SanTan Sun News October 9, 2022

Mail ballots going out as Election 2022 heads to climax

BY KEN SAIN AND PAUL MARYNIAK News Staff

Mail ballots for the Nov. 8 General Election will be hitting Chandler and Sun Lakes mailboxes later this week and they promise to take voters more than a few minutes to complete them.

While races for state offi ces, Congressional seats and an Arizona seat in the U.S. Senate have been garnering most of the attention, Chandler residents also have a few races to decide

that are of more local interest – namely two seats on the five-person Chandler Unifi ed School District Governing Board and the two state House seats and the state Senate seat for Legislative District 13, which includes south Chandler, Sun Lakes and part of Gilbert.

There also are 10 propositions on the ballot to weight that cover a wide variety of issues, including the creation of a Lieutenant governor position and a .01% sales tax to support fi re districts.

Chandler Unified race

The election in Chandler Unifi ed involves many issues as the district grapples with a mental health crisis, concerns about school safety, falling test scores in the wake of the pandemic’s disruption, teacher and staff support shortages and, with the failure of a challenge to the universal school voucher program, intensifi ed competition from private schools.

Also hanging over the Chandler

Unifi ed race is a push for more parental control over education.

Two of the five candidates –Charlotte Golla and Kurt Rohrs – are endorsed by the Purple for Parents social group that started in Arizona in 2018 in reaction to the Red for Ed movement. The other three candidates are Marilou Estes, Patti Serrano and incumbent Lara Bruner.

Purple for Parents fought against mask mandates and is advocating

Consultant offers mixed assessment of city’s diversity efforts

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Near the end of a presentation on the results of Chandler’s long-awaited Diversity, Equality and Inclusion study, one City Council member said it appeared to contain mostly good news.

“From what I’m seeing here, … we don’t have a major issue glaring, systemic racism,” Councilman Rene Lopez said. “There’s groups out there that don’t feel like they’re purposely being

excluded.”

Not so, said Regina Romeo, the consultant brought in to explain the results of the study that Council approved in October of last year.

“I wouldn’t say that,” said Romeo, the Diversity Equality Inclusion program leader for CPS HR, the consulting company hired to do the study.

She said that since this is the city’s fi rst DEI study, it provides a baseline to measure improvement. Romeo added that diversity, equality and inclusion

County pound poster dog’s death suggests problems

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Rookie was the face of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control’s part in a national campaign early this year as it tried to ease overcrowding at its Phoenix and Mesa shelters.

Described as “a giant pup who loves to run zoomies in the yard and play outside, but what he really loves is getting attention,” the 3-year-old Rottweiler-mix was photographed smiling as his head was being scratched.

Four days after the Bissell Pet Foundation’s national Empty the Shelters campaign ended on May 15, Rookie was euthanized.

Rookie, a 3-year-old Rottweiler-mix, was the Maricopa County’s poster dog for a nationwide campaign to ease shelter overcrowding. But four days after the campaign ended, the dog was euthanized.

comprise an ongoing issue that must continually be addressed.

One major issue not specifi cally part of the study – but looms over the results and what Council will do with them – is a non-discrimination ordinance. Chandler is the largest city in Arizona without one and council members have been facing pressure to change that.

Romeo said the topic came up often during roundtable discussions with a panel of 25 diverse community leaders

Aiming high

who were broken into subgroups of five that met at least twice to discuss specifi c topics. They also met as the larger group twice.

“The NDO gets its own slide because this came up in pretty much every group,” Romeo said. She said she informed the groups that was a decision for Council and it was not her role to advocate for or against an NDO.

“There were people who were (say-

Leonardo Ollervides, 8, played ring toss with pumpkins at the Chandler Contigo Kickoff Festival last month. The festival continues through Oct. 15 at various locations that are listed at chadleraz.gov. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

DIVERSITY

ing), ‘We need an NDO today, we don’t want to leave this group without having an NDO,’ Romeo said. “And then on the other end, there were people not understanding what an NDO was. And then everything in the middle.”

The fi nal recommendation was for Council to provide an offi cial stance on a non-discrimination ordinance. The issue fi rst came up in the summer of 2020, when the city’s Human Relations Commission called for an NDO.

Mayor Kevin Hartke instead offered a non-binding proclamation, saying Chandler embraces its diversity and discouraging discrimination.

A non-discrimination ordinance would codify stopping discrimination by any local businesses. Usually, any complaints would be addressed and there would be consequences for any businesses that do discriminate. Hartke said during the 2022 campaign he opposed an NDO because he felt such ordinances were too complicated.

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce has called for an NDO and the makeup of the next City Council likely will have an impact on the ordinance’s prospects.

. NDO opponents Lopez and Vice Mayor Terry Roe will leave and be replaced by two NDO supporters, Angel Encinas and Jane Poston. Councilmembers OD Harris and Matt Orlando have indicated their support for an NDO, so they will have enough votes to pass one then.

Though less than a third of all City of Chandler employees responded to a survey of their feelings about how the city and their supervisors handled issues of diversity, equality and inclusion, some City Council members were concerned that so many respondents felt negatively about the way those issues are handled the city at large and their own department and supervisors. (CPS HR)

But that’s still months away and the current Council could to pass a business-friendly NDO that has little in the way of enforcement instead of waiting until a stricter NDO could be considered after Jan. 12.

There were a few parts to the s DEI study. First, CPS HR interviewed top city offi cials, including council members and City Manager Joshua Wright, then conducted internal and external surveys.

The external survey was posted online for residents, but few replied.

For the internal survey, they asked

all city workers to complete the form. Only 32.9% did, which Romeo said was disappointing. They also met with five focus groups with a total of 75 employees participating in.

Romeo said many of the suggestions from the groups, especially external groups, involved actions the city has already taken, such as starting a youth group. The city has a youth commission.

She said the city needs to do a better job informing citizens of its programs and what they are already doing. Romeo also said that no matter

how well the city improves its marketing, many citizens are just too busy with their own lives to know what it is doing.

It was the fact that the city is already going many of the things the groups recommended that led Lopez to conclude the results were mostly positive.

The internal employee survey provoked some reaction form council members, especially one fi nding that showed 13.1% of city employees strongly

A healthy mouth does not need

are here to help you maintain your

DIVERSITY

disagreed or disagreed on key diversity topics. Those topics include whether the city recognizes staff diversity and values it, whether it encourages different viewpoints to share and whether it provided opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

In a related survey, an average 17.6% of city employees who responded felt the city had a clear vision of diversity equality and inclusion, whether it influences city service delivery and whether DEI discussions were promoted by supervisors.

“Thirteen percent of our organization strongly disagrees, or disagrees, that we’re not being the best we can be internally,” Councilmember Harris said. “So what I would like us to do is look further into this and figure out what those concerns are. Why do they feel that way?”

Council concluded the work session by saying the city needs to do a better job highlighting some of the programs that are already in place. Members also intend to talk about how to handle a possible NDO at a later date.

The focus groups had a series of recommendations, including promote discussions of diversity, equality and

CPS HR, the consultant hired by the city to study diversity, equality and inclusion in Chandler, conducted a survey of city employee attitudes on the issue. This chart shows that 17% of the respondents didn’t think the city paid enough attention to those issues on a variety of levels.

inclusion in the workplace, develop and communicate a clear vision of it, ensure cultural sensitivity in the workplace, evaluate service delivery through a DEI lens, and promote and expand professional and employment opportunities for diverse communities.

CPS HR also said those recommendations reflected common themes form the employee survey results and should

be considered by Council as goals in the formulation of any policy on diversity, equality and inclusion.

The consultant also said the city’s external goals should include partnering with nonprofi ts to connect resources and enhance city services and “develop actionable/visible responses to identifi ed needs (and) take feedback seriously.”

Corp Commission can now subpoena utility’s ‘dark money’ records

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State utility regulators have the individual power to seek corporate records to see if a company is funneling “dark money’’ into the campaigns of their colleagues.

And a majority can’t block it.

In a signifi cant ruling last week, the state Supreme Court rejected arguments by Arizona Public Service that Bob Burns, who was a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, had no independent right to demand a look their corporate books to fi nd out about the money it has spent – and may spend in the future – to elect candidates of its choice.

Attorneys for the utility did not dispute that regulators have the power to subpoena company records.

But they argued that power belongs to the commission as a whole. And they said the fact that Burns could not get a majority of the five-member panel to go along left him powerless to act on his own.

Not so, said Justice Clint Bolick writing for a majority of the state high court.

The decision of the justices will have no immediate effect. That’s because Burns has since left the panel and the APS rate case that was pending at the time has been decided.

And Bolick said the court was not seeking to resolve all potential future issues of commission procedures.

But the ruling could forever change how the panel operates, giving future

commissioners more independent license to probe the actions of regulated utilities.

APS fi led for a rate hike in 2016.

Burns issued subpoenas to both APS and parent company Pinnacle West Capital Corp. seeking information on everything from charitable and marketing expenses to political donations.

Among what he was seeking is to determine if APS was the source of money spent in 2014 by “dark money’’ groups to help elect Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little to the commission. Arizona law allows these groups to shield the source of their funds from public disclosure.

When the company refused, he asked the other commissioners -- including Forese and Little -- to enforce the subpoenas as well as to require a hearing offi cer to call witnesses for him to question. The others refused, saying the information sought was irrelevant to the rate case.

Burns then went to court.

Bolick pointed out Arizona Constitution vests individual commissioners with specific powers. The way APS would read it, said Bolick, would “subordinate that right to the unreviewable determinations of other commissioners.’’

And Bolick said what makes that unacceptable is that Burns was trying to determine whether any of the other commissioners, had they received APS cash that was not publicly disclosed, were biased in favor of granting the company’s request for a rate hike.

“Burns’ allegations demonstrate how untenable such a construction is,

whereby a commissioner’s investigation into possible improprieties concerning his colleagues can be squelched by the very subjects of the investigation,’’ Bolick wrote.

It later turned out that the company had, in fact, put $10.7 million into the 2014 race to elect Little and Forese, funneling the cash through dark money groups. But that didn’t get revealed until 2019.

In fi nally releasing data on its 2014 spending on the commission race, APS also admitted at that time that it provided $50,000 to the Republican Governors Association which help the fi rst election of Gov. Doug Ducey, and $425,000 to the Republican Attorney Generals Association which, in turn, bought commercials to elect Republican Mark Brnovich.

Jeff Guldner, who took over the reins of APS in 2019, told regulators at the time that the company would not fund future candidates running for the commission.

A spokeswoman for the company said Tuesday that promise remains in place. Other than that, Jill Hanks said APS was reviewing the ruling and had no comment.

GOT NEWS?

Contact

CONTACT

SanTan

T. Strickbine

Fagen

Maryniak

Minton

Oldham

City plans to spruce up 3 downtown pathways

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

The City of Chandler is proceeding with its plan to make downtown pathways more pedestrian friendly.

City Council approved three contracts, each for about $150,000, to design ways to improve two downtown alleys and a street: Wall Street from Chicago to Frye; the alley north of City Hall; and Boston Street from Arizona to California.

Councilman Matt Orlando wanted to know why they were being asked to approve three different contracts instead of grouping them all together in one package.

“While they are coming together during the same month, we’ve been working on them independently over the last year and a half,” said Kim Moyers, city director of cultural development who oversees downtown as part of her responsibilities.

“So it’s just a coincidence that they all came up, they each have their own special scope of work,” she continued. “And the contractor that was chosen for each was based upon the complexities of each project.”

Moyers said all three projects are in the design stage.

She said some of the work for Wall Street has already been done, but they need to take another look at them because of the complexities involved in moving utility lines underground and the

tight time frame they have. In addition to making it more pedestrian friendly, the city plans to build an archway in that alley.

City offi cials also want to extend a pedestrian walkway from Frye to Chandler Boulevard.

“While the project itself is just from Chicago to Frye, we’ve been working on the pedestrian trail from Chandler Boulevard, all the way down to Frye, and this is the last piece of that,” Moyers said. “So if you don’t want to walk along Arizona Avenue where all of the businesses are, you’ll be able to take a very

clear path all the way down through downtown.”

“If you’ve been on Boston Street from Arizona to California, it just needs a lot of help and a lot of work,” Moyers said. “The streets are deteriorating, and we need to build that out.

“As we do that, we are looking at pedestrian features and making sure that the sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are appropriate. So that’s going to take a considerable amount of coordination, which is with each of the downtown businesses.”

The final project is the Boston Street alley north of City Hall and Serrano’s Mexican Food restaurant from Arizona to Washington.

“We’ve been doing with a lot of the alleys in this area, [trying to] make them a little more pedestrian friendly, add lighting to make them a little safer,” Moyers said. “And we’re also going to put a trash enclosure to make it a little cleaner in that area. We might even get a mural in there in the future. At the same time, we’re also going to be repaving all of the parking lot as well.”

Pawlik

The Wall Street alley was transformed into a pedestrian zone during the Week of Wall Street, in March. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Students protest Legislature’s school policies

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Students at six Arizona high schools, including two in Chandler, walked out of their classrooms on Sept. 29 to protest what they call anti-gay and anti-trans laws passed earlier this year by the Republican-controlled state Legislature.

The six schools all have chapters of the student-led Support Equality AZ Schools and their leaders urged members and other students to walk out at Chandler High, Hamilton High, Desert Vista in Ah watukee, South Pointe in Phoenix, Cactus Shadows in Cave Creek and Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy.

An estimated 150-to-200 students appeared to walk out of Chandler High, which was about double what organizers hoped for.

Hamilton High School junior Dawn Shim, one of the organizers, told the Chandler Unified Governing Board a day earlier, “When you allow school [administration] to divulge information about students to their parents, that can be incredibly harmful, especially for LGBTQ students who are in an unsafe environment.”

The laws that the Legislature passed last spring that organizers are calling anti-gay and anti-trans include giving parents the right to inspect any document about their child that is at school. So, if a student confided to a counsel-

Hundreds of angry students at Chandler and Hamilton high Schools and others in the Val ley walked out of class on the afternoon of Sept. 29 to protest the Arizona Legislature's passage this session of laws they say discriminate against their LGBTQ+ peers.

(Ken Sain/Managing Editor)

or they were questioning their sexual orientation, and that was written down, a parent could demand to see it.

The students also protested laws forcing transgender athletes to com pete according to their biological sex and a near ban on gay publications in school libraries.

“It only takes one affirming adult in the lives of an LGBTQ youth to reduce the risk of suicide and I refuse to be a part of taking that away from our stu-

dents,” Chandler Unified board member Lindsay Love said after voting no on the state-mandated policy changes.

“When LGBTQ youth are outed to parents who are not affirming, they face the threat of violence and are often kicked out of the home and forced into homelessness. LGBTQ youth repre sent only 8% of the youth population, but make up around 40 to 45% of the homeless population in Maricopa Coun ty, placing them at disproportionate

risk of being sex trafficked.”

Kanix Gallo, a Chandler High sophomore, helped the lead the walkout at that school and confronted a heckler as she led students to AJ Chandler Park, simply looking at him after he said, “Jesus has a plan for you.”

Kanix said the biggest problem is the restriction on library materials.

“They’re calling all these bills, parental rights bills, and so they don’t sound too harmful,” she said. “But you look into the bill, they do sound a lot more harmful.”

Hayden Nguyen, a senior at Gilbert Classical Academy, is part of the statewide leadership of Support Equality AZ Schools, said, “It’s going to be almost impossible for people to talk to their school counselors in order to, you know, enter the their preferred pronouns and gender … without being outed to their parents.”

The organizers at the Chandler High walkout said they were happy with how many students participated.

“Everyone really came through,” sophomore Oliver Milicoliver. “It really shows the solidarity that a lot of people have in the schools.”

“The more the numbers, the more it shows how much we care,” said sophomore Salem Babington. “And I think that’s really important. And we’re very grateful for all the people coming out

CUSD board bristles at new state mandates

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

A reluctant Governing Board of the Chandler Unified School District voted to comply with state law at its Sept. 28 meeting, agreeing to change policies to fit what one member called a political agenda.

A majority of board members made it clear they were not happy about it.

“I just want to take a moment to explain why I voted yes,” Lara Bruner said. “We took an oath of office, where we said we would support the U.S. Constitution and the laws of Arizona. But it is truly disheartening that some of our representatives and our legislature have decided to increase their control from the top over decisions that should be made in our local communities.”

She was not alone.

“It’s amazing how people just say (they) believe in local control until they can tell everybody else how to live,” Jason Olive said.

“I’m very disappointed in the Legis lature, and its efforts to micromanage school districts and force their political beliefs on the district,” Joel Wirth said. “I think it’s wrong and inappropriate.”

All three voted to approve the changes mandated by the state on a host of controversial issues. The harshest words came from board member

Lindsay Love, who cast the sole vote against their adoption.

“These policy revisions are rooted in transphobia, homophobia, racism, and a general disregard for the mental health and wellness of our students,” Love said after her no vote.

“Some of these policy revisions and adoptions would create an environment in which our LGBTQ students could potentially be outed to their parents and community members before they are ready and could create situations that put their physical, mental and emotion al health and safety at risk.”

Love added, “While I understand that district policies are often determined by the state Legislature, at some point we have to take a stand in school boards and defend our kids. When we simply ignore and stay quiet about obvious contradictions between our stated values and our votes and actions, why should a parent or voter trust us? They shouldn’t because it’s plainly hypocritical.”

The elected officials were not the only ones to express displeasure at the changes state lawmakers forced them to make.

“These statutes that come back from legislation are law and districts have to work with policies to be able to make sure the laws are followed,” Superintendent Frank Narducci said. “We don’t

have choices on those pieces.

“We’re not in agreement with all the laws, and we will make sure that all students – all students – are protected all the time. All students means all. … I’ve been in education for 40 years and just haven’t seen this type of activity. It’s almost harnessing the energy we have in a school district.”

Here is a summary of the policy changes the Governing Board approved that were mandated by the state:

The one getting the most attention is a law that requires districts to separate sports into boys, girls, coed or mixed and assign athletes to those teams based on their biological sex. It also allows students and their parents the right to sue if they are harmed by a school knowingly violating that.

Schools are prohibited from referring students to, or using any sexually explicit material except allowed in sex education classes. There is an exemption for material that has serious educational value.

Parents may request and view any records that relate to their children. They also have a right to know what books their child has checked out of the library. And parents have the right to sue the district if any of their parental rights have been violated.

Love said this is the one that may force school officials to out LGBTQ

students to their parents, pointing out some parents would have negative reaction to the news, including possibly kicking them out of their homes.

Schools cannot insist on students getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or any of its variants to attend classes.

The law barring mandated shots to protect against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus has been on the books since 2007 but the Legislature this year added a ban on mandating COVID-19 vaccines.

At the time of its passage, Arizona joined 23 other states in banning HPV shots on grounds it encouraged stu dents to engage in sexual activity. By 2018, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more than 43 million teens and young adults had contracted some form of HPV, which can cause everything from genital warts to cancers.

Districts cannot require young stu dents to wear a mask without parental consent.

Parents can sue the district if they usurp the rights of parents in the upbringing, education, health care or mental health of their children. This is primarily directed at the teaching on controversial sensitive issues.

The district must add a 9/11 education day, where it gives age-appropriate

here and showing their support for our cause.”

There have been similar walkouts in New York, Virginia and Texas.

“I’m really surprised because we had no idea they were coordinating these things,” Kanix said. “But the bill that is forcing teachers to out trans students is popping up everywhere right now. And all the students around this shows that we all see how bad it is.

“We are actually currently talking to some of those organizations that did walkouts in different states to talk to them and be like, ‘Hey, do you want to coordinate a nationwide walkout?’”

Dawn, the Hamilton High student who helped organize the walkouts, said

she’s gotten positive feedback from elected leaders, but little action.

“We met with a lot of legislators,” she said. “And we realized that this treatment option that receiving from our school boards right now is across the line for all of the boards that we see across Arizona and across our state is the lack of action.

“Or even if there is action, they tell us, we’re very brave, and they appreciate what we’re saying,” Dawn added. “But they don’t take positive action. That actually is measurable and has goals. That is what we want to see. And the reason why we’re walking out is to tell other organizers across Arizona, as well as our legislators, that we’re here, we know what’s going on, and we’re going to do something.”

lessons about the terrorist attacks in 2001. Outside contractors who work as school psychologists no longer need to be licensed if their work is in the educa-

tional institution setting.

Both parents of current and prospective students have the right to visit a school and tour the campus or monitor a classroom.

Increases the number of questions students must answer correctly on a civics test to graduate from 60 to 70.

Schools must set aside one to two minutes each day for a moment of silence. Teachers cannot direct the students on what to meditate on. Students should consult with their parents on how best to use that time.

Districts are modifying eligibility for waivers that allow a student to attend

a school in another district than where he lives if there are logistical reasons (distance, transportation, etc.) why they cannot go to a school in their district.

Hazing is now a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the victim dies, then it becomes a Class 4 felony. The major change is the defi nition of hazing.

Students

(Ken Sain/Managing

CUSD signs off on spending report for 2021-22

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

At first glance, it does not appear inflation added too much to the Chandler Unified School District budget for the current fiscal year as CUSD expects to spend $550 million – up $4 million from 2020-21.

District Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry said she did not immediately know how big a role inflation played in the higher total, but said it is significant.

“It definitely impacted us in the diesel fuel,” Berry said. “It impacted our salaries. As you know, we gave a raise to classified staff in the second quarter last year, because we were not able to retain, or attract, especially in our classified arena and food service and crossing guards and paraprofessionals.

“It impacted us on the food service side. The federal government put some supplements out there for food costs, we saw food costs go up like crazy. And you started to see the increase … in custodial supplies. We also started to see a big increase in the technology cost.”

As required by state law, Berry presented the district’s annual financial report during the Sept. 28 Governing Board meeting. CUSD is now the second largest school district in Arizona with an average daily membership of just under 42,300 students, behind Mesa Public Schools’ approximate 59,000 students.

CUSD’s per pupil cost is $12,981, but Berry said that number is skewed because part of the $84 million needed to build Arizona College Prep is included in this year’s budget. Berry said if you take out the special expenditures, CUSD is spending about $8,500 per pupil.

Berry said only 10.2% of the Maintenance and Operations Fund pays for administration. About 18.6% goes to supplies, utilities, transportation and food service. The rest, 71.19%, goes directly to the classroom.

The district in 2021-22 made a record amount on selling food to its students, $26.6 million. CUSD upgraded many of its high school kitchens so students would eat on campus instead of heading to nearby fast-food options.

Arizona College Prep High School students stayed to eat on campus 85%

CUSD anticipated some of what the state Auditor General’s annual report on school districts’ spending will have to say about Chandler Unified’s spending in 2021-22. (CUSD)

of the time. District kitchens brought in $26.6 million in revenue. Of that, $3.5 million will be used to upgrade more kitchens, including at middle and elementary schools.

CUSD served 7.1 million meals last fiscal year.

The Governing Board approved the annual financial report, which will be used by the state Auditor General in its annual report early next year on all Arizona districts’ spending. The report also will go to the federal government for computations on various forms of aid the district receives.

The Governing Board also heard a presentation on the metrics that will be used in evaluating CUSD’s performance.

District officials will bring back a couple of metrics it stopped using during the pandemic: chronic absences and student service volunteer hours.

They also plan to release school-byschool metric breakdowns for the first

time. This will help leaders at each school know how they are either helping, or hurting, the district’s overall numbers.

“I think that’s going to be a game

changer in terms of like how schools continue to use that data to kind of like target certain things,” board member Lindsay Love said.

Chandler joins SRP’s Roosevelt Dam project

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Water is such a precious resource that some Valley cities, including Chandler, are paying tens of thousands of dollars just for the possibility of increasing their supply for a limited time.

Chandler City Council voted to pay more than $61,000 to be part of a Salt River Project study that wants to increase water supply after a flood from 20 to 120 days. By paying to be part of the study, the city would get about 5% of that water – if the plan is approved by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers.

“I think it’s great idea,” Councilman Matt Orlando said at the Sept. 22 meeting. “Of course, it gets water flowing as well, and obviously we’re all concerned about water.”

The project focuses on Roosevelt Dam, which is the oldest dam built as part of the federal reclamation program. The dam was renovated in the 1990s and is now 357 feet tall. However, the water level of Roosevelt Lake is only allowed to reach 290 feet, leaving space for major flood events.

In the case of a major flood event that rises the level of the lake past 290 feet, Salt River Project has 20 days to

A wide area of Salt River Project’s overall water distribution system would benefit from its plan for handling excess water at Roosevelt Dam. The area shaded in purple covers municipalities that could benefit from the utility’s plan.

release enough water to lower the level back to its goal height. SRP is hoping to get permission to extend that time to 120 days, allowing it to release water

more slowly so its partner communities can store it for their own use.

“We’ve been looking at how we can maintain safety while improving our ability to manage water supplies, what we identifi ed was just an incremental change in these operations in the fi rst five feet of that 24 vertical feet of flood control space,” said Ron Klawitter, the senior principal for water systems projects at SRP.

Klawitter said there are two zones left free above the water level for safety, because water flowing over the dam is the worst-case scenario. The first immediately above the water level is a 24-foot level for flood control. That can handle most 100-to-200-year flood events.

Klawitter said that the 45 feet above that could safely handle a 2,000-year flood event, though he also said there’s not enough water flowing down the Salt River to fi ll Roosevelt Lake that high.

Under the proposed change SRP is asking approval for, the utility would still open the dam’s flood gates and allow most of the excess flood water to travel downriver in the fi rst 20 days. However, once it was five feet above the goal, SRP would slow the flow and have the extra 100 days for cities like Chandler to get a share of that water to store or use however they see fit.

The study costs $1,211,549 and there are 14 entities joining SRP to be part of it. The cost to Chandler is $61,347. The partners met to work out how much water they would get and then paid the same percentage of the cost.

Klawitter said the percentage depended on how much water each entity could handle in those short time spans. Chandler agreed to 5.06%. Smaller cities, such as Avondale (7.83%), could take more and will pay more for the study.

What SRP is asking for seems quite small compared to the $1.2 million price tag for the study. Klawitter said a lot of expertise went into coming up with the plan.

Flood water distribution list

Here are the 15 entities involved in the Salt River Project’s Roosevelt study and what percentage of the excess flood water they will be entitled to:

Avondale, 7.83% Chandler, 5.06% Gilbert, 3.86% Glendale, 5.06% Mesa, 4.42% Peoria, 2.30% Phoenix, 18.41%

Roosevelt Irrigation District, 10.13% Scottsdale, 2.49% Tempe, 2.49%

Roosevelt Water Conservation District, 10.51% Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District, 4.60% Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, 5.52%

Freeport Minerals Corporation, 2.76% SRP, 14.73%

“The main cost drivers are the risk assessment,” Klawitter said. “So it was a whole team of engineers that spent about a year evaluating the proposal. This is just really understanding that the impact if a safety issue existed.

“The Phoenix metropolitan area has over five million people living downstream of this dam. So we worked with the Bureau of Reclamation and the partners had to fund a team of reclamation engineers to do a very, very specific risk assessment of this proposal,” he continued, adding:

“They looked at what happens if an earthquake occurs. Well the dam has more water in it to conclude that there is no increase in risk. They did flood-routing analysis to make sure that we could properly pass the flood downstream. So there was a lot of care and careful technical eyes on this proposal to ensure that all citizens downstream and all resources downstream would maintain safety.”

ELEX

for more parental rights in schools. They have fought against Critical Race Theory, even though it has never been taught in CUSD schools.

“One thing I’ve noticed over the last several years, there’s nobody on the board that really represents the rights of parents and the concerns of parents,” Rohrs said at a Sept. 13 candidate forum sponsored by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. “A lot of political agendas are being driven through the education system that parents in particular are not real happy with.”

Estes, Serrano and Bruner focused on issues such as school safety and increased state funding.

They also have stood on the opposite side of Golla and Rohrs over the

Aggregate Spending Limit, the 1982 voter-approved mandate that caps school district sending even if it has the money to pay for planned expenditures.

Estes, Serrano and Bruner said the Legislature should eliminate the limit while Golla and Rohrs both said they consider it a taxpayer protection law. Instead of getting rid of it, they would push for updating the formula so the cuts would not be so steep.

Save Our Schools, a group that grew out of the Red for Ed movement, endorsed Estes and Serrano. The Chandler Chamber of Commerce endorsed Bruner and Golla.

On school safety, Serrano took a hard position at the Sept. 13 forum.

Here is a little on the background of all five candidates:

Lara Bruner: She has more than 30 years of teaching experience. Most of the years have been working with spe-

cial needs students. She has served on the Arizona Special Education Advisory Panel. Bruner teaches psychology and directed the Arizona Teaching of Psychology Conference.

Charlotte Golla: She left the corporate world to raise her family. She’s been volunteering with schools and has become a key fundraiser. She said that with four children attending CUSD schools and her youngest now in school she has the time to serve her community.

Marilou Estes: She started her professional life working a corporate job, but returned to school to get a master’s degree in her 30s. She then taught at CUSD schools for 21 years.

Kurt Rohrs: He worked in the corporate world and sent his children to CUSD schools. Rohrs has worked on

Important dates for the General Election

Oct. 11: Last day to register. Go to elections.maricopa.gov. Oct. 12: Mail ballots go out. Oct. 28: Last day to request a mail ballot.

Nov. 1: Last day to mail your ballot.

Nov. 4: Last day to vote at an early voting location. Nov. 8: Polls open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Information: elections.maricopa. gov, votingmatters.org.

Lara Bruner

Marilou Estes Kurt Rohrs

Patti Serrano Charlotte Golla

Julie Willoughby

J.D. Mesnard

Jennifer Pawlik

Cindy Haas

Liz Harris

City settles lawsuit, now owns downtown garage

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

The City of Chandler has settled a lawsuit and taken possession of the parking garage behind the LOOK DineIn Cinema downtown.

The Overstreet Parking Garage opened in 2019 and the city had planned on purchasing it. However, the builder of the garage claimed the city missed a deadline to complete the purchase and wanted to hold on to the property and continue to lease it to the city.

“Kelly, great job to you and your team and our legal department for pulling this together, it’s a smokin’ deal for the city,” Councilman Mark Stewart told City Attorney Kelly Schwab. “Let me just break it down to numbers here. We got a great parking garage for community parking.”

“It’s a nice parking garage over by LOOK’s that will continue to be able to provide free parking downtown for all of our residents and people that love visit Chandler,” Stewart added.

The two sides agreed for the city to purchase it for $9.625 million. That’s about $1 million more than the city intended to pay the developer, DT Chandler. However, the developer intended to charge the city $65,000 a month in rent over the 27-year lease, which would have cost $21.2 million.

DT Chandler had fi led a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court a year ago, claiming the city had to notify the developer it intended to exercise

its option to purchase the garage for $8,690,351 in writing at least 30 days before the third year of its lease ended.

According to DT Chandler, that would have been Aug. 12, 2022. It says the city notified them in writing on Aug. 27.

The city then countersued the developer, saying the lease “represents only a portion of the overall dealings between the parties” and that the lease “must be

read in conjunction with” development and option agreements.

The city also says the document the plaintiff attached to the complaint “does not bear the stamp of a document recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and which the City considers the official version of the document.”

Chandler offi cials also claimed the pandemic played a role in the delay.

In another counterclaim, the city said DT Chandler had agreed to extend the deadline for exercising its option to October 2022 and accepted a sale price of $8.8 million.

In the end, the two sides agreed to go through with the sale and transfer to the City of Chandler for just under $1 million more than the price in the original agreement.

Treat Yourself!!

The Overstreet Parking Garage downtown is now official owned by Chandler after the city resolved a lawsuit over how much it had to pay for it. (Cawley Architects)

Hooked On A Feeling will lead Sonoran Sunset Series

The Sonoran Sunset Series returns on Oct. 20, giving Chandler residents a free outdoor concert at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road.

Hooked on a Feeling is scheduled to play from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Residents can bring blankets, lawn chairs and coolers to enjoy hits from the 1950s.

Darwin Wall realty team slates annual pub crawl in Chandler

People can “raise a glass for charity” and help a breast cancer victim by signing up for the annual Save Second Base Pub Crawl sponsored by the Darwin Wall Real Estate Team of Chandler.

“We will be partying for a cause in Downtown Chandler,” Wall states on his charity drive’s website, stating that among participating bar in the Oct. 2122 event are SanTan Brewing, Murphy’s Law, Bourbon Jacks and The Stillery.

For a $65 ticket, participants get a free drink at each participating bar, a t-shirt and swag bag.

Save Second Base Pub Crawl is an approved nonprofit and all proceeds go towards a breast cancer victim who has not yet been named. In the past, the fi rm has raised thousands of dollars

annually with the pub crawl and are then donated to a woman who needs fi nancial help in her breast cancer fight.

Tickets can be purchased at savesecondbasepubcrawl.com. Information: brooke@darwinwallteam.com.

Zombie Apocalypse tennis event coming Oct. 22

Zombies will be taking over the Chandler Tennis Center on Saturday, Oct. 22. The city is hosting Play for Life, Zombie Apocalypse from 6 to 9 p.m. Double partners will try to stay alive on the court until the end to win prizes.

Zombie costumes must not obstruct the wearer’s ability to play.

Chandler kids win Delta Dental, PBS writing contest

The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation and Arizona PBS have named three Chandler children winners of their inaugural writing contest that is part of a larger “Healthy Smiles” campaign to promote good oral health to children across the state.

Through the program, kids in pre-K through third grade were invited to write and illustrate a story about having healthy teeth, gums and a smile.

The fi rst-place winner for the 3rd grade, who was awarded a PBS KIDS PlayPad Tablet and a Delta Dental gift basket with dental care items, is Amber

Ramirez while the second place winner is Sylvia Fletcher and third place went to Emily Acedo.

Chandler Fire Department to host open house on Nov. 5

The Chandler Fire Department is hosting an open house at its Station No. 1 from 9 a.m.-Nov. 5.

The station is located at 1491 E. Pecos Road.

There will be tours of the station, a chance to check out a fire truck and ambulance, free blood pressure checks and information about preventing drownings.

Chandler Railroad Museum gearing up for Fall Rail Fest

Train lovers, history buffs and people of all ages are invited to climb aboard and explore the glory days of local and long-distance travel on America’s railways during the Fall Rail Festival in Chandler.

The celebration is 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Road. The free public event is hosted each year by volunteers of the museum, which is located on the southwest corner of Tumbleweed Park in Chandler.

The Fall Rail Festival will include displays of artifacts and memorabilia, tours of vintage railcars and a large sale of railroad books, magazines, and timetables at very affordable pricesFood and

beverages will be available for purchase.

The museum’s diesel locomotive will be open, affording visitors the opportunity to blow the horn, and Chandler’s historic #2562 steam locomotive also will be on display. Outdoor displays will include a wide variety of railroad signs, signals, and mining equipment.

The museum’s standard entrance fee is waived for Fall Rail Festival. However, donations from the public and local businesses are greatly appreciated. Visitors should access the event on Ryan Road, from Arizona Avenue or McQueen roads. Parking is free. Although the display building and restrooms are ADA Compliant, due to the historic nature of the equipment, access to the railroad cars is not ADA Compliant.

The Arizona Railway Museum is normally open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, September through May. It is closed during the summer. For more information, visit the Arizona Railway Museum website or call 480-821-1108.

City seeking groups to present at Chandler Innovation Fair

The city is inviting science-oriented groups and businesses to participate in its annual Chandler Innovation Fair in February. Anyone interested in being an exhibitor for the Feb. 25 event in Downtown should visit chandleraz.gov to apply.

Dawn

EV is home to nation's first indoor cornhole venue

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Two weeks may not sound like a long time, but when Gilbert’s Hole 9 Yards owners had plans in place for a festive grand opening on Sept. 16, supply-chain issues delayed the permitting process. That scuttled a weekend when American Cornhole League pros from around the country planned to join local aficionados of the game for a celebration.

More delays ensued, but the big day finally arrived Sept. 30, when Dr. Todd Kisicki of Mesa and Queen Creek resident Nic Feinsten opened the 20,000-square-foot venue at 868 N. Gilbert Road, where players have 26 lanes to play or watch others while sipping a beer and grabbing a burger from Hole 9 Yards’ full kitchen and bar.

“We are excited that we are finally open after all the planning and preparations that have gone into the project,” Kisicki said.

Kisicki has been an enthusiastic fan of the sport, which began as an elevated form of the old bean bag tossing game and has elevated into a sport that could one day be an Olympics event.

As the owner of KB Kornhole Games, a cornhole-centric business that hosted hundreds of events throughout the Valley since its inception in 2015, Kisicki well known throughout the state as he’s hosted the Arizona State Cornhole

Championships since 2016. Feinstein is an ACL-sanctioned pro who is a leader in the sport.

Last year’s state championships at

Mesa’s Bell Bank Park was organized by Kisicki and became the largest state

Above: Players heave bags at Hole 9 Yards, a new indoor cornhole venue opened by a pair of the sport’s devotees, Dr. Todd Kisicki of Mesa and Nic Feinstein of Queen Creek.

Right: Todd Kisicki of Mesa, left, and Nic Feinstein of Queen Creek have put Gilbert on the map with lovers of the hugely popular outdoor game called cornhole by opening Hole 9 Yards, apparently the nation’s first indoor venue for the game.

(David Minton/ Staff Photographer)

Not a bank credit card.

we're

Being a Member-Owner has its rewards. Get up to 5% cash back1 with the Connect Rewards Visa Signature.

BANKS OWN YOU. YOU OWN US.®

Card type and APR is based on creditworthiness. 1Capped at $1,500 spent in qualifying purchases quarterly in the category of your choice. 3% back on gasoline, 2% back on groceries, 1% on all other purchases. Cash Back rewards are tracked as points and each $1 in Cash Back rewards earned is equal to 100 points. Points can be redeemed for cash back, merchandise, gift cards, travel, and charitable donations. See Vantage West Rewards terms and conditions for details and restrictions of the program. Subject to approval. Certain restrictions may apply. Subject to change without notice.

championship cornhole event in the nation with an estimated 410 players, ages 8 to 80, competed in 15 different divisions.

Now national director for the American Cornhole League, Kisicki didn’t start out aiming to be one of cornhole’s most enthusiastic advocates.

He earned his doctorate at Arizona State University in education technology and taught there until he left to focus solely on his burgeoning KB Kornhole Games business with his wife of 16 years, Erin.

This summer, he often was jetting around the country and around the world, hosting cornhole tournaments in Europe, Canada as well as South Carolina and California and overseeing more than 300 ACL directors nationwide.

He and Feinstein hatched their idea for Hole 9 Yards (H9Y) in 2019 and their concept picked up momentum during the early days of the pandemic.

By the time they opened, they not only had added a bar and full-service restaurant to their plan but also a retail section where people can buy cornhole gear and equipment.

They’re convinced they’re tapping into an activity that seems to have unlimited potential and will be making Hole 9 Yards available for league play at all skill levels, private gatherings and open-lane rentals.

When he and his wife sponsored their first commercial cornhole event on April 11, 2015, they figured their

business would be strictly a part-time, weekend gig.

“I had no idea KB Kornhole Games would ever evolve to where it is today,” Kisicki said.

“While it was initially meant to be something we could do as a family, I quickly realized that starting and running a business required a lot of effort and sacrifice and not everyone was in a place in their lives to dedicate the time that was needed to make it successful,” he said.

“So I ran with it, slowly growing it to a point to where it was consuming a lot of my extra time and eventually taking some of my concentration away from my full-time job.”

In December 2016, he recalled, “I decided to gamble on myself and jump all into the business, leaving the industry that I had spent the first 15 years of my adult life behind.”

Erin Kisicki left her full-time career as a director of training in behavioral health services, on Sept. 2 so both husband and wife can focus efforts on growing Hole 9 Yards, the national and international business of cornhole, and their daughter, Kora.

“Erin started the KB Kornhole business with me in 2015 but with her full-time job, she wasn’t active in the day-to-day operations though she helped me run the events for the first two years,” explained Kisicki.

“After a while, her job, plus having a toddler, and then me dragging her to events every weekend, took its toll and she stepped back from KB so that we didn’t have to ship our daughter off to

family every weekend.”

“Our daughter, Kora, is now 8 and wants me to give her a job at Hole 9 Yards,” he chuckled.

Kisicki partnered with Nic Feinstein of Queen Creek to lead the design, oversee the renovations and handle the business’s social media and marketing. Feinstein will help spread the word of cornhole, H9Y and industry news affecting Arizona.

“I never really needed to market with KB Kornhole Games with most of my events coming from referrals, but now with a large venue and most time slots to fill, Nic fills a void with his strong skill set that gives us a dedicated social media and marketing plan to attract new people to the sport,” said Kisicki.

As national director for the American Cornhole League, international expansion is Kisicki’s focal point. A goal of that expansion is prepping the way as a future sport in the Olympics.

If that seems a reach, consider skateboarding, surfing, sport climbing and now breakdancing – all Olympic competitive events.

It takes some doing to be included, said Kisicki.

“To be considered for involvement in the Olympics, a sport must be widely practiced by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents, and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents.

To see that cornhole is established in other countries is a major task for Kisicki.

“One of my roles with the American Cornhole League is international de-

velopment, and working with cornhole leaders in other countries to develop competitive cornhole in their coun tries.,” he said.

“My role with the ACL is to help develop the competitive side of the sport in these countries. There’s also the WCO – the World Cornhole Organization – and they’re the ones who are responsible for getting the sport to the Olympics,” said Kisicki, currently a board member with the nonprofit WCO.

“Cornhole is a universal sport that anyone can play,” said Kisicki. “The wonderful part of the sport is that you can have young children, women, men and seniors all playing in the same event with no competitive advantage.”

Televising cornhole has already proved a successful draw. ESPN and their related channels began broadcast ing cornhole tournaments in 2017, and in early September, CBS covered an ACL Pro Shootout Tournament during prime time.

Even with the success of competitive tournaments, Kisicki cleaves to the tagline he originated in 2015 for KB Kornhole: “Bringing people together, one kornhole at a time.”

He said he’s seen newcomers come to give the sport a try-out, then continue coming to events as they make new friends and become a part of a community of enthusiasts.

The H9Y owners hope the 26 lanes at their H9Y Gilbert venue will expand that community with people of all ages and skill levels.

Information: Hole9Yards.com.

based on

Enrollment in Cigna

is contracted with Medicare

in select states, and with select State

New-home buyers can sue builders over defects, court rules

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Buyers of new homes are entitled to sue builders for hidden defects for up to eight years -- even if they have signed contracts waiving that right, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

In a ruling with wide implications, the justices said that the common law “implied warranty of workmanship and habitability’’ recognizes the fact that home buyers are not experts in all the things that are required in constructing a house.

“A homebuyer must ... rely heavily on the builder-vendor’s knowledge of construction quality, as builders are skilled in the profession, modern construction is complex and regulated by many government codes,’’ wrote Justice Ann Scott Timmer. “And homebuyers are generally not skilled or knowledgeable in construction, plumbing, or electrical requirements and practices.’’

She acknowledged that, in general, people are legally entitled to sign contracts defi ning the responsibilities of each. That presumes both parties are “sophisticated’’ and equally aware of the risks and terms.

But in cases of new homes, Timmer said, there is an “inequality in bargaining power’’ between the builder and the buyer.

“The implied warranty was created

in recognition of this disparity, and undoubtedly reflects the homebuyers’ reasonable expectations that a newly constructed home would be properly designed and built,’’ she wrote.

Wednesday’s ruling was not unanimous. Justice Kathryn King said it runs afoul of the state’s public policy favoring freedom to contract.

And King, joined by Justice Clint Bolick, pointed out that right of implied habitability exists nowhere in state law. Instead, she noted, it was created by a 1979 ruling of the State Court of Appeals.

Timmer said that’s irrelevant, noting subsequent state laws have implicitly affi rmed that decision.

“The freedom to contact has long been considered a paramount public policy under common law that courts do not lightly infringe,’’ Timmer wrote.

“But courts will refuse to enforce a contract term ... when an identifiable public policy clearly outweighs enforcement.’’

That public policy, she said, goes back to 1979 when the state Court of Appeals eliminated what she described as the “buyer beware’’ philosophy of new home purchases, replacing it with the implied warranty of workmanship and habitability.

“The warranty is limited to latent defects that are undiscoverable by a reasonable pre-purchase inspection and service to protect innocent purchasers and hold home builders accountable

for their work,’’ Timmer said.

On the other side of the issue, the justice said, is “diminished interest’’ in enforcing waivers of the implied warranty like the one at issue here.

“Modern homebuilding frequently occurs in large-scale developments, leaving the buyer to either purchase the home under terms directed by the builder-vendor or forego the purchase altogether,’’ Timmer said. And in this case, she said, Zambrano signed the purchase agreement and accepted the warranty terms “with no variation to the preprinted terms in either document, without representation, and without any negotiation about warranties, suggesting she was in a take-it-orleave-it situation.’’

Also weighing in favor of the implied warranty, Timmer said, are the “multiple ways’’ it protects buyers.

“Warranting that a home was built

using minimum standards of good workmanship conforms to a homebuyer’s reasonable expectations,’’ she said. And Timmer said it “discourages the unscrupulous fly-by-night operator and purveyor of shoddy work who might otherwise blight our communities.’’

Timmer acknowledged that an unhappy purchaser can fi le a complaint against a builder’s license with the Registrar of Contractors and potentially get money from a recovery fund. But she said this is no substitute for enforcing the implied warrant, noting recovery fund payments are capped at $30,000 and do not reimburse for other consequential damages.

And there’s something else.

Timmer pointed out those who buy older homes have an opportunity to determine how it has “withstood the passage of time,’’ something not available to new home buyers.

Spending cap looms again over school districts

BY J GRABER Staff Writer

While school districts in Gilbert and throughout Arizona are worried they will have to grapple again with a voter-imposed cap on their spending next spring, it will be up to the next Legislature to do something about it.

The Aggregate Expenditure Limit caps what school districts around the state can spend in a year to a 1980-level plus 10% adjusted for inflation.

The limit was given a one-year hiatus by the state Legislature in the 11th hour earlier this year, but it is still in place without waivers. That means Arizona’s schools won’t be able to spend much of the $1 billion budget increase lawmakers gave them this year, school offi cials say.

“If the Legislature doesn’t take action before March 1 of 2023, our district, as will every other public district that’s not a charter district, will have to amend their budget to reduce the budget by the amount we are over on a percentage basis,” Scottsdale Unifi ed Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel told his governing board last month.

Noting that meant a potential $28 million budget hit, Menzel said Gov. Doug Ducey is not quite living up to the promises he made last year when the state budget was passed.

Ducey vowed to hold a special session of the Legislature to address the aggregate expenditure limit, but that has not yet happened.

“We still don’t have one promised,” Menzel said. “Some reports are that the Governor has said there are three conditions which were not necessarily the case at the time of the handshake agreement before.

“That would be it – 1. it has to happen, so some sense of urgency (by lawmakers), 2. that we have support from the House and Senate leaders (to pass a waiver) and 3. that you can confi rm that it will pass – with a two-thirds vote. That means 40 representatives and 20 senators.”

There have also been reports that Ducey was waiting until the lawsuit surrounding Prop 208, the Invest in Edu-

State Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Scottsdale, said he and many of his colleagues haven’t dealt with the spending cap because they’re angry that so many local school officials fought the universal school voucher program. (file photo)

cation Act, was fi nished, Menzel said.

But the Supreme Court ruled last month that the act, which adds a 3.5% tax on all income over $250,000 (or $500,00 for joint fi lers), is likely unconstitutional, though it left it up to the trial court to determine that.

“That has happened so that’s no longer an issue,” Menzel said. “Some others have raised new questions about whether or not the referendum on ESA (Empowerment School Accounts) gets on the ballot because signatures have been collected, whether that was a deal breaker … there are a lot of moving parts and pieces here and some of it is political in nature.”

ESAs are $7,000 vouchers given by the state to students who do not want to attend traditional public schools. The Save our Schools coalition failed to garner enough petition signatures for a 2024 referendum on the measure.

“While the governor encouraged us to spend the money when he made his budget statement, signed it, talked about the historic increase in public education, it was a $1 billion historic increase and that this should be spent on classroom teachers,” Menzel said.

“That all could go away in a heartbeat if action isn’t taken.”

C.J. Karamargin, a spokesman for Ducey’s offi ce, said the governor is

ELEX

a number of CUSD and Chandler Chamber committees and as a substitute teacher at CUSD schools.

Patti Serrano: She would be the first member of the Latino community elected to the Board if she wins a seat. The Hamilton High graduate earned a degree from Arizona State University in microbiology and works in academic research. Her son has been attending CUSD schools for nine years.

Legislative District 13

The race for the Senate seat in LD13 pits Republican incumbent Sen. J.D. Mesnard, a veteran legislator, against Democrat Cynthia Haas, a retired teacher and principal.

In the race for the two LD 13 House seats, incumbent Democratic Rep. and teacher Jennifer Pawlik is running against Republicans Liz Harris, a Chandler Realtor, and Julie Willoughby, an HOA president.

How much abortion will impact the races remains to be seen, though Pawlik and Haas advocate for a woman’s right to abortion, calling reproductive healthcare a private matter for women that should be free from government interference.

Haas, a mother of three children and a grandmother to two and an Arizona resident for 29 years, has said, “I have boots-on-the-ground experience in the two most pressing arenas: education and elections.

Public schools need adequate funding and charter schools should have the same transparency accountability as public schools”

She said that after retiring from education, she became a volunteer worker for the Maricopa County Recorder in 2017 and has been active with the public-education advocacy group Save Our Schools and the League of Women Voters.

waiting for an assurance that a waiver of the expenditure limit would pass in the Legislature before calling a special session. “We have seen no indication there are the votes.”

Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, reports that outgoing House Majority Leader Rusty Bowers (R-Mesa) said there would be no special session and that the issue would be dealt with in January.

“I think part of the reason is that the votes aren’t there,” Kavanagh said. “I’m speculating but a lot of members were extremely upset with the Save Our Schools” effort to kill or at least postpone implementation of the universal school voucher program.

Kavanagh noted that in the past he’s voted to waive the expenditure limit, “but like a lot of (legislators), I have concerns that the education community is refusing to take this back to the ballot to have the cap either raised or

She also champions water conservation and a ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.

Mesnard is seeking his third term in the Senate after eight years representing south Chandler and Sun Lakes in the state House, including as House Speaker in his last term. Prior to that, he was a policy advisor to the state Senate.

He is also an Arizona State University alumnus who earned his bachelor’s degree in music and two master’s degrees in public administration and business.

A small business owner, investor and consultant and political science teacher at Mesa Community College, Mesnard also helped to found Voices of the World, a nonprofit Christian charity.

Married to a registered nurse and the father of two girls, Mesnard boasts, “I’ve written some of Arizona’s most consequential laws,” such as health coverage for Arizonans with preexisting conditions, raising teacher pay by 20%, pushing compromise legislation that increased local control over short-term rentals while protecting owners’ property rights and advocating for major changes in the state income tax that have given Arizona the lowest flat-tax rate among those states that have a flat tax.

Mesnard also has won the endorsement of both the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce –something neither of his House running mates fail to get. Instead, both organizations endorsed Pawlik, who is seeking her third term in the House.

Since Chandler restaurateur Jeff Weninger is no longer in the Legislature after deciding to seek the GOP nomination for state Treasurer –which he lost to incumbent Republican Kimberly Yee – the LD 13 delegation will have at least one new face.

Pawlik has touted her work on legislation affecting all levels of education, from K-12 to university funding

His mental health had declined after an administrative reorganization that disbanded the county shelter system’s behavioral team.

“Basically, it’s stressful at the shelter,” said Kim Schulze, the shelters’ former county behavior and training team manager. “Lots of dogs don’t do well and start to deteriorate.”

Whether Rookie’s death could have been prevented had the county not terminated the team is debatable.

But animal advocates said its dismantling was a bad idea.

That and other alleged conditions have prompted a petition calling for reform at the shelter.

Behavior team dismantled

The county hired Schulze in June 2017 after she had been volunteering there since 2014. She took a substantial pay cut to oversee a team of seven, assessing cats and dogs coming into the two shelters in Phoenix and in Mesa and keeping them mentally and physically healthy during their stay.

“Maricopa County takes in an extremely large number of animals and needs behavioral support to make those decisions as to which dogs can be safely placed, which can be safely cared for (and) which dogs can make certain improvements,” Schulze said.

“When the behavioral team started, we started to do enrichment, giving treats in the kennels, starting to do playgroups and working with animals that needed extra help to be adoptable.”

Schulze and her team were reassigned under a new structure instituted last November by Assistant County Manager Valerie Beckett, then serving as interim animal care director.

“She changed my position to training manager,” Schulze said. “So instead of assessing the behavior of animals, I was training staff. She said she wanted everyone to be a shelter expert.”

Forbidden from performing assessments on some of the more challenging animals, Schulze felt her hands were tied and resigned in May. She now works for the Seattle Humane Society.

County offi cials defended the restructuring.

“It’s important to us to have staff members who understand behavioral issues in our pets,” said Kim Powell, spokeswoman for Animal Care and

Dine-In &

Control in an email. “In fact, our goal is to have more of them.

“But the behavioral team as a whole did not have a formal training protocol and lacked data to identify if it was helpful intervention in its present state, so we re-structured.”

Schulze disputed Powell’s assessment of her team.

“The behavior team had protocols for training behavior staff,” she said. “There were three levels within the behavior team …Each level had different duties within their job description that aligned with their level of animal behavior experience, knowledge, and skills.

“On-the-job training consisted of daily interactions with animals with opportunities for feedback and shadowing with more skilled and knowledgeable handlers.”

Schulze said that learning about animal behavior is an ongoing process and that the county shelter needs positions dedicated to animal behavior.

Shelter associates can’t be expected to become experts in behavior because they don’t have time during their work day of watering, feeding and cleaning to dedicate to the learning process and

they may not have the skills or desire to learn more about animal behavior, Schulze said.

And, she questioned how the county was recruiting staff with behavior experience when “behavior” isn’t in any of the job postings.

Lorena Bader, vice president of the nonprofit Four Paws and Friends, believes had Schulze and her team been in place, Rookie would have had a fighting chance.

“If the team was in place, (Rookie) would be getting out every day or every other day,” Bader said. “If he was deteriorating, they would have done more to make sure he stayed healthy until he got out of the shelter.”

Petition seeks changes

Bader is circulating a petition drive on change.org demanding the county Board of Supervisors and administration “provide proper medical and behavioral care for the animals in their charge.” As of Sept. 28, it had garnered 22,012 signatures.

Arizona law provides for the creation of county shelters and requires that any impounded animal be given “proper and humane care and maintenance.”

Other than that, there doesn’t appear to be any oversight of shelter operations.

Bader, a retired Corona del Sol High School chemistry and physics teacher, detailed a number of what she called “shelter failings,” and backed as many as she could with department records she obtained through public records requests.

She said she’s contacted veterinarians who left the county but they were fearful of possible retribution from their former employer.

Bader’s complaints also included that MCACC harbored a hostile work environment, had low staffi ng and morale and a high-turnover of staff.

Bader said she volunteered at the shelter from 2016-19 until she was fi red for sharing a photo of temperatures topping 100 degrees in the shelter. She still keeps in contact with some volunteers there.

“The kennels are not always cleaned because there’s not enough staff,” Bader said. “It’s not like they never get cleaned but they’re so short-staffed they’ve started not to do deep cleaning. They just started spot cleaning, which is not OK when you have infectious disease in the shelter and have distemper.”

She also said that dogs “don’t get out of their kennels for weeks at a time,” which leads to behavioral problems.

“If they’re lucky they get out once every five days for a walk or yard time. If they get sick, they sit in their kennel for two weeks with kennel cough. Some dogs in the medical wing are in there one month and not getting out.”

Rookie’s sad end County records show Rookie came into the shelter Jan. 24 as a stray and was considered “friendly but skittish, allows all handling.” He was vaccinated, neutered and microchipped in anticipation of adoption.

Rookie’s behavioral assessments on Jan. 25 and Jan 29 stated that he was a friendly dog who “thinks he’s a lap dog and wants lots of attention” and that he might be house-broken.

A Feb. 3 assessment, however, began noting he was nervous and agitated and did not want to re-enter his kennel.

A Feb. 26 evaluation reported Rookie fought with a dog in a neighboring kennel and on March 9, he was “barking,

Sunday

The county used this poster during a nationwide campaign

spur adoptions by waiving fees. Rookie, the dog in the poster, was euthanized

days after the campaign ended

the

growling, snapping teeth, lunging at other dogs.”

On March 12 the records showed that Rookie was “very stressed, pupils dilated and red eyes, panting... Dog is deteriorating in kennel and stressed out,” a memo stated. “Needs outlet.”

In the shelter’s paperwork, it was reported that a plea was sent out on Feb. 26 and again on March 3 asking fosters to help Rookie.

By May 11, Rookie’s behavior was updated to “urgent.”

“Dog is stressed out and overaroused in kennel, barking, jumping, panting, kennel fighting,” the memo said. “Dog is unable to fully settle with handlers in yard. Needs outlet. May be at risk of euthanasia on May 18 or sooner if warranted.”

Rookie’s records showed he wasn’t walked daily. In February, he had four walks but then because he was being treated for kennel cough, he was caged for 14 days until the antibiotics were finished, Bader explained.

But the pattern repeated itself with four walks in March, four in April and three in May.

Stimulation keeps dogs healthy

Experts say that shelter dogs need daily physical and emotional stimulation to deal with the stresses of kennel life and that exercise in general helps dogs avoid boredom, which leads to destructive behavior.

And, according to Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters released by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, “Dogs must be provided with daily opportunities for activity outside of their runs for aerobic exercise (and) for long-term shelter stays, appropriate levels of additional enrichment must be provided on a daily basis.”

Powell said, “Unfortunately, we sometimes have over 800 dogs in our care at the two MCACC shelters and not every dog can get out for a walk every day, which is why we desperately need volunteers to help our staff with cleaning kennels, daily enrichment, and of course, walks.

“Staff cannot get to every dog in addition to their other duties,” she said.

Powell added, “Our current director has been one of MCACC’s longest serving volunteers and he has seen volunteer engagement wax and wane over the years. We really need more volunteers to sign up for walks to help us get the hundreds of dogs out for walks every day.”

She also denied Bader’s claim that in-kennel enrichment is sporadic.

Bader said while the Arizona Humane Society gives five different types of enrichment daily to animals for their senses – eat, smell, feel, hear and see – that’s not the case at the county shelter.

“At the most at MCACC, they get one of those and it’s often someone walks through the kennels and sprays lavender or goes through and blows bubbles or gives milk bones,” she said.

Powell said Bader’s claim isn’t true.

“Animals receive enrichment every day, including Kongs, food-feeder puz-

zles, scent enrichment, rawhides, sometimes even music,” Powell said. “There is an enrichment board outside of the first door to the left of the volunteer hallway for specifics.”

Kongs are enrichment toys filled with treats that help relieve a dog’s stress and boredom.

How Will They Know?

Bader shared a Sept. 12 email from Director Michael Mendel, who stated he was pausing all public group walks and public enrichment stuffing events, effective Sept. 16.

“The two organizations, Four Paws and Friends and Hope Whispers, have been told that we may not fill Kongs,

pass out enrichment or to conduct public dog walks,” Bader said.

“Four Paws does the walks at the West shelter weekly and Hope Whis pers does them at the East shelter. We typically get 60-100 dogs out for a

Living life to the fullest is easier knowing your loved ones don’t have to worry about your burial, cremation, or funeral.

inflation-proof preplan

your wishes

visit us

Designing residential home interiors in

metro Phoenix area for over 20 years.

The Yard

seven days a week with

Small dogs fill kennel crates at the Maricopa County West Valley Animal Care Center in Phoenix. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

walk. It is often the only time they get out for a week.”

Paws also have been buying and stuffi ng Kongs for the shelter for about

Mendel said while the shelter appreciated the help from volunteers, there were “several incidents that prevent these activities from continuing at this time.”

Examples he gave of “safety-related”

incidents included participants wearing inappropriate and unsafe clothing such as shorts for dog walking and displaying unsafe behaviors such as putting their faces close to the faces of unfamiliar dogs for pictures during the walks.

Mendel added that there also have been some recent social media postings of “potential vandalism threats towards staff and/or property,” which he acknowledged wasn’t coming from Four Paws and Friends volunteers.

The shelter director also cited an incident when a group of volunteers

SPENDING

eliminated.

“They have enough money to send the vouchers to the ballot but the important spending cap, they don’t want to deal with. Some people speculate that’s because polls have shown that voters would not eliminate this cap.

“This cap was passed by the voters and it did give the Legislature the power to waive it but not every year, I mean, not every time,” Kavanagh said. “This has to be dealt with by the voters. A lot of legislators are concerned about continually overriding the will of the voters … when the education people don’t want to go back and have it settled by the people who created it.”

School boards across the state are

overstuffed Kongs, which he said “can cause many dogs to lose interest in enrichment activity.”

He added that the shelter had to throw out over 300 Kongs donated by Four Paws because they were “too full, uneaten, and unable to be fully cleaned for reuse.”

“We have recently looked into purchasing additional Kongs and the pricing went up, so we were waiting,” Mendel said, adding that the group can help in other ways such as joining the volunteer program, becoming fosters or buying prepackaged items such as dog biscuits, hot dogs and bully sticks.

Rookie’s death caused such an uproar that Mendel, who was hired in March to oversee Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, responded.

Mendel in his post noted MCACC at the time had approximately 695 animals, stressing the county’s capacity for care. He said the shelters were seeing more and more people surrendering their pets because of homelessness.

“We are seeing more animals with increasing dangerous behaviors, especially in the East Shelter,” Mendel wrote May 23. “While MCACC’s intention is to save every animal that comes into our care, I must weigh the safety risk to staff, volunteers, and the public.

“Dogs that receive deadlines are those struggling in the shelter environment and deteriorating.”

He said Rookie received a seven-day deadline and was up for adoption on the shelter’s portal.

“His deadline passed,” Mendel said. “No one came to rescue.”

The last evaluation on May 15 for Rookie said he was walking well on a leash, took his treats gently, jumped up to solicit attention from his handler and had no issues on returning to his kennel.

He was euthanized four days later at 2:29 p.m.

gun-shy about spending the extra money in this year’s budget until they get the expenditure limit waiver, said Christopher Kotterman, director of governmental relations for the Arizona School Boards Association.

“They understood (the agreement for a special legislative session) to mean before the next Legislature comes in,” Kotterman said.

“Obviously that hasn’t happened yet and school districts are anxious about this because they got a signifi cant increase in their budgets, which they are grateful for,” Kotterman added, “but some of them feel they can’t fully commit the money until they are sure the Legislature is going to override the expenditure limit because they don’t want to have to cut it after the fact.”

adult education and workforce development. She also has stressed the need for more effort to secure Arizona’s water supply for future generations.

Willoughby, an emergency room trauma nurse and married mother of two, who says, “With a staunch

commitment to my faith, my family and community I can make a positive impact on the future.” She said her work as a nurse has demonstrated her ability to stay calm under pressure and creatively attack problems.

Both Harris, a married mother of three, and Willoughby tout their support for school choice, more parental control in education, gun rights, more border enforcement and support for local police.

Volunteer Sarah Loman hands out treats to Hawkeye, an American Bulldog/Great Dane mix at the Maricopa County West Valley Animal Care Center in Phoenix. County officials say they need more volunteers at that shelter and their other one in Mesa. (David Minton/ Staff Photographer)

IS

D’Vine Gourmet owners open a boutique event venue

BY GERI KOEPPEL Contributor

D’Vine Gourmet retail shop in downtown Chandler is a mecca for many things — fancy food and wine, desert-themed gifts, homemade candy and snacks, gift baskets and more — and now it also boasts a boutique event space around the corner at 96 W. Boston St. called Chandler Pops!

Andrew and Denise McCreery, who own both d’Vine Gourmet and Chandler Pops!, opened the 600-square-foot venue as a community space.

They’re hosting bunco parties, wine tastings and “date night” dinners that are open to the public. They also will book other events that anyone can attend, such as mimosas and macramé parties or sip-and-paint nights.

“The one thing we’ve learned about COVID and post-COVID is that people want to gather together,” Denise said. “There’s a million things we could’ve done with that space. It’s a place to gather.”

Chandler Pops! also rents by the hour for private “micro events” such as

birthday parties, baby showers, board meetings, classes, clubs and more. Capacity is about 40, or 30 seated comfortably.

“We hope the majority of our events will be open to everybody,” Denise said.

The private rental fee for Chandler

Pops! starts at $90 an hour and includes chairs, tables, a big-screen TV, surround sound, craft sink and private bathroom.

Renters can bring their own decor, food and drink, including alcohol, or an in-house specialist can arrange for that. It has a keypad for access from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, and a large free municipal

parking garage is less than a block away.

Prior to the pandemic, d’Vine Gour met held monthly wine, beer, cider or sake tastings in the shop starting the day they got their liquor license in 2010. Andrew, a sommelier, led the sessions.

Starting soon, they’ll offer an expanded version of that idea monthly at Chandler Pops! called “A Taste of Downtown Chandler” featuring dishes by neighboring restaurants paired with wines or other adult beverages. The first one will include tapas plates from BlackSheep Wine Bar & Merchant, Pedal Haus Brewery and more.

“It’ll be a great way to collaboratively show off all of the partners downtown,” Denise said.

The cost for the tastings will vary from about $30-90, depending on what’s being served, Denise said, and tickets will be sold online. The website and Face book page will list a calendar of events.

Nikki Janulewicz of Gilbert attended a bunco party at Chandler Pops! in September.

“My adult daughter and I went and

Matty G’s owners hopes to build loyal customer base here

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Some of the regular customers at The Local in downtown Chandler were unhappy to learn its owners were shutting down and selling to someone else.

“Well where the heck am I going to watch football now?” one regular wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “Sure going to miss your awesome breakfast tacos!”

Matt Gorman hopes to build that kind of loyalty as his Matty G’s Steakburgers & Lobster Rolls opens in the space that once was home to The Local at 55 W. Chicago Ave.

“The Local was going to sell to some body, and we hope they really like us,” Gorman said. “I think our quality of food is going to be something that they’ll enjoy. We were voted best burger place in all of Phoenix in March of this year, so we got some good things going.”

Chandler will be the sixth Matty G’s to open in Arizona, joining locations in Mesa, Gilbert, Flagstaff, Scottsdale and Phoenix.

“My wife and I love coming to downtown Chandler,” Gorman said. “And when this spot popped up, or when we found it, we jumped on it.”

Gorman said customers will enjoy the variety of offerings at Matty G’s. In addition to the steakburgers, they obviously offer lobster rolls, chicken, hot dogs, salads and wraps. Gorman said they have 67 items on their menu.

But the food is only part of the Mat-

ty G’s experience.

“A lot of places today, you’re going to come in and be just a number,” Gorman said. “‘Hey, thanks. Nobody cares.’

We’re going to joke with you. We try to know you. We can’t know everybody, but we try to meet you and talk to you.

We might not remember everybody’s name, but pretty much remember a lot about what their family is or their kids

and what happened. We want to be a local spot where you feel comfortable.”

And there is a definite sports vibe, with TVs on the walls to watch games and a number of jerseys as decorations. Gorman said they are carrying something over from The Local.

“We’ll still continue the bar aspect with both inside and outside,” he said. “We have six beers that we actually

brew ourselves and that we hope everybody takes part in. But we are going to be a family restaurant that has really good food, with the ability to have an alcohol beverage as well.”

Brandon Marvin is one of the managers who will be running the Chandler location.

Andrew and Denise McCreery have opened a venue called Chandler Pops! behind their d’Vine Gourmet store in downtown Chandler. (Geri Koeppel/Contributor)

Matt Gorman has opened his sixth Matty G’s Steakburgers and Lobster Rolls at 55 W. Chicago Ave. in downtown Chandler (David Minton/Staff Photographer

MATTY G’S

“Yeah, I used to live here. I used to live across the street,” Marvin said. “Actually, I was going to The Perch when this building was just six pillars in the woods. So it is kind of crazy to think you know, 10 years later actually, I’m helping run this building.”

Before opening the first Matty G’s in 2016, Gorman ran a sushi restaurant. He said he got the idea to combine burgers and lobster rolls from TV.

“I was watching The Profit (TV show on CNBC) one day and they had a lobster roll guy on their food truck and he’s making a killing,” Gorman said.

The idea has been a success. Gorman said despite the slowdown the entire industry experienced during the pandemic, they’ve been able to grow. And he plans to keep expanding, both

in the Valley and outside of Arizona, mentioning Tennessee, Utah and Texas as possibilities.

Another state may depend on where his son wants to go to college.

“My kid is about to go to college in

two years,” Gorman said. “So I told him wherever you want to go to college, I will open a restaurant and he can work there for a year so he can get in-state tuition. Then you you can go to fouryear school a lot cheaper.”

Opening the Chandler location took longer than Gorman thought it would. But he hopes both fans of The Local and new customers will come to appreciate what Matty G’s has to offer.

During the interview, a man walked in and looked around the empty restaurant that wasn’t open at the time and said, “I just came for some tacos.”

If you go

The Collective Market in Chandler helps 46 small business

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Chandler resident Raina Dodge began honing her entrepreneurial skills when she ran a lemonade stand at age 5.

Now, as the owner of The Collective Market, a shop curated with local, artisanal, and handmade products at Chandler Fashion Center, Dodge helps 46 small businesses as well as her own get much needed exposure.

The Collective Market sells crochet

and macrame with a modern twist; woodwork creations such as flags and backyard games like cornhole and yard Yahtzee; seasonal decorative goods, soaps, candles, silk plants, blankets, heavy metals with a female flair fashioned into signs, keychains and bookends, and children’s items.

Dodge also sells her own products – quality baby blankets and lovies at an affordable price, also hair bows and headbands.

The inventory rotates every few weeks.

“The driving factor behind The Collective Market was the desire of my heart to help other small businesses (like mine) to amplify their small business presence (and sales) by offering them a venue to display and sell their goods,” said Dodge, a mother of three who graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business.

A year ago, when she looked for a space to establish her store, the first place she looked to, and selected, was

the Chandler Fashion Center.

She created the concept, drew up a busi ness plan, executed contracts and opened the doors as a pop-up market in November.

“We received such a tremendous pos itive response through the holidays that we decided to remain open,” she said. “We recently doubled our space provid ing more opportunities for vendors.

At first, The Collective occupied 1,700-square-feet of retail floor space.

Football and baseball memorabilia adorn the walls inside Matty G’s. Matty G’s Steakburgers and Lobster Rolls’ newest location in downtown Chandler. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Matty G’s Steakburgers & Lobster Rolls 55 W. Chicago Ave., Chandler matty-gs.com

Now, after renovations,

spreads

nearly 4,000-square-feet.

The generous space has allowed the business to add do-it-yourself workshops and a roster of classes as well. Dodge is buoyed by the progress of the last year.

“Everyone’s defi nition of success is different,” she said. “Some people say just opening a business is successful. I am so excited about how far we have come in a short amount of time.”

Dodge felt she had more to do to raise brand awareness.

“As soon as I walked into our space, I knew it could be better. After the renovation, my vision is now a reality. I’m working hard to make it an amazing space for both our customers and the small businesses community,” she said.

Amy Weber of San Tan Valley is one of the small businesses that displays and sells work at The Collective. Weber creates jewelry, one-of-a kind pieces with a defi nite flair, and has named her small business Salt & Sass.

“My business came about when I was going through my mother’s jewelry, after she passed, looking for something that I could make into an everyday piece for myself. Something I could look at, and just feel her in that moment,” Weber said.

The idea caught on and soon she was selling to her friends and at farmer’s markets.

Weber likes selling at The Collective.

“It’s a fun and upbeat atmosphere,

and it’s new every time I’m there,” she said. “The vendors are constantly bringing in new and special items. Interacting with the customers is a lot of fun.”

Dodge said that she has two main aims with the store.

The first is to create an environment for small businesses to connect with the local Chandler community by providing a space for them to sell their goods.

The second is to enable small businesses to connect to each other.

“Sometimes, as a small business, you feel like you are off on an island. I wanted to bring people together so they could bounce ideas off each other, help each other out, genuinely create friendships that will last,” she said.

“Women seem to band together when

they come together and work towards a common goal. There is strength in numbers. Yes, we do have that at The Collective.”

Asked if she felt the competition from the various art markets in the East Valley, Dodge replied in the negative.

“My goal has always been to support local artisans. We provide a fun and creative environment where our partnering businesses can connect with our customers,” she said.

She is planning special events – an Oktoberfest and a Winter Wonderland – to give additional small businesses that are currently not vendors in the store an opportunity to connect with the community.

Dodge employs a couple of part-timers, but her main staff is the small

business owners. All 46 – two men and 44 women – work a shift.

“I think it is important to work the store, not just sell there. I believe it helps keep them connect to the customers and our community. They can see why a customer is purchasing something, what is their motivation and their desire,” she said.

What are the challenges in operating this store?

“I am never really “off ”! People are my number one priority. I always make myself available for the small businesses in my store. Since we are at the mall, we are open seven days a week. If anyone gets sick, I absolutely must cover – re-

Left: The Collective Market has an eclectic mix of one-of-a-kind products on display. Right: Raina Dodge founded The Collective Market at Chandler Fashion Center to highlight the work of local artisanal businesses. (Courtesy of The Collective Market)

POPS

met a bunch of people we had never met before, which was a lot of fun,” she said. “And it was all different ages, which was kind of cool, too.”

Janulewicz said Andrew matched wines with peoples’ preferences. “They’re very accommodating and hands-on,” she said. “They just put on such a fun night. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. They’re very welcoming.”

Denise said the night was a “huge hit,” adding, “We had 24 strangers show up and 24 friends leave.”

The business has come a long way since its humble start Oct. 3, 2003. Andrew was in the wine business and Denise worked in software, but she was bored.

One day, she experimented with some wine Andrew brought home and “literally turned wine into jelly,” she said.

They couple would load up their two kids — Kate, now 23, and David, 22 — and peddle their jars at local farmers

markets and street fairs. One day, AJ’s Fine Foods asked if they could sell their wares wholesale, and eventually the jellies landed on store shelves statewide.

Before long, customers were walking into d’Vine Gourmet’s commercial kitchen in Tucson asking for gift baskets.

“We pretty much let our customers tell us where to go in our business,” Denise said.

“Every time they had an idea, we said sure.”

In 2004, d’Vine Gourmet opened a few hours a week in Tucson retailing their award-winning caramels, chocolates, nut and snack mixes, mustards and gift baskets, which are still their number one seller.

Andrew still worked for a wine distributor at the time and got a promotion in 2008 that required the family to move to the Valley. After a year of commuting once a week, Denise opened a store at Riggs and McQueen roads in south Chandler.

She still used the Tucson kitchen, but closed it in 2013 and moved it to Fulton Ranch.

After the pandemic hit, the McCre-

erys considered operating online only. But the City of Chandler was keen on preserving retail on the historic square, and as it happened,

Andrew lost his corporate job as vice president of fi ne wines in 2020. So the couple joined forces and moved d’Vine Gourmet to 72 S. San Marcos Place in September 2021, where it has an on-site kitchen.

Now, Denise is the creative director while Andrew serves as general manager.

The 5,000-square-foot store — double the size of the previous location — is a gift bonanza, selling T-shirts, glassware, cheese boards, books, pillows, art, knick-knacks, packaged foods and beverages in addition to its own house-made treats.

Andrew calls the wine shop at the back of d’Vine Gourmet his “play area” where he curates an impressive selection of more than 100 wines that aren’t always easy to fi nd at prices that beat the big box stores.

Andrew is “the best at fi nding

boutique wineries and family-owned winners that have stories,” Denise said.

“This is a small but mighty footprint of small but eclectic wines with a nice showing from Arizona.”

“There was no sense in Andrew going back to work” for the distributor, given his wine and sales knowledge, she said, adding:

“Andrew stepped in and it was perfect. Not only could we keep our company alive, but we could thrive. And we did thrive.”

If you go

Chandler Pops!

96 W. Boston St. chandlerpops.com; 480-477-3202;

D’vine Gourmet

72 S. San Marcos Place stores.dvinegourmet.com; 480-275-5320

authors, illustrator

Two published authors and an illustrator will speak and sign books at d’Vine Gourmet, 72 S. San Marcos Place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22.

They are: Chandler resident Laurie Fagen, author of “Behind the Mic Mysteries,” carried at d’Vine Gourmet; Bonnie Lou Coleman, who illustrated the children’s book “No More Pigs in

the House” written by her brother, Kenneth Allen Coleman; and “Turkey Savvy” cookbook author Jessica Chun. The event will include food, readings, giveaways and personalized book signings.

Fagen’s three crime fi ction novels, “Fade Out,” “Dead Air” and “Bleeder,” are set in Chandler and feature a young radio reporter who covers

the crime beat, helps Chandler Police solve cold cases and writes campy murder mystery podcasts.

Coleman, a long-time area artist, musician, and art and music instructor, created the images for her brother’s true story about his beloved pet pig, Princess Tocina, a fun, smart and treasured member of their family.

Williams, a Chinese American who grew up in Hawaii eating rice and dim-sum on Thanksgiving, learned to cook an entire turkey dinner with the trimmings when she married her Caucasian husband from Michigan.

Information: Laurie@ReadLaurieFagen.com.

Chandler couple in the swing offering tennis, golf lessons

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Lynsey and Drew Breivogel said they had no intention of opening their own business when they moved to Chandler during the pandemic.

It was a case of been there, done that.

However, those plans changed for the former Seattle residents when the chapter director for TGA Premier, a nationwide franchise offering tennis and golf lessons, notifi ed all his parent-clients that he intended to sell his business and asked if any of them were interested in buying it.

“Not at all,” Lynsey said when asked if starting their own business was the plan.

“We were never set in stone on our career paths. As we’ve had kids and moved houses and moved states and stuff, we didn’t really have any one specifi c thing that we were tied down to, or that we said all we have to do this. So just having an open mind and seeing the opportunity and taking it has been just a huge blessing.”

The Breivogels had built from scratch a home improvement business in the Seattle area that was thriving. Then, the pandemic arrived and the price of lumber soared.

After relocating to Chandler, Drew took a job to be a golf pro at Sunbird Golf Club and the couple enrolled their 8-year-old son in TGA for tennis lessons.

That’s when they got the email about a business opportunity.

“We talked about it, and we had a price in mind,” Lynsey said. “And if it was, at this price, or lower, then we’ll consider it, and if it was above then it just wasn’t meant to be. So it was lower than what we thought and we went and asked about it, and a month later, it was closed.”

Drew said children can learn a lot from sports that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

“We get to teach them the sport and most of them have never touched a racket or a club, but we also get to teach them the etiquette and the rules

of the game,” Drew said. “Golf especially is very similar to life, right? Because there’s multiple holes, you’re going to make mistakes, right? It’s what happens when you make that mistake, don’t compound that error, right? Don’t make another mistake.”

So far business has been booming, so much that the couple are looking to hire more coaches.

Most of the business is teaching tennis and golf at schools in the East Valley. They work with the Higley, Gilbert and Kyrene school districts as well as char-

ter and private schools. They also run a number of camps for students looking for more instruction.

Lynsey said they intend to expand, especially in offering private lessons. Drew said they’ve had some parents who have enrolled their children for multiple camps. As a thank you, he’s offered them a free private lesson.

“We hope to continue to do that no matter how big we get,” Drew said.

The big challenge now to growing their business is finding coaches. Lynsey said they will train anyone willing. Since they would be working with children, all coaches must undergo a background check.

Lynsey said working with TGA, which has chapters around the nation, has been great.

“[We’ve had] amazing support,” Lynsey said. “The CEO, or the CFO, I can text them. They’re an open book, they are there if there are any issues.”

Drew said now that he’s both started a business from scratch, and bought an existing business, the latter is a lot easier. However, there are still pros and cons.

“It’s like buying a house, right?” he said. “You know, and then being forced to live in that house for like three months. You can’t paint the walls, you can’t the trim, you can’t change the doors. You have to live in it like that for a little bit, which is fi ne.”

But they will slowly make the business theirs, Lynsey said.

Information: playtga.com/EastPhoenix

Chandler residents Lynsey and Drew Breivogel own the TGA Premier franchise for the Phoenix East region and offer tennis and golf instruction. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

State’s only table tennis venue opens in EV

people exercising to get better but not pay in tournaments.

Table Tennis and More, the only venue in the state dedicated exclusively for the sport, has opened its doors in Gilbert.

Owner Matthew Winkler, the state’s No. 1 table tennis player, relocated his club from Phoenix partly because “lots of my students were coming from Gilbert.”

Winkler also took into consideration that he and his wife had a baby this year, noting, “The neighborhoods in Gilbert are so much nicer than in Phoenix so I wanted to move my family for the nicer parks and better schools.”

For the uninitiated, table tennis is the correct name for the game as Ping Pong is a trademark.

Winkler, one of a handful of USA Table Tennis Association-certifi ed national coaches in the country, has operated Table Tennis and More, or TT&M, since 2015 in a 1,800-square-foot building behind his home in Phoenix. The club was started by his father, Len, in 1997.

Winkler’s new venue is 6,000 square feet and houses 10 tables, up from the four in his old digs.

“There’s not a lot of full-time clubs, we’re the only one in Arizona,” he said, noting that the other clubs in the state are using senior centers and community centers.

Although Winkler currently coaches

about 25-30 students ranging in age from 7 to 80, he also wants Table Tennis and More to be a place for players of all skill levels.

“I want people to have fun,” he said, adding that the venue is for “people who want to do it for exercise, people who want to play in a tournament and

“I eventually want to take a team to the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Open around the country and play.”

Winkler began playing the sport when he was 8 and won his fi rst State Championship in 2009.

With nine more state championships and other titles he’s garnered, he took to coaching and running tournaments for the past 20 years.

The facility is opened six days a week and offers open play, group training, private lessons, leagues and tournaments.

TT&M also sells professional equipment such as tables, Ping Pong robots, paddles and blades with brand names like including Butterfly, Xiom, Donic and Gambler.

The business also stages corporate tournaments, birthday parties with a table-tennis theme, charity table tennis fundraisers or any other related events, bringing the tables, paddles, balls and table tennis knowledge.

Although pickleball has been growing in popularity with courts found throughout Gilbert and the Valley, table tennis actually ranks No. 8 in the world with an estimated 300 million people playing it, according to Topend Sports.

To learn more: tabletennisandmore. com/phx/tabletennisandmore.

Matthew Winkler, the state’s top table tennis champ, recently opened a Gilbert venue Arizona’s only place dedicated to the sport. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Love for animals gave birth to high-end EV thrift store

BY JOSH ORTEGA Staff Writer

A Mesa boutique has gone to the dogs – and cats – but that’s exactly what it’s there for.

Paige Beville and Donna Geisinger opened Cause4Paws Resale Boutique at 9911 E. Baseline Road in July.

Geisinger said she’s loved animals her entire life and believes that more rescues could get adopted if they received the necessary medical care.

“This has been something that I lifelong wanted to do,” Geisinger said.

Two years ago, Geisinger reached out to the Apache Junction Animal Control Paws & Claws Care Center to fi nd out how she could help and met Beville.

Beville has volunteered at Paws & Claws for several years and started a nonprofit called Saving Paws Rehabilitation Fund to help raise money for urgent medical procedures at animal shelters, such as amputations and eye surgeries.

Beville also has some experience working for a similar thrift store for 13 years in Colorado that supported an animal shelter.

“We decided opening a store, that we could send the proceeds to local shelter animals would be the best way to help them,” Geisinger said.

But Beville said “thrift store” conjures up certain expectations: a mishmash of junk in a dimly lit room. But that’s not what the pair wanted.

Geisinger started the work on Cause4Paws in 2020 and said she and Beville

started collecting donations, which she said “were just awesome.”

They have now filled the 1,100-squarefoot location to the brim with various clothing, houseware and other items.

The sweet aroma welcomes customers as they walk in with bright lights overhead and a well-organized layout immediately makes customers realize that Geisinger and Beville put the “upscale” in upscale resale boutique.

The ladies use that term because they remain very selective about what they sell their customers, including fashion items by designers like Fiore and Chicos.

“We are pretty selective about what we’ll take,” Beville said “We get donations and, like every other boutique, will vet them.”

They can’t accept donations of men’s or children’s items, books, furniture or electronics due to space but the two

women donate what they can’t sell to the Arizona Humane Society, Beville said.

Their selectiveness might mean a slightly higher price at checkout compared with a traditional thrift store.

But every cent that doesn’t go to maintaining the storefront benefits rescued animals at the Apache Junction Animal Control Paws & Claws Care Center, 725 E. Baseline Road in Apache Junction.

Lori Erlandson, shelter supervisor for Apache Junction Animal Control, said the donations from Cause4Paws have helped prolong the lives for many of the animals that come in and need urgent medical care.

“Previously, without having access to these funds, we may have to make euthanasia decisions and decide that humane euthanasia is really our only option,” Erlandson said.

With a small medical budget, Er-

landson said some of the surgeries can quickly become very costly – starting at $500 for a six-month treatment of valley fever to more than $4,000 to amputate a puppy’s leg due to an accident.

Erlandson said these donations come at a good time for the animal shelter as Cause4Paws has become the angel donor East Valley rescue animals needed.

During the pandemic, Erlandson said adoptions increased as more people began working from home.

Now, Erlandson said the reverse has happened, with people downsizing from homes to apartments due to the economic downturn in recent months.

“Unfortunately, they weren’t able to take their pets with them,” Erlandson said. “So we’ve seen a pretty big increase in animals being surrendered to the shelter.”

Erlandson said the shelter has the capacity to hold 38 animals, and reached that in May, a fi rst in her seven years at the shelter. Last month, she said the capacity held at 32.

With a steady stream of medical funds coming in, Erlandson said they have continued to get animals the care they need and get them adopted out to forever homes.

That’s exactly what the ladies at Cause4Paws want to continue to do if they can get more customers in the store.

“Your angel donor that you know is going to always be there to contribute,” Beville said. “And that’s what this store does.”

Information: cause4pawsshop.com, 480- 306-4588.

Disco Fever

Paige Beville, left, and Donna Geisinger own the Cause 4 Paws resale boutique in Mesa, which supports Paws & Claws Care Center in Apache Junction. (David Minton/Tribune Sta Photographer)

Take action to reduce the impact of inflation, recession

BY HAROLD WONG Contributor

During the last 18 months, the US inflation rate has steadily increased and is at a 40-year high.

The Federal Reserve Bank has two missions: fight inflation and promote full employment. These two missions are now in conflict. The Fed’s main tool to fight inflation is raising interest rates.

In a recent Washington Post article, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell said. “We have to get inflation behind us. I wish there were a painless way to do that. There isn’t.”

The message came after the central bank raised rates by 0.75% for the third time this year and released new economic projections showing a significant slowdown in the economy later in 2022 and 2023.

We are technically now in a recession, because the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has been negative for the fi rst two quarters of 2022. A number of large

THE COLLECTIVE

gardless of what my plans are,” she said.

Also, it’s tricky to balance the store with her family. She has an understanding husband, Jason, and three young children, and everyone’s needs must be met.

companies, such as Bank of America, FedEx, and GE predict a recession in 2023 with rising unemployment due to the Fed increasing interest rates substantially.

Here are some fi nancial implications.

Action step: A increased recession means higher unemployment, less economic activity, and a declining real estate and stock market. Consider increasing your savings to cover at least 12 months living expenses and decreasing your exposure to bond and stock market holdings.

Mortgage rates have doubled from 3% to 6%+ on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. There has been a sharp increase in existing home purchase contracts that have been canceled.

For a $500,000 mortgage at 3% amortized over 30 years, the monthly payment is $2,102 vs. $2,983 at a 6% interest rate. The $880 monthly increase equates to a 42% increase in one’s mortgage payment.

If you want to sell your vacation or rental house, do it now and be prepared to lower your price and pay some of

Weber said she is happy with her involvement in the store. “The shop is super busy,” she said.

Customers are the best marketing tool.

“They tell their friends, or share on social media about the amazing artists we have in the shop, causing more wonderful

the buyer’s closing costs. The Phoenix Metro market is normally ranked one of the five most over-priced markets in America, based on high appreciation over the last 3-10 years. Many forecast a 10-20% decline in house prices over the next one to two years.

Stock market declines. On Sept. 26, the S&P 500 Index reached a new low for 2022 and the Dow-Jones Index dropped 329.60 points, or 1.11% to 29,260.81. This is down about 20.4% from its Jan. 4 closing high and so is offi cially in “bear market” territory.

Many financial institutions and managers of multi-billion dollar stock funds predict that the stock market could drop another 20-30% if the Fed keeps increasing interest rates to fight inflation.

Consider lowering the percentage of your financial portfolio that is in bonds or stocks, because higher interest rates historically cause both asset classes to drop.

What can you do to deal with a deeper recession, higher interest rates, and a declining real estate and stock market?

Consider finding investment opportu-

people to visit us in the mall,” she said.

The best things about being a part of the group? “I love the connection to my fellow small business owners, and the feeling of community that the shop brings,” Weber said.

The Collective Market is at 3111 W.

nities in the alternative energy field. The Inflation Reduction Act will allocate $370 billion in green energy projects.

In Mesa, Advanced Energy Machines has invented the only zero-emission technology that is commercially viable. My seminar will cover how this technology offers a 10-14% steady annual return for 10 years and is the most powerful way of saving income tax in our current Tax Code.

Folks have been able to do $200,000$600,000 Roth IRA conversions and not pay any federal income tax.

Free seminar and lunch: A seminar and free lunch will be held starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler. The seminar is 10 a.m.-noon with a free catered lunch afterward. The topic is “Beat inflation by saving taxes and increasing income”.

To RSVP for the seminar or schedule a free consultation, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is drharoldwong.com.Dr. Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/Berkeley.

Chandler Blvd., at the Chandler Fashion Center, across from Pottery Barn.

An Octoberfest, with 50 local small businesses participating, takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 28 and 29 at Chandler Fashion Center in the covered area.

Details: shopthecollectiveaz.com

2 local women competed for national crowns

Miss Arizona for a 2nd time loves to give back Chandler High senior vies for Miss Juneteenth

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Isabel Ticlo first volunteered to help blind Arizonans while attending Hamilton High School.

Now, during her second stint as Miss Arizona, that chance volunteering opportunity has given the Chandler resident’s life direction.

Ticlo competed in the Miss USA Pageant in Reno, Nevada, last week and had high hopes of capturing the crown.

But while that crown went to Miss Texas, Ticlo remains focused on a bigger future – helping the blind and visually impaired.

She used the scholarships from her first reign as Miss Arizona in 2018 to earn a master’s degree in business administration. Now, she’s pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy that she expects to earn in December 2023.

“Having volunteered with the blind and visually impaired community for 11-plus years, I often met and worked

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

M iss Juneteenth Arizona says a major portion of her responsibilities is explaining exactly what is the nation’s most recent national holiday.

“People are going to ask me, what is Juneteenth?” said Shaundrea Norman, a senior at Chandler High School.

That’s a subject she needs to be an expert in for the upcoming National Miss Juneteenth pageant since knowing the holiday’s history will be a significant part of how she is judged in the competition Oct. 15.

And make no mistake, Shaundrea is doing all she can to win the national crown. She took the same ambition and confidence into the Miss Juneteenth Arizona pageant, and won that.

President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. June 19 is the anniversary of the day the final group of slaves in the U.S. were read the Emancipation Proclamation and told

Chandler High teacher Kelsey Brown honored

BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor

Chandler High School teacher Kelsey Brown says her students usually react strongly when she describes her Inter national Baccalaureate personal and professional skills course.

“When I talk to people about this class,” she said, “they are like, ‘Wow, that would have been really great to have.’ It’s Adulting 101, I’m going to teach you what you need to do when you go out into the world.”

She is being recognized by the state for teaching it well. Brown has been named the IB Teacher of the Year for Arizona. Chandler High is the state’s oldest International Baccalaureate school. IB programs are certified and offer more rigor and an international focus.

Brown’s personal and professional skills course is split into two parts. The first half focuses on finding out who each of her students are as people: What are their ethics? What are their values? What is their culture? What lens do they view the world through?

Once that baseline is set, the focus switches to how do they interact with people who view the world through a different lens.

“So, one of our big units is intercultural understanding and how do we

relate to people who think differently than we do,” Brown said.

Part of that is a weekly ethics dis cussion, which Brown said the students really enjoy. She presents a problem to them every Thursday, either from the news of the day or a classical issue, and then lets them think it through and how they would tackle the issue.

That continues through the second half program, which focuses more on getting the students ready to become adults.

“We talk about applying for jobs,” Brown said. “We do a lot of stuff on communication, how to write an email, and then we actually just finished up doing job interviews. I actually get people from the community in the fields that [students] want to go into and they sit down and have a job interview.

“The kids have really enjoyed that experience. When we come back from break, we’re going to do finances. So we talk about budgeting, we do like a move out type of project. And then we also talk about how to pay your taxes, what all those things are about, as well as just like investing and like how you get your money to work for you.”

In addition to teaching that class, she also teaches IB History.

“Kelsey has worked diligently at help

ing to foster learning and ethical decision making in her classes and prides herself on helping to make students engaged and intentional learners,” said Courtney Kemp, IB career coordinator and advanced psychology instructor.

Brown said what separates being top teachers from others is good commu nication.

“I spent a lot of time making sure my expectations are really, really clear, like on a daily basis on each assignment,” Brown said. “And just being organized with them. Like I don’t ever want my students not really understanding what they’re supposed to be doing.”

She said she has high expectations for her students. In her experience, she said, if you set them high, the students will clear them if a teacher can communicate effectively.

Building relationships with the stu dents also is critical, she said, explaining a good teacher understands that they are humans and are dealing with issues. If a student who has never been late turning in an assignment suddenly misses one, listen to their reason and be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

“That’s a forgivable once in a lifetime thing, and everybody needs a little grace sometimes,” she said.

Isabel Ticlo of Chandler is Miss Arizona for the second time in four years and compet ed for the Miss USA crown Oct. 3. (David Min ton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

Chandler High senior Shaundrea Norman needs to be an expert for the upcoming National Miss Juneteenth pageant. (David Min ton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

Kelsey Brown, Chandler High School International Baccalaureate History Personal and Professional Skills teacher, is the Arizona IB Career Program Teacher of the Year, (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

ISABEL

with people who had vision loss coupled with other neurological or physical challenges,” Ticlo said.

“While vision loss is something they had to adapt to, many were able to live more independently thanks to the help of physical therapy interventions. So, I started taking night classes after work to explore some prerequisites in preparation for applications.”

She said the plan is to eventually open her own practice.

Working with the blind while at Hamilton made a huge impact on her.

“It’s easy to forget that our sight is a gift and to realize how challenging it can be to live in a sight-fi rst world when that sense is suddenly reduced, diminished,” she said. “I’ve met and worked with people who lost their vision due to autoimmune disorders, trauma, diabetes, and even car accidents. It can happen to anyone.”

This will not be her fi rst Miss USA pageant as a contestant, since she was Miss Arizona in 2018. She said that experience should help her this year.

“Some of my favorite things that I’ve learned as a titleholder is how to hold crucial conversations, build meaningful connections, and tell other people’s stories,” Ticlo said.

“I love interacting with people from all walks of life as it makes me a more compassionate community servant with a greater appreciation for all of the diverse, amazing people I have the hon-

or of representing at the national level.

“When I think of Miss USA, I think of someone who knows the greatest gift she can give is her time,” she added.

So, she’s hands-on making sure she’s using her platform for good.

She also wants to make sure the judges know “that I will be the type of Miss USA they can count on to hit the ground running, to attend a news conference in the morning, visit the children’s hospital in the evening, and then host a fundraising gala that night –representing the brand with grace and kindness.”

Ticlo’s parents are from India and Thailand. She loves to dance, especially Bollywood numbers. At college one day, she got a phone call that someone she loved had been mugged.

“Getting that phone call was heartbreaking and I couldn’t help but wonder if self-defense knowledge could have been helpful,” she recalled. “So, I signed up for Taekwondo in 2020 at MX Martial Arts in Chandler and am now a proud brown belt. My studio even helped me teach a self defense class earlier this year to help others feel empowered and safe.”

She said she will test for the black belt soon.

Helping blind Arizonans is not her only charity work.

“I’ve also had the chance to work with several other organizations such as Feed My Starving Children, the Chil-

SHAUNDREA

that they were free. That came on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.

The National Miss Juneteenth pageant is held in Galveston to celebrate that historic occasion.

Shaundrea has two coaches to help her prepare for the national competition. Dr. Cindy Banton is her intellectual coach, helping her prepare for the questions the judges are likely to ask and making sure she knows the history of Juneteenth.

Shequan Palmer is her physical coach, helping her know how to stand, walk, and present herself at the pageant.

“Shaundrea is incredibly impressive,” Dr. Banton said. “She is a young lady who gives me hope for the future of young people. She’s very intelligent. She’s beautiful inside and out. She is involved. She knows exactly what she wants out of life at this point.”

The hardest aspect of preparing for the competition has been fi nding the time.

Shaundrea has a busy schedule. In addition to her classes at Chandler High, she’s president of the school’s Black Student Union, has her duties at this year’s Miss Juneteenth Arizona, likes to dance as often as she can, volunteers with ICAN mentoring children and is working on a political campaign for November’s election.

“I have yet to be at a football

game,” Shaundrea said. “I don’t know if I’m going to homecoming. And honestly, that’s perfectly fi ne with me.

“I know that the things that I am achieving day by day [are important], whether it’s going to sash classes with my coach, learning the Juneteenth information with Dr. Cindy, whether that’s staying up at night to fi nish my homework, getting this project done or making sure my work is done aside from school with the campaign that

I’m on.”

Shaundrea said that she may pursue politics later in life. But fi rst college and most likely, law school. She is planning to tour both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, but said she is interested in attending a historically Black college or university.

But before all that comes the national pageant.

Shaundrea said she has scoped out the competition, and while she recognizes the challenge before her, she’s confi dent in her abilities and wants to come back to Chandler with the national crown.

“They’re very beautiful,” Shaundrea said. “I think that we all have a pretty good chance at winning, I know it’s going to be a very tight competition. And I’m just excited to see how it all folds out. I go after what I want, by all means necessary. And I think with having that type of mentality, it does set me apart as I go after what I want.”

Military veterans transition into CUSD teachers

BY MURRAY SIEGEL

As school districts struggle with an ongoing teacher shortage, Chandler Unified has found one group of people who can help: military veterans.

Tracy Phillips has been teaching seventh grade honors science at Santan Junior High School for six years.

He had been a Navy chemist on a nuclear-powered cruiser and when his service was concluded, he attended Arizona State University and earned a chemical engineering degree.

He had been working as an engineer and manager when he realized that there was a growing need for young Americans to consider a STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) career and believed that if he taught junior high science, he might be able to inspire his students into choosing a career solving scientific problems.

He said his experience at Santan Junior High has been exactly what he had hoped for as he engages his students with experiments such as firing bottle rockets.

An avid bicyclist, Phillips also coach-

ISABEL

es the school’s competitive mountain bike club. It competes in the Arizona Cycling Association, which has 1,500 competitors in grades 6-12 throughout the state.

And the married father of four –

including a son who serves on a nuclear submarine – isn’t finished enhancing his teaching career: He plans to return to school to get his certification as a teacher of gifted students.

Another military veteran teaching

in CUSD is Christopher James, whose Army infantry service 2005-2009 included an 18-month tour in Iraq.

One event during his combat tour led him to a teaching career. His unit was tasked with constructing a school and when it was completed, James was impressed with the joy the children showed.

The youngsters lived with war’s daily terrors and yet school meant so much to them, he said. James wanted to be part of an environment where young people could find happiness in learning.

Once he left the Army, James attended ASU, obtaining an undergrad uate and master’s degree in education. A teacher for 11 years, he is in his sixth year at Casteel High, where he teachers American history to juniors. James started a new elective class investigating 20th century U.S. military history and as part of that class, invites veterans to speak to students.

Christopher once considered pur suing a certification in school administration but decided he prefers the classroom.

He also coaches the girls golf team and is an assistant wrestling coach.

Injury Alliance of Arizona,

more,” she

“One of my favorite events was hosting

Bollywood

Kids for terminally ill children around the country during the pandem

Another passion project

started

children’s book ‘One Nice Thing a Day’ now on Amazon with proceeds benefiting shelters.”

Christopher James says his combat experience while he was an Army infantryman 2005 to 2009 helped inspire him to start teaching. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Jewish War Vets Post 619 to meet Oct. 18

A member of U.S. VETS will be the special guest at the Oct. 18 meeting of Jewish War Veterans Post 619 in Sun Lakes, now gathering in the Sun Lakes Cottonwood Country Club Phoenix Room at 25630 Brentwood Drive.

Jennifer Gewarges will discuss a new housing project called Ashley Place that is opening Nov. 1.

Each of the project’s two houses provides a safe and sober environment for five women with children. The wom en receive treatment for sexual trau ma, substance misuse, work re-entry counseling, and assistance in receiving disability payments.

Ashley Place will support the female veterans working towards employ

ment and permanent housing and is made possible by the Milanovich Trust in collaboration with the Habitat for Humanity.

To support this new venture, those attending JWV’s meeting are encour aged to bring hygiene products for the Ashley House women.

Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, razors, shaving lotion, comb, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, pads, deodor ant, facial cleanser and lotions, hair ties are needed.

Gowarges earned her master’s de gree in social work from Arizona State University. Before joining U.S. VETS, she worked at Southwest Key Programs, a nonprofit dedicated to reunifying and sheltering immigrant children and families escaping dangerous conditions

in their countries of origin.

As a victims advocate for the Phoenix Fire Department, Jennifer assisted victims of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and child abuse in reaching safety.

A social with free lox and bagels, coffee and doughnuts starts at 9:30 a.m. Ovt. 18 , followed by the speaker at 10 a.m. The public is invited. There is no charge.

To partake in the food, people must RSVP by 5 p.m. Oct. 16 to joytoyspartonos@aol.com.

JWV Post 619, which meets the third Sunday of every month from September to June, boasts members who represent a wide range of religious affiliations and participates in philanthropic activities to help veterans of all faiths.

MCC DJ class spins a new future for students

BY JOSH ORTEGA Staff Writer

The world’s first college-accredit ed program for disc jockeys at Mesa Community College is putting students on a path to learning the techniques of platter-pushing professionals.

In the rarified world where some DJs have reported seven-figure earnings from their work at clubs, festivals and other gigs, MCC students can earn an associates in

applied science in “disc jockey techniques.”

As an alumni, James Gaspar said the program changed his life.

“I didn’t think that music was going to be a viable path,” Gaspar said. “But it turned out that this program changed my life for the better.”

Gaspar graduated from Scottsdale Community College in May and has already started DJing at corporate and private events and said he does more than press play on music.

“You’re a musician and the turntables are your instrument,” Gaspar said. “You’re creating music from other bits and pieces of music.”

That fusion perfectly sums up what instructor Ramsey Higgins said the DJ has done for both hip-hop specifically and music in general.

“Out of all the performance elements in hip hop, the DJ is the foundation of the culture,” Higgins said.

Ramsey Higgins – or DJ Ruthless Ram

sey as he’s known onstage – has taught in the Maricopa County Community College District for the last 15 years, pri marily at Scottsdale Community College, where the program originated.

Now, Higgins has brought his mixing, scratching and transforming skills to MCC.

He said he started learning how to DJ at age 7 from the “school of hard knocks” that had either no teaching or

Make a difference in someone’s life!

Jennifer Gewarges

100+ Women Who Care supports community clinics

BY ANGELA SIMS Guest Writer

Approximately 11 percent of the total population of Arizona were uninsured in 2020, according to statista.com

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes, “Uninsured adults are less likely to receive preventive services for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease; and children without health insurance coverage are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for conditions like asthma or critical preventive services such as dental care, immunizations, and well-child visits.”

Sonoran University’s Sage Foundation for Health (formerly SCNM Sage Foundation) exists for the sole purpose of providing healthcare to underserved family and children in Maricopa County.

The Sage Foundation provides funding to six community clinics in Maricopa County.

The clinics are staffed by licensed physicians and third- and fourth-year medical students from Sonoran University of Health Sciences, a fully accredited university in Tempe that offers degree programs in naturopathic medicine and nutrition.

At the community clinics, physicians and students treat chronic and acute health conditions using both conventional and alternative medicine, such as clinical nutrition, supplements, botanical medicine, acupuncture, and homeopathy, at little to no cost.

Celebrating a check presentation by 100+ Women Who Care to Sonoran University’s Sage Foundation for Health are, from left: Katherine Katz, Kayte Nettles, Danica Cullins, Paul Mittman, Kim Tarnopolski, and Crissy Haidos . (Courtesy 100+ Women Who Care)

Sonoran University’s Sage Foundation steps up and fills the need for medical care when families who cannot afford health insurance may otherwise not receive it.

Patients include families in impoverished school districts, domestic violence survivors, women and children experiencing homelessness, those living with HIV/AIDS, and others recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

Students and physicians from So-

noran University provide nearly 9,000 patients visits each year for both primary care and specialized patient visits.

The students who cover these shifts get a unique opportunity to provide treatment and gain skills and experience in a community healthcare setting, working with a diverse patient population.

They help their patients to restore their health, and to improve self-care through daily diet, exercise, and stress

reduction treatment plans.

The life-changing, life-saving work the Sage Foundation provides is made possible thanks to generous support from the community.

Last month, the East Valley members of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun donated $10,050 to the Sage Foundation.

100+ Women Who Care comprises women who meet quarterly to learn about local charities and choose one charity to receive a donation of $100 from each of the members.

By pooling their money together, 100+ Women Who Care can make signifi cant donations to Valley charities, making a noticeable impact for the nonprofit recipient each quarter.

This donation will help offset the high costs of lab tests, medical supplies, pharmacy items, and other necessary supplies to keep the community clinics running and ensure they can provide high quality healthcare to thousands of patients each year.

“The donation will go towards providing free care for underserved populations in Maricopa County. We are incredibly grateful for the support 100+ Women Who Care has shown us,” said Kayte Nettles, director of development at the Sage Foundation.

More information on the Sage Foundation’s community clinics: sage.sonoran.edu.

100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun will hold their next quarterly giving circle in the East Valley at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Audi Gilbert. Members and guests are welcome. Visit 100wwcvalleyofthesun.org for more information and to register.

MARK KELLY = OPEN BORDERS

Paid For By Citizens for Sanity forsanity.org

Teachers can bone up on prehistoric times here

BY JOSH ORTEGA Staff Writer

Make no bones about it: a pilot program lets teachers take parts of dinosaur skeletons to go.

The Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Mesa Public Library have partnered on a pilot program to bring new Museum To-Go boxes for Valley teachers. The wheeled suitcases contain fossils, museum-quality replicas, and lesson plans for all grade levels.

Dani Vernon is the curator of education at the museum and said it brings “hand-on, interactive learning” to teachers and students.

“It was just a way that they could bring a part of our museum into their classroom,” Vernon said.

Thanks to a grant from the COX and Arizona Cardinals Charities, the library has purchased six rolling suitcases valued at more than $1,500 each.

Currently, the program has two separate themes for teachers to choose from: Fossil Detectives and Dinos To Go.

The suitcases come complete with lesson plans, worksheets, videos, as well as durable, museum-quality fossil replicas including a Velociraptor skull, T. rex toe claw, and a Trilobite.

Additionally, the sets come with Educator Background Information to bring teachers up to speed if they don’t have a doctorate in archaeology or paleontology.

If – or when – the program finds success, Vernon said they plan to expand to more subjects and themes.

said. “We’ve already had a whole bunch of interest from teachers, so I know it’s going to be incredibly successful.”

Currently, the to-go boxes are geared more toward third through fifth grade, but Vernon said the toys inside connect the topic to students as low as first grade.

lum that shapes it.”

Nicole Lind, a librarian at the Mesa Public Library, oversees collection and support services and said any public-school teacher in Maricopa County can check out the suitcases for one week at a time from the main library located at 64 East First St., Mesa.

“Stuffbrary,” a collection of various items including cake pans and croquet sets that allows for hands-on learning.

“This is sort of a natural fit for us,” Lind said. “It’s encouraging imagination, creativity and play.”

Lind said any teacher registered with the Mesa Public Library simply needs to verify their school information to check out the to-go boxes.

Like any item at the library, Lind said anyone who checks out the boxes assumes responsibility for any damage or missing pieces.

“We have it itemized and there’s a price to it, so we do charge them when/ if something breaks, or if something’s missing,” Lind said. “But overall, I think it’s all pretty durable stuff.”

Space may present as an issue currently, especially at the library’s other three locations, Lind said they look forward to expanding the program to more boxes when the funding becomes available.

“We’d be excited to continue it,” Lind said. “It was a little bit for us to figure out how to catalogue these because we’ve not ever done anything like this.”

Located in downtown Mesa, the Arizona Museum of Natural History is a “must-see” for dinosaur lovers. Its main attraction is Dinosaur Mountain, with animatronic dinosaurs, a 3-story indoor waterfall and a flash flood that happens every 30 minutes. In addition to dinosaurs, visitors can pan for gold, learn about volcanoes, or discover Arizona’s connections to ancient civilizations, including the Maya.

“We want to expand not only the content but the age ranges,” Vernon

“Anybody is welcome,” Vernon said. “Moving forward, it’s really the curricu-

Lind said this program naturally expands upon the Mesa Public Library’s

Information: arizonamuseumofnat uralhistory.org. bad teaching.

Now, with the degree program expanding in the Valley, Higgins said it helps standardize the profession and brings a bargaining chip to help young DJs create a baseline for their career.

“The degree shows that they deserve a standardized pay of what a DJ should get,” Higgins said. “There’s a lot more stuff that we do off the clock than we do on but that degree solidifies that we have the balance of both.”

To earn an associates degree, students must complete more than 60 credits in classes such as “Turntablism: The Art of the Scratch DJ” and “Introduction to Emcee-Rapping Techniques.” Higgins said while the lessons don’t get easier, students skills become sharper and they add to their repertoire week after week.

“If you think everything’s cool when you get home – just like my teachers taught me – that bar is up the next week,” Higgins said.

Gaspar said Higgins’ passion for the music pushes students in a positive way and he makes you believe in yourself.

“His enthusiasm and his belief in you are so infectious that you end up having a better self-esteem after talking with them, after being around him,” Gaspar said. “Because he says, ‘no, you can do it.’”

In learning the techniques from

the instructor, that infectious positivity spreads throughout the class and Gaspar said the classroom becomes a microcosm of collaboration.

“There was always something new to learn. Whether it was from a peer or the professor, you are learning something new,” Gaspar said.

After graduation, that learning eventually translates to a starting pay around $40,000 for mobile DJs playing weddings and corporate functions, according to the MCC website.

But like most professions, with hard work, professionals can sell out stadiums and rake in millions of dollars per year.

No matter what path students take, Higgins said he focuses on also develop ing the intangibles such as good character, persistence, dedication, discipline but also enjoying the “very therapeuti cal” response the music brings students.

“Even if they don’t do anything profes sionally, it’s still therapeutic,” Higgins said.

For Higgins, though, it’s not about the money but the lives he’s touched and transformed in the classroom that sit at the heart of why he teaches.

“Our job is to always be healers and be in the community,” Higgins said. “So that’s the way it started…it should always stay that way.”

Born in Minnesota, Higgins moved to Arizona in 1985 and has toured across the country playing in NBA Arenas and hundreds of clubs from New York City to Los Angeles.

For that reason, founder and former program director Rob Wegner brought Higgins on as an instructor.

“If you’re learning from Ramsey, you are learning from one of the most talented DJs and instructors on the planet,” Wegner said.

Wegner started the program at Scott

sdale Community College in 2001 that eventually evolved into world’s first college accredited associates degree for DJs.

To become accredited requires an advi sory committee comprising 30 of the best DJs in the Valley and approval from the U.S. Department of Education, Wegner said.

“If you understand what a DJ does, and their role in music, it makes sense for there to be a DJ promo in a music department,” Wegner said.

Wegner served as the program director until 2015, when his multiple sclerosis became too much for him.

Wegner said the only downside to this program is that more colleges haven’t picked up the concept yet.

“ It’s great that it’s at Mesa now because Mesa’s got a very reputable music program,” Wegner said.

Cecilia Satori enrolled in MUC136 Turntablism: The Art of the Scratch DJ this semester as a way to add to her mu sical repertoire and eventually would like to become one of the trailblazing female DJs in the male-dominated profession.

“Seeing that I have an opportunity to pave the way in the DJ experience, makes me happy,” Satori said.

For now, Satori said she’s enjoyed meet ing pioneers like record-scratching inventor Grand Wizzard Theodore, and collaborat ing in the classroom with other students.

“It’s like a whole new world unraveling before my eyes,” Satori said. “I’m thank ful to be able to inspire future DJs.”

The Arizona Museum of Natural History’s new program for teachers is not the only thing that has the museum buzzing. Dr. Emily Early, the museum’s curator of anthropology, is a significant contributor to a new book, “African Paleoecology and Human Evolution” that details how humans evolved in the dynamic African landscape. (Courtesy Arizona Museum of Natural History)

Ramsey Higgins teaches Turntablism: The Art of the Scratch DJ at Mesa Community College. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Shaun Aguano shows Ohana culture despite loss in first game

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Arizona State’s patented video to welcome the team onto the field didn’t change Sept. 24. Sparky still walked through a giant dust storm and stomped the visiting Utah Ute bus.

What did change, however, is what transpired at Sun Devil Stadium in Pat Tillman Tunnel. Players didn’t emerge before coaches.

Instead, Shaun Aguano, the former Chandler High head coach who coached running backs for the Sun Devils up until last week when he was named interim head coach, walked with the team with their arms interlocked. It was a show of unity. It was a show of togetherness.

It was to show this new era breeds family. Or, in Hawaiian culture, Ohana. It capped off what Aguano said was an “amazing” week, despite the outcome Saturday.

“It was an amazing week for me,” Aguano said. “To be in charge of these kids and for them to do everything that I’ve asked … the only thing I asked is to play hard and we’ll see what happens.

“I love these guys with all my heart. I told them at halftime and at the end of the game, ‘There will be no quit from me and there will be no quit from my staff.’ We’ll keep working.”

What transpired on the field over the course of the next 60 minutes wasn’t ideal. The Sun Devils were virtually run off the field by Utah, the No. 13 team in the country. Many didn’t expect Arizona State to be competitive in the game.

To be fair, that wasn’t expected in the Sun Devils’ next two games. The Sun Devils lost to USC and were to face Washington next.

But all eyes were on Aguano and the morale of the team. So far, he’s passed the eye test. Players have also gravitated toward him and are starting to buy in to a new mentality.

“Coach Aguano, he worked us this week. Everything he brought, he brought a new juice, new energy,” defen sive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera said. “I think the team really appreciates it. We reacted to it well as a team. We had a good three

days of practice. We just didn’t capital ize on a great week of practice. We still believe in everything coach Aguano is saying … we’ve still got a lot more to play for.”

Still, after the USC loss Oct. 1, ASU President Michael Crow, while praising Aguano and the team, said the search for a permanent coach will continue.

“I was very excited about the game,” Crow said. “I thought coach Aguano did a fantastic job.“

Crow gave no indication he will cut short the search for a permanent head coach to replace Herm Edwards, stating, “We are still a ways from that.”

Overall, players quickly started to appreciate a new level of discipline that came with Aguano’s coaching style.

He did the same at Chandler for 20 years, the last seven as the head coach. His teams were always disciplined and this led to success.

But it did take time. His ability to turn Chandler into a national power wasn’t overnight.

“I think, ultimately, it is going to take a little time. But I think we had a great week of practice, everybody handled the change very well,” Arizona State defensive back Khoury Bethley said. “Ultimately, I think it just comes down to everybody executing. We didn’t do that today, but we played hard.

“If you watch this tape, you won’t see no quit from us. We played hard to the end today.”

Just like he was at Chandler, Aguano was animated on the sideline for his first game. He cheered every successful play or penalty against Utah and scoffed at mistakes or flags thrown

against his Sun Devils.

Even when the offense was virtually helpless against a relentless Utah defense, he met every player three yards on the field with high fives and words of encour agement.

That carried over to the postgame press conference, where he hugged each player after they exited the room.

“I love you, too,” Aguano whispered to quarterback Emory Jones, who initiated the handshake and hug with his coach that never lost faith in him even after a difficult outing.

“It’s a family thing for us,” Jones said. “We know we’ve got each other’s back. We’re all in this together.”

Just like in his introductory press conference, Aguano showed passion, humility and emotion.

He emulates what Arizona State fans want from a head coach – someone who genuinely cares about his players and the program.

The loss wasn’t an easy one by any means, especially the way it transpired. But Aguano took it on the chin and promised a better showing in the weeks to come.

He also thanked Sun Devil fans for the support they gave him in what had been a rough week for the team as a whole.

“This has been a whirlwind week,” Aguano said. “With the Sun Devil walk and (fans) coming to the stadium and all the support they’ve been giving me, I just want to thank them. We’ll get there. I promise you, we’ll get there.

“I am happy and honored to be on this staff and to be the head coach of these kids.”

Former Chandler High School coach Shaun Aguano led Arizona State for the first time as interim head coach Saturday, Sept. 24. While the Sun Devils fell to Utah, he showed pas sion, humility and emotion, claiming multiple times that he was blessed to lead the team.

Aguano led the Sun Devils out as one onto the field. They locked arms and came out to a roar from the crowd. It was a show of unity among a team that had gone through turmoil just days prior. It was also a statement from Aguano, who likes to put a stamp on every program he leads with his Hawaiian culture. (Corey Cross/STSN Contributor)

God requires us to be his true partner

RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist

Numerous times we hear from different people that their concept of right and wrong can be found in their understanding of spirituality.

It is used frequently to describe a partnership with God that requires confrontation, not acceptance. We are required, even obligated, to question God because to do so enables us to understand the meaning of life.

All of us, at one time or another, struggle with the notion of God and are determined to comprehend the true essence of our relationship. This is the formula for building character by assum ing responsibility.

So, what is it that we question?

Primarily, I would suggest that we are concerned with the existence of evil. There has always been evil. There will always be evil. This is the eternal quest: To understand why there is evil and the part it plays in the elaborate road map called creation.

On the other hand, we are also romantics, always thinking that good will be ultimately victorious over evil. The Psalmist and the prophets talk about a time when all will be right with the world, and yet we still grapple with the notion of evil vs. good.

Perhaps we spend too much time on why, and not enough time on what.

By this I mean that while we sometimes may feel righteous indignation, we cannot fully determine our role until we under stand that we must try to be the best we are capable of and that a partnership with God requires us to be a community of people concerned with survival.

Our survival requires this relationship with each other.

The what also contains the understanding that we must take responsibility for our actions. Adam, when confronted by God about eating from the Tree of Knowledge, against God’s wishes, argues that he is blameless –“The woman made me do it.”

Not taking responsibility is contrary to the concept of respect for life. Not speaking out when we witness injustice

is contrary to this understanding of the regard for life.

We are responsible to and for each other and we need to be concerned about all that is around us because we cannot exist alone. If we are to true partners with God then we are obligated to act as a true partner, not as passive accepting and fate filled participants.

We are witnessing at this very moment the results of being passive in our relationship with each other.

The indiscriminate murders taking place in our communities; the systemic racism that has polarized our society; the wanton destruction of our cities; the total denial of responsibility of our decay; the disregard for our religious obligations as determined by Scripture.

How much more of what do we not understand? “Someone else made me do it” is not acceptable.

This is the calling of mankind: To be guardians, promoters, and messengers. We have been in the forefront of helping people live with dignity.

We spoke out when we witnessed injustice for all minorities – people of

color or immigrants or various religious persuasions. We seem to have lost our way in the maze of hate-filled rhetoric and persecution.

We somehow forgot that we must en able humanity to be productive and caring without fear of life and limb. We seem to have lost our ability to partner with God in ensuring peace and tranquility.

We have a duty to follow the dictates of our conscience in participating in the saving of all lives by beginning with the saving of one. We have a moral responsibility to resist selfishness. We have an obligation to ensure that life will continue through grace.

And we were created in the Divine image in which God accomplished one part of the equation of the partnership. Our effort should be the completion of that partnership: The survival of humanity and the survival of our planet.

This truly is what we were created for. Our character is built on the foundation of our responsibilities.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D., is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Being grounded in faith will set you free

BY PASTOR MARVIN ARNPRIESTER Guest Writer

Been having trouble with our home phone and internet service from time to time. Most of the time it has worked well with no complaints.

Then, beginning late spring, the internet service was slow at times.

Last month, the phone service had a loud hum anytime there was a call. At times, the internet was slow to almost non-existent. Called the serviceman who did something and pronounced it fixed. It lasted for two days.

Then Sunday, nothing was working. Went to a service center and com-

plained. They sent out a repair supervisor who spent over three hours tracking everything out. He discovered a bad modem, which he replaced. That did not fix the problem. Finally, he checked the main connection box somewhere several miles away. He discovered the ground for the fuse link had never been attached. He attached it and presto; all is well. Service is better than ever!

It strikes me that being grounded is not only necessary in electrical connections, but in our lives as well.

When one is not grounded, one is all over the place because one is not secure in their person. They seem to be wishy-washy, always needing more than you can give them. You can’t pin them down on much of anything as they are

all over the place because of their need to please others. Their need for attention seems overwhelming at times.

As a result, they will fall for most anything in their desire to please, to be seen as important, to have the answer. They also seem to top every story or event from their experience that dominates the conversation. Not being grounded messes everything up.

When one is grounded in their faith with a sense of whose they are, then they know who they are. You are aware there is a congruency about what they say and claim with how they live and interact with others.

They had a keen sensitivity to others with a unique ability to listen well and respond appropriately. Being grounded

means they don’t have, nor do they need to have all the answers.

They don’t need to fix others as they accept and affirm others as they are. They seem to have a sense of serenity about them which is both invitational and accepting. Being grounded means, they are set free to live life fully and richly no matter the situation in which they find themselves.

I hope the ground wire on my phone and internet service remains connected for trouble-free service. I hope to become more and more grounded as a person of faith so I am living a congruent life.

Rev. Marvin Arnpriester is senior pastor of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

Sun Lakes UM offering Tuesday programs, Bible study

BY CATHY SMOOT Contributor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church at 9248 E Riggs Road hosts “Tuesday Nights Together,” a series of free programs every month.

Topics vary from light and entertaining to serious and informing. A light meal is offered for a free-will offering at 5:30 p.m. prior to the 6 p.m. program.

On Oct. 11, the program will focus on a Civil War general who was a soldier and a diplomat.

To this day, Gen. Winfield Scott was America’s preeminent soldier and diplomat.

Historians often paint a distorted picture of “Old Fuss and Feathers” due to his advanced age at the onset of the Civil War, failing to recognize earlier accomplishments.

Over much of the 19th century, Scott designed and commanded a professional army that proved over and over again his war making skills.

However, he won many of his most stunning victories short of fighting and without shedding blood.

Fall Bible studies

Join an interesting and informative Bible study at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.

At 10 a.m. Sundays in Room 1 of the Education Building, Adult Sunday School has Dr. Pickens and others facilitate an hour-long study of biblical principles and their application in our lives.

At 10 a.m. Tuesdays starting Oct. 18 in Room 4 of the Education Building, “The Triumph of Christianity” with How ard Strouse will examine the historical events that led to Christianity’s rise. What began with Jesus and his disciples soon grew to the largest religion in the world, eventually taking over the entire Roman Empire and beyond.

At 10 a.m. Wednesdays starting Oct,. 12 in Room 3 of the Education Building,

“What is the Bible?” by Rev. George and Cathy Smoot facilitate an introduction to the Bible. Participants can learn how to read and understand broad overview of the Bible, its books, organization, approach to reading, and archeological support.

At 10 a.m. Thursdays beginning Oct. 13 in Room 1 of the ducation Building, “Making Sense of the Bible” with Pastor Marvin Arnpriester offers an honest conversation about the Bible answering foundational questions, how and when it was written, what does it contain and why, as well as how we should understand what we read.

Underground Railroad musical to debut here

BY SRIANTHI PERERA GetOut Contributor

Southern California creative Ashli St. Armant had a plan to write a musical about the Underground Railroad.

She had not found the setting for it until she visited Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, where some of her ancestors worked as slaves in the 1700s.

Two rows of magnificent oak trees cre ate a grandiose front pathway and the tour guide remarked, “Can you imagine what these trees have seen and witnessed?”

“That was it for me,” St. Armant said. “My ancestors walked in, and they were like ‘we got this!’”

Her ancestors will possibly be appeased when the Chandler Center for the Arts premiers “North, The Musical” in early November.

Chandler joined three other cities na tionwide to commission St. Armant’s theat rical debut, which she created and directed and sis produced by actor Isaiah Johnson of “Hamilton” and “The Color Purple”

But St. Armant has set her sights on Broadway.

A composer, musician, jazz vocalist, musical theater playwright, author and youth educator among other skills and talents, St. Armant began her career as a pre-school music teacher and soon start ed writing content for young audiences.

A rambunctious only child, she grew up with many children around because her mother ran a home daycare center. Musical instruments, make-believe and children’s entertainment were part of the culture of her home.

ing to happen. I’ve had these extremely fruitful and fulfilling experiences along the way,” she added.

St. Armant is buoyed by the response to “North” so far. She drew on her multifaceted aptitudes and her creative community to assemble it and rates it as her biggest accomplishment yet.

“It’s been the biggest feat even to get it to this point,” she said. “It’s the biggest team I’ve had to build, the most

get involved in premiering the musical?

Michelle Mac Lennan, general manager of Chandler Center for the Arts, said that she became acquainted with St. Armant after she performed a virtual concert through the Dandelion Artists agency during the pandemic. For the concert, St. Armant was wearing the hats of childhood education specialist and artist, working as Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards.

“We fell in love with her voice, immense talent, joy and energy,” Mac Lennon said.

Post-pandemic, the center met with the Dandelion Artists producer Sarah McCarthy.

“She shared Ashli’s new project and the rest, as they say, is history,” Mac Lennan said.

The Chandler Center for the Arts commissioned the musical along with the Lied Center of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, and Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.

and suspense of freedom seekers.

“North” absorbs St. Armant’s personal family stories.

She learned about the community of Maroons, people who escaped slavery but instead of traveling north, hid in the bayous of the forests. An acquaintance sent her a book, “Slavery’s Exiles,” that contained a passage about a man named Tam, a community leader who was called “the brave one.” He would work for nonslave owning plantation owners and be brave enough to collect money.

“The passage said he was enslaved on the same plantation that my family members were enslaved in, in an account from 1780. He’d run away from the St. Armand Plantation,” she said. “It was pretty shocking to read that.”

Tam became a primary character in the show.

There’s also the coincidence of her name. She had changed her name to reflect the maternal line of her family, Armand. The change was done before she read the book. The slaves took the names of their masters, but were denied the “Saint” on their name.

“I learned my last name was Armand. I changed it to St. Armant, the original last name from France,” she said, reflecting the French Saint Armand, the patron saint of beer, wine making and hospitality.

Because of these and various other chance occurrences, St. Armant feels a spiri tual connection to the show she is creating.

“I don’t think it’s by accident that this information came to me, that he (Tam) was also enslaved in a plantation that my family members were also enslaved on,” she said. “And because of the nature of our history here in the States, we really don’t know our family lineage past four or five generations max because our history was erased for us, our last names were taken, and all that.”

“I can’t know for sure, but I think I know,” she continued. “At the very least, he shares an experience that my ancestors have also experienced on the same land.”

If you go

She could not escape the influences of her childhood.

As a teen, she wanted to be a star on Broadway. She still feels it is within her reach, although the path has been circuitous, with a lot of distractions.

“I feel like Dorothy: she has these discoveries and makes new friends along the way, she has distractions, and feels it a waste of time, but at the end she realizes that was really the point of the journey,” she said.

“That’s how I feel about my journey towards Broadway, too. I believe it’s go-

money I’ve had to raise, the biggest reach in terms of the audience we’re trying to reach across the country, and also trying to get into Broadway and making those connections.”

Justifiably, she is also proud of it.

“I’m proud of everything I do, but this, for sure, is the most personal thing I’ve ever created,” she said. “To see so many people get something out of it, to appreciate it already, and it hasn’t even really even gotten into the stage.”

How did Chandler, which is not on the path of the Underground Railroad,

The Chandler Center’s agreement included an initial investment of $40,000, Mac Lellan said. In turn, the CCA will host the Arizona premiere on Nov. 4 and have rights to return the production in the 2023-24 season as part of the national tour.

“ North’s” original score features jazz and Black roots music and an uplifting story set against the backdrop of the Underground Railroad, a historical net work that helped slaves flee to Canada in the years before the Civil War.

The musical’s characters, Lawrence and his mother, Minnie, escape the Deep South and travel North to find freedom. They travel through Louisiana’s bayous, bustling New Orleans, and the young town of Lawrence, Kansas. The story reflects the optimism, bravery, wonder

What: “North: The Musical”

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 5.

Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Tickets: $32 and $42, $15 for youth. Information/sales: chandlercenter. org/north or 480-782-2680.

Connected Events:

10 a.m. Oct. 22 at Chandler Public Library: “The Underground and Over ground Railroad” presented by Dr. Tamika Sanders.

Nov. 4 I the Gallery of the Chandler Center for the Arts, opening night cast reception after show for ticketholders.

Nov. 5 at CCA: “North: The Musical Talk Backs,” following both the Saturday performances.

Ashli St. Armant has used her multi-talents, creative community and personal drive to present “North, The Musical,” which comes to the Chandler Center for the Arts in November. (Steve Lorentzen.)

“North, The Musical” marks Ashli St. Armant’s theatrical debut. (Courtesy of Audience Magnets)

Garage Sales/ Bazaars

Moving

Handyman

Plumbing

FREEDOM.

you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.

Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.® Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel

Results, not headlines. That’s my goal. I know many politicians seek attention these days, usually by doing or saying things that get them the limelight. I prefer to focus on finding practical solutions to address real problems—like putting money back in your pocket to help offset historic inflation—so we can make Arizona the best it can be for my family and yours. If that resonates with you, I ask for your vote!

3 Authored the largest income and property tax cuts in state history, reducing taxes for all Arizonans to help offset inflation’s impact

3 Authored the bill giving teachers a 20% pay raise and increasing classroom resources for kids

3 Supported budget funding for stronger border security

3 Authored Arizona’s “Back the Blue” initiative to support our police and first responders

esnarD . coM

earnMoreat esnar