway can extend beyond 50 miles. The 10- and 50-mile areas are just starting points, but the severity of the proposed situation can affect the distance, dispersion and dosage released. The exposure pathway maps also allow the officials to see what infrastructure

falls within its trajectory. 9,000 residents live within the 10-mile area alone.

Once decisions in handling a situation are made via the Emergency Operations Facility, the Joint Information Center comes into play.

“We get our agencies together and we want to make sure that we are putting out the same information,” said Bruce Monson, senior radiological planner for the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management. “If we were to do it separately, we may put out good information from every source, but just because it’s different information, things could get confused.

“It’s important that we get together and ensure that we provide you with the most up-to-date information and with the information that’s coming from all of our agencies to let you know what’s going on with the incident that may be occurring.”

But while the county, state and federal agencies can relay this information to media sources here, they also use social media to get out the message. There is also a “reverse 9-1-1” system, where messages can be delivered to all phones within the 10-mile area. Additionally, a Maricopa County app is in development for a future release.

“We have what’s called a joint plan between the state of Arizona and Maricopa County when dealing with events at Palo Verde. That plan is consistent with federal regulation and guidelines and is approved by FEMA,” said Travis Icard, program coordinator for the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. “We exercise that plan and review it and revise it each year, and it is evaluated every two years by FEMA.

“If an event were to occur at Palo Verde, in an unlikely event, we would stand up the State of Emergency Operation Center. In there, we’ll have key representatives from certain state agencies as well as county and other tribal nations. From there we’ll coordinate with Maricopa County in deciding what protective actions to take.”

The Joint Information Center is the point where information on protocols involving potential sheltering, or even evacuation, is relayed to the media, and eventually citizens. By activating an Emergency Alert System, which includes sirens, it alerts residents to turn on their television or radio to find out what measures need to be taken.

“It’s important to note that this program is a value to the whole community because it prepares the whole community for not just an emergency at Palo Verde, but any emergency,” Icard said.

There are four emergency classification levels, beginning with Unusual Event and rising through Alert, Site Area Emergency and General Emergency, depending on the severity of the situation at the plant. While the first two levels generally do not require public action, Site Area Emergencies and General Emergencies may require more serious actions.

“We’re confident that we have the right people and the right places with the right training to really make a difference and keep all of our friends and neighbors safe, because we’re all on the same page here,” Raftery said. “That’s what it’s about, responding to things. We want to make sure that our neighbors are not only safe but also well communicated.”

Anastasia Long was a member of the Luke Air Force Base “Chef Mentor” program at Birt’s Bistro. (Photo courtesy Benevilla)

STEAM academy promotes tech development in youth

By Connor Dziawura

As the owner of a tech firm, Raman Khurana had a hard time finding adequately trained talent. He saw the “grim” statistics that only 40 percent of high school graduates go onto college.

Budget cuts require schools to focus on core subjects and the homeschool community doesn’t receive the same opportunities as other students.

So, he did something about it. The PerfOpt Technologies Inc. President and CEO founded Immersive Teaching STEAM Academy (ITSA) in June 2016 in Goodyear with Jana Dutton, program director. The nonprofit organization uses a supplementary afterschool model to help prepare students for technology careers.

“We wanted to create a place where we could encourage the kids that were technically savvy to work on hands-on projects and learn the latest skills that are needed or will be needed in the upcoming future and be focused more on the K-12 market,” Khurana said.

While most schools focus on what Khurana calls “standard-based knowledge,” ITSA allows students to gain technology experience. Rather than teaching STEAM subjects as individual ideas, ITSA mixes them and creates projects that require knowledge of each idea.

“In a STEAM or a STEM environment, we create projects that basically combine elements of all these pieces,” Khurana

said. “It’s more integrated learning where you have to know a little bit of everything instead of learning science separate and math separate and so on.

“There are many ways to create STEAM projects. However, being a technology company, we use the technology as a foundation for all our education. So, all our projects are technology-based and they use the latest computing equipment in what we do.”

The academy’s staff are strong purveyors of project-based learning, which requires students to work together. This approach promotes critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to learning.

UTI expands welding program to Avondale

By West Valley View staff

Universal Technical Institute will offer its welding technology program at its Avondale campus beginning in January.

“UTI-Avondale will be the second UTI campus to offer the welding technology program, and more will follow,” said Michael Romano, UTIAvondale campus president.

“This is an expansion strategy that supports student enrollment growth, improves the utilization of our facilities and enables us to better meet the needs of employers. Skilled welders are in demand, so UTI is proud to provide yet another avenue for students to get the skills they need for a rewarding career.”

In July, UTI-Rancho Cucamonga, California, became the first UTI campus to launch the program. The first class was filled.

Welders are increasingly sought in industries ranging from automotive fabrication and motorsports to aerospace. Between 2014 and 2024, industry will need to fill more than 128,000 new and replacement positions. Welders are particularly in demand for major infrastructure projects that keep the nation moving, including vehicles, bridges, highways, office buildings, schools, pipelines, power plants, refineries and spacecraft.

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The UTI welding technology program prepares students for certification via the American Welding Society. It offers hands-on training and instruction through a comprehensive curriculum developed in collaboration with Lincoln Electric.

“Lincoln Electric has a century-long commitment to educating welders,” said Jason Scales, manager of educational services at Lincoln Electric.

“With the critical shortage of welders today, we accelerated our efforts to

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provide educators at every level with skills and knowledge that employers demand.”

The 36-week UTI welding technology program’s courses include principles of welding, gas metal and shielded metal arc welding, pipe welding and safety.

The program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and complements UTI’s core automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine and collision repair programs across the nation.

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program begins August 30

“Using project-based learning, using team-based development, we like to give them the skill set or environment that they would face in any professional organization,” Khurana explained. “When you graduate, you don’t go to a company, get a corner office and develop the next best system by yourself. You basically become a small part of a big thing and work on a bigger project and everybody plays a role.”

ITSA hosts a variety of courses, including 3-dimensional modeling and technology, robotics, virtual reality development and even Minecraft.

According to Khurana, the Minecraft course was proposed and designed by two high school students to teach coding within the game.

“The academy is for the students, by the students,” he said.

He estimates that high school and college students design 80 percent of ITSA’s courses. Khurana has hired graduates as software developers and teachers at PerfOpt and ITSA.

ITSA takes this a step further and hosts the Girls in Technology program to provide young women with

incentives and opportunities to expand their likelihood of entering tech fields.

While the academy’s primary location is in Goodyear, it recently began hosting summer classes at its new Tempe location and is finalizing a Scottsdale location. Khurana also hopes to host some of ITSA’s courses at schools and libraries.

“Our mission is to innovate, inspire and educate,” Khurana said. “The innovation part is for us to continually develop new courses, new projects with the latest technology.

“As a technology company, we are able to keep on top of it. We are able to keep our coursework updated and relevant, but more importantly, we are able to invest in the equipment that is needed; the latest and the greatest equipment.”

ITSA is a platinum sponsor of the Arizona SciTech Festival’s seventh annual Kickoff Conference at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St, on August 31. Tickets are $40 for the general public and $30 for educators, but students can attend for free. Parents and teachers can also use the code “ITSA” to receive $5 off registration fees.

Nonprofit seeks families for exchange students

By West Valley View staff

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for families to host students ages 15 to 18 from a variety of countries, including Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy and Japan.

ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance.

ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds,

countries and personal interests.

To become an ASSE host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE, call its western regional office at 1-800-733-2773 or visit host.asse.com.

ASSE International, formerly known as the American Scandinavian Student Exchange, is a nonprofit that is designated as an exchange visitor program by the U.S. Department of State.

It was founded by the Swedish Ministry of Education, and cooperates with the Canadian Provincial Ministries of Education and the New Zealand Department of Education.

Littleton District to destroy special education records

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

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The Littleton Elementary School District in Avondale will destroy all special education records of former students who discontinued special education services, withdrew, transferred or graduated in 2011. Parents who wish to view their

children’s records before they are destroyed must call the Exceptional Student Services at 623-478-5682 before September 15.

The Littleton Elementary School District is located at 1600 S. 107th Avenue, Avondale.

Student Chronicles

Know a student who’s doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at christina@timespublications.com.

Elden Esterly of Goodyear earned a spot on the dean’s list at Central College in Pella, Iowa.

The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit

hours for the semester.

Founded in 1853, Central College is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference.

around the neighborhood

Photos by Ray Thomas

Soulful Expressions Open Mic Night offers a creative outlet for poets, comedians and musicians, ages 13 and older, at 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month. Performance signup and social time is before the performances, from 4:30 to 5 p.m. It all takes place at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive. For more information, call 623-333-2602.

1. Savanna Ghalib of Tolleson introduces the acts during Soulful Expressions. 2. Christopher Williams of Tolleson is greeted by an enthusiastic crowd as he performs in drag.as he performs in drag. 3. Jordan Acosta of Avondale speaks about being Hispanic during Souful Expressions. 4. Jangle Sadsad of Avondale sings a song about memories and growing older. 5. Teacher Samantha Gorgan of Phoenix discusses the common traits among the sophomores in her English class at La Joya Community High School. 6. Saafir Newton, left, of Avondale and Jonathan Raymond of Tolleson share a laugh while hashing out the particulars for Raymond’s skit about police encounters. 7. Ananda Haskins, formerly of Avondale now residing in Virginia, offers her thoughts on teenage dating.

3 4 6 2 5 7 1

OBITUARIES ■

Richard Leroy Wantz

Richard L Wantz, age 73, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his beloved family at home in Goodyear, Arizona on Saturday, August 5, 2017

Richard was born on August 19, 1943 in Joplin, Missouri to the late Albert and Evelyn (Warner) Wantz Following h ned to Hanover, Pennsylvania where he g helberger High School in 1961. Richard spent many summers working on his grandparent's farm in Silver Run, Maryland alongside his cherished buddy and uncle, Glenn Warner of Marysville, CA

Richard's career began as a Reservations Supervisor for Eastern Airlines in New York City from 1962-1965 and then landed in Fremont, OH where he secured a sales position in 1966 with Kessler Sales Corporation, an international patent sales and marketing firm. In 1990 Richard then became Owner/President of Kessler and in 1995 opened a second branch in Arizona where he then moved and resided with his family until his passing

Everyone who knew Richard could feel his passion for life and adventure. He enjoyed gathering with his family and friends as often as possible, camping, boating and fishing (from Lake Erie to Lake Powell to Mexico), golfing, traveling and discovering new places and often inventing new traditions and composing comedic songs while playing his guitar around a crowded campfire A selfless, funny and glass-half-full-kind-of-guy is how he was often described and could bring many people together with one call to either play cards, watch football or thoroughbred racing, to meet up for dinner or just grill and talk about the week In the final decade of Richard's life his interests gravitated to fine art and became a proud member of The Phoenix Art Museum and their volunteer Docent Program.

Richard is survived by Joyce (Ritchie) Wantz of Goodyear, AZ and their 3 daughters; Allison (Wantz) Messerschmidt, Denise Wantz, both of Goodyear, AZ and Cindy Wantz, of Casa Grande, AZ. His sister, Lori (Wantz) Noel and her husband, Brian of Hanover, PA and his brother, Steven Wantz of PA Richard also leaves behind his 6 adored grandchildren: Tyler, Ashley and Sydnee Messerschmidt and Amanda, Nicholas and Christopher Amaro all of Arizona; nephew, Luke Haring and his wife Sara and their 2 children of New Oxford, PA and many more treasured family and friends

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at: https://www kidney org/support

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Richard's honor on October 14, 2017 Details to be announced by family.

at Abrazo West Campus in Goo

wife, Betty (Camerer) on 15 April 1950, and they moved

P

Roanoke, VA; William "Bill" Ritter, husband of Debra (Foran), of Paxton, IL; Jeffrey "Jeff" Ritter, husband of Paula (Maledon), of

In 1984, Art married Marilee (Price) Lee, relocating to Mountain Home, AR, where they were members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Marilee raised four children, three sons and one daughter: Bob Lee, husband of Kathy (Patroff), of Lowry City, MO; Charles Lee, husband of Jackie (Noel), of Peoria, IL; Kevin Lee of Peoria, IL; and Shelli (Lee) Do, of Bartonville, IL.

Art Ritter is a lifetime member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3060, in Metamora, IL He was a veteran, an innovative engineer, and a man of great faith His children remember him as a patient teacher with smiling eyes,

s g r e a t e s t “ w o r k o f A r t ”

He is survived by his loving wife, Marilee, all of his childre n and step-children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one s i s t e r , L i n d a ( R i t t e r ) O l l e

, o f A t h e n s , I L H e i s p r e c e d e d i n d e a t h b y h i s f i r s t w i f e , B e t t y ( C a m e r e r ) R i t t e r ; h i s s i s t e r , T h e l m a ( R i t t e r ) H a r t m a n , o f E a s t P e o

Willis Ritter of Mountain Home, AR, and Mark Ritter of Floris

Art will be laid to rest at St. Mary

s Cemetery at Lourdes, in G e r m

9 September 2017 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made

Patricia Joanne Gipper

2017 She was born January 1, 1934 in Cleveland, OH to Edwar d and Eleanor Hassing

P

C

Patricia

survived by her husband of 63 years, Paul Gipper ;

Hassing. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael ; parents, Edward and Eleanor Hassing; and sister, Mary Jane Siemen.

A funeral will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 24, 2017 at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 LaPasada Blvd, Goodyear, AZ 85338 The family suggests that donations be mad e to St John Vianney Catholic Church Condolences for the family may be left at www thompsonfuneralchapel com

A word about obituaries

The West Valley View publishes free obituaries for people who wer e residents or former residents of the West Valley.

We also encourage the use of photos with obituaries. Photos will b e cropped to a head shot, so they must be of fairly high resolution if submitted electronically.

All obituaries may be may submitted via email at obits@timespublications com Deadline for obituaries is Thursday at 5pm for the Wednesday

Classifieds

AUTOS - WANTED

$ $100-$500+ ABANDONED all autos! Any condition

Good condition more $$$$ Call 602-561-6291

CHILD CARE

MAMAS Day Care-Newborns toddlers, individual beds, toy room Pre-school, weekly crafts, outside play, meals 15+ years experience

CPR/First Aid Certified, fingerprinted, Vivian 623-8490426.

CLEANING SERVICES

HOUSECLEANING. Valley wide. Honest. Detailed. Reliable 17 years experience

References available 602481-8627

HOUSEKEEPING Service

Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly House/Office

All work sparkles For free estimate call 602-677-7692(Polish lady)

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Tender Care Creative Center, childcare and preschool. Now Hiring. Six months experience preferred, not required. Apply on site, 705 E. Baseline Rd. Buckeye Az. 85326, or call 623-386-3477

CAREGIVERS

Must be 19 years of age to apply.

2293 N. PebbleCreek Pkwy., Suite 101 Goodyear.

Please apply in person or e-mail resume to ktashiro11@outlook.com

CLAYTON HOMES

Is currently accepting applications for the following positions due to increased business and growth

All areas of construction Maintenance Personnel

Submit application in person Clayton Homes 231 N Apache Rd Buckeye, AZ 85326

A Berkshire Hathaway Company

AIRES is looking for caring, capable and compassionate people! Our mission is to help people live happy, healthy & fulfilling lives.

Hiring Caregivers for In Home Care dept (HCBS) & Group Homes in the West Valley **No Exp necessary! Paid training. Must be 21+yrs w/ good driving record & reliable transportation. Apply at www.aires.org or visit us at 2140 W. Greenway Rd, Ste 140, Phoenix.

West Valley View CLASSIFIEDS WORK! Call 623-535-8439

EMPLOYMENT

SCHUFF Steel, a leader in the fabrication and erection of structural steel, is currently recruiting for Fitters and Welders Schuff Steel offers competitive wages and benefits EOE/AA

Please apply online at schuff.applicantpool.com/ jobs/

EARN EXTRA INCOME!

The Arizona Republic wants to contract you to deliver the newspaper in the early morning hours. Work just 2-3 hours a day and earn an extra $700-$1,200 per month Routes available now in your area

Call 1-855-704-2104 or visit deliveryopportunities gannett com

EMPLOYMENT

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Excellent opportunity to join McLane Company, the nation’s largest wholesale convenience store supplier. We are searching for a selfmotivated, energetic candidate. Qualifications include good interpersonal skills, exceptional written and verbal communication skills.. This position will handle incoming calls on a multi-line phone system, assisting customers with item numbers, product information, authorizations and retails. HS Diploma/GED required. Ability to multitask in a fast paced environment. Good phone and basic computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook and 10 key required. Previous customer service experience a plus.

We offer a competitive wage and excellent benefits package including profit sharing, medical, dental, vision and company paid life insurance. If interested, go to www.mclaneco.com/careers and click on “Join the McLane Team”. Locate the Customer Service Representative job opening for Sunwest (Goodyear, AZ) and click on “Apply”

and/or wallpapering a variety of surfaces

Ensuring completion of projects in accordance with trade standards

JOIN our Insurance Team

Starting pay with license

$30K Cash Incentives, Health benefits, 401K Requirement

Property & Casualty and/or Life & Health license

Email

yolie aleman-rodriguez j8qu @statefarm com

Fax Resume 623-742-9119

SHOP/Fleet manager for growing Buckeye Dairy farmer.

Duties include but are not limited to developing a PM program for a fleet of semi trucks,trailers, farm equipment Schedule PM repairs and immediate repairs over see shop operations and more Hands on position work history and experienced only need apply Contact g fortney@yahoo com

PART-TIME

CLEANER NEEDED

To clean small office in Litchfield Park Daytime position Must pass background & drug test Pays $13/hour

Please contact Bob rnlundygvpm@gmail.com

5+ Years Experienced House Cleaner Needed. Call for details. 623-792-3176

EXP LANDSCAPERS Wanted in Goodyear area., PLEASE text or call M-F 7a-2pm (623) 399-0139

CAREGIVER Female required NO EXPERIENCE needed

P/T Private home in Buckeye We train 623-826-6715

Studio Styles AR seeking cosmetologist for booth rental Call 623-547-1849 EMPLOYMENT

LOOKING for experienced compassionate CNA's Certified Caregivers. Part time/ full time. 623-547-7521

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN -37 years experience. Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more Stan, 602434-6057

JOEL Cedillo- I do construction work! Concrete, Block, Stucco, Bobcat work, Haulaway, Demolition. Call for free estimates, 623-707-6072.

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

O N B Specializes in landscaping and trimming Also Concrete: patios, driveways, sidewalks, additions and more. Free estimates. 623-249-0610 - Robert Residential/Commercial.

HOMES FOR SALE

WANTED: Home in Old Litchfield Park by private individual Will trade my newer Litchfield Park home or consider purchasing No realtors If interested, Phone 623-935-4549

HOMES FOR SALE

-2 level on large lot in LAKESIDE Natural gas, city sewer and water Close to school and hospital. Asking $275k , owner will install new carpets, stove and paint interior. Call 480-233-3032 philrobinson13@yahoo.com

Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353 for the purpose of:

Soliciting comments from in-

n c e

t o S i t e P l a n A p p l i c a t i o n

# 1 7 0 8 0 0 0 4 a s s u b m i t t e d b y A n t h o n y H i n r i c h s o f Q u y p

D e v e l o p m e n t , 7 6 0 0 N o r t h

1 5 t h S t r e e t , S u i t e 1 5 0 - 1 9 , Phoenix, AZ 85020, on behalf of Virtua 91st Hotel, LLC for

PUBLIC NOTICE

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I Name: TAKE MY MONEY LLC L-21999380

II The address of the known place of business is: SHIRIN AHMADPOUR, 16774 W HAMMOND ST , GOODYEAR, AZ 85338

III The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: SHIRIN AHMADPOUR, 16774 W HAMMOND ST., GOODYEAR, AZ 85338

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members The names and addresses of each person who is a member are: SHIRIN AHMADPOUR, 16774 W HAMMOND ST , GOODYEAR, AZ 85338

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I Name: CARET, LLC L-2201177-0

II The address of the known place of business is: 2701 E CAMELBACK RD , STE 168, PHOENIX, AZ 85016

III The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: BRIAN BURCH, 2701 E CAMELBACK RD , STE 168, PHOENIX, AZ 85016

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are: BEVERLY BURCH, 5245 N. 21st ST , PHOENIX, AZ 85016

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on August 16, 23, 30, 2017 / 7437 YARD Work, clean ups, removal, sod installation, irrigation systems, hauling, rock spreading Not a licensed contractor Juan 623-2424161, 623-242-4159

LAND FOR SALE

FAMILY Liquidation- Last 160 acres, $149,900 Offers accepted Owner will carry for 3 years at a low 8% interest 1-305-490-4689

LARGE LOT

inside subdivision off Indian School Road 439th Ave Water & electricity

$15,000 480-209-9692

MOUNTAIN View Lot.

1.44 acres. Power, water & paved road. 20 minutes to Prescott Valley, 45 minutes from Phoenix $29,900 Owner 602-463-2352

MUST SELL

1 acre lot located in Buckeye, AZ off Watson Road North of I-10. Subdivision. View lot. $45,000 or best offer. 480-209-9692

WENDEN, AZ Beautiful 40 acres, near government land, special price $48,900 Close to Highway 60 off Alamo Road Owner 1-305490-4689

1 to 18 acres, starting $10,000, various locations, payments, owner/agent, 602-510-8900

MOVING SALE

Furniture, appliances & much more!

Saturday & Sunday August 19 & 20

Saturday, August 26 7am-1pm 265 E Estero Lane, Litchfield Park

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

OFFICE/Retail/Premium/ Affordable suites available 722' - 2000' Dysart/ Van Buren/ Litchfield. 602-694-3158

HOMES FOR RENT

3 bed/2 bath home, 2 car garage. Camelback/105th Ave area, Glendale. 1 year lease $975/month plus $600 deposit Credit check required

623-935-9205 623-694-7302

WANTED TO BUY

Notice given by Tolleson Deputy City Clerk Michelle Smythe on Thursday, August 17, 2017

Published in the West Valley View and the West Valley Business on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 / 7634

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I Name: MARINEL LLC L-2182664-3

II The address of the known place of business is: 11161 E Flossmore Cir , Mesa, AZ 85208

III The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: 11161 E Flossmore Cir., Mesa, AZ 85208

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are: Marilou Reyes, 11161 E Flossmore Cir , Mesa, AZ 85208

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on August 9, 16, 23, 2017 / 7307

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on August 8, 16, 23, 2017 / 7345

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I Name: BUILD YOU UP CONSTRUCTION, LLC L-2201029-0

II The address of the known place of business is: 15259 W ROANOKE AVE GOODYEAR, AZ 85395

III The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: ERIK GALINDO 15259 W. ROANOKE AVE GOODYEAR, AZ 85395

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager and each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are: ERIK GALINDO

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on August 16, 23, 30, 2017 / 7399

DEADLINES for the View Classifieds is FRIDAY AT 4PM 623.535.VIEW (8439)

"If it's too good to be true, it probably is "

Interested in advertising statewide? With just one call you can place your 25-word classified ad in 68 newspapers

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR

I Name: TONY'S TILE INSTALLATION LLC

II The address of the known place of business is: 776 W Blue Ridge Dr , SanTan Valley, AZ 85140

III The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is:

Dora Laura Hinojosa Samano, 776 W Blue Ridge Dr , SanTan Valley, AZ 85140

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members The names and addresses of each person who is a member are:

Dora Laura Hinojosa Samano, 776 W Blue Ridge Dr , SanTan Valley, AZ 85140

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on August 9, 2017 / 7251

CALL OF ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HARQUAHALA VALLEY POWER DISTRICT

Pursuant to A R S Section 16-227(A), the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Harquahala Valley Power District (“District”) hereby gives notice that by resolution of the Board on June 14, 2017, the Board has called an election for the purpose of filling the seats of five Directors at L

T

Monday, November 6, 2017 Please note that it is the D

held by the District must be an owner of at least ten (10) acres of land within the District boundaries that is under, or has previously been under and remains susceptible of, active irrigated cultivation for commercial agricultural production Nomination Petitions signed by five or more qualified electors in the District and Nomination Papers f or n o n

District Office located at 160 N. Pasadena, Suite 101, Mesa, AZ 85201, no later than 5:00 p m on September 6, 2017

Qualified electors desiring to be candidates for this election may obtain Nomination Papers and Nomination Petitions from the District Office Voters will be allowed t o w r i t e - i n a

candidate(s) must have filed Nomination Papers with the District Office no later than 5:00 p m on September 20, 2017

Dated this 14th day of June, 2017 Harquahala Valley Power District

PUBLISHED: West Valley Views, August 9, 23, 2017 / 7206

Do List Too Long?

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

CITY OF TOLLESON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

CITY OF TOLLESON CITY COUNCIL

Planning and Zoning Commission will a conduct

5:00 P M , and that the City of Tolleson Mayor and Council will conduct a PUBLIC HEARING during a City Council Meeting scheduled on

2017 at 6:00 P M , both at the City of Tolleson City Hall

1. Soliciting comments from interested parties in reference to Final Plat Application #16120001 as submitted by B

Street, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, on behalf of the owner, Rados Properties-Arizona Land LLC, for the Blue Beacon International Truck Wash located at 8423 West Roosevelt Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353, near the southwest corner of 83rd Avenue and Roosevelt Street (APN 102-47-075A)

Mayor and Council will conduct a PUBLIC HEARING on

at the City of Tolleson City Hall Complex, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353 for the purpose of:

1 Soliciting comments from interested parties in reference to Temporary Use Permit Application #17080001 as submitted by Jose Luis Cardenas on behalf of Blessed Sacrament Church, 512 North 93rd Avenue, Tolleson, AZ 85353, to conduct the annual Fiesta de Amistad (Festival

Van Buren Street during the parade on Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 10:00 A M to 11:00 A M The event will

11:30 P M , Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 11:00 A M to 11:30 P.M., and Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 12:00 P M to 10:30 P M

2 Soliciting comments from interested parties in reference to Use Permit Application #17080002 as submitted by Chris Palomino to open a home-based internet sales

3 Soliciting comments from interested parties in reference to Site Plan Application #17080003 as submitted by Robert Winton of Winton Architects, 1110 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85014, on behalf of Har-

house located at 391 South 99th Avenue, Tolleson, AZ 8

Harrison Street. The proposed site (APN 101-04-009) is approximately 14 23 acres and currently zoned Light Industrial (I-1)

Notice given by Tolleson City Clerk Crystal Zamora on Thursday, August 17, 2017

Published in the West Valley View and the West Valley Busin ess on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 / 7618

NOTICE City of Avondale Request for Qualifications

Plan Review and Inspection Services RFQ EN 18-005

Notice is hereby given that the City of Avondale is seeking statements of qualifications from qualified, licensed firms interested in assisting City staff with plan review and inspection services of residential and commercial development projects throughout the City.

There is no Pre-Submittal Conference scheduled for this solicitation All questions must be in writing and are due no later than Wednesday, September, 6, 2017

Responses must be received by Wednesday, September, 13, 2017 3:00 PM (Phoenix Local Time) and should be directed to: City Clerk, 11465 W Civic Center Drive, Suite 200, Avondale, Arizona 85323 or hand delivered to the City Clerk's office All response packets must be sealed and clearly marked as follows in the lower left hand corner of the mailing envelope:

Plan Review and Inspection Services RFQ EN 18-005

The City is not responsible for the pre-opening of, post opening of, or the failure to open, a response packet that is not properly addressed or identified.

Request for Qualifications Packets will be available for pick-up at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W Civic Center Drive, Avondale, Arizona 85323 or download at www avondale org/procurement

Information regarding this Request for Qualifications opportunity may be obtained by contacting the Procurement Officer, Marsha Chavez at (623) 333-2033

The City of Avondale will endeavor to ensure every way possible that disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) shall have every opportunity to participate in providing materials/services without being discriminated against on grounds of race, religion, sex, age, or natural origin DBE businesses are encouraged to submit on this solicitation

PUBLISHED: West Valley View and West Valley Business August 16, 23, 2017 / 7444

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