Ahwatukee Foothills News - Oct. 12, 2016

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS Lady Gaga Concert

INSIDE: COMMUNITY p.22 | AROUND AF p.27 | OPINION p.30 | FAITH p.41 | MAIN STREET p.38 | SPORTS p.44 | GETOUT p.49 | CLASSIFIED p.55 www.ahwatukee.com Sunday, December 29, 2016 Volume 38, Number 17 GET OUT

www.ahwatukee.com

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S

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@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

Chamber board endorses Farms plan ‘in principle’

AHWATUKEE EATS

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BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

SPORTS & REC BUSINESS

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17

Steve Powers has put the final touches on his annual Halloween display that draws hundreds to his Ahwatukee home Friday and Saturday nights. Find out why on page 22.

Plenty of choices await Ahwatukee as early voting begins today

SECOND S

BY JOHN DOE AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS

SPORTS MONEY

TWIN Title Here WINS Brief description Pride, Thunder score because no photo, gridiron wins.

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LIFE COVER STORY

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

F

or the third time this year, Ahwatukee voters are casting ballots as early election season begins today in advance of the Nov. 8 General Election.

But unlike the Presidential Primary in March and it. last This August’s primary, local Believe man was registered Democrats and Republicans won’t dead be bound one to voteyear only onago. candidates from within their party.

Ahwatukee residents who haven’t registered are out of luck; Monday was the last day to

Paid for by Mitzi Epstein for AZ.

he Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce board has endorsed the Ahwatukee Farms plan for the closed golf course at the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Club.

In a two-paragraph statement released Thursday, the board declared: “With respect to the proposed development of Ahwatukee Farms to repurpose the former Ahwatukee Lakes property, the AFCC offers its support in principle of the project. The organization recognizes the potential economic benefits that could result from the proposed development by creating new jobs and bringing new customers to Ahwatukee’s local businesses.”

“The AFCC believes that a comprehensive, innovative and sophistiapproach to Etiam (an) non economic piscated et, sodales vestibulum arcu. arcu ullamcorper, iaculis libero nec, blandit justo. In to development program is crucial egestas turpis nec purus pharetra, vestib-said, Ahwatukee’s success,” the vitae chamber ulum ligula vestibulum.

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Pellentesque magna sem, varius ut tursector and the business community.” pis et, sodales vestibulum arcu. Etiam non arcu True Life Companies, which owns ullamcorper, iaculis libero nec, blandit justo. the course, has proposed an “urban In egestas turpis nec purus pharetra, vitae vesagriculture” development for the velit former tibulum ligula vestibulum.

Sed vulputate golf course site, which was closed in 2013. et erat mollis, non pulvinar augue eleifend.

“We are absolutely thrilled and thankful to receive the support of the Ahwatukee Subhead Foothills Chamber Commerce Nam elementum sollicitudinofdiam ac dignis- for embracing of ut Ahwatukee sim.

Pellentesqueour magnavision sem, varius turpis said Aidanarcu.

Barry, Truenon Lifearcu senior et, Farms,” sodales vestibulum Etiam ullamcorper, iaculisdevelopment. libero nec, blandit justo. vice president, In egestas nec purus ves“Theturpis Chamber is apharetra, trustedvitae institution

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS KEE FOOTHILLS NEWS AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS KEE FOOTHILLS NEWS The Ahwatukee Foothills News is published every AHWATUKEE NEWS Wednesday and distributed free FOOTHILLS of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills.

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(Special to AFN)

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In addition to many other successful competitions and masterclasses, he also has served as principal violist with the All-National Honors Orchestra, Arizona High School All-State Orchestra, and Youth Symphony of the Southwest.

Ryan has also won prizes in solo competitions from the American String Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, Arizona Music Educators Association, Phoenix Symphony Guild, Phoenix Youth Symphony, Virtuoso Violas, and Four Seasons Orchestra.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Ahwatukee Chamber President Anne Gill leaving for Tempe post

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

A

nne Gill, who has piloted the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce for the last five years as president/CEO, is leaving to take on the same position with the Tempe Chamber.

Gill, who almost resigned in 2013 to work in the trucking business she and her husband own in Chandler, helped grow the Ahwatukee chamber to a current 450 members, reinforced the group’s shop-local efforts and elevated its signature community event, Red, White and Boom!, into a Anne Gill regional July 4 attraction.

Although chamber board President Martha Neese said she and the other directors are sad to see her leave, she

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recognizes that taking charge of an organization nearly twice the size of the Ahwatukee Chamber is a logical step.

“Anne welcomes a challenge and I think she looks at the Tempe Chamber as an opportunity to work her magic and make it grow and be as successful as she was in Ahwatukee,” Neese said. “She will be missed, but this is a logical next step in her career development.”

She also praised Gill.

“She has a gift and an unassuming way,” Neese said. “She brings people together, and has a stable, positive, consistent manner.”

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Page 5

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Dr. Sarah Noorgard, daughter of state Rep. Jill Norgaard, has become engaged to Douglas Pederson, whom she met while attending medical school.

NEIGHBORS

from page 3

renown violinists, including Atar Arad, Paul Coletti, and Robert Vernon.

Now you can listen to Ryan.

He and pianist Jessica Zhang will open the MusicaNova Orchestra’s third season of Young Artists Concerts 4-5:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 at the Arizona Piano Company, 4134 E. Wood St., Suite 200, Phoenix.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for seniors and students. Youth under 18 are free with a paid admission.

The Young Artists Series presents extraordinarily talented solo artists under 18 in a formal recital format.

MusicaNova is a professional symphony orchestra founded in the Valley in 2003.

Norgaard engagement

State Rep. Jill Norgaard may be busy with her election campaign, but she and her husband Clark are getting ready to get busy with a wedding as well.

Their eldest of three children, Dr.

Sarah Norgaard, recently got engaged to Douglas Pederson, a Minnesota native who is an Air Force veteran, has a bachelors and master’s degree in engineering and is now a student in Harvard University’s MBA program.

“Her class is having their 10-year reunion in November so this is timely,” Jill Norgaard said. Her daughter met Pederson in California, where he was working and she was attending medical school. An August wedding is planned.

New boss at local firm

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties has appointed Jennifer Hillier manager of its Ahwatukee branch. The company has 900 real estate sales executives, support staff and employees in 12 offices throughout the state.

Hillier manages 75 real estate sales executives at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties’ Ahwatukee office, 8950 S. 52nd St. “This is a very busy real estate

office,” she said. “There are lots of people between ASU and the large corporations in the area. This area offers many unique and interesting places to live…from estate properties and golf course communities to eclectic urban options at Tempe Town Lake. There is something special for everyone.”

Hillier is a native Arizonan and has been involved in both professional and community organizations throughout the Valley.

Prior to becoming branch manager, Hillier was a sales manager in the company’s Scottsdale office. She has worked in real estate sales and management since 2006 and holds a degree in political science from Arizona State University.

“Jennifer is a perfect fit for our Ahwatukee office, as a large portion of our real estate professionals are now millennials,” said Gordon Miles, president and COO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties. “She uses her expertise in social media and strong understanding of the importance of community engagement to help them grow their businesses in a way that is engaging and authentic.”

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service has included volunteering for youth sports leagues, Junior League, elementary schools and the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Her deep roots in the Greater Phoenix area make her a perfect fit to mentor and support our Ahwatukee office teams,” said Miles.

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possible replacements. She added that it was likely the board would appoint an interim president/CEO, since Gill takes on her new post at the end of the month.

“We’re going to be smart about choosing her successor, just as we were when we picked Anne,” Neese added.

Gill noted that the chamber has a succession plan in place so that dayto-day operations will continue to run smoothly once she is gone.

Gill said she considers the Tempe job “the next step in my professional development” and a challenge.

The Tempe chamber is not only larger than the Ahwatukee chapter, but the city’s business and professional landscape is somewhat more dynamic than Ahwatukee, partly because it is home to Arizona State University.

“There’s always things happening with the city of Tempe,” Gill said.

The Tempe chamber, whose CEO decided to call it quits after 19 years, also has been active in local politics—an area the Ahwatukee Chamber has avoided.

But Gill is no stranger to chamber political action, since she is chair of the legislative committee for the Arizona

Chamber Executives board of directors.

She also sits on the South Mountain Community College President’s Community Advisory Council, co-chairs the Tempe Kyrene Business Advisory Council, and is a member of the Western Association of Chamber Executives.

Gill holds a B.A. in international business from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and had been executive director of the WellCare Foundation before coming to the Ahwatukee Chamber.

Tempe Chamber board chair Brian Wood called Gill “a skilled nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of business administration experience who excels in corporate development, community outreach, fundraising and special-events management.”

“This is an exciting time for our organization,” Wood added. “Anne is an exceptional talent who epitomizes professionalism. She brings energy, inspiration, intelligence and business acumen to the president & CEO position. She is a proven and visionary leader, the perfect person to elevate the Tempe Chamber to the next level.”

Although Gill will be working in Tempe, she will continue living in Ahwatukee.

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Page 7

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City, not golf course owner, started water problem, Club West leader says

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

ave Club West leader Jim Lindstrom says that Phoenix officials have a “moral responsibility” to help Club West homeowners resolve the water-price problem that threatens their community golf course, and laments that no city leader has stepped forward to help them.

Lindstrom and other homeowners are upset that Mayor Greg Stanton stops at calling their problem “awkward,” and that Councilman Sal DiCicicio, who represents Ahwatukee, is focusing on the bigger problem of preserving open space in Ahwatukee.

“Club West has a real problem today,” Lindstrom said. “Save Club West, a homeowners not-for-profit association, is developing a plan to reconfigure the golf course to be profitable and purchase it. This is an enormous undertaking.

Without cooperation from the city of Phoenix and the HOA, our efforts will be much more difficult.”

Golf-course owner Wilson Gee is forced to use potable city water to irrigate the course because he has no other source of water, such as reclaimed water, which generally costs a fraction of drinking water.

Gee says that he can’t afford the $700,000 annual water bill and has been cutting back on watering the course, prompting a lawsuit by the Club West Homeowners Association board. The board says the water cutback is ruining the course and that Gee is violating his land-use agreement with the HOA. Lindstrom, who has organized nearly 700 of the HOA’s approximately 2,500 homeowners, said many Club West residents are “livid” after learning that past city officials set them on a path to high water rates without informing those who were buying houses in Club West.

“The city completely changed the rules of the game,” Lindstrom said. “When we put this out to the homeowners, they were livid. You have city officials going around saying Wilson Gee is the devil, and all that it is is a diversion.”

The homeowners’ ire was piqued by Lindstrom’s discovery of an agreement that Phoenix signed in the mid 1980s with the former Del Webb Development Company, when it was building Club

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Jim Lindstrom said the city needs to help him and other homeowners save Club West’s golf course.

West, to provide reclaimed water from a plant that the developer would build.

“After just 12 years, the city decided to abandon the plant, citing high operating costs,” Lindstrom said. “So far, we have not discovered what, if anything, the city offered to replace the water at an economical price. So basically, the city changed the ground rules and left the golf course high and dry in the early 2000s.”

Lindstrom said the city apparently never told homeowners about the watersourcing problems from 2002 to 2013, or that it was substituting more expensive potable water for reclaimed water to the golf course.

“The homeowners at Club West purchased homes with the understanding that the focal point for the community, the golf course, would be operated and maintained,” Lindstrom said. “Surely the city knew that their decisions to shut the reclamation plant down would have enormous impact on the owner of the golf course. Surely, Wilson Gee knew about these agreements when he purchased the course in December 2009.”

Gee has said that he and the city had an agreement, in which he would pay a discounted rate for potable water through 2015, but that the city abruptly terminated the arrangement.

“This is no different than an office building or hospital being approved and constructed and after just 25 years, the See

WATER on page 9

WATER

from page 8

city decides to discontinue the sewer system to the buildings,” Lindstrom said.

Save Club West also has been at odds with the HOA board, arguing that its lawsuit does not resolve the problem of finding a less-expensive source of water.

Lindstrom said he believes that there is a solution that might involve running a line from a well on the southern side of the South Mountain Freeway path.

He was scheduled to meet with Arizona Department of Transportation officials this week to discuss the plan. The state owns the right-of-way that the pipeline would cross.

Finding cheaper water also would help Save Club West develop a plan for homeowners to buy the golf course from Gee and operate in a more profitable manner, Lindstrom said.

A golf course analyst is developing a study of what it would cost to buy and run the course, which Gee is selling for about $1.9 million.

“We received input from many homeowners telling us that a better way to solve the golf-course problem is to find alternative sources for water and a

new owner,” Lindstrom said.

“About 10 years ago, Club West was voted one of the top 20 public courses in the state,” Lindstrom added. “Hard to realize that today.”

“We made an initial effort to seek out homeowners who could be interested to become fractional owners of the golf course under the right circumstances,” he said. “So far, we have 12 names.”

Lindstrom said city officials must become involved in the homeowners’ effort now.

Although overseeding is completed and the course was to reopen this week, the group must complete its planning by the end of the year and try to implement the plan before hot weather returns next year.

“We’re going to need cooperation from the city one way or the other: If the decision is made to stay on city water, this community needs a longterm commitment to work with us on discounted rates,” he said. “If the decision is to find ground water, we will need the city’s help to get it.”

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Page 10

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Election campaign signs at the corner of 48th Street and Warner Road in Ahwatukee.

EARLY VOTING

from page 1

Although seven school board elections were canceled in Maricopa County for lack of enough candidates, both Ahwatukee public school districts have competitive board races with six running for three seats in Tempe Union and four vying for three seats in Kyrene.

There also are contests for the seats on the governing boards of the Maricopa County College Community College District, the county Special Healthcare District and the Central Arizona Water Conservation District.

Once voters get through all the races, their work isn’t done: They also have to deal with propositions, one to legalize marijuana for recreational use and the second to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

If you don’t like Clinton or Trump, or the presidential candidates representing the Green and Libertarian parties, cheer up: Arizona has 16 additional writein candidates for president and vice president on the ballot.

Ahwatukee voters also face big choices in selecting an Arizona member of the U.S. Senate, their representative to the U.S. House, three state Corporation Commission members and the county offices of sheriff, county attorney, recorder and treasurer.

Ahwatukee is located in what is one of the hottest legislative races.

There are contests for both the State Senate seat and the two House seats in Legislative District 18, which also covers parts of Tempe, Mesa and Chandler.

Although Republicans hold a slim registration lead in the district, outnumbering Democrats 49,025 to 42,424, voters registered as independents will likely decide the race. There are 45,316 independents, according to the county recorder.

The race between Republican Frank Schmuck and Democrat Sean Bowie, neither of whom have held elective office, is considered one of the two races in Arizona that could decide which party controls the State Senate.

After a bitter Republican primary in which he defeated incumbent Jeff Dial, Schmuck, a Tempe resident and Southwest Airlines pilot, has waged a more amiable campaign against Bowie, an Ahwatukee resident who is a senior analyst with the provost’s office at Arizona State University.

Bowie has focused his campaign message on restoring education funding for both K-12 and post-secondary institutions after several years of drastic cuts by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Schmuck has made the elimination of the state income tax the centerpiece of his campaign, arguing that a consumption tax on everything except food, clothing and fuel would generate more money for schools.

Both State House seats in that district are also in contention, with incumbent Republicans Jill Norgaard and Bob Robson facing challenges from Democrat Mitzi Epstein and Green Party candidate Linda Macias, both of Tempe.

Restoring education funding is also central to both Macias’ and Epstein’s campaigns.

A former Kyrene School Board member, Epstein has been waging an aggressive pro-education effort, conducting “listening tours” at all the schools in the district.

Robson, a Chandler legislator for 12 years, said retaining the district’s quality of life is the most important issue in the election. Norgaard, an Ahwatukee resident who is seeking a second term, said closing the literacy gap in the district is an important issue to her.

Two incumbents, four others vie for three seats on Tempe Union board AFN NEWS STAFF

W

ith six candidates seeking three seats, this year’s race in the Tempe Union School District is one of the most competitive governing board races in Maricopa County.

The candidates include two incumbents, board president Sandy Lowe and Michelle Helm, both of Tempe.

The board consists of five members who serve four-year terms and who receive no compensation. The board sets district policies and in most cases reviews teaching materials, including textbooks; reviews and approves the annual budget while monitoring and voting on spending; hires and monitors the superintendent; develops the district’s mission; and performs other duties spelled out in state law.

Here is a look at the Tempe Union board candidates, based on information they provided on questionnaires from the Ahwatukee Foothills News. Some answers have been edited for length, but their full responses to these and other questions appear on ahwatukee.com.

ANDRES ADAN BARRAZA

A Tempe resident the last 28 years, Andres Adan Barraza, a small business

owner who has a son at Marcos de Niza High School, is studying statistics and economics at Arizona State University Barrett’s Honor’s College.

Andres Adan Barraza He is a calculus and physics tutor and has been a volunteer for the Welcome to America Project.

Why are you running? “I’ve been educated in our community and am passionate about pushing our successes forward. This year, we had over 20 students graduate with associate degrees from Rio Salado College. The college credit was provided at 10 cents on the dollar.

‘My goal is to obtain measurable successes in increasing the number of students who graduate from our district with college credit and increasing the number of teachers who choose to dedicate themselves to our district for the entirety of their career.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“Teacher retention. In Arizona, teacher retention rates have plummeted at twice the rate of the national average. Teachers are leaving the profession within the first three years of their career and when they

leave, it’s not to another school district; teachers are leaving the profession all together. A large reason: they are overworked.

“The average teacher teaches five classes with a minimum of 30 students a class.

Issuing homework twice a week equals 300 assignments to grade. Spending four minutes grading each assignment means they spend 1,200 minutes a week (or 20 hours) just grading alone. We can cut that time in half at the very least using current technology and more efficient administrative models.”

DON C. FLETCHER

An Ahwatukee resident for 29 years and the father of four adult children, Don Fletcher is an attorney.

A former scoutmaster and chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Salt River District with a long history of scouting involvement, he is a past chairman of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society-Greater Phoenix Chapter, cochairman of JRCLS International Law Conference at Arizona State University, an ASU Law School mentor, and has been involved in various booster club and site council activities in the school district.

Why are you running?

“I have always understood and accepted the creed that we need to serve and give back for the privileges we so enjoy. Over 25 years, I have served in many positions shaping the youth of our area....”

“In my line of my legal practice, I help reorganize businesses and find ways to make them run better while eliminating things they do not need, allowing them to focus on what makes them work best. I believe my legal and business experience can help our schools be more financially sound and demonstrate to the taxpayers that we are spending their money wisely.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“The teachers in our schools face incredible challenges, and we are losing some of our best teachers.”

“Sometimes our principals and others in administration do not support teachers in discipline issues as needed.

That must change. We also need parents to be more supportive of teachers.

Finally, the statistics show that we are going to face a serious teacher shortage in the coming years.

“Without good programs in place and more value added to teachers, we are not >> See

TUSD on page 12

One incumbent, three others seek Kyrene board’s three open seats AFN NEWS STAFF

O

ne incumbent, John King, and three other candidates are running for three seats on the five-member governing board of Kyrene School District.

Here is a brief look at the candidates, based on information from the questionnaires they answered for the Ahwatukee Foothills News. Some responses have been edited for length but the entire response appears on ahwatukee.com.

MICHELLE FAHY

A Tempe resident for 17 years who has a daughter in Corona del Sol High, Michelle Fahy has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education and

is certified as a reading specialist and retired teacher.

She is on the board of the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and has been on Kyrene’s technology committee. She is past president of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Kyrene/Tempe chapter.

Why are you running? “As a member of the Kyrene family as a teacher for 19 years, a parent, and a community member, I know and love our community. I know our teachers and the hard work it takes to provide quality educational experiences for all our children.”

“I want to help ensure that the district allocates its resources to provide our schools with highly trained and effective teachers and administrators and the curriculum and other tools necessary to improve the achievement of all students.”

What is the single biggest problem

facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

The district’s biggest challenge is to increase achievement for all students– our lowest performing students as well as those at the highest performance level, with a particular focus on closing the achievement gap. Historically, the district results on state-wide achievement tests used to measure the quality and effectiveness of its schools and programs have been high, surpassing the average across the state.

“However, achievement across Kyrene schools and different subgroups is highly variable. The district needs to reduce the variability while enhancing the achievement level at its highly achieving schools. To close the achievement gap, we need to break down and analyze our data and use it to have open, honest conversations about specific areas of strength and target areas that need improvement. We need to

place our strongest, most experienced teachers with our lowest-performing students. We need to strategically allocate resources to provide struggling schools and learners with the personalize learning opportunities that address their individual needs.”

JOHN KING

A resident of Ahwatukee, John King is Kyrene governing board’s vice president, a Festival of Lights Committee member, and a member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s young entrepreneurs club. He has been a member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee and the Ahwatukee Board >> See

KYRENEon page 14

ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

Page 11

TUSD

BERDETTA HODGE from page 11

going to have the personnel we need to teach in our schools. In sum, we need more resources for the classroom and we need school administrations and parents to support our teachers.”

MICHELLE HELM

A Tempe resident for 43 years, Michelle Helm is a retired teacher and is a member and past president and vice president of the Tempe Union Gov-

erning Board.

The mother of two graduates of Tempe schools and ASU, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She is past president of the Tempe Elementary Education Association, and has been involved in the Maricopa Foster Review Board Friends of Tempe Public Library, and other organizations.

Why are you running?

“I have a passion about providing an excellent education for the children of our community.

As a retired school teacher with a BA and MA in education and a current Tempe Union High School Board member, I believe that my educational knowledge and board experience are an asset to the governing board and the community.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“Finances. In May, Prop. 123 won, but in 2020 when funding from a sixthtenths of a cent sales tax, that supports education stops, what then? To solve this problem, we must simplify our school funding system to benefit school children and taxpayers.”

A Tempe resident for 35 years, Berdetta Hodge has a child in McClintock High and another who graduated from there.

The ASU graduate has been a Hope’s Crossing board member, a PTA president in three different schools and a booster club member. She is on the board of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, and is a site council member and a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley Ladmo Branch.

Why are you running? “As a Tempe Union High School District graduate, involved community member and parent, I have experienced and witnessed the positive growth of our district and the substantial impact it has had on both our students and community….

I want to give back to the district that has not only enriched my life, but has also left an everlasting fingerprint on our community.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“I believe that the single most important issue that the district currently faces is ensuring that we maintain adequate funding to sustain smaller class sizes as well as hire and retain highly-qualified, passionate teachers.

“Quite honestly, I believe that our district is on a sustainable path for success, providing and delivering the highest quality of service. As a board member, I will work diligently so that we continue being among the top 5 percent of districts in the State of Arizona.”

SANDY LOWE

A Tempe resident for 29 years, Sandy Lowe is the mother of two Tempe High graduates and holds a degree in social welfare from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from ASU. She is also president of the Tempe Union governing board and a member of the

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Page 12

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

district’s Education Foundation.

In Tempe Union, she has been on the bond and override and budget advisory committees and strategic goals panel.

Sandy Lowe In Kyrene School District, she has been in the PTO and is cofounder of the Parent Network.

Why are you running?

“As a current board member, I am seeking re-election because I would like to continue to have a positive impact on education. My business background, along with involvement in education for over 20 years, has provided great insight into the education process and the skills necessary to make good decisions.”

“I love my community and it would be an honor to serve again. If re-elected, I will continue to dedicate the time needed to make thoughtful decisions affecting student success.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“One challenge involves budget decisions and addressing all students’ needs on a limited budget. We have experienced budget cuts for many years impacting classroom dollars, school facilities and capital needs; therefore, we must make every dollar count.

“Examples of board decisions which have positively impacted our budget include: (1)Providing principals and department managers with the technical ability to monitor their budget regularly to identify problems as well as what is working well; (2) Supporting the work of a budget stakeholder committee that regularly identifies and prioritizes budget needs followed by making recommendations to our superintendent/governing board; (3) Developing quarterly goals for our superintendent, which includes a cost/

benefit analysis of programs to determine effectiveness given the dollars spent.

SCOTT RYAN Scott Ryan is a small business owner who has lived in Ahwatukee 12 years. He has been a coach of youth soccer, baseball and wrestling teams and is president of the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club, board member of the Guadalupe Boys and Girls Club, and a Key Club advisor at Desert Vista High.

Why are you running?

“I’m excited about education and I want a responsible school board making the decisions for our schools.

I’m running for the school board because I believe a successful board needs someone with my background, experience, and strengths. I’m a leader with service organizations that spend much of their time and budget helping kids overcome obstacles to succeed in education and life.

“I’ve also worked in the high tech industry for over 20 years and I’ve interviewed, hired, and mentored many recent college graduates.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“Retaining experienced teachers is critical issue facing the district. I hear from many educators that they are somewhere in the process of leaving teaching or have already left.

“I want to make teaching a fulfilling career and give teachers a reason to be in the classroom.

“Part of this is funding but I would work to give teachers more choice and flexibility in the classroom while creating ways to give teachers feedback on how well they are reaching students.”

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from page 11

of Management.

Why are you running? “I believe my contributions to the school district as a governing board member have been positive and consistently focused on improving the educational experience of the students who attend our schools.

There is still so much to be done with what we have started and I would like to see many of those initiatives to completion.

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“Enrollment. Our district is getting older and the kids that were once a part of our schools have grown and moved on. We have new educational options that have moved into our district and have attracted parents to enroll their children in those schools instead of the Kyrene schools. An aging community and increased competition have both contributed to the decline in enrollment over the past few years.

“We have learned and are still learning what elements of education are attracting those parents to other options and we have begun to expand our offerings while focusing on improving rigor/ academia in the classroom. Our new superintendent is experienced in these kinds of transformations and is focused on what needs to be done and how.

“We will begin to roll out an introduction to these programs in the next few weeks. This should help Kyrene attract new students as well as ensure retention of a larger number of indistrict students that what we have seen in the past.”

MICHAEL MYRICK

Michael Myrick has lived in Tempe for 37 years and has three children in Kyrene schools.

He is president of the Tempe Sports Authority Foundation and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. He has been the on the Tempe general plan committee board, a youth football head coach and a Tempe South Little League head coach.

Why are you running?

“I have called the East Valley my home for over 37 years. I am a product of our local public schools and am a graduate of Corona del Sol. I have strong ties to this community and have raised my

family in the very same community that I grew up in. I feel passionate that we need a stakeholder who comprehends the issues, celebrations and vision for the future of Kyrene. It is paramount that we have an advocate for the students, teachers, parents and stakeholders.

“I have dealt personally over the last nine years with the Kyrene District while one of my children has been faced with specific learning challenges. I have a vested interest and my personal experiences give me insight and firsthand knowledge. I am proud and committed to the Kyrene District and I am committed to support that every student deserves an exceptional learning experience.

“Further, my qualifications as a business owner, experiences serving on other local boards along with living in this community for over 37 years, demonstrates the leadership qualities needed for the next four years….I am the only candidate that currently has students in the district. I think this is a necessary perspective that should be considered as you cast your vote.”

What is the single biggest problem facing the district and how would you propose solving it?

“Educating our children and student achievement should be our mission when discussing school districts. It is difficult to distinguish one specific problem in a district the size of Kyrene.

“I will promote transparency and fiscal accountability with the budget, examine student achievement, and teacher retention as well as enrollment issues. I believe any barriers that prevent us of our goals to serve our students need to be addressed.

ESHE PICKETT

A Chandler resident for 11 years who has lived in the Kyrene District the last nine years, Eshe Pickett holds a B.S. degree in computer science from Northwestern University and a master’s in the same field from the University of Chicago.

She was a licensed respite care provider and foster parent advisory board member for Arizona’s Children and served on the professional leadership council of, and mentored for, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. She cofounded the Start with STEM initiative, serves on the advisory board for ASU’s CompuGirls program, provides instruction for >> See

KYRENEon page 21

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in the Ahwatukee Foothills, as it serves as the voice for small and large businesses alike within the community.

Their decision to publicly support Ahwatukee Farms is additional proof that we are building a broad coalition of neighborhood support for our vision,” Barry added.

“We look forward to continuing our positive momentum by working with the Chamber on our neighborhood outreach activities and completing the first step of this project together,” he concluded.

True Life made two presentations to the Chamber, once to its board of directors and another to interested members.

The company needs 51 percent of the Lakes’ approximate 5,200 homeowners to sign a consent form agreeing to a change in the community’s codes, covenants and regulations (CC&Rs) in order for the farms proposal to go forward.

The company said several weeks ago that, at that time, it had secured the approval of about 38 percent of the homeowners.

Ahwatukee Farms would include forsale housing units, a private Montessori school, café, five-acre community farm, two lakes and a multi-use path around the perimeter.

Although True Life in the past has said housing would include about 300 singlefamily homes, Barry told the Ahwatukee Foothills News that three different types of housing are being considered for the site. All housing would consist of units for sale only, and there would be no rental properties, Barry said.

“The exact product type and unit mix is not yet established, but it clearly would be as a part of a zoning application,” he said.

“At this stage we are planning three different product types. All are for-sale residential products. Two are planned as traditional single-family detached home styles. One is potentially a town

home or duplex-type product. The exact mix among the three has not been established.”

Barry said the three different types of housing are being planned “to attract a broad spectrum of the market.”

He also stressed, “As we have committed via the proposed CC&R amendment, there will be no apartments.”

A group of homeowners called Save the Lakes opposes True Life’s plan, saying it will dramatically increase motor vehicle traffic, drastically reduce open space in the community and pose potential flooding problems from storm water runoff.

That group wants the golf course restored, and two homeowners are pressing that fight in a civil court suit.

Save the Lakes representatives had no comment on the Chamber’s announcement.

Although a state Superior Court judge has ruled that the CC&Rs dictate a golf course, neither side knows the import of that ruling. It may depend on the outcome of a trial, now set for June.

True Life has said that the golf course will never return, citing a decline nationally in golf and saying the course is no longer economically viable.

And Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said as much two weeks ago when he spoke at a Chamber-sponsored breakfast.

Stanton said that, while he sympathizes with homeowners who invested in houses to be near a golf course, many cities across the country are facing the same problem confronting Ahwatukee Lakes.

Save the Lakes has been waging an aggressive campaign against the proposal by holding meetings for residents and producing a two-page brochure that insists a golf course is economically viable and urging homeowners to “let the legal process work” by not signing the consent form and allowing the lawsuit go to trial.

The group also is casting its opposition as a fight for open space and is asking owners who agreed to True Life’s plan to rescind their approval.

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 15

High tech is an economic engine Cities still pursuing a ‘Silicon East Valley’

BY GARY NELSON AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

f you’ve been around these parts long enough, you remember the Five C’s.

Copper, cattle, citrus, cotton and climate—Arizona hung its hat on those pegs for generations. And while the East Valley may not have dug a lot copper, the other four economic engines kept our wheels turning.

Well, we plowed under the cotton and the citrus for seas of tile roofs. There’s hardly a steer in sight. And you can’t build an economy on the surviving C — climate—alone.

So, what next?

In the new century, economic development has become, in the most literal sense of the term, rocket science.

Regional leaders see a chance for the East Valley to emerge not just as a place for tech companies to build factories and branch offices, but as a true hotbed of innovation—a sort of Silicon East Valley, if you will.

“We absolutely do have that potential,” said Dan Henderson, who directs Gilbert’s economic development team.

That the East Valley wants to become synonymous with technology is not exactly a news flash. Motorola, one of the 20th century’s most innovative corporations, was a key player here for decades before external and internal forces tore the company apart.

But moving forward may meet with new headwinds. No one suggests the East Valley is about to supplant the entrenched coastal tech centers that spawned such giants as IBM, Microsoft, Apple and Google.

And according to a new report from the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D-C.-based think tank, the Valley as a whole is stalling on some fronts.

Some bad numbers

In an August report titled “America’s Advanced Industries: New Trends,” Brookings said the metro region supported 158,775 advanced-industry jobs in 2015. As a raw number, that put Phoenix at No. 16 among U.S. metro areas.

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(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer))

The brightest star in Chandler’s constellation is Intel Corp., which employs about 11,000 people on its Price Corridor and Chandler Boulevard campuses.

But those jobs represented only 8.2 percent of all employment in the Valley, Brookings said. By that measure, the Valley ranked 54th nationally.

Furthermore, Brookings said, the Phoenix area’s tech employment grew by only 2 percent between 2013 and 2015.

Fifty other metro areas in the country did better than that.

Brookings also found that Phoenixarea employment actually declined in several tech sectors between 2013 and 2015—most dramatically noting a 4 percent decline in semiconductor and components manufacturing.

Mark Muro, a senior analyst who cowrote the Brookings report, is no stranger to Arizona. His resume includes stints at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy and as an editorial writer for a Tucson newspaper.

The good news for Phoenix and the East Valley, Muro said, is “a boom in digital services, meaning computer systems design, data processing, Web search and Internet, and software products. All of those are growing at more than 8½ percent a year, so very fast growth.”

But, he said, “There is some tougher news. … Some important industries of varying size lost employment.”

Muro believes Arizona stands to benefit from the overheated Bay Area real estate market that challenges the viability of some tech firms.

“I think tech services … may even be

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

seeing some pickup as companies are priced out or entrepreneurs are forced out of California,” Muro said.

Our region’s biggest single inhibiting factor, he said, may be workforce education.

“I think limits in the quality of the central Arizona labor force are a true potential ceiling on growth,” he said. “The historical weakness of the state has been educational attainment, and especially STEM and technical attainment.”

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math—exactly the kinds of jobs East Valley economic development leaders are pursuing with great gusto.

Henderson said if Arizona as a whole is weak in those areas, the East Valley is not. He said 30 percent of Phoenix-area residents with STEM degrees live in the East Valley, and that the educational pipeline is churning out more all the time.

“Gilbert is within a 30-minute commute to 60 different educational institutions” of various kinds, he said.

“The close proximity to that hub of education resources and expertise,” Henderson said, “really positions the East Valley as that hub for science and technology in the Phoenix metropolitan area.”

East Valley success stories

Henderson said Gilbert is in the fifth year of a five-year economic development

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Orbital ATK is a high-tech success story in Gilbert. About 400 rocket scientists work there.

plan that specifically targeted STEM industries. With 10 months to go, he said, Gilbert already has achieved 102 percent of the 10,000-job goal and 106 percent of its $1.1 billion target for capital investment.

Among the successes: Orbital ATK. “They employ roughly 400 rocket scientists,” Henderson said. “We were able to retain over 400 jobs and attract 125 new jobs. The average salary is $125,000.”

There may be no more striking a visible symbol of the East Valley’s aspirations than the gleaming skyline that transformed downtown Tempe after the city created Town Lake.

“We’re truly an urban core, and tech companies are attracted to that,” said Donna Kennedy, Tempe’s economic development director.

Educated millennials, she said, are especially drawn See

SILICON on page 18

ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 17

SILICON

from page 16

to a downtown that features a worldclass university, light rail, recreation and a vibrant arts scene.

In Tempe alone, she said, high tech employs 15,000 people in jobs that pay $80,000 a year on average. Tempe added 2,000 such jobs in just the past year.

Arizona State University historically has driven high-tech research in Tempe, but the city itself is now jumping into the game. In August, the City Council agreed to partner with three companies to build a biomedical and technology research campus on 18 acres west of the Tempe Center for the Arts.

Planners envision five buildings, five to eight stories tall, encompassing 1 million square feet.

Chandler’s aggressive, decadeslong quest for high-tech employment continues to reap dividends, according to that city’s economic development director, Micah Miranda.

The brightest star in Chandler’s constellation is Intel Corp., which employs about 11,000 people on its Price Corridor and Chandler Boulevard campuses. The company, however, has mothballed the newest factory it built in

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the Price Corridor.

Total employment in the Price Corridor is about 31,000, Miranda said.

But he and the other directors said the region can’t stand pat.

“The increased level of competition, not only domestically but internationally, for high-tech manufacturing and engineering-related jobs is very intense,” Miranda said. “We’re having to … really dig deeper and understand the issues that a particular industry faces. It’s different for each type of cluster.”

Bill Jabjiniak, Mesa’s economic development director, said the East Valley often goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Austin, Denver, San Jose and Seattle for high-tech jobs.

“We compare favorably on the size of our labor pool, wage rates for hightech workers, unemployment, insurance rates, total operating costs and cost of living,” Jabjiniak said.

He also points to ASU, where “more than 19,000 students are enrolled in engineering undergraduate and graduate programs.”

Mesa has set aside more than 1,000 acres just northeast of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport for high-tech firms.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Motorola pioneered EV tech

BY GARY NELSON AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

B

efore the 1940s, the world had not exactly beaten a path to the East Valley’s doorstep. Tempe had a growing state college, but agriculture still drove the economies of the little towns that dotted the region.

World War II began to change that.

The area’s role as a military training center raised its national profile. After the war, people and businesses began to stream in.

Among them was Motorola Inc., the Chicago-based giant then in the global forefront of technical innovation.

One of the more colorful versions— albeit perhaps apocryphal—of Motorola’s arrival has it that the Army asked the company to move some of its research facilities out of Chicago because it was worried the big city would be hit by an atomic bomb.

In any event, Motorola opened its first Arizona facility—a research and development lab in Phoenix—in 1949.

Within a few years, Motorola became

the largest employer in Arizona, with major plants across the metro area.

Tempe, Chandler and Mesa all hosted large Motorola operations. They supported Motorola’s cutting-edge work, which had begun with the development of the first car radio, included the world’s first mobile phones, and linked humanity to the moon during the Apollo missions.

Mesa’s plant, at Broadway and Dobson roads, opened in the late 1960s. The company made semiconductor wafers there for more than 30 years before closing the factory in the early 2000s.

The site is now a thriving industrial park.

Motorola moved out of its Chandler campus, in what is now called the Price Corridor, in 2008. The land is now being redeveloped.

Motorola itself began to fragment more than a decade ago, eventually splitting into two major components, neither of which remains a major player in the region. But a 2004 spinoff corporation, Freescale, in turn was sold to a company called NXP Semiconductors, which still has operations in Tempe and Chandler.

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Caregivers look for relief from Alzheimer’s burden

BY SHELLEY GILLESPIE AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A

fter 47 years of marriage, Linda Culpepper is just looking for some quiet time to herself to read, relax and not be “on” every minute. That’s why she and her husband Herb, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago, went to Tempe’s new Memory Café, part of Tempe’s participation in the Dementia Friendly America program.

The new community program for those with dementia and their caregivers takes place at the Tempe Public Library on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. At the weekly gathering, professionals in aging and senior healthcare speak with both caregivers and those with memory impairment. The casual environment encourages those who drop in to share their stories and ask for assistance.

At a recent meeting, Carolyn Hutchens, center director for Tempe adult programs, was engaged in a lively discussion with Herb. Linda was relieved to have a few minutes where Herb was engaged, so she could talk to someone about her issues.

“It’s hard. What would make it easier is if he’d do other things without me,” Linda said.

“Someday, I’d just like to get up when I want to get up.”

LIVING TO AVOID DEMENTIA • Sleep at night • Experience joy • Reduce stress • Exercise • Eat healthy – Sherri Friend, director of Oakwood Creative Care She had taken courses shortly after Herb’s diagnosis, but that was before many of the manifestations of Alzheimer’s had developed. Now, she needed a refresher.

Since Herb loves music, Jan Dougherty, director of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, provided Linda with information on a music program. Making Music, Making Memories is conducted by Herberger ASU School of Music.

Another couple, Jack and Norma Joiner, spoke with Jane Gerlica from Banner Alzheimer’s. Jack and Norma met in the Air Force and have been married 45 years. For years an accounting teacher, Norma is now Jack’s full-time caregiver. Jack had a demanding career as a jet engine technician and is in the Automotive Hall of Fame. When Jack was diagnosed with dementia in 2010, See

BURDEN on page 20

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BURDEN from page 19 they had already experienced everything retirees usually do in retirement, traveling extensively. They went to the Far East, the U.S. and Canada, and lived in Alaska and Guam.

Now, Jack has a hard time remembering things like where their son was born. He’s a good poker player, but when Norma asked him if he’d go play poker with her, Jack responded, “I wouldn’t bank on it.”

Norma explained that Jack finds noise overwhelming. Events and activities they used to enjoy are now difficult for him. The wide world they’ve lived in is narrowing.

Bebe Berger’s husband Chris— “My name is Christian,” he declared emphatically—has been attending Oakwood Creative Care five days a week for 18 months. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s seven years ago, the dramatic change from the hardcharging businessman with his own food manufacturing company to a person needing a 24-hour-a-day caregiver wore Bebe out.

She is grateful that Chris is upbeat, loving and without anger.

Bebe is patient and loving, but as his full-time caregiver, she says, “I will forever be grateful for Oakwood.”

In an afternoon program, Chris energetically painted a corrugated cardboard butterfly red, as well as the table nearby. For over 15 minutes, he intensely worked on the project, assisted by creative engagement leader Jordyn Fani.

Another workshop with about 10 seniors, conducted by Jessica Majors, discussed ways they relax.

Some of those around the table were withdrawn, barely speaking. Others ventured answers tentatively, while one gentleman offered answers on behalf of one woman. Was the gentleman her husband?

Oakwood Director Sherri Friend explained, “He and she have been here for so many years they’ve become close.

They hold hands.”

In other facilities, those attending might be called “patients” or “clients,” but here they are called “members.”

About 75 percent of those present have some form of dementia, but the remainder might have Parkinson’s, a stroke, or diabetes without memory impairment. Oakwood does not separate members by diagnosis.

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Jack and Norma Joiner at Tempe Memory Cafe chat with Jane Gerlica from Banner's Alzheimers Institute.

“We try to offer the opportunity for them (the members) to engage and express themselves with dignity,” Friend said.

Friend’s vision is to create “A little bit of hope for a person experiencing a disease and their caregiver.”

“Even with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, members can participate in programs like quilting, history class, tai chi, Zumba, strength training, yoga, music and art,” she said. “It’s almost like when they enter (Oakwood) their disease melts away.”

Banner’s Alzheimer’s director Jan Dougherty said, “Arts are transformative.

The institute conducted a 2½ year study about the benefits of the arts. Outcomes

were amazing. With earlier diagnosis, even without drugs, people can live better longer.”

Dougherty added, “This is no longer your grandma’s Alzheimer’s disease. Right now, new clinical research options exist for people at highest risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Within a decade or two, physicians and scientists are hopeful we will find effective prevention strategies. But, we need our community to get engaged and involved.”

For more information on exciting options happening right here in Phoenix, people can visit endalznow.org and learn how to participate.

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the Chandler Boys and Girls Club’s Engineering Design Squad, and is a workshop Instructor at Percy Julian Elementary.

She is vice chair of Chandler’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, a board member for Arizona Humanities.

Why are you running? “Simply put, because I love our community’s children. My volunteer and community engagement has always revolved around young people, and my board and community service has prepared me to contribute a great deal to Kyrene.

“I am passionate about providing children the chance to flourish. I would not have become the first in my family to complete a college degree and overcome poverty without a quality education, and it is my desire to ensure that every child has this opportunity.”

What is the single biggest problem

facing the district and how would you solve it?

“The achievement gap….If we cannot say that we have achieved the goal of all students performing above expectations on AzMerit testing, we must strive to do so until we can proudly state that regardless of income, ethnicity, language or identity, Kyrene students exceed requirements when compared with the best in the nation.

‘I would propose the formation of a task force comprised of educators, administrators, parents and community partners whose purpose would be to outline a set of actionable items with timelines and measurable goals.

“It would be my hope that one outcome would be a concerted effort to acquire volunteer mentors from local area young professionals. This proposal, once adopted would be reviewed, on a monthly basis with marquee visibility on reports, websites and newsletters....”

Valley food banks offer healthier and customized options

BY NATALIE TARANGIOLI CRONKITE NEWS

F

or someone like Marsha Burton, who is diabetic, has high blood pressure and relies on food banks to help her put food on the table, affording certain types of foods that help her manage her medical condition can be difficult.

Food banks in the Valley have been making their donation boxes more health conscious by including more fruits, vegetables and even foods specific for dietary restrictions.

Burton’s health conditions prevented her from consuming most of what she would pick up at a food bank.

“Unfortunately, at least a good 70 to 80 percent of boxes you get, you cannot eat,” Burton said. “You’re getting maybe four or five items you can actually eat.”

That was the case until she stopped by the Cultural Cup Food Bank in Phoenix, where it customizes food boxes based on one’s medical or religious dietary restrictions. For Burton, this means having access to foods that are low in sodium and won’t raise her blood pressure.

Burton communicates with the staff at the Cultural Cup, a partner of St. Mary’s Food Bank, about her dietary needs and restrictions, and she’s able to go home with a box full of items her body can tolerate.

“With other food boxes, you’re reading

everything,” Burton said. “And if there’s something in there that you can’t have, it’s garbage to you.”

Sabiha Keskin, executive director at the Cultural Cup, said they strive to provide food to 2,000 to 3,000 low income and homeless families per month.

Other food banks are making the push toward healthier options as well. St. Mary’s Food Bank distributes more than 70 million pounds of food per year in Arizona, said Jerry Brown, a spokesman for St. Mary’s in Phoenix.

“It’s not just that canned food box anymore that the food bank distributes,” Brown said.

People who stop by St. Mary’s are leaving with items like squashes, organic lettuce and strawberries.

St. Mary’s is giving away more fruits and vegetables than ever, making up almost a third of all food distributed, Brown said.

These initiatives allow people to still enjoy balanced diets, even if they rely on food banks. Arizona’s hunger rates are higher than national averages: Nearly 17.8 percent of residents say they’re food insecure compared to nearly 16 percent nationally, according to St. Mary’s Food Bank.

“At least it gives them a little bit of hope that they can get out of whatever problem they’re having,” Keskin said.

For Burton, her monthly food box means she won’t go hungry or eat foods she shouldn’t.

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Steve Powers is celebrating Halloween with a home-made "Nightmare Before Christmas"-themed display he has built from scratch over the last 11 years.

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer and Steve Powers/Special to AFN)

Instead of giving up, Ahwatukee man re-invents giant Halloween display AFN NEWS STAFF

Y

ou won’t find plastic skulls and cheesy skeletons in Steve Powers’ Halloween display.

He’s made practically everything by hand for the giant Halloween show that unfolds on the front yard of his Ahwatukee home every weekend through the end of October.

And he almost gave it all up.

Since moving to Ahwatukee 11 years ago, the commercial airline pilot had grown his Halloween display from a few scattered tombstones into an elaborate musical horror show he titled “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in tribute to the Disney film of the same name.

Actually, a trip to Disneyland inspired Powers to develop the show.

After seeing the characters that populate the Haunted Mansion ride, Powers, who had no carpentry experience, set about building columns and characters and using cables and choreography to Page 22

develop a seven-minute show that has drawn thousands to his neighborhood.

“I liked the movie and display because it was kid-friendly and did not include all of the blood and gore that Halloween has turned into,” Powers said.

Powers initially was ready to give it all up after last year because “it was so much work.”

“It would take me a couple months to put together,” he said. “I had to create every single thing.”

When he first got the idea for the show, Powers said, “I thought this would be kind of cool to do something like this for Halloween.

“I went around to a lot of stores only to find out there’s nothing you can get there or on the internet,” he added. “I spent months building all the characters and the columns.”

Powers couldn’t say farewell to all that work, so instead he has added translucent screens and a digital loop to make more use of video in the display.

“This year, it’s been a little easier on me,” he said. “I have the same graveyard with all the ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ elements, but I’m using a lot of projectors.”

Witches and ghosts in the graveyard sing, encouraging spectators to join in as they go through popular songs from movies like “Ghostbusters,” “The Addams Family” and, of course, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

“It will be a Halloween family singalong of sorts,” Powers said, proud of the fact that he is keeping his display familyfriendly.

Powers is happy he didn’t give up.

“The last few years, I keep telling people that this will be it, it will be the last year I do it because I am just really burned out,” Powers said last year. “But when I see all of the hundreds of people who come to see this and how the little kids’ faces just light up, I suddenly think I will go for another year.”

When his daughter was born 16 years

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

ago, Powers said he had a little display to amuse her in the backyard of his home, then in Chandler.

He said his daughter in the last few years seemed to take the display for granted and didn’t pay it much heed.

But that changed when he initially announced he wasn’t doing the show anymore.

“You know how teenagers are,” he said.

“The second I told her I wasn’t doing anything, she said, ‘Dad, you can’t stop.’”

Powers said that he is frequently asked what he does for Christmas.

“I’d just put up some lights because I was so worn out by Halloween,” he said.

But now that he has discovered how digital equipment can make his life easier, Powers might change all that.

“This year, I am kind of thinking about Christmas video images,” he said.

The 20-minute shows will run continually 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday in front of Powers’ home at 2537 E. Amberwood Drive.

Children of Hope preschool celebrating 10 years in Ahwatukee AFN NEWS STAFF

C

hildren OF Hope Child Development Center in Ahwatukee is making plans to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The school, 2601 E. Thunderhill Place, is part of Esperanza Lutheran Church and was founded by a church member, Cindy Komar.

Preschool director Lynn Hockenberger and two of the school’s eight teachers— Karin Kammerzell and Lisa Krach— have been with Children of Hope since it started, “I feel blessed each day to work with this fabulous group of teachers and to serve the children and families of Ahwatukee during these most important early years of education,” Hockenberger said.

Children of Hope serves children ages 2-5.

“Teachers carefully plan each lesson based on Arizona Early Learning Standards, First Things First Quality First Standards and the National Association of the Education of Young Children Standards to ensure kindergarten readiness of each child,”

(Special to AFN)

Lucas Pacheco works on forms at Children of Hope preschool in Ahwatukee.

Teacher Cindy Garresh helps student Alyssa Hattula sketch with markers.

said Tara Martinez, president of the school’s parents council.

The school will hold a formal anniversary celebration in February and “alumni and current students will play an important role in this celebration as valued members of the school’s history,” Martinez said.

One of the school’s unique programs

is called Chapel Offering, which enlists both children and staff in supporting a charitable organization through donations brought to chapel time each month.

The school boasts of a program that “nurtures the students’ spiritual, socialemotional, cognitive and physical growth through a child-centered developmental

(Special to AFN)

curriculum” that “will foster a life-long love of learning.”

It also focuses on building “a strong Christian foundation” through Bible stories, songs and prayers.

Information: childrenofhopecdc.com, childrenofhope@myesperanza.org, 480759-1515

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Volunteers aim to pack thousands of shoeboxes as gifts for needy kids AFN NEWS STAFF

W

hile some people already are counting the days to Christmas, a group of Ahwatukee and East Valley families are counting the days to Operation Christmas Child.

The local component of the annual national project by the nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse aims to send 15,000 decorated plastic shoeboxes filled with toys and necessities to needy children around the world.

“We are motivated by not only the needs of the children internationally but also the impact on individuals packing boxes,” said regional coordinator Robin Earle, of Chandler, echoing the project’s them of “reaching children and families on both sides of the box.”

Samaritan’s Purse has distributed shoebox gifts to children in over 130 countries since 1993, and more than 11.2 million received one last year alone, Earle noted, adding that boxes packed

by Arizonans last year were delivered to kids in the Philippines, Indonesia, Peru, Mongolia, Bangladesh and native Americans in the U.S. The idea behind the project is simple: Pack a shoebox with school supplies, toiletries and small toys. Prohibited items include liquids, perishable food and warrelated toys.

The containers can be pre-decorated photo-storage boxes or plastic boxes with tops and bottoms gift-wrapped separately

so they can be checked before they are shipped. Donors also are asked to donate $7 per box to defray shipping costs.

While the big push for the operation will occur Nov. 14-21 at Grace Community Church in Tempe with labeling, packing and loading, an Ahwatukee Packing Party will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 5 at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St. Earle said her family has been part of Operation Christmas Child for 23 years.

“Our family started packing boxes when the kids were preschoolers and now they’re getting married,” she said.

“How time flies!”

The Southeast Valley team collected 25,000 boxes and got (Special to AFN) so large that it spawned a South PHOTO: Robin Earlier and husband Marcus served at the Orange County, California, processing center last Mountain team, consisting of LEFT year for Operation Christmas Child. RIGHT PHOTO: Tina McDougal of Ahwatukee and her grandson Tripp gave Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee away free shoeboxes last month at Chick-Fil-A. and Casa Grande.

This year, both the East typhoon and a powerful earthquake. Foothills First Baptist, 15450 S. 21st St., Valley team—representing Mesa, Globe, “People were literally walking on rubble Ahwatukee, and Maack is coordinating Queen Creek and Gilbert—and the and were so grateful for our gifts of love,” the drop-off operation at Mountain View South Mountain team are aiming to each Earle said.

Lutheran. pack 15,000 shoeboxes.

Ahwatukee residents Lisa Gomez, Earle also is seeking volunteers during Earle participated two years ago in a Tina McDougall, Kerry Williams and collection week at Grace Community shoebox distribution in the Philippines, Kris Maack are coordinating individual Church. Children older than kindergarten where local pastors invited children from shoebox operations throughout the age can participate. surrounding communities to receive gifts. community.

Information: pewitt5@cox.net or tina.

The country had been hit with a Williams is a drop-off coordinator for prc@cox.net.

Ahwatukee business coach turns near-death experience into book on second chances

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

D

anny Creed has become an apostle of second chances.

The 64-year-old Ahwatukee man had his after he came close to dying of heart failure last year.

Now, Creed, a master business coach who has spent 40 years counseling business executives and turning around more than 400 companies, has incorporated the story of that second chance in a new book, titled “A Life Best Lived—A Story of Life, Death and Second Chances.”

Creed’s second chance dates back 13 months ago when he had gone to Kansas to visit his ailing 87-year-old mother.

He had been experiencing chest pains even before he had left, opting to visit his mom before flying to Vancouver, Canada,

Page 24

for a business coaches conference. Had he gone directly to Canada instead, he probably would be dead today.

“The chest pain got so bad that I nearly didn’t make it back from Kansas, but even with that, I got back on Monday evening, worked on Tuesday. I was thinking, ‘I’ll make it to Vancouver for two days and then come home and have plenty of time to then go to the doctor and get whatever was going on taken care of,’” he recalled.

On the way to his Vancouver flight, however, “I made it as far as the Broadway Curve and told my wife, ‘Something’s really wrong.’”

It turned out he needed a triple bypass.

“My surgeon later told me, ‘If you would have gotten on the flight, it would have turned out bad—like DEAD bad.’ I wouldn’t have come back. They told me later that I had about 48 hours or so to

live. My heart was dying that fast.”

He learned from his sister that right after his surgery began, his mother “started to fight and shake and then completely relaxed” in the Kansas hospital.

‘My sister said it looked like Mom was fighting to leave, to go somewhere. She was still showing vital signs but was not completely calm. I don’t know what you believe, but Mom visited me three times.

The first time was this time right before my surgery … She was laughing and told me not to worry that I was going to come out of this without any problem. I would be just fine.”

After he awoke from surgery six hours later, Creed’s wife called his sister in Kansas City to tell her the operation was a success. His sister “told Mom about the

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

See

AUTHOR on page 25

(Special to AFN)

Master Business Coach and Ahwatukee resident Danny Creed has written a book out of the inspiration he had while recovering from bypass surgery last year.

AUTHOR

from page 24

results and then stepped out. She came back to the room four minutes later and my mother had passed.”

It was during a conversation with his surgeon the day after his operation that the 25-year Ahwatukee resident was presented with his second chance—and the idea for his second book.

“He said that many of his patients that got a second chance like I now have, did not honor it,” Creed recalled. “They went out and began to abuse themselves all over again. So he challenged me with the question of, ‘What are you going to do to honor your second chance?’

“I worked on the challenge over the next seven weeks and what I came up with are the 11 commitments for my second chance and life best lived,” he continued.

“I soon realized that these commitments were a new perspective on what I had always worked with my business coaching clients on anyway.

“In other words, they applied to business growth and success as much as personal growth and success when it comes to living your life best lived. I now use many of the elements from the book

in my business coaching curriculum.”

In the book, Creed also recounts his struggle with what he calls “What-if demons.”

“Basically I couldn’t sleep at all,” he explained. “Every time I would close my eyes, the voices (demons) would start. I called them the ‘What-if demons.’ What if you would have gotten on the plane?

What if you hadn’t made it out of surgery?’

On and on.”

One night, Creed said, he realized that after trying a number of relaxation techniques, “The only thing that I hadn’t really done was say a very focused, clear prayer. So I did a short one but very focused.”

He fell asleep and had a dream about his mother, who was holding a sign that read, “Life is best lived than feared.”

Creed has no idea where that statement came from other than the dream.

“But I soon realized that the statement applied to my business clients as much as individuals. How many of us have not achieved our potential, personally or professionally, because we had some large or small, fear that kept us from taking any kind of action?” he said, adding: “Fears we consciously were aware of and fears we held that we were not aware of.

So, as soon as I returned to work, I added

UPGRADE

TO A

to my coaching curriculum program the process of identifying limiting fears and dealing with them.”

Creed, whose book is published by Motivational Press and available on Amazon, said, “The key is having a clear understanding if you even want a second chance. … If you want to change something, anything in the way you walk, talk, think or act, you don’t have to wait for someone to give you that second chance, you can award yourself with it.”

While he has incorporated this newfound realization into his teaching, Creed says the issues of personal and business success have not changed in his four decades of coaching, What has changed is the way the world now emphasizes some of those issues.

“One is the loss of an individual’s attention span,” he said. “With all of the technology that we have access to, researchers say that the individual attention span is the shortest in history.

Many executive recruiters report that the number one trait they now look for in an individual is the ability to focus and complete a single task.

“Another major issue is what I think is becoming the lost art listening,” he said.

“Everyone wants to tell, versus actually talking with someone. So when it comes

to improving and growing yourself or your business, my challenge today and the foreseeable future is to help people learn to re-communicate through new skill sets that require focus and discipline.”

Since his book was published, Creed said he is “getting lots of inquiries to speak on the book as well as do a one-day intensive workshop on building a Life Best Lived utilizing the 11 commitments.

“I’m also getting lots of interest from veterans’ groups and church groups where the concept of ‘second chances’ really resonates. I would love to travel the world and help individuals and businesses with the message.”

Information: businesscoachdan.com.

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Ahwatukee preschoolers discover other countries AFN NEWS STAFF

T

hey’re too young to go traveling on their own, so about 125 preschoolers at Family of Christ Early Education Center in Ahwatukee brought the world to their classroom.

They participated in a program called Children Around the World, learning about the culture, food and other aspects of South Korea, Ireland, France, South Africa, Vietnam, Bolivia, Norway, the Philippines and Germany.

“We do have families from 36 different

countries as well as a diverse staff,” said Sue Nelson, preschool and kindergarten director.

Six parents and three teachers gave presentations on their home countries.

Nelson said the center has held a Children Around the World program the last seven years.

“We believe there is a richness in our school as we learn about different cultures and countries,” Nelson said.

Hope Skousen plays with her flag of Norway during the Children Around the World celebration.

Photos by AFN Staff Photographer Cheryl Haselhorst

Dressed for the program are, from left: Irene and Celine Oh, Hope Skousen, Sofie Niebuhr, Milla Duvenhage, Madilynn Walters, Jace Woodrow, Macey Rignal, Nora Fyke, Wyatt Manusharow, and Laikyn Crawford.

Jandre Duvenhage speaks as a representative of South Africa for the program.

Page 26

Hyonsung Oh talks about Korea while wearing Korean wedding attire.

Celine Oh, left, is tickled as her sister Irene says hello in their native Korean language.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Time running out for South Mountain trail comments

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department officials have set a deadline of this Sunday for comments on its plan to realign some trails on South Mountain.

The comments will be used to refine the plan, which parks officials hope to complete before the end of the year. A final public workshop is planned by December before the proposal is sent early next year to the Parks and Recreation Board for review and approval.

The plan can be viewed, and comments filed, at phoenix.gov/parks/ southmtntrailplan.

Gun-control advocates slate rally for Epstein

Richard Martinez and the Arizona chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will hold a rally Oct. 23 for Mitzi Epstein, the Democratic candidate for representative in Legislative District 18, which includes Ahwatukee.

Parents advocating gun-violence prevention also will launch a phone campaign that day on her behalf.

Martinez, whose child was shot and killed in a 2014 shooting in Santa Barbara, California, will discuss gun violence and ways to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous criminals. Like other members of Moms Demand Action, he advocates “common-sense solutions” that don’t interfere with constitutional rights of gun ownership.

“Doing nothing is not going to end gun violence. I welcome Richard Martinez and other supporters to our rally so we can learn from each other, and work together to protect our loved ones,” Epstein said in a release.

The 3 p.m. rally will be at Democratic Party Headquarters, 1867 E. Baseline Road, Tempe. Information: ME4AZ.com

Y OPAS still needs book donations for annual sale

The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors (Y OPAS) is still in need of book donations for its ninth-annual fundraising book sale 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 5 at the at the YMCA, 1030 E. Liberty Lane.

Books can be dropped off at the Y or the following Ahwatukee locations: Pecos Senior Center, 48th Street and Pecos Road; Odelay Bagel Company, Equestrian Trail and Warner/Elliot Loop; Cupz N’ Crepes, 42nd Street and Chandler Boulevard;

Ahwatukee Board of Management Swim/ Tennis Center, 48th Street and Warner Road. Books also can be dropped off at the Arizona Bread Company, Elliot and Kyrene roads, Tempe.

Information: Jill at 602-212-6088.

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Local church to screen ‘Eating Mercifully’ documentary

A 26-minute documentary by the Humane Society of America, titled “Eating Mercifully” will be presented 7-8:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road, Ahwatukee.

The film explores faith-based approaches to factory farming and examines how more Christians are changing their diets and consumer purchases because of animal abuse in factory farms and the demands for more human treatment of farm animals.

Following the film, there will be a discussion of plant-based diets. Coupons and recipes will be distributed and appetizers will be served.

RSVP: buzbyphoto@cox.net.

100+ Women Who Care to consider next ‘Big Give’

The 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun chapter will meet 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at the Four Points by Sheraton Phoenix South Mountain, 10831 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee, to decide the next recipient of its “Big Give.”

The group, founded by an Ahwatukee woman, collects $100 from each member and then selects one a nonprofit organization to receive what was collected, usually around $10,000. The group calls that donation its “Big Give.”

The recipient is chosen from among three nonprofits nominated by members.

Each prospective recipient is vetted and must be at least three years old and have a record of service.

Information: 100WWC ValleyOfTheSun. org.

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Monte Vista hosts shred-a-thon, Thanksgiving food drive

Shirley Coomer and Greg Stainton of Kelle Williams Realty Sonoran Living in Ahwatukee are sponsoring a free shred-athon at Monte Vista Elementary School, 15221 S. Ray Road 9-11 a.m. Saturday.

People are asked to bring a Thanksgivingrelated food item for the Kyrene Resource Center.

Compliments of ASDD Shredding, the See

AROUND on page 28

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rizona has one of the highest rates of autism in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 66 children living in the state has autism spectrum disorder.

In addition, in order for children with autism to receive medically necessarily services and interventions, Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Economic Security (DDD) stipulates that only a developmental pediatrician, licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose autism.

Meanwhile, there are few developmental pediatricians in Arizona, and most are located within Maricopa County, forcing children around the state to compete for appointments.

In my pediatric practice in Chandler, I have witnessed first-hand the frustration of parents who must wait months to see a doctor and access the resources their children need.

But thanks to grant funding and a vision created by Dr. Robin Blitz, director of developmental pediatrics at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Early Access to Care – AZ (EAC-AZ) is removing these roadblocks.

It is training physicians across the state in assessing children for autism and providing them with a medical home.

In fact, I completed the EAC-AZ training program earlier this year in order to provide my patients with a highly needed and sought-after service.

Created in 2015, EAC-AZ trains medical providers around the state to diagnose and treat children with autism.

After a provider completes the program, Dr. Blitz works with DDD to get the pediatricians’ diagnoses approved for DDD services, thus providing much-needed early access to medical intervention, therapies

AROUND

from page 27

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

and school services to children living in the Phoenix area and across Arizona.

The Board of Visitors, a charitable organization in Phoenix that supports the health care needs of women, children and the elderly, has been supportive because of the impact of Blitz and her team on educating those working with these children daily. Their work is allowing for improved diagnosis and access that did not exist before.

The long-term goal of EAC-AZ is to change the landscape for children with autism and their families in Arizona by providing earlier diagnosis and earlier access to interventions and medical homes, resulting in better outcomes for children and support for their families.

The first teams began training in August 2015. I am a member of the second cohort of pediatricians who completed their training in June 2016.

We are now working toward final certification, which will allow us to diagnose patients, a crucial step that opens the door for children and their families to access the services and interventions they require.

So far, EAC-AZ has trained 12 providers in the regions of Casa Grande, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott Valley, Tucson, Yuma and Maricopa as well as 11 pediatricians in Maricopa County and one in Cottonwood.

EAC-AZ is open to board-certified pediatricians across Arizona. The six-month training course for primary care providers consists of learning modules, independent readings, webinars, online case discussions and two, in-person trainings at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Providers interested in participating in EAC-AZ may contact earlyaccesstocareaz@ phoenixchildrens.com. Parents who would like more information can visit barrow. phoenixchildrens.org.

- Dr. Judy Pendleton is a pediatrician. Contact: pendletonpeds.com, 480-385-5055.

for Habilitation, which sells the shredded paper to help support its mission.

Food items that are donated should be non-perishable.

This is the ninth year for the shred-athon, which Coomer and Stainton hold every April and October to give back to the community and prevent identity theft.

ahwatukee.com

Ahwatukee Foothills News online

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Labrador mix, kitten hope to find owners

THURSDAY, OCT. 13

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

AFN NEWS STAFF

Women, wealth addressed

Medicaire talk slated

TUESDAY, OCT. 18

CPA help on tap

I

ris and Hank need help from some humans.

Both animals are waiting in shelters for owners.

Iris, a year-old Labrador/Shiba Inu mix is stuck in a cage at the Arizona Animal Welfare League’s main adoption center, 25 N. 40th St, Phoenix.

“She has all the best qualities of a cat and dog put together,” said league spokeswoman Shhauna Michael. “She loves to perch on chairs and curl up in a sunny spot, as well as join you for a hike or camping adventure.”

Michael said the dog “enjoys chatting with you about her day and adores belly rubs.”

“She would prefer an active family, and would need to meet any potential canine brother or sister,” Michael added. Interested potential owners can call 602-273-6852, ext.116.

Jannelle Cosgriff of Friends for Life Rescue” calls 6-month-old Hank “a darling domestic short hair” who was found wandering the streets.

“He loves to play with the big cats at the adoption center,” Cosgriff said, adding he is “extremely smart and will need a lot of attention and enrichment (brain games).”

“When he is not busy playing he is such a sweet cuddle bug,” she added.

Hank is neutered, microchipped, and tested org, or e-mail fflcats@azfriends.org.dog. for FELV/FIV. His adoption fee is $95.

Information: 602-273-6852 ext.116.

Information: 480-497-8296, www.azfriends.

What are the unique financial challenges that women face, and how do they affect long-term financial security?

Come learn the answers at Ironwood Library’s financial series. Attendees will receive a free electronic workbook and worksheets. Presented by Katrina Lessard.

DETAILS>> 6:30-7:30 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd. Free.

Writing group offers help

Bring in five pages of writing to get feedback on from fellow writers.

Participants should bring extra copies.

DETAILS>> 6-7:45 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd. Free.

No registration required. Information: haley.dziuk@phoenix.gov.

Ahwatukee consultant Greg J. Geryak is holding the first of two sessions titled “Understanding Medicare.”

The free seminars will examine Medicare’s four parts, including applicants’ rights, options and entitlements; how to enroll; and what is covered and not covered.

DETAILS>> 2-3 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. RSVP: 480-797-5615.

Joseph B. Ortiz of the financial services firm Edward Jones will help certified public accountants meet their professional education requirements with a talk on “Tax and Financial Challenges of Retirement Planning: S.S., Medicare and Elder Care.”

DETAILS>> 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at his office, 4902 East Warner Road, Ahwatukee, Suite 1.

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Opinion

ahwatukee.com

Ahwatukee Foothills News online

Views expressed are those of the authors.

ABM directors explain reasons for their joint resignation

BY BEN HOLT, PETE MEIER, AND JEFFERY HALL AFN GUEST WRITERS

O

n Sept. 21, at a meeting of the Ahwatukee Board of Management (ABM), we three resigned our positions as ABM directors.

Some have asked: why did we resign, all at once?

The simple answer is: we failed in our efforts to develop a collaborative board more sensitive to homeowners and better uniting our community to save open space.

We envisioned dialog and the power of homeowners to speak. Instead, we experienced homeowners being restricted from participating because meetings were set too early or in too small a space for homeowners to attend.

We found our efforts weren’t appreciated by incumbent board colleagues.

Worse: The fight for open space that began with the closing of The Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course has since spread like a cancer through our village, dividing our community and threatening the existence of three other courses in Ahwatukee owned by Southern California developer Wilson Gee.

Overall, we saw little opportunity through the current ABM to unify the community around the issue of open space. Before we were elected, the board had previously voted a preference to retain the Lakes golf course. Since then, the board has stayed out of the fray, at least on the surface, to nominally avoid financial liability.

We, as new directors, believed that community unity to save open space could be achieved, if the board could work collaboratively. We also believed that unity could be reached without committing ABM funds. Sadly, we found board leadership unwilling to lead or collaborate with us. Since then, the fight over open space has only widened.

Now, we are not blameless. Some of the failure we can attribute to our own missteps. On the other hand, we experienced harassment, intimidation, and in our opinion even bullying from some of the ABM leadership who seemed less interested in saving open space.

We resigned after threats both written and spoken, were directed especially at Ben Holt. One threat we heard: “Your life as you know it will end in four weeks.” This raised in us a sense of fear

and concern.

That treatment was trained not only on us. Last spring, two people alleged that one of them had been assaulted in the ABM parking lot after an ABM meeting by open-space advocate Linda Swain.

The accuser ultimately took Swain to court, where the court summarily acquitted her. Yet, Ms. Swain had to needlessly incur legal fees in her defense, and ABM has now barred her from entering its building.

Earlier in our tenure, letters were written to various realty officials claiming director Pete Meier, a Realtor, had bullied ABM employees when he sought routine information for a real estate transaction.

In our opinion, secrecy seemed to be a component of the treatment we observed. At one point, we received vulgar “hushmail” deployed by an anonymous poster who was somehow conversant with ABM issues.

The hushmail included untraceable attacks on Linda Swain, calling her “dog face,” and two female open space advocates were referred to as “shemales.”

In our opinion, secrecy also seemed to seep into ABM elections. In the board election

of Spring 2015, unknown strangers, inexplicably equipped with ABM ballots, went door to door with flyers promoting certain incumbent directors.

In and of itself, this should not raise eyebrows. However, eyebrows should have been raised because those ballots were to be directly mailed to homeowners, and no third parties whatsoever should have had them in their possession. We believe such secrecy extended to ABM elections this past spring, which seemed influenced by a gigantic advertising campaign.

Obviously, everyone’s experience is different. We recall it was the singer Joe South who urged listeners of his hit song to “Walk a Mile in My Shoes.”

Although it’s not the same, we offer these thoughts as observations and opinions we developed, based on our experience in office. In our mile walk, we found ABM board leadership to be secretive, antidemocratic, and undercutting of public debate at a critical moment in Ahwatukee history.

Because we found our efforts to broaden ABM’s base and preserve precious open space through ABM going nowhere, we decided the time had come to resign.

Phoenix vice mayor’s support for indigenous people rings hollow

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

I

don’t know the Akimel O’otham word for “chutzpah,” but Phoenix Vice Mayor Kate Gallego hopefully marked Indigenous Peoples Day this week by finding out.

On Oct. 6, Gallego issued a news release hailing herself and her City Council colleagues for making Phoenix the nation’s largest city to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. “Our tribal communities formed the original settlements in Phoenix, and one cannot consider the history, the heritage, or the roots of our city Page 30

without acknowledging that those roots are firmly grounded in the centuries of indigenous culture in the Salt River Valley,” she declared.

“Tribal nations are critical partners for the City of Phoenix as investors, neighbors, and as communities of residents who are absolutely vital to Phoenix,” she added, noting, “Our identity is inextricably linked to our tribal communities, and it is important that we recognize that.”

Although Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated the second Monday of October, won’t cost city taxpayers any money, Gallego also said, “It is a commemoration I expect us to take seriously.”

I read the release with amusement, assuming that was its purpose. Then I was taken aback by her expectation.

Because I remembered another release Gallego issued on Aug. 19, within hours of U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa’s rejection of ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​the O’otham Tribe’s effort to stop construction of the South Mountain Freeway because it will desecrate a site they have held sacred for centuries—namely, South Mountain.

Without any prodding from news organizations, both Gallego and Councilman Michael Nowakowski issued separate releases praising the judge’s ruling.

“This freeway will not only relieve one

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

of the most heavily congested stretches of highway in the state, it will usher in transformative long-range economic development for the city and region,” Gallego gushed.

“Our community and economic development team has developed a strategy to attract and generate highwage advanced manufacturing and advanced business services jobs along the corridor,” she added, solemnly proclaiming: “It’s time to respect the will of voters and build the South Mountain Freeway to finally complete the Loop 202.”​ See

EDITOR'S COLUMN on page 36

LETTERS

Freeway work signals ‘horrors yet to come’

So, the disruption and alteration of our lives has begun. Sorry to have to say that big trucks on residential streets, traffic changes, and internet disruption are tiny whiffs of the horrors yet to come.

I learned years ago living near the 101 construction that we are all just ants in ADOT’s eyes. Our children and the poor who must bicycle to work are the cost of doing business.

ADOT altered traffic patterns at intersections willy-nilly with no consideration to the bicyclists and school children who had to get through the intersection. When one cyclist died and my daughter came back home in tears because she couldn’t get to school, I called.

The result was instant action that did not carry over to the next time, the next week.

How many times will we in Ahwatukee Foothills have to call to keep our children and those who must bicycle safe? What will be the real cost of doing business on the 202?

-Meredith Whiteley

Have you noticed your property tax bill increase?

Fellow Ahwatukee citizens: You may have noticed the 11 percent property tax increase in your property bill?

We have City Council members Laura Pastor, Michael Nowakowski, Daniel Valenzuela and Thelda Williams and Greg Stanton to thank. They supported the rate hike while council members Karen Gallego, Sal DiCiccio, Jim Waring and Debra Stark opposed and proposed finding an alternate solution.

I’m also reminded of this quote: “Where is the politician who has not promised to fight to the death for lower taxes—and who has not proceeded to vote for the very spending projects that make tax cuts impossible?” (Barry Goldwater).

-Gerald Lamb

Vote knowledge and action, not ignorance and apathy

Ignorance is not knowing. Apathy is knowing but not doing.

Just for grins, let’s add a third condition to the equation—mendacity. Mendacity is not telling the facts...or ignoring the facts altogether and making up your own facts.

Warning—these are not dictionary definitions, but they should be close.

Since we’re in the middle of a hot and contentious political season, we have all three conditions with apathy being the principal villain while mendacity is a close second.

Apathy leads to ignorance while mendacity leads to making the wrong decision about a candidate as you think you’ve triumphed over your ignorance and apathy.

It’s probably because of the political history of mendacity the electorate is so apathetic. It’s a vicious circle, isn’t it?

Every day your mailbox is crammed with literature telling you about a candidate or many candidates. Each has his own story regarding his political philosophy and each asks for your vote.

The printed data lacks depth of explanation so you have to go to the candidate’s website to learn more. And more you will find, if you will take the time to overcome your antipathy toward politics because of mendacity.

So, if you can put apathy on the back burner, you have the chance to whup up on ignorance by studying the material on the website. And that opens the door for mendacity.

Unless you’re an informed voter, you’re prey to mendacity. After all, a politician will tell you what he thinks you want to hear or show you what he wants you to see. Then, when elected, he’ll do what he damn well pleases.

At least, that’s the way it seems. Several years ago, when I was thinking about running for office, a successful politician told me such was the case. Of course, there are exceptions. It’s up to the voter to weed out the good guys from the bad guys. And that’s a formidable task, at best.

If you want to be an informed voter, you

must attend as many candidate forums as you can. Read as many candidate websites as you can. Ask questions of the candidates about the issues which concern you. Then you can get an idea of the knowledge and sincerity of the candidate(s).

All of this requires a lot of effort on the part of the voter. And that’s when a voter must choose ignorance and apathy or knowledge and action. What will be your choice?

Always keep in mind that liberty is the perfect law. Can you handle it?

-Don Kennedy

County Treasury shows 'cronyism, incompetence'

There are plenty of contentious races this election season, and the Maricopa County Treasurer’s race is likely nowhere on your radar. However, when there are no lights being shined on a department, when it escapes the public eye for years at a time, such departments often become a Petri dish for cronyism and incompetence in government.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what’s happened at the County Treasury.

For instance, the department manages a $3.1-billion investment fund, and at the moment it is currently being managed by a political appointee, Paul Ratkay. After an extensive search, it became evident to me that

Mr. Ratkay has no discernible professional experience in the investment or financial world at all.

His leadership has led to a fund which has returned .5 percent or less annually for each of the last four years, or less than 2 percent cumulatively over a four-year period.

If your financial advisor had provided a return of under 2 percent for your investment accounts over four years, what would any reasonable person do? Look for a new financial advisor. Not in the County Treasury, though.

Apparently the tens of millions of dollars that could be generated by competent, experienced management simply isn’t worth the bother.

Or take the case of Russell Pearce, who was hired into the department as the division director of technology and customer services at the prompting of my opponent Royce Flora, and was given a salary which is higher than the County Treasurer himself.

There are a number of things to digest in this situation. First, it’s worth noting that prior to his hiring, Pearce had been pushed out of his role as the First Vice Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party for saying that women on ACCCHS should be sterilized.

Apparently that didn’t bother Mr. Flora much though.

Secondly, director of technology and See

LETTERS on page 35

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Editor’s note:

The Ahwatukee Foothills News invited the candidates for State House in Legislative District 18, which includes Ahwatukee, to write a column responding to the question: What is the biggest challenge facing LD 18 residents and what specific measures will you take to address it? All four candidates acknowledged receipt of the invitation. However, Green Party candidate Linda Macias did not submit a column.

Norgaard: Closing literacy gap a big challenge for LD 18

BY JILL NORGAARD AFN GUEST WRITER

Closing the early literacy achievement gap is a big challenge for our district.

During school visits over the past two years, I have had very constructive, first-hand exchanges with both parents and educators. Some of the issues they identified are excessive testing, time management and intervention for students with additional needs.

Among those needs, we found that decoding and treating dyslexia in students has a direct impact on early literacy. Approximately 18 percent of all students have some form of dyslexia, many of which go undetected.

Unfortunately, intervention for these

students is somewhat inconsistent across districts. Some schools provide for all day Kindergarten and others do not. Students who transition from districts without baseline programs discover that not all literacy programs are on the same track.

Recognizing a need for reform in this area, I initiated a stakeholders group, which has been successfully working together for six months. This group presented a comprehensive plan at the State Board of Education in May on how to address this need.

Thus far, the plan includes the following elements: a consistent across districts diagnostics approach; a handbook; additional teacher resources; a pilot program and training tools for both current and future teachers.

To raise awareness of dyslexia and the impact it has on early literacy, I hosted a

two-day dyslexia awareness campaign at the “First Things First” summit where I presented along with the panel focusing on early literacy.

“Always Dream Foundation” founder and Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi (that was fun to meet her!) was part of the panel. Looking ahead to the next legislative session, I have scheduled two bills aimed at addressing dyslexia: the expansion of the definition of dyslexia and the creation of a handbook. Data shows that focused intervention will yield great results.

After noticing that many of our teachers had not been down to the Capitol for several years and some not at all, I started the “Take your teacher to the Capitol Day.” This event gave educators an opportunity to go onto the floor, learn the legislative process and understand how they can be involved.

Additionally, I have hosted other groups at the Capitol. Chambers of Commerce, business groups and high school students have come down to get a first-hand look at the legislative process.

During their visits, they are invited to debate a current issue.

I have enjoyed being a guest teacher at both our district and our charter schools, speaking on the legislative process, the importance of good interviewing skills and how to prepare/practice for job interviews.

My focus on these areas earned me the “Champion of Education” recognition by the Arizona School Boards Association.

Accessibility and communication with our legislators and knowledge of the legislative process is vital to getting constituent concerns addressed.

-Republican State Rep. Jill Norgaard is seeking reelection in LD 18.

Epstein: Fostering a better future is district’s biggest challenge

BY MITZI EPSTEIN AFN GUEST WRITER

Our greatest challenge is fostering a better future for ourselves and for our children. The path that our legislature is taking is doing very little to assure that.

Our K-12 schools have been cut year after year. Some may tell you that education funding has increased, but not funding per pupil. The $3.5 billion that they claim to have added is mostly just a matter of taking money for schools from our future to help students today.

That’s not planning. That’s copping out. That was Prop 123, and that’s the only help for schools they would do. Yet, our legislature added money for private prisons. From 1980 to 2013, money for prisons grew twice as fast as population.

Sadly, money for schools has not even kept up with growth in population.

Priorities matter. Too many people are still reeling from the recession. You have a job, and you’re getting by, but you want Page 34

to get ahead! Higher education is either out of reach or the cost is burdening graduates so much it’s forcing them to delay plans to buy a house, get married, and start a family.

Finally, the growing influence of money in politics is poisoning democracy and opening the door to corruption. How can the next generation get ahead when they are facing such mounting challenges?

I grew up in Chicago and my family always valued education. Like many parents, my parents told my sisters and brother and me that the keys to success were education and hard work.

I’m ready, willing, and able to put that hard work in motion for you.

As your representative, I will use my skills in business and experience building statewide coalitions to get the work done with positive collaboration.

I will work every day for strong public education — not the status quo, but the best our schools can be — by listening to teachers, parents, retirees, people working in local businesses, and the whole school community.

The current legislators had the chance but did not reverse their cuts to education. I will work to restore education funding, without creating new taxes and by making no new tax loopholes for special interests. Arizona has the resources for a thriving future.

Arizona universities are shining examples of innovation! We need to invest in them to make tuition more affordable and to continue the research that grows our bioscience, aerospace, and technology sectors.

Arizona’s high-tech jobs can continue to grow by using the Bioscience Roadmap, a collaboration of academics, industry and government.

I have a track record of transparency

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

ahwatukee.com Ahwatukee Foothills News online

as your school board member in the Kyrene Schools. In the State House, I will work collaboratively and with determination to restore transparency and accountability. We must repeal the destructive “Dark Money Corruption” law (SB1516) that the incumbents passed this year.

Legislators decide whether you compete on a level playing field and whether you have access to a good education. Keeping elections fair matters for your life and freedom.

I will work hard to make the changes we need to make a better life for us, and for our children.

-Mitzi Epstein is a Democratic candidate for state representative in LD 18.

Robson: Quality of life is biggest issue in District 18

BY BOB ROBSON AFN GUEST WRITER

The biggest challenge facing LD18 residents is maintaining quality of life.

This is a concern for every resident of the district and something that can be improved if we continue to focus on education, economy, and public safety. In order to maintain our quality of life we must continue to invest in both K-12 and higher education.

During my time in the legislature, I’ve fought to ensure our district’s schools receive the funding they deserve. I’ve supported STEM curriculum that our

EDITOR'S COLUMN from page 30

I guess it isn’t time to respect the wishes of people who were here a long time before we were.

I asked through a spokesman if Gallego cared to reconcile her expectation that we take Indigenous Peoples Day seriously with her unsolicited praise for a freeway that the indigenous people of the Gila River Indian Community consider more than a slap in the face.

He checked and replied Gallego had “nothing to add on this.”

Several leaders of the Akimel O'otham tribe were not so bashful.

Linda Paloma Allen, who broke down and cried before the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee at an Aug. 22 meeting as she detailed

LETTERS

from page 30

customer services? Russell Pearce?? If I didn’t know it to be true, I’d assume it was a joke.

Third, paying him $85,000 a year plus benefits seems to not be a prudent use of taxpayer dollars—it’s pure cronyism.

The County Treasury is in dire need of financial professionals instead of cronyism.

Candidate Royce Flora, the one who lobbied to have Pearce hired in, represents more of

students will need throughout their educational life. I continue to support the Classrooms First Council initiative which aims to put more dollars directly into the classroom.

Additionally, I worked to create an equitable funding mechanism for Arizona State University. If we continue to invest in our higher education system, we will ensure a well-educated workforce.

I will continue to ensure that our district has a vibrant economy by leading the discussion with major companies interested in relocating to Arizona. I firmly believe that sometimes legislation is not always the answer and that facilitating discussion can be just as

beneficial.

All Arizonans benefit when companies like Apple, Intel, Google, and many more come to our state and stay in our state.

During my time at the legislature, I’ve focused on business friendly policies that help small businesses. I believe that in order to ensure future success the legislature must avoid passing any type of discriminatory legislation that creates a negative spotlight on Arizona.

In addition to education and the economy, it’s crucial that we focus on keeping our children safe. Over the years I’ve fought to ensure that public safety received the crucial funding they need.

-Bob Robson is a Republican state representative seeking reelection in LD 18.

how tearing a 200-foot gash in South Mountain would be tearing a gash in her people’s collective heart, noted that Phoenix had no problem signing off on the project.

Both she and another tribal leader, Alex Soto, noted that the Arizona Department of Transportation paid to relocate in the freeway’s path—as well they should have.

Allen wondered why highway officials recognized one sacred site “while also refusing to recognize Moadag (South Mountain) as a sacred site to indigenous tribes throughout Arizona, for thousands of years prior to the arrival of settlers. This deal was approved by Phoenix officials.”

Added Soto: “If the City of Phoenix really recognized indigenous peoples, it would have also motioned and passed a resolution against the South Mountain Freeway.”

Put aside the predictions of a great

economic boom that the freeway supposedly will produce. Put aside the fact those predictions are based on population projections that freeway opponents have called suspect.

In the hundreds of pages that have flowed from hearings on the freeway, you won’t find many facts that support the

predictions of a new era of prosperity.

In other words, you’ll have to trust that these predictions will come true.

But no one has to trust a pol’s sanctimonious expectations of respect for a community after that same pol crows about a ruling it considers the height of disrespect.

the same. I am a certified financial planner, a fiduciary financial advisor, I hold an MBA from Arizona State University, and have private sector experience as a financial advisor, banker, and investment analyst.

We need more real expertise in County government, instead of using it as a place to give high paying jobs to our political buddies.

-Joe Downs Editor's note: The writer is a candidate for Maricopa County Treasurer.

Please recycle me.

Another big area that needs improvement is the Department of Child Safety. Several years ago, I worked on legislation to provide “checks and balances” within the department. We need to continue to fight for the well being of each child ahead of red tape and bureaucracy.

Finally, in order to ensure ultimate success, I will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass meaningful legislation that benefits all Arizonans. I know that if we continue to focus on education, economy, and public safety all residents of our state will benefit.

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Business

Business, technology and personal finance

Ahwatukee woman’s online business target: the well-dressed pooch

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

S

asha Jacob’s business is going to the dogs.

And she wouldn’t have it any other

way.

The Ahwatukee woman and her husband, Dan, run an online business that caters to the well-dressed canine, selling a variety of clothing from raincoats and boots to even wedding attire.

She started DoggyTrenz, an online boutique for fashionista-pooches, in New Jersey when her family lost their beloved “fashion-forward dog,” Sparky, who wandered off and was never found even though they had plastered utility poles for blocks around with “missing dog” flyers.

Disheartened by Sparky’s loss and their nearly inconsolable 9-yearold daughter Amyah’s reaction, the Trinidad-Tobago natives were inspired to launch DoggyTrenz.com.

“To this day, I think of my one-of-akind spunky Chihuahua and wondered what happened to her,” said Jacob.

“Sparky loved to dress up,” she explained. “Her walk would turn into a strut as soon as she put on an outfit.

Her little tail would wag and she’d get so excited. It was like she was walking on a runway.”

“After months of heartbreak and searching, we moved on but never stopped believing she was out there somewhere. In her memory, I created DoggyTrenz.com so that other dogs can walk the runway the way that Sparky did.”

In three years, the last two in Ahwatukee, the online business has garnered customers from around the U.S. “I’m into technology and the worldwide web—that’s my store,” said Jacob.

“DoggyTrenz.com lives online and carries modern yet timeless pieces that represents dogs of all sizes and breeds. We also carry eco-friendly shampoos, conditioners and sprays for our amazing doggies.”

Her inventory includes teddy bear T-shirts, fancy pants, even a red, white and blue sailor girl dress with gold anchor applique.

Your pet need a necklace of “diamonds and pearls”? No problem. There’s even a jeweled crown of chiffon (choose

Page 36

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Modeling some of the dog apparel sold by their owners, Sasha and Dan Jacob, are their dogs, Pepper and Salt.

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Dog clothing sold by Ahwatukee residents Sasha and Dan Jacob through their business, DoggyTrenz.com.

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Sasha Jacob with her two dogs, Pepper and Salt, who are modeling some of the apparel that her business, DoggyTrenz.com sells.

your color) embellished with pearls and sequins.

And what best-dressed dog doesn’t crave waterproof dog boots by PAWZ? The boots, which are reusable and come in 12-packs, were voted product of the year at the Super Zoo Pet Expo, she said.

“When you think of it, they really make

sense,” she explained. “They can feel the ground they’re walking on, so their paws don’t get hurt on hot pavement and they don’t slip on wet pavement.”

DoggieTrenz isn’t just a way to make money, Jacob said, explaining, “I love dogs and shopping for them.”

She owns two dogs: Salt, a Jack Russell mix, and Pepper, a Yorkie mix. Her

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

family menagerie also includes a Maine Coon cat named Beauty and Oatmeal, an 8-month-old ferret.

DoggyTrenz offerings aren’t expansive, and there’s a good reason for that.

“I’m very picky about what I offer my customers,” Jacob said. “And my husband and I are very involved in ecology, so I want eco-friendly items. I could have more items online, but we’re looking for companies offering ecofriendly items.”

She said she plans to scope out those kind of offerings when attending a Pet Expo in Las Vegas next year. And See

DOG CLOTHING on page 40

My Wine Cellar is her wine cellar now as new owner takes over AFN NEWS STAFF

W

hen your boss decides to sell his business, you usually look for a new job.

Shannon Rush bought the business instead.

Rush, 28, is the new owner of Ahwatukee’s popular My Wine Cellar, whose previous owner, Zoya Vora-Shah, has decided to travel for a while in search of “wine-centric adventures.”

Rush had been his general manager for the last three years and even that position grew out of her earlier association with My Wine Cellar: she was a good customer.

“I was actually considered a regular,” Rush said. “I had known Zoya and Katie for many years and was able to fall in love with the bar as an enamored guest.

It has been a wonderful and rewarding series of events and what some of our regulars call the perfect storm.”

That perfect storm began developing when Rush was growing up in Brunei, where she served customers and cleaned tables at her aunt’s noodle shop.

After moving to the United States when she was 18, Rush said, “My younger self, wild and rebellious, traveled the country in my ‘97 Saturn.”

Her arrival in the U.S. also marked more involvement in the restaurant industry.

“I got my start in a fine-dining Italian restaurant in Philadelphia, where I learned the etiquette of the white table cloth and how to filet a fish tableside,” she said.

“During that time I was able to explore the wonderful world of Italian wines and learn the proper way to present and handle a wine bottle,” she added.

“For several years after this, I worked in restaurants all across the country before I ended up at House of Tricks. It was there

(Special to AFN)

Shannon Rush, new owner of My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee, is flanked by Jonathan Cheshier, left, and and Tim Yulwel.

where my passion for wine escalated to the next level.”

Since she got to My Wine Cellar three years ago, Rush has been perfecting the wine offerings, leading staff members and spending time with customers.

When Vora-Shah decided to sell, “I couldn’t imagine ever leaving our fans.

So when the opportunity came up to buy this little gem, I didn’t hesitate.”

Now that My Wine Cellar, 5030 E. Warner Road, is her wine cellar, Rush is contemplating some upgrades.

She is expanding the menu to include

contemporary, tapas-style shareable dishes and, sometime next spring, wants to start brunch service. Existing menu favorites will remain, she said.

Rush also is expanding My Wine Cellar’s patio, which overlooks a golf course.

“My Wine Cellar is my new love child and although I spend most of my hours here, it doesn’t feel like work,” she said.

“Every moment is an opportunity for inspiration and a chance to bring this place to the next level.” She also likes the sampling part of her job.

“I consider sampling wines, although

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a very important part, a perk of the trade,” Rusah said. “When I am tasting, exploring my palate and conversing about wine and life is when I can finally relax and indulge. It’s an experience that I hope to provide for my guests when they are here.”

To kick off her new business formally, Rush plans “an unveiling wine festival” noon-3 p.m. Nov. 20. Besides checking out what she’s done to the site, guests also can indulge in some 20 new wines for $20.

Information/RSVP: 480-598-9463, mywinecellarphx.com.

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 37

Main Street Ahwatukee Brought to you by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

UPCOMING EVENTS For more information on these and other upcoming events, visit www.ahwatukeechamber.com.

SHOP LOCAL

Toastmasters

AZ Spine Disc and Sport 4530 E. Ray Road, Ste 110, Ahwatukee. 480-759-1668. azspinediscandsport.com AZ Spine Disc and Sport offers a highly trained team of physicians and medical providers all committed to one purpose: providing patients with the most comprehensive, quality, and compassionate care.

(Special to AFN)

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is flanked by Chamber board president Martha Neese, left, and Chamber President/CEO Anne Gill, during the mayor's breakfast Sept. 30.

Arizona Grand Resort

8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Ahwatukee. 602-438-9000. arizonagrandresort.com Nestled at the base of America’s largest urban park and wilderness preserve, Arizona’s only AAA Four Diamond all-suite resort features spacious one and two-bedroom suites.

Chick-fil-A Ahwatukee

5035 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee.

480-961-6006.

CHICK-fil-A.com.

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Chick-fil-A Phoenix’s best restaurant offers a family-friendly dining experience.

Landings Credit Union

2800 S. Mill Ave., Tempe.

480-784-1093. www.landingscu.org.

Landings CU will provide innovative financial solutions with competitive products and services in a warm, trusting, professional environment for our members.

Nick’s Computer Guys

480-242-4997, www.nickscomputerguys.com.

Nick’s Computer Guys provides cost-effective on-site, remote, or inshop technology services for small business and residential customers.

From setting up a new computer or printer, diagnosing a problem, or removing malware, to installing and configuring a server-based network or ensuring the security of your wireless network, we can help without breaking the piggy bank.

RETURNING MEMBERS Please join us in welcoming our newest Chamber members:

AAA Arizona 11 Capital Finance Platinum Medical Group of Arizona Rain, Inc. OPES Wellness Champions Thompson Family Advisors Keller Williams Realty - Ennise Williams

Page 38

(Special to AFN) (Special to AFN)

Rima and Wassek El-rabaa cut the ribbon with their family and guests during the one year anniversary of their store, Xpress Automotive.

Palo Verde Award sponsors, Janine Moeller, left, and Christie Ellis, right, accept a handmade pillow set from AZ Draperies and Pillows owner Cristina Alamdari for the Women In Business donation drive.

Celebrating 11 years of the Palo Verde Award

BY ANNE GILL AFN GUEST WRITER

O

n Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Four Points by Sheraton, the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber will be awarding its Palo Verde Award for Business Woman of the Year.

Hosted by the Chamber’s Women in Business Committee, the event will honor and celebrate achievement and success from this year. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction featuring unique gifts donated by local businesses valued at more than $15,000.

“I was, and always will be, honored to have been awarded the 2015 Palo Verde Business Woman of the Year,” said Darla Hoffmann, owner of A-Peeling Faces Skin Care and Massage Therapy.

“There’s a huge place in my heart for local business and bringing community together. Since childhood, it has been a part of my life. I love Ahwatukee and will always do what I can to support the growth of our economy.”

That evening, the Women in Business Committee will proudly award $1,000 scholarships to women in our community who are advancing their education. Following the scholarship awards, the Palo Verde Awards will

be presented.

The Palo Verde Award was created by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Women in Business in 2005 to honor the Business Woman of the Year.

This award is designed to identify and celebrate outstanding business women in our chamber and community.

The women are nominated by fellow business and community members and the selection is based on each candidate’s leadership, professional accomplishments, mentoring and volunteerism.

This year, two award categories have been added: the Corporate Award and the Social Enterprise Award.

The Corporate Award is open to employees in the public and private sectors, including corporate leaders and owners with less than 25 percent share in a business. The Social Enterprise Award is open to owners or employees of organizations that deliver positive social change as their core mission.

The event will be capped off with the announcement of the 2016 Business Woman of the Year Award.

It is open to owners with a 25 percent share or more, who are fully engaged and active in day-to-day running and decision-making in a business they’ve

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

been operating for a minimum of two years.

It is an honor just to be nominated, and one of these outstanding business women will be named the 2016 Business Woman of the Year: • Heather Beninato, InMotion Health & Wellness • Betty Teille, Edward Jones • Janine Moeller, PostNet • Angela Christopher D.C, AZ Spine Disc & Sport • Agnes Oblas, AnP-C, New Paths to Healthcare • Sarah Neumann, Ahwatukee Skin and Laser • Darryl Jacobson-Barnes, All Star Insurance Agency • Kendra Pieratt, CK’s Tavern & Grill • Janet Schwab, Elements Massage The Chamber takes great pride in our business community, and we know that its success is rooted in the people.

I invite the community to attend our 11th Annual Palo Verde Award come out to support locally-owned businesses that help make a difference in our community. Be a part of the social event of the season by reserving your seats today at ahwatukeechamber.com or contact 480-753-7676.

Ahwatukee Chamber, First American Title Conference Room, 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee.

8-9 a.m. Fridays.

After 5 Evening Mixer

Von Hanson’s Meats & Spirits, 2390 N. Alma School Road, Chandler.

5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 19. $5 members, $15 general admission.

Power Partners Networking

The Radisson Hotel, 7475 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Free.

Women in Business Luncheon

The 5 Step Profit Formula, Presented by Loretta Love Huff.

Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive, Ahwatukee.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 20. $20 members, $30 general admission.

Get To Know Your Chamber Breakfast

Mountain Park Senior Living, 4475 East Knox Road, Ahwatukee.

8-9 a.m. Oct. 27.

Free.

RETURNING MEMBERS The Chamber would like to thank the following members for their continued support: Nielsen Law Office First Bank College Nannies and Tutors Weeks & Mitchell Construction Empire West Title Agency HDE, LLC At Home Pak Mail Superstore Doc’s Artisan Ice Creams Sole Nurse Ahwatukee Skin & Laser CLW Construction Mountain View Lutheran Church Kachina Family Practice Ophthalmic Surgeons & Physicians

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser teaching young people about skin health AFN NEWS STAFF

I

t’s never too early to learn about skin cancer.

That’s what Ahwatukee Skin & Laser manager Sarah Neumann believes, noting that most skin damage that leads to cancer occurs before age 18.

So her employees reach out to young people, especially teens who play soccer, baseball and football, since they can spend hours in the sun.

Neumann says she has donated gallons of sunscreen annually to such teams. In addition, some of her staffers ride around in a decked-out jeep and teach young people the propoer use of sun block.

“We are on a mission, a mission to spread proper skincare education and early detection of skin cancer,” Neumann said.

Bethany Cheatham, one of her staffers, has devoted her free time to educating local middle schoolers on the importance of protection from sun exposure, the dangers of tanning beds, and proper skin hygiene as well as acne prevention.

“We love our patients and our community and we try and do everything in our power to give back locally,” she said.

“We sponsor skin cancer screenings,

(Special to AFN)

Linda Kennedy, director of first impressions for Ahwatukee Skin & Laser, applies sun screen to twin sisters Lindsey, center, and McKenna Ingram. The girls are members of the Legacy soccer team.

focusing on veterans and members of the Armed Forces,” she continued.

“We donate time as sponsors of For the Dogs, an awareness campaign targeting responsible pet owner ship and

adoption.”

But Neumann’s main mission is to help Ahwatukee teens develop good habits that will protect their skin in later life.

“We try and do all that I can to help

Basic types of skin cancer explained AFN NEWS STAFF

S

kin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It most often develops on areas of the skin exposed to the sun’s rays. Skin cancer affects people of all colors and races, although those with light skin who sunburn easily have a higher risk.

Here are the basic kinds of skin cancer, explained by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Actinic Keratoses (AK) These dry, scaly patches or spots are precancerous growths.

People who get AKs usually have fair skin.

Most people see their first AKs after 40 years of age because AKs tend to develop after years of sun exposure.

AKs usually form on the skin that gets lots of sun exposure, such as the head, neck, hands, and forearms.

Because an AK can progress to a

type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), treatment is important.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) This is the most common type of skin cancer.

Frequently develops in people who have fair skin, yet they can occur in people with darker skin.

Looks like a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump or a pinkish patch of skin.

Develops after years of frequent sun exposure or indoor tanning.

Common on the head, neck, and arms, yet can form anywhere on the body.

Early diagnosis and treatment is important. It can invade the surrounding tissue and grow into the nerves and bones, causing damage and disfigurement.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) Second most common type of skin

cancer.

People with light skin are most likely to develop SCC, yet they can develop in darker-skinned people.

Often looks like a red firm bump, scaly patch, or a sore that heals and then re-opens.

Tends to form on skin that gets frequent sun exposure, can grow deep in the skin and cause damage and disfigurement. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this and stop SCC from spreading.

Melanoma The deadliest form of skin cancer.

Frequently develops in a mole or suddenly appears as a new dark spot on the skin.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

If you think you might have one of these forms of skin cancer, call 480704-7546 or visit ahwatukeeskincare. com.

educate kids about the importance of proper sun protection early on,” she said.

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 39

Specialty pharmacy helps patients with difficult conditions

BY MIKE BUTLER AFN STAFF WRITER

T

here’s a new pharmacy in Chandler.

But DaVita Rx isn’t the typical corner drugstore doling out monthly supplies of statin pills and tubes of toothpaste. DaVita Rx specializes in dispensing medications for patients with kidney disease, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and other complex conditions.

Housed in a 76,000-square-foot office building off the city’s 101 Science & Technology Corridor, DaVita Rx really provides intensive patient counseling and improved outcomes, said Mark Carlson, vice president of specialty operations for DaVita Rx. “We’re not just sending prescriptions out the door,” Carlson said. “We’re managing care.”

Carlson said that unlike retail pharmacists, DaVita Rx pharmacists devote about 90 percent of their time to patient care, and about 10 percent to filling prescriptions.

When a new patient calls with a medication program, Carlson explained, a pharmacist will ask the client what

(Special to the AFN)

Mark Carlson (right), vice president of specialty operations for DaVita Rx, said the new Chandler pharmacy will be able to dispense up to 10,000 prescriptions for complex medical conditions per week.

his or her goals are. They take time to answer patient questions. They discuss side effects and how to administer the medicine, especially if it requires a specialized injector. Technicians also ensure that patients aren’t taking

prescriptions they might be allergic to or that shouldn’t be taken together.

Support staff answer questions about insurance, co-payments and investigate whether the patient qualifies for financial assistance from the drug maker or a particular foundation. Patients get a follow-up call every 30 days to see how they’re doing and to make sure they’re sticking with the plan.

Many medications are highly perishable and need to be kept cold.

They are shipped overnight for morning

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eventually she intends to design her own line, omnce she can secure a manufacturer.

In June, DoggyTrenz participated in its first local fashion show. It was hosted

by Hot Commodity, a Phoenix-based fashion event coordinator, and featured her dogs in bride and groom attire.

“It didn’t go quite as planned as Pepper lost her dress on the runway and neither would stay still long enough for photographs, but it was still so much fun,” Jacob said. “We plan to do others in the future and we’re crossing our fingers the dogs are better behaved.”

delivery. DaVita Rx’s 10,000-squarefoot, secure dispensing room includes access to 2,400 square feet of walk-in cooler/freezer space. Cool storage is independently powered and backed up by generators.

“We just can’t allow things to thaw out or get warm,” Carlson said. “We have millions of dollars of stock in here.”

Carlson, a registered pharmacist himself, said DaVita Rx expanded to Chandler because of its educated and skilled workforce.

“It’s a good culture fit for us. We’re really excited to be here,” he said.

The Chandler facility has about 100 employees so far, who are providing business continuity for pharmacies in Florida, Texas and California. At full capacity, DaVita Rx Chandler, which employees have nicknamed Canyons, will have 550-600 staff members.

Sister company DaVita Kidney Care operates nearly 2,300 outpatient dialysis centers with about 185,000 patients in the United States. About a half-dozen of those centers are located in Chandler, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert.

DaVita employees just completed their 10th annual Tour DaVita, a three-day bike ride that raises more than $1 million for charity. Carlson said Canyons team members are looking forward to helping local charities.

– Reach Mike Butler at 480-898-5630 or at mbutler@timespublications.com.

Hot Commodity founder and owner Natalia Moreno said as the dogs “were a hit” and well-received by the fashion show audience.

“And her clothing is so adorable; it’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Moreno said, adding: Jacob includes an ASPCA link for donations on her website, and stressed that shoppers need to make sure they look for her site since there is a United Kingdom site that goes by the same name. The foreign site is marked UK. “I really love dogs,” Jacob added.

“Our company goal is to provide innovative and high quality items for our customers. We want them to give their doggies a luxurious lifestyle and

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3961 E. Chandler Blvd, Ste 104 | Phoenix, AZ 85048 Page 40

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Faith

Churches, events and spirituality

SPIRITUAL SIDE

God’s encouragement can come in many different forms

BY LISA JISA AFN GUEST WRITER

A

year ago, my youngest daughter and I moved from Arizona to Colorado. Last month we moved to Wisconsin.

While this is my home state and I have an abundance of family and friends nearby, doubt and second-guessing were standing nearby ready to whisper in my ear the day the moving van arrived. I knew where these thoughts were coming from—nothing new.

The first thing the enemy ever said to Eve in Genesis 3:1 was, “Did God really say...?” But fear crept into my heart as I wondered how we would fit into this small town community after living in

big cities for so long.

Would my daughter adjust well to a new school? Would we be able to stay on track with our Lyme recovery? Would Wisconsin feel like home after being away for so many years?

I watched the movers bring in box after box and stack them into various rooms.

Exhaustion began to set in well before anything was unpacked. As I observed the guys hauling things up the stairs, I gave the illusion of being composed while praying a silent “freak-out” prayer: “Oh God, was this really the right thing? I trust You, but I feel so jumbly.

Could you please send me a reminder that You are with me and it’s going to be okay?”

Grateful to be distracted by having to check off numbers on a sheet as each

box was carried inside, I pushed aside the fear for the next few hours.

Eventually, the driver of the moving truck came inside with the final paperwork. I noticed a tattoo covering his forearm with words in a foreign language and asked what it said. I had asked earlier what his home country was after detecting a thick accent, and he shared that he was from Ukraine. So I was surprised to learn the tattoo was in Hebrew!

He started telling me the words on the tattoo, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” and I joined in with him to finish the phrase, “for You are with me.”

It was a verse from Psalm 23. Exactly the message I needed to hear.

When Joshua was preparing to succeed Moses as leader of the Israelite people,

Moses comforted him with the words he needed to hear as they prepared to enter a new land: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8) Encouragement comes in many ways—perhaps from a song, a Bible verse, a friend, a heart-shaped rock, or a feather in my path. That day it came through a complete stranger.

God used a tattoo on the arm of a Jewish man from Ukraine driving a moving truck across America to bring me much-needed reassurance and give a huge boost to my faith.

-Lisa Jisa lived in Ahwatukee from 2000-2015 and recently moved to Pardeeville, Wisconsin.

She can be reached at lisa.jisa@gmail.com.

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer) Left: Sergei Leonidovich Fomin of Moscow presents the icon, “Mother Of God, The Revealer Of Evil Hearts,” To Father Philip Armstrong. The icon was displayed recently at St. Katherine Greek Orthdox Church in Chandler. Center: Zagorka Malinovic and her son Rade, 15, face the icon. “This is special,” she said about the visit. Right: Father Philip Armstrong leads an intercessory Canon to the Theotokos, or Mother Of God, to welcome the icon.

Orthodox church in East Valley welcomes icon from Russia

BY RALPH ZUBIATE AFN MANAGING EDITOR

O

rthodox Christians consider icons “windows to heaven,” according to Father Philip Armstrong of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Chandler.

“They connect the world of the visible to the invisible,” he said.

That connection was made in a

dramatic way Oct. 4, when an icon from Russia visited the Chandler church.

“This is special,” said Zagorka Malinovic, who brought her son Rade, 15, in a wheelchair. He has cerebral palsy.

“It is close to my heart,” she said.

The icon, called “Mother of God the Softener of Evil Hearts,” was brought from Moscow by Sergei Leonidovich Fomin and his wife Margarita Vorobyev.

The icon is visiting churches around the United States.

According to the church, the icon streams myrrh, a fragrant oil.

Icons are important to the Orthodox church, and each visitation is greeted with ceremony. The Chandler visit was accompanied by an Intercessory Canon to the Theotokos, or Mother of God. “Icons remind us that visible creation

is not evil,” Armstrong said. “This gives us a glimpse of the heavenly kingdom.”

This is the second icon to visit the Chandler church. A Mother of God icon from Hawaii has been through, and will come again soon.

At this event, more than 100 people greeted the icon. Young to old, from See

ICONS on page 43

ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 41

FAITH CALENDAR

FRIDAY OCT. 14

FOOD BANK’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Chandler Christian Community Center, also known as the Chandler Food Bank, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a gala, a video and entertainment by a Beatles tribute band, The Backbeats.

DETAILS>> 6-9 p.m., Noah’s Event Venue, 2100 E. Yeager Dr., Chandler. Cost: $100 (all proceeds benefit the mission of CCCC). Tickets: ccccgala.eventbrite.com.

FRIDAY OCT. 21 RUMMAGE SALE

Risen Savior Lutheran Church is conducting a rummage sale featuring furniture, household goods and clothing.

DETAILS>> 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21-22, 23914 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. Information: Jane Zehnder at 480-802-5334.

SATURDAY OCT. 22

CHRISTIAN GROUP HAS CAR SHOW

book discussion at Desert Foothills United Methodist Church. The first book will be “The Daughter’s Walk”

by Jane Kirkpatrick. Set in the 1890s, it invites readers to consider their own journeys and family separations to help determine what exile and forgiveness are truly about. It is available on Amazon. Participants can bring recommendations for future books.

DETAILS>> 7 p.m., 2156 E. Liberty Lane, Ahwatukee.

Information: 480-460-1025 or office@desertfoothills.org.

Merging Mind, Body and Breath for Embodiment of Spirit.” Explore the relationship of the conscious and subconscious mind, energy centers in the body and their influence on creative capacity and physical healing.

DETAILS>> 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., 2700 E. Southern Ave, Mesa. Cost: $49 in advance, $54 at door. Information: unityofmesa.org.

FRIDAY OCT. 28

CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR

“Energy Medicine and Finding Your Passionate Purpose: An Evening with Dr. Sue Morter on the Power of Doing YOUR Thing.” Discover the energetics of manifesting your passionate purpose.

DETAILS>> 7-9 p.m., 2700 E. Southern Ave, Mesa. Cost: $20 per person in advance, $25 at door. Information: unityofmesa.org.

Over 50 vendors will be selling Christmas ornaments & lighted blocks, handmade greeting cards, jewelry, soy candles, pottery, wood items, handmade purses, Mary Kay, leather goods, tea gift baskets and much more at the Love of Christ Lutheran Church’s Center of Compassion. Two food trucks will be available, and the church’s youth group will have a car wash.

DETAILS>>> 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1525 North Power Road, Mesa. Cost: Free. Information: loveofchristchurch.net.

SATURDAY OCT. 29

SUNDAYS

Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School will host its annual Trunk of Treat event. Church members will decorate their car trunks and fill them with treats. Members of the community are invited to bring their children to tour the “trunk of treats” for candy. Appropriate costumes are encouraged. A bounce house will be offered as well.

DETAILS>> 5:30-7 p.m., Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, 3257 E. University Drive, Mesa. Information: 480-830-1724 or email office@pilgrimmesa.com.

Valor Christian Center in Gilbert offers “great praise and worship and great messages for today’s living,” according to Pastor Thor Strandholt, associate pastor.

“Our mission is evangelize, healing and discipleship through the word of God.” DETAILS>> 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays. 3015 E. Warner Road. Information: valorcc.com.

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE

The Covenant Hot Rod Association Southeast Valley, whose motto is “Fully Restored Serving the Lord,” will hold its inaugural Desert Harvest Car Show to help veterans at Valor Christian Center in Gilbert. Early registration fee is $25. Sponsors are being sought and owners of the following kinds of vehicles can enter $25: street rods, sports and custom cars, rat rods, muscle cars, classics and competition cars and trucks.

DETAILS>> >$25 registration fee for vehicle owners; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 3015 E. Warner Road. Information: Don Webb at 480-205-7925 or chra2001@msn.com.

TRUNK OF TREAT SLATED

MONDAY OCT. 24

SUNDAY OCT. 30

“Turning Pages” is the name of a new monthly Christian

Dr. Sue Morter presents “Awaken the Healer Within:

CHURCH STARTING BOOK CLUB

SATURDAY NOV. 19

AWAKEN THE HEALER WITHIN

VALOR CHRISTIAN OUTLINES MISSION

HORIZON SEEKS YOUNG PEOPLE

High school and middle school students meet to worship and do life together.

DETAILS>> 5 p.m. at Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. 480-460-1480 or email joel@ horizonchurch.com.

Food Trucks Kona Ice Face Painting Free Food Games Pumpkin Painting Live Music and Much More!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

A support group designed to assist people through the grieving process. One-time book fee $15.

DETAILS>>> 2-4 p.m. at Arizona Community Church, 9325 S. Rural Road, Room G3, Tempe. 480-491-2210.

UNITY OFFERS INSPIRATION

Inspirational messages and music are offered, along with classes and special events.

DETAILS>> 10 a.m. at Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe. 480-792-1800 or unityoftempe.com.

KIDS CAN LEARN JEWISH LIFE

Children can learn and experience Jewish life. Chabad Hebrew School focuses on Jewish heritage, culture and holidays.

DETAILS>> 9:30 a.m. to noon, for children ages 5-13 at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. 480-855-4333, info@ chabadcenter.com, or chabadcenter.com.

RABBINIC LIT COURSE OFFERED

Ongoing morning study of two classics of rabbinic literature by medieval philosopher Moses Maimonides (the “Rambam”). At 10 a.m., Prof. Norbert Samuelson, Grossman chair of Jewish Philosophy at ASU and TBS member, teaches “Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed: What Jews Ought to Believe.” At 11:15 a.m., TBS member Isaac Levy teaches “Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah: How Jews Ought to Behave.” Readings in both Hebrew and English.

DETAILS>> Community Room of the administration building at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, 3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. 480-897-3636.

UNITY OFFERS A PATH

Unity of Mesa says its Sunday service offers “a positive

See

FREE Community Event

Page 42

BEREAVED CAN SHARE GRIEF

CALENDAR on page 43

Fall Festival

Saturday, October 22nd 3:00-5:00pm

LUTHERAN CHURCH

11002 S. 48th Street, Phoenix

480.893.2579

www.MVLUTHERAN.ORG

ICON

from page 41

America and around the world, people were touched by the solemnity of the event.

Diamantis Orfanos, originally from Greece, was taking videos of the icon.

“This reminds us that whatever we do in our life, nothing is going to work without blessing,” he said. “We need love. We need to get together.”

His joy was apparent was he was speaking.

“I feel it in my soul,” he said with a wide smile. “I explode in my soul.”

The healthy crowd demonstrated the strength of the Orthodox church in the East Valley.

The others in the East Valley are St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Christian Church in Tempe and St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Mesa.

The Orthodox church is represented by different nationalistic branches.

Armstrong says the differences in Greek, Russian, Serbian and other churches are small.

“We are unified in the same doctrine, in communion with each other,” he said.

Armstrong emphasizes that although ancient, the Orthodox church is not irrelevant.

“We try to communicate that orthodoxy is timeless. The tools don’t change. They are still as effective,” he said.

“The teachings of Jesus are relevant to all ages. It doesn’t have to be modern to

CALENDAR

from page 42

path for spiritual living” through “transformational lessons, empowering music and various spiritual practices with an open-minded and welcoming community.”

DETAILS>>9 a.m. Spiritual discussion group and meditation practices group. 10:15 a.m. service. 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. Child care available at 9 a.m.

Nursery for infants through kindergarten at 10:15 a.m.

480-892-2700, unityofmesa.org, joanne@unityofmesa.org.

MONDAYS

JOIN CHRIST-CENTERED YOGA

This Flow 1-2 class (intermediate) is free and open to the community.

DETAILS>> 6-7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. Greg Battle at 480-7596200 or gbattle@moutainpark.org.

CLASS TARGETS THE GRIEVING

Classes for those grieving over death or divorce.

DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. 480-963-4127.

STRUGGLING FIND SUPPORT

Support group for those struggling with how to deal with a loss in life.

DETAILS>> 7 p.m., 1825 S. Alma School Road, Room C201, Chandler. Pastor Larry Daily, 480-963-3997, ext.

141, larrydaily@chandlercc.org or chandlercc.org.

be relevant.”

He finds that people who end up in an Orthodox church are seeking a connection to antiquity.

“They are tired of constant change in the world and in the church,” he said. “If we have the fullness of Christ, we don’t have to reinvent ourselves.”

Armstrong, from Castro Valley,

prayer. They’re flat-looking also, so the observer is not drawn to the humanity of the figures themselves but to the thought of what they represent.

“There is a spiritual sobriety to it,” he said.

Even the music is selected carefully. It’s worshipful, but doesn’t draw attention to itself.

“ The teachings of Jesus are relevant to all ages.

It doesn’t have to be modern to be relevant. ”

Father Phillip Armstrong St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church

California, has been the head priest at St. Katherine for 23 years. His staff is small—the church relies mostly on volunteers.

St. Katherine’s sanctuary itself is a bright white room with touches of blue, maroon and gold, representing a king’s palace.

At the front are colorful paintings of the apostles, and scenes of Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration.

Also pictured is what the Orthodox church calls the “Mystical Supper,” also known as the Last Supper.

High above the front is a half dome, with gold leaf and more icons. They were painted by a professional iconographer from Cyprus.

Armstrong explains that the icons all have the same expression of contemplative

“The goal of Orthodox worship is not to entertain you,” Armstrong said. “It is to show holiness and reverence.”

At the icon event, bells, incense and music connected the people to the icon.

Heads bowed as a liturgy was sung in English and Greek.

Armstrong explains that the icons all have the same expression of contemplative prayer. They’re flat-looking also, so the observer is not drawn to the humanity of the figures themselves but to the thought of what they represent.

“There is a spiritual sobriety to it,” he said.

Even the music is selected carefully. It’s worshipful, but doesn’t draw attention to itself.

“The goal of Orthodox worship is not to entertain you,” Armstrong said. “It is

TUESDAYS

Church, 1188 W. Galveston St. Lori, 480-917-3593.

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DETAILS>> 6:30-8 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E Pecos Road, Room 117, Ahwatukee, 480759-6200 or mountainpark.org.

FINDING HEALING FOR PAIN

HOPE, an acronym for “Help Overcome Painful Experiences,” offers support for men and women who seek God’s grace and healing.

DETAILS>> 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. mountainpark.org.

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CHILDREN MEET AT BRIDGEWAY

Awana Children’s Clubs for kids 3 years old through sixth grade meet weekly at Bridgeway Community Church.

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CELEBRATE RECOVERY MEETS

Celebrate Recovery says it “brings your relationship

to show holiness and reverence.”

At the icon event, bells, incense and music connected the people to the icon.

Heads bowed as a liturgy was sung in English and Greek.

Armstrong then spoke of the icon softening hearts, providing healing and restoration.

People then lined up for a blessing with oil and to venerate the icon.

Afterward, people were given cards with the icon on it. They carried them out, kissing them.

Malinovic, originally from Serbia, was beaming in the moment.

Asked if she was there to pray to the icon for healing for her disabled son, she shrugged and said, “God knows. I just want the best for everybody.”

– Contact Ralph Zubiate at 480-898-6825 or rzubiate@timespublications.com.

About the Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church is a family of 13 self-governing churches. They are united in doctrine and liturgy, among other points, but each administers itself.

The head of each church is called a patriarch. The patriarch of Constantinople (that is, Istanbul, Turkey) is considered the universal patriarch.

There are about 215 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, and about 5.6 million in the United States.

– Source: Christianity Today

with the Lord closer to your heart as it heals your hurts, habits and hang-ups.” Participants can discuss issues ranging from feeling left out to addictions.

“Nothing is too small or too large.”

DETAILS>> 6:20 p.m. at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. mvlutheran.org/ celebraterecovery or email cr@alphamvlc.com.

Submit your releases to rzubiate@timespublications.com

SENIORS ENJOY ‘TERRIFIC TUESDAYS’

The program is free and includes bagels and coffee and a different speaker or theme each week.

Registration not needed.

DETAILS>> 10:30 a.m. to noon, Barness Family East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. evjcc.org or 480-897-0588.

HOLY TRINITY HAS GRIEFSHARE

DETAILS>> 2 and 6:30 p.m., 739 W. Erie St., Chandler.

480-963-4127.

READ BIBLE FOR PLEASURE

Bring a Bible, or Bibles are available at these free sessions.

DETAILS>> 7-8 p.m., Chandler Seventh-day Adventist ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 43

Sports Rec

ahwatukee.com

Ahwatukee Foothills News online

GameNight: Mountain Pointe thumps Highland BOX SCORE

BY TYLER DRAKE AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mountain Pointe 48, Highland 0

T

MP 0 21 HHS 0 0

13-48 0-0

First Second

MP – Woodberry 25 run (Abercrombie kick), 8:19 MP – Hodge 23 run (Abercrombie kick), 4:43 MP – Woodberry 30 run (Abercrombie kick), 00:29 Third

MP – Hodge. 3 run (Abercrombie kick), 6:21 MP – Hodge 25 run (Abercrombie kick), 1:10 Fourth

MP – Moss 1 run (Abercrombie kick), 8:38 MP – Salgado 34 run (2-pt. conv. failed), 00:24 TEAM STATISTICS

Rush-Yards Att-Comp: Pass Yards: Total Yards:

MP 49-382 10-15-0 121 503

H 15-5 11-25-1 95 100

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS (Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Mountain Pointe High quarterback Nick Wallerstedt looks for a hole to pick up some yardage with Highland’s Jakob O’Hara right behind him.

out. He finished the night rushing for over 100 yards and added three touchdowns.

Juniors Je’on Moss and Delano Salgado capped off the night with two more rushing scores to give the Pride its shut-out.

“They executed really well in the second half,” Vaughan said. “The first half we did not execute at all like we should, but really the last three quarters we played really well.”

I WANT TO BE A LEADER ONE DAY Page 44

14 0

And while the offense was rolling, the defense earned a ton of credit. It held the Hawks to five yards on the ground and under 100 yards in the passing game. Senior defensive back Isaiah Polamao also added an interception.

Mountain Pointe moves to 7-0, while Highland drops to 2-5. The Pride will look to remain unbeaten when it travels to Desert Ridge and Highland will try to bounce back at Desert Vista High Friday.

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Passing MP – Grover 7-11-83, Wallerstedt 3-4-38. HHS – Kersting 11-25-1-95 Rushing MP – Stephens 16-78, Woodbury 6-78, 2 TDs, Hodge Jr. 11-114, 3 TDs, Moss 3-15, TD, Brooks 3-6, Grover 1-3, Wallerstedt 3-33. HHS – Cullimore 3-4, Fumble, Wood 5- (-3), Brandt 5-0 Receiving MP – Pola-Mao 3-13, Brooks 4-80, Hinojosa 2-21, Churchwell 1-6. HHS – Zimmerman 4-44, Lunt 1-3, Brandt 2-22, Cullimore 2-15, Castillo 2-11

SeveandLeadatRio.com or 480-384-9944 Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completionrates of students who attend this program is available at www.riosalado.edu/geprograms. *$86/credit for Maricopa County residents.

IA_AD_TribVarsExtra-ServeandLead_0916

he Mountain Pointe High School Pride scored a 48-0 shutout win over the Highland Hawks Friday in Gilbert.

The game started with a scoreless first quarter, but Pride senior running back Antwaun Woodberry ended the drought with a 25-yard touchdown run early in the second that jump-started the team.

“We had a big game last week in Desert Vista so we came out a little bit flat, like I thought we would,” Mountain Pointe head coach Norris Vaughan said.

With less than five minutes left in the half, senior Pride running back Rashie Hodge Jr. took the ball 23 yards for the score to extend the lead to 14-0 following a Ben Abercrombie kick.

While the Pride enjoyed a nice lead before half, senior quarterback Noah Grover took a late hit and went down with a leg injury. He left the game and did not return. Before going down, he went 7-11 for 83 yards.

Sophomore Nick Wallerstedt took over signal-calling duties.

Woodberry found the end zone once again, this time from 34 yards with less than 30 seconds to play before halftime.

“We made a good drive at the end to score, which was big, with our backup quarterback,” Vaughan said.

“Our backup quarterback came in and played really well, He’s going to be an outstanding quarterback.”

Mountain Pointe’s defense was red hot in the first half, only allowing 57 yards through the air and holding the Hawks’ rushing attack to a negative two yards.

The Pride opened up the second half much like it ended the first with another Hodge touchdown run from 3-yards

GameNight: Desert Vista rolls over Gilbert 51-21

BY WILL ARGEROS AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

D

esert Vista High earned its first section victory Friday, defeating Gilbert 51-21.

The Tigers’ offense was frustrated early by the Thunder defense and failed to find a rhythm again until late in the game.

“We knew with (Quarterback Jack Plummer) we were going to have to pressure him. He’s good, but we were able to lock him up with man coverage and put the pressure on him,” said Desert Vista head coach Dan Hinds.

Plummer was sacked eight times and intercepted twice. Despite that, he still threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns.

“He’s a warrior. We’re putting a lot on his shoulders, but that’s what he wants.

We were going to pull him and he said, ‘No, I want to be out there with my brothers,’” Gilbert head coach Derek Zellner said.

Zellner said the first three drives killed his team. The Tigers were stopped on downs and then fumbled on consecutive plays. The Thunder capitalized on those turnovers and put up 21 points.

“As a team, we’re greener than this field right here,” Zellner said. “But the good news is this is all stuff that can be fixed and learned with more experience.”

Zellner, in his second year as head coach, lost 22 players to graduation, and has been forced to start less experienced players because of injuries.

On the other side of the field, nothing seemed to go wrong for Desert Vista. The Thunder won

the turnover battle, kept penalties to a minimum and scored on nine of 13 possessions “The offense really started clicking tonight. (Quarterback Nick) Thomas did a great job of managing the game.

He was money right from the start,” Hinds said.

Thomas completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jake White on the second drive of the game. That touchdown was the play immediately following the first Gilbert fumble.

“Our offense is rolling right now and we know when we all execute and do our job, we can put up this amount of points every game,” Thomas said.

Thomas said the team’s tough schedule for the first half of the season is starting to pay off, and that what the team has been working on in practice is translating well on the game.

For Zellner and the Tigers, the upcoming week is all about not falling into a fall break trap. His team will host Corona del Sol High next week. Last year the Aztecs eliminated Gilbert from See

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 45

DESERT VISTA

from page 45

the playoff hunt.

“We’d really like to beat them next week, as a little revenge. They’ve got a good program (at Corona) so we have to be prepared,” he said.

BOX SCORE Box score Desert Vista 51, Gilbert 21

DV GHS

14 00

13 07

10 00

14 - 51 14 - 21

SCORING

First DV – Porter 4 run (Erickson kick) 7:30.

DV –J. White 34 pass from Thomas (Erickson kick) 6:36 Second DV – Porter 7 pass from Thomas (Erickson kick) 11:55, DV – Erickson 31 Field Goal, 8:18 GHS – Morales 5 pass from Plummer (Hellman kick) 4:15, DV – Erickson 24 Field Goal, 1:39 Third DV – Erickson 47 Field Goal, 8:37.

DV – Thomas 6 run (Erickson kick) 2:01 Fourth DV – K. White 4 pass from Thomas (Erickson kick) 10:34, GHS – Turcotte 30 pass from Plummer (Hellman Kick) 7:05.

GHS – Heywood 2 pass from Plummer (Hellman kick) 5:14 DV – Garcia 1 run (Erickson kick) 2:53.

TEAM STATISTICS

DV GHS First downs 23 13 Rush-yards 35-184 24-(-5) Comp-Att-Int 17-28-0 21-33-2 Pass yards 199 298 Total yards 383 293 Fumbles/lost 2-2 2-2 Penalties/yards 9-75 9-115 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing GHS – Hardy 4-2, Shetter 1-0, Middleton 4-11, Tanner 1-4, Plummer 14-(-22). DV – Dillard 9-43, Thomas 6-27, K. White 5-11, Porter 3-18, Garcia 7-41, Hernandez 3-28, Gammage 2-16.

Passing GHS – Plummer 21-33-2-298. DV – Thomas 17-28-0-199.

Receiving GHS – Heywood 5-44, Shetter 1-4, Middleton 3-29, Morales 4-68, Ortanez 2-36, Tanner 1-12, McKernan 1-15, Turcotte 2-54, Crowe 2-36. DV – Dillard 3-32, K. White 4-48, Porter 1-7, J. White 5-70, Werbelow 2-24, Hernandez 1-7, Gamamge 1-11.

Page 46

Next man up

Pride adjusting to new QB after Grover’s season-ending injury

BY JASON P. SKODA AFN PREP SPORTS DIRECTOR

A

lthough injuries are part of football and each play brings their possibility, their suddenness can test the solidarity of even the most mature teams.

In an instant, a leading rusher or an efficient quarterback can be sent withering in pain on the field.

Mountain Pointe High’s football team has had it happen twice in the last month. Gone are junior running back Gary Bragg, suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and senior quarterback Noah Grover, who sustained a broken left femur last Friday.

Grover’s injury came with just over three minutes left in the second quarter of Friday’s 48-0 win over Highland High.

Suddenly, sophomore Nick Wallerstedt was in charge of the huddle, calling plays for an undefeated nationally-ranked team.

“He came out calm and ready to go,” senior wide receiver Isaiah Pola-Mao said. “We will miss Noah so much, but it is on to the next person. Someone will get more on their shoulders and we have faith that someone will step up.”

Wallerstedt, who wasn’t made available for Monday’s media session, has only been eligible for two weeks after transferring from Corona del Sol High School. He played one half of a junior varsity game this year before playing the final two quarters-plus last week.

The 6-foot-3, 173-pounder completed three of four passes for 38 yards and ran the ball three times for 33 yards while leading the Pride to its seventh win in seven games. Next up for top-ranked Mountain Pointe is a road game at No. 3 Desert Ridge (6-1) in a matchup that will likely decide the 6A Central Region champion.

“He did really well, considering he really hadn’t played any at all,” Pride coach Norris Vaughan said. “We have a week of practice. I’d like to turn him loose, but we don’t know. If he goes down, then who do we bring in? I’ll know more by the end of the week.”

The other quarterbacks on the roster are sophomore Ahmen Williams, a Cesar Chavez High transfer, and sophomore Conor Murphy, who was the backup before Wallerstedt became eligible.

By all accounts, Wallerstedt has been impressive since joining the team after

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Mountain Pointe High starting quarterback Noah Grover is helped off the field after sustaining a broken femur during a late hit.

last season while running the scout team and taking reps with the first team.

The Pride, which moved to No. 9 in MaxPreps’ Xcellent 25, seemed to have embraced the ‘Next Man Up’ mantra many team have been forced to adopt during injury-plagued seasons.

“We are still really hurt,” senior wide receiver Jaydon Brooks said. “Noah is our guy, but Nick can do the job. We had to feel him out a little bit. Then he popped one of their linebackers and we took off from there.”

During one run last Friday, Wallerstedt came across one Highland’s linebackers and bowled him over to gain more yardage. It was a moment the team needed to start moving on.

“That definitely woke all of us up,” Pola-Mao said. “We were bummed out because of Noah and he came in and hit the guy and we were ready to go.”

Mountain Pointe is hardly the first team to deal with injuries.

This week’s opponent has had its own adversity: Desert Ridge’s leading rusher from last year decided not to play his senior year for the Jaguars and then a quarterback expected to see plenty of playing time decided to transfer the first week of the season.

“Most people would assume our chances are diminished. We were concerned about the (Desert Ridge) game when we

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

had those guys, so you can imagine our concern now,” Vaughan said. “I think team morale is going to be great, but I don’t know. It is one of those things that is hard to read.

“I do know we have some battlers, so we are going to be ready to battle.”

The Pride’s running game, which averages 335.3 yards, is still intact and the defense is considered one of the best in the state with its speed, physicality and play-making ability. So the team is more than ready for what lies ahead.

“We definitely have a chip on our shoulder still,” Pola-Mao said. “People are definitely doubting us now that we lost Gary and Noah. It’s the next person up and it is all about the system. We are going to play as a team, play hard and give everyone our best shot.”

It has been good enough thus far and the belief is it all will be fine on the corner of Knox Road and 44th Street.

“We have another tough challenge coming up, but we’ve had some already,” Vaughan said. “We know what the challenge is all about. Are we going to be good enough to finish the deal? I don’t know.

“My concern isn’t this week’s game; it’s the end of the season and what it is going to bring. This is just a bump in the road on our journey. We have to overcome that and find a way to climb this mountain.”

Teaming up

Erickson, Egan provide kick for Desert Vista High life, but said he always wanted to be a part of the football team. He just never thought he would become such a good iley Erickson and Conor Egan kicker that he could move on to the next play two of the least talked-about level. positions in football.

Erickson has offers from two schools, Yet, they are making including Cornell a name for themselves University. on Desert Vista “I want to major High School’s varsity in engineering or football team. aerospace,” said Egan is the long Erickson.

“I’m snapper for the good at math Thunder and Erickson and also would is the kicker. be interested in Egan had always flying and building enjoyed playing planes.” football, but when he Egan, who is got to high school, he leaning toward realized that he wasn’t the University of (Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer) the biggest person on Desert Vista kicker Riley Erickson and Thunder Arizona, wants to the field. That is when long snapper Conor Eagen have been a major in sports he decided he wanted reliable duo this season. marketing with to become a long snapper. hopes of becoming a scout someday.

Erickson had played soccer his entire “Ever since I was a little kid, I liked

BY JEREMY SCHNELL AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Desert Vista kicker Riley Erickson and Thunder long snapper Conor Eagen get ready for a kick during a recent game.

doing statistics for sports,” said Egan.

“But the dream is to be a scout for a college football team.”

Erickson has been a stand-out player since his freshmen year and hasn’t broken that trend now that he’s a senior.

After making three field goals, including a 47-yarder, in the win over Gilbert last week, Erickson is 7 for 8 on the season on field goal attempts.

He has converted all 25 extra-point attempts and is averaging 37 yards per

punt. Eight punts ended up inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

Egan and Erickson say that Desert Vista Coach Dan Hinds has taught them the importance of brotherhood.

The two players are friends on and off the field. Their close relationship is evident by how they interact on the sidelines during practice.

“We are a great tandem Riley and I,” said Egan, who also plays lacrosse. “Best special teams unit in the state.”

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 47

Desert Vista cross country continues to run among the elite

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN STAFF WRITER

A

high school’s sports team’s recipe for success requires many ingredients, from leadership to overall focus with a large measure of dedicated athletes who come together for the team’s sake.

Desert Vista High’s cross-country team appears to have mastered that recipe.

“We have a very mature team that has tremendous senior leadership,” said Jeff Messer, head coach of the Desert Vista girls’ cross country team. “I think those have come together to yield perhaps our best summer of training and by desire, to being better than ever before.”

The Desert Vista girls’ cross country team has been nothing short of competitive every year, finishing in the top three in the state 13 times in the last 15 years. Its success has gained national attention, including a current ranking of third overall in the country.

The Thunder climbed after winning the Woodbridge Classic, topping California power and host Great Oak by the score of 49-65 with a 32-second spread.

The team’s depth is unparallelled in Arizona.

Junior Haley Wolf was the top finisher at Woodbridge, followed by senior Emily Crall, freshman Brooklyn Christofis, senior Baylee Jones. All four finished under the 17-minute mark.

The big win at one of the nation’s more prestigious meets did nothing to change the Thunder’s approach.

“All of us girls are really just sticking to the process,” said Emily Crall, senior runner for Desert Vista. “Doing all of the little things, really taking care of everything and doing it right.”

The culture that Crall and other seniors have created for the team around the word “process” has become vital to their success. Every accomplishment throughout the season is considered just another step to continuous improvement.

“We want to compete at the highest level both within the state and in the nation,” Crall said.

The girls’ success is echoed by the boys team, which has also been building a power of its own, winning the 2015 Division I state championship along with finishing in the top three of the final

standings 14 times in 15 years.

“We realize it is a journey,” said boys coach Chris Hanson, whose squad finished fourth at the Woodbridge sweepstakes race. “It is a long-term deal; it is not something that just happens overnight.”

The boys squad is led by junior Habs (Alan Versaw/Special to AFN) Chenney, who The Desert Vista girls cross country team won the Woodbridge Classic clocked a blistering in California to move to No. 3 in the nation and followed it up by wintime of 14:32.7 at ning the Desert Twi-light event two weeks ago.

Woodbridge.

Senior Chris D’Angelo and Reece said. “Although we have always been a Donihi were also under the 15-minute competitive team, it is more about what we have to do this year. It is up to all of mark.

Sophomore Travis Kearney, junior us to have that common goal in mind to D’Angelo Paisecki, junior Askel Laudon keep competing every time we are on the and Jay Iannone usually round out the course.”

With the boys winning the state title top seven for the Thunder.

“We are just going to go out there last year and the girls finishing third, and compete at a really high level all the Desert Vista cross country as a whole is a time,” senior captain Chris D’Angelo favorite to hoist the trophy in November.

Hosted by the Women in Business Committee, this annual ceremony celebrates and honors the Business Woman of the Year, Social Enterprise Award and Corporate Award.

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This exciting annual event features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, and an awards ceremony.

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Page 48

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Corporate Award Palo Verde Award for Business Woman of the Year

Get Out

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(Special to AFN)

Hundreds of people flock to the Ahwatukee Eats food truck rodeos, and organizer Falon Kirby says there is enough room right now for as many as 3,000 patrons.

Vendor truck rodeo Ahwatukee Eats rolling in Saturday are encouraged to bring blankets and low chairs—and a good appetite.

This month’s food trucks include: My bout 18 months ago, Falon Kirby of Waffle Crush, BobaLoveaz, Cheese Love Ahwatukee had an inspiration while & Happiness Grilled Cheese Truck, DK attending a food truck rodeo in the Dogs, Pour Jo Coffee, Po’ Boyz BBQ, Dough East Valley.

MAMA, The American Poutine Company, “Why not have this in Pho King Kitchen and Ahwatukee?” she asked.

Food Truck, Hibachibot, Today, the monthly and Burgers Amore. The food truck rodeos that school will be selling she and co-organizer popcorn.

Danielle Martinez Ahwatukee Eats has stage in the parking grown since its first lot of Horizon Honors appearance in April 2015, schools, 16233 S. 48th when Kirby persuaded St., Ahwatukee, have four food truck vendors become a popular place to come to the parking for local residents to lot of her employer, (Special to AFN) eat and mingle. They Danielle Martinezleft, and Falon Kirby Bell Mortgage, 4435 sample a variety of food organize the Ahwatukee Eats food E. Chandler Blvd., offerings while a DJ spins truck rodeo once a month at the Ahwatukee.

Horizon Honors schools parking lot on tunes.

“We did it on a Friday 48th Street.

With another at lunch time,” Kirby Ahwatukee Eats event slated for 5-9 p.m. recalled. “It was kind of hard getting trucks Saturday at Horizon Honors, the school is out there. Then it just got too big that lot, coupling the rodeo with an outdoor movie. so we moved to the Ahwatukee Swim and The free community event on the Horizon Tennis Center for a while and then we end Honors field will feature “Zootopia.” People up at Horizon.”

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

A

The difficulty in first getting trucks was that “no nobody knew who were. It was kind of scary for them because they like to be where people will be and we had no track record.”

So they started by securing the participation of My Waffle Crush, which Kirby said “has a huge following.”

It didn’t take long for more trucks to come because people start flocking to the gatherings.

“What happened next was beyond anything we could have imagined,” Kirby said. “We were welcomed as the new kids in town and embraced by the extraordinary people in the food truck community and soon we had trucks knocking on our door to join our event.”

Over time, Kirby and Martinez have sought to mix it up as far as the trucks are concerned, although My Waffle Crush “has been to every single event without fail.”

“We try to keep it small and the trucks enjoy it. They don’t make any money with a large group because they’re bring their business out to us instead of winning new customers,” Kirby said.

“We try to get variety,” she added. “We don’t want to create competition, so we

always limit the trucks to one type of food.

We try to get something for everyone.”

Although earlier this year “we once went for 20 trucks, that was too much,” Kirby said. “Oversaturation wasn’t a fun time for us.”

Ahwatukee Eats also has increased its following. Kirby estimates that their May event drew between 1,500 and 1,800 people.

The two women also use Ahwatukee Eats to give back to the community. Each month they partner with a different charity and encourage people to bring an appropriate donated item. For example, when they partner with Cardon Children’s Hospital, they asked everyone to bring a toy.

“We get a wish list of items from the charity and then advertise it on social media,” Kirby said.

Kirby estimates that she and Martinez invest somewhere around 70 hours a month putting together Ahwatukee Eats.

But Kirby said it’s been worth every minute.

“Our goal was to create this community gathering that is centered around community involvement and charity,” she said. “What an awesome feeling!”

ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 49

Music legends, festivals spice up weekend offerings

BY JUSTIN FERRIS GETOUT/AFN STAFF WRITER

Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. Tickets: $5-$32. vintageandvinoaz.com.

View moon, Japanese style

Drink wine while you shop

Spend a day sipping wine and browsing a large collection of unique vintage and handmade items from more than 120 local vendors and the second annual Vintage and Vino event. Food and desserts will be available from local food trucks and bakeries.

DETAILS>> 10 a.m., Saturday-Sunday.

Page 50

DETAILS>> 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Sunday.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. Admission: Free. dbg.org/ events/fall-plant-sale.

Travel to the discovery expo

The 17th annual Japanese Moonviewing Festival gives people a chance to celebrate the full moon with an Otsukimi. The gorgeous garden will be strewn with candles and luminaries for a magical evening. Plus, listen to live traditional Japanese musicians, eat traditional Japanese food and watch a tea demonstration.

DETAILS>> 6:30-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday.

Japanese Friendship Garden, 1125 N. 3rd Ave. Phoenix. Tickets: $25 (pre-sale), $30 (gate). japanesefriendshipgarden.org.

Want ideas for your next trip around the state, or the world? Check out dozens of exhibitors showcasing state, regional and international trips and the KJZZ Travel and Discovery Expo. Attend seminars that include Arizona’s best undiscovered hikes and win prizes, including vacations.

DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Admission: Free. travel. kjzz.org.

Botanical garden holds sale

Indian dance to be featured

Stock up on desert-friendly plants for your home, garden or yard at the annual plant sale at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Not only can you browse 30,000 plants that range from cactuses to perennials and herbs to full trees, some come from cuttings dating back to the 1940s.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

DETAILS>> Times vary, Saturday-Sunday.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale.

Tickets: $25 (single day), $40 (both days). scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

Magic in MovementWatch colorful classical dances from India courtesy of local institution Arathi School of Dance.

Famed international dancers will perform Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and more, while students present the “Navarasa Arathi,” the nine emotions from the stories of Durga Devi.

Wrestlers roost in Phoenix

World Wrestling Entertainment Live provides an evening of body-slamming fun.

See stars like Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Becky Lynch, Natalya and more in the flesh — and possibly bones, depending on how things go.

DETAILS>> 7:30 p.m., Saturday.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St. Phoenix. Tickets: $20-$600. talkingstickresortarena.com.

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Opera extravaganza is on tap

Enjoy a concert of opera’s greatest hits featuring world-famous mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade at the Arizona Opera 45th Anniversary Sapphire Celebration.

Joining her are a full orchestra and chorus, plus other Valley soloists and former Valley opera soloist who came from the Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio.

DETAILS>> Times vary, Saturday-Sunday.

Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. Tickets: $25-$135. azopera.org.

Willie Nelson to perform

The legendary Willie Nelson brings his family and his 47 year-old guitar Trigger to the Valley. Hear music, poetry and stories from his 60-year career, including recent albums and collaborations.

DETAILS>> Times vary, SaturdaySunday. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Tickets: $71-$131. celebritytheatre. ticketforce.com.

Taco festival offers plenty

Watch as nearly 50 restaurants/teams compete to create unique and yummy taco combinations at the Arizona Taco Festival.

Then sample their efforts and vote for the People’s Choice. Also, enjoy live music, Lucha Libre wrestling, plenty of alcoholic beverages, eating contests and more.

DETAILS>> 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. SaturdaySunday. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Tickets: $12 (pre-sale), $15 (gate), Free for kids 12 and under. aztacofestival.com.

Bob Dylan visiting

Bob Dylan is one of the best-selling artists of all time, thanks to his eclectic—and sometimes controversial—style and topical lyrics. You don’t want to miss the latest stop on Dylan’s “Never Ending Tour,” which began in 1988.

DETAILS>> 8 p.m., Sunday. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

Tickets: $59.50-$129.50. comericatheatre. com.

Cruise for a cause at Sam’s Club

The Cruising for a Cause car show in Chandler showcases local hot rods, exotic cars, motorcycles and more vehicles, along with food, arts, crafts and health exhibits.

Any proceeds go toward awareness and research for Alzheimer’s, dementia and traumatic brain injury.

DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday.

Sam’s Club, 700 N. 54th St., Chandler.

Free for spectators; car registration $25. thejohnnyo.org/cruising-cause.

Pumpkin Garden enchants

Marvel at insanely detailed pumpkin carvings by renowned sculptor Ray Villafane at the Enchanted Pumpink Garden. On the weekends, enjoy fun activities, including the Jelly Belly Beanboozled Challenge, Pumpkin Pin Hunt, Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition and more.

DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Oct. 17-31. Carefree Desert Gardens, 01 Easy St., Carefree. Admission: Free. carefreepumpkingarden.com.

‘Sound of Music’ arrives

The Phoenix hills will soon be alive with— well, you know—as “The Sound of Music” takes to the stage at ASU Gammage.

Join the timeless tale of Maria, the musical von Trapps, evil Nazis and some of the most recognizable songs around, including “Do-ReMi,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Edelweiss.”

DETAILS>> Varies, Tuesday-Oct. 23. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. Tickets: $45-$150. asugammage.com.

Cave Creek offers a taste

Sample the best food Cave Creek offers while taking in the charm of Stagecoach Village at the Taste of Cave Creek.

More than 25 restaurants participate and serve a wide variety of cuisine, from grilled food to pizza to vegan dishes to desserts.

DETAILS>> 5-10 p.m., Oct. 19-20.

Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. Tickets: $10, free for children 12 and under. tasteofcavecreek.com.

Movies this weekend

The Accountant (R) - A freelance accountant for criminal organizations gets in over his head. Starring Anna Kendrick, Ben Affleck, John Bernthal and J.K. Simmons.

Kevin Hart: What Now? (R) - Comedian Kevin Hart puts on a show in front of 50,000 fans. Joining him are Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, David Meunier and more guests.

Max Steel (PG-13) - A high-school boy discovers he possesses fantastic powers, and a robotic sidekick. Starring Ben Winchell, Josh Brener, Maria Bello and Andy Garcia.

Get more ideas for fun things to do in the Ahwatukee - and beyond - at Phoenix.org.

ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 51

Crossword ACROSS 1 Packed on the pounds 7 Bay Area cops: Abbr.

11 Mr. abroad 14 Served like stir-fry 15 Au ___ 16 Neighbor of Ger. 17 “We’re in trouble!”

20 Title holder 21 Free-for-___ (fights) 22 On the peak of 23 Kind of truck 24 Nastiness 25 Mild Dutch cheese 26 Watch 27 Not either 28 “Morning Edition” airer 30 Bob of “Sports Center” 31 Actress Jane 33 Folklorist Alan 35 People dance under them 37 Tree with pods 38 Sleep on it 39 Pack animal 40 Genetic stuff 42 Blunder 43 Switch ups?

46 Bailiwicks 48 Shooters 50 Icky stuff 51 French WWII battle site 52 “Me here!”

53 Samuel of the Supremes 54 “Never,” with “when”

It’s October, and they’re coming

Oh The Places You’ll Go

East Valley’s best secrets for entertaining your winter visitors this season

BY DAWSON FEARNOW AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I 57 Wind dir.

58 Comedian Cook 59 Comparison 60 Med. land 61 Comic Foxx 62 Cellist Pablo DOWN 1 “Scram!”

2 Traffic sign 3 Under state?

4 Brief road race, briefly 5 Super server 6 Ring count 7 Period of time 8 Disgraced

9 Dice spots 10 Actress Joanne 11 Short-order tools 12 Spinning office file 13 “My treat” 18 Bob, e.g.

19 ___ Paulo, Brazil 24 Sweet treat 25 Fruit seller 27 Wanderers 29 Toolbox staple 31 Fan ___ (literary genre) 32 Long-eared beast 34 NYSE or AMEX 35 One putting a tag on

36 “Ease on Down the Road” show 37 Husband’s common law right 39 Redeems 41 Don’t cut 43 Piglet of kiddie lit 44 Kind of motel, slangily 45 Seeds 47 Big screen letters 49 Plant ___ of doubt 50 Latches onto 52 Dies ___ 53 The East 55 Yalta monogram 56 Key abbr.

Sudoku

Page 52

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

f you listen closely, you can hear it just over the horizon: the sounds of Aunt Judy from Appleton and cousin Maury from Manitoba packing up their sandals and swim trunks, gassing up their RVs and heading south for the winter.

Yes, the “snowbirds” are coming, aka the East Valley’s annual influx of winter visitors looking to flee the frozen north for a little fun in the Arizona sun.

So what will you do with them when they arrive on your doorstep (again)?

Where can you give them a little authentic taste of East Valley living—none of that phony Wild West stuff—all without boring yourself to death?

Heck you might even learn a thing or two about your own backyard, like a world-famous landmark hiding inside the basement of a Mesa pizzeria.

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Patrick Faith adds paint to the 1912 Parker Carousel as Schnepf Farms continues preparations for winter visitors.

A peach of an idea

But first, have you ever wondered why you live here, why anyone ever decided to settle in this famously sun-blasted stretch of the Sonoran Desert in the first place?

The answer is right beneath your feet, says Mark Schnepf, who runs the first must-hit destination, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, along with his wife Carrie and their four children.

“We have such amazing soil here,” he says. “People are always amazed that we can grow almost anything here in the desert.”

And Schnepf should know as a thirdgeneration farmer whose humble family farm is celebrating 75 years in operation, and is now the state’s largest peach grower. But the Schnepf family has been farming here locally for even longer.

“My grandparents started the farm here in Queen Creek, but they never lived

here,” Mark says.

“They lived on a farm in what is now downtown Mesa. They heard about a land sale out in the desert and bought 640 acres for $25 an acre, sight unseen. They didn’t really want to leave their existing farm so they sent my parents, who were newlyweds, out to start a cotton farm.

“They literally spent their honeymoon night inside a one-room shack on the property.”

Today Schnepf Farms is a 300-acre throwback to the East Valley’s pastoral past, where, “there’s something to do out here almost every day,” Carrie Schnepf says.

“There’s the Farm Stand Café, the Country Store, take a train ride through the orchards, the U-pick organic produce, plus events like antique tractor pulls, and the Dirt Road Market antique fair.”

Not to mention Schnepf Farms’ signature springtime peach festival, which helped save this relatively small family farm back in the early 1990s.

“After cotton, the farm became a vegetable farm. We had everything from lettuce and broccoli to onions and cauliflowers,” Mark says.

“We even had 80 acres of vineyards growing table grapes. But over time, we couldn’t compete with the large-scale industrial farms in California and had to reinvent ourselves again. Now, we’re the largest peach grower in the state.”

Even out here in the far East Valley, new home developments creep ever closer.

“The city has grown up around us,” Carrie says. “But it feels like you’re still in the middle of nowhere. We get a lot of winter visitors from the Midwest who love it because it reminds them of them of farms they grew up on, or going to visit their grandmother’s farm.

“They like to come and relive their own memories, or bring the grandkids to experience a farm for the first time.”

But no matter where they hail from, Carrie Schnepf says, winter visitors are always easy to spot “in their danged shorts no matter how cold it is, or we think it is. They just love seeing all these fresh veggies growing in the desert, in the dead of winter.”

Schnepf Farms, 24610 S. Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek. For more information, call 480-987-3100 or visit schnepffarms.com.

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from page 52

Enjoy some ‘agritainment’

Still hungry for more fun? Fortunately, not all of the Schnepf’s new neighbors are freshly-minted home developments.

One of the exceptions is the Queen Creek Olive Mill. Just a peach-stone’s throw from Schnepf Farms, it’s Arizona’s largest producer of premium extra virgin olive oil, all freshpressed, blended and bottled on-site from the more than 7,000 olive trees sprinkled across the property.

“Harvest season is actually going on now and runs from October through December,” says Sydney Rea, whose father Perry founded this family-owned mill back in 1998.

“Guests are invited to watch the pressing going on inside the milling room, and to taste the freshest olive oil you’ll ever taste, right from the machine. We also stamp each bottle with its date of pressing because, unlike wine, olive oils don’t get better with age.”

The same can’t be said for the mill itself, which is now a popular year-round culinary destination with its Del Piero restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily. The mill also hosts live music and events like the annual Olivepalooza on Nov. 5-6.

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Patricia Redinger, a winter visitor from Kalispell, Montana, and her sister, Mary Fox of Gilbert, taste some of the olive oils available at The Olive Mill.

Plus, Sydney Rea says, “We also sell local products like Arizona-grown wine, and those from nearby farmers, like Hayden Mills flour from Sossaman Farms and meats from The Pork Shop. Along with Schnepf Farm, we call it our little ‘agritainment’ complex.”

Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Road in Queen Creek. For more information, call 480-888-9290 or visit queencreekolivemill.com.

Tune them out

Of course, everyone has a different definition of entertainment, and nothing can please everyone. Unless, that is, you’re talking about the East Valley’s world famous concert/dining hall, Organ Stop Pizza, where every slice comes with a free side of campy but wildly entertaining fun from the world’s largest Wurlitzer theater pipe organ.

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A Mesa landmark since 1975, co-owner Jack Barz says, “our secret to success is it’s a good quality product that you can’t get anywhere else. It’s the rare entertainment that appeals to all age groups.”

But what’s a Wurlitzer pipe organ, says almost everyone these days?

“What separates a theater organ from a church organ is that it was designed to accompany a silent movie, so it could reproduce all the sounds of an entire orchestra—from the strings and horns to the percussion—at the hands of just a single organist, rather than hiring an orchestra night after night.

“Our organ dates back to 1927, and it was built and installed at a Denver movie theater,” he adds.

So how did this marvel of early 20th century engineering/outsourcing end up in a Mesa basement, where it rises dramatically into the showroom with the organist in tow at the start of each show?

“Organ Stop founder Bill Brown had a huge love for theater organ and pizza—and a dream of combining the two,” Barz says.

“So he found this organ, which had been abandoned for decades, refurbished it, and invented pizza dinner theater.”

As for the Wurlitzer’s bells and whistles, the secret is, “All those pipes are really just big whistles that are tuned to recreate the

sounds of every single instrument in an entire symphony orchestra.

“It’s all original design, right down to the wind-powered percussion instruments lining the walls.”

So where exactly do you find a trained theater organist these days?

“There are very few left, but there is a national group called the American Theatre Organist society, which hosts competitions and tries to recruit younger generations,” Barz says.

“One of our organists, Charlie Balough, started at the original Phoenix location in 1973, went home to Michigan to open his own organ restaurant, and came back in 1991.

He’s been with us ever since.”

Organ Stop Pizza, 1149 E. Southern Ave. in Mesa. Restaurant takes cash or check only.

For more information, call 480-813-5700 or visit organstoppizza.com.

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

The Organ Stop Pizza building was designed specifically to accommodate the Wurlitzer.

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Car-crushing robot returns to Chandler 30-ton, 40-foot-tall T-Rex robot, ready to thrill and entertain.

Fans will witness him lift cars over his fter more than three years, monster head with his powerful claws and his trucks and fan-favorite Robosaurus 28,000 pounds of biting force per square are returning to the drag strip. Mega inch and crush them like toys. Flames will Monster Madness will deliver thrills at shoot from his nostrils in 20-foot bursts Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Friday and a 6,000-watt sound system will power and Sunday. his booming voice. Robo will be operated Big-name trucks like Bounty Hunter, Iron by a trained “pilot” strapped inside his Outlaw, Unnamed & Untamed and Nasty cranium, who will manipulate 18 hydraulic Boy invade the Valley. These car-crushing, functions simultaneously. axle-wrenching Monster trucks giants perform and Robosaurus amazing freestyle have always been What: Mega Monster Madness feats, and compete a staple at the When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and 1 in side-by-side drag strip, with the p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 drags and wheelie show drawing large Where: Wild Horse Pass Motorsports shootouts. crowds annually to Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Rd., Chandler The world’s the formerly named Cost: Starts at $25 largest transformer, Firebird International Information: 520-796-5601 or Robosaurus, makes Raceway. racewildhorse.com his first and only Chuck Sundstrom appearance in was involved with the Valley after more than three years. producing the legacy show for more than Robosaurus enters the drag strip in the 10 years and is thrilled to be bringing it form of a futuristic trailer on the back of back to the Valley along with his GoFast a semi-truck and then, in two minutes, Entertainment partner, Keith Bergh. transforms into the biggest and baddest “I’ve been asked by fans time and time

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A

IF YOU GO

Page 54

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

(Special to AFN)

At the “Party in the Pits,” fans can take pictures with Robosaurus and get driver autographs.

again over the last three years when monster trucks and Robo will be coming back to the track,” Sundstrom said. “I’m thrilled to be working with Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park to finally return this unique and legendary event and to making it bigger and better than ever with even more epic action.”

At Mega Monster Madness, fans can also see nostalgia funny cars, fuel altereds and explosive jet cars race at mind-blowing speeds of over 250 miles per hour.

They’ll be able to watch sparks fly as Ed “The Outlaw” Jones roars his wheelstanding stagecoach down the entire length of the drag strip on its two rear

wheels. There’s an extreme motorcycle stunt exhibition and electrifying fireworks show. Fans will want to come early for the “Party in the Pits” where they’ll be able to climb on monster trucks, take pictures with Robosaurus and get driver autographs.

A Kids’ Zone features giant slides, bouncy houses, games and prizes, and a large sandbox.

“The facility has undergone significant improvements since the last time monster trucks were here,” said Bob Brown, general manager at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. “We’re more equipped than ever to offer the greatest experience to our fans, vendors and loyal sponsors.”

Singer has Phoenix close to his heart, but he started out with ‘Indiana’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

P

hoenix has always had a special place in the heart of Nashville singersongwriter Jon McLaughlin. After all, his wife, Amy, is from the Valley.

“I always thought I would move to Phoenix,” said McLaughlin, who returns to the Valley to play the Crescent Ballroom tonight.. “I’ve spent Christmases out in Phoenix—there’s nothing better than that.”

Instead, the couple moved from Indiana

IF YOU GO What: Jon McLaughlin When: 8 p.m. Today, Oct. 12 Where: Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix Cost: $17-$20 Information: 602-716-2222 or crescentphx.com to Nashville, where McLaughlin has bonded with the music and songwriting community.

“All of my musician friends moved there right after college,” he said. “I was on the road a lot, so a part of me thought it didn’t matter where I lived.

“I also thought that everyone else was moving there. I was going to be the guy who doesn’t move there. But it’s as good as everyone hypes it up to be. It really does live up to the hype.”

McLaughlin is bringing his tour to the Crescent Ballroom to promote his 2015 album, “Like Us,” which he recorded with John Fields. He has worked with a slew of artists ranging from The Commodores to Switchfoot.

In 2017, McLaughlin’s focus will turn to

the 10-year anniversary of his debut album “Indiana.”

“It makes me feel so old,” said McLaughlin, who scored hits with the songs “Beautiful Disaster” and “Proud Father.”

“What’s crazy is when I go out on the road and I talk to fans. They’ll say, ‘I first heard of you with ‘Beautiful Disaster’ my eighth-grade year’ and they’ll be standing there with their child in their hands. That’s insane.”

McLaughlin is going to do a tour recalling “Indiana” and he’ll end the jaunt in his home state where he penned the songs. A symphony will join him for the show.

“We’re going to make a big deal of it and have fun,” he said. “I played with the Indianapolis Symphony and it was in the top three most amazing musical experiences of my life.”

What else is on his list? For one, performing at the Oscars in 2008 when he sang “So Close,” his song from the Amy Adams-Patrick Dempsey film “Enchanted.”

“It’s such a unique thing,” he said. “That’s not really what I do. It wasn’t my show, but that stands out for obvious reasons.”

His other choice is a stellar gig in Washington, D.C. “There was something about that show last fall that it just felt great,” he said.

“The band was playing great. It felt like a great night. I was on stage thinking, ‘I can’t believe I do this for a living.’ I think this often on stage, but this was one of those nights where it couldn’t have been better.”

The same couldn’t be said for his first Phoenix show, however, he added with a laugh.

“I was in college and I went out there to play at a church,” McLaughlin said. “This was back in the day before I had any sense of a good business decision, or what makes sense budget-wise.

(Special to AFN)

Jon McLaughlin was called a Christian singer early in his career.

“I lived in Indiana and they were paying me $1,000 to play for their youth group.

I couldn’t believe $1,000—that was the biggest amount of money I had ever made at one time. I hired a van and drove from Anderson, Indiana, all the way to Phoenix, which makes no financial sense at all.”

That aside, he fell in love with the Sonoran Desert while he was here.

“Literally, I had never seen the desert like

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that before,” he added. “The architecture and the aesthetic of Phoenix was so different than anything I had ever seen before. I told myself that after college I was moving to Phoenix—and this was in the summertime, with the heat.”

– Comment on this article and like GetOutAZ on Facebook and follow GetOutAZ on Twitter.

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Has few openings for new students. All ages beg-adv. Very reasonable rates. Avail M-Sat. (480)496-9154

Employment General

Chamber President/CEO

Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce (AFCC) is searching for a dynamic person to lead the organization. The AFCC is a business service organization designed to meet business and community needs.

People who live, work and play in this thriving community share the intimacy of small town living, while enjoying the plentiful amenities of a bustling metropolis. The AFCC works hard for its members by strengthening the local economy, promoting the community, providing networking opportunities and representing the interest of business with government. It is an all encompassing resource for the community and the voice of commerce. It represents businesses working together to improve the quality of life for all who choose to work or reside in this beautiful community.

Becky's 3rd Annual Fall Boutique Get your Christmas shopping done early & check out products from great local artisans & some of your favorite direct sales companies!

Sat, Oct 22 1-5pm 1096 W. Vera Lane Tempe Desert Foothills Villas is having a community wide yard sale on Saturday, October 15, 2016 Time: 6:00am to 12:00pm Location: Off Pecos and 24th Street.

Phoenix AZ 85048

Pecos North Community Yard Sale

Sat 10/15 7am - Noon Furniture, Clothes, Something For Everyone (off Chandler Blvd & 44th Gated community)

The individual we seek must be a progressive professional. Executive responsibilities include program development and management, financial management, public policy development, public relations, marketing and personnel management.

Do you?

-Possess non-profit association management experience?

-Possess strong leadership skills?

-Have a strong track record?

-Have the ability to communicate effectively to small and large groups?

-Have highly developed interpersonal and communication skills?

-Are results oriented and are a global thinker?

-Are diplomatic, persuasive, quick thinking, outgoing and open-minded to different views and are you approachable?

-Have the ability to multi-task and excellent time management skills?

-Have strong public communication skills?

-Have strong leadership ability and conflict resolution skills?

-Possess negotiation skills and ability to influence?

If you have the qualities listed above, submit your resume, references and salary requirements by electronic submission only, by October 15th at 4pm to admin@ahwatukeechamber.com. No phone calls please.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Garage Sales/ Bazaars Rummage for Charity, Sat, Oct 15 All proceeds benefit American Cancer, Juvenile Diabetes and ALS. 4451 E Graythorn St, Phoenix, 85044 7 am - 12 noon Multiple family (10+) items include housewares, small appliances, office equipment and supplies, tools, clothing and shoes for all ages, toys (indoor and outdoor), holiday decor and so much more!

Miscellaneous For Sale FOR SALE Black Queen Size Bed, Sectional Sofa, Tall Red Bookcase Black 6-drawer dresser, 2 lamps, Misc Kitchen Items, Misc Bathroom Items 602-296-4200

Recumbent Bike Model: Sun EZ-TAD SX Trike $995 - Mint condition/hardly used 480-759-0430 480-275-1009

Real Estate

For Rent Homes For Rent 1,685 Sq Ft. 2bd/2ba 2 Car Ga. Washer/Dryer. Fireplace. Covered Patio. Rec Ctr Membership. Pets OK 55+ $1300 4828 E. Paiute St. Phx Ahwatukee.

Newly remodeled home near 48th and Piedmont.

1200 sq ft. 2 bedroom +den, 2 bathrooms, 2car garage, grassy back yard with mature citrus. $1500/mo. Utilities paid by landlord. First/last/ refundable security deposit/references.

Call Dave or Fran at 480-893-8048.

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here!

81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!

Call Classifieds 480-898-6465

Garage Sales/Bazaars

Watch for Garage Sales in Classifieds!

You will find them easy with a yellow background.

Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa

Only $25 includes 1 week online

To place an ad please call: 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com

Real Estate

For Sale Homes For Sale

Pets/Services A FRIEND OF MINE

Business/Professional Services

Concrete & Masonry

Cleaning Services

YOUR CLASSIFIED SOURCE

Your in-home pet sitting and plant care service. For all your pet needs, domestic and exotics.

Flat fee-no hidden costs.

Serving Ahwatukee since 2003. Member of PSI. Bond/Ins'd. 602-617-0993 Please visit us at afriend ofminepetsitting.com

480.898.6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Voted one of the “Best of Ahwatukee” 9 Years Running!

Pet and Home Services

• Reasonable Rates • Special Pricing on Extended Service Licensed/Bonded/Insured Ahwatukee Resident

Carpet Cleaning

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

Family owned and proudly serving Ahwatukee for over 20 years.

Powerful Truck Mounted Soft Hot Water Extractions.

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www.WhileYouAreAwayServices.com

Residential/Commercial www.extractioncleaning.com 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

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We Also Buy Used Appliances, Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

ROC# 290545

BONDED & INSURED

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HOME

R E N O VAT I O N

• Additions • Alterations • Kitchen and bath remodeling specialists Ahwatukee resident

480.848.9890 ROC#245469

Appliance Repair Now

Contractors

RENOVATION SOLUTIONS HOME IMPROVEMENT & RENOVATIONS

&

"MAID FOR YOU" The Working Professional Complete Home Care $99.

Weekly - Bi-Monthly Vacation Homes 480-980-3321

480-898-6465

Carpets, Tile & Grout, Upholstery, Pet Stain/Odor Treatment

• Energy Efficient Window and Door Replacement • Custom Homes • Kitchen and Bath Remodel • Room Additions • Patio Covers and Extensions • Gazebos Owners have over 20 years of experience in Ahwatukee and over 1,000 satisfied customers.

“Experience You Can Count On”

Contact Geno Carr for a free estimate

480-688-6849 ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 57

Drywall

Electrical Services

MIKE’S • Water Damage • Drywall Repair • Popcorn & Wallpaper Removal

• Int/Ext Painting • Patio & Carport Ceiling Resurfacing • Stucco Repairs

HAVE A SERVICE BUSINESS?

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

DRYWALL, PAINTING & REMODELING SERVICE SPECIALIZING IN…

Garage/Doors

East Valley/ Ahwatukee

Since1980

Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Not a licensed contractor

4 WEEKS STARTING AT $120

480.898.6465

Unbeatable Customer Service & Lowest Prices Guaranteed!

Electrical Services

10%

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

- Ahw Resident Since 1987 -

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932 Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

FREE

Opener & Door Lubrication with Repair

Discount for Seniors & Veterans

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

Bob White's

AHWATUKEE AL-ANON family group invites you to meetings every Mon 7:15 PM at Corpus Christi Church on 3550 E Knox. Wed 8:00 PM at Community Center, 4700 Warner Rd., Fri "Women's only" 9:00 AM at Mountian View Luthern Church 11022 S 48th St., Sat "Men's stag" 12PM at Mountian View Luthern Church 11022 S 48th St. Rita 480-496-4535

OLD FASHIONED

602-826-0424 References!

Not a licensed contractor

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

GARAGE DOORS www.mikesdrywallservice.com

Meetings/Events

QUALITY Home Repair

Broken Springs Replaced

Licensed & Bonded ROC 130069

Handyman

SERVICE FEE WILL BE WAIVED WITH REPAIR

480-626-4497 www.lifetimegaragedoorsaz.com

R.HANDYMAN Rebuild: Under sink floors, drawers & closet shelving.

All sm repairs, welding, trim trees, hedges. Fix: toilets, faucets, gates, doors.

Paint Interior/Exterior ROC095639 BOND/INS'D

Call Bob 480-893-9482

Place Your Meeting/Event Ad email ad copy to ecota@times publications.com

Handyman

FOOTHILLS GARAGE DOOR

Same Day Service Repair/Install All Major Brands

Call for Our Monthly Special Discount

• FREE ESTIMATES •

480-893-8091 Ahwatukee Resident • Dependable & Honest

ROC#126694

Residential Electrician

Bonded/Insured

Handyman

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Call Sean Haley 602-574-3354 ROC#277978 • Licensed/Bonded/Insured

Painting • Flooring • Electrical • Plumbing Drywall • Carpentry • Decks • Tile • More!

2 Guys

Plumbing & Handyman Plumbing, Electrical, Remodel & Additions, Drywall, Painting, Concrete, Tile & Flooring

Flooring

NEW TILE IS A LOT LESS THAN YOU THINK

All Work Guaranteed!

30 Years Experience • INSURED Not a Licensed Contractor

Jaden Sydney Sydney Jaden Associates.com Associates.com Visit Visit our ourwebsite! website!

Landlord and Homeowner Landlord HomeownerProperty PropertyServices Services Repairs •• Drywall Repairs Drywall••Painting Painting Trash Removal Removal ••HOA Trash HOACompliance Compliance AND AND so so much muchmore! more!

Licensed Bonded Insured ROC # 301084

Page 58

602-332-6694

2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

“No Job Too Small Man!”

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Meetings/Events

35 Yrs Experience - Quality Professional Installation FREE ESTIMATES Lifetime Guarantee Professional, Fast, Reliable & Friendly Service

480-405-7808

Call Andy

ce 1999

Affordable, Quality Work Sin

Ahwatukee Resident Ahwatukee Resident

480.335.4180 480.335.4180 Notaa licensed licensed contractor. contractor.

Not

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Gift Certificates Gift Certificates Available Available

AHWATUKEE TEA PARTY Thurs. Oct.20, 2016: Guest Speaker: Dr. Thomas Patterson Chairman-Compact For America Topic: "National Debt" Also, A Special Awards Presentation to the Winner of an Essay Contest Meetings are held at the Quality Inn, Desert Meeting Rm, 5121 La Puenta Ave. 51st St/Elliot-Ahw. 3rd Thursday of each month.

Doors open at 6:30p, meeting starts at 7pm.

Public is invited! EMAIL: info@tukeeteaparty.com

Home Improvement

REMODEL CONTRACTOR

Plans / Additions, Patios New Doors, Windows Lowest Price in Town!

R. Child Lic#216115, Class BO3 Bonded-Insured-Ref's

480-215-3373

Meetings/Events Aegis Hospice Grief/Loss Support Group We meet 6 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

Legacy Funeral Home: 1722 N. Banning St. Mesa, Refreshments provided.

Contact: Rick Wesley 480-219-4790 rick@ aegishospice.com

Home Improvement

CHAMPION BUILT CONTRACTING INC.

Where Quality Comes First!

Total Design/Build Kitchens | Baths Replacement Windows Additions | Patios Total Interior Remodels

FREE

ESTIMATES!

Landscape Maintenance

Meetings/Events Democrats and Donuts This monthly gathering is held the third Wednesday of each month from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at Denny's, 7400 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler. Sponsored by the Legislative District 18 Democrats, speakers cover current issues of interest. Meetings are free and open to the public, breakfast may be purchased. For more information, visit www.ld18democrats.org /meetings or email mariec9@q.com

The Ahwatukee Republican Women's Club (ARW) General meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at the Four Points by Sheraton South Mountain, 10831 S 51st St Phoenix, 85044. Social Networking begins at 6:30 PM and the meeting (program) begins at 7:00 PM. Additional info contact: ARWomen@aol.com.

Visit our website at www.ahwatukee republican women.com

See MORE Ads Online! www.Ahwatukee.com

Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors (AFFAN) is a women's organization, dedicated to cultivating friendships, and goodwill. AFFAN promotes social, charitable and educational events all year long. AFFAN holds monthly luncheon meetings with varied speakers. We offer over 40 monthly activities including Book Clubs, Canasta, Bunco, Euchre, and Bridge. Other monthly activities are Dining Out, Stitch and Chat, Explore Arizona, and Garden Club. Significant others/ spouses can attend some events.

For more info contact Teresa Akrish Phone: 480-518-5788, teresaakrish@gmail.com Check our website at affanwomensclub.com

Juan Hernandez

Tree Trimming & Clean UPs 23 Years exp (480) 720-3840

LEE'S SPRINKLER REPAIR 30 years experience Timers - Valves Heads Leaks FREE ESTIMATES Ahwatukee Resident Call 480-282-7222 Not a licensed contractor

Foothills Touch Landscapes LLC Lawn care/Maint.

Starting as Low as $25.

Install/Design

Juan Hernandez

SPRINKLER

Drip/Install/Repair

Not a licensed contrator

23 years exp.

Call Now (480) 720-3840

Not a licensed contractor

Ahw. Res. 30 yrs Exp Free Estimates.

Call Pat (480) 343-0562

YOUR CLASSIFIED SOURCE

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online!

480.898.6465

Call 480-898-6564

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Landscape Maintenance

Arizona Specialty Landscape

New & Re-Do Design and Installation

25 +YEARS

IN BUSINESS

Residential/Commercial

Affordable | Paver Specialists Drip & Sprinkler Repair BBQ’s & Outdoor Fireplaces Lighting

National Assoc. of the Remodeling Industry Member Lic | Bonded | Insured | References ROC# 113643, 113642

Free Estimates 7 Days a Week!

(480)497-5222

ROC# 186443 • BONDED

480.844.9765

ChampionBuiltContracting.com

A-Z Tauveli Prof LANDSCAPING LLC

We will give you totally new landscaping or revamp your current landscaping!

Tree/Palm Tree Trimming • Sprinkler Systems Desertscape • Gardening • Concrete Work Block Wall • Real & Imitation • Flagstone

FREE ESTIMATES

602-471-3490 or 480-962-5149 ROC#276019 • LICENSED BONDED INSURED

Specials Lawn Mowing Starts At $20 Full Service Starts At $70 15 + Yrs Exp! All English Speaking Crew

SONORAN LAWN

480-745-5230 We Only Service Ahwatukee, So We Are Always Close By To Meet Unexpected Needs

Complete Lawn Service & Weed Control

$60/Month!

• Pavers and Travertine • Retaining Walls • Synthetic Turf and SOD • Plants and Trees • Ramadas and Patio Covers

• BBQs and Fire Pits • Lighting (low voltage) • Irrgation Systems and Repairs • One-Time Clean-up • Maintenance

480-539-2597 cyclandscaping.com ROC: CR21-232290

• One Month Free Service • Licensed, Bonded Insured for your protection.

• Call or Text for a Free Quote

kjelandscape.com • ROC#281191

480-586-8445

ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 59

Landscape Maintenance

Landscape Maintenance

Painting

Landscape Maintenance

SPRINKLER & DRIP REPAIR Sprinkler/Drip Repair Lighting • Timers Install All Commercial Parts Warranties on All Work 20 Years Experience & Locally In Business!

I Do My Own Work!

~Landscape Lighting ~ Fountain Repair ~ Misting Systems

FREE ESTIMATES! CALL 24 HOURS

Most Repairs Under $100

Referred out of Ewing Irrigation

480.295.2279

We Do Installs!

Not a licensed contractor.

Warranty On All Work

Call Dennis or Lisa

602-329-3396

Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner!!!

Meetings/Events?

Not A Licensed Contractor

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

Not a licensed contractor

CLEAN-UP & TREE SERVICE • Tree Trimming & Removal • Gravel Spread • General Yard Work • Weed Removal • Sprinkler Drip & Timer Repair • Insured • Free Estimates • All Work Guaranteed

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising” Serving the Ahwatukee area for over 22 years

- Mark Twain

The Possibilities are Endless

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

Call Lance White

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

Call for a FREE consultation and Estimate

480-730-1074

VALLEY WIDE FREE ESTIMATES! Lifetime Guarantee

Licensed Bonded Insured | ROC # 301084

480-405-7808

RPL Decorators

Custom Built-ins, BBQs, Firepits, Fireplaces, Water Features, Re-Designing Pools, Masonry, Lighting, Tile, Flagstone, Culture Stone & Travertine, Synthetic Turf, Sprinkler/Drip, Irrigation Systems, Clean ups & Hauling

Bonded/Licensed • ROC #225923

Complete Interior and Exterior House Painting

homeimprovementclub.com

Custom Design and Renovation turning old to new

To learn more about us, view our photo gallery at: ShadeTreeLandscapes.com

PAINTING FOR PENNIES Compare And Save!

480.898.6465

class@timespublications.com

• Painting • Wallpapering & Removal • Color Consultations • Finish Painting • Handyman Services 4th Generation Painter 30 Years Skilled Experience Always Neat & Dependable Expert Workmanship Guaranteed References Available

Mobile 602-369-5017 Bob480-917-3617 ROC #115384/Bonded

East Valley PAINTERS Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates• 3 Year Warranty

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com ROC 304267 • Licenced & Bonded

Page 60

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Painting PROFESSIONAL PAINTING

Interior, Exterior House Painting.

Stucco Patching.

Floor Tile Installation Quality work/Materials.

Free Estimate Ignacio 480-961-5093 602-571-9015 ROC #189850 Bond/Ins'd

Plumbing

Meetings/Events

HAVE A SERVICE BUSINESS?

4 WEEKS STARTING AT $120

480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

AHWATUKEE/CHANDLER Bosom Buddies. We meet the 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM-12:00 noon in the Conference Room at Dignity Health Urgent CareAhwatukee 4545 E. Chandler Blvd Phoenix, AZ Please contact Deb Sidman: 602.460.9893 or Devon Pollard: 602.318.8462 See more at: http://www.bosombuddies-az.org/ At Bosom Buddies of AZ we support women of all ages and in all stages of breast cancer.

Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book Step Study Mtg Every Tuesday 7:00pm. Closed meeting. Child care provided.

Mtn View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St., Phoenix, 85044

GROWING TOGETHER: That's the motto of The Ahwatukee Community Garden Project. Get your hands dirty while learning about desert gardening. Join us every Sunday morning starting at 8 A.M. in the Garden at 4700 E Warner Rd. north of the Farmers' Market. acgarden.org

In-Ahwatukee Toastmasters Club meets from 6:45-8am every Tuesday at Dignity Health Urgent Care Ahwatukee - Community Room (1st floor), 4545 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85048.

Guests welcome anytime! http://4873.toast mastersclubs.org/

Dining For Women (DFW) diningforwomen.org inspires, educates and engages people to invest in programs that make a meaningful difference for women and girls living in extreme poverty. DFW helps women find dignity and strength, develop skills and opportunities, value and support their children's education. We have a local chapter in Ahwatukee which meets the 3rd Thursday every month from 6:30 p.m.-8:30p.m. If you'd like to know more on how you can transform lives and reduce poverty contact Mary Hake at marysullivanhake @gmail.com

Service v Repair v Replacement

Owned and Operated

by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 189848

(480) 279-4155

Legislative District 18 Democrats

r Eve yone h as someo ne to b uy

Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p For location and details, visit www.ld18 democrats.org/meetings.

The public is welcome.

for…

480.898.6465

class@timespublications.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Plumbing

PLUMBING

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

$35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!

A+ RATED ROC#243600

The Valley’s Premier Painters Proudly Serving Ahwatukee for a Decade.

Family Owned & Operated

We Repair or Install ROC # 272721

AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured

704.5422

(480)

-Interior & Exterior Painting -Stucco/Drywall Repairs & Texture Matching -Minor Carpentry -4 Year Warranty!

-Competitive Pricing ACP is 100%Veteran Owned & Supports Our Vets with 10% off for all Military Personnel

See What We’re Up To!

NOBODY READS ADS PEOPLE READ WHAT INTERESTS THEM SOMETIMES IT’S AN AD

www.AcpPaintingllc.com

480.

898.

6465

Licensed - Bonded - Insured ROC 290242

FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!

(480)785-6323

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 61

Plumbing

Plumbing

Meetings/Events

Pool Service / Repair

AHWATUKEE TEA PARTY

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!!!

General Meeting Notice Quality Inn Hotel Desert Meeting Rm 5121 E. LaPuenta Ave 51st St./Elliot-Ahwatukee

Beat Any Price By 10% FREE R/O FILTERS!

Meetings are held on the 3rd Thurdsday of each month. Doors open at 6:30p, meeting starts at 7pm. Public is invited!

EMAIL: info@tukee teaparty.com

Water Heaters Installed - $469 Unclog Drains - $49.95 FREE ESTIMATES • MANY REFERRALS ANYTHING PLUMBING • SAME DAY SERVICE

$25 OFF

Filter Cleaning!

Monthly Service & Repairs Available

602-546-POOL 7 6 6 5

www.barefootpoolman.com

Place Your Meeting/Event Ad email ad copy to

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099

See our Before’s and After’s on Facebook

P O O L S E RV I C E S ecota@times publications.com

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001

NOTICE TO READERS:

Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law.

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers.

Plumbing & Rooter Service

$64* Drain Cleaning *Some conditions apply. Call for details.

$39 Off* Any Service *Call for Details. For a Limited Time.

100% Guarantee on Our Work

From Water Heaters to Toilets, Slab Leaks to Clogs!

24/7 Emergency Service FAST 60 Minute Service Available

Estimates Available

480.405.3020 Bonded | Insured | Lic’d ROC 257806

Page 62

Pool Service / Repair

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

What it does require under A.R.S. §321 1 2 1 A 1 4 ( c ) www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01165.htm is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement.

JuanPavers Hernandez • Concrete Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

P O O L R E PA I R

Pebble cracking, Plaster peeling, Rebar showing, Pool Light out?

I CAN HELP!

23 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Ahw Resident • Owner Operated Maintenance & Repair Professional and Superior Service We maintain, repair and service all types of pools, equipment, filters, cleaning systems, fresh water and salt water systems

Call me, Howard:

480.231.9651

AZPoolExpert.com BBB Member Not a licensed contractor.

Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company.

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception.

Reference: http://www.azroc.gov/invest/licensed_by_la w.html

As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection.

You can check a business's ROC status at: http://www.azroc.gov/

ADD COLOR TO YOUR AD!

Ask Us. Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Meetings/Events

Meetings/Events

Meetings/Events

GARDEN CLUB, DESERT POINTE Garden Club Meets the 1st Monday of every month at 9:30am @ Ahwatukee Recreation Center NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 5001 E. Cheyenne Sept - May Only Call Pat Faust 480-5886613

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a weight loss organization that is over 60 years old. We meet at Ahwatukee Rec Center on Cheyenne between S. 48th St. and S. 51st St. on Wed. eve's from 67:30 p.m. For more information: Terri at 480-893-6742.

Open your Heart and Home, Host an International Student!

Please contact Pascale Dunton 602-980-4388 west@iseusa.org west.iseusa.org

Widowed-to-Widowed Grief Support Group every Monday at 6pm, Pyle Adult Recreation Center, Tempe (SW corner of Rural & Southern). Call Kay at 480.861.8031 for more information.

AFSA (Ahwatukee Foothills Senior Association) is starting their new season on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The monthly luncheon is held at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel located at 51st St. and Elliot Rd., Phoenix/Ahwatukee.

Social hour starts at 11am and lunch is at Noon. Cost is $13.

Deadline for reservations is Saturday, August 27. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME -- open to men and women 55plus. Participate in delicious lunches (including coffee/tea and dessert), and entertainment as well. Casino trips are offered every other month. For additional information, please contact Sue McCann at (480) 469-9388.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS & GAMANON for meeting information 602-266-97846

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online!

Call 480-898-6564

Roofing

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1984

ROOFING

New Construction, Complete Re-Roof, Repairs, Tile, Asphalt Shingle, Foam and more!

WWW.PAYNESONS.COM Contact us for a FREE evaluation

480.988.9250 SEE OUR REVIEWS ON:

TRI CERTIFIED INSTALLER LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED ROC: 194202

ROC: 138549B

If so, know that you are not alone and that the PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Meetings/Events Ones) group can help. The group is available to provide education and support to anyone 18 years or older who is dealing with a friend or family member with an addiction. The meeting are at held on the second and fourth Monday nights at 7pm at Mountain Park Community Church at Pecos Rd and 24th St. in room 117. The meetings are free of charge, completely confidential and could change your life! Please join us and get the tools you need to help yourself and your addicted loved one. For more info go to www.pal-group.org.

PARENTS OF ADDICTED LOVED ONES Are you affected by someone who is dealing with an addiction?

If so, know that you are not alone and that the PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) group can help. The group is available to provide education Roofiand ng support to anyone 18 years or older who is dealing with a friend or family member withFamily Owned/ Operated an addiction. The meeting are at held on the second and fourth Monday nights Quality Leak Repairs & Re-Roofs at 7pm at Mountain Park Community Church at Pecos Rd and 24th St. in room 117. The meetings are free of charge, completely confidential and could change your life! Please join us and get the tools you need to help yourself and your addicted loved or one. For more info go to www.pal-group.org.

Honest Free Estimates References DENNIS PORTER

Park Community Church at Pecos Rd and 24th St. in room 117. The meetings Meetings/Events are free of charge, completely confidential and could change your life! Please join us and get the tools you need to help yourself and your addicted loved one. For more info go to www.pal-group.org.

GROWING TOGETHER: That's the motto of The Ahwatukee Community Garden Project. Get your hands dirty while learning about desert gardening. Join us every Sunday morning starting at 8 A.M. in the Garden at 4700 E Warner Rd. north of the Farmers' Market. acgarden.org

Meetings/Events

Roofing

Window Cleaning

Crops of Luv We make Scrapbooks for critically-ill children who have had their "WISH" trip come true!

Scrapbook with us, make embellishments for us, donate your time, or your commercial space, donate funds to ship albums, etc!

Does your teen need community service hours? We could use their help!

Copsofluv.com 480.634.7763 Ahwatukee based non-profit.

ROOFING CONTRACTOR with 32 years exp Specializing in all types repairs, re-roofs, coating & walking decks.

Quality service & response our first priority.

All work guaranteed.

ROC# 100401-L42 ROC# 132572-C42

John's Window Cleaning 1-story $125 / 2-story $145 -inside and out up to 30 panes (add'l panes $2) Screens cleaned $2.50 per pane.

Power Washing and Re-Screening available Same day Service (480) 201-6471

Roofing

AMERICAN LEGION AHWATUKEE Post #64 We Meet Every 3rd Wed at 3pm at the Ahwatukee Retirement Center At 5001 E Cheyenne Dr, Phoenix, Az. 85044.

Contact ED MANGAN Cmdr 602-501-0128

Smart Recovery Meeting Wed’s 7:00 8:30 p.m. 6400 W. Del Rio Chandler Montessori School next to Unitarian Church room 5. All issues drugs, alcohol, gambling, online addictions, & medications. 480-532-2460

U.S. ARBOR Tree Service

• Tree Trimming • Tree Removal • Stump Grind • Queen Palm & Citrus Treatment • Deep Root Fertilization The Most Detailed Roofer in the State

TK

®

www.usarbor.com FREE ESTIMATES

480.812.0731 Lic #990148 • Insured

Tim KLINE Roofing, LLC Roofs Done Right...

The FIRST Time!

15-Year Workmanship Warranty on All Complete Roof Systems

RANDY HALFHILL

timklineroofing.com

Lic#ROC 152111 Bonded

Meetings/Events

Meetings/Events

Tree Services

480-460-7602 602-710-2263

602-910-1485

Call Carl 480-895-3425 or 602-432-9183

FREE Estimate and written proposal

480-357-2463

R.O.C. #156979 K-42 Licensed / Bonded ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Page 63

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The Spencers TV & Appliance credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases of $499.00 or more charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full and equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 01/06/2016 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 10/18/2016. 2Billionth Appliance prize is based on sales from Spencers, Genuine Maytag, and Home TV and Appliance over the last 44 years of business. The Customer and winner of the $10,000 Kitchen will be based on a random drawing of Retail Customers during 10 weeks of 2016. The winner will be drawn from invoices during that time and or random drawing from entries. No purchase necessary.

MESA SHOWROOM & CLEARANCE CENTER | 115 W. First Ave | 480-833-3072 AHWATUKEE | 4601 E. Ray Road • Phoenix | 480-777-7103 ARROWHEAD RANCH | 7346 W. Bell Road | 623-487-7700 EAST MESA/GILBERT | Gateway Towne Center | 4630 E. Ray Road | South End by Target | 480-988-1917 GILBERT | San Tan Village | 2711 S. San Tan Village Pkwy | 480-366-3900 GLENDALE | 10220 N. 43rd Ave | 602-504-2122 GOODYEAR | 3800 W. McDowell Rd | 623-930-0770 SCOTTSDALE | 14202 N. Scottsdale Rd | 480-991-7200 SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX | 13820 N. Tatum Blvd | 602-494-0100

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Page 64

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com