Local fire departments remember 9/11
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor
Peoria Fire Chief Bobby Ruiz’s voice softens when he talks about the horrors he saw in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Employed by the Phoenix Fire Department in 2001, Ruiz headed to the Twin Towers as part of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Urban Search and Rescue Arizona Task Force 1. One day in particular stands out.
“I think the roughest day we had — and I think all the members had — was the day we found about 20 or 30 firefighters in the south tower stairwell,” he said.
“Bodies were mangled and every which way.”
When remains were recovered, an air horn sounded and everything stopped.
“If we thought that member belonged to the Port Authority, we would back out and let the Port Authority come in and retrieve their own members,” Ruiz said.
“We would allow the NYPD or NYFD to retrieve their own members, too. For civilians, we would pull them out.”
The remains were transported via a golf cart to a makeshift morgue in a nearby church.
“I just remember all day long, it was one firefighter after another and we just saluted as they went by,” he recalled. “I think that was the toughest day for all of us. We spent most of the day just standing by,
SEE 9/11 PAGE 4
(Photo
Coyotes officially have eyes on Tempe
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Glendale Star Executive Editor
The Arizona Coyotes submitted the only proposal to the city of Tempe for a mixeduse project incorporating a professional sports franchise and entertainment district.
The Coyotes acknowledged their submittal in a short statement to the press.
“We are pleased to have submitted a proposal to the city of Tempe. As regulations surrounding the RFP process dictate, we cannot comment any further at this time, but we remain incredibly excited about this extraordinary opportunity,” the Coy-
otes said.
ers. These people and places also will be top of mind during evaluations of RFP responses.”
The two parcels of city-owned land total 46 acres at the northeast corner of Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway. As of Sept. 2, the proposal was being evaluated, and that process could take months.
Drive and Rio Salado Parkway. As of
The city of Tempe said in a statement “the two city parcels involved in this RFP represent an important area of the city, near Tempe Town Lake and the Tempe Center for the Arts, and adjacent to neighborhoods and employ-
Tempe Center for the Arts, and ad- resentatives cannot discuss the matter.
According to state procurement law, only the names of entities responding to an RFP can be revealed when the RFP closes. The name in this instance is Bluebird Development LLC, according to a statement from the city of Tempe. While the submittal is evaluated and the city engages in intensive due diligence, Tempe representatives cannot discuss the matter.
SEE COYOTES PAGE 3
Peoria Fire Chief Bobby Ruiz witnessed the nightmarish aftereffects of 9/11.
courtesy of the Peoria Fire Chief)
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Staff members are following preset evaluation criteria. The evaluation will include projected economic impacts, job creation, public benefit, neighborhood considerations and traffic impacts. Due to the complexity of the evaluation, the city is likely to turn to third-party consultants for assistance in aspects of its evaluation, according to Tempe’s statement.
At this end of the evaluation process, if the city staff team determines that negotiation with the proposer is warranted, it will recommend that the city council start discussions. The council has the authority to accept or reject this recommendation through one or more public meetings.
Third, if the council agrees to enter exclusive negotiations with the proposer, that will begin a new process that could take several more months. This would involve direct negotiations between city staff and the developer. Negotiations would be aimed at determining whether it is possible for the parties to agree on a development
watching New York’s bravest taking out their own members, putting them on a cart and taking them out. That was tough.”
To remember those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years ago, Ruiz recruited the Peoria Fire-Medical Department in partnership with the Peoria Police, Glendale Fire and Sun City Fire departments to schedule a memorial for 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.
“It was his idea,” said Capt. Mark Barbee, the Peoria Fire Department’s public information officer. “He said, ‘Let’s do something for the 20-year anniversary.’”
Two ladder trucks will display a large American flag across 83rd Avenue at West Mariners Way.
“Originally, it was just going to be Peoria Fire and we were going to bring in Peoria police,” Barbee said.
“Then we decided we needed a second ladder truck to help extend the large American flag over the intersection. Glendale, Sun City and Peoria will be there in some form or another.”
Drivers are invited to pass under the flag, interact with public safety members, leave messages and take photos. The Honor Guard and Pipes & Drums will also be in attendance.
“We will have a large box on the corner so people can drop off letters and notes. They can take photos of the firefighters and police officers. There will not be speakers, tables or vendors.”
Aside from honoring the fallen, the first responders are encouraging those who drive by to spend time in P83 to keep businesses afloat that were affected by the pandemic.
“The only times I have ever driven under an American flag are fire department funerals,” Barbee said. “It is sobering to drive underneath something that large. Something comes over you.”
Long night
Working as a Phoenix Fire Department commander, Ruiz was sleeping in his office on Sept. 11, 2001, when he was awakened by an alarm at 5:45 a.m.
“The dispatch center told me a plane flew into the tower in New York,” he recalled. “They thought it was terror-
ism. I envisioned a Cessna. I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, washed my face and turned on CNN. It was a commercial airline, a good-sized passenger plane.”
Forty-five minutes later, as reporters were on the ground reporting on the first plane and the subsequent fire, TV showed live the second plane hitting the building.
“I thought it was a rerun,” he said. “The reporter was saying, ‘No, no, no.’ Watching the second one live, I remember thinking we may be deployed.”
Within a half hour, he received a phone call telling Ruiz and his staff to report to the fire academy because they were being deployed as a FEMA team.
“When you’re deployed, you have to be out the door within four hours,” he recalled. “The shift that wasn’t working that day was the first to be called out.”
Doctors ran physicals and ensured Ruiz and his staff’s shots were up to date. He prepared equipment that filled six 18-wheelers.
ed. “Once you’re activated, you are no longer property of the city of Phoenix. You’re property of the federal government, FEMA. We were going to fly out of Luke Air Force Base, but there were no planes to fly out.
“We would fly out in one of these jumbo airplanes, but all the military planes were up in the air, flying toward the border, the Pentagon and Washington, D.C., to protect the homeland. All the commercial flights were grounded.”
With no transportation, Ruiz and his staff were sequestered in a hotel on Eighth Street and Van Buren. In the morning, they returned to the academy to wait for a plane.
After a few days, a cargo plane was sent to pick them up to fly to McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, New Jersey, at 11 p.m. They were then bused to nearby Fort Dix to sleep.
“You have to be self-sufficient for 72 hours once you’re deployed,” he add-
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“The next morning, we were bused across the Hudson River to New York,” he said. “They took us to the Javits Center, which was the operations center.
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“We were bused over to the site to get an advanced look before we started the next morning. We met with the fire department command officers in New York and some of the FEMA officers.
“We got there, and it was very surreal. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I had never seen anything like it and never will again. It was like a scene out of the movies where they bombed a city or something. It looked like pickup sticks.
“We stood at the edge, the east end of the complex, and you could see steel girders everywhere. I looked down into the voids, and you could see four stories down.”
The following day, they were bused to ground zero. There was not a safe way to get from point A to point B.
“These big girders went every which way,” he explained. “They’re just walking girder to girder. I was at the Oklahoma City bombing before that, some hurricanes. The (K9 teams) were always pulling at the handlers, ready to go. They want to go to work.
randon, Bianca Jagger and Sylvester Stallone, stopped by to encourage the first responders, who were treated by massage therapists and chiropractors.
The first responders were honored and applauded everywhere they went, including Wall Street.
A bit of rest
A church official acquired Broadway tickets for “Les Miserables” for the first responders to ease their moods.
“We went to dinner and were just hanging around, waiting for the show,” he said.
“We went to a fire station in Midtown again. There were no survivors in Manhattan. They gave us T-shirts with their engine company. There were flowers in front of the fire station. Then this lady brought flowers and starts to cry. She said she was coming down the narrow stairwells and she remembers firefighters coming up.
“The dogs were whimpering and going in the opposite direction. They were capturing so many smells from the site that it blew their senses. They were scared. They were afraid.”
Ruiz said that “woke me up a little bit.” Covering the area was gray powder created from pulverized concrete and glass from the towers.
“We were lucky because it had rained the first couple of days before we got there,” he said. “Even with all the precautions with self-contained breathing apparatus and special filtered masks, we breathed in some of that.”
Ruiz and his team were assigned to pick up airplane parts, place them in a big metal bin and document them. After a few days, the task wore on them and they suffered from sleep deprivation. To eat, makeshift restaurants were set up across the street.
Celebrities like Loretta Swit from “M*A*S*H,” along with Susan Sa-
“She was out of breath, so she stopped, and a firefighter gave her a bottle of water and told her to keep going, don’t stop, walk all the way down, and when you hit the doors, keep going until you hit the East River.”
Upon entering the theater, the sleep-deprived first responders took advantage of the situation.
“I had the structural engineer on one of my shoulders completely snoring and a captain on my right fully asleep and snoring,” Ruiz said. “It was embarrassing, but at the same time everybody understood. I think everybody had a good nap.”
The next morning, they arrived home. In the aftermath, the first responders from Arizona suffered from lung problems or cancer associated with the debris — fires from underneath, gas lines and toxic materials on fire. A videographer who worked with Ruiz died, while a doctor has throat cancer.
“We knock on wood, still, and count our blessings every day.”
Marco López Jr. promises to listen to constituents
BY BRIAN CANO SR. Glendale Star Contributing Writer
Climate change, water conservation, energy consumption and environmental policy highlight Marco López Jr.’s list of priorities for this campaign to be governor.
On March 16, the Democrat became the first candidate to announce his intention of seeking the highest state office in Arizona.
“I think Arizona politicians have stopped listening and stopped caring about the issues of everyday Arizonans,” he said.
“If you don’t walk, talk and listen to the people of Arizona, to the small-business owners, to the teachers, to the nurses, and care about what they’re telling you, then you have no business leading.”
As the former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), López Jr. reportedly managed 60,000 employees with a $12 billion budget.
López Jr., the chief executive officer of Intermestic Partners, said, as governor, he would act to reduce Arizona’s carbon emissions footprint by encouraging “green energy” manufacturing and investing in access to health care resources.
“Arizona is under-investing. You can lose everything if you get sick, because you don’t have access to quality health care,” López Jr. said.
“We’re going to work on behalf of Arizonans to make sure that if they get sick, it doesn’t ruin their financial stability at home.”
López Jr., who was elected Nogales mayor at age 22, said the state “must” protect its natural environment, while balancing that fine line between technology and economy.
As governor, he expects to bridge growing gaps between farmers — ranchers — forest owners and the leadership of the 22 tribal nations in Arizona. He would involve groups who will work together to address climate change, which is a direct threat to our way of life, according to López Jr.
“After bringing all parties to the table, all parties may not only be political
parties but agriculture, development industry, all of our 22 tribes, especially those that have access directly to Colorado River,” López Jr. said.
“That’s a necessity, so we must make sure that Arizona has the ability to grow responsibly into the future.”
According to López Jr., critical partnerships could minimize conflict and improve the overall reliability of the Central Arizona Project (CAP). López Jr. was quick to point out that the current agreement, the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), is set to expire in 2026.
“We have to act on our water future in Arizona. The management agreement that we are under expires in 2026,” López Jr. said.
“We have to elect the best person with an ability to bring people together to solve this, which has the executive and management experience that can actually pull it off.”
Arizonans need a steady and sustainable water supply and a better understanding of long-term effects when the soil is unable to absorb water on nearby rivers, lakes and streams, according to López Jr.
If elected, López Jr. said he would be committed to developing effective mitigation strategies to protect critical water supplies, which originate in forested environments.
“Forest thinning is key because it
also helps prevent and limit forest fires,” López Jr. said.
“Because the forests are so dense, the water absorption that flows downstream is much less because those forests suck it all up with the rainfall that occurs, which limits the snowpack in the winters, and then the water runoff during monsoons and periods of rain.”
As governor, López Jr. added, he would also serve as a steward of Arizona’s natural resources.
“We were cognizant of the fact that future generations should enjoy clean air, clean water, the outdoors, open spaces, and have access to those things, the quality of life that you and I have enjoyed.”
Childhood lessons, according to López Jr., of witnessing varying social experiences introduced different ways of dealing with his life. He credits both of his forward-thinking parents, Marco Sr. and Esther López, for his strong sense of autonomy.
“They (Marco Sr. and Esther) were the first two supporters, and then they were also the ones that always believed in me,” López Jr. said. “You go talk to my parents now, and they will tell you who the next governor of the state of Arizona is going to be.”
According to López Jr., he was greatly influenced by the late Rep. Ed Pastor, who called on him to become a congressional page. It was Pastor, who mentored López, Jr., who would tactfully bridge generational gaps by finding common ground.
“The lesson from the congressman was talk and listen to the people, go knock on their door, make the case to them and let them decide. Don’t let the establishment decide for you,” López Jr. said.
“The bridge is actually the recognition that we have an obligation to live with one another and take care of our spaces and take care of our environment.”
Marco López Jr. is the former director of the Arizona Department of Commerce. (Photo courtesy of Marco López Jr.)
Glendale recognizes second responders
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
The city of Glendale recognized second responders during the COVID-19 pandemic during an Aug. 30 reception, during which Mayor Jerry Weiers presented a proclamation recognizing that week as Second Responders Week.
Second responders provide support to individuals and families in the wake of a crisis, including access to shelter and housing, employment, food and other critical services.
and public sector staff including outreach workers, shelter staff, home-delivered meal providers, case workers, housing specialists, food bank workers and victim advocates. These professionals and many others in the community help people connect to the resources they need to survive and to thrive.
The reception was sponsored by Credit Union West.
“In a time when so many Glendale residents and Arizonans are seeking refuge from the pandemic, brave men and women dedicated their lives to making sure as many people as possible receive the assistance they needed
to survive this crisis,” Weiers said.
“The COVID-19 public health pandemic has highlighted the critical role of our second responders in helping to put lives back together during a critical time of need. I am truly grateful for their commitment.”
Second responders are nonprofit
“Supporting and giving back to the community is an important part of our DNA,” said Karen Roch, president and chief executive officer of Credit Union West.
“We are proud and honored to sponsor the Second Responders Reception and help recognize the many men and women who work tirelessly to serve our communities.”
Mayor Jerry P. Weiers reads the Second Responders Week proclamation. (Photo courtesy of the city of Glendale)
Voting rights activists demand White House action
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
The League of Women Voters-Northwest Maricopa County along with a contingency of league members from across Arizona traveled to Washington, D.C., to make their voices heard on Aug. 24.
“It was an honor to be advocating for all Arizonans and the people of our country so they can take part in democracy and vote without barriers,” Linda Napier of the League of Women Voters-Northwest Maricopa County said.
The League of Women Voters, along with their allies at People for the American Way, hosted a rally and protested in front of the White House, demanding President Joe Biden and his administration take swift action and use the full extent of their power to ensure the passage of voters’ rights legislation.
The rally — billed “No More Excuses: Voting Rights Now!” — called on the administration to bring lawmakers together and work to remove all obstacles standing in the way of the For the
People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
“It is time President Biden lives up to his promise to make voting rights a priority of this administration,” said Virginia Kase Solomón, chief executive officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States.
“Mr. President, you have the power
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executive director of the Democracy Initiative, representing 75 labor, civil rights and environmental groups with a combined membership of 45 million people.
“Like President Biden, President Johnson confronted implacable opposition and seemingly impossible procedural obstacles. Unlike President Biden — so far — he did not allow these hurdles to stand in the way of taking action to protect the right to vote.
This is President Biden’s Lyndon Johnson moment; history will not be kind if he fails to show leadership.”
to bring lawmakers together from both sides of the aisle and ensure these voting rights bills become law. Now is the time. The American people are counting on you.”
“In 1965, Lyndon Johnson negotiated, twisted arms and did whatever it took to ensure passage of the Voting Rights Act,” said Charly Carter,
Jana Morgan, director of the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, said democracy is facing the greatest threat of “our lifetimes.”
“President Biden must let nothing stand in the way of protecting our freedom to vote and ensuring fair elections,” she said.
“We need national standards to ensure that we can safely and freely cast
League of Women Voters members Maryann Kenney, Pinny Sheoran, Kara Pelletier, speaker Virginia Kase Solomón (League of Women Voters chief executive officer), Terri Farneti and Kate Stewart rally in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of the League of Women Voters)
Glendale seeks input on design concepts
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
The city of Glendale is hosting a virtual public meeting to review design concepts developed for the Maryland Active Transportation Study.
The meeting will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at https:// bit.ly/MarylandActive. This project will improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling in the area between Maryland Avenue and Bethany Home Road on the north and south and between 43rd and 59th avenues on the east and west.
The city of Glendale, with a grant from the Maricopa Association of Governments, is developing design concepts to close gaps in the sidewalk network and potentially upgrade bicycle facilities in the study area. Sidewalk concepts include the construction of missing sidewalk segments, upgrades to sidewalk curb ramps and to driveway aprons. Other upgrades under evaluation include bike lanes, improved signage, pavement restriping, and intersection improvements related to pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.
Flipping for the D-backs
Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey of Glendale added a gymnast twist to her first pitch to left fielder David Peralta before the Diamondbacks game on Aug. 30. She performed a front aerial in the middle of the pitch, leaving Peralta with his mouth agape. Carey is preparing to tour with Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Gila River Arena. (Photos by Taylor Jackson/Arizona Diamondbacks)
VOTING FROM PAGE 9
our ballots, have our voices heard, and elect leaders who deliver on our priorities. President Biden, failure is not an option.”
In response to the protest, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that Biden “stands by the activists and their vocal calls for more and for forward action. I would say he’s with them.”
Later that day, the U.S. House of Representatives took a major step forward in their work toward voter equality by passing the John Lewis VRAA. This essential legislation would restore
the Voting Rights Act and its protections regarding discrimination against voters of color.
League of Women Voters of the United States President Dr. Deborah Ann Turner said the passage is a “critical piece of legislation.”
“Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate is deadlocked on voting rights, which is why the League of Women Voters is calling on the White House to bring lawmakers together, remove the obstacles in the way, and work collectively on behalf of the American voters to see this legislation become law.”
More kids die from other causes than COVID-19
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Glendale Star Columnist
If you go back to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, January of last year, you discover that in this state so far, we have lost 36 young people to this stinking virus. Three dozen in 20 months. Every loss like this is tragic, but such losses also demand perspective.
Meaning: As serial killers go, COVID-19 has a deeply ingrained taste for older adults. In all, 90% of Arizonans killed by the virus so far are age 55 or older.
I make this comparison because of late we are hearing about what headline writers and TV news types love to call “a spike” in COVID-19 among Arizona children. These stories teem with fear, because when it comes to kids, the news adores the specter of the Grim Reaper.
My point: Maybe dig a little before you believe the hype. Maybe don’t rush to Amazon quite yet and purchase that kid-sized plastic bubble for
your youngest family members. Maybe it’s even safe to send the kids off to school, though in-person learning would create more risk for older principals, teachers and school staffers.
Arizona’s Department of Health Services has publicly made available the full range of pandemic: cases, hospitalizations, deaths and vaccination levels down to the ZIP code.
For me, the numbers produce perspective, food for thought, and a sense of calm. I like to know what we’re up against so I can apportion my concern appropriately.
How risky is COVID-19 for anyone under the age of 20? Not very, according to the numbers.
Our state is home to 1.84 million girls and boys under age 20, according to ADHS. So far, 1 in 10 have tested positive for COVID-19. Of the 182,351 positive cases in that demographic, about 1.4% have required hospitalization.
That’s 2,633 young heads in hospital beds — compared to more than 31,000 people hospitalized age 65 or older.
I’ll say it again: COVID-19 preys on the old and the infirm, especially when they’re unvaccinated.
Keep in mind, vaccines have not yet been administered to those under the age of 12, and to only 19% of kids under age 20. They’re doing just fine without it, at least so far, thank you very much.
And while we’re on the subject of developing perspective, let me add this. Every year, the state does an extensive review of fatalities among minors. It’s sad reading, but edifying. In 2019, pre-pandemic, 777 children died in Arizona, down from 843 deaths the year before.
What kills our kids with the greatest frequency? Car crashes. Murder. Suffocation. Parents high on drugs. Prematurity. Cancer.
Each of these causes kills more Arizona children in a given year than has COVID-19.
The state divides child deaths into
two groups — preventable and natural. Among deaths deemed accidental, reckless driving took 61 kids in 2019. Substance abuse by parents contributed to 54 deaths, while unsafe sleep environments killed 52 kids. There were 59 homicides that year among minors, with blunt force claiming 29 lives and guns taking 24 more.
When an Arizona child dies a natural death, it’s almost always one of three causes: Prematurity took 170 infants in 2019, birth defects took 99 children, and cancer took 54 kids from their parents that year.
My hope is not to sound hard-boiled, indifferent to the suffering of children and their loved ones. Rather, my goal is to offer some context. COVID-19 may indeed be spiking among the young, but that surge is mostly numerical, nothing worse than your average case of the flu. There are spikes, is what I’m saying, and then there’s a deadly spike through the heart. For kids, COVID-19 is absolutely not that.
David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.
Recent events show President Biden’s time is up
BY J.D. HAYWORTH
Glendale Star Columnist
When President George H.W. Bush looked at his watch during the second debate of the 1992 campaign, it probably ensured his “second-place finish” on Election Day. No other gesture expresses disinterest or disdain more effectively — even if that is not the intent.
And it is the reason political consultants of every stripe — Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, vegetarian — advise candidates and officeholders to avoid that action in public or in front of cameras. It is drummed into their col-
lective memory.
Joe Biden’s memory has deteriorated before our eyes. The most graphic evidence came on the final Sunday of August at Dover Air Force Base. The commander-in-chief checked his watch during the solemn return of the remains of 13 fallen Americans. Even worse, Biden looked at his watch repeatedly — diminishing the dignity of the ceremony known as the “dignified transfer.”
The father of one of the fallen — Darin Hoover, whose son, Marine Staff
Sgt. Taylor Hoover, was killed along with a dozen others during the terror bombing of Kabul Airport — said Biden checked his watch 13 times.
“That didn’t just happen once; that happened on every single one that came out of that airplane,” Hoover said. “It happened on every single one of them. They would release the salute, and he’d look down at this watch. On every last one. All 13 — he looked down at his watch,”
Mr. Hoover recalled during a TV interview.
Things did not improve when Mr. Biden subsequently met with the new Gold Star families. In an apparent at-
tempt to empathize with the parents of the fallen, the president recalled the passing of his older son, Beau. While Beau Biden served in Iraq, he did so as part of the administrative and legal team in the Army’s judge advocate general’s corps — not as part of a combat unit.
Moreover, he served his tour of duty during portions of 2008 and 2009. The younger Biden was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013 and passed away in 2015. While certainly tragic, Beau’s death at age 46 occurred under very different circumstances than the 13 warriors who were killed in the Kabul
Airport bombing. The aforementioned Taylor Hoover was the eldest at 31; the others were in their early 20s.
Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui died at age 20; his mother’s grief turned to anger during her encounter with Joe Biden. Shana Chappell later posted this on Facebook: “(Y)ou tried to interrupt me and give me your own sob story and (I) had to tell you, ‘This isn’t about you so don’t make it about you!!!’”
Ms. Chappell’s post subsequently became more passionate, pointed and profane.
“You do not have the right to tell me how I feel! U then rolled your (expletive) eyes in your head like you were annoyed with me…”
Facebook officials were certainly annoyed with Shana; they censored that post and others on Instagram, which is owned by Facebook. Subsequent press inquiries prompted the social media sites to restore Ms. Chappell’s accounts to full functionality.
The full functionality of the Biden administration is AWOL and has been since inauguration day. The chief executive is cognitively impaired; the vice president laughs often and at inopportune times. But the incompetence has been brought into sharp focus by the debacle in Afghanistan.
The secretary of defense is all for diversity and inclusion — except for
Caucasian conservatives. The chairman of the joint chiefs fancies himself an intellectual warrior — but in reality is neither; and Secretary of State Blinken is at least well named, as he often blinks at the first sign of confrontation.
It would be comic were it not so tragic.
A departure so disorderly that Americans are left stranded, while unvetted Afghans will soon be coming to a neighborhood near you.
A plan so poorly formulated that it leaves billions of dollars of sophisticated weaponry and aircraft in the hands of savage warriors who will couple their 6th century sensibilities with 21st century lethality.
A strategy so senseless that it introduces a protective force — not to find and protect American citizens — but to spend its time in force protection in a place so indefensible that it attracts a terror attack in which 13 Americans are killed.
The communist Chinese “president” doesn’t have to worry about debates… or elections. When he checks his watch, he may say about the USA, “Time’s up!”
J.D. Hayworth worked as a sportscaster at Channel 10, Phoenix, from 1987 until 1994 and represented Arizona in Congress from 19952007.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS - REDISTRICTING
HELP DRAW THE NEW COUNCIL DISTRICTS
The City of Glendale is seeking public input on proposed district maps, both online and through a series of community workshops and City Council meetings. All voices matter in this process and greater participation can lead to a more transparent and representative experience for all Glendale residents.
MEETING DATES
September 20 2:00 p.m.
September 22 10:00 a.m.
September 27 6:30 p.m.
Glendale City Council Chambers 5850 W. Glendale Avenue
Glendale Main Library Auditorium 5959 W. Brown Street
Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center 5600 W. Union Hills Drive
Community workshops can be attended in person or viewed live on the City’s YouTube and Facebook channels where viewers can provide feedback and ask questions of the redistricting consultant. A recorded workshop presentation will be available on the City’s Glendale 11 cable channel and the redistricting webpage at www.glendaleaz.com/redistricting.
YouTube.com/c/GlendaleArizona Facebook.com/GlendaleAZ
HAYWORTH FROM PAGE 12
God bless the fallen troops
BY JUDY BLUHM Glendale Star Columnist
Are you there, God? Just checking. We have troubles from the Afghanistan war. It’s hard to read about, much less comprehend what just happened.
If you are an immediate family member of a soldier or sailor who dies in combat, war knocks at your door. When the two military officers and chaplain in full dress uniform come to your house and ring the doorbell, that is the moment your life changes. War enters your home. And the grief begins. Our country has lost too many men and women who stood for our flag and stood up to our enemies. One of the most important military duties is to provide death notification to the deceased’s next of kin. The goal is that the family is notified within eight hours of the casualty incident. Upon arrival at the home of the next of kin, the notification officer will ask for permission to enter.
The commandant extends his deepest sympathy to you and your family in your loss.”
The notification team must be prepared for any type of response. When my friend’s son was killed in Iraq, she opened her door, screamed at the officers standing in front of her and slammed the door in their faces. They stood for several hours in her courtyard until she was able to collect herself and let them inside.
The sorrow that our child, parent or spouse died in some faraway place, in a violent manner, is simply too much to grasp. Did he or she die instantly? When will I receive the remains? How did this happen? Who did this? Was there suffering? The questions come fast and furious, while the answers may lag far behind. The officers may stay with the next of kin, until other family members can arrive. They do not like to leave the grieving person alone.
“I am an American fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.” Article I of the code of conduct for members of the armed forces of the United States.
The solemn duty to inform loved ones that their son, daughter, wife or husband is not returning home is heart-wrenching and handled with the utmost respect and dignity. Once in front of the next of kin, an officer will articulate, the following: “The commandant of the Marines Corps (or other service branch) has entrusted me to express his deep regret that your son (or daughter) was killed in action in (place of incident) on (date and time).
More than 2,400 Americans died in Afghanistan. Many of the last 13 soldiers were not even born when the war started. Over 20,000 soldiers were seriously wounded in the war. Estimates suggest almost $1 trillion was spent on this “conflict.” Let the finger pointing begin; there is plenty of blame to go around and, perhaps, there will be lessons learned. A war has ended; the pain endures. Now, we honor the fallen and support their families. Their sacrifices were not in vain. Those who died did so on the altar of democracy, in service of our country. God bless them eternally.
Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a comment or a story? Email her at judy@judybluhm.com.
GlendaleStar.com /GlendaleStar
EōS Fitness expands with new gym in Glendale
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor
EōS Fitness recently opened its 26th Arizona facility near State Farm Stadium, and Regional Vice President of Operations Katy O’Neil said it’s one of the top gyms in the chain.
Located at 5070 N. 83rd Avenue, the gym provides athletes with advanced equipment and personal trainers.
“It’s right down the street from one of our busiest clubs,” O’Neil said. “We can refer people here and get them working out.”
EōS Fitness is known for its more than 60 G-Fit classes, or group fitness courses. O’Neil said the vibe is uplifting when customers walk into the gym.
“There’s a ton of energy when you walk in,” she said. “One of my favorite things is the MoveEōS Cinema. We
have a movie that plays all day long.”
In the cinema, clients can get their cardio and entertainment fix in these cardio rooms that are equipped with a big screen, surround room and mood lighting.
“We play action films and the like,” she said. “We try to keep the films fresh and new so people will want to go in there.”
“The Yard” is a green turf functional training area. The Flite Zone, a 20-minute full-body circuit. Saunas are in each locker room, and a recovery room boasts massage chairs.
At EōS Fitness, monthly charges start at $9.99.
“We like to say EōS Fitness is for everyone — from the person who’s knew to working out to pro athletes who are really serious about fitness. We try to make everyone feel comfortable.”
EōS opened its 26th location at 5070 N. 83rd Avenue. The location includes staple features such as the MoveEōS Cinema, allowing for clients to workout while watching a movie as well as “The Yard,” a green turf training area. (Photo courtesy of EōS Fitness)
Glendale’s Go Fudi offers delivery service with a smile
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Glendale Star Executive Editor
Former Glendale resident Mark Barton heard complaints from restaurants about third-party delivery services’ drivers, late orders and astronomical fees.
So, he decided to do something about it. He founded Go Fudi (pronounced foodie) with the tagline “Happy Delivery.”
“I decided it was time for us local boys to compete with the big boys,” said Barton, who now lives in Sun City West. “We’ll see what happens. We’re going to strive to give the best customer
service as possible.
“It’s incredible. Every restaurant I talk with has complaints about the drivers — their attitudes and behavior. Restaurants are just sick and tired of the (third-party delivery services).”
New customers receive free delivery on their first order through gofudi.com. The app is being developed.
Barton’s 56 clients include Glendale’s Ajo Al’s Mexican Café, Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante and Bush’s Chicken, as well as Desi Fusion Indian Restaurant and Haymaker in Peoria.
“The plan is to expand throughout the entire Valley — just baby steps,” Barton said. “We’re starting with Ar-
rowhead Ranch because of the number of apartments, residents and businesses. My first expansion is to head west along Bell Road and cover all the way west to Surprise, as well as communities like Sun Cities and Wittman, and up to Vistancia.”
A 34-year APS employee, Barton is a serial entrepreneur who also works as a real estate agent.
“I don’t know how to sit still,” he said with a laugh. “I’m always thinking about what I should be doing next. I started looking to see what was needed or different businesses that were around.”
He said he didn’t want to launch Go
Fudi until all the kinks were worked out.
“I wanted to be able to deliver,” he said.
Go Fudi is linked with an organization with 200 affiliates across the nation. Barton founded Go Fudi, but he is following the examples and schematic of another organization, he said.
“I’m cloning it, as the big wigs say — but with my twist,” said Barton, an Air Force veteran.
One thing he’s not copying is driver attitudes.
“I don’t hire off of an app,” he said. “I hire everybody face to face. They represent my company and the restaurants. I want to get the best people possible.”
Zanjero Falls sold for residential conversion
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Zanjero Falls, a three-story, gray shell building, originally developed to be medical/office condominiums has sold for $10 million.
A local investor purchased the vacant property, and it will be converted into a market competitive multifamily community, further enhancing the Westgate Entertainment District.
Zanjero Falls was built in 2008 in the heart of Glendale’s shopping and entertainment district. The property was built to provide high-end medical/ office condominium units for lease or purchase to small-business owner/users.
Unfortunately, the property was completed as the Great Recession hit in 2008-09. Since then, the property has been through a series of different owners, including loan defaults and bankruptcies.
As a result, the interior of the property was never built out and sat idle for more than 10 years. Located at 7410 N. Zanjero Boulevard, the 7.5-acre campus contains three buildings with an underground parking facility totaling 231,272 square feet. The property also offers healing gardens, water features, and a large pond with bridge at the main entrance.
Tim Dulany and Alexandra Loye of Colliers in Arizona represented the seller, SZ Real Co LLC, an Arizona limited liability company headed by a San Francisco-based investor.
Nirvana at Zanjero LLC, an Arizona limited liability company, purchased the property and was represented by Sharat (Shuan) Kanaka of Paradise Valley.
“The seller of this property hired Colliers to bring a new, creative approach to marketing the asset for sale
along with a robust national platform to market the property locally and nationally to a large buyer pool,” Dulany said.
“The property had been marketed several times in the past with other smaller brokerage firms that were unable to find an appropriate buyer for senior housing uses.
“We knew this beautiful development had great potential and identified quickly what were the highest and best uses for the property and who were the likely buyers within those specialty property types.”
The price was set at more than $1 million higher than any prior offer that was made to the sellers for the asset.
“Utilizing our experience and connections in the marketplace, we were able to secure multiple offers within two weeks of launching our marketing efforts, which led to a multiple competitive offers from buyers that resulted in an above-asking sale price, along with
an expedited close,” Dulany said.
“This marks one of the best strategic marketing and success stories for our team during 2021, accomplished in the midst of COVID-19 and a challenging
political/economic climate.”
Loye added, “We have tracked this asset for many years and are excited to finally see it come to life. The Westgate Entertainment District has serious momentum with several new development projects in the works, and we are happy to be a part of this movement.”
Zanjero Falls features a Spanish colonial architectural style with balconies, arches and towers. The property is adjacent to the new Desert Diamond Casino, Gila River Arena, State Farm Stadium and Westgate City Center. The buyer is working on design/architectural plans and city approvals to build more than 300 units of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.
Estimated completion date for the first phase of construction (which is to build out the existing shell building) is fourth quarter 2022 and second phase (to build new detached buildings) by spring/summer 2023.
Zanjero Falls is a 7.5-acre campus that contains three buildings with an underground parking facility totaling 231,272 square feet. The structure will be transformed into a multifamily community featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. (Photo courtesty of Zanjero Falls)
Glendale tennis star Kylie McKenzie returns to AZ
BY DEREK MOSKAL Glendale Star Staff Writer
After years of training in California and Florida, tennis star Kylie McKenzie returned to her hometown of Glendale to reunite with her youth coach and train at the iTUSA.
McKenzie spent 10 years training at the U.S. Tennis Association surrounded by professional tennis players and developing her game. In July, she reached out to her first coach, Rafa Font de Mora, about rejoining the iTUSA.
“It was not a difficult decision at all. It’ll be great to be at such a great facility and training with Rafa again,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie started playing tennis at 3 years old and began taking the sport more seriously at 8 years old, when she began her training with former European professional Font de Mora.
Font de Mora has been coaching tennis for more than 30 years and has come across many players, but he still remembers his first encounter with McKenzie.
“I remember like it was yesterday. I’ve had many students, but some make an immediate impact on you. She was the type of player that, even when very young, was focused, determined, extremely attentive to detail, and had re-
ally good technique,” he said.
As McKenzie thrived at a young age in tournaments, the U.S. Tennis Association took notice and recruited her to train with it in California.
Despite having to leave home, McKenzie was thrilled to have this opportunity. “I was just so excited with the opportunity to go train with pros. By the age 13 or 14, I was already training with Sloane Stephens,” she said.
Her youth career took her all around the world and found great success. She played in tournaments in the Caribbean, Denmark, Barcelona and across
the United States. She won the age 16 nationals at 15 years old, which qualified her to play in the US Open Juniors, where she progressed into the quarterfinals. At age 16, she won the Eddie Herr International Junior Tournament, which is the largest international tournament in the world for players under 18 years old.
Throughout her career in global tournaments, she’s learned to embrace the pressure that big matches bring.
Along with Font de Mora, the smaller and more individually focused coaching techniques of the iTUSA were the main reasons for McKenzie’s return.
“The way Rafa and the academy train is very unique. It’s very personalized. It’s very different. I really love how detailed he is. It gives me a lot of confidence that I’ve made the best decision to help launch my career,” she said.
In the USTA, McKenzie said she trains in large groups with one coach overseeing them. At the iTUSA, Font de Mora said there are about 20 players in the academy, and he works personally with five of them.
McKenzie’s eyes are set on a professional career.
“My plan is to officially start on tour next year and get on the pro tour in 2022. I want to build my rankings and keep climbing,” McKenzie said.
Font de Mora has similar expectations for her future.
“She has a special pedigree. I think she was born to be a great player. I think she is in the right setting here in Arizona. I think she can definitely be a top 10 player in the world,” he said.
He said he also thinks that McKenzie’s impact will go beyond her own court. He believes her future success will encourage more kids to be involved in tennis in Arizona.
“There’s definitely pressure and stressful moments when you’re playing. But honestly, for me, that’s why I love tennis. I love the adrenaline of competing and feeling that pressure and basically executing under that pressure,” she said.
Now, at 22 years old, she returns to train with Font de Mora at iTUSA, where her career began.
“This is a perfect breeding ground to make Arizona develop more top players. I’m hopeful Kylie can be a springboard to make more kids have that desire.”
Tennis player Kylie McKenzie has her eye on a professional career. (Photo courtesy of Kylie McKenzie)
Synergy swim team prioritizes members over medals
BY ALLISON BROWN Glendale Star Staff Writer
The Synergy artistic swim team combines physical fitness and artistic expression in a way that focuses on improving and developing every member to their fullest potential, regardless of their initial skill level.
The team was founded by Ilse Kremer, a longtime sports mom and former artistic swimmer, after seeing how coaches only focused on their best athletes and didn’t devote time to helping the beginners or fledgling players.
“Why is it that so many clubs are on the side of the medals and recognition? Why do so many coaches spend most of their time on the good athletes, making them even better and getting them to competitions? Why is it that the athletes who need more help kind of fall by the wayside and they age out of the sport or get discouraged and they quit,” Kremer said. “I’m a teacher by trade, so when I have students in my class who are struggling, I pay more attention to them, not less.”
Kremer wanted to create a club that focuses on the individual’s needs, goals and interests, along with what the parents want to see developed. To cater to experienced swimmers and beginners, the club has two tracks: a competitive track and a recreational track. Unlike most swim teams, members can move back and forth between these tracks depending on what they want to do and how they develop.
“One of what I feel is one of our strengths is that no matter where a swimmer starts, we continually evaluate them, not just based on what they’re able to do, but based on what they say they want to do and what their family wants them to do,” Kremer said. “If you’re qualified to swim junior but you’re tired and want to swim in intermediate, then you can do that and we will work with you. Or, if you’re a really good intermediate swimmer and you want to try to work
up to senior, we will do that.”
Synergy started Aug. 8. Kremer is joined by one of her daughter’s former swim coaches, Diane Nowak, who has been involved in the sport for 50 years. So far, they have nine members, but Nowak said they are happy with that so early after its founding. Some of the members came from other teams;
swim team, Swerzenski added, saying they are excited to be able to provide a space for them and have a partnership moving forward.
The team practices in the water most days but spends Wednesdays out of the water and in the gym. Artistic swimming is unique in that it requires a great deal of physical fitness while also being a creative outlet. Kremer said she may be biased, but she thinks artistic swimming is the hardest competitive sport because it requires both flexibility and strength, while most sports only focus on one or the other.
(From top) Brooklyn Bonb, 11, Nadia Kremer, 14, and Sidney Pineo, 13, train in the pool at ASU. Diane Nowak coaches a synchronized swim team at the ASU pool in Glendale. Nadia Kremer, 14, trains in the pool. (Photos by Pablo Robles)
others are new to the sport. Ideally, Nowak said they would like to get to 50 members and welcome anyone who can stay afloat.
The team practices at the ASU West Athletic Facility from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays. Kremer said the campus has worked with them to provide a safe and productive environment for them to practice in.
“When we’re renting to minors under 18, obviously they have a lot of supervision. It’s a population you don’t want to mix that much with college students,” said Jared Swerzenski, associate director of the athletic facility. “So, we did dedicate a whole locker room space where they could have their own lockers and changing facilities so they can lock it and not have any college students or anyone else in the facility using it.”
The campus has never had an artistic
“If you took a typical gymnast, yes, they’re flexible, but their focus is primarily on strength. Whereas a dancer, sure they’re strong, but they’re focused on flexibility. Ours is unique in that you have both because you have to be flexible to do the figures and formation in the water, but if you don’t have any arm strength or core strength, you’re going to sink like a brick,” Kremer said, adding that swimmers cannot touch the bottom of the pool in artistic swimming.
“They’re good at everything, because you have to be. And that itself translates so well into the real world, because they’re not pigeonholing themselves into one or the other. It’s not like ‘I am a strong person’ or ‘I’m really flexible and can dance.’ No, it’s ‘I can be both. I can develop both’ and not exclude one skill for the benefit of another.”
For those interested in artistic swimming, Synergy offers a free trial, where they can join a practice to see if it’s something they would like to pursue. No experience is required. The only caveat is that they must be able to make it from one end of the pool to the other, “even if they have to doggy paddle,” Kremer said, due to the liability of having kids in the water. If committed to joining after the trial, swimmers must be a member of USA Artistic Swimming. There is also a fee to join, which varies based on the level of the swimmer and how many times they want to come to practice.
For more information or to join, visit arizonasynergyas.com.
Coyotes’ Howler is the 3rd-best NHL mascot
BY DEREK MOSKAL Glendale Star Staff Writer
Howler the Coyote has been hyping up fans since the 2005 season, and it’s clear his popularity hasn’t waned, according to a recent survey from Play Canada that ranked him the third-best mascot in the NHL.
Play Canada surveyed more than 2,000 NHL fans across the United States and Canada and asked them to rank each NHL mascot on a scale of 1 to 5. Only the New York Rangers are without a mascot, so there were 30 mascots to rank.
Carlton the Bear from the Toronto Maples Leafs took first place with a 3.81 rating. Sabertooth from the Buffalo Sabers was voted second with a 3.74, and coming up just short was Howler the Coyote with a 3.73 rating. Coyotes fans say Howler should have ranked higher, but they’re content.
“Start with the wiggly ears, move to the sassy attitude, overall expressive body language and keep going,”
Coyotes fan David Cobb said via Facebook.
Cobb has been a hockey fan for more than 50 years and has supported the Coyotes since they became a franchise in 1997. Previously, they were the Winnipeg Jets before they moved to Phoenix to become the Coyotes. In 2003, the team moved from Downtown Phoenix to Glendale.
“Howler knows how to play the crowd, the enemy’s fans. The character is just so well taught and scripted,” Cobb said.
The survey revealed that Anaheim Ducks fans rated their own mascot the highest with a 4.07 rating, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks to wrap up the top five. Ironically, none of the mascots who received the highest rating from their own fan base cracked the top 6 overall.
Howler does more for the community than beat a drum to pump up a crowd. He is often out in the community during charity events, various awareness runs and walks, and festivals. It’s clear he was voted so highly because his actions on and off the ice have benefited the Valley for more than 15 years.
Coyotes fans can see their team and mascot back in action at Gila River Arena on Monday, Oct. 18, during the 2021-22 season home opener against the Blues, whose mascot, Louie, was ranked fourth on the list, right behind Howler.
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Ballet Under the Stars returns with free performances
BY ALLISON BROWN Glendale Star Staff Writer
For the 25th year, Ballet Under the Stars is bringing ballet to the community with four free events at parks around the Valley.
The free performances helps Ballet Arizona, a Phoenix-based professional dance company and school, give back to the community, thank them for their support and ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience ballet, according to Samantha Turner, executive director.
“We do it because we love to give back to the community that supports us as a nonprofit organization,” she said.
“Ticket sales for our performances only pay for a portion of the cost of what we do. We receive more than $1 million in contributions from individuals around the Valley to help support what we do, and we want to thank them for that by providing a free performance. We also want to provide the opportunity for people who, for whatever reason, don’t find themselves able to make it to symphony hall for a performance, whether it’s cost or just difficult to get Downtown. We like to provide these free performances to give everyone the opportunity to experience and enjoy ballet.”
Performances at the parks begin at 7 p.m., though attendees are encouraged to get there early with their own lawn chairs or blankets for a good seat. The company will be at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills Wednesday, Sept. 29; at Sahuaro Ranch Historic Park in Glendale Thursday, Sept. 30; Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater in Goodyear Friday, Oct.1; and Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Turner said having the performances outside at the parks, while labor intensive and sometimes difficult for the dancers, is part of what makes them so special.
“Living here in Arizona, we have
something that no one else in the country has, and that is the beautiful wonderland we live in,” Turner said.
To make the outdoor event happen, crews get to the park at 8 a.m. the day of and build an entire stage from the ground up, including professional lighting and sound equipment. Essentially, the only thing they don’t have compared to the concert hall is walls and a roof. When the show is over, the crew comes back out at night to tear everything down. Then, the next day, they go to a different location and do it all over again.
Ricardo Santos, a professional dancer with Ballet Arizona, said there were some challenges for the dancers that come with performing outside.
“It’s a little bit hot, and sometimes it does rain or sometimes there are bugs, so you never know,” Santos said. “The challenge is really the heat, because we’re in full-on costumes sometimes and it’s hard to breathe a little bit. If we’re doing a ballet and have to go on
the floor, stuff like that can get a little tricky because the floor can get slippery from our sweat.”
However, he quickly followed that with “it definitely paid off” and the response from the crowd was so rewarding. Turner said in some locations, they have had up to 5,000 people show up, which is more than the concert hall could accommodate. Even though it has more people, the outdoor venue can be more inviting for families wrangling kids or even pets, both of which are invited.
“Watching the crowd at Ballet Under the Stars is something that’s incredibly uplifting to see,” Turner said. “One of the most spectacular things is watching all the children get up and move, inspired by the dancers. You’ll see them dancing on the sides and some in front of the stage. Out there amongst them are the future dancers who are going to be up on that stage. The beauty of Ballet Under the Stars is out there in the audience, watching that spark of a
dream being born. Some youngster is seeing ballet and deciding that’s what they want to do with their life.”
Santos said he was once one of those kids who were fascinated by the dancers and wanted to do that. Santos achieved his goal and has been a professional dancer since he was 18 years old. Now 31 and going into his sixth season with Ballet Arizona, he said Ballet Under the Stars is close to his heart and reminds him why he became a professional.
Ballet Arizona has an outreach program that teaches local kids choreography and basic ballet techniques once or twice a week for about a month. Santos said when he participated, it was rewarding to be able to mentor them and inspiring to have them look up to him.
“Some of the young ones, they are a bit more in their element, and they ask questions like, ‘How is it being a dancer?’ They especially love the ballerinas; they’re so cute. It inspires me just because it’s a reminder of the whole reason I got into professional dancing in the first place — to be able to touch others with my dancing. I like to imagine I was like that actually, when I was 7 years old and thought ‘I want to do that’ when watching people perform.”
If interested in attending, make sure to check Ballet Arizona’s website for updates regarding COVID-19 regulations and/or weather alerts. The performances are free and open to the public, no reservation is required. Seating is not provided; attendees should bring their own chairs or blankets.
Ballet Under the Stars
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30
WHERE: Sahuaro Ranch Historic Park Area, 9802 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale
COST: Free
INFO: balletaz.org
Ballet Under the Stars performances are free. (Photo courtesy of Ballet Arizona)
Entrepreneurs hope to raise customers’ self-esteem
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Glendale Star Executive Editor
Lorenzo Carson was working as a plumber when he met Taqee Zareef on a job in the Bay Area.
Carson, of Avondale, wished he could spend more time at home with his family, as plumbing is a 24/7 job. He found Zareef felt he same.
In February, the duo took a leap of faith and invested in CG Essentials, a self-care company that they say improves self-confidence. It launched in April.
“We’re big on family,” Carson said. “Back when we were working as plumbers, it was so time consuming. We want to do well and make money and be comfortable, but not at the expense of spending time with our kids and families.
“We have always been clean-cut men, and putting these grooming kits together is right up our alley.”
Zareef said CG Essentials’ products are rare in that men do not usually see grooming kits just for them.
Products range from a $4.49 Dip’N Du-Rag to a $90 Boss Bundle, a collection of men’s grooming products on CG Essentials’ website.
Perfume, edge control, beauty blenders and cuticle oil are among the popular products for women. Their products are even named after their children to show their commitment to building a more splendid future — not only for their children but also for the Black community. For instance, some of their products are named Iyana’s Edge Control, Love Aliya Perfume, Layla’s Luxury Lip Balm and Carson Cuticle Oil. “The edge control is our top seller, to be honest,” Carson said. “It allows them to tame and style their edges.”
The now-former plumbers — or “house doctors,” as Carson said — enjoy the creativity and the opportunities that come with CG Essentials.
“It’s the same rush I used to get when I was plumbing,” Zareef said. Zareef and Carson would love to ex-
pand their business, but they’re happy with the success they’ve had so far. They are working on having CG Essentials products in Walmart, Target and beauty salons.
“People are telling us how much they love it,” Carson added. “We do it all at home, which allows us to spend time with our family and kids. We’re going to their basketball games and practices. It opened a whole new world for us.”
Zareef added, “It takes people years to be able to do it, to experience some of this stuff. In a couple months’ time, it’s been amazing. We’re still really humble about it.”
Zareef and Carson are in CG Essentials for the long haul.
“This is definitely not a get-richquick scheme,” Carson said. “It’s more for our families. It we were really worried about the money, we would have stayed in plumbing. It’s a fruitful job. But with time, you can’t get it back with your kids. That is our No. 1 priority.”
Lorenzo Carson and Taqee Zareef founded CG Essentials so they could spend more time with their children. (Photo courtesy of CG Essentials)
Arizona Restaurant Week returns with in-person options
BY CONNOR DZIAWURA
Glendale Star Staff Writer
Arizona Restaurant Association
President and CEO Steve Chucri has seen the broadening of local palates and growth of the food scene firsthand.
“I always had this kind of running joke that I was born and raised here and for me we had two kinds of food — we had Mexican food and then a different type of Mexican food,” said Chucri, an Arizona native. “Now we have all of these culinary options that really, if you look, Arizona — in many ways because so many people are transplants here — is kind of a melting pot, which you see across the country.”
The Arizona Restaurant Association highlights that diversity with its Fall Arizona Restaurant Week, which returns from Friday, Sept. 17, to Sunday, Sept. 26, with a panoply of restaurants spanning the state — including Glendale — showcasing special menus.
As part of the 10-day event, many local restaurants will introduce threecourse prix fixe menus at price points of $33, $44 or $55, the latter a new tier. Each restaurant’s specifics vary, with some offering individual meals and others crafting selections for couples or groups. Some restaurants may offer wine pairing selections at an additional cost. Standard menus aren’t affected.
“Some of your favorite and most well-known restaurants are on sale here in Arizona for 10 days,” Chucri explained. “And it gives people the opportunity to try a restaurant they may not have tried. It creates this enthusiasm about the culinary opportunities here and throughout the Valley that, you know, is exciting to have happen twice a year.”
More than 120 restaurants have signed on so far, with the event’s website allowing patrons to search menus by categories such as cuisine type, location and price, even accounting for vegetarian/gluten-free options and takeout.
Ajo Al’s $44-per-couple offerings include chili con queso or guacamole for an appetizer. For entrees, guests can choose two of the following, or one pizza to share: pizza nortena, carne asada burrito, spinach and mushroom
HonorHealth Desert Mission endowment to support those who are underprivileged, experiencing homelessness or affected by the pandemic.
Billed as the “Dine In. Help Out.” program, Arizona Restaurant Week is accepting donations through its website and QR codes provided with bills at participating restaurants. Funds will benefit Desert Mission programs and services, such as its food bank, early childhood learning center and adult day program.
“It’s a really unique event that diners have just come to love, and that’s what makes it worthwhile for us,” Chucri explained of the growth of Arizona Restaurant Week.
enchiladas, or smoked street taco sampler. For dessert, the choices are flan or fried ice cream. Drinks are included with this deal: a house margarita or a Mexican beer.
Arrowhead Grill’s meal is $55 per guest. Starters are Caesar salad, house salad, chopped salad or clam chowder. For entrees, guests can choose from USDA prime 8-ounce Delmonico, USDA prime 8-ounce prime filet, 10-ounce prime rib, Atlantic salmon or a half-roasted chicken. Sides — or accompaniments — include maple mashed sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli, creamed corn or Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Dessert, which is an additional $5.99, is its signature butter cake or flourless decadence chocolate cake.
Mexican restaurant Barrio Queen’s 75th Avenue and Bell Road location will offer a $33 meal consisting of the diner’s choice of the casa margarita, red or white house wine, 16-oz. draft beer, fountain soda or iced tea to drink; either coctel de elote or a half portion of guacamole as an appetizer; the chile verde entrada, azteca burrito, enchiladas suizas or vegetable chile relleno for the main entrée; and flan or a half order of churros for dessert.
The Melting Pot Restaurant of Arrowhead is offering fondue for $55 per
person. Cheese fondue choices include classic alpine or Wisconsin cheddar. Guests can choose from entrees like cold water lobster tail, filet mignon, teriyaki-marinated sirloin, herb-crusted chicken, shrimp or Atlantic salmon. Dessert offerings are flaming turtle or s’mores.
Urban Margarita’s menu ($44 per person) is robust: avocado-guacamole toast on fresh focaccia, shrimp empanadas or banging crispy cauliflower for starters; lobster and crab enchiladas, mango beurre blanc pan-roasted salmon or 36-hour marinated prime New York carne asada. Dessert choices are margarita lime pie, salted caramel bourbon bread pudding, or raspberry churro bites with fresh whipped cream.
“Arizona is becoming more and more of a foodie-type place and venue, and I think what the restaurant week does is try to trumpet that to our guests and patrons around the state,” Chucri said.
Since it was founded 14 years ago, Arizona Restaurant Week has grown from a once-yearly event every fall to a biannual event also hosted in the spring, increasing along the way from roughly two dozen restaurants in its first year to now well over 100 per event.
New this year, the Arizona Restaurant Association is raising funds for the
Due to the pandemic, Chucri acknowledged that the Arizona Restaurant Association was forced to quickly adapt. Moving to takeout options last year is one such way, though the event is now allowing in-person and takeout options. This may vary from restaurant to restaurant.
“Restaurateurs, fortunately we’re getting back into our regular cycle, which is a good thing,” Chucri noted. “People have missed restaurants, which we’ll always be grateful for, and so we have seen our places fill up quite more than we expected them to.
“And so, you know, we’re still trying to help people — those who still aren’t comfortable to go into a restaurant — to still be able to take out, but at the same time, I think we’ll probably, come next year, we’ll likely just go back to our original platform, which is just dine in the restaurant.”
But first, Chucri has high hopes for this year’s fall event. He recommends people plan ahead and seek out reservations when possible, as demand tends to increase with restaurant week.
“The Spring Restaurant Week went well, actually,” he recalled. “We had a great turnout. … And so we’re optimistic. I mean, we’re getting more and more restaurants every day participating, and I anticipate that to continue.”
Mexican restaurant Barrio Queen’s 75th Avenue and Bell Road location will offer a $33 dine-in-only meal consisting of the diner’s choice of the casa margarita, red or white house wine, 16-oz. draft beer, fountain soda or iced tea to drink; either coctel de elote or a half portion of guacamole as an appetizer; the chile verde entrada, azteca burrito, enchiladas suizas or vegetable chile relleno for the main entrée; and flan or a half order of churros for dessert. (Photo courtesy of Barrio Queen)
Opposites attract and can complete one another
Every morning in Africa, a gazelle awakens. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest cheetah or it will be killed. Likewise, every morning a cheetah awakens. It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. So, it doesn’t matter whether you are a cheetah or a gazelle — when the sun comes up, you better be running.
This intriguing snippet makes us aware of two worlds — the cheetahs and the gazelles. Both worlds are equally valid yet come from entirely different perspectives. These two worlds are not “either/or” but “both/ and.”
It would be unwise for the gazelle to live by a “my-world-is-the-onlyworld” philosophy. The gazelle who ignores the reality of the cheetah’s world produces what the cheetah wants: gazelle burgers.
Someone might want to write a book titled “Gazelles are from Venus; Cheetahs are from Mars,” but the reality is cheetahs and gazelles are from Earth. So, they better learn to deal with it. Each must wake up running with awareness of the other’s world. After all, their worlds do intersect.
Jesus presented more of a “both/ and” world than an “either/or” world to us. Yes, there were absolutes, especially in what it takes to be a believer, but the absolutes were always in crucial areas and generally made clear. I’m not talking about a compromise of the absolutes. I’m talking about having a larger perspective that comes from having the mind of Christ.
There is a spiritual world, and there
CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pastor Ed Delph Glendale Star Columnist
is a natural world. Both intersect. To ignore the reality of the Creator will affect the creation. Pretending there is no God, ignoring God or dissing God is like the gazelle who pretends there is no cheetah, ignores the cheetah or disdains the cheetah. That could have a bad ending for the gazelle and a fantastic meal for the cheetah.
Here’s an example of the “both/and” perspective. Jesus is called the lion and the lamb. Now there is a paradox for you. How can Jesus be strong and weak, ferocious and gentle, a fighter and a fleer at the same time? Well, He is. Jesus could go from one extreme to another depending on what God told him was appropriate for the situation. Both the lamb and the lion are in God’s world.
God is multifaceted. “I heard the voice of many waters.” (Revelation 1:15). God is Spirit (John 4:24). God is Light (I John 1:5). God is Love (I John 4:16). God is Elohim — Three in One, The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Friends, that’s a paradox.
God’s world and our world have seven continents, not just one. There are seven days in a week, seven colors in a rainbow, and seven notes in the musical scale. There were 12 tribes, not just one tribe, that made the nation of Israel. God created the world to reveal
the genius of the “both/and” mindset. God integrates seemingly opposite viewpoints that reveal the complexity and wonder of God.
Those who embrace an “either/or” way of thinking or dualism struggle with this. Dualism views most everything adversarial: us/them; win/lose; right/wrong; either/or; “Me Tarzan, you Jane”; or, in today’s world, “Me Jane, you Tarzan.” But that’s not what the mind of Christ is all about.
Let me explain. Years ago, I rented a 15-person van to take our junior high children on a ministry trip. As we were traveling, I looked in the back seats and noticed all the junior high kids had earphones on with their favorite CDs blasting in their ears. No one was talking. Each junior higher was on the bus but listening to their favorite tunes with eyes glazed over and heads straight forward.
That incident reminds me of these current times. Just like those junior high kids, all of us are on a journey together, but polarized, listening to our tunes, themes, social causes, emphasis, etc. There’s nothing wrong with a cause or issue if we understand that our “thing” will never be everything. You may be correct, but you’re partially right, and you are out of balance. Other things and other themes around us affect what you want to do that you need to consider.
Let’s put our concept of the genius of the “both/and” into current issues in our world.
Here are a few of the hundreds of examples in Scripture from God’s perspective of the “both/and” concept.
God created and loved both the Jew and the Gentile. (Romans 1:16); God loves both women and men (Galatians 3:28); God created the value of both young and old (Acts 2:17); God loves both the rich and poor (Ephesians 6:59); God gives us both grace and truth (John 1:14); God created both heaven and earth (1 Corinthians 15:40); God has appointed times for both the mortal and immortal (1 Corinthians 15:53). God loves all races, not just one race (Revelation 5:9).
These seemingly contradictory opposite viewpoints complement and complete one another. Opposites attract. If they are smart, they negotiate the differences. Think of it: Our differences don’t go away, but our hostilities can. The rough edge of another person may be the very tool that sharpens you. You can’t sink someone else’s end of the boat and keep your end afloat.
Let’s rise from the scarcity of “either/or” paradigm and ascend to the abundance of “both/and” paradigm. The way is yours, take it.
Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.
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Information 623.334.9482
Dr. Ron G. Rockwell – Pastor Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Nursery Provided Wednesday: Family Night 7:00 p.m. www.hcaz.org
Dr. Mark Mucklow, Pastor www.fsbcg.org
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Teddy Bear Day provides charitable donations
BY ALLISON BROWN Glendale Star Staff Writer
Bears and More is partnering with Historic Downtown Glendale Saturday, Sept. 11, for the 17th annual Teddy Bear Day, which provides funds or goods for multiple charities as well as a fun day for the entire family.
“There really is a National Teddy Bear Day. So, we started this as a way to have fun with the community in September,” said Valerie Burner, owner of Bears and More and event organizer. “We did the first Teddy Bear Day, and then at the second one, we learned about the trauma teddy program. Once we had that element, we just grew from there and the event has continued.”
The trauma teddy program provides teddy bears for first responders to give to children who have been in or witnessed a traumatic event. Since getting involved, Bears and More has donated more than 10,000 bears to the program. The majority of those come from donations on Teddy Bear Day, and Burner said each year they usually receive an average of 300 to 400 bears.
Ashley Losch, public information officer for the Glendale Fire Department, said all of the donated bears are used. She added that she has personally given out some and has seen how the simple gift has an enormous impact.
“Children that have experienced some form of trauma, either personally or witnessed it, tend to do better when we are able to kind of get to their level and soften whatever it is that’s happening,” Losch said.
“Oftentimes, by giving them a teddy, that bonds us, because we’re able to give them something. They see us as somebody safe that they get something from. They can hold on to it (the teddy) when they’re either suffering or struggling with whatever it is that they had just witnessed. It just makes it easier to get them calm and either treat them, talk to them or console them. They can
sort of have it as an outlet for whatever emotions that they’re feeling.”
The trauma teddy program isn’t the only charity the day helps, though. Burner said her nieces and nephews have a lemonade stand and bake sale fundraiser every year to support Arizona Search Dogs, a nonprofit that trains professional search and rescue dogs for emergency situations around the country. And, while they aren’t a charity, the Glendale fire and police departments will engage with the community, educating kids and having positive interactions. A firetruck police car is brought out for kids to see and explore, which Burner said makes for a great photo shoot.
“It’s a great way for people to connect with the police department in the community and have a positive interaction because, truth be told, the only time we talk to firefighters or policemen is when we’re hurt or not having
a good day. So it’s very positive and a good thing,” Burner said.
Besides helping these organizations, Teddy Bear Day is a time for families and the community to come together and have a fun, bear-themed day. Other events include face painting, balloons, crafts, treats from local restaurants, and photo opportunities. Jennifer Cerreta, owner of Cerreta Chocolate Factory, said a discounted price is offered on a make-and-take chocolate teddy bear.
“We’ve been doing it all the years that the city has been running Teddy Bear Day,” Cerreta said. “The chocolate teddy bear is about the size of the adult hand, and the kids just have a ball decorating it with gummies, little candies, marshmallows, additional chocolate or white chocolate cream. They get to make it and decorate any way they want and, of course, take it home.”
In addition, the 1895 Spicery will have a teddy bear cake for dessert. Oth-
er businesses are picking up on the bear theme as well, with teddy bear-shaped cups and a make-and-take gummy bear charm bracelet. To ensure everyone can get in on the fun, there will be a free shuttle running to various participating locations throughout Glendale. Anyone who rides the shuttle will also receive a sticker and a free taffy pull kit from Cerreta Chocolate Factory.
“It’s just a great day where we’re able to participate with the city, the ladies, all in the area, do a great job in pulling together and supporting the cause behind it,” Cerreta said. “They also have search dogs and so forth just to make it fun for everybody, not just us vendors. It’s fun for the people that just come and participate and have a good time.” Losch echoed her statement and said while it’s nice to receive the donations, it’s also just a fun event for the entire community.
“Teddy Bear Day is just such a cool day in the community. Obviously, we love that it benefits our trauma teddy program, but the way that Bears and More have made this such a big day is just phenomenal,” Losch said. “They bring in the search dogs, we have a firetruck, and kids get lemonade and treats. It’s a really nice way to bring the community together, too. So, we look forward to it every year.”
The event is from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, in Downtown Glendale. Start at the Arizona Information Center Booth at Memory Lane Trinkets and Treasures for an event map and a photo with Al the Bear. The event is free to attend, while some activities, such as decorating the chocolate teddy bear, have a nominal fee.
“Everybody should come, get a teddy bear and have a fun day,” Burner said.
Info: downtownglendale.com Facebook: facebook.com/ BearsandMoreGlendale
Teddy Bear Day participants will be greeted by Al the Bear and have the opportunity for pictures until noon at the Arizona Information Center booth. (Submitted photo)
Walking
Bundtinis® available only by the dozen.
The City of Glendale is seeking public input on proposed district maps, both online and through a series of community workshops and City Council meetings. All voices matter in this process and greater participation can lead to a more transparent and representative experience for all Glendale residents.
Glendale City Council Chambers 5850 W.Glendale Avenue
Glendale Main Library Auditorium 5959 W. Brown Street
Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center 5600 W. Union Hills Drive
Community workshops can be attended in person or viewed live on the City’s YouTube and Facebook channels where viewers can provide feedback and ask questions of the redistricting consultant. A recorded workshop presentation will be available on the City’s Glendale 11 cable channel and the redistricting webpage at www.glendaleaz.com/redistricting.
by Donna Pettman
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Students participate in social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons and activities for the annual celebration of Start With Hello Week
Each year in September, thousands of schools nationwide participate in Start With Hello Week to celebrate the amazing work of educators, students, and community members in building socially inclusive learning environments for all students.
Glendale Elementary School District participated in Start With Hello Week to kick off this month with kindness and empathy. Lessons and activities throughout the week empowered GESD students to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their schools and the Glendale community.
Start With Hello Week is organized by Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. Sandy Hook Promise is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
They are focused on preventing gun violence BEFORE it happens by educating and mobilizing youth and adults on mental health and wellness programs that identify, intervene and help at-risk individuals.
Cindy Segotta-Jones, Superintendent