AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Wounded in war, Ahwatukee vet helps other injured warriors
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributing Writer
Anthony Ameen’s story is a battlefield story that resounds with heroism.
CANCER HUNTER
Ahwatukee firm works
THIRD PEAR
Ahwatukee
But the Ahwatukee man and Afghanistan war veteran, who served as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman from 2002-2010, doesn’t care much for the word “hero”—unless it refers to other wounded warriors.
The Class of 2000 Desert Vista High School alumnus, still known as “Doc” Ameen, cares so much for these returning injured warriors that he founded a nonprofit, called “Wings for Warriors,” six years ago to help them.
The Purple Heart recipient also has been lobbying for changes in the way his wounded veterans are treated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
He remembers all too well how financial and healthcare benefits were often hard to obtain as he battled back through more than 30 surgeries as he recovered from a lost limb and other injuries he sustained in Afghanistan.
Freeway
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
AHis organization stemmed from a project called “Wings for Anthony” that Ahwatukee neighbors and friends undertook to help his parents, Rusty and Jan Ameen, get to their youngest son’s side as he recovered from horrendous combat wounds.
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS
On July 21, 2008, Ameen received a call from his platoon sergeant to assist a wounded Marine during a Taliban counterattack in Nowzad, Afghanistan. At the time, he was operating with the 2nd Battalion/7th Marine First Division.
Without a thought for his own safety, Ameen set off on a harrowing and life-altering run.
“I started running to help him and stepped on an IED,” Ameen recalled “The amount of pain I felt that morning was so intense, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I’m very fortunate to have lived through that.”
Four months into his deployment at the time, Ameen, then 27 years old, said he knew
See WARRIORS on page 8
appeal: ADOT ignored, minimized health risks to kids
ccusing the Arizona Department of Transportation of ignoring and minimizing the environmental impact of the South Mountain Freeway, the lawyer for an Ahwatukee group of homeowners last week urged a federal appeals court to halt the project.
In a 30-page brief that exceeded by nearly
50 percent a 5,200-word limit on injunction requests, attorney Howard Shanker asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to stop the freeway’s construction until the panel decides his client’s appeal of a federal judge’s decision that green-lighted the project in August. Shanker represents Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children, a group of residents who live near the freeway’s path.
Neither Gila River Indian Community—
which is also fighting the project—nor government lawyers have yet filed their briefs in the case.
PARC is appealing U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa’s Aug. 19 decision that rebuffed its contention that the project should be stopped because ADOT’s analysis of the freeway’s environmental impact was shoddy and because it relied on flawed data
(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)
Ahwatukee native Anthony Ameen founded Wings for Warriors as he recovered from losing a leg in Afghanistan. He helps fellow veterans wounded in combat navigate through government and insurance paperwork. His group holds its first fundraising gala on Veterans Day.
UP TO $5,925 IN REBATES OR 0% APR FOR 48 OR 60 MO.* Fall Tune-up
$5,925 $5,925
10-Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty* *On Selected Systems
($1,295 Value - No Charge)
Up to $800 in Utility Rebates*
*Up to a $2,825 Brewer’s Dealer Rebate, up to $800 Utility Rebate, up to $300 Federal Tax Credit & up to $2,000 Trane Trade In Allowance. See your independent Trane Dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers OR trade-in allowances from $75 up to $2,000 valid on qualifying equipment only. Offers vary by equipment. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. *The Home Projects and Home Projects Visa® credit cards are issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank, an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases 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 in 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. If you have a Visa card and you use it for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5.00% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. This information is accurate as of 07/01/2016 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 12/15/2016.
TheAhwatukeeFoothillsNewsis published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills.
Times Media Group: 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219 Tempe, Arizona, 85282
Main number: 480-898-6500
Advertising: 480-898-5624
Circulation service: 480-898-5641
PUBLISHER
Steve T. Strickbine
ADVERTISING STAFF
National Advertising Director Zac Reynolds 480-898-5603 zac@ahwatukee.com
National Account Coordinator: Patty Dixie 480-898-5940, pdixie@ahwatukee.com
Advertising Sales Representatives: Karen Mays, 480-898-7909, kmays@ahwatukee.com
Laura Meehan, 480-898-7904, lmeehan@ahwatukee.com
Classified: Elaine Cota, 480-898-7926, ecota@ahwatukee.com
Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny 480-898-5641, aaron@azintegratedmedia.com
NEWS STAFF
Editor In Chief: Robbie Peterson, 480-898-5638, rpeterson@timespublications.com
Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak, 480-898-5647, pmaryniak@timespublications.com
Managing Editors: Ralph Zubiate, 480-898-6825, rzubiate@timespublications.com
Lee Shappell, 480-898-5614, Lshappell@timespublications.com
GetOut Editor: Justin Ferris, 480-898-5621, jferris@timespublications.com
Art Director: Erica Odello, 480-898-5616, erica@timespublications.com
Designer: Ruth Carlton, 480-898-5644, rcarlton@timespublications.com
Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com
Reporters: Jim Walsh, 480-898-5639 jwalshe@timespublications.com
Mike Butler, 480-898-5630 mbutler@ahwatukee.com
Prep Sports Director: Jason P. Skoda, 480-898-7915, jskoda@ahwatukee.com
Photographers: Will Powers, 480-898-5646, wpowers@timespublications.com
Cheryl Haselhorst, 480-898-7900, chaselhorst@timespublications.com
WRITE A LETTER
To submit a letter, please include your full name. Our policy is not to run anonymous letters. Please keep the length to 300 words. Letters will be run on a spaceavailable basis. Please send your contributions to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com.
EDITORIAL CONTENT
TheAhwatukeeFoothillsNewsexpresses its opinion. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author.
ADVERTISING CONTENT
The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. TheAhwatukee FoothillsNewsassumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement.
© Strickbine
DiCiccio prompts city to cancel parking ban on Warpaint Drive
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
Quick action by Phoenix City Councilman
Sal DiCiccio has prompted the city Street Transportation Department to drop its plan to post no-parking signs along Warpaint Drive in Ahwatukee near a popular South Mountain trailhead.
After hikers alerted him over the weekend to the move, DiCiccio began calling city staffers to find out how the signs could be ordered so quickly without his office being notified.
By Monday, the department reversed its plan to erect the signs later this week, but DiCiccio said the way it had been put into motion was “unusual.”
“The bottom line is the signs have been canceled,” DiCiccio said.
He added that it had ordered their placement after the Ahwatukee Board of Management informed the city on Oct. 24 that “it would not oppose the installation of no-parking signs.”
ABM General Manager Robert Blakesley said that ABM was only advising the city that the HOA didn’t care whether parking would be banned.
“Our view is the city owns and maintains the trailhead and the street,” Blakesley said. “We didn’t feel it was our place to recommended no-parking signs. We just wanted the city to know we would defer to whatever they decided.”
“We definitely would not request this on our own,” he added.
City records obtained by the Ahwatukee Foothills
News show ABM passed along a request from a couple who is developing a lot across from where hikers were parking and that ABM only stated it would not oppose the signs.
But several neighbors told the street department they “vehemently opposed” the signs, noting that when they had bought their homes, they knew the trailhead was there and did not object to hikers parking on the street.
Streets spokeswoman Monica Hernandez told DiCiccio’s office that the city Parks and Recreation Department opposed the parking ban.
Hiker Paul Anders, an Ahwatukee resident since 1997, said the developer has been “very aggressive” in chasing away hikers who park their cars.
“This trailhead is one of the most active in the South Mountain system, due to its mild terrain, convenient Ahwatukee access and beautiful views. Hikers and cyclists have been parking along the section of Warpaint between Knox and the trailhead for 20-plus years,” he said.
That section of Warpaint Drive is not only the
PARKING BAN
from page 3
closest to the trailhead, but one of the few areas near it where hikers can park.
“There are no other options for parking at this very popular trailhead that are convenient for hikers,” Anders said.
Anders said the few homeowners that do live on the east side of the road have not had any issues with the hikers.
“Some no-parking signs were put up by the city on the east side, and trail users respect those signs,” Anders said. “But the west side has no development, and has ample parking for even the heaviest trail use.”
A website apparently posted by the developer couple describes “an exquisite, privately gated luxury home” for the lot, promising an “incomparable high-desert luxury retreat” and a “catalyst for truly inspired living.”
“This high-demand hillside property offers discerning buyers with the rare opportunity to purchase a custom-built architectural masterpiece, exuding the art of living, on pristine acreage dotted with awe-inspiring vistas and unspoiled desert allurement,” the website adds, touting a two-story house as a “smart home” with computer-run features.
It also quotes the Chinese philosopher Confucius and the late South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela.
The developer did not return a call from the AFN requesting comment.
While the issue has been resolved, Anders said he hopes the city can address some other problems involving parking near trailheads.
One of the biggest are signs in many nearby neighborhoods advising that parking for trail use is banned in residential areas.
“This is unenforceable,” Anders said. “An officer would have to know the intent of someone parking there to issue a ticket. It’s confusing to hikers. The signs need to be clearer that they are only advisory.”
He also said the Warpaint Drive incident points to a problem involving the process for parking bans.
“The way the city went about doing this points to a real flaw in the process,” he said. “What’s the city doing to make sure all voices are heard?”
DiCiccio said his investigation showed that there are other parking bans in the area that are puzzling.
He said he intends to look into how and why those signs were placed.
to justify its construction.
Shanker said an injunction was required because “the constructionrelated activities are also irreparably harming (PARC) members’ recreational and aesthetic interests, including but not limited to, their interests in the naturally functioning ecosystems of the area.”
He also cited Humetewa’s footdragging on its request for a quick decision on the injunction, which was filed with the judge in early September. He told the panel the judge waited nine days after he called her office Oct. 17 “to reiterate that irreparable harm was ongoing.”
Noting that the freeway will result in the demolition of 168 houses and 680 apartment units along its 22-mile path between West Phoenix and the Chandler interchange on Interstate 10, Shanker zeroed in on ADOT’s handling of environmental studies and its refusal to consider either alternative routes or a “no-build alternative.”
“There are approximately 17 schools within one-half mile of the selected right-of-way, resulting in significantly increased health risks to children
attending those schools (over 15,000 children on a daily basis),” he said.
“This project will have a disparate impact on children without even
RECEDING GUMS?
We provide the new Pinhole Surgical Technique™ as seen on “The Doctors” Call for a free consultation today!
accounting for the parks, day-care providers, and children who live near the right-of-way and who attend these schools,” Shanker wrote.
“Many studies have now shown that people who live, work, or attend school near major roads have an increased incidence and severity of health problems that may be related to air pollution from roadway traffic,” he added.
He also stated, “Near-roadway traffic emissions may not only trigger and exacerbate asthma symptoms, but also contribute to the development of asthma in children.
“As such, the construction of a new eight-lane freeway with diesel truck volumes of up to 17,000 per day in an area with a large population of children constitutes a need to analyze, disclose and mitigate impacts to children.”
ADOT estimates that 125,000 to 140,000 vehicles would use the freeway daily. Of these, nearly half would be trucks, including 14,000 to 17,000 heavy-duty trucks.
Shanker noted that the U.S. Environmental Agency had expressed misgivings about ADOT’s analysis not only of the harm posed by a 460 percent increase in traffic in the Pecos Road corridor but also with its conclusion that theere is only a minimal risk of accidents involving vehicles carrying hazardous chemicals.
(Special to AFNe)
The 22-mile South Mountain Freeway will offer I-10 traffic a diversion around Downtown Phoenix by linking West Phoenix and Chandler, cutting through South Mountain and running along Pecos Road in Ahwatukee.
FREEWAY
from page 6
He noted that ADOT considers the possibility of such accidents to be “remote” and “highly speculative.”
Shanker also said that in coming up with a justification for the specific rightof-way selected for the freeway, ADOT initially used 2005 Census data to project the region’s population growth even though 2010 census data showed a 20-percent decrease in those projections.
He also said ADOT refused to consider other routes because none would complete the freeway loop system around Maricopa County.
He quoted from an EPA letter expressing concern about such an approach.
“We have continuing concerns regarding the analysis and discussion provided in the Final Environmental Impact Study regarding possible near-roadway health impacts along the proposed new freeway corridor, including impacts to children,” the EPA said.
“Additionally, we have continuing concerns with the analysis of the No Action Alternative, as well as impacts
to both aquatic resources and wildlife connectivity,” it added.
One alternative ADOT considered, but discarded, would have pushed the freeway link with I-10 farther south of Pecos Road.
Shanker also said that instead of studying health impacts of emissions from additional vehicles in the Pecos Road corridor, it analyzed the radius around the entire freeway path.
In effect, that diluted the impact to people living, working or attending school in the immediate Pecos Road corridor, he argued.
That approach enabled ADOT to say the freeway will actually benefit the health of residents because it would reduce emissions on I-10 around Downtown Phoenix, which the freeway would bypass.
Charging that ADOT’s analysis “was not only lacking, it was misleading,” he said the highway agency’s “refusal to specifically consider the project’s impacts on children’s health stemming from near-roadway emissions violates” federal environmental law and regulations aimed at protecting children from environmental health risks.
The appeals panel is under no time limit to rule on the injunction request.
Husband and wife law team.com
he’d lost his left foot.
The extent of his injuries would later be found to include two shattered legs and a crushed left wrist with two dangling fingers.
His corpsman training kicked in as he clearly remembered hanging on to those two fingers so they wouldn’t be lost.
During his ensuing 32 surgeries, the lower half of his left leg was amputated. Reconstructive surgeries were required for his left hand and fingers. His “noodle” of a right leg was eventually reconstructed but for some time, its fate was borderline.
And then there was the mental and emotional suffering of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Jan Ameen recalled the phone call that changed their lives.
“We hurriedly made plans to fly to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to be by our son’s bedside,” she said.
“Little did we know, that, that would be the first of many flights over the next two years,” she said.
It was then that Wings for Anthony was launched.
“We were so touched, but set the money aside for later use,” Jan said. “Little did we know at the time that it would come full circle. He later used that money to help start his nonprofit, Wings for Warriors.”
“Anthony’s dream has come true,
for he’s helped provide assistance to over 2,000 wounded warriors with healthcare, financial benefits and counseling,” she added.
“Plus, over 300 military families have received travel assistance,” she continued. “We are so very proud of him, not only for his fight on the battlefield, but for his fight here at home, fighting for his fellow vets and families.”
Anthony Ameen said, “It was very difficult for my family and I during this time because of the multitude of surgeries I was undergoing, and combined with the medication I was on. And even with a case manager representing me, I somehow managed to fall through the cracks,”
Though honored with numerous service medals, including the NavyMarine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Valor Distinction, Ameen was without Social Security benefits for nearly two years.
Finally, through tenacity of spirit and congressional assistance, his back benefits finally arrived. He added that money to the Wings for Anthony funds and established Wings for Warriors.
The nonprofit’s goal is to help other warriors wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing individual counseling, financial assistance—and sometimes just kind “I’ve been there” encouragement.
“There are over 56,000 plus combat wounded veterans that have returned
(Special to AFN)
Anthony Ameen is flanked by Eddie O’Hara, left, and Grant Neal when Ameen was stationed in Afghanistan in 2008. Machine Gunners O’Hara and Neal were responsible for providing backup for Ameen when running in and out of harm’s way as he rendered medical aid to wounded Marines or Sailors. The two are flying in to attend the first Wings for Warriors Gala at the Arizona Biltmore on Veteran’s Day.
home from Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. “I understand and know first-hand what these wounded warriors are facing on a daily basis with regards to their recovery process.”
“As for their benefits, it’s not an easy task to make certain that all of the entitlements they’re promised are met and delivered in a timely fashion,” he added.
“It’s extremely stressful and draining for wounded warriors to make a dozen phone calls and/or emails a day to track down their benefits when all the while they should be focused strictly on their healthcare, recovery and families,” Ameen said.
He knows well the costs of ongoing recovery; his current leg prosthetic, a carbon fiber VSP, can run up to $30,000.
Besides serving as the CEO of Wings for Warriors, Ameen is studying healthcare management while continuing to speak about his nonprofit nationwide.
Launched in Arizona in 2010, the nonprofit now has volunteers in 28 cities nationwide.
“These volunteers help spread the word about us and host fundraising events. They also help find eligible veterans who need our help,” said Ameen.
Ameen lives in Ahwatukee with wife Stephanie, a realtor with the Mendoza Team; their twin son and daughter Vance and Vivian; and two daughters, Madelyn and Laycie.
His passion, besides his family, remains helping those who have been injured in the line of duty.
“These wounded warriors fought for us. It’s time we fight for them,” he said.
His mother and father concur.
“We sometimes forget about our veteran community. On Veterans Day, Wings for Warriors hosts their first Annual Gala at the Arizona Biltmore.
It’s such an honor to be a part of such a worthy cause. What an excellent opportunity to honor and celebrate our veterans and their families, especially on Veteran’s day,” said Jan Ameen.
Gala planned to raise money for Wings for Warriors
Anthony Ameen is holding his first gala to raise money for his organization.
The Night of Honor and Giving starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
Working with the Pain Foundation, his organization, Wings for Warriors, is holding the gala for two reasons.
First, “the event will honor veterans, spouses, and our military families for their sacrifices, according to the invitation.”
Second is to raise money “to provide necessary tools, insight and resources for wounded veterans as they go through the recovery process and transition into new realities. This is done through several different services.”
Tickets for the gala start at $150 and can be purchased at wingsforwarriors. org.
A cocktail hour will be at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. A silent auction and dancing also are included. Black tie is optional.
AFN NEWS STAFF
(Special to AFN)
Anthony Ameen looks for any opportunity to raise money for wounded warriors like himself.
Foothills Gateway
Family memorializes the Arizona statesman who was “father of the GI Bill”
like securing water for the arid state, symbolized by an adjacent well.
Veterans Day brings special memories to John D. Lewis. His grandfather, Ernest McFarland accomplished many things over six decades of public service: he was a U.S. Senator representing Arizona, the 10th governor of Arizona and a state Supreme Court chief justice.
But what the Chandler man cherishes most about his grandfather is what he did for military veterans.
Ahwatukee Retirement
LISTED FOR $189,500
Upgraded home on spectacular golf course lot! Incredible view of the golf course! 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,526 sf home.
Finesterra at Valencia
feature and slide. Built in BBQ, outdoor bar, and extensive hardscape with Cantera stone pavers.
MacFarland is considered the father of the GI Bill, which gave 16 million veterans a chance at a college education and a better way of life.
Lewis’ pride in his grandfather’s accomplishments is on display with a stunning monument, titled “Ernest W. McFarland and the American Dream” at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at the State Capitol complex.
Installed last year after Lewis and his family raised $400,000 to erect it, the memorial “is one of the park’s rare tributes that focuses on optimism for the future rather than on past sacrifices,” said Don Ryden, the architect who designed it. “The physical elements of the memorial symbolize dreams, personal growth, opportunities and service to others.”
The memorial features 22 panels highlighting McFarland’s service. He is represented on a metal plaque as a workhorse, accomplishing tasks
Literally born in a log cabin in Oklahoma, MacFarland overcame a hardscrabble adolescence, illness and personal tragedy to become one of Arizona’s most accomplished historical figures.
He joined the Navy during World War I and almost died of pneumonia contracted at the Great Lakes Naval School near Chicago. His post-war struggles without veterans’ benefits left an indelible impression on him.
He and his wife lost several infant children to illness and she later died in 1930 of post-birth complications from their stillborn third child.
After his family’s death, McFarland returned to practicing law and then returned to politics in 1934 when he was elected a judge in Pinal County. He remarried and in 1940 was elected to the U.S. Senate.
He became the father of the GI bill in 1944, but lost his Senate seat to Barry Goldwater in 1953. The next year, he was elected governor.
Lewis said he knew his grandfather “as long as I can remember.”
“He was an active grandfather and family man before I was ever born. I knew Mac from the days I was an infant, to his death in 1984,” he added.
He described him as “caring, loving
AFN NEWS STAFF
(Special to AFN)
John Lewis stands in front of the memorial to his grandfather outside the State Capitol.
STATESMAN
from page 10
and giving good advice about our future: Work hard, do well in school, save your money… don’t waste it foolishly. Mac modeled and taught us good Christian morals, of what was important in life, encouraged us to do what was right and showed us how to think of and care for others,” Lewis said.
“One season he loaned 40 acres of his farm to my older brother and I so we could grow cotton. This was a great experience that I will never forget, as it taught me the basics of cotton farming. He would include us in business meetings,” he continued, noting that when he was 16, his grandfather included him in a meeting with bank investment specialists.
Lewis said MacFarland was moved by the plight of servicemen returning from war because he “had absolutely nothing in his younger years.”
“Mac always believed that education would make the difference in giving a person a better life. Mac’s educational programs that he got put into the GI Bill not only boosted the lives of millions of American veterans, it also boosted our country’s entire educational system and the quality of life for millions more in the next generations to come,” Lewis said, adding:
“If these veterans could not find work, Mac wanted them to have a chance to better themselves by going to school.
Children’s Theater director’s husband dies suddenly
AFN NEWS STAFF
Kenneth Wayne Snow, a construction superintendent and husband of Ahwatukee Children’s Theater director-choreographer Melissa Snow, died suddenly Nov. 2 while on a business trip in Las Vegas. He was 54.
A Celebration of Life will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at Because Event Center, 3419 E. University Drive, Phoenix.
Friends rallied to aid the family with a meal train and donations to help the family since Mr. Snow had just started a new job and had few benefits in place.
“We know the family will need our love and support,” ACT founder Michele Rubino said in announcing his passing.
or texting her at 602-561-9060.
Besides his wife of 26 years, Mr. Snow is survived by son Kendall and daughters Megan and Meredith, his mother Lola Zervos, brother Ron, and sisters Carol Faulkner and Dawn McIsaac.
Melissa Snow has been with ACT for 12 years, and Rubino said that while her classes will be on hold indefinitely, all other classes, groups and auditions will continue as scheduled.
Melissa Snow also posted a tribute to her husband on Facebook that said:
After nearly dying while he was in the service, MacFarland got an honorable discharge.
This GI bill also made business and home loans available to WWII veterans as well. The WWII GI Bill is referred to by most historians as the most successful social program our nation has ever had.”
People can sign up for the meal train at mealtrain.com/0zgq8v. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/kensnow-memorial-fund. Rubino also is available to pick up donations by calling
“Sometimes in life we are tested in ways we cannot possibly understand. My life will be forever changed but I know that my life was changed the day I met him. The love that Ken showed not only his family but all who knew him shaped them into a better person.
“I was so blessed to have such a loving, beautiful man who was my biggest supporter and gave myself and the girls every bit of his heart.”
(Special to AFN)
Senator Ernest McFarland
Group helps veterans enjoy events with free tickets
BY ADRIANA BECERRA AFN Staff Writer
ATempe organization gives away free tickets to the 20 million veterans worldwide, enabling them to enjoy events all over.
In 2008, Mike Focareto, a retired Naval Nuclear Engineer, was at the Super Bowl in Glendale. He noticed open seats around him and came up with a solution to sell out events while thanking our servicemen and women.
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) is a nonprofit that provides veterans, of any branch or era, tickets to sporting events, operas, family events, concerts and more.
All vets have to do is register with Vet Tix and provide the correct identification. A survey is then distributed regarding interests and willingness to travel.
Chief Marketing Officer Al Maag said that once Vet Tix has tickets, they put those interested in a lottery. They try to be fair with who gets put into the lottery so that all vets have an equal opportunity.
Vet Tix encourages vets to attend events with others by giving each vet at least two tickets.
Jordan Sherwood, who served four years in the Marine Corps as a combat photographer and now lives in Chandler, appreciates the ability to take his family and friends with him to events.
More than that, he said Vet Tix helps solidify the veteran community.
Vet Tix is on Mill Avenue in Tempe and has a staff of 12 people. Still, they have served veterans across the United States.
“We have served close to 2.4 million,” said Maag, since starting in 2008.
Maag said that he had always thought that Vet Tix provided tickets for those who wanted to enjoy an event and create memories.
A recent survey of 28,000 veterans who use Vet Tix revealed that it is much more.
“When I started going to events with my family and friends, what I realized very quickly is that there are other veterans,” said Sherwood.
This realization is not what Sherwood expected when first signing up.
“Seventy-five percent of our population feel as though they can’t afford to go to events, 15 percent of them feel uncomfortable going out to an event,” said Maag, “Fifty percent feel Vet Tix helps them get out of the house.”
Joel DeLand, a former Army infantryman from Chicago, believes that Vet Tix provides veterans the opportunity to be social.
“The benefit goes beyond the financial aspect of free tickets, and provides the opportunity to get out, and interact with others in a relaxed and fun environment,” said DeLand. “This is of great benefit to veterans who tend to isolate themselves and tend to not leave their homes.”
“I realize they do a lot more than allocate tickets,” said Sherwood, “There’s an entire community around Vet Tix.” Vet Tix raises money to buy tickets as well as getting donations from producers, athletes, organizations and individual contributions.
Sherwood said that instead of society trying to adapt to veterans, Vet Tix is helping veterans adapt to society.
“There’s almost this kind of a sentiment of we don’t want to share that pain that we have because it is such a burden, we don’t want to put that on someone else,” said Sherwood. “Vet Tix gets us out there. It gets us out into the population.”
Maag said Vet Tix’s main goal is to honor those who serve.
“We think Veterans Day is every day,” Maag said, “We try to help people 365, and I think that’s the difference.”
(Special to AFN)
U.S. Army veteran Todd and his family attended a Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays game because of tickets he got from Vet Tix.
Discounts plentiful for veterans on holiday
BY JUSTIN FERRIS GetOut Editor
Many companies like to show their appreciation for our veterans with discounts and special offers. Here are some you’ll find this Friday.
Schwab Cup Championship
Today through Sunday, take in the final rounds of the PGA Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Desert Mountain Club. Active and retired military members and dependents get free admission (with a $1 verification fee) to all days of the event. Plus, receive access to the “Birdies for the Brave” Patriots’ Outpost hospitality chalet. More info: pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/ charles-schwab-cup-championship/ tickets.html.
Legoland Discovery Center
Veterans can get into Legoland Discovery Center in Tempe for free on Friday with military ID. Veteran’s families can score $10 tickets for up to six guests. More info: legolanddiscoverycenter.com/arizona/ news-events/event/13901/veteransday-2016.aspx.
Main Event Entertainment
From open to 3 p.m. on Friday, veterans and activity duty personnel with ID bowl free at Main Event Entertainment. Veterans receive one free hour for them and up to four guests, plus free shoe rentals for all. More info: mainevent.com/specials/ vets-bowl-free.
County Parks Military Service Appreciation Day
It’s not to say that dementia isn’t an emotional and challenging disease. It’s just that when you see the human instead of the disease you don’t see sadness. You see life. You see history. You see achievements. You see family. You see love. And that’s how we see it at Hawthorn Court. We can help you with the challenges you’re facing. Please join us for a personal tour. Call 480.359.2898 to schedule.
Chompie’s
Year-round, veterans and active military personnel receive 20 percent off one entree at any Chompie’s location. More info: chompies.com.
Famous Dave’s BBQ
Veterans and active military personnel with ID and proof of service can enjoy a free “Two Meat Salute” at Famous Dave’s in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Peoria on Friday, 11 a.m.10 p.m. More info: facebook.com/ events/1408823835825937.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
The Holidays &
Dementia
For families living with dementia, the holidays can be challenging. Join us to learn tips to help you create a positive holiday experience for the entire family.
November 15th • 6:00pm
From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Veterans Day, all Hopdoddy locations will give 50 percent off the entire—both food and alcohol—to any parties with a veteran or active-duty service member. More info: hopdoddy.com.
Keep It Cut
Current and former Marines can get a free haircut on Thursday at Keep It Cut’s Tempe, Ahwatukee and Phoenix locations. Just show a military ID. More info: keepitcut.com.
On Friday, Maricopa County’s Parks and Rec Department will waive the $6 day-use entry fee for military personnel. More info: maricopacountyparks.net.
Organ Stop Pizza
The pizza place famous for its massive Wurlitzer theater organ opens its doors Friday from 1:30-3 p.m. for the Veteran’s Day Musical Ice Cream Social. Everyone gets free admission to a concert of patriotic music at the pizzeria, Southern Avenue and Stapley Drive, Mesa. Ice cream and drinks are available for purchase—no other food will be served. RSVP to 480-813-5700 ext. 945. More information: organstoppizza.com/news.
Pollack Tempe Cinemas
Fancy seeing a free movie? On Friday, all retired and active-duty military members with ID can see one of these four movies for free: “Gran Torino,” “Stripes,” “The Patriot” or “Inglourious Basterds.” More information: pollacktempecinemas. com/event/happy-veterans-day.
For more Veterans Day—and yearround—discounts: military.com and click on Discounts at the top of the page.
GOT NEWS?
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com
Ahwatukee Farms opponents hosting panel discussion
The group that opposes efforts to turn the defunct Ahwatukee Lakes golf course into an “agrihood” has scheduled a panel discussion later this month.
The discussion, sponsored by Save the Lakes and scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, will feature a panel eight experts in development and the golf industry.
“The panelists will discuss the state of the breach-of-contract lawsuit and prospects for master-planned open space in Ahwatukee, despite pressures to develop,” said Linda Swain, a Save the Lakes leader. “They will provide insights on why golf is not dead and why the evidence leads us to believe we will prevail.”
“This is a chance for ABM homeowners to meet the experts who have shared their knowledge
and experience with Save the Lakes’ board,” Swain added. “They are the reason we are confident that enforcing the golf course CC&Rs to save our open space is the right thing for this community.
Ahwatukee Lakes it is governed by the Ahwatukee Board of Management and CC&Rs refer to covenants, conditions and regulations that govern land use in the community.
True Life Companies is trying to persuade 51 percent of the Lakes’ approximate 5,200 homeowners to allow it to change the CC&Rs to allow it to plan a development that includes homes, a private school, a farm, a possible farmers’ market and a small café on the 101-acre golf course site.
Swain is one of the plaintiffs suing former course owner Wilson Gee and True Life in an effort to force them to restore the course, which
was closed in 2013 and has become a barren desert wasteland.
Among the panelists are at least three professionals with direct involvement in the implementation of Ahwatukee Lakes.
They include Wayne Smith, land planner for Ahwatukee, Mountain Park Ranch, Scottsdale’s Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, Ocotillo and Rio Verde; Lew Wilmot, former Presley Homes vice president of engineering; and Pete Meier, former Presley Homes sales vice president.
Presley Homes was the first homebuilder in Ahwatukee.
Developer Marvin Galts, a parttime Lakes resident who has built homes in Montana and Canada, also will be on the panel, as will attorney Tim Barnes, who represents the homeowners in the golf course lawsuit.
Golf course operations and development professionals on the panel will include: Buddie Johnson,
golf course appraiser and developer; Don Rea, owner/operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Course in Mesa and a board member of several national and state golf course associations; and R.J. Hawley, manager of City of Tempe golf courses and owner of Millennium Golf Management.
Burglars steal estimated $20K of tools, memorabilia from Ahwatukee home
AFN NEWS STAFF
Nick McDowell moved from the high-crime city of Flint, Michigan, to Arizona five years ago and the last thing he expected was to become a victim in Ahwatukee.
Less than a month after he moved into his home in the 4600 block of E. South Fork Drive, however, he is out an estimated $20,000 worth of tools and priceless memories.
A pair of brazen burglars broke into his garage around 4 a.m. Oct. 31, apparently gaining entry by a remotecontrol door opener they had stolen from his girlfriend’s car that was parked in the driveway.
A glass-repair contractor for Home Depot and Republic Window, McDowell lost all the tools for his job and all the memorabilia he had saved from his mother’s home after she died three years ago.
“I don’t even know everything I had in those boxes,” said McDowell, who was still in the process of settling into his new home.
A Phoenix Police spokesman said, “Officers are reviewing video evidence from area surveillance cameras and have processed the scene for physical evidence.”
Police also said the theft serves as a good reminder to people to keep their garage openers with them instead of leaving them in the car.
McDowell caught the criminals in the act on video. It shows one man wheeling out the stolen goods in a wheelbarrow and furtively looking around before he disappears from the screen, apparently packing the stolen goods into what appears to be a pickup.
Among the stolen artifacts were old pictures of his mother and other relatives, a rare china set that belonged to his grandmother and other memorabilia.
“They were one door away from being in my home,” McDowell said. “My girlfriend is freaked out.”
He added that he has beefed up his security, but he’s discouraged by the crime.
“I lived in Central Phoenix for a while and never had any problems,” he said. “When I moved here, I expected it would be safe.”
Police records don’t show any unusual spike in crime in the area.
Phoenix Police earlier reported that burglaries overall were down in Ahwatukee for the first eight months of the year.
Ahwatukee residents who are wondering what Phoenix is doing with some of the revenue it raised by hiking water rates last year might not take much comfort in where some of the money is going.
City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, whose district includes Ahwatukee, said last week that the city has spent just under $400,000 on dues for membership in six water-related foundations and associations.
“The water rate hike was outrageous and unjustified. Today we are seeing where those taxpayer monies are going and citizens should be disappointed,” said DiCiccio, who voted against the rate hike along with council members
Jim Waring and Michael Nowakowski. The mayor and the other five council members voted in favor of the rate increase.
The average Phoenix resident started paying $1.59 more per month on their water and sewer bill in March. The 2.6 percent hike will be followed by an additional 2 percent increase next year. This year’s increase increased the average residential bill to about $59.77 per month.
“These memberships are not required and thus are a voluntary expense,” he added.
The annual dues range from $9,605 to belong to the Metropolitan Water Agencies to a hefty $220,379 for the
AFN NEWS STAFF
from page 17
Water Research Foundation.
The others include the National Association of Clean Water Agency, $46,440; the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation, $45,540; American Water Works Association, $20,492. Western Urban Water Coalition, $35,000.
Membership in some of these groups entitle members to log-into controlled websites for information on research and trends in water management.
The Water Research Foundation calls itself on its website “an internationally recognized leader in water research that is dedicated to advancing the science of water by sponsoring cutting-edge research and promoting collaboration.
Our research provides industry insights and practical solutions to the most complex challenges facing the water community today and into the future.”
The memberships also enable city officials to find out about and attend— at additional taxpayer expense for travel, lodging and meals—conventions and conferences that such groups typically hold in cities that are popular tourist destinations such as Tampa, Florida, and Chicago.
For example, the Water and Environment Reuse Foundation this year held a conference in Tampa to discuss “the consequences of large diameter pipe failure,” which it said “can be enormous due to the supply challenges failures may cause, as well as risks to public safety and the environment.”
Ready for arts fair
(Special to AFN)
Emil Jansky of The Woodshop puts finishing touches on a reindeer which will be sold 9 a.m.2 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center Arts and Crafts Fair, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, Ahwatukee.
ABM pushing city on needed sidewalk, landscape maintenance
The Ahwatukee Board of Management says it has good news and bad news about the city’s response to its complaints about broken sidewalks and bus stops around its community.
The good news: city workers have been responsive to some of its complaints.
The bad: the city appears to have a money and resource crunch that has delayed action on other needed repairs.
“We are told by a parks and recreation foreman that there is a serious budget shortage that has been steadily decreasing for the past six years,” said Karen Young, ABM assistant general manager.
“Parks and recreation staff take care of city parks as well as all rights-of-way landscape,” she added. “To take care of all Ahwatukee area parks and rights-ofway landscape, they have less than six people. This is completely unacceptable and it shows in our community.”
The news isn’t all bad—and has even been encouraging, according to Young.
She said ABM last June contacted
the city “with concerns about right-of way-landscape, lack of Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation at bus stops along 48th Street between Elliot and Warner” and problems such as “heaving sidewalks, and street signs and traffic light poles in need of painting.”
“ We were pleased and encouraged with response from the department heads and had some immediate success,” she said.
She said the city “beautifully repaired with a new concrete pour, no patching” a number of sections of sidewalk along the Warner-Elliot Loop and Knox Road between 48th and 44th Streets.
Also, new ADA-compliant bus-stop pads were installed, and that the city eventually provided a shade cover and made other accommodations necessary for handicapped riders.
“The new ADA-compliant bus stops are complete and we are very pleased with our efforts thus far in working with the City of Phoenix,” Young said, adding ABM board members are to meet Thursday with a representative of the mayor’s office to discuss further needed work.
(Special to AFN)
Sidewalks around Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Club were in bad disrepair until the Ahwatukee Board of Management began pressing city officials for some help.
Community
Mountain Pointe High’s robotics team a championship group
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
This Mountain Pointe High School team won a regional, state and national tournament this year. Its membership doubled from last school year to this year. And while the students strategize on white boards, they use drills and pliers instead of helmets and shoulder pads to win their competitions.
Meet the Pridetronics, Mountain Pointe’s robotics team. It’s a diverse group of about 55 students who slave for hours on projects with a complexity and intricacy that might understandably confound most of their peers—and their peers’ parents.
The team numbered only about 23 students, almost evenly divided between juniors and seniors, when it won the Western Regional and Nationals/Worlds tournaments sponsored by FIRST.
That 27-year-old international nonprofit’s acronym means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology. Its mission is “to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.”
The team also won the first all-Arizona robotics competition a few weeks ago that was sponsored by the Steve Sanghi Foundation and Microchip.
The students did it with a curiouslooking 4-foot-square aluminum frame affixed to four pairs of wheels and filled with wires, motors and other gadgets.
Weighing about 50 pounds, it moves deftly like a fast tank over and under obstacles as it lines up to shoot balls.
Everyone on the team had a job to do in putting the robot together within the walls of a large classroom—and finding the money needed to get to the national competition in St. Louis, Missouri.
“It does get tight sometimes,” said senior Brett Kaiser, the team president and a robot builder ever since he was a seventh grader at Centennial Middle School.
“I have this joke,” he added. “I always say, ‘Who knew that building a robot was a contact sport?’ We actually have
three different hands-on teams: Build, Electrical and Programming … So, we are disbursed around the room at computers, machinery, tables and the floor. It’s interesting to see it all come together.”
There’s a fourth group handling business, and that’s headed by junior Nicole Swatton, who along with parents and team members raised $43,000 in donations from companies and individuals to get to St. Louis.
The students get advice from lead teacher/sponsor Melissa Wendell, who’s supported by teacher Catherine Hansen, and three professionals-turnedvolunteer-mentors—Charlie Smith, Nyles Cody and Tim Jordan.
The robot is operated by a three-man driver team that consists of Brett, the lead driver; Adarius Begay, who operates the remote-controlled throwing arm; and Chance Burback, who makes sure the balls are scooped up by the machine as it scurries around tournaments’ obstacle courses.
It was built and fine-tuned in less
than six weeks by students who started building the robot in January. They built from scratch with parts of last year’s model and others that they bought or shaped into functioning pieces of the new and improved update.
“It is by far our best robot,” said engineering teacher Wendell, who has mentored the team for seven years.
In mid-January, FIRST sent all high school robotics teams the game that all robots would compete in. The game changes annually, and this year it was called “Stronghold.”
The robots had to navigate an obstacle course, shoot balls the size of basketballs into a tight hole at the top of a castle-like tower and ultimately capture the tower.
For the first week, the team’s challenge was strategizing the diagrams for building the robot, using sophisticated math and engineering formulas to figure out what they wanted the robot to do, how they would make the machine do it and assemble the parts to do it. They also had to figure how they would write the computer program needed to accomplish the mission.
Then, they broke into the three nonbusiness sections to start building it.
One group sawed and welded parts, another put together the electrical
(Special to AFN)
The Pridetronics, Mountain Pointe High's robotics team, was all smiles earlier this year after winning the western regional robotics tournament sponsored by FIRST. Members are, from left: Back row: Catherine Hansen, Teacher Charlie Smith, Mentor Carolyn Kelley, Chance Burback, Braden Terry, Andrew Fields, Jack Melton, Timmy Liska, Gabriel Barragan, Brian Felling, Landis Begay, Jacob "JT" Pitaro, Adam Cooper (graduated), Tiffany Brockman, Adarius Begay, Mentor Tim Jordan, Joshua Snow and Mentor Nyles Cody; Front: Antoine Kepczyk, Nicole Swatton, Brett Kaiser, teacher Melissa Wendell, Richard Nguyen and Robbie Shaw. Not pictured: Calista Gonzales, Joy Arnold, Adrian Rivera and Jacob Peters.
(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer) Brett Kaiser, president of Mountain Pointe High's robotics team, explains the innards of its prize-winning robot.
system of motors and wires to make it move, and another feverishly worked on writing the software programs that transmitted commands from a wireless remote to a radio receiver inside the robot’s guts.
They even built a small version of the robot to test-run the software program.
After the big model was built, “we had about three or four days to dry-run it,” said Brett, recalling how the team set up an obstacle course in a corridor for its tests.
There were specific maneuvers to plan and build for, sometimes requiring subtle adjustments and other times more radical departures from their original thinking for the robot’s design.
“We focused on building a fast, maneuverable robot that was designed to be simple yet reliable,” Brett said. “Its strength was to be a defensive bot, which we used more in the regional event, but it also had offensive capabilities, which we used more of in the state competition.”
Although about half the team consists of engineering students, like Brett and Adarius, the other half comprises students who couldn’t fit engineering
into their schedule.
When they aren’t building robots, the older students mentor the younger, newer members, bringing them up to speed so that when the next big competition starts in January, the entire team will be ready to jump in on their respective assignments.
But harder than building this complex mélange of metal and wires is getting together the money needed to enter competitions and buy parts.
Brett hopes the team’s big victories will help.
“Technically, we don’t yet have any big sponsors who have committed to the team this year,” he said. “But with these two big wins under our belt, we’re hoping there are some large companies, small businesses and individuals out there who want to support us this year. We always acknowledge all donors on our T-shirts, robot and website.”
“It is very difficult getting support from sponsors and donors,” he added. “Either they don’t realize we have the need, or they are already tapped out from other requests. As an after-school club, we have to raise our own funds. The FIRST competition fee alone is $5,000 with several thousand dollars invested in the robot alone.”
They’ve reached out to the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, he said, but the only way to meet with members “is to go to one of their meetand-greets. We’re all in school then, so we haven’t really done much with the chamber yet.”
The team has scheduled a fundraiser for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at the school, where company representatives and individuals
can meet the team, have some food and refreshments and learn first-hand about the students’ exploits.
That’s part of their education, too, Wendell said, noting: “I tell them that if they’re going to go into business later in life, they have to know budgeting and how to raise capital.”
To learn more and help the team: pridetronics.com
Kyrene expo introduces parents to all its schools
Kyrene School District wants Ahwatukee parents with young children to have a chance to learn about all its 19 schools and various pre-school programs in one place at one time.
So, officials are planning the district’s first school choice expo 5-7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Ben Furlong Center, 8700 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe.
The expo will give parents a chance to visit with teachers, students and staff from each school. Each school also will have an activity for children.
Kyrene hopes to use the fair to show parents, especially those with young children, that they live in a top-rated school district with programs for
children ages infant through eighth grade, district spokeswoman Nancy Dudenhoefer said.
“Our education experts will answer your questions, provide information and help parents gain peace of mind about the excellent education choices available within the many Kyrene schools,” she added.
Three information sessions also will be available. A discussion of Kyrene’s early-education and kindergarten options is at 4:30 p.m. and a session on “what to expect in elementary school” is at 6 p.m. A 7 p.m. discussion will focus on preparing for middle school success and the Kyrene middle school redesign plan.
Meet with education experts on Thursday, November 17
• Multiple early childhood programs for children ages 0-5 years old
• Kindergartners attend classes in art, music, P.E. and library
• STEM, integrated technology and gifted programs in all schools
• Leader in Me Academies – 7 Habits of Happy Kids (K to 5th)
• Dual language opportunities (Pre-K to 8th)
• Kyrene Traditional Academy (Pre-K to 5th)
• Elementary and middle school arts integration
• Students outperform peers in AzMERIT Math and ELA assessments
“Our daughter has thrived in kindergarten at Kyrene. She has been challenged academically and nurtured socially by expert, caring, and professional staff. She looks forward to school every day with eager anticipation.”
-Abbey Green, Kyrene Parent
Fall baseball league includes two Ahwatukee star players
BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer
Kevin Cron remembers serving as a bat boy in the Arizona Fall League for his father’s team.
A few years later, Cron, 23, now an imposing 6-feet-5 and 245 pounds, is playing first base for the Salt River Rafters in the Fall League, considered a finishing school of sorts for top Major League Baseball prospects.
Cron, of Ahwatukee, knows his family’s baseball legacy is unique, especially in the 25-year-old Fall League. His father, Chris, managed and coached in the league and has served as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ minor league coordinator.
His older brother, CJ, 26, was the Fall League batting champion in 2013, an achievement that served as a springboard to a successful Major League career as a power-hitting first baseman and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Kevin Cron, an Arizona Diamondbacks prospect who has hit for power throughout his minor league career, is hoping to emulate his brother. Both
brothers also starred on the Mountain Pointe High School baseball team as teenagers.
“It means a lot. I grew up watching these games. It has always been a dream of mine to play in this league,’’ carrying on a family tradition of excellence in baseball, Kevin said. “I was excited. I knew if I was going to play in this league, it was going to be this year.’’
Playing with the Mobile Bay Bears, the Diamondbacks AA farm club, Cron led the Southern League in home runs with 26 and finished second in RBI with 88.
But his batting average was a less impressive .222. Nevertheless, he was named a Southern League All-Star because of his prodigious power hitting.
Cron’s power stroke is nothing new. He was named the Arizona Player of the Year in 2011 while he played at Mountain Pointe.
When he graduated, Cron was the All-Time Arizona high school home-run king, after slugging 60 round-trippers.
“I guess we had the right opportunities,’’ Cron said, acknowledging that having a father who is professional batting coach was a big help. “A lot of things have to
line up for this to happen. I guess it’s the baseball gene.’’
Although the true goal of every player in the Fall League is to make it to the Major Leagues, Cron and other players realize it is an achievement to play in the Arizona fall circuit. Each major league team typically selects its best prospects for extra seasoning at a high level of competition.
But there are other reasons why teams select players for the Fall League. Sometimes, it’s to compensate for time lost to injuries during the regular seasons. Sometimes, a player will be learning a new position.
Cron is aware of statistics showing that about 60 percent of Fall League players make it eventually to the Major Leagues, many of them the next season. But he tries not to dwell on the large cadre of scouts sitting behind home plate during every game, with their radar guns and laptops.
“I just want to come out, have fun and showcase what I am able to do,’’ Cron said.
Cron struggled early the Fall League
See LEAGUE on page 29
(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)
Former Mountain Pointe High School teammates, Scott Kingery, left, and Kevin Cron share a laugh at first base during a Salt River Rafters vs. Scottsdale Scorpions Fall League baseball game.
THURSDAY, NOV. 10
YMCA rep to address club
Debbie Mitchel of the YMCA will speaker at the next meeting of the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club.
DETAILS>> 7:30 a.m., Biscuits Restaurant, 4632 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee.
FRIDAY, NOV. 11
Joseph Ortiz to speak
Local financial adviser Joseph Ortiz will discuss the stock market and the economy at a free coffee session.
DETAILS>> : 8:30 a.m., Trattoria D’Amico (formerly Ruffino’s), 4902 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee. Reservations needed: Terri McKibbin at 480-753-7664 by Nov. 10.
SATURDAY, NOV. 12
Thanksgiving Oreo Feast
Parents, get your teens out of the house. How many different flavors of Oreos are out there? Which one is your favorite? Find out at our Thanksgiving Feast teen-style. We’ll try out as many Oreos as we can find while watching a movie. This event is free and open to teens ages 12-17.
DETAILS>> 2-4 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd. No registration required.
Fall festival features snow
A snow slide will highlight the Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori Fall Festival, which also will offer carnival games, prizes, crafts, indoor sports and face painting.
DETAILS>> 9:30 a.m.-noon, 3221 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Free. Information: 480-759-3810 or ahwatukeefoothillsmontessori.com.
TUESDAY, NOV. 15
Get your writing critiqued
Bring five pages of writing to get feedback on from your fellow writers. Bring extra copies to share.
DETAILS>> 6-7:45 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd. Email haley.dziuk@phoenix.gov.
SATURDAY, NOV. 19
Church holds fall fest
Friendship Community Church promises “lots of family fun” at its Fall Festival with food, music, games and a bounce house.
DETAILS>> 3-6 p.m., 9807 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. Free.
SATURDAY, DEC. 17
‘Nutcracker’ showcased
Ahwatukee dance instructor Kimberly Lewis will present her 17th annual “Nutcracker” with Santa making a guest appearance after both afternoon shows.
DETAILS>> Tickets are on sale for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18. All performances at Mountain Pointe High School’s Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets can be obtained at Dance Studio 111, 4910 Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, at 480-706-6040, or by emailing afnutcracker@gmail.com. Tickets are $18 to $40 for assigned seating. Information: afnutcracker.com.
ONGOING
Congregation plans Israel trip
Congregation NefeshSoul is planning a tour of Israel June 10-20, 2017. Explore historical sites along with
the beauty and rich culture of Israel. DETAILS>> Rabbi Susan Schanerman at rabbi@ nefeshsoul.org.
MONDAYS
Open play for kids offered
Open Playday is held through Dec. 19 by the Kyrene Early Education Resource Center to help children explore and make sense of the world around them. DETAILS>> 9-11 a.m. Kyrene de las Lomas, 11820 S. Warner-Elliot Loop, Ahwatukee. Register: kyrene.org/ earlyed.
Chamber offers networking
The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group is open to members. DETAILS>> Noon, Native Grill and Wings, 5030 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee. Devida Lewis, 480-753-7676.
Group aids MS sufferers
This group addresses the informational, emotional and social support needs of the MS community. People with MS, care partners and spouses are welcome. The group mobilizes people and resources to drive research and helppeople affected by MS. DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-noon, third Monday of each month, Dignity Health Urgent Care Ahwatukee, conference room, 4545 E. Chandler Blvd. Free. Information: Lynn Grant at lgrant3567@yahoo.com or 480-414-7172.
TUESDAYS
Toastmasters sharpen skills
Improve your speaking skills and meet interesting
people at Ahwatukee Toastmasters meetings
DETAILS>> 6:45-8 a.m at the Dignity Health Community Room, 4545 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee.
Power Partners available
The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group is open to chamber members.
DETAILS>> 8-9 a.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 10831 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee. Devida Lewis, 480-753-7676.
WEDNESDAYS
Watercolor classes available
Watercolor classes that teach both bold and beautiful as well as soft and subtle approaches to the art are available twice a week for beginners and intermediate students who are at least 15 years old. Step-by-step instruction and personal help are provided.
DETAILS>> 2:30-5 Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays at Hobby Lobby, 46th Street and Ray Road, Ahwatukee. Cost: $25 per class, $80 for four classes. Registration required: jlokits@yahoo.com or 480-471-8505.
Montessori holds open house
Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori is holds an open house weekly. It includes a short talk about Montessori education, followed by a tour.
DETAILS>> 4 p.m. Wednesdays, 3221 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Information: 480-759-3810
Grief support is free
Hospice of the Valley offers a free ongoing grief
See CALENDAR on page 25
CALENDAR
from page 24
support group for adults and is open to any adult who has experienced a loss through death. No registration required.
DETAILS>> 6-7 p.m. first and third Wednesdays, Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St. 602-6365390 or HOV.org.
Foothills Women meet
An informal, relaxed social organization of about 90 women living in the Ahwatukee Foothills/Club West area. A way to escape once a month to have fun and meet with other ladies in the area. Guest speaker or entertainment featured.
DETAILS>> 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive. Contact jstowe2@cox.net or FoothillsWomensClub.org.
Parents can ‘drop in’
Parents are invited to join a drop-in group to ask questions, share ideas or just listen to what’s going on with today’s teenagers.
DETAILS>> 5:30-7 p.m. second Wednesday of each month. Maricopa Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix. Free. RSVP at 602-827-8200, ext. 348, or rcarter@cals.arizona.edu.
Get a donut with Democrats
DETAILS>> Free and open to the public 7:30-9 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at Biscuits Restaurant, 4623 E. Elliot Road. RSVP: marie9@q.com or 480-592-0052.
LD 18 Dems change meeting site
The Legislative District 18 Democrats have changed their monthly meeting to their new campaign office at 1867 E. Baseline Road, Tempe.
DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m. social time, 7-8:30 p.m. meeting time on the second Monday of each month. Information: ld18demsinfo@gmail.com. Free and open to the public.
Special networking offered
Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce has a networking and leads group is open to chamber members.
DETAILS>> 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel, 7475 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Devida Lewis, 480-753-7676.
THURSDAYS
Learn about 3D-Networkx
This group focuses on creating powerful relationships
with fellow members, resulting in meaningful referrals. Learn how to create connections and get the most out of networking events.
DETAILS>> 8-9 a.m., Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 140. Information: Shannon Kinsman, 480-753-7676.
Chamber offers networking
Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group offers business owners as chance to get involved and network. Open to chamber members and nonmembers.
DETAILS>> 8 a.m. Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 140. Shannon Kinsman, 480-753-7676.
Mothers of Preschoolers gather
Free child care for ages 0 to 5.
DETAILS>> 9 a.m. second and fourth Thursday, Foothills Baptist Church, 15450 S. 21st St. Call Kim at 480-759-2118, ext. 218.
FRIDAYS
Toastmasters teach skills
This chamber-exclusive Chapter of the International Toastmasters club boasts professional development skills. Become the speaker and leader you want to be with Ahwatukee Chamber Toastmasters Club.
DETAILS>> 8-9 a.m., First American Title Conference Room, 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., #100, Ahwatukee. Devida Lewis, 480-753-7676.
SATURDAYS
Alzheimer’s support group
Caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients can find support monthly.
DETAILS>> 10-11:30 a.m. Ahwatukee Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the first Saturday of the month at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St.
Bosom Buddies meetings
Ahwatukee/Chandler nonprofit breast cancer support group.
DETAILS>> 10 a.m. to noon, second Saturday of the month. Morrison Boardroom next to Chandler Regional Medical Center, 1875 W. Frye Road, Chandler. Contact Patti Lynch at 480-893-8900 or tomklynch@ msn.com or Cele Ludig at 480-330-4301.
Ahwatukee Farmers
open every Sunday
Market
The Ahwatukee Farmers Market at the Ahwatukee Community Swim and Tennis Center, 4700 E. Warner Road, is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays through May.
The market’s hours were inadvertently omitted in a Get Out story in last week’s AFN.
Information: arizonafarmersmarkets.com/ pageAhwatukee/ahwatukee.htm.
AFN accepting entries for Holiday Lights Contest
The Ahwatukee Foothills News Holiday Lights Contest is in full swing.
Nominate the decorations of a neighbor, a friend or yourself. Send in an address and a photo, and write a note about why you nominated it. Please include your name, address and phone number as “official nominator” for any contenders you send along.
The nominated home, business or edifice must be in Ahwatukee and have an outdoor display.
To enter, go to surveymonkey.com/r/ AFNLights and attach an image of the home. Or, write to Ahwatukee Holiday Lights, 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219, Tempe,
AZ 85282, and mail us an image. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 30. Winners will be announced in early December.
Ahwatukee K-12 teachers can win $5,000 wish
The Fiesta Bowl and the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative which will grant a total $500,000 in wishes to 100 K-12 educators in charter and public schools across the state. Teachers have until Nov. 27 to submit their wishes.
Nominations, at wishesforteachers.org, prompt teachers to answer a few questions about what they hope to provide or fulfill with a $5,000 wish. Over December, the Fiesta Bowl will award 100 wishes at random.
Swim & Tennis Center hosting annual car show
The Ahwatukee Community Swim &Tennis Center will be hosting its 13th annual car show 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E. Warner Road.
All active and retired military men and women will receive free show registration for their vehicle and a pancake breakfast. The show will begin with bag pipes playing as the ASU Air Force ROTC presents the American flag.
Pancake breakfast, BBQ lunch and raffle prizes will be available.
Registration is $15 for the first vehicle and $5 for each additional vehicle. Day of show registration is $18/$7.
Traffic will be restricted on Pecos Road this week
The Arizona Department of Transportation has announced that traffic will be restricted on Pecos Road in both directions 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Friday.
The restrictions will be on a stretch between 32nd Street and Chandler Boulevard.
Magical Journey center collects money for Safford
Magical Journey Learning Center, 1241 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, is collecting money and school supplies for the Dorothy Stinson Elementary School in Safford, which was hit hard by a violent storm last month.
Catastrophic flooding destroyed immeasurable amounts of supplies, books and equipment and the school has been closed since then. Magical Journey hosted a STEM night for families and sold “STEM bags” to take home and create projects from
everyday items. Magical Journey raised $300 and is collecting school supplies at its campus.
Information: magicaljourneylc.org
Horizon Honors High School hosting cheer clinic
Horizon Honors High School Spiritline will host a cheer clinic for girls and boys ages 5-13 from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 19 at 16233 S. 48th Street. The cheerleaders will provide instruction in cheers, chants, dances and stunts. Participants will also perform at halftime at a varsity basketball game later in the school year.
Cost is $40 for pre-registration by Friday and includes instruction, a t-shirt and a snack. Cost is $45 for walk-ins the day of the clinic and will not include a t-shirt. Information: armani.hernandez@horizonclc.org or register in person at the school.
Ahwatukee seniors can learn transit options at YMCA
The YMCA’s Outreach Programs for Ahwatukee Seniors is presenting an informational seminar called Valley Metro 101 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Ahwatukee
season. He was hitting .182 with three home runs and eight RBI as of Nov. 4, but he has hit a couple of home runs in recent games and feels as if he is coming around.
He said it’s natural for all players to struggle at some point in a tough league.
“You are playing against the best competition,’’ Cron said. “I’ve had a couple of good games in a row.’’
The competition also includes some old friends, teammates and adversaries from the East Valley.
The players say the camaraderie is part of what makes playing in the Fall League special. They also enjoy the opportunity to play in front of family members and friends.
Cron could be seen joking around, renewing old acquaintances during a game last week with Scott Kingery, a second baseman with the Scottsdale Scorpions who also starred at Mountain Pointe.
Kingery, like most Fall League players, is an accomplished player with a long list of accolades. He was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015, after leading the Pac 12 in hitting the same year with the University
of Arizona Wildcats.
Kingery hit .392 that year with the Wildcats, but has hit .271 in Class A and AA during his first two professional seasons. He is hitting .245 in the Fall League.
No matter if he makes it to the big leagues or not, Kingery will always be known as one of the Ahwatukee Dawgs, a beloved Little League team that played in the 2006 Little League World Series.
He played with his twin brother, Sam on a team managed by his father, Tom. Later, Scott and Sam starred at Mountain Pointe, where they won a state title in 2012.
“There’s so many Arizona guys I grew up playing against and with, and now I’m playing with them in this league,’’ Kingery said.
Kingery said his professional career so far has all been on the East Coast, playing thousands of miles away in Clearwater, Florida, and in Reading, Pennsylvania, for two of the Phillies farm clubs.
The Fall League has a much more intimate atmosphere for Kingery because his family and friends can come to virtually every game.
“They’re all a 15-20 minute drive from the stadium,’’ Kingery said. “I don’t know if it helps or hurts,’’ he said, when
Watch exactly what you want. Excellent customer service. Less buffering. Only $89.99 a month. Voice Remote. The NEW Contour. Smart Search. Longer phone calls. New! Cox Extended International Calling Plan. Excellent customer service. Personalized show recommendations. Watch all your favorites. Longer phone calls. No more spelling out movie titles. Less buffering. All your TV shows. The best speeds. Crystal-clear picture. Over 220 channels. Endless sports. No more loading screen. All your TV shows. Speak to search. 50 Mbps included. Free HD Receiver rental. Less buffering. Only $89.99 a month. Voice Remote. Longer phone calls. No contract. No risk. No catch. Watch all your favorites. Super fast speeds. Something’s always on. No contract, more flexibility. Less searching for shows, more finding them. Free Professional Installation. The best speeds for binge-watching. Personalized TV recommendations. Upload pictures faster. Reliable Internet. No more spelling out movie titles. No contract. No risk. No catch. Less buffering. More video-chatting. 24/7 customer support. Get to your content faster. Double the movie nights. Free HD Receiver rental. Voice Remote. New, Immersive Guide. Watch exactly what you want. More watching. Unlimited calling to USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and more. Seamless streaming. Freedom to do what you want. Personalized show recommendations. Watch the 100 top-rated shows On Demand.SM No contract. No risk. No catch. Watch all your favorites. Super fast speeds. Over 220 channels. Excellent customer service. The best speeds for binge-watching. Endless sports. No contract, more flexibility. Search by movie quotes. Up to 50 Mbps. Voice Remote. Personalized TV recommendations. No more spelling out titles. More watching. The NEW Contour.® Search by movie quotes. Seamless streaming. New, Immersive Guide. Reliable Internet. Unlimited nationwide calling. Only $89.99 a month. No more loading screen. All your TV shows. Personalized TV recommendations. Upload pictures faster. Reliable Internet. The best speeds. Watch exactly what you want. Excellent customer service. Less buffering.
asked if it affects his performance, “but it’s awesome to have them there.’’
Other East Valley players competing in the Fall League are Jamie Westbrook, a second baseman in the Diamondbacks organization from Chandler who played for Basha High School in Gilbert.
Westbrook said he draws strength and support from family and friends who attend his Fall League games, after spending last summer with Mobile as a teammate of Cron’s.
“It’s exciting, the statistics are there,’’ he said. “A lot of players from this league have gone on to the big leagues the next year.’’
– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@timespublications.com.
Recreation Center.
from page 27
The session will discuss Ahwatukee seniors’ transportation options and how they qualify for discounted and expanded services Information: Lois Bryan at loisbryan@aol. com or 480-753-0474.
Festival of Lights ramps up, needs businesses’ help
Plans are ramping up for Ahwatukee’s annual Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party Nov. 26 for the Christmas lights spectacular along Chandler Boulevard and organizers are hoping local businesses will lend a hand.
The kick-off committee needs local businesses to sponsor a ride or ticket booths and provide some other help. The committee also is looking for local dance groups and other performers for the Candy Lane Pavilion. Businesses and performers should contact admin@folaz.org.
Children’s Theater auditions for ‘Christmas Carol’
The Ahwatukee Children’s Theater, 11011 S. 48th St., is holding auditions 4-8 p.m. Thursday for “A Christmas Carol” for anyone ages 4 and up.
Opinion
Legislative, school board candidates ran a dignified, issues-oriented campaign
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
By the time you read this, the political landscape will have changed, two days before we honor the millions of men and women who sacrificed much to keep our country safe.
And no matter what you might think of the way the campaigns at the county, state and national levels were conducted, the local campaigns in Ahwatukee did those sacrifices proud.
As I promised six weeks ago, I deliberately avoided any comment on the campaigns in Legislative District 18 and the Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts because I believe you don’t need me telling you how to vote. Instead, we let the candidates’ columns and answers to our questionnaires give readers a good idea about what they stood for.
I didn’t know what to expect beyond that when the campaigns began. In my career, I’ve witnessed and reported on enough dirty tricks, fatuous claims and nasty insults to fill a few books, so I was on guard for anything.
My cynical wariness was unnecessary. To a man and a woman, the six Tempe Union candidates, the four Kyrene hopefuls and the six Legislative District 18 competitors ran the kind of campaigns that could be a model for the democracy so many servicemen and women have given so much to protect.
If you read the columns and their questionnaire answers, you know that all the candidates stuck to issues and reasoned arguments instead of namecalling and innuendo.
They outlined their qualifications for your vote, advanced their thoughts for the policies they favored and sketched out the means they would use to enact them.
The Republican legislative candidates even took time away from trying to get re-elected—or, in the case of State Senate hopeful Frank Schmuck, elected—to do some work for Ahwatukee residents.
They met several times with representatives of the Arizona Department of Transportation to try and soften the impact of the South Mountain Freeway and even pave the way for a resolution of Club West’s golf course irrigation woes.
LETTERS
ADOT air quality study for freeway makes no sense
We all know there is a ‘brown cloud” hovering over the Valley many, many days each year. That cloud moves around the Valley from the west Valley, to the Scottsdale area, to Mesa, Chandler, etc. But it is usually anchored over downtown. Its cause is well known to be air pollutants caused by car and truck emissions among other sources. It is often exacerbated by a temperature inversion over the city. I get that.
Living in Ahwatukee we almost never see that “brown cloud.” Of course, the South Mountain Park, as well as the Estrella Mountains, shelter us from that cloud. And the other reason is, we don’t have hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks each day polluting our clear, clean Arizona air.
I know you folks know that the clean air that we now enjoy will disappear forever with this freeway plan.
But because the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Environmental Impact Study for the freeway says it will have “no impact,” the project is a “go”!
In reading the synopsis of the EIS, I was taken aback by their logic. Essentially, what it says is that since we are removing hundreds of thousands of car/truck traffic from the downtown area on I-10 and tons of air pollutants, and just moving it south a dozen miles to the South Mountain Freeway. Valley-wide there will be no additional pollution and thus “no environmental impact.”
So, I guess the unhealthy air we in Ahwatukee will have to breathe, air that
They didn’t have to.
After all, Schmuck—a decorated Gulf War veteran, by the way—and Rep. Bob Robson don’t even live in Ahwatukee. They could easily have ignored the freeway and Club West. Even Norgaard, an Ahwatukee resident, could have looked at Club West as the homeowners’ problem and the freeway as a done deal.
But they didn’t.
Democrats Sean Bowie and Mitzi Epstein, the Senate and House hopefuls, respectively, weren’t in a position to leverage any bargaining power with ADOT. But they clearly had boned up on both issues and spoke intelligently about them.
In the two school districts, incumbents and aspirants all identified their concerns and their hopes and clearly laid out the path they had in mind to change things that they felt needed changing and maintain those things they were satisfied with.
They showed not only an understanding of the complexities of the districts’ issues, but a knowledge about them that could only be gained by study.
Parents and teachers ought to feel
relieved today, because no matter who won, all the Tempe Union and Kyrene governing board candidates stayed away from top-of-the-head, flippant slogans. Instead, they stuck to facts while outlining their philosophy.
They appear ready to carry on the tradition of those board members who are leaving after selflessly working at least four years on behalf of thousands of children. (After all, it’s hard to ignore the fact that school board members spend hours in long meetings and then more hours in individual study without making a dime for their effort.)
Don’t get me wrong. I’m no Pollyanna when it comes to politics.
Too often, it offers thin gruel to people who want their elected officials to actually work and actually solve problems.
But Ahwatukee residents hopefully will take heart that no matter who hoisted a toast in victory last night in the LD 18 and school board races, they can expect public service and not self-service from them.
And for that we can be thankful— almost as thankful as we are to those men and women who donned a uniform in service of our country.
Ensuring readiness for college and career begins in early childhood
BY MARIE RAYMOND
AFN Guest Writer
As we recognize Veteran’s Day on Friday, we can begin building in our young children an appreciation of our nation’s veterans and their service to our country.
In addition to modeling to young children how to show gratitude to veterans for their service, families of young children can play a crucial role in the future of our nation’s military.
According to a national organization made of retired top military leaders, 71 percent of today’s young adults cannot join the military due to problems including education, obesity, crime and drug abuse.
Mission: Readiness is comprised of more than 600 retired admirals, generals and top military leaders who advocate for high-quality early childhood experiences, including parent coaching and early education, to build a foundation for long-term success.
The nonpartisan organization Council for a Strong America recently released a Citizen-Readiness Index that graded states
on whether their young adults possess the necessary skills to contribute to a strong citizenry. Arizona earned a “D” based on the large number of young adults who are unprepared for the workforce, involved in crime, or unqualified for the military. Ensuring readiness for college and career begins in early childhood. First Things First is doing its part to help Arizona’s young kids be ready for success in kindergarten and beyond through high quality early childhood experiences.
Research shows that 90 percent of a child’s brain develops before age 5. Critical skills like motivation, self-discipline, focus and self-esteem begin to take root from birth. Ensuring that children have high-quality experiences during these critical early years has tremendous impact on kids and their communities.
Army veteran Alan Blume of Ahwatukee said he witnessed today’s military young adults decline in communication skills, physical fitness, respect and discipline.
“As a non-commissioned officer, I observed mission readiness become affected by the shortcoming in recruitment of qualified personnel,” Blume said. “I feel this is a direct relation
to ones upbringing and early childhood education experience.”
The father of three, including two young kids under age 5, said parents have the power to enhance their children’s lives significantly by providing for them at an early age.
“Our youth’s mission readiness is critical to our national security,” Blume said.
Children who are prepared for kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and graduate from high school. As adults, they tend to be healthier and earn more. They also are less likely to become part of the criminal justice system or the welfare system.
These are all things that retired generals and admirals point to as strengthening national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit and stay out of trouble.
It is crucial young kids receive support from family and their community, so whether you have a child 5 and younger in your life or not – investing time, energy and resources in helping kids arrive at kindergarten prepared to be successful is not only right, it’s smart. Here are just a few ways that we can make a difference in
their future – and ours.
Spend Time with Young Children: Talk, play, sing and read with the young kids in your life every chance you get.
Work With Young Kids: Not interested in early childhood as a career? Consider volunteering with community organizations that work with children 5 and younger and their families.
Be A Voice for Children: Help build awareness of the importance of early childhood and what can be done to promote school readiness for all children. Visit azftf.gov/take-action to learn more and share early childhood information with your personal and professional contacts.
-Marie Raymond chairs the First Things First East Maricopa Regional Council, which includes Ahwatukee, Tempe, Chandler and Guadalupe. First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Funding decisions are made by volunteers. Information: firstthingsfirst.org.
is documented to affect school children near the freeway adversely, will be offset by the better quality air those school children near I-10 will now be breathing. So we just move the problem elsewhere. Brilliant.
Where is the logic in that?
-Henry T. Dodge
Lakewood resident: Your HOA elections are critical
Political elections are important but, Lakewood residents, your homeowner board elections in Lakewood can be just as important to your quality of life.
Did you realize that .01 percent of your community controls 1,700 homeowners?
That’s right, just seven people telling you how the quality of your life should be.
So, choosing your board members wisely and holding them accountable is probably more important than you’ve ever imagined and if you don’t speak up, then you deserve the suffering. “Suffering” is a naughty word in a beautiful community where you should be enjoying each and every day.
Yet, we find stories of our veterans being abused by your management company working for your board members— board members who are claiming they are overwhelmed and are giving more responsibilities to the management company.
I don’t want to rant and rave too much, but your current board members paid legal fees in the amount of $50,000, or enough to pay for overnight security to protect the community for an entire year helping our city of Phoenix Police.
They cannot hide behind the financial records that I now have in my possession. Sure, it only took two court subpoenas as the lawyer tried to hide them, but I now have in my possession Lakewood financial records from the last two years.
The new palm trees blocking our lake view cost you $35,999. If you really want to know the whole story, and it’s quite a story that’s going to disturb you, then you need to get involved. Contact your neighbors on social media.
Demand better. Hold your HOA board accountable. Ask many questions. Don’t allow the board members to spend your money wildly. Let them know that you’re better than this. Let them know that a reflection of their actions is upon all 1,700 homeowners.
Allowing a law firm to join in a lawsuit about the proposed freeway was an abuse and misguided venture. We all knew,
unless you were hiding underneath a rock since 1990, that the freeway was coming. I personally welcome it and believe it was long overdue.
So, don’t sit back. Do something about your board. Hold all accountable. Keep things friendly and don’t forget to vote this February for your new Lakewood board members. Encourage your neighbors to get involved and send new fresh faces to your HOA board. Have debates and public meetings. Get the word out to protect your community and, most importantly, protect your community funds.
Lakewood has a $1 million annual budget and, from the financial records, 40 percent of that can be trimmed. Priorities to choose from are night security or lawyers.
Lakewood, that’s what’s great about our democracy here in America. You get to choose, all 99.999 percent of you.
-Stephen Edwards
It is such a shame when we lose a loved one to suicide
No child should ever feel enough pain to think it would be better if he or she is no longer wanted or needed in the world. The bigger shame is seeing a child who needs help and not providing the care and support the child needs and deserves. My 17-year-old daughter very recently lost a very dear friend to suicide.
This particular child was a cheerful, loving kid who had attended birthday parties, sleepovers and other events with my daughter since they were in kindergarten.
Early last spring, my daughter came to me disturbed about some of the things this child had been saying. The child felt she was useless and worthless and had spoken of pain so deep she felt she might hurt herself.
I immediately sought the guidance of the school this child attended. I sent an email to the counselors and principal regarding my concerns. I failed to follow up with the family myself. In hindsight, that was my mistake. I do not place blame here except on myself for not following up to make sure this child was safe.
Please talk to your children about suicide. Heed the warning signs: listlessness, anger, self-mutilation, crying when there seems no reason. Sudden changes in mood or appearance. Changes in friendships. Giving away of things they cherish.
My heart absolutely breaks for this dear girl and her family. I am ashamed to say I let her down.
– Rebecca Evans
TITLEIST PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE
IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME!
Since its inception in 2003, TPI has studied thousands of golfers ranging from the top professional tour players to weekend enthusiasts. Using this data, TPI discovered how a properly functioning body allows a player to swing a golf club in the most e cient way possible. By integrating our team of TPI certi ed physical therapists, certi ed personal trainers , and PGA Golf Professionals, Pritchette Physical Therapy, operating as Rehab Plus of Ahwatukee, o ers one of the most comprehensive golf training programs available.
WHERE: Rehab Plus of Ahwatukee
WHEN: November 12, 2016 • 12-3pm
Pre-registration – $25 per person prior to day of event
Multiple registration discount – $20 per person for multiple person registration
Event Day registration – $30 per person registration day of event
*Payment will be collected day of event, or you can pay by phone
SCHEDULE:
This clinic will work with each individual one-on-one, so please register and include your preferred time between 12-3pm. We will have our event coordinator contact you to schedule your speci c time. Wear loose athletic attire. Golf equipment will be on-site for use.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
INSTRUCTION
Ahwatukee bio-tech company focusing on cure for lung cancer
BY SHELLEY GILLESPIE AFN Contributing Writer
When Dr. Alan Nelson graduated with a double major in physics and romantic literature from the University of Southern California, his approach to cancer differed from that of most scientists.
He saw an opportunity.
“Fascinated by the potential of science, I thought, ‘How can I leverage my talents?’” he recalled, thinking he could have “the greatest societal impact and decided to go after it…defeat cancer.”
And from his Ahwatukee biotech company called Visiongate, Nelson feels he is working his way toward that goal.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton saluted Visiongate during his appearance in September at the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, calling it “a homegrown new-generation biotech company that’s saving lives through early cancer detection.”
The city helped Visiongate find 220,000 square feet of space after it had outgrown its location at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Gateway Community College “and was fielding offers to relocate from all
around the country,” Stanton said.
“Since then, Dr. Alan Nelson and his team have secured their FDA approval on their revolutionary 3D cancer detection technology, and their facility will be the home of 125 high-paying jobs in the next five years,” Stanton said.
Lives, not jobs, are Nelson’s main concern.
He said his literature degree gave him a perspective on the world condition “which wasn’t pretty,” making him sensitive to cancer patients’ suffering.
Developing a way to diagnose breast cancer by creating a better approach to mammography was his first mission.
In the mid-1970s, Nelson realized that curing cancer meant early diagnosis. By the time cancer was visually identified, it was too late. So, it had to be found at the microscopic level.
Xerox, the copier company, was experimenting with X-ray imaging in a new medical division and hired Nelson.
He identified calcification from inflammation, which accompanied the cancer cells, as a dangerous symptom.
With a group of 18 scientists, Nelson designed, built and received a patent as lead inventor on a machine that was an early precursor for mobile medical imaging. The machines were brought to Safeway parking lots, where women could receive a mammogram and have it read while they shopped.
Consumer activist Ralph Nader eventually labeled the machines as dangerous, citing the danger of X-rays as a cause of cancer. Xerox withdrew from
the medical field.
Nelson, not happy with the “stumble,” said the digitized data created “stunning,” clear, imagery that could diagnose potential cancer.
Xerox heard his request to further his education and was granted funding for a lab and equipment at University of California/Berkeley.
There, he experimented with using ionizing radiation on glioblastomas, or tumors. Focusing the radiation so it exploded the center of the blastoma, he was able to deliver an exact beam with a machine the size of a city block.
The technology was effective, but expensive at $10,000 per second to run.
Patients were carefully screened and descended on Berkeley to rid themselves of the cancerous glioblastomas.
At the next stop in his rapidly evolving career, Nelson accepted a professorship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in nuclear engineering, where he taught.
He was also part of the project that developed Magnetic Resonance Imaging, now used everywhere because MRIs provide a more precise series of images, like slices, showing body organs.
Leasing office opens for new Generations at Ahwatukee complex
Generations at Ahwatukee has opened a leasing office for people who want to get a jump on reserving a unit at the new complex it is opening next year.
The complex, located at Chandler Boulevard and 50th Street and targeted for completion by mid-summer, will include 137 units.
That will include 97 independent and assisted-living residences with onebedroom, one-bedroom with den and two-bedroom floor plans and 40 studios and one-bedroom models housed within an innovative, secure setting for memory care residents.
People can now obtain information
about the units at Generations’ leasing office at 15215 S. 48th St., Suite 161, Ahwatukee, or by calling 480-485-3000.
“We will soon be taking deposits and forming a Charter Club,” said Amy Holt, a company representative.
All residents will sign a lease and pay monthly rent, which includes many amenities, Holt said.
Rent will depend on the size of the unit and whether a resident requires no health care from the staff, assistance with daily activities or help in coping with some form of dementia.
When available, Generations of Ahwatukee also will offer respite care by allowing people in home-care to stay temporarily for a two-week minimum and receive assisted-living or memory-
care services.
“Our healthcare staff will include a fulltime nurse and medication technicians, and 24-hour certified caregivers,” Holt said. “Residents will be able to use mobile medical services that visit as well.”
This is the second Generations community in the Valley. Generations at Agritopia opened in Gilbert July 2014. It is owned and operated by IPA Management and Retirement Community Specialists.
Eric Johnston, who has lived in Ahwatukee for over 25 years and is president of RCS and a partner in IPA, said, “We are thrilled to bring our lifestyle of possibilities to seniors in the Ahwatukee community.
“In addition to the remarkable amenities our communities typically feature,
Generations at Ahwatukee will include a pool, a sky deck and a marketplace where seniors can congregate with friends while enjoying a great meal and regular game of chess,” he said.
The entire community will be licensed to provide assisted living. Memory care services will be under a directed-care license. The development will boast a spa, fitness center, sky deck and a theater. It will also offer a number of hospitality services, including four dining venues, scheduled transportation, housekeeping, laundry services and a 24-hour emergency call system. It also will have a retail marketplace where seniors and others from the
(Shellie Gillespie/AFN Contributor)
Dr. Alan Nelson and 17 researchers at his Ahwatukee biotech company, Visiongate, are working on a cure for lung cancer.
Ahwatukee chiropractor holding toy drive, special night for moms
cared for by Child Help, a nonprofit.
Ahwatukee chiropractor Cameron
Call is undertaking a campaign and a special event to help underprivileged kids and stressed-out mothers of special needs children.
He’s holding a month-long toy drive and also holding a free Moms Night Out to pamper moms of special needs children.
The Moms Night Out—at 6 p.m.
Tuesday at The Specific Chiropractic Center, 4425 E. Agave Road, Ahwatukee—offers mothers of special needs children free massages, food, “socialization and pampering,” Call said.
“This is free and not a vendor expo,” he said. “No sales or selling will be taking place. This event is simply an evening for these women to relax and get taken care of for a change.”
Interested moms can contact Call at 602-753-7782 or cameron@thespecific. com.
Call also is collecting new toys for children of neglect and abuse who are
“They have a wish list every holiday season for items they’d like to collect to give to the kids in their organization for Christmas,” Call explained. “Most of these children, ages infant to teen, have nothing and come from nothing but neglect, physical and verbal abuse, and/ or abandonment.”
People who bring in a new toy with the price tag still attached can get $100 off an initial exam if they are not patients while patients who donate will get a free bone pillow.
Toys can be dropped off at Call’s office 9 a.m.-noon or 3-6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays; 8-11 a.m. or 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays or 8 a.m.-noon Fridays.
Cameron said he was inspired to do the toy drive because “I love building community and communities support their own.”
“Statistics say that five children die every day from abuse and neglect. That is five too many,” he said. “If I can play any part in helping them feel loved, valued and important, I will.”
Help for foster kids
(Special to AFN)
Legacy Cleaners in Ahwatukee collected 1,300 Dream Kits and hundreds of items that could make more for foster children who often are taken from abusive homes with little more than the clothes on their back. The drive was for Helping Hands, which provides foster children with necessities such as toiletries and other items.
SHOP LOCAL
Angry Crab Shack
3820 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee. 480-233-8675. angrycrabshack.com.
The Angry Crab Shack offers many options to enjoy delicious boil, from shrimp, crawfish, and lobster to blue (seasonal) and Dungeness crab. The Angry Crab offers food from scratch boil and prepared in a complex combination of wonderful spices and herbs assured to maximize your seafood experience. Angry Crab Shack and Angry Crab & BBQ are the places to go for all your seafood needs.
Sundance Spa & Salon Spa
10831 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee. 480-893-0300. sundancespasalon.com.
A landmark in the Foothills, Sundance Spa and Salon enables men and women to find any service they need to present their very best appearance at Sundance Spa. We also provide a gorgeous day spa where you can enjoy a relaxing massage, facial, manicure or pedicure, and other services.
Budget Blinds
1510 W. Post Road., Chandler. 602-820-8882. Budgetblinds.com
Since its founding, Budget Blinds has been serving Tempe, Ahwatukee, North Chandler and West Mesa with high-quality and stylish window coverings for any occasion. Call us today to schedule your free in-home consultation. We’ll bring you the highest quality and most fashionable window coverings to help you beautify your home.
At Home
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle., Tempe. 480-214-7328 www.athome.com
At Home is the home décor superstore that provides endless possibilities at an unbeatable value. We bring more than 30 years of passion and experience to the ever-evolving home décor category. From quirky to traditional, modern to exotic, we pride ourselves on having something for everyone. Express your personal style by choosing from our expansive selection of patio furniture, home furnishings, wall décor and decorative accents, rugs and housewares.
Spooner Physical Therapy
16611 S. 40th St., Ahwatukee. 480-706-1199 www.spoonerpt.com
Spooner Physical Therapy is a private outpatient rehabilitation practice dedicated to helping individuals of all ages and abilities achieve their maximum physical potential with the delivery of oneon-one personalized conditioning, physical therapy, and rehabilitation programs. Our therapists work closely with each patient to create unique programs that treat the cause of an injury in order to maximize results.
Main Street Ahwatukee
Brought to you by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
a surprise going-away party for
Shopping locally instead of online can benefit everyone
BY DARLA HOFFMAN AFN Guest Writer
The convenience of online shopping nabs us all from time to time. A click of a button and our goods are on their way to our door step. We can find anything we want on Amazon and avoid traffic and crowds.
We have relatives out of state and it’s just easier to send right from our computer. Of course, with our crazy lifestyles, no one can blame anyone for wanting fast and easy. I am a local business owner and I even make online purchases.
However, let’s talk about the direction of our community. Many of us chat among ourselves that we want more choices in Ahwatukee. We want quaint little shops and restaurants to signify the small town feel of our village. We want more options than big box chains. We want more entertainment here in our neighborhood. Every time a new establishment opens, we hope it can survive the times. It’s not always less expensive to shop
online and doing so can prevent keeping our dollars in the community.
A new study, released by Local First AZ and prepared by the American Booksellers Association, details specific findings for Arizona.
In 2014, it said, “Amazon sold $782.8 million worth of retail goods statewide, all while avoiding $20.2 million in state and local sales taxes. That is the equivalent of 550 retail storefronts, 1.9 million square feet of commercial space, which might have paid $7.3 million in property taxes. This results in $27.5 million in revenue lost to state and local governments, $11.53 for every household in Arizona.”
What this all means is that if these goods purchased from Amazon had been purchased from brick-and-mortar retail stores in Arizona, then state and local governments would not have lost this essential tax revenue.
Those dollars could then be distributed to public goods and services like schools, teachers’ salaries, libraries, public safety and other essential programs. We should also note that this study was only on Amazon,
UPCOMING EVENTS
Formoreinformationontheseand otherupcomingevents,visit www.ahwatukeechamber.com.
Palo Verde Award Dinner Four Points by Sheraton. 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets: AhwatukeeChamber.com
Ribbon-cutting ceremony
Keegan’s Grill, 4723 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee. Noon Tuesday. Sponsored by iAlohaRadio.com.
After 5 Evening Mixer
Post Net. 4605 E. Chandler Blvd., #110, Ahwatukee. 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 16. $5, members; $15, general admission. Sponsored by Von Hanson’s.
Get To Know Your Chamber Breakfast Mountain Park Senior Living 4475 East
which represents only one third of total online shopping.
If everyone made the shift to shop local instead of online just one out of every 10 times, it would have an enormous positive impact on our economy.
We have many retailers and momand-pop establishments in Ahwatukee. Most of these places have holiday gift card specials in hopes of being your choice this season. Our local businesses welcome the opportunity to provide you with excellent service.
Although we will never toss aside our love for the click of the button, I encourage people to shop local whenever possible. Let us not lose sight of personal interaction and the gratification we get from helping each other succeed. This is our community, and together we have the ability to strengthen our businesses and promote local life.
-Darla Hoffmann is the Owner of A-peeling Faces Skincare & Massage Therapy, which has been in business since 2006 and
apeelingfaces@ gmail.com to order. Free delivery in Ahwatukee.
NEW MEMBERS
won first place Best of Ahwatukee for 2015. Her holiday special includes: Purchase a $50 gift card and receive a $10 gift card for free. Call 480-540-7555 or email
(Special to AFN)
The Ahwatukee Chamber's staff threw
former President/CEO Anne Gill, who has assumed the same position with the Tempe Chamber. Family and staffers who attended the party at CK's Grill had pictures of her on sticks to underscore her impact on the community.
(Special to AFN)
Loretta Love Huff discusses the five-step profit formula at a recent Ahwatukee Chamber Women in Business Luncheon.
(Special to AFN)
Presiding over her last Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Get to Know the Chamber Breakfast, former president Anne Gill discusses the organization's benefits.
Diagnosis became easier.
During a sabbatical in the United Kingdom, Nelson researched biomedical radiation, spending time at both Queens University and University of Edinburgh hospital.
A perspective he learned from pathologists was that, “You don’t have cancer until the pathologist tells you so—or, better yet, do not.”
As many as 10,000 cancer cells would not be noticed in the normal diagnoses. If caught early enough, they could be cured. That realization marked a turning point for his career.
He set up a biomedical imaging program at University of Washington in Seattle with the help of grants and corporations.
Cervical cancer was on his radar and he was determined to make a difference. Through the machines he built, he made a global difference.
China, which lacked diagnosticians, was losing thousands of patients to cervical cancer that was not diagnosed in time. Using mathematical models, he estimated that 80,000 women could be saved with early diagnosis.
Visiting the Chinese National Institute in Beijing, he toured their facility and was proudly shown “the state-of-the-art equipment” he had made.
“It was a dream come true,” he recalled. “All the machinery my company had built, which was the standard of care. It automatically diagnoses cervical cancer.”
Nelson decided to resign from his professorship and work full time to tackle the deadliest cancer that caused 160,000 deaths annually: lung cancer.
“It was a death sentence,” Nelson said, “and smoker-cessation programs did not lessen it. Smoking causes 80 percent of all lung cancers, including second-hand smoke.”
Nelson fought the naysayers, who considered lung cancer the victim’s fault.
“They lacked compassion,” Nelson said “‘Why bother?’ was their attitude.”
They saw it as a death sentence.
After two years of study, Nelson found that nothing was available to catch early onset lung cancer. If caught early, he believed lung cancer was curable.
His students made a point of finding him and have become involved with VisionGate, which developed a screening program to diagnose early lung cancer with a test of sputum, or phlegm from a
deep cough.
Called LuCED for Lung Cancer
Early Detection, the sputum is analyzed by CELL-CT, the machine that VisionGate developed. It enables doctors to examine the samples and see cancer cells in 3-D.
As part of the process, “a licensed cytologist screens the images and then our pathologist reviews them,” Nelson explained. Once they’re reviewed, physicians obtain the results showing both abnormal or normal cells.
Through a collaboration with the University of Colorado, Nelson is working toward his dream of diagnosing and curing lung cancer.
With a pill that the University of Colorado developed, VisionGate was provided with exclusive licensing rights. Once the FDA approves the drug, Nelson hopes to allow doctors to prescribe the pill for people with confirmed lung-cancer diagnoses.
Meanwhile, VisionGate’s 17 scientists, researchers and staff continue their research into a lung cancer cure while building the machinery in Seattle.
He expects to make major announcements in December at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Conference in Austria.
LEASING
community can socialize and enjoy quality bistro-style meals.
In addition to its onsite restaurant-style fare, a wine cellar-themed wine room and a tea room will be available.
The complex will be next to Liv Ahwatukee, a luxury multifamily community also owned and operated by IPA. That will enable residents at both Generations and Liv to participate in intergenerational social activities that will include opportunities to participate in volunteer events together in the community.
IPA was founded as a full-service commercial real estate development company. In addition to providing prime locations, premium finishes, unique design and resort-style amenities, IPA champions “creating community, encouraging wellness and enabling technology and sustainability,” according to the company’s website.
RCS believes in enhancing the lives of seniors “through caring, personalized services.” It has been developing and managing independent living, assisted living and memory care communities since 1989.
SPIRITUAL SIDE
A young woman’s death brings sorrow and thoughts of eternal life
BY LISA JISA AFN Guest Writer
My friend Katie died a few days ago at the age of 25.
She and her sisters played with my oldest two kids when we lived in Bismarck, North Dakota. At that time, I would have simply said she was the daughter of my friends. But I came to know Katie as my own friend nearly eight years ago, the first time she courageously battled cancer.
She was so brave, and her faith in Jesus was so strong. After enduring those treatments, Katie lived cancer-free for quite a few years. But cancer came back five months ago.
When our family moved to Phoenix in 2000, I joked with Katie’s mom, Karen, that I probably wouldn’t be back in North Dakota until Katie’s graduation. Well, I didn’t make it back for high school graduation, but Katie’s funeral was a different sort of graduation celebration.
She has moved on from life on earth to eternal life.
Since Katie died, Facebook has been lighting up with comments and remembrances from the many people whose lives have been touched by this remarkable young woman.
You would expect that after someone dies, but these comments have been exceptional. Katie truly lived as someone who loved Jesus and spread that light to others. Katie was a good person who did many wonderful things, but those deeds did not earn her a spot in heaven.
Katie trusted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She believed in Him, asking for and accepting His forgiveness, and that’s the only reason she is with Him now.
There aren’t enough good deeds in the world to earn one’s way to heaven. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Oh, how it hurts to be on this side of heaven. My heart aches for the family that loved Katie so much, for the friends who will miss her dearly, and for her new husband whose grief I cannot imagine. But thank God there is hope for life beyond what we see here on earth, and that it’s a place with no suffering or pain or cancer.
When I look in the mirror, I see new grey hair and wrinkles. Bones creak when I stand up. I am nearly twice Katie’s age, and her death brings me face to face with
my own mortality.
I want to truly live a life worthy of the calling I have received. (Ephesians 4:1) I want to be known as an imitator of God, as one of His dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Reality-check time. How about you?
My prayer for those of you reading this is that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)
Jesus was raised from the dead, and His death was the payment for sin once and for all. If you have never accepted God’s gift of eternal life, make today the day you do it. Trust Jesus. You can live the rest of your life with the assurance of heaven.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE PLANNED
The Hope’s Treasures Holiday Boutique returns this year with quality handcrafted holiday and home décor, decorations, gifts for kids and adults, stocking stuffers, jewelry, handcrafted apparel, comfort items and more. Shoppers are invited to bring a non-perishable food item for Matthew’s Crossing food bank.
DETAILS>> Nov. 9-12, Hope Covenant Church, 1770 S. Dobson Road, Chandler. 4-8 p.m. Nov. 9; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 10-11; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 12. Information: hopechurchchandler.com
FRIDAY, NOV. 11
KINDERGARTEN & PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School will host parents who have small children entering kindergarten or preschool at a special open house. Children will to experience a “mini” day of school, while parents attend a presentation to learn more about the school. All children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2017, to attend the kindergarten open house and 3 years old by Sept. 1, 2017, to attend preschool open house.
DETAILS>> 8:30-11 a.m., 2117 S. Rural Road, Tempe. To reserve a space, go to olmcschool.info, email
openhouse@olmcschool.info or call 480-967-5567.
TUESDAY, NOV. 15
BETHANY CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Christmas shopping, ornament decorating, more than 30 vendors and a movie for kids are featured at the Bethany Christian School Christmas Bazaar.
DETAILS>> 6-8 p.m., 6304 S. Price Road, Tempe. To be a vendor, email events@bethanychristianschool.org.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16
STRESS AND HOLIDAYS
Senior Focus is having a special presentation addressing the impact of holiday stress on caregivers and families. The presentation—by David Johnson, Senior Care Authority and Devoted Guardians—will offer practical strategies to not only cope with the holidays, but how to enjoy them.
DETAILS>> 6:30-8 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road, Ahwatukee.
SATURDAY NOV. 19
CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR
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.
SUNDAY, DEC. 4
SPECIAL CONCERT PLANNED
Guest artists from the first annual Summer Artist in Residence Program, Chandler Gilbert Community College piano professor Piano Amanda Sherrill, and Arizona Opera soprano Melissa Solomon, will present a holiday concert of Bach, Handel, Rachmaninov and beloved classics.
DETAILS>> 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Admission, $15/students, $10. Children under 10 are free. Information: 480-936-4127, or Earl@htlutheran.com.
SUNDAY, DEC. 11
‘JAZZOPERETRY’ RETURNS
After a four-year absence, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Jazzoperetry (“Jazz-OP-ruh-tree”), Inc.,
will join forces to present the long-awaited return to Arizona of the contemporary Christian singer/ songwriter Robert Moffat. The Holy Trinity Chancel choir will join the Rob Moffat Chorus and instrumental ensemble to perform a musical nativity.
DETAILS>> 2 p.m., 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Admission $15/students $10. Information: 480-936-4127, or Earl@htlutheran.com.
SUNDAYS
VALOR CHRISTIAN OUTLINES MISSION
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.
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.
FAITH CALENDAR
-Lisa Jisa lived in Ahwatukee from 2000-2015, and now lives in Wisconsin. Reacher at lisa.jisa@gmail. com.
(Special to AFN)
Katie Schindler Prins was married over Labor Day and died within two months from cancer.
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 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.
TUESDAYS
JEWISH VIEWS ON HOT-BUTTON ISSUES
A new six session course presents a non-partisan, Jewish view of the hot button 2016 election issues, such as gun control and immigration. The classes will begin Nov. 14 and run for six weeks, until Dec. 19.
DETAILS>> 7:30-9 p.m., Chabad of the East Valley, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. 480-855-4333, chabadcenter.com or info@chabadcenter.com.
DIVORCED CAN FIND COMFORT
People suffering through a divorce or separation can find understanding and caring support to face these challenges.
DETAILS>> 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E Pecos Road, Room 117, Ahwatukee, 480759-6200 or mountainpark.org.
GAME NIGHT
Mountain Pointe High opens playoffs with big win
BY WILL ARGEROS
AFN Contributing Writer
Mountain Pointe football continued its campaign for a perfect season on Friday with a 52-14 win over Cesar Chavez.
The Pride offense couldn’t be contained, as the unit torched the Champions for 255 yards rushing. But for head coach Norris Vaughan, success in the pro-style offense is nothing new.
“The other teams could dominate like that if they wanted to run it,” he said. “We just do what we’ve got to do, and right now, that’s what is working for us. We wanted to go out there and pound it and end the game early, and we did. Rashie (Hodge) is a good player, and he can run with it, and he did tonight.”
GAME NIGHT:
Hodge carried the ball 12 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 46-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter.
Mountain Pointe’s defense was nearly perfect, holding the Champions to just 73 yards of offense in the first half, and 165 yards for the game.
“They have two really talented guys, Rogers and Allen, and we covered them well. I was upset we had a punt blocked, but we played really well,” he said.
Cesar Chavez scored on the blocked punt, and its other touchdown two minutes later. However, the Pride defense didn’t give a up a play for more than 30 yards in the game, even with their starters on the bench for most of
‘Reborn” Desert Vista High knocks out Mt. View
BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director
Desert Vista continued its rebirth in the second half of the season with an impressive 28-14 win over No. 7 Mountain View.
The 10th-seeded Thunder won its fifth straight game Friday in the first round of the 6A Conference playoffs, seemingly putting its slow start this season on a different calendar.
“It seems like a different season,” Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds said.
The Thunder (7-4) dominated the Toros (7-4) behind an aggressive and good-tackling defense, while the offense put running back Lelon Dillard to work. It was a good combination and if it hadn’t been for some shoddy special teams plays, Desert Vista might have headed into the second round of the playoffs with a shutout.
The Toros totaled less than 100 yards of offense and had six first downs.
They only scored on a 99-yard kickoff return to open the game by Jacobby Dinwiddie and a 3-yard touchdown run just before the half.
“We played one of our better games,” senior Thunder linebacker Chad Porter said. “They really didn’t do anything against us. They barely even got first downs.”
The Thunder’s biggest defensive play came when Mountain View went for it on 4-and-2 from its own 44 with 11 minutes left in the second quarter.
The Desert Vista defense overpowered the Toro line and swallowed Mountain View quarterback Wheeler Harris.
It led to a Dillard 2-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion for a 17-7 lead.
“They crashed through on that play and were very aggressive all game,” Mountain View coach Mike Fell said.
“We couldn’t run the ball at all against that defense. They made a lot of plays that we had no answer for.”
Offensively, the Thunder had a good mix of plays in the first half, including Nick Thomas’ 28-yard touchdown pass to Jake White to start the scoring. But it relied heavily on Dillard and the running game in the second half.
The Thunder opened the second half with a drive that lasted nearly nine minutes after possessing it for 16 minutes in the first half. That put Desert Vista up 28-14.
The drive was finished off with Thomas’ 3-yard pass to James Stagg.
Dillard, who finished with 25 runs for 86 yards with a score and nine catches for 101 yards, was the workhorse.
“He just keeps working and running hard,” said Thomas, who finished 22 of 31 for 238 yards. “I don’t know how he does it. He’ll get smacked, stay on his feet and keep going. He was huge for us in this game.”
Desert Vista played without one of
(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer) Mountain Pointe High’s Jaydon Brooks breaks free of attempted tackles before scooting across the goal line for a third-quarter touchdown.
(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)
Desert Vista High’s Alijah Gammage gets the first of two interceptions against Mountain View. See REBIRTH on page 44
Girls win Horizon Honors’ first state sports title
BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director
All signs pointed toward this being the big year, and Horizon Honors made it really big by winning a state championship banner Saturday.
The Eagles girls volleyball team won the 2A Conference state title with a three-set win over Chandler Prep to earn the school’s first state title in any sport.
“The No. 1 motivation all year was being the first team to put a banner in our gym,” senior Giuliana Castronova said. “We were going to be that team. It made us work our hardest every single practice, doing those suicide (conditioning) drills, kick butt every single game. It was definitely our motivation.”
It paid off with a clean sweep against the Titans, which made the 25-16, 2514, 25-19 win that much sweeter.
Chandler Prep knocked Horizon Honors out of the state playoffs in the semifinals a year ago after the Eagles swept the regular season.
Horizon Honors swept this year’s meetings as well, but there was no chance of the Titans pulling off an upset this time around.
“We learned a lot of lessons last year,” Horizon Honors coach Kris Maglunog said. “Volleyball wise we were really good last year, but that loss allowed us to grow mentally and learn intangibles like energy levels, high-fiving each other, team morale and camaraderie. And we thought that was the formula to win state.”
The Eagles (30-4) were in sync in this match as Castronova patrolled the back row; Alexa Smythe (13 kills) was the hammer; Bailee Stratton and Alexis Gomes provided other offensive options and aces were aplenty.
“It’s insane,” Gomes said. “We weren’t going to be stopped. This was one of the best matches we played all year. This is an awesome feeling.”
Horizon Honors, which had some spirit line state titles on the past, finally can put a banner in the rafters.
“This was years and years in the making,” Maglunog said. “All the hard work and dedication everyone over the years has put in the program. When that banner goes up, it isn’t just about this team or this year.
“It is for everyone whoever played at Horizon Honors.”
– Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ahwatukee.com.
(Billy Hardiman/Special to AFN)
Members of the volleyball 2A champion Horizon Honors team are, from left: Bottom Row: Camryn Marshall, Erica Kendree, Alexa Smythe, Giuliana Castronova, Gabriella Castronova and Michelle Ogle. Top: Coach Jessica Laflin, Head Coach Kris Maglunog, Kelly Urbina, Alexa Marshall, Jordan Cook, Alexis Gomes, Olivia Moran, Bailee Stratton, Roshi Patel, Amy Kendree and Coach Amanda Bors.
Pride’s Brooks, Thunder’s Gammage break open
BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director
As varsity football teams get deeper into the postseason, the separation of talent between them shrinks with each passing week.
The margin of victory should decrease as the top teams keep advancing.
There are many off the field intangibles—coaching advantages, styles of play, momentum—that can trump that and give an advantage to one side or the other.
One of those intangibles is a gamebreaker.
As top-seeded Mountain Pointe High and 10th-seeded Desert Vista High prepare for Thursday’s 6A Conference quarterfinals, each squad has a clear game-breaker that just might make a difference.
If Mountain Pointe (11-0) finds itself in a battle with No. 8 Desert Ridge (83) as the two squads square off for the second time in a month at Karl Kiefer Stadium, the Pride’s Jaydon Brooks
might make the difference if he can get his hands on a punt.
The same can be said for Desert Vista junior cornerback Alijah Gammage as the Thunder (7-4) travel to Austin Field to try and upset No. 2 Chandler (9-2).
Both Ahwatukee teams have plenty of playmakers, but Brooks and Gammage have made huge impacts on games with their abilities at returns and interceptions, respectively.
Brooks ranks second nationally in the MaxPreps’ punt-return average at 25.9 yards on 19 attempts, including four returns for scores. But he’s also had three punt returns and one kick-off return called back because of penalties.
Even if the 5-10, 165-pounder was able to get loose as a direct result of the penalty, he still found the end zone on eight different occasions on returns in one season.
There are programs that might go a decade without four punt returns for a score, let alone eight.
“He’s been dynamic,” Pride coach Norris Vaughan said. “He has great
vision, can make people miss and he is fast. It’s everything you want back. He’s made good decisions most of time and when he breaks one it really changes the game.”
Brooks, who averaged 12.6 yards a return last year, relishes the opportunity to have the ball in his hands and the whole field in front of him.
“I like being able improvise and make something happen,” said Brooks, who had two punt returns for scores in one game against Gilbert. “Sometimes when the offense and defense is in a stalemate the coaches will look at me and say ‘Jaydon, we need something on this one.’ I make sure I catch it first and then I look for the crease.”
Brooks, who has more than 1,400 total yards on the year, only had two returns for six yards against Desert Ridge in the 27-13 win on Oct. 14.
“If I get a chance I hope I can get another one,” he said. “They did a good job last time, but this is a different game. This is the playoffs and big plays make a difference this time of the year.”
Since Gammage became eligible in Week 6 after transferring from Valley Christian, Desert Vista has had a lateseason surge.
The Thunder have gone 5-1 since the junior was inserted in the lineup and started getting interceptions in bunches.
Gammage has seven interceptions in his six games, including two in last week’s 28-14 win over No. 7 Mountain View.
“Everyone was picking on me because I went to a small school,” he said. “As long as they keep testing me I will make a play.”
The first interception against the Toros came on a deep pattern where he outleapt the wide receiver, but the second one showed his football instincts.
Mountain View was facing a third and five, and was looking to do a quick drop and throw to the outside to get the first down. Instead, there was a lightening flash in front of the receiver
Two teams, one program
Desert Vista cross country sweeps Division I
BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director
For the second time in three seasons, Desert Vista doubled dipped when it came to hoisting the cross-country state championship trophy.
And this time it came with a first as the Thunder girls set a new standard that is nearly mathematically impossible to top.
The Desert Vista girls finished the races in the second through sixth spots for a combined score of 20 points, besting the previous big-school mark set by Xavier, which scored 22 points in 2011.
“We definitely didn’t have a number in mind,” Desert Vista senior Baylee Jones said. “As a team, we’ve been a strong program and after last year (finishing third), I think people thought they could push us under the rug. Coming into this race, we had some fire in us to get back up there.”
The Thunder, ranked as high as No. 3 in the country, easily paced the field as defending champion Chandler was second at 105 and Highland was third at 112.
“Our focus from Day One was to be the best we could be this season,” Thunder coach Jeff Messner said. “We never discussed winning the state this year. There is constant evaluation going on and that’s part of the responsibility as a coach.
“I was really pleased with their effort. We need to enjoy it, but keep it in context and move forward with the rest of the (national schedule portion) of the season,” he added.
The Desert Vista boys, who won their third straight title and fourth in five seasons, had a more difficult time.
The Thunder trailed Brophy at the one and two-mile markers, but the course at Cave Creek Golf Course is 3.1 miles long.
The Thunder closed hard to top the Broncos 57-70 behind five runners in the top 20, including Habtamu Cheney, who finished fourth with a time of 15 minutes and 54 second.
“I ran the race I wanted to,” Cheney said. “The time I ran was what I was looking for. It was right in the range of last year’s champion, but there were just some better runners out there today.”
The Thunder’s Reece Donihi (9th place, 16:14), Chris D’Angelo (12th 16:21), Nick Thatcher (14th, 16:30) and Askel Loudon (18th, 16:33) rounded the scoring for Desert Vista.
While those five are the credited numbers, Thunder coach Chris Hanson knows just how many people contributed to the team title.
“We have 55 kids in our program,” said Hanson, who only had one senior in the lineup. “I expect just as much from that 55th guy as I do of the No. 1. It is about embracing the ‘We mentality’ and working together to get to this point. I am sure other teams do as well, but I know for sure that is why we can be successful.”
Corona del Sol was the second highest boys finisher as the Aztecs came in third.
The Thunder girls were impressive in setting the big-school record as junior Haley Wolf was second at 18:30, Jones was third at 18:32, Emily Crall was fourth 18:35, Brooklyn Christofis was fifth at 18:38 and Amanda Davis was sixth at 18:39.
Jones’ finish was a nice rebound after struggling to the finish a year ago, when she unknowingly ran with mononucleosis. She had the lead until the final sprint, when her body had enough and essentially shut down as she finished 19th.
“I don’t get along with this course,” Jones said with laugh. “I was winning up and until I almost died. I just wanted to come back and help my team.”
The Thunder took back the title from Chandler, which was the surprise winner a year ago and had a good season in 2016. But there wasn’t much the Wolves could do to catch Desert Vista.
“We didn’t want to come out and say we had little chance so we played the underdog card,” Chandler coach Matt Lincoln said. “Reality is DV is just that good.”
It was pretty clear the day belonged to Desert Vista, a year after its program looked like a double-winner last year.
“As disappointing as that may have been,” Hanson said, “we tried to move on because we do call it ‘two teams, one program.’”
– Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonPSkoda.
– Check us out and like the Ahwatukee
REBIRTH
its top playmakers in junior Keishaud White and top defensive players Larry Davis, who leads the team in tackles and sacks.
Both are expected back next week when the Thunder travels to No. 2 Chandler (9-2) on Thursday.
“Chandler is a great team and a great program,” Porter said. “We will come in (on Saturday) and get prepared to play another game. That’s all we want to do at this point is keep playing.”
the second half.
“(The second team) came in and did a good job,” Vaughan. They’re a little green and had to play something they’re not used to because they’re JV guys, but they held them.”
The second team forced three turnovers in the second half, including a fumble recovered by Shomari Hayes near the end of the third quarter.
“I saw an opportunity and I took advantage of it. Coach told us if we stay focused and do our jobs, we’d get those opportunities,” Hayes said.
Top-seeded Mountain Pointe will have another opportunity to extend its perfect season on Thursday when it hosts No. 8 Desert Ridge in the quarterfinals.
Desert Vista girls swimming win title for second time in 4 years
BIG PLAYS
from page 42
for a diving interception.
“I saw the coach look at the quarterback, and the quarterback look at the wide receiver,” Gammage said. “I knew it was coming, and the situation in the game on that drive let me go for it.”
BY WILL ARGEROS AFN Contributing Writer
State championship swimming titles became bookends for the careers of 12 Desert Vista girls Saturday after they won their second title in four years.
Chandler finished in second place with 245 points
The Brophy boyd swim team easily captured another state championship with 394 points.
This week brings a much different challenge with Chandler’s athletes, including wide receivers Johnny Johnson and Gunner Romney.
“Chandler is really good,” Gammage said. “I was brought up to step up to a challenge and this is the next one.”
– Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonPSkoda.
– Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and follow @AhwatukeeFN on Twitter.
“This is tough. They came in contributing right away, not just in points but with leadership and teamwork,” head coach Shawn O’Connell said. “A huge reason we’re here is because they stuck together these four years.”
The Thunder topped the podium with 274 points, and O’Connell said it was because it got momentum early.
“We had an early individual win, with Shae Nicolaisen in the 200 (yard) free. That came right after our (200-yard) medley relay and they got really excited about it.”
Boulder Creek finished in third place with 196 points and Desert Vista took home fourth with 178. Despite the finish, O’Connell said the placing was spot on.
“Going against Brophy is always a challenge. But Boulder Creek and Mountain View were tough. We had a few individual swims that really helped us out,” O’Connell said.
One of those races was Josh Vedder’s 100-yard backstroke. The senior won the race in 50.26 seconds for his third consecutive state title in the event.
(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)
Members of the Desert Vista girls swim team began and ended their high school career with state-title wins.
Get Out
Ahwatukee couple expands their Perfect Pear Bistro to third location
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
An Ahwatukee couple has turned their Perfect Pear into three of a kind.
Chris and Laura Hove this week opened their third Perfect Pear Bistro at 603 W. University Drive, Tempe. It joins bistros they own at 9845 Priest Road at Ray Road, Tempe; and their original establishment at 1241 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee.
Perfect Pear Bistro boasts of serving “fresh, local ingredients” in a “warm, inviting atmosphere.”
Its fare “puts a modern American twist on comfort” with fresh salads, sandwiches,
grilled cheeses, soups, taco and pasta dishes, accompanied by “a rotating list of craft beers, red and white wines by the glass, and creative specialty cocktails,” Chris Hove said.
“We are so excited to bring our concept to this neighborhood,” said Hove. “Our amazing guests and staff at our two existing locations made us eager to grow.”
Added Laura: “We’re so grateful that our community has been so supportive, therefore allowing us to continue to expand throughout the Valley.”
Between them, the Howes have helped open more than 30 restaurants across the country.
They finally opened their own concept
in 2013 at Desert Foothills Parkway and Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee. A year later, the second location opened at Priest and Ray in Tempe.
Married for 12 years and the parents of a boy and a girl, the Howes met at a Pei Wei Asian Diner outlet that they opened.
Laura, a Santa Cruz, California, native, graduated from Desert Vista High School while her Iowa-born husband graduated from Corona del Sol High.
Chris calls himself a “Food Networktrained chef,” although he has been cooking since he was 10 years old and confesses to having “a general passion of the art of cooking.”
“We both started our careers as employees of several restaurants when we were 16 years old. We have opened over 30 restaurants for different restaurant chains over the years. We have had several great mentors who have taught us the business.”
Howe referred to a fortune cookie saying in explaining how he and Laura have succeeded in a highly competitive industry.
“My favorite fortune cookie saying is ‘Luck is what happens when opportunity meets hard work.’ In short, this is true.”
In addition to “quality, service, organization and cleanliness,” he added:
“throw in some tasty food and have fun.”
Employers of about 50 people at all three restaurants, the Howes have made many changes to their original vision for Perfect Pear. Besides changing their menu to incorporate seasonal flavors about every six months, he said, “We also try to support as many local businesses along the way. Our aim was to not close down. You could say failure was not an option and we really did not have a back-up plan.”
And they don’t sit around and let the staff do the work.
He said the rapid expansion of Perfect Pear stems from the fact that “the community has embraced us as a staple in the Foothills.”
Inspired by their early success, they opened the Ray-Priest roads bistro “to position ourselves in a higher-traffic location.”
“We had a great opportunity to open in South Tempe and build on our success of the first location because it is just on the other side of the freeway,” he added. “We have a lot of guests that frequent both locations or work near our Tempe location.”
While he believes “we have been very fortunate to have such a great following,” he and Laura don’t intend to rush their hopes of opening even more bistros.
“We always take one at a time,” he said. “However, we always look into the future to decide how we can best position ourselves as a brand and grow as a business. We have future locations in mind. We would love to open in Ocotillo or Central Phoenix.”
“We are still very hands-on managing everything from day-to-day operations,” Chris said. “We, as many business owners, wear many hats. We develop all of our menu items, market and play general handyman.”
Still, he added, “We have learned to surround ourselves with great people and trust that they will make great decisions.”
Chris said he and his wife consider the new addition to their brand “a very exciting location for us.”
“The Arizona State University location has a huge potential,” he said. “This location has an amazing patio and has a different feel to it.”
He added, “The walls lined with reclaimed wood and unfinished flooring have an urban look to it.”
The Howes plan to roll out a new menu in a month or so and it will feature a new menu section of quinoa bowls.
“We feel this is a great fit to our current offerings and see it as a natural evolution of our healthy options,” he said.
Information: perfectpearbistro.com.
(Special to AFN)
Perfect Pear Bistro owners Chris and Laura Hove are not only busy restaurateurs but also busy parents to son Brayden and daughter Makayla.
(Special to AFN)
Cabo Spicy Cobb salad and pumpkin spice martini.
From cars to concerts, weekend is full of diversions
BY JUSTIN FERRIS GETOUT Editor
Garden offers chili, chocolates
Sweet and spicy meet as with vendors of gourmet chocolate, fire-roasted chilies, sauces and more for your sampling and shopping pleasure at the Chili and Chocolate Festival.
DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-5 p.m., FridaySunday. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix.
Regular admission ($22 adult, $20 seniors, $12 students, $10 3-12). 480-9411225. dbg.org/events/chiles-chocolate.
NASCAR races into
Valley
Get your speed fix with three NASCAR races in three days, including the Can-Am 500 Sprint Cup Semi-Final.
DETAILS>> Times vary, Friday-Sunday. Phoenix International Raceway, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale. Tickets: $5$130. 623-463-5400, phoenixraceway. com.
Lindsey Stirling to perform
Even if you don’t know her name, you almost certainly know the girl on YouTube who dances while playing the violin. Now, the Gilbert native brings that simple concept (simple to explain, not to execute) to Phoenix with the Brave Enough Tour.
DETAILS>> 8 p.m., Saturday. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Tickets: $29.50-$58.50 (almost sold out). 602-379-2800, comericatheatre.com.
Antique tractors to be on display
Return to the heyday of—well—hay at the Antique Tractor and Small Engine Show, with an up-close look at antique tractors and tractor motors.
Plus, watch a tractor parade, tractor pull, visit the Dirt Road Antique Market, pick organic vegetables and enjoy amusement rides.
DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Cost: free. 480-9873100, schnepffarms.com.
Chandler has a ‘What
if’ concert
Dubbed “The Concert That Never Was,” Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra share a stage in spirit as performers Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo channel the two superstar performers and their most beloved songs.
DETAILS>> 3 p.m., Sunday. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Tickets: $29-$41. 480-782-2680. chandlercenter.org.
Bee Gees stayin’ alive
Go back in time and see the Bee Gees in their prime with this acclaimed tribute experience, the Bee Gees Gold Tribute. Hear your favorite songs like “Stayin’ Alive” and “You Should Be Dancing.”
DETAILS>> 7 p.m., Sunday. Higley Center, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert. Tickets: $31$36. 480-279-7194 higleycenter.ticketforce. com.
Tour the Roosevelt Neighborhood
Tour homes built from 1893 to 1930 and marvel at the turn-of-the-century
architecture in Phoenix’s Roosevelt Neighborhood. Also in the area will be food trucks and a craft fair.
DETAILS>> 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday. The Roosevelt Neighborhood, McDowell Road to Van Buren Street and Central to 7th avenues. Tickets: $15 adult, $10 kids 8 and up. rooseveltneighborhood.org.
Ahwatukee shows off cars
Come out and see a range of vehicles from classics to sports cars and exotics, plus enjoy a pancake breakfast, barbecue lunch, and a 50/50 and all-day raffle. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday. Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee. Cost: Free entry for spectators, $1-$4 for food; $15 vehicle registration; Free registration and breakfast for all military. 480-893-3431 ahwatukeehoa.com.
-More entertainment news: phoenix.org
Tips for the best and fastest Internet experience
Manager
What speed works best for my home Internet? The right Internet speed depends on what your needs are, how you use the Internet and what is currently in your home. Research shows that the average American spends 11 hours per day on the Internet, while living in a household with over nine devices connected.
Which speed works for which activities? Here is a basic rundown of speeds:
• 15 megabits per second (Mbps) is good for email, basic Web browsing and one standard-definition stream.
• 150 Mbps works best for advanced Web browsing, basic gaming sites and two high-definition streams.
• 300 Mbps works well for a household doing a mix of 15 to 150 Mbps activities.
• 1,000 Mbps (1 gigabit) is ideal for gaming, teleconferencing, ultrahighdefinition streams and a household of many end users.
• Gigabit Internet speed, we call G1GABLAST, is the next generation of broadband Internet service. This innovative new offering to home users delivers increased speed to power all of your home devices at the same time.
What can you do with G1GABLAST Internet speed? G1GABLAST offers speeds 100 times faster than the average speed in the U.S. today.
With a gigabit, you can:
• Run ALL your devices at the same time.
• Download an HD movie in less than 60 seconds.
• Download 100 songs in three seconds.
• Upload 1,000 photos in about a minute.
Are there any new services available from Cox? Yes, Cox is currently rolling out its new Contour boxes to customers in the area. The newest generation of Contour is wonderful! I have it in my
home. First, you can talk to your remote and verbally ask for viewing options on a range of topics. Also, the new screen design is very similar to Netflix. You will see movie and television show art/icons. Additionally, information on the program will be displayed, including a description of the show, cast and run time. Contour will also make recommendations for other viewing content as it gets to know your interests. You can record up to six shows at once and store up to 300 hours of high-definition programming or up to 1,000 standard-definition programming. You can even start watching recorded programs in one room, pause, and resume in another room.
Also, our Cox Homelife is terrific and customers are loving it! It’s more than a security system; it’s really a home management service that turns your house into a “smart home.” You can regulate your air-conditioning/heating remotely, look in on your pet while you’re at work, and receive a text or email when your kids arrive home from school.
We have some great services that our customers love, so please stop by our Cox Retail Store and we can show you more.
Paul Gravett Tempe Cox Solutions Store Manager
Paul Gravett Tempe Cox Solutions Store
Life Events
Obituaries
ROCHA, Johnathon Nicholas
Johnathon Nicholas Rocha, age 25 deceased on October 31, 2016, Johnathon was a 2009 graduate of Mountain Pointe High School and was living in Mesa, AZ Johnathon was a devoted father of his one year old daughter Eliza Scarlet Rocha, a caring boyfriend of Hannah Schnese, and a big brother to Alexander Rocha and Samuel Jewell Johnathon is survived by his parents/step parent Jim and Lee Ann Rocha Jewe
Wilma Rocha and Neal and Olga Schuster Johnathon will be greatly missed by his friends and family In lieu of flowers donations for Eliza Rocha's College fund can be made to College America FBO Eliza Rocha Send to funeral home or PO Box 93394, Phoenix, AZ 85070
Education/ Schools
Make Extra Cash
Family owned child care center in Ahwatukee looking for qualified and experienced teachers/teacher aids for all ages, 6 weeks to 5 years FT/PT hours Call 480-704-5256 for more information.
Duties: Laborers will be needed for pruning, fertilization, irrigations systems maintenance and repair, general clean up procedures and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units Work outdoors, physical work 3 months landscape EXP REQ No EDU REQ
Days & Hours: 40 hours/week (6:00am-2:30pm); day shift; Mon-Fri Dates of employment: 01/23/1710/23/17 Wage: $11 74/h, OT $17 61/h if necessary
Raises, bonuses, or incentives dependent on job performance OJT provided
Assurances: Transportation (including meals and, to the extent necessary, lodging) to the place of employment will be provided, or its cost to workers reimbursed, if the worker completes half the employment period Return transportation will be provided if the worker completes the employment period or is dismissed early by the employer Employer will provide workers at no charge all tools, equipment and supplies required to perform the job Job location: Tempe, AZ - Maricopa and Pinal counties
Applicants may send or contact the AZDES Office, 4635 S Central Ave, Phoenix AZ, 85040 Desirae Diaz ph:520-866- 3608 Please reference AZDES Job Order #: 2458658
Employer: R H Dupper Landscaping, Inc 1020 W Ranch Road, Suite 105, Tempe AZ 85284 Contact: Nikki Fails-Fodge, fax (480) 893-6846.
Construction workers, 24 temporary full-time positions
Duties: The workers will perform task involving physical labor at building swimming pools May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying equipment, measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment or instruments May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches and may assist other craft workers 3 months construction EXP REQ No EDU REQ
Days & Hours: 40 hours/week (6:00am-2:30pm); day shift; Mon-Fri Dates of employment: 01/15/1707/31/17 Wage: $15 07/h, OT $22 61/h if necessary Raises, bonuses, or incentives dependent on job performance OJT provided
Assurances: Transportation (including meals and, to the extent necessary, lodging) to the place of employment will be provided, or its cost to workers reimbursed, if the worker completes half the employment period Return transportation will be provided if the worker completes the employment period or is dismissed early by the employer Employer will provide workers at no charge all tools, equipment and supplies required to perform the job Job location: Chandler, AZ - Maricopa and Pinal counties, AZ
Applicants may send or contact the AZDES Office, 4635 S Central Ave, Phoenix AZ, 85040 Desirae Diaz ph:520-866- 3608 Please reference AZDES Job Order #: 2458657
Employer: CDC Pools, Inc 2364 S Airport Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85286 Contact: Peter Nielsen, fax (480)539-7701
Landscape laborers, 50 temporary full-time position
Classifieds
1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #249 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465
Deadlines: class@timespublications.com
Classifieds: Monday 11am for Wednesday Life Events: Friday 10am for Wednesday
Notices
Leather Love Seats (2) & Ottomans (2), Dining Table & Chairs, King Bed w/Pillow Mattress Queen Head Board & Foot Board, Dresser, Chest Night Stand (2), Futons (2) Sat, Nov 12 7am-Noon 4911 E Hopi St Ahw
EARLY DEADLINES
for Thanksgiving Week
Deadline for the Thanksgiving Day publication is the Wednesday prior, Nov. 16 at 8am.
To place an ad please call: 480-898-6465 class@times publications com
Sale
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
Meetings/Events
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
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS & GAMANON for meeting information 602-266-97846
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS SENIOR ASSOCIATION (AFSA) will be celebrating an early Thanksgiving at their monthly meeting on Thursday, November 10, at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel located at 51st St and Elliot Rd in Phoenix Doors open at 11am and lunch is at noon
Cost is $13 Open to all Seniors 55+ Deadline for reservations is Saturday, November 5 For further information, please contact Sue McCann at (480) 469-9388
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
Legislative District 18
Democrats
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
Meetings/Events Meetings/Events
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 and support to anyone 18 years or older who is dealing with a friend or family member with an addiction See our local meeting list at palgroup 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
Meetings/Events
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
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
Window Cleaning
Meetings/Events
Aegis Hospice Grief/Loss Support Group We meet 6 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
Service (480) 201-6471
Meetings/Events
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
Legacy Funeral Home: 1722 N Banning St Mesa, Refreshments provided Contact: Rick Wesley 480-219-4790 rick@ aegishospice.com
Meetings/Events
Open your Heart and Home, Host an International Student! Please contact Pascale Dunton 602-980-4388 west@iseusa org west iseusa org
